News from the Nest — August 30, 2024

Posted August 30, 2024

How We Use ClassDojo, Our School’s Messaging App!

McKinley-Thatcher uses ClassDojo as our primary communications app. Through a ClassDojo account connected to our school, families can see posts on our school story (school-wide information), posts on their student’s class story (class-specific information), and utilize ClassDojo’s direct messaging feature to communicate with their students’ teachers and other school staff. ClassDojo is also available in multiple languages and can translate posted information into the language of your choice!

Families do NOT need to subscribe to the premium version of the ClassDojo app in order to receive school communications. All information we share is available to all families through the free version! 

ClassDojo has recently released a new Class Chat feature. Class Chat is a great way for families and teachers to communicate in support of the class. Class Chat helps families organize birthday parties, playdates, and other activities together. When using Class Chat, please make sure your message content is related to the classroom and student activities, and remember: keep it G-rated. Thank you!

Save-the-Date:
Back-to-School Night is Thursday, September 12, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.!

Please mark your calendars for our annual Back-to-School Night event on Thursday, September 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.! Back-to-School Night is an opportunity to sit down with your child’s teachers to learn more about classroom rituals and routines, curriculum, and school policies. 

Teachers will offer two identical presentation sessions during Back-to-School Night. Families can attend the one that works best for them, and families with multiple students can attend both!

  • Session #1: 4:00 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Session #2: 4:45 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.

We’re also providing free childcare for McKinley students – we’ll share more details about that in next week’s newsletter!

McKinley-Thatcher Welcomes Our New Therapy Dog, River!  

River is owned and trained by Ms. Stephanie Thielen, our Gifted and Talented teacher. River and Ms. Thielen will be working at our school on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year. Read more about River here!

Therapy animals in school support students’ social skills, help children (and adults!) who are experiencing stress and anxiety, create a sense of belonging, and boost student academic engagement. River will always be with Ms. Thielen, his trained handler. 

River is excited to be part of this amazing school community and he looks forward to spending time with your child soon! Please call or email our school nurse, Jen Iltis, if your child has an allergy to dogs that we should be aware of (Jennifer_Iltis@dpsk12.net or (720) 424-5606). 

Other School News

  • Click here to see our September 2024 lunch menu in English! Please note, our menu currently goes only through September 20. We will post the full lunch menu, including translated versions, as soon as they are available!

  • 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

  • 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

  • Gun safety resources from Denver Police Department (DPD): as part of a holistic approach to increasing gun safety and awareness in our neighborhoods, DPD District 3 is providing free cable gun locks to community members – no questions asked. When used correctly, a cable gun lock makes a firearm inoperable in case a child was able to access the gun. For more information, please refer to this flyer (available in English and Spanish).

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  • Monday, 9/2 – NO SCHOOL: Labor Day
  • Thursday, 9/12 – Back-to-School Night, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, 9/13 – NO SCHOOL: McKinley Staff Planning Day

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

  • None at this time!