News from the Nest — November 3, 2023

Posted November 3, 2023

You’re Invited: 2nd Annual Glow Dance Party on 11/17!

The McKinley-Thatcher community is cordially invited to our PTA’s second annual Glow Dance Party on Friday, November 17 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in our cafeteria! We’ll have a special guest appearance by DJ Cyn (who is back from several of last year’s events)!

Admission to the dance is FREE! We will have chips, hot dogs, veggie dogs, drinks, a bake sale, glow accessories, face paint, and other fun available for sale by purchasing raffle tickets at the door. 

We have a limited number of free tickets for families in need of assistance. If your family would benefit from these free tickets, please let us know in our RSVP form!

Please RSVP!

To RSVP, make a raffle or bake sale donation, or sign up to volunteer, click here.

Donate an Amazon Wish List Item!

Support the Glow Dance by purchasing dance supplies via this Amazon wish list!

Staff Health Update from Ms. Bruner

We are sharing an update from Ms. Jen Bruner, our psychologist, about an upcoming health change. Ms. Bruner has a neurological condition that causes nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) and ataxia (impaired balance and coordination), as well as severe osteoarthritis of the midfoot (the top of the feet) and throughout her body. Due to this combination of health issues, Ms. Bruner has a significant risk of falling down. To address this risk, she will start using a wheelchair next week and asked us to share this news on her behalf. Using a wheelchair will increase her mobility and hopefully help relieve some of her pain.

We know our students will be very interested and curious about this change, and Ms. Bruner is happy to answer their questions about it. If you’d like to speak with your child about this, you can share that Ms. Bruner is using a wheelchair because she is having trouble with her back and her feet and is not able to walk safely.

Thank you for your compassion and understanding! 

In Other News!

  • Due to space limitations, and out of respect for our indigenous community members, we are not hosting a school Thanksgiving meal for families this year. DPS Food Services will offer a Thanksgiving lunch for students only on Thursday, 11/16. As a community, we will focus on a culturally responsive way to learn about this time in American history. Thank you for understanding!

  • During November, we are teaching and learning about our third school value, challenge yourself!

  • Families can see our November 2023 lunch menus in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese!

  • 1st & 3rd Grade PE Nights with Mr. J: join our Physical Education teacher, Mr. J, for your grade level PE Night to have your students teach you the heart-healthy and lifelong fitness exercises they learn in PE! Please enter through the gym’s alleyway door.
    • 1st Grade PE Night — 11/8, 5:00pm-6:00pm
    • 3rd Grade PE Night — 11/9, 5:00pm-6:00pm

  • Save-the-Date for two November school events!
    • Our fall 2023 book fair will be held after school from Monday, 11/27 to Friday, 12/1! We’ll also have online book fair shopping available during the week of 11/20. More info coming soon!
    • PTA’s November Restaurant Fundraiser is at Birdcall on Tuesday, 11/14! Click here for more info.

  • REMINDER: 2023-2024 student & class pictures now available to order! Please visit this post on our website for ordering instructions.

  • REMINDER: registration for our winter session of after-school enrichments closes at 10:00pm on Thursday, November 9. To review registration information and our winter enrichment catalog, please visit the enrichments page on our website here.

Community News & Resources

  • Fundraise for McKinley while supporting a neighborhood business and enjoying some great wine at the same time! Pearl Wine Company is hosting their annual anniversary wine tasting on Saturday, 11/4! 100% of the proceeds from each $65 ticket purchased through our special school shop item come back to our school! Buy your tickets here — scroll down to find the McKinley ticket item!

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  • Mon., 11/6 – Wed., 11/8 – LAST WEEK of fall after-school enrichments
  • Wed., 11/8 – 1st Grade PE Night, 5:00pm
  • Thurs., 11/9 – Kindergarten NNAT testing (see info from your teachers!)
  • Thurs., 11/9 – Registration for winter after-school enrichments CLOSES
  • Thurs., 11/9 – 3rd Grade Field Trip: Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
  • Thurs., 11/9 – ECE Field Trip: DCPA
  • Thurs., 11/9 – 3rd Grade PE Night, 5:00pm
  • Fri., 11/10 – 1st Grade Field Trip: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
  • Tues., 11/14 – November Restaurant Fundraiser: Birdcall
  • Thurs., 11/16 – Kindergarten NNAT testing
  • Fri., 11/17 – Monthly School Value Assembly, 7:45am
  • Fri., 11/17 – PTA Glow Dance Party, 5:30pm

Upcoming DPS & Community Events