Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

Each week, you will receive a 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

This annual event takes place November 9-13. We will celebrate in various ways at school and had a few items to share with families to join our celebration as well!

Sheldon students will spend time celebrating Native American Hertitage Month in November. Members of the Potawatomi Prairie Band Nation will be coming to Sheldon on November 12th to put on a presentation for students.

Intake flyers for the Christmas Bureau are below in both English and Spanish, as well as a PDF of the application. If you need a printed copy of the application and don't have access to a printer, call the office and we will be happy to send one home with your child!

Save time AND money by utilizing urgent cares instead of the emergency room, when appropriate.

Pediatric Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic

• Ages 7 months and older
• Stormont Vail Health Pediatrics Gage (4100 SW 15th St, Topeka, KS 66604)
• No Appointment Necessary
• Eligible family members accompanying the patient may also receive their flu shot at that time
• Must be an established patient and have had a flu shot previously. (No first-time flu shots.)
• Includes Vaccines for Children (VFC) program
• Oct. 22, 2026 - 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 29, 2026 - 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Stormont Vail Health Pharmacy

• Ages 6 months and older
• 830 SW Lane St. Suite B, Topeka, KS, 66606
• Walk-ins are welcome during our vaccine hours:
• Monday through Friday, 8:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
• Appointments can also be scheduled via MyChart.
• Open to all community members, you do not have to be a Stormont Vail Health patient

Pine Ridge Family Health Center

• 2721 SE 10th St., Topeka, KS 66607
• (785) 783-8453
• Open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday
• Closed for lunch Monday thru Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday’s Only
• WALK-INS WELCOME!

Shawnee County Health Department Immunization Clinic

• 2115 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
• 785.251.5700
• Email: HA10thSTClinic@snco.us
• Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8am-11am, 1pm-4pm
• Tuesday: 10am-1 pm, 3pm-6pm
• Wednesday: 8am-11am, 2pm-4pm

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, January 25th @ 10:00-12:00 (upstairs classrooms)

Discovery Center: Monday, February 1st @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

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

Topeka Zoo: Tuesday, April 13th @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

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, Child Development & Education Services

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

POLICY:

Staff will receive annual training on identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in compliance with applicable state and local laws. Any staff member who witnesses or suspects child abuse and/or neglect must report their concerns to the appropriate authority. Child abuse includes neglect, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

PROCEDURE:

1. Anyone who believes a child’s physical or mental health may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect must report the case to the Kansas Department of Family and Protective Services or local/state law enforcement.
2. Once a staff member suspects abuse or neglect, a report must be made immediately. Do not rely on others to make the report.
3. Individuals who report in “good faith and without malice” are immune from civil or criminal liability. "Good faith" means reasonable efforts were made to gather available facts, and "without malice" means no intent to harm or violate anyone’s rights.
4. Confidentiality is critical. Information about a child and their family should not be shared with anyone outside of those with a legitimate need to know (e.g., staff providing care or services to the child/family).
5. If a child has visible injuries (e.g., bruises, cuts), you may ask the child (if age-appropriate) how the injury occurred using open-ended questions such as, “Tell me what happened...” Document the child's statement, but avoid asking leading questions. Staff are responsible for reporting, not investigating abuse.
6. If abuse or neglect is suspected, report it and document the incident through a Concern Sheet, including the report number. If unsure about the process, consult with an administrator for guidance.

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)

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

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 19th. The last day of school for Sheldon students will be May 17th.

KHSA is offering a series of free learning opportunities via Zoom. Registration is required. Register HERE.

• Tuesday, November 17, Noon OR 5:30 (30 Minutes) Understanding Advocacy
• Tuesday, January 12, Noon OR 5:30 (30 Minutes) Leadership and Advocacy as a Head Start Parent

Kansas Head Start parents and alumni parents, including those who are now Head Start staff, are invited to share their Head Story through Voices of Head Start in Kansas. Here is the direct link.

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors that determine school success. The habit of attending school every single day begins with the preschool year(s).

Daily Absence Information

• Parents/guardians should notify the school each day a student is absent by 9:00 a.m, by calling (785) 438-4530. If leaving a voicemail, please provide the student's name, classroom teacher and reason for absence. If the parent/guardian fails to notify the school, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian. The communication can be in a variety of methods, such as electronic communication, telephone call or in person. Home visits will be conducted if there has been no contact made after two days.
• All absences, including those excused, will count against a student’s attendance.
• The school encourages parents to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours, or on days when school is not in session.
• Parents/guardians may be required to submit supporting documentation in order to excuse the absence of their student if student absenteeism is excessive.
• Preschool absences are recorded in Synergy, the district's student information system. The expectation is that students attend school at least 90% of the time. If the student falls below 90% (excused or unexcused) a letter will be sent home. If this issue does not improve an official attendance plan will be put into place and/or a meeting with the school principal will be scheduled.

The Kansas State law specifically says that a student is truant if they have missed 3 unexcused days in a row, 5 unexcused days in a semester, or 7 unexcused days in a school year. Truancy may result in a report being filed with DCF.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Personal illness or medical appointment
• Illness of an immediate family member
• Death in the immediate family or other emergency beyond the control of the family
• Religious holidays of the student’s religious faith
• Participation in a district approved or school sponsored activity or event
• Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency
• Family vacation/Out of town (that have been pre-approved by the school principal)

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• No contact by parent/guardian
• Oversleeping
• Personal grooming appointments (hair, nails, etc)
• Shopping/errands
• Suspension from school
• Family vacation/ Out of town that have not been pre-approved
• Missing the bus/ride

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

English and Spanish

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