Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

We have had a wonderful week of learning and practicing new routines! We conducted a Fire Drill and Lockdown Drill this week. A reminder that there is no school on Monday due to Labor Day. Have a wonderful week!

Click here to access the 2023-2024 Family Handbook.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

September 4th: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 12th: Boomer Story Time with Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

September 13th: Fire Safety Lesson #1

September 14th: Picture Day

September 14th: Boomer Story Time with Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

September 15th: Fire Truck Friday

September 20th: Family Fun Fitness Night @ Hummer

September 26th: Outdoor Health & Family Night @ Sheldon

Picture Day is coming up on Thursday, September 14! Retakes will be on September 19, 2023. We will send home a paper flyer and order form on September 6. The flyer below provides details on the different packages that are available for order. If ordering photos, you may pay in the following ways:

Pay by Cash: You must provide the EXACT amount. We will not be able to make change.

Pay by Check: Make the check out to Strawbridge Studios

Pay Online: This is the easiest! See the information in the flyer below.

We will collect orders and payments at the school beginning Thursday, September 7 and ending on picture day, September 14.

You can also use this link to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school (you can double check this in your Synergy ParentVue).

We will engage in Fire Safety Education with the Topeka Fire Department this year. A fireman will come to the school and present fire safety lessons to each classroom. We will have Fire Truck Friday where students will be able to explore a fire truck!

All students must have at least one full set of extra clothes on hand at school (top, bottom, underwear, socks). Two sets is preferred. If a student does not have extra clothes and is needing to be changed, parents will be called to bring clothes to the school.

The child nutrition form is a required form that all enrolled families need to complete. The district was awarded a grant that results in all students in Topeka Public Schools receiving free meals this school year. By filling out this form, you will NOT be charged any amount for meals this school year. This form benefits the TPS district because it helps us receive funding for many programs and technology to ensure student success. Please take time NOW to complete the form.

This form is for your whole family, so if you have multiple children at several schools, you only have to complete one form.

Topeka Public Schools Homepage

Click on "Free/Reduced Meal Application." This will take you to a Horizon Software page that indicates Topeka Public USD #501 at the top. Read through the "Welcome" page and click on "Start Application" at the bottom.

A requirement for early childhood programs is that all families complete the ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE2 for their student(s). Below you will find links to complete these online, available in both English and Spanish. Please choose the first option to complete BOTH surveys at the same time. You are able to save and come back to it if you need more time. It is important on the questions that ask about whether your child can do a certain task/skill that you actually ask/do those with your child. This gives us accurate information to support your student at school. Please complete these as soon as possible and let us know if you have any issues! Thank you!

ASQ - English

ASQ - Spanish

Thank you to the families who have delivered, sent or uploaded the required preschool documents!

If you have not done so, please submit your child's:

• birth certificate
• immunization records
• health assessment (physical)
• oral health form

The above documents can be submitted by , scanning and emailing them to kneufeld@tps501.org, faxing to the Sheldon office (785-271-3647), or delivering them to the Sheldon office.

We must have the required documents before the first day of school.

As part of our Head Start program, Sheldon has several staff members who are Building Coordinators. Each coordinates a different area and may support students, families, and/or staff. Below is a graphic introducing each coordinator and with a brief list of their roles. This may help you reach out to the correct person with any questions, issues, or concerns.

Monday through Thursday: 9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.

Arrival ends: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:35 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Arrival begins: 10:15 a.m.

Arrival ends: 10:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 10:35 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)

Please see the Transportation section a little further down for important information about the car line!

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arrival time will be at 10:15.

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar.

Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Health & Safety, and Nutrition. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!

Health Advisory Committee

POLICY:

Health Service Advisory Committees will be established at the delegate level for the purpose of planning, implementing and evaluating the health services provided to children and families. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1304.41

PROCEDURE:

1. The agency will establish a Health Advisory Committee that:

• Meets at least twice yearly;
• Assists the program in meeting Head Start Performance Standards, state and local regulations;
• Problem solves to correct deficiencies and improve services;
• Assists in planning the health services program and developing policies and
• procedures;
• Assists in the program’s self assessment/evaluation of health services;
• Identifies health needs of the community and of the families the program serves;
• Assists in identifying all medical, dental, mental health, nutritional and disability services/resources within the area and how to make use of them;
• Assists in staff and parent training;
• Acts as child health advocates;

2. Members of the Health Advisory Committee are composed of parents of currently enrolled children, health service professionals, grantee and delegate health services staff, elected Policy Committee and Policy Council members, and other interested and appropriate individuals / agencies.

3. The Health Services Coordinator is responsible for training parent participants, arranging meeting places and times, for ensuring proper sign-in sheets and for reporting to the Policy Council/Committee any and all Health Advisory Committee recommendations.

Kids at the Market is back! Join Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods at the Breadbasket Farmers Market where children ages 5-12 will receive five, $1 vouchers to be spent on fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market will feature an in-season produce item each week by offering activity sheets focused on tasty fruits and veggies market vendors are selling. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. Kids at the Market happens Saturday, September 2 and 16 from 10 am to noon!

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