Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, we are excited about the many upcoming events and celebrations planned for our students. This is a special time to recognize their hard work, growth, and accomplishments.

We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing the importance of finishing the year strong. Please encourage your child to continue making positive choices and follow the expectations outlined in our student handbook focused on good citizenship and conduct. Doing so helps ensure that all students can safely and fully participate in our end-of-year activities.

Our expectations are in place to support a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment for all students. When these expectations are met, it allows everyone to fully enjoy the celebrations and experiences that make this time of year so meaningful.

We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made this year and look forward to celebrating a positive and successful close to the school year together. Thank you for your continued support!

You will receive a weekly newsletter from us 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 we communicate with all families. This newsletter will be sent via email, text, and posted on our Pine Ridge Prep 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

Next week we have two field trips! We will be visiting the Topeka Zoo and a Mobile Barnyard at Sheldon Head Start. Here are some tips to make this a comfortable day:

• Please dress your student in comfortable clothes as well as make it easy for them to dress and undress for restroom breaks.
• Please send your student in comfortable shoes, we prefer no flip flops.
• We will be at the zoo for approximately two hours. We will provide water and lunch when we return.
• If you are planning to join your student at the zoo, you will need to walk with your student's class or group.

CORRECTION: All preschool summer camp takes place at Shaner. Summer camp options are available to Topeka Public Schools Preschool students! Take a look at the link below. Please note, Sheldon is NOT a host site for preschool summer camp.

• Preschool Summer Camp @ Shaner

We will celebrate The Week of the Young Child with a spirit week April 13th-17th. See details below!

The Preschool Application for next school year is open. ALL preschool students, including those who will be returning for their second year, MUST complete the online application.

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 Pine Ridge Prep will not be able to attend. We will pay all fees for PRP 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.

Topeka Zoo: Tuesday, April 14th @ 10:00-12:00

Barnyard Event @ Sheldon: Thursday, April 16th @ 10:00-10:30

Curious George @ Topeka Civic Theatre: Tuesday, May 12th @ 10:00-11:00

Topeka Public Schools has a new site for school menus. Please use this link to access school menus. You will use the drop-down boxes to choose Pine Ridge Prep and then choose the breakfast or lunch menu you would like to view.

Topeka Public Schools will be using My School Bucks as a way for parents to track and pay student fines, fees and other costs online. Pine Ridge Prep students DO have an enrollment fee. This ranges from $21-$32. The lower rate is for those families who qualify for free or reduced lunch. See the pictures below (you can click on a picture to make it bigger) for instructions on how to set up your My School Bucks account and pay your fees for the 25-26 school year. Please reach out to the office with any questions.

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 8:20 AM (drop off at classroom door)
• School starts: 8:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 8:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 8:30 AM. Students arriving after 8:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office )
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up at classroom door)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:20 AM (drop off at classroom door)
• School starts: 9:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:30 AM. Students arriving after 9:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up at classroom door)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Pine Ridge Prep follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exception is a later start date. The first day of school for Pine Ridge Prep students is Wednesday, August 20th.

Our Pine Ridge Prep 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!

https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/

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

Email: klopez@tps501.org
Website: https://pineridgeprep.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1120 Southeast Highland Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep