News from the Nest — November 1, 2024

Posted November 1, 2024

Support McKinley During Colorado Gives Day!

Join us for McKinley-Thatcher Elementary’s VERY FIRST Colorado Gives Day campaign on Tuesday, December 10!

What Is Colorado Gives Day?

Organized by the Colorado Gives Foundation, Colorado Gives Day is a special day each December where donations made to Colorado nonprofits, including McKinley-Thatcher, are automatically boosted by the Foundation!

Early Giving Starts Today!

From Friday, November 1 through Tuesday, December 10, every donation will be boosted by a $1 million Incentive Fund, thanks to the Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Plus, set up a new monthly donation, and your first gift will be matched up to $100! It’s a powerful way to double your impact and support our amazing students and teachers at McKinley-Thatcher.

How to Give:

Visit our donation page at https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Mct-Donates.
Select monthly giving, and your donation will be matched.

Help make our first Colorado Gives Day a success! Thank you for supporting our school and students.

Donate Today!

With gratitude,
MCT PTA

In Case You Missed It:
An Important Message for Families Who Drive to School

We have seen an increase in unsafe driving behavior during our morning drop-off time (7:15 a.m. – 7:35 a.m.). Please make sure that you are following the NEW expectations outlined below if you drop off your child in the front oval Kiss-and-Go line at our main door.

McT Kiss-and-Go Procedures:

Single file, one lane of traffic along the south curb.
Pull as far forward as possible.
Stop the car.
Child gets out on the curb side / driver stays in the car.
Driver stays in the line of cars and pulls forward when it is their turn. Do not go around other cars.

If you want to enter the building, play on the playground, or sign in an ECE student, please find a spot in the neighborhood to park. You may NOT park in the front oval. Instead, we suggest parking on Logan Street in the 1-hour spaces on the west side of the street.

Dropping off students or parking in the staff parking lots (west lot and alleyway lot) is prohibited, as the lots also serve as a walkway for our students coming to and from school.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for our students!

Volunteer with Free Book Friday to Help Our Students Build a Love of Reading!

Our school librarian, Ms. Goldberg, is looking for volunteers to help out with Free Book Friday, a recurring book giveaway organized by school staff for the McKinley-Thatcher community!

Most Fridays from November through May, we are planning to hand out books from our donation boxes for FREE to our students after school. If you’d like to assist, please sign up here!

What Does Volunteering Look Like?

Free Book Friday volunteering involves:

Arrive at 2:00 p.m. and check in as a visitor in the main office.
Set up folding tables and preselected books on the playground.
From 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., facilitate book giveaways by helping children select books and restocking tables as needed.
At 2:50 p.m., return leftover books to the boxes. Move boxes and folding tables back inside the building.

I Have Questions or Need More Information!

Contact our librarian, Ms. Karen Goldberg, at MaryKaren_Goldberg@dpsk12.net.

Other School News

Here’s our November 2024 lunch menu in English, Arabic, Dari, Spanish, and Vietnamese!
Save-the-Date: our fall book fair is coming up the week of November 18! The book fair is a great place to stock up on books for our long school breaks in November and December, as well as to find holiday gifts. We’ll share more information in November!

Community News & Resources

None at this time!

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

Friday, 11/8 – 5th Grade Field Trip: Overland Pond Park
Tuesday, 11/12 – 4th Grade Field Trip: Cherry Creek State Park

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

None at this time!