News from the Nest — April 17, 2026

Posted April 17, 2026

Planning Student Enrollment for Next School Year

ECE-4th grade families, help us plan ahead for next school year by letting us know if your family will be returning to McKinley-Thatcher! Please complete this Google form, or complete and return the paper form in our April 17 Friday Folders by Thursday, April 30. If you are NOT returning, completing this form helps us fill empty spots and make sure our school budget is accurate. (5th grade families do not need to respond.)

3rd-5th Grade Families:
Talent Show Auditions Open TODAY (April 17)!

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students are invited to submit a Talent Show audition video anytime between Friday, April 17 and Friday, May 1. Students may sing, dance, act, do a comedy routine, share a special skill, or any other kind of fun act they can think of! Acts should be finished, well-practiced, entertaining, age-appropriate, and around two minutes long. Audition videos may be uploaded to this Google Drive folder.

Please note: this year, our school talent show is open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students ONLY. This means that students in ECE through 2nd grade may not audition with their older siblings.

If you have questions about the Talent Show, please reach out to Ms. Katherine Nelson, our drama teacher, at Katherine_Nelson@dpsk12.net

Other School News

  • Mark Your Calendars: we have NO SCHOOL on Friday, May 1. This is a professional development & training day for our staff.
  • Save-the-Date: our annual Fishing Day with Mr. J, our PE teacher, is coming up on Saturday, May 2 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM! Fishing Day is held at Smith Lake in Wash Park. We’ll share more details soon! 

Community News & Resources

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, 4/205th Grade: CMAS Science Testing
  • Monday, 4/203rd Grade Field Trip: Confluence Park
  • Wednesday, 4/22Calm & Kind Family Workshop Series, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Thursday, 4/23Kindergarten Physical Education Night with Mr. J, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Friday, 4/24 – Monthly School Value Assembly, 7:45 AM
  • Friday, 4/244th Grade Field Trip: Shakespeare Festival
  • Wednesday, 4/292nd Grade Field Trip: Musical Explorers
  • Thursday, 4/305th Grade Physical Education Night with Mr. J, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Friday, 5/1NO SCHOOL: DPS Staff Planning Day

Upcoming DPS & Community Events

  • None at this time!