News from the Nest — November 7, 2025

Posted November 7, 2025

Information about November 2025 SNAP Benefits

The situation around SNAP benefits during the month of November is changing a lot! For the most current information about the status of SNAP, please visit the Colorado Department of Human Services’ website here. 

Donate to Support McKinley Families 

We are still in need of gift cards to support families in our community whose SNAP benefits are disrupted this month. Your generous donations will help provide essential groceries and household items to those in need. Thank you for helping us ensure that our community is supported during this challenging time!

How Can I Donate?

  • We are collecting physical gift cards to local stores like King Soopers, Safeway, Target, and Walmart.
  • Gift cards of any value are welcome, but amounts in $25 increments are most helpful.
  • Gift cards may be dropped off in our main office between 7:15 AM and 3:15 PM. 

Sign Up to Request Assistance from Our School

If your family is affected by the SNAP benefits disruption, please complete this Google form to request grocery store gift cards to help out during November. 

Please note: the availability of gift cards will depend on donations we receive from our community. We will make every effort to help all families who request assistance, but assistance is not guaranteed. We strongly encourage families to identify other local food resources, too! 

New Food Access Resources Have Been Added to Our List!

We have added a new food resource to our list for families. See the full list by clicking here, and check out the new resource below. 

  • Any DPS family can receive non-perishable food items from The Village at CLA at their no-cost grocery market during the following times, as supplies last: Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM & Fridays from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM. The Village at CLA is located at 200 E. 9th Ave.

We’re Participating in Colorado Gives Day!

We are excited to share that our school is participating in Colorado Gives Day again this year, and our goal is to raise $25,000!

Last year, we raised $15,000. Now, we’re hoping that each and every one of our families, if able, will donate in support of our MCT mission – growing students who Lead by Example, are Kind and Considerate, Work Together, and Challenge Themselves. Every donation for Colorado Give Day is automatically boosted by a $1 million incentive fund from the Colorado Gives Day Foundation!

Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 9, but families can GIVE EARLY and help us reach our $25,000 goal to fund art, music, field trips, and more for our amazing students. Start a new monthly donation and your first gift will be matched up to $100! Early giving is open here!

November 2025 School Events

Other School News

  • Mark your calendars: we have NO SCHOOL from Monday, November 24 to Friday, November 28. This is our fall break! School resumes on Monday, December 1.

  • Information about ordering school pictures: just a reminder that Bloom School Pictures has our students’ Picture Day galleries ready for families to view! Please visit the picture ordering post on our website here for instructions on how to view your student’s gallery and order pictures.

Community News & Resources

  • East High School Sports Equipment Drive: from November 1 to 30, East High’s Female Athlete Wellness Club is running a new and used sports equipment drive across our school district to collect gear for donation to children in Costa Rica. If you’d like to donate, bring all types of gear, including lightly used or new footwear, clothing, and equipment (balls, sticks, etc.) to the donation box in our main office anytime before November 30!

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! 

Upcoming School Events

Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.

  • Monday, 11/10 – November Collaborative School Committee Meeting, 5:00 PM on Google Meet
  • Tuesday, 11/11 – PTA November Restaurant Fundraiser: Sweet Cow (PDF flyer)
  • Wednesday, 11/12 – 2nd Grade Physical Education Night with Mr. J, 5:00 PM in the gym
  • Thursday, 11/13 – 3rd Grade Physical Education Night with Mr. J, 5:00 PM in the gym
  • Thursday, 11/20 – 4th Grade Field Trip (Ms. Hoffmann’s Class): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Friday, 11/21 – November School Value Assembly
  • Friday, 11/21 – K, 1st, & 2nd Grade Field Trip: Goodnight Moon @ Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre
  • Friday, 11/21 – PTA Glow Dance, 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

  • None at this time!