McEachron Newsletter

McEachron Families-

We hope everyone is enjoying their summer! We cannot believe that the school year is almost here and are beyond excited to welcome our new and returning Mustangs!

As we prepare for the first day of school, our staff has been working hard to get everything ready for an amazing year. We can't wait to partner with you this year!

Thank you to all of our families who have already registered for the upcoming school year. If you have not done so already, please register for the upcoming school year. The links and directions are included below.

As we approach the school year, I will send another newsletter prior to school starting. This newsletter will include information about arrival/dismissal, meet the teacher night, class list postings and other events.

If you have further questions after reading, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I am looking forward to the upcoming school year!

Mrs. Kylie DesJardins, Principal

kdesjardins@tps501.org

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is opened now! Register now through Synergy Parent Vue. LINK

The district has updated the school supply list for next school year. Click HERE to access the elementary list.

Please click this link to view the preschool supply list.

Our TPS Summer Meal Program began June 1st! Breakfast and lunch will be served to all children 1-18 at sites throughout the city at no cost.

• July 13- 10.5 month employees' return
• July 21- In-person enrollment 8AM-4PM
• July 24- Popsicles with Principals 2:00-3:15
• August 10th- Meet the Teacher 4:30-5:30 PM (Kona Ice will be here from 4-6 PM; fundraiser profits will benefit the staff activity account)
• August 10, 2026: PK Meet the Teacher Night, Elementary Schools
• August 10th- August 25th: Penny Wars- Bring Change to vote for our PTO movie night movie!
• August 11- Kindergarten 1st Day (A schedule will be sent in August, with coverage/support)

• August 12- Kindergarten-5th 1st day
• August 19- PRESCHOOL/PIP first day of school
• August 21- Late Start Begins (doors open at 9:10 AM)
• August 28- PTO Movie Night at McEachron 5:30 PM
• September 7- No School- Labor Day
• September 8- PTO Meeting 5:30
• September 23, 2026: Family Fitness Fun Night, Hummer, 5:30-7:00
• September 25- Fall Picture Day
• September 25- STAR Assembly- 9:50-10:20AM
• October 12- No school
• October 13- No school
• October 21- Conferences 4-8 PM
• October 22- No School- Conferences 8AM-8PM
• October 23- No school
• September 30, 2026: Rainout Date Family Fitness Fun Night, Hummer, 5:30-7:00

On August 11th- Kindergarten will celebrate their 1st day of school!

We are excited to introduce a new event this year, Pastries with Parents, beginning at 9:00 AM! Families are invited to join our administrative team in the cafeteria/library for a warm and welcoming gathering. During this time, we will share important information about arrival and dismissal procedures, review school expectations, provide an overview of the school day, hear from our PTO, and create opportunities for families to connect with one another.

We look forward to building strong partnerships and celebrating the start of a wonderful school year together!

We are excited to kick off High-Five Fridays this school year and would love to welcome families, community members, local businesses, and other supporters to help us cheer on our Mustangs as they start the day!

If you have connections with a local business, organization, or individual who might enjoy participating, please help us spread the word or encourage them to sign up. Please see the flyer below for more information. If you have any questions or would like to participate, don't hesitate to reach out!

Students are encouraged to bring change, beginning August 10th and ending August 25th. This will be a penny drive to vote on our family movie night. The PTO movie night will take place on August 28th. The funds raised will support our student activity fund.

Families of incoming preschool/kindergarten students will be asked to complete the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 surveys. These questionnaires provide valuable information about your child's development and school readiness and are required by the state of Kansas.

Clickable links posted below:

Surveys in English: https://www.asqonline.com/family/fa3dbd

Surveys in Spanish: https://www.asqonline.com/family/1ec674

Thank you for helping us prepare for a successful start to the school year!

We will share our arrival and dismissal procedures, including route maps and more specific details, in our August newsletter.

Please note: Selecting bus transportation does not guarantee bus service, as this is based on eligibility, location, and availability. Again, thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and organized for all students.

Please join us in welcoming all of our staff members that are new to McEachron. We are excited to have them join our community!

• Nicholas Hofmeier- Counselor
• Jennifer Arradaza- IIC Teacher
• Lisa Giullian- Counselor
• Rachel Ward- 5th Grade Teacher
• Kelly Fyler- Instructional Coach
• Julie Deters- Student Academic Support Teacher
• Adrienne Neely-Paraprofessional
• Adriana Garcia- Paraprofessional
• Rachelle Badger- Paraprofessional
• Michelle Calhoun- Building Operator
• Kylie DesJardins- Principal

Please fill out the link below and tell us about staff that has had an impact on your student/family and why! During out staff meetings, we will share these with our staff and recognize them. Thank you for supporting our McEachron staff and community!

Mission: Stock the Station

As we prepare to welcome our students and staff, we’ve put together an Amazon Wish List with regulation tools for our Regulation Room, rewards and items for our school store, and snacks for both students and staff. If you’d like to help, we’d be so grateful for your support. Every item, big or small, will go directly toward students and staff!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3GK6P7FX525MT...

The annual movie night will be on Friday, August 28th. The school will be hosting the penny wars from August 10th-August 25th to vote on the movie. All funds raised will go back into our student activity fund.

• There will be a PTO Carnival Planning Meeting on August 23rd.
• The first PTO Meeting will be September 8th. at 5:30 PM in the library
• The PTO Carnival will be on October 3rd from 11-2! Save the date, we hope you can join us!

As we get ready for an exciting school year and the many events ahead, our PTO would like to share wish lists and sign-up opportunities. These donations and volunteer efforts help support events and activities such as our school carnival, prize room, and staff breakfasts during parent-teacher conferences. Thank you for your generosity and for helping make McEachron a wonderful place for our students, families, and staff. We truly appreciate your support of our McEachron community! 💚💛

Carnival Wish List-https://tinyurl.com/McEachron-Carnival

October Conference Breakfast Sign Up- https://tinyurl.com/FallPTC26

February Conference Breakfast Sign Up-https://tinyurl.com/SpringPTC27

August Breakfast & Lunch Menus Coming Soon!

The school lunch menus are available electronically on the Topeka Public Schools website, under the Child Nutrition section. The platform that can be found at the link below.

TPS School Lunch Menus

After you click the link above, you will be asked to select the school: McEachron Elementary and then select the correct menu: 2026-2027 Elementary Breakfast OR Lunch Menu

This new website allows you to see the menus, ingredients and nutrition facts for every item being served.

The District's Academic Calendar provides a quick-glance overview of important dates for parents to be aware of. This calendar includes days school is not in session, parent-teacher conferences, and start and end dates for the 2026-2027 school year.

It is important that your child attend school each day to have a consistent educational program. Of course, illness or other family emergencies can cause absences. If your child will be absent please let us know by contacting the office at 785-438-4430.

Research shows that the single greatest factor contributing to student achievement is school attendance. School hours are 8:40 AM – 3:40 PM (M-Th) and 9:30 AM – 3:40 PM (On late start Fridays). Doors will open at 8:20AM Monday-Thursdays, and 9:10 on Fridays. Students will enter the classrooms at 8:30 M-Th and 9:20 on late start Fridays.

Absences/Tardies

Monday – Thursday, if a student arrives after 9:00 AM, they will be counted absent for one full period. Students who arrive after 8:40 AM are tardy. On late start Fridays, if a student arrives after 9:50 AM, they will be counted absent for one full period. On Late Start Fridays, students who arrive after 9:30 AM are tardy.

The Topeka Public School Procedures are as follows:

1. Absences are excused for student illness or family emergencies. If your child is going to be absent, you should call the office before 9:30 a.m. It is each parent’s responsibility to be sure the office has been notified of the reason for absence. Advanced notice is appreciated.

2. A phone call attempt will be made on every child that does not arrive at school by 9:30am.

3. After 2 days of unexcused absences, staff will conduct a home visit or make other direct contact with the child's family, determine what assistance is needed to remedy the problem.

4. Unexcused absences can result in a truancy report being filed.

5. Each absence after 10 excused absences will result in the need for a doctor’s release note to be considered an excused absence.

6. Although Kansas law does not require students to be in school prior to the age of 7, ANY child enrolled in public school does fall into the state truancy policies. Truancy reports will be made to the district truancy officer for any student with excessive absences and/or tardies.

Personal technology devices (cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, etc.) must be kept in backpacks or classroom storage areas. Cell phone use or personal electronic devices are not allowed during the scheduled school day from the beginning start time to the end of school, for early childhood through fifth-grade students.

Device Expectations

Policy 2945

Email: kdesjardins@tps501.org
Website: https://mceachron.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 4433 SW 29th Terrace, Topeka, KS 66614
Phone: (785) 438-4430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100040277689785&sk=about