News from the Nest — August 23, 2024

Posted August 23, 2024

Welcome to the First Edition of News from the Nest
for the 2024-2025 School Year!

News from the Nest is McKinley-Thatcher’s weekly digital newsletter. It comes out each Friday afternoon on our website, via email, and on ClassDojo. It is the best source for up-to-date information about school news, events, and community resources! 

REMINDER:
McKinley’s Special No School Days + School Calendars

Families can download the McKinley school year calendar here. This calendar shows all of our no school days, including the four NO SCHOOL days that are specific to our school. 

The McKinley-specific NO SCHOOL days are: 

  • Friday, September 13, 2024
  • Friday, March 7, 2025
  • Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • Friday, May 2, 2025

Families can also bookmark our school Google calendar on our website or subscribe to it to see our upcoming events and other important dates!

REMINDER:
Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up Policies

During morning drop-off, school staff supervision of kindergarten through 5th grade students on the playground begins at 7:15 a.m. ECE students must be accompanied by an adult family member until they are signed into their classrooms.

Students should be dropped off at their classroom’s arrival door by 7:30 a.m. Late students arriving after 7:30 a.m. may not enter through their classroom doors and should be dropped off at our front door instead.

Families who drive to school may use our kiss-and-go system (drop off your child at the curb in the front of our building, where they will be greeted by school staff) or may park in the neighborhood if you prefer to escort your child onto the playground.

Students must be picked up from their classroom’s dismissal door at 2:30 p.m. unless they’re participating in our Discovery Link program or an after-school enrichment class. Families can refer to our pick-up map here to see their student’s assigned dismissal door. 

There is no after-school playground supervision. Students who are not picked up by 2:35 p.m. will be brought to our main office and their families will be contacted.

Other School News

  • Mark Your Calendars: we have NO SCHOOL on the following days in September!
    • Monday, 9/2 – Labor Day
    • Friday, 9/13 – McKinley Planning Day
    • Friday, 9/27 – DPS Planning Day

  • In case you missed it, here’s our August 2024 lunch menu in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Vietnamese!

  • Calling all 3rd – 5th graders! Get ready to activate your I Can! Power with Girls on the Run! Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade are invited to join our school’s Girls on the Run (GotR) team. GotR lessons help girls build confidence with an I Can mindset.

    Our team will explore lessons focusing on navigating emotions, healthy communications, positive self-talk, teamwork, and friendships while walking, running, hopping, and skipping their way to a 5K.

    Girls on the Run starts the week of September 9, and will meet on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with our coaches, Amanda Eisenson, Rebecca Schroeder, Jenn Duff (all McKinley teachers!) and Katie Flanagan (McKinley parent!). 

    Team registration is open now at www.girlsontherunrockies.org! 

Community News & Resources

  • None at this time!

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  •  Monday, 9/2 – NO SCHOOL: Labor Day

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

  • None at this time!