Community News

Dear TPS Staff & Families:

This week, we celebrated American Education Week by uplifting teachers across the district. We asked students, staff, families, and community members to nominate an educator who has impacted their lives to receive a special surprise throughout the week, and nearly 150 teachers were nominated.

All of our nominees will receive these special messages in a TPS e-card to brighten their day, many were highlighted on social media, and several received a visit to their classroom with a special surprise, including Mr. Jason Robberson at Highland Park, Ms. Elise Bisconer at Jardine Middle, Ms. Lacie Mayes at Jardine Elementary, and Mr. Scott Ritter at French. We can not thank our educators enough for their dedication and support of TPS scholars.

On November 16, we hosted state legislators, city leaders, and community partners for our annual Principal for a Day event. These leaders got to experience first-hand the amazing things occurring in Topeka Public Schools. We thank state legislators Sen. Brenda Dietrich, Sen. Kristen O'Shea, Rep. Kirk Haskins, and all of our participants for their support of public education. Enjoy this video (YouTube) and photos (Flickr) capturing the excitement as we work as a community to engage, prepare, and inspire students for a lifetime of learning.

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we encourage you to take time to share a message of gratitude on our Facebook to help uplift others. I am grateful for all of you and feel truly blessed to work alongside the amazing educators who dedicate their lives to serving others across the community. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

There will be no school for students from Monday, November 20 through Friday, November 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. School will resume on Monday, November 27.

We are thankful for all of our students, families, and staff who make the district great. Have a happy and safe holiday!

As we highlight teachers for American Education Week, we congratulate Mr. Scott Ritter, a Language Arts teacher at French Middle School, who earned the Crystal Apple Award from KMAJ Majic 107.7.

Mr. Ritter has impacted countless lives in his 23 years as an educator, and inspired countless students to achieve their goals. Students and staff shared that he goes above and beyond in his support for students, taking the time to get to know each of them and their families.

Learn more about Mr. Ritter in this article from KMAJ.

As we celebrate our final day of American Education Week, we thank all of our paraprofessionals, support staff, and substitute teachers who invest in our scholars each day.

This week, KSNT News highlighted two outstanding USD 501 graduates, Mr. Jalen Taylor and Ms. Ajanea Gunby, who started with the district as subs and are now working as classroom teachers at Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet Elementary School. Mr. Taylor even attended Williams himself as a young student.

Learn more in this article from KSNT News.

On November 13-17, Topeka Public Schools celebrated American Education Week and hosted our annual Principal for a Day event, which invites community leaders to shadow one of the district's principals and gain first-hand knowledge of how schools operate.

This year's special guests included state legislators, Sen. Brenda Dietrich, Sen. Kristen O'Shea, and Rep. Kirk Haskins, Rep. Ann Mah from the Kansas State Board of Education, as well as Sheriff Brian C. Hill, Topeka Fire Chief Randy Phillips, Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt, and many of our valued community partners.

Topeka Public Schools extends special thanks to all our community partners for their ongoing support of our students! View highlights from the event on YouTube and photos from each school on Flickr.

Congratulations to our Topeka Public Schools Foundation Executive Director, Ms. Pamela Johnson-Betts, who was recently honored by the Urban Ministry Institute of Topeka as one of the "Women Who Changed the Heart of the City."

Her tireless efforts in raising funds for Topeka Public Schools through the Foundation have made a profound impact on our students' lives. Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Betts, for your dedication and commitment to our community's future!

Ms. Johnson-Betts was recognized on November 16 during an award ceremony at the Beacon.

The week of November 6-10, students and staff honored military Veterans and thanked them for their service in celebration of Veterans Day, with a variety of school assemblies and celebrations taking place across the district.

In addition, JROTC members from Highland Park, Topeka High, and Topeka West have enjoyed assisting with various community events to honor Veterans, and we are so proud to have Veterans leading our JROTC programs!

Last weekend, JROTC cadets and marching band members from all high schools took part in the downtown Topeka Veterans Day Parade. They were also joined by McEachron Elementary School and the Growth Mindset Unicycling Student Mentors.

View photos from Veterans Day celebrations across the district on Flickr.

Sole Reason is collecting used sneakers in any condition and size (youth or adult), which will help the organization raise funds to serve students across Topeka with shiny new pairs of shoes.

Simply drop off your old sneakers at one of the convenient drop box locations, which can be found by visiting solereason.net/oldsneakers.

During Thanksgiving Break from November 20-24, the Campus Care Clinic will be closed, but will be providing telehealth (virtual) services to established patients on Monday, November 20 from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM.

The clinic will be closed November 21-26 and will resume normal business on Monday, November 27 at 11:00 AM. To schedule an appointment, please call 785-295-3256. Voice messages will be returned in a timely matter.

Topeka Public Schools daycare center, Little Stars Daycare, located at Shaner Early Learning Academy (1600 SW 34th St), has openings for 2-year-old scholars beginning in January 2024.

Learning is aligned with Topeka Public Schools preschool curriculum, and students will transition to a preschool classroom on their third birthday.

The center follows the school calendar, with opportunities for drop-off as early as 7:00 AM and pick-up as late as 5:00 PM. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided daily.

To learn more and begin the registration process, please call 785-235-7290.

As the weather begins to cool, we want to remind families and staff of school closing notification procedures.

As we make decisions about closing school, a number of factors come into play, including the safety of travel but also the safety of students who will be home during the day.

Should school be canceled, we will:

• Send a text, email, and/or phone call via SchoolMessenger
• Update the district social media pages
• Update the district website
• Contact our local media partners

To sign up for text message updates, text Y to 67587. To learn more about school delays and closures, please review our How We Communicate With Families document.

As our families and staff plan for the upcoming year, view the 2023-2024 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department drop-down menu.

The district Google Calendar is also available on our home page.

As a reminder, there will be no school for students November 20-24, 2023 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2024 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 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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