News from the Nest — September 25, 2026
Posted September 25, 2026
REMINDER: NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 28!
We have no school this coming Monday, September 28. This is a district-wide staff professional development day. School resumes on Tuesday, September 29.
Family-Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, October 7 & Thursday, October 8
We are hosting family-teacher conferences after school on Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8. Teachers are sharing conference sign-up sheets with their families directly via ClassDojo, so please keep an eye out for them!
School News
- Reminder about cognitive testing for gifted and talented identification: if you are interested in nominating your McKinley-Thatcher student for cognitive testing for potential gifted and talented identification, please complete the 2026 Fall Gifted and Talented (GT) Cognitive Testing Nomination Form before Friday, October 2.
Please note: all students in 1st and 5th grade automatically participate in GT cognitive testing as part of the Denver Public Schools Universal Screening process. If your student is in 1st or 5th grade, you do not need to nominate them as they are already scheduled to complete testing this month.
If you have any questions about cognitive testing, gifted and talented identification, or programming available at McKinley-Thatcher, please reach out to our Gifted and Talented teacher, Stephanie Thielen, at Stephanie_Thielen@dpsk12.net.
- Mark your calendars: we have no school on Monday, October 12. This is a vacation day for McKinley-Thatcher. School resumes on Tuesday, October 13.
Upcoming School Events
- Monday, September 28 – NO SCHOOL: District Staff Planning Day
- Wednesday, October 7 – Family-Teacher Conferences (after school)
- Thursday, October 8 – Family-Teacher Conferences (after school)
Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.
PTA News
- This coming Wednesday the 30th is our first evening PTA meeting! We’ll meet in the school cafeteria at 6:30PM (a small kids craft area will be set up if you need to bring your kiddo) and get into more detail with topics like events, budgets, school staff updates, and new ideas. Learn more on our website.
And if you prefer a shorter 30 minute meeting, join us for our PTA Recap Meeting just a few days later on Friday October 2nd at 7:30AM under the gazebo on the playground. Stop by for Duffeyroll and coffee and an overview of what was discussed at the Wednesday evening meeting.
- Next week is the FINAL WEEK of our Lavender Coffee fundraiser! Through Wednesday September 30th, when you make your purchase and mention McKinley-Thatcher, they’ll donate $2 back to our school. Let’s finish it out strong while enjoying some great coffee from our local neighborhood business!
Upcoming PTA Events
Community News
- Families & community members are invited to join Denver Fire Department Firestation #21 for their annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, September 26 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Please see this flyer for details (PNG file).
- Families & community members are invited to attend Hero Fest, a free, family-friendly event taking place at Denver South High School on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event is designed to celebrate first responders and strengthen connections between these local heroes and the families and communities they serve. You can learn more by visiting the event page here.
Upcoming Community Events
Share Your Feedback with Us!
Please let us know how we are doing! Send us a shoutout, an idea you have to help us get better, or a concern that you would like addressed. Responses can be submitted using this Google form. Thank you!
