Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

Welcome back to the 2022-2023 school year! Staff reported back last week and we have been busy preparing for students to arrive! As a reminder, the first day of school is August 18th. Our school day runs from 8:30-3:30, which is a change from last year for any returning students.

This is the first of our weekly parent newsletters for this year. We try to make this very comprehensive and include school and district information that you need, as well as community resources. Please read carefully each week as this is the major form of communication you will receive. We send this out via email and post it on our website and Facebook page.

Click the link to access the 2022-2023 Family Handbook.

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

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Mrs. Shelley Banzhaf, Building Leader Intern

August 17: Meet the Teacher Night @ 4:30-5:30

August 18: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!

September 5: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 15: Picture Day

You can find all school events listed on our school calendar which you can access on our webpage. Additionally, all families will receive a Pine RIdge Prep calendar and a one-pager of events for the year at Meet the Teacher Night.

Please note that the office has moved to the Deer building (1120 SE Highland Ave). To access the office, use the door that is labeled Pine Ridge Prep Office, not the classroom door.

Ms. Elaine Cannefax, our school social worker, is located in the Owl building (1110 SE Highland Ave.).

Please join us in welcoming the following new staff to our Pine Ridge Prep family!

Ms. Nancy Armstrong - Deer Room Teacher

Ms. Leslie Shepard - Rabbit Room Substitute

Ms. Katrina Deitcher - Owl Room Paraprofessional

Ms. Carrie Sherretts - Owl Room Paraprofessional

Ms. Mercedes Miles - Deer Room Paraprofessional

Ms. Brooklyn Smith - Office Paraprofessional/Food Service

Teachers have begun calling families to schedule porch visits prior to the first day of school. If you haven't heard from your teacher by the end of this week, please reach out!

Please be sure you send an extra set of clothes (bottom, top, underwear, socks) with your student on the first day of school, in case of accidents. Make sure they are appropriate for the current weather.

We will be hosting a Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, August 17th from 4:30-5:30. While you will have already met your teacher through home visits, this is an opportunity to see your child's school and classroom, ask any last minute questions you may have, and receive additional school information.

The first day of school for students is Thursday, August 18th. Arrival is 8:30 and we will begin dismissal at 3:30. We will be serving breakfast and lunch.

If your child takes medication at school, you will need to have your child's physician complete and sign a Request to Administer Medication form, which will need to be returned to Mrs. Banzhaf. Medication must be sent in the original packaging with the original label. If your child needs meal modifications due to religious or medical restrictions, please complete and return the attached forms.

Arrival begins at 8:30. Students need to be walked to their classroom door and signed in for the day. Dismissal will begin at 3:30. Students will exit their buildings and the approved pick-up person needs to walk up and sign them out for the day.

We have seen in the news recently about many children and caregivers not surviving car accidents because they were not properly restrained. Unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. If you need a car seat, we have a great resource to obtain one. Also, please remember that the car seat needs to be properly restrained within the car as well and you must have the proper number of seatbelts per person in the car. Please move seats between cars as needed when changing vehicles with the children.

See the attached document for the latest information on testing, quarantine, and close contacts. Please be sure to review both the COVID Update and the information on the Parent Resources page for the latest information from the CDC. Masks are encouraged, but not required. We will maintain strict sanitation protocols.

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arival time will be at 9:30. The first late start of the year will be our second day of school, August 19th.

You can find the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar HERE.

The Pine Ridge Prep Food & Clothing Bank is up and running! If your family has any needs, reach out to Ms. Heather Hayden at 785-329-7876.

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://www.topekapublicschools.net/pine-ridge-prep
Location: 1110 SE Highland Ave.
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep