Open House, First Day Celebration, & First Week Information — 2026-2027

Posted August 17, 2026

Open House – Thursday, August 20, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Join us for our Open House on Thursday, August 20 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM! Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and see our classrooms, as well as get answers to any last-minute questions you may have. It’s also a great chance to finish your student’s school registration in-person if you haven’t done so yet!

Free Popsicles & Fun with Our PTA!

During Open House, Our Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) will have a table set up by the main office to share information about the year, a fun art project for kids to take part in, and free popsicles outside on the playground!

First Day Celebration – Monday, August 24, 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM

Families are invited to join us for our annual First Day Celebration on August 24 from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM on our playground. Our Parent-Teacher Association will have special “first day” selfie frames, McKinley-Thatcher temporary tattoos, Mini Duffeyrolls (first come, first served!), and Travelin’ Tom’s coffee truck with drinks available for purchase. We’ll also have school office staff available to answer any questions you may have! 

Kindergarten-5th Grade: First Day of School

The first day of school for kindergarten to 5th grade students is Monday, August 24. Our morning bell rings at 7:30 AM!

ECE-4: First Day of School & Special First Week Schedule

The first day of school for ECE-4 students is Tuesday, August 25. ECE-4 students will also have a special half-day schedule for Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26.

Please note, there will be no Discovery Link or school bus service for ECE students on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday during the first week of school.

• Monday, August 24 – NO SCHOOL for ECE ONLY!
  No Discovery Link care for ECE students.
• Tuesday, August 25 – FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for ECE; HALF-DAY with dismissal at 11:30 AM.
  Lunch will be served at school before dismissal.
  No Discovery Link care for ECE students.
• Wednesday, August 26 – HALF-DAY with dismissal at 11:30 AM.
  Lunch will be served at school before dismissal.
  No Discovery Link care for ECE students.
• Thursday, August 27 – full day with dismissal at 2:30 PM.
• Friday, August 28 – full day with dismissal at 2:30 PM.

McKinley-Thatcher School Hours & Contact Information

• School hours for students: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• Front office hours: 7:15 AM to 3:15 PM
• Attendance line: (720) 424-5603
• Main office line: (720) 424-5600
• Main office email: McKinley_Thatcher@dpsk12.org 

Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up Locations

• ECE, kindergarten, and 1st grade classes use their exterior classroom door for student drop-off and pick-up. 
• 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes use a specific exterior building door for student drop-off and pick-up. 
• Please click here to see a map of our school grounds with these doors marked by grade level.

Please note: exterior classroom doors close promptly at 7:30 AM. If your student arrives after 7:30 AM, they must enter the school building through our main door. 

If you are running more than 5 minutes late to pick up your student at dismissal, please plan to pick them up through our main door.

I Have Questions or Need More Information!

Call our main office at (720) 424-5600, email us at McKinley_Thatcher@dpsk12.org, or stop by our building between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM!