Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

Have a great week!

You will receive a weekly newsletter from me highlighting all upcoming dates and events. The weekly newsletter will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read the newsletter each week so you stay informed! This is the number one way I communicate with all families. This newsletter will be sent via email, text, and posted on our Sheldon Facebook page. Speaking of, haven't followed us yet on social media? Please do! We love to share pictures of all the fun we are having!

If you have further questions after reading, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

We will go on several field trips this year. Dates and locations are listed below. Parents are welcome to attend field trips BUT must provide their own transportation and their own entry fee. Siblings are welcome to attend, with parents providing transportation and entry fee, EXCEPT for the Discovery Center field trip as they are closed to the public on the day we visit and children outside of Sheldon will not be able to attend. We will pay all fees for Sheldon students. Even if their family attends, students are to stay with their school group. Finally, we require a signed permission slip before every field trip. Teachers will provide these. These MUST be completed in order for students to attend.

Discovery Center: Monday, February 16th @ 10:00-12:00 (upstairs classrooms)

Discovery Center: Monday, February 23rd @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

Topeka Zoo: Monday, April 6th @ 10:00-12:00 (upstairs classrooms)

Topeka Zoo: Tuesday, April 7th @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

A recent study from Columbia University suggests that children who have dinner with their family at least four times a week tend to perform better academically. Regular family meals provide opportunities for communication, emotional bonding, and parental engagement, which can positively influence a child’s learning habits. These shared meals also create structured routines that promote discipline and consistency in daily life. Additionally, family dinners offer a supportive environment for discussing schoolwork and encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. Overall, the practice of eating together strengthens both social and cognitive skills in children.

Each month we send home an activity calendar with each family. Due to the generosity of Advisors Excel, we will be able to provide one of the suggested books on each calendar to all students. The November calendar was sent home last week. This week, we will be sending home the book Let It Fall. Enjoy with your family!

Student retake photos will be arriving soon and will be sent home with those students who ordered. Still need to order pictures? The NEW Code Lookup Tool is now available. You can simply scan the QR code and follow the directions to access your child's picture ordering gallery. No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! *Student last name and Student ID number will be required for data security.*

As a federal Head Start program, Sheldon implements policies & procedures to ensure a safe and effective program. Each week, one will be posted here for review. This quarter our focus is on Mental Health and Child Development & Education Services.

Curriculum

POLICY:

The program will implement the Benchmark Ready to Advance curriculum, ensuring it is developmentally and linguistically appropriate for all children. The curriculum integrates Head Start components, supports school readiness, and reflects family input.

PROCEDURE:

1. Curriculum must be developmentally appropriate for all ages and stages of development of all children.

2. The curriculum must be research-based and align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (HSELOF). The curriculum will address the five Central Domains from the HSELOF in an integrated approach, using intentional and individualized instruction to support children’s learning and development.

3. Curriculum decisions will encourage children to be actively involved in the learning process, to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and to pursue their own individual interests.

4. The classroom will establish a daily schedule that meets the individual needs of children, provides a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated lessons and activities, and offers a variety of activities including large-group, small-group, individual, indoor, and outdoor free play. The current daily schedule will be posted for parents/guardians and other staff to review.

Monday-Thursday: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:00 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 9:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:15 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:15 AM. Students arriving after 9:15 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 10:15 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 10:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 10:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 10:30 AM. Students arriving after 10:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exceptions are a later start date and earlier end date. The first day of school for Sheldon students is Wednesday, August 20th. The last day of school for Sheldon students will be May 18th.

Our Sheldon Head Start Facebook page is active! We use this as a way to communicate with families and share many pictures. Please follow the page to stay updated!

@SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart

Check out this link for Kansas Food Source. This link provides a map of all of the KS counties and indicates what food resources are available in each county.

Take a look at the Topeka Resources Checklist. This is very helpful for planning! This is a list of possible resources to help you stretch your dollars and avoid economic emergencies. Place a check beside the ones you are using or have used.

You can find the link to the 2021 Community Resources Council Resource Directory here. This directory provides contact information for a variety of community resources.

If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

English and Spanish

Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart