Annual School Events

Class of students in a pyramid playing outside

At McKinley-Thatcher, we provide lots of fun activities and events throughout the year for our students and families! Check out traditional annual events below and our calendar for current events.

Traditional Events

August Open House

Our August Open House is a chance for families to meet their new teachers and each other, see their classrooms, and to catch up with friends after summer break.

First Day Celebration

Enjoy the first day of school with snacks, music, & fun on our playground. PTA provides coffee & breakfast rolls for grown-ups!

Back-to-School Night

In early September, teachers share classroom expectations and curriculum information with families during this after-school event.

School Value Assemblies

We celebrate the students who exemplify our school values at the end of each month. Families of award winners are welcome to attend!

Outdoor Movie Night

Our PTA hosts their annual Outdoor Movie Night on our grounds every October!

Fall Dance

PTA-sponsored free family dance with photo booth fun, dance music, disco ball, desserts, and community building.

Book Fairs

 We hold two book fairs each year and they’re a great place to get low-cost books. A portion of the proceeds benefit our school library!

Chili Cook-Off

A free community event that’s a favorite annual tradition. Bring your best chili to be judged by firefighters from our local firehouse!

School Auction

Our annual auction is a vital part of our fundraising efforts and a great chance to party with our friends.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

Families express their gratitude to our teachers and staff in different ways throughout this nationwide week.

Talent Show

Our kindergarten through 5th graders perform their special talents during our annual Talent Show.

Field Day

A school-wide day of outdoor fun and games organized by our PE teacher!


Other Events & Activities

PTA Meetings

Monthly meeting for families and staff to meet in-person to discuss teacher and staff needs, check in on the PTA budget, and to plan and coordinate events and volunteers.

CSC Meetings

Monthly meeting where members provide strategic direction in support of our school’s mission and vision as stated in our Unified Improvement Plan (UIP).

After-School Enrichments

We partner with DPS’s Department of Extended Learning and Community Schools to offer wide variety of afterschool activities, including classes such as yoga, drama, cooking, and sports.

Family/Teacher Conferences

Meet with your child and their teachers in the fall to review their academic progress. Additional conferences may be scheduled in the spring.

Restaurant Fundraisers

At McKinley-Thatcher restaurant fundraisers, a percentage of your meal’s price is donated back to our school! They’re also a great chance to support our local restaurants.

Assemblies

Thanks to PTA funding, we hold several school-wide assemblies every year. Past assemblies include theatrical performances, ballet, and more.

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)

Our PTA offers two RIF book distributions annually. Each student in our school receives a free book of their choice!