News from the Nest — October 2, 2026
Posted October 2, 2026
October 2026 Lunch Menus
Please see our October 2026 lunch menu below!
Family-Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, October 7 & Thursday, October 8
We are hosting family-teacher conferences after school on Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8. Teachers are sharing conference sign-up sheets with their families directly via ClassDojo, so please keep an eye out for them!
School News
- We are looking for volunteers to help out with lunch and recess supervision! We have two volunteer spots open daily from 11:05 AM to 11:55 AM. Depending on which slot you sign up for, you will be stationed in either the cafeteria or on the playground during your shift. Click here to see our SignUpGenius form.
- Reminder about cognitive testing for gifted and talented identification: if you are interested in nominating your McKinley-Thatcher student for cognitive testing for potential gifted and talented identification, please complete the 2026 Fall Gifted and Talented (GT) Cognitive Testing Nomination Form by today (Friday, October 2).
Please note: all students in 1st and 5th grade automatically participate in GT cognitive testing as part of the Denver Public Schools Universal Screening process. If your student is in 1st or 5th grade, you do not need to nominate them as they are already scheduled to complete testing this month.
If you have any questions about cognitive testing, gifted and talented identification, or programming available at McKinley-Thatcher, please reach out to our Gifted and Talented teacher, Stephanie Thielen, at Stephanie_Thielen@dpsk12.net.
- Mark your calendars: we have no school on Monday, October 12. This is a vacation day for McKinley-Thatcher. School resumes on Tuesday, October 13.
Upcoming School Events
- Wednesday, October 7 – Family-Teacher Conferences (after school)
- Thursday, October 8 – Family-Teacher Conferences (after school)
- Monday, October 12 – NO SCHOOL: Vacation Day
Click here to view the McKinley-Thatcher school calendar.
PTA News
- Thank you to everyone who participated in our Sweet Cow and Park Burger fundraiser last week! We are thrilled to share that all together, you helped raise $1,017 for our school. We are so grateful for everyone taking part and supporting these local businesses…and McT!
- Join us on Friday Oct 9th for our 6th Annual McT Movie Night! We’ll be set up from 5:30PM with pizza (from our neighborhood partner Sexy Pizza), snacks and drinks available for purchase as well as the HipPOP truck selling gelato bars! (You’re also welcome to bring your own food and drinks.) Showtime is at 6:30 pm, and kids can vote on what movie we’ll play at the RSVP link HERE.
New this year: the ECE/Kinder Playground will offer a quieter, calmer space to enjoy the movie, designed with our sensory-sensitive families in mind. Get more information on our website.
- Need ski season gear rentals? Head to Denver Ski Company between October 5-12 to get discounted ski gear during our fundraiser! During this week, families will receive 10% off ski or snowboard season rentals when using code MTS2026 (in person or on their website HERE), and McKinley-Thatcher will receive 5% of all proceeds from those rentals! Get more information on our website.
Upcoming PTA Events
Community News
- Families & community members are invited to attend Hero Fest, a free, family-friendly event taking place at Denver South High School on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event is designed to celebrate first responders and strengthen connections between these local heroes and the families and communities they serve. You can learn more by visiting the event webpage here.
- Families & community members are invited to attend South High School’s annual homecoming parade at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, October 7. Free candy, small toys, and other fun will be available for children.
Upcoming Community Events
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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!
