Community News

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, it is truly a season of celebration across Topeka Public Schools. From scholarship events for our seniors and the excitement of prom season, to academic and fine arts showcases, we have enjoyed so many meaningful moments. Over the past week, we also had the honor of recognizing our 2026 Distinguished Staff Award recipients and celebrating our retirees. We thank each of them for their dedicated service and lasting impact on our students and families.

Throughout the month of April, we recognized the incredible contributions of our paraprofessionals, assistant principals, occupational therapists, administrative assistants, and library media specialists. We also celebrated School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we extend our sincere thanks to our drivers from Topeka Public Schools and Kansas Central School Bus for the care, dedication, and safety they provide to our students each day.

Today, we celebrated our Building Leaders for National School Principal Day and our Food Service team members for School Lunch Hero Day. We look forward to honoring all of our staff during National Teacher Appreciation Week and TPS Staff Appreciation Week, which will be held next week (May 4–8). We invite you to join us in celebrating our dedicated TPS staff members by sharing your appreciation in-person and on social media.

During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 19-25, we were reminded of the powerful role our community partners play in supporting our students and families. We extend our gratitude to the many volunteers and organizations who give their time and resources, including Advisors Excel for their AE Barnyard event for our preschool scholars, and the many churches and volunteers who helped beautify our schools during Sharefest.

As we approach the end of the school year, we look forward to celebrating our students and families at upcoming graduations, promotions, and end-of-year events. As always, thank you for your continued support of Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Topeka Public Schools is offering a variety of Summer Academic & Enrichment Programs for students in grades PreK-12, running Monday-Thursday from June 1-25, 2026.

These programs provide engaging and educational experiences to keep students learning and growing over the summer. Highlights include academic camps for grades K-5, enrichment activities like coding and robotics, cooking, geography, art, ACT Prep, and a preschool program at Shaner Early Learning Academy.

Registration is open now through May 20, 2026, via Synergy ParentVue, with fees starting at $40 per week for TPS students. Visit topekapublicschools.net to learn more and register today!

The Topeka Public Schools community is keeping Je’raevion King, a Highland Park High School freshman, in our thoughts and prayers as he continues his recovery following a serious accident at home. Je’raevion sustained significant burns after bravely taking action to protect his family during a kitchen fire.

Je’raevion has undergone multiple surgeries and continues to receive specialized care. Throughout this difficult time, the Highland Park community has come together in incredible ways to support him and his family.

Je'ravion's baseball coach and teammates, along with Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Freshman Principal Dr. Adesuwa Bank Okoya, and others have visited Je’raevion to offer encouragement and remind him that he is not alone in his recovery. The Highland Park community, and all of Topeka Public Schools, remains behind him every step of the way!

Learn more about how you can support Je'raevion and his family in this article from WIBW.

On April 28, Topeka Public Schools proudly honored the 2026 Distinguished Staff Award (DSA) recipients during a heartfelt reception and ceremony at Bishop Professional Development Center.

These 13 remarkable staff members have touched the lives of thousands of students and families, leaving an indelible mark on the Topeka Public Schools community. Congratulations to all of this year's recipients! View photos from the event on Flickr or view the event live stream on the Topeka Public Schools YouTube channel.

Congratulations to Hope Street Academy senior, Linzy Tumey, on her outstanding performance in the Kansas Department of Insurance scholarship essay contest, presented through Junior Achievement.

Linzy earned 1st place in the region and 3rd place in the state of Kansas, and was awarded a $7,000 scholarship to support her future education. Her essay focused on the importance of supporting and protecting older adults when making critical financial decisions.

This recognition highlights Linzy’s commitment to her studies and her ability to thoughtfully address real-world issues. We also appreciate the guidance and support of her teacher, Ms. Emily Apodaca, throughout the process. We are incredibly proud of Linzy and look forward to all she will accomplish in the future!

Topeka Public Schools recently hosted a highly successful Building Strong Families: LEGO Family Engagement Night at the Bishop Professional Development Center, welcoming families from across the district for an evening of fun, creativity, and connection.

The event was very well attended, with families enjoying hands-on LEGO building stations, interactive reading, math, and science challenges, and engaging activities designed to promote problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration. Students and families worked side by side, building not only creative projects, but also stronger connections with one another.

We are grateful to all who attended and helped make the evening such a memorable experience. Events like this highlight the power of family engagement and the important role it plays in student success.

Congratulations to our April 2026 Senior of the Month, Jhessdiel Santiago, an exceptional scholar at Highland Park High School, who is making a lasting impact through leadership, service, and song. As a dedicated member of the JROTC program for all four years, Jhessdiel has developed a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to showing up for others.

Whether he is serving on the Superintendent’s Council, performing with the Scot Singers, or volunteering his time in the community, Jhessdiel is a natural leader who seeks to uplift everyone around him. His compassion and selfless nature drive him to be a powerful advocate, ensuring everyone has the same opportunities to grow.

Looking ahead, Jhessdiel plans to attend Washburn University to major in criminal justice and minor in vocal performance. With dreams of becoming a lawyer, he is ready to use his talents to continue fighting for the greater good. Learn more in this Senior of the Month video.

On April 25, hundreds of volunteers dedicated their Saturday morning to give back to Topeka Public Schools during ShareFest 2026!

Volunteers spent the day landscaping, painting, and cleaning up the grounds of Avondale Academy, Chase/State Street Campus, McEachron Elementary, Quincy Elementary, Robinson Middle, Shaner Early Learning Academy, Topeka High, Whitson Elementary, TCALC, and Capital City School. They also completed special projects, like installing Little Free Libraries and building sheds where equipment can be stored.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the event organizers and the many volunteers for their invaluable contribution to our community! View photos from the event on Flickr.

On April 30, Topeka Public Schools proudly honored its retirees during the annual districtwide retirement ceremony, celebrating the incredible dedication and service of staff members who have made a lasting impact on generations of students and families in our community.

This year’s group of retirees represents a total of over 1,250 years of service, with several individuals serving their entire careers in the same school. Notably, 10 retirees have dedicated more than 30 years of service to the district, a testament to their dedication and passion for education.

We extend our deepest gratitude to each retiree for their exemplary service and wish them all the best in their retirement! View photos from the celebration on Flickr.

On April 25, families came together for a beautiful morning in downtown Topeka for the 5th annual Roll & Read, hosted by Topeka Public Schools Parents as Teachers! Families from across the community gathered to enjoy a fun and engaging event filled with reading, outdoor activities, and opportunities to connect.

We are grateful to the many families who joined us and to the community partners who helped make the event possible by providing valuable resources and support. Events like Roll & Read highlight the importance of early literacy, family engagement, and creating joyful learning experiences for our youngest scholars! Learn more in this highlight from WIBW.

Ross Elementary Signature Music School recently celebrated the unveiling of its long-awaited “Rossome Musical Garden,” a unique outdoor space where art, nature, and music come together to create an interactive learning experience for students.

Two years in the making and led by the Ross PTO, the garden features metal musical sculptures that allow students to explore sound and creativity through hands-on play. The ribbon cutting on April 4 marked an exciting milestone for the school and its community partners who helped bring the vision to life. The celebration continued the following weekend during the school carnival, where students and families had the opportunity to experience the musical garden firsthand!

This innovative addition reflects Ross Elementary’s commitment to enriching student learning through music and arts and providing meaningful experiences for the entire school community.

On April 16, preschoolers at Sheldon Head Start and Pine Ridge Prep experienced the joys of farm life without leaving school! Thanks to the volunteers from Advisors Excel, the annual AE Barnyard event brought the farm to them.

Our youngest scholars were delighted to meet and interact with a variety of farm animals. In addition to the hands-on experience, each student received stickers, books, and engaging activities to enjoy at home.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Advisors Excel for their ongoing dedication to supporting Topeka Public Schools students and families. Their generosity continues to make a meaningful difference in our community.View photos from this memorable day on Flickr.

On April 16, Topeka Public Schools welcomed students and families for a fun and inclusive Autism Acceptance Family Night at Avondale West. The event brought together families from across the district, and created opportunities for them to connect with one another and with organizations dedicated to serving their needs.

Attendees explored a variety of community resources, enjoyed a shared meal, and engaged in a welcoming, family-friendly environment with sensory activities designed for students with autism.

We send a special thank you to our Special Education team for their commitment to creating inclusive spaces where all students and families feel seen, supported, and valued. We are grateful to our staff and community partners who helped make this special evening possible!

On April 20, the district's middle school College Prep Academy began accepting applications from current 6th-grade students for the 2026-2027 school year!

The College Prep Academy, which offers an accelerated curriculum in Math and Computer Science, is housed at TCALC, and students are bused from their home school for a portion of the school day. Students in the College Prep Academy are also exposed to career pathways offered at TCALC.

To have your student considered for a spot in the College Prep Academy, please complete the application form online by May 8, 2026. Accepted students will be notified the week of May 11.

Check out our new College Connections Newsletter on Smore! With an easy to navigate Table of Contents, it's now simpler than ever for high school students and families to find helpful information on college and career readiness.

This month's newsletter covers the following topics:

• Applying for Federal Student Aid
• The Kansas Promise Act
• College registration/admissions process & deadlines
• Scholarships
• ACT/SAT testing dates
• Job opportunities for students
• Video: College Credit at TCALC & College Prep Academy (watch video)

Topeka Public Schools is excited to honor the class of 2026 on Saturday, May 16 at the Stormont Vail Events Center (1 Expocentre Dr, Topeka, KS 66612). Each ceremony will also be live-streamed on the district YouTube channel.

• Topeka West High School: 9:00 AM
• Highland Park High School: 11:00 AM
• Topeka High School: 2:00 PM

Hope Street Academy's graduation ceremony will take take place in the school gymnasium on Wednesday, May 13, at 10:30 AM. This event will also be live streamed on YouTube. Capital City High School's graduation will take place at TCALC on Wednesday, May 13 at 5:30 PM.

Students or families who have questions about graduation may contact their building/division principal for additional information. Please refer to the policy regarding bag size at the event center, as well as the Event Day Guide.

As families plan for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, here are some important dates to keep in mind:

• Tuesday, May 12: Last Day for Seniors

• Wednesday, May 13: Graduation Ceremonies for Hope Street Academy & Capital City School

• Saturday, May 16: High School Graduation Ceremonies at the Stormont Vail Events Center

• Monday, May 18: Sheldon Head Start Preschool Promotion & Last Day of School
  (Principal will communicate schedule with families)

• Monday, May 18: PIP Preschool Promotions at 2:00 PM

• Tuesday, May 19: Last Day of School for PIP Programs

• Wednesday, May 20: Preschool Promotions at 2:00 PM

• Wednesday, May 20: Last Day of School for Grades PK-4 & 6-7
  (full day, normal dismissal)

• Thursday, May 21: 8th Grade Promotions at 8:00 AM

• Thursday, May 21: 5th Grade Promotions at 10:00 AM

• Thursday, May 21: Last Day of School for All Students
  (half day, dismissal at 11:30 AM)

Online registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for students in grades PreK-12!

Returning TPS families may register their students at this link or through the ParentVue app on a mobile device. Families NEW to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register by following these instructions.

Families can view important dates for the 2026-2027 school year, a school supply list, and more at topekapublicschools.net on the Online Registration page.

View the full 2025-2026 academic calendar or the district Google Calendar to plan ahead for parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and more.

As families plan for the next school year, view the 2026-2027 academic calendar here.

The TPS Foundation is here to help support students and staff in Topeka Public Schools through grants, scholarships, summer programs, and student resources. Information about our programs and services is available on the TPS Foundation website.

TPS STAFF: If you would like to support the Foundation through our Employee Giving Campaign, please complete this form.

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2026 Kansas Legislative Session on the Current Events page at kslegislature.org.

• Topeka Public Schools Blog
  
• Topeka Public Schools YouTube Channel
  
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda

The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. For students, the Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 compliance coordinator is the General Counsel for the district. For employment, the EEO/AA and Title VII compliance officer is the general director of human resources. Compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 S.W. 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000.The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3059 or by writing to 624 S.W. 24th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611-1294.

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