Community News

As a reminder, Spring Break will take place March 16-20, with no school for students on Monday, March 23 for staff planning. Students will return to school on Tuesday, March 24.

This week, we had a wonderful time at the annual Advisors Excel Real World event, which provides our high school scholars with valuable opportunities to explore career pathways and learn from industry professionals. We are grateful to our partners at Advisors Excel for their continued investment in and support of Topeka Public Schools.

Throughout this month, we are celebrating Women's History Month, National School Social Work Week, Read Across America Day, and Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts in Our Schools Month. We thank the many community leaders and board members who visited our schools this week and inspired our scholars, as we recognize these important celebrations.

Our Topeka High and Topeka West athletes have had an exciting season and will compete in the KSHSAA Sub-State Basketball Finals today and tomorrow for the opportunity to advance to the State Tournament. We congratulate our athletes and coaches on their hard work and dedication this season, and we are cheering on our Trojans and Chargers!

Thank you for your continued support of Topeka Public Schools, and we wish you and your families a safe and relaxing Spring Break!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Spring Break will be held the week of March 16-20, 2026. There will also be no school for students on Monday, March 23 for staff planning & prep.

Students will return to school on Tuesday, March 24.

This week, schools across the district participated in the nationwide celebration of Read Across America Day, dedicated to inspiring young students to discover the joy of reading. Students were treated to an exciting lineup of guest readers, who shared their passion for books and the importance of reading.

Among the special guests were Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson, State Board of Education member Dr. Beryl New, TPS Board of Education members Keith Tatum, Lalo Muñoz, and Sue Bolley, and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Sharp, who all took time to engage with students and read aloud.

We are incredibly grateful to all of our guests for their enthusiasm and commitment to fostering a love of reading among our students!

Fine Arts in Our Schools Month provides an opportunity for the entire community to recognize the many benefits of music, theatre, and visual arts in education.

Throughout the past month, Topeka Public Schools students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels have been showcasing their talents in musicals, plays, concerts, and visual arts displays across the district.

In addition, our high school students and educators have traveled to the Kansas Statehouse to participate in Advocacy Day events supporting Visual Arts, Music, and Theatre in Our Schools. We are incredibly proud of these students for sharing their voices and advocating for the importance of arts education!

We also extend a special thank you to Deputy Mayor Michelle Hoferer for visiting our nationally recognized Topeka West Theatre Department this week and presenting them with a certificate in honor of Theatre in Our Schools Month! Learn more in this highlight from WIBW.

On March 3, over 100 Topeka Public Schools high school students participated in “The Real World: AE Day” at Advisors Excel.

During the event, students gained valuable career insight by stepping into the “real world” of working at Advisors Excel, learning about a variety of departments and professional roles within the company. Scholars also had the opportunity to hear from several Topeka Public Schools alumni who now have thriving careers at Advisors Excel, offering inspiration and advice as students begin exploring their own career pathways.

We thank Advisors Excel for their continued partnership and support of Topeka Public Schools students. View photos from the event on Flickr and learn more in this highlight from WIBW.

Congratulations to the Jardine Middle School boys basketball team on their impressive City Championship victory on March 5!

The Jaguars demonstrated tremendous teamwork, determination, and perseverance throughout the season, finishing strong with a championship win that reflects the hard work and dedication of both the players and their coaches. We celebrate their success and look forward to seeing their continued growth in athletics and academics. Way to go, Jaguars!

Congratulations to Highland Park High School wrestler Makayla Cadet on earning 2nd place in the state in her division at the KSHSAA 5A State Wrestling Tournament! Makayla’s hard work, determination, and outstanding performance throughout the season led to an incredible finish on the state stage.

We also celebrate Topeka West High School wrestler Monica Stewart, who earned 5th place in her division, becoming a proud state placer for the Chargers.

We congratulate these student-athletes and thank their coaches and teammates for their support throughout the season. Way to represent Topeka Public Schools with excellence!

Topeka Public Schools is proud to celebrate National School Social Work Week, recognizing the dedicated professionals who support the well-being and success of our students and families each day.

Our school social workers play a vital role in connecting students with resources, providing support during challenging times, and helping remove barriers so every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

We thank all of our school social workers for their tremendous impact across the district! You can share your appreciation, encouragement, and gratitude for the school social worker in your life by leaving a comment on our Facebook video highlighting social workers across Topeka Public Schools.

As families begin planning for the upcoming school year, the 2026-2027 academic calendar is now available to view. The calendar includes important dates such as the first and last day of school, parent conferences, and scheduled breaks to help families stay informed and plan ahead.

We encourage families to review the calendar and mark key dates as you prepare for another great year in Topeka Public Schools!

Check out our new College Connections Newsletter on Smore! With an easy to navigate Table of Contents, it's now simpler than ever for high school students and families to find helpful information on college and career readiness.

This month's newsletter covers the following topics:

• Applying for Federal Student Aid
• The Kansas Promise Act
• College registration/admissions process & deadlines
• Scholarships
• ACT/SAT testing dates
• Job opportunities for students
• NCAA Requirements (watch video)

Sharefest is an event created with the belief that churches and organizations can do more together than any one group could do separately. The event brings together citizens from all over Topeka to improve our community!

Topeka Public Schools is among the organizations to benefit from this year's Sharefest, which will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Volunteers will spend the day landscaping, painting, and cleaning up the grounds of Avondale Academy, Chase Middle & State Street Elementary Campus, McEachron Elementary, Quincy Elementary, Robinson Middle, Shaner Early Learning Academy, TCALC/Cap City, Topeka High, and Whitson Elementary.

This event is only possible with the help of volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering, please visit sharefesttopeka.com.

Save the date! Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year will open online in April 2026. Families are encouraged to register early, as we anticipate classes filling up quickly again this year.

Information regarding enrollment, school supply lists, and other items for families to prepare for next year will be available in April at topekapublicschools.net. View the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar here.

As a reminder, returning families will receive an email to register their students from Synergy Student Information System and enroll through ParentVue. Families new to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register online.

Do you have a young scholar ready to begin preschool? Get ready! Our 2026-2027 preschool application will be available online beginning in April!

Topeka Public Schools is accepting applications for State Pre-K, Preschool Intervention Program, Sheldon Head Start, Pine Ridge Prep, Scott Dual Language, and Shaner Early Learning Academy. The application will be part of the 2026-2027 online enrollment process.

View the 2026-2027 preschool flyer in English and Spanish here. For more information on our outstanding preschool programs, visit topekapublicschools.net.

Families who have a preschooler ready to begin kindergarten this fall are encouraged to join us for 2026-2027 Kindergarten Orientation at 5:30 PM on Thursday, April 9!

This event is an opportunity for parents to learn more about Topeka Public Schools, meet teachers and staff, and tour our schools. Learn more about what to expect during Kindergarten Orientation in this document. Eligible students must be 5 years-old by August 31, 2026.

Kindergarten Orientation will take place at each elementary school in the district, so please attend the event hosted at the school where your child plans to attend. For questions regarding your home school, please contact TPS Demographics at 785-295-3099.

The Topeka Public Schools Foundation is excited to announce its 33rd Annual Benefit Golf Tournament, taking place on Thursday, June 4 from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM at the Shawnee Country Club GreatLife Golf Course (913 SE 29th St).

Community members, businesses, and education supporters are invited to join this special event to help fund scholarships and classroom grants for TPS students. We also look forward to recognizing this year's Honorary Chair, Patty Dick.

Thanks to the continued generosity of the community, nearly $200,000 was awarded to students and staff during the past school year. This tournament is a fun and meaningful way to help continue that legacy of support. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and register for the event at this link.

View the full 2025-2026 academic calendar or the district Google Calendar to plan ahead for parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and more. As families plan for the next school year, view the 2026-2027 academic calendar here.

Below are important dates for March 2026:

• March 1-31: Music, Theatre, & Visual Arts in Our Schools Month
• March 1-31: Women's History Month
• March 1-31: National Social Work Month
• March 1-7: National School Social Work Week
• March 12: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• March 16-20: SPRING BREAK
  NO SCHOOL IN SESSION
• March 23: Staff Planning & Prep Day
  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

The TPS Foundation is here to help support students and staff in Topeka Public Schools through grants, scholarships, summer programs, and student resources. Information about our programs and services is available on the TPS Foundation website.

TPS STAFF: If you would like to support the Foundation through our Employee Giving Campaign, please complete this form.

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2026 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 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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