News from the Nest — May 24, 2024

Posted May 24, 2024

REMINDER: BOGO Book Fair Is 5/24 to 5/31!

Our Spring BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) Book Fair opened in-person today and runs until Friday, May 31 after school in our gym and art room. The fair is also open online here!

In-Person Fair Schedule

  • Friday, May 24: 9:00am-11:30am (playground during Field Day) & 2:30pm-4:30pm (gym)
  • Tuesday, May 28: 2:30pm-4:30pm (gym)
  • Wednesday, May 29: 2:30pm-6:00pm (art room)
  • Thursday, May 30: 2:30pm-6:00pm (art room)
  • Friday, May 31: 2:30pm-4:00pm (art room)
  • To help keep our building secure, fair visitors may not enter or exit the fair through our building or main doors. Instead, please plan to access the fair through our alleyway doors — simply follow the book fair signs in the alley!  

We Need Volunteers!

Volunteer for at least one shift at our fair and choose a book of your own to keep for FREE! Sign up to volunteer through our SignUpGenius here! 

Reminder from Nurse Jen: It’s Time for Medication Pick-Up!

It is that time of year again! All student medications must go! If you have any medication for your student at school, please plan on picking it up no later than 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 5. To pick up medications, come to the front office and the school nurse will meet you to sign them out. Colorado’s state guidelines state that medications are not permitted to be sent home with your child. Any medication not picked up by 1:00pm on June 5 will be destroyed, per DPS policy. 

For questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Jen at (720) 424-5606. Thank you!

Please Mark Your Calendars!

  • We have NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. 
  • ECE ONLY: Last Day of School for ECE – Tuesday, June 4 
  • K-5th Grade: Last Day of School for K-5th Grade – Wednesday, June 5
    (half-day with dismissal at 11:30am)

Free Summer Healthcare for DPS Students!

Denver Health’s School Based Health Centers will continue to see DPS students and their siblings for free at certain locations during the summer. The clinics offer free medical and dental care, run by Denver Health Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. For more information, check out their summer flyer here

Get Extra Food Support with Colorado’s Summer EBT Program!

Beginning this summer, Colorado will offer Summer EBT, the new grocery EBT program for families with eligible school-age kids. Many families will automatically receive Summer EBT if their children qualify based on income or if they participate in SNAP or Colorado Works. Families also may be eligible if they receive Medicaid and meet the NSLP income guidelines. 

If you are not automatically enrolled and believe your children are eligible, you can get Summer EBT by filling out a You Benefit application in our main office. Learn more about Summer EBT, eligibility, and how the program works at cdhs.colorado.gov/summer-ebt!

Other School News

  • Please RSVP for PTA’s End of School Party on Wed., 6/5! Our school community is invited to join our PTA in celebrating another amazing year at McKinley-Thatcher!
    • WHO: the entire McKinley community
    • WHAT: PTA’s End of School Party
    • WHEN: Wednesday, June 5 (our last day of school!), 11:30am-3:00pm 
    • WHERE: McKinley playground & field
    • WHY: food, fun, & activities including an inflatable obstacle course, a visit from the Denver Fire Station 16 fire truck, pizza, snow cones, snacks, and drinks.
    • HOW: click here to RSVP!

  • NEW this year, there will be NO summer Chromebook checkout for DPS students. In order to ensure DPS is prepared for students to have fully functional Chromebooks at the start of next school year, no students may check out a Chromebook during summer break. For full details, please see the district-wide communications sent to families in early May.  

Community News & Resources

  • Save $50 on Camp Galileo summer programs with our school’s special discount code, MCKINLEY50! Camp Galileo, one of our school’s sponsors, is offering a summer of learning and camp fun in Platt Park at the Ricks Center for Children. Check out camp offerings here and don’t forget to use our discount code when you register!

  • Peace Day Celebration with the Conflict Center: on Saturday, 6/1, join the Conflict Center for their 7th annual Peace Day, which celebrates connection, community, and the power of literature to teach children skills that promote empathy, kindness, and problem-solving! This safe and fun family event includes entertainment, food, and interactive activities. Check out this flyer for details!

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  • Fri., 5/24 – Fri., 5/31Spring BOGO Book Fair
  • Mon., 5/27NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
  • Wed., 5/29 – 2nd Grade: CAL Showcase (check with your teachers for details!)
  • Fri., 5/31 – K-5th Grade Talent Show (for our students & the families of our performers ONLY!) 
  • Mon., 6/3 – 5th Grade Continuation, 4:00pm-5:00pm in our cafeteria 
  • Tues., 6/4ECE ONLY: Last Day of School!
  • Tues., 6/4 – ECE Continuation, 9:00am-10:00am in our cafeteria 
  • Tues., 6/4 – 4th Grade End-of-Year Picnic: Wash Park
  • Wed., 6/5 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (half-day with dismissal at 11:30am!)
  • Wed., 6/5 – End-of-Year awards assembly, 7:45am in our cafeteria
  • Wed., 6/5 PTA’s End-of-School Party, 11:30am-3:00pm, on our playground

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

  • None at this time!