Community News

Next week, we look forward to celebrating American Education Week and highlighting educators and staff across Topeka Public Schools, who represent excellence in education. Your skill, dedication, and compassion are evident in the care you bring to your work with our scholars each day and in the ways you show up for one another.

We are strongest together, and I am grateful to our staff, our families, and the Topeka community for the many ways you support our students. Thank you for the time you give, the encouragement you offer, and the trust you build with one another throughout the school year.

During American Education Week, we also have the opportunity to celebrate two educators who represent the excellence we see across our district. Please join me in congratulating our 2028 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees, Ms. Rae Lauxman and Mr. Barry Evans, who are pictured above.

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I feel truly blessed to work alongside the amazing educators who dedicate their lives to serving others across the community.

Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

There will be no school for students from Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. School will resume on Monday, November 30.

We are thankful for all of our students, families, and staff who make the district great. Have a happy and safe holiday!

This month, Topeka Public Schools proudly announced our 2028 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees, Ms. Rae Lauxman and Mr. Barry Evans!

Ms. Lauxman, a beloved preschool teacher at Shaner Early Learning Academy, is our elementary nominee. Mr. Evans, the award-winning Band Director at Topeka West High School, is our secondary nominee.

Through their creativity, passion, and commitment to student success, these outstanding educators bring our mission to engage, prepare, and inspire to life. Learn more in this video highlight.

Scholars from Ross Elementary joined Governor Laura Kelly on October 30 as she signed a proclamation acknowledging the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in Kansas.

The visit provided a meaningful opportunity for students to honor Ruby Bridges’ courage and her lasting contributions to equality in education. Scholars reflected on how her example continues to inspire kindness, unity, and inclusion in our schools.

This week, Ross scholars, educators, and neighbors walked together in honor of Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, carrying those reflections with them as they walked together in her honor. Learn more in this Facebook post.

We are proud of our Ross scholars for representing Topeka Public Schools and celebrating the importance of creating school communities where every student belongs!

This week, students and staff honored military Veterans and thanked them for their service in celebration of Veterans Day, with a variety of school assemblies and celebrations taking place across the district.

In addition, JROTC members from Highland Park, Topeka High, and Topeka West have enjoyed assisting with various community events to honor Veterans, and we are so proud to have Veterans leading our JROTC programs!

Last weekend, JROTC cadets and marching band members from all high schools took part in the downtown Topeka Veterans Day Parade. View photos from Veterans Day celebrations across the district on Flickr.

Congratulations to our October Senior of the Month, Mi'Luv Cosey, an outstanding scholar at Highland Park High School!

Known as a “triple threat” for her achievements in academics, athletics, and service, Mi'Luv has grown from a shy freshman into a confident student leader who makes a positive difference in her school community.

Mi'Luv is involved in Link Crew, Upward Bound, Scots Movement, and Yearbook, while also participating in track and field, basketball, and cross country. Through these activities, she has built connections, supported her peers, and demonstrated her dedication to the Highland Park community.

Looking ahead, Mi'Luv plans to attend Wichita State University to major in sports media and society with a minor in physical education and coaching. She hopes to pursue a career in photography and photojournalism, combining her creativity with her passion for telling stories. Learn more in this highlight video.

Topeka West High School students, staff, families, and alumni came together on October 9 to celebrate Homecoming and show their Charger pride with a parade and pep rally.

The celebration continued under the Friday night lights as the Charger family cheered on the varsity football team at Hummer Sports Park. The Topeka West Charger Band, Cheer, and Dance Team added to the excitement with spirited performances throughout the evening. We congratulate the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen, Elijah Franklin and Austyn Frost!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Homecoming a memorable celebration for our scholars and school community. View photos from Topeka West’s Homecoming celebrations on Flickr.

On October 15, Topeka Public Schools celebrated the opening of a new Outdoor Fitness Court® at the Quinton Heights Welcome Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony!

The free outdoor space features seven exercise stations with workouts that can be adapted for all fitness levels, and it is open to anyone in our community, ages 14 and older. To get started, just scan the QR code at the court to download the free app and access workout tutorials.

Thank you to our partners at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and National Fitness Campaign for helping bring this new wellness resource to TPS staff, families, and the Topeka community! View photos from the ribbon cutting on Flickr.

Throughout November, Topeka Public Schools is celebrating Native American Heritage Month with opportunities for scholars, staff, and families to learn about and honor Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contributions.

Later this month, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will recognize Native American Heritage Month with a proclamation, followed by a presentation and blanket ceremony facilitated by Mr. Yale Taylor, the district's Consulting Teacher for Native American Studies.

On November 18, Topeka Public Schools and Haskell Indian Nations University will partner for the annual Title VI Youth Gathering at TCALC. Students will participate in interactive cultural programming and games while connecting with local universities, Tribal departments, and peers from neighboring districts.

We are grateful for these experiences that celebrate Indigenous heritage while strengthening connections among our schools, families, and community!

This week, Topeka Public Schools celebrated the school psychologists across the district who support our scholars, families, and staff. They work alongside educators and families to understand students’ needs, help students build social and emotional skills, and connect them with support so they can learn and thrive.

We also thank Dr. Kara Schuetz, the district’s Coordinator of School Psychology, for her leadership in bringing these services and strategies into our schools. The Kansas State Department of Education recognized Topeka Public Schools with Silver Star awards for Social-Emotional Growth in 2023, 2024, and 2025 through its Kansans Can Star Recognition Program.

Thank you to our school psychologists for the care and expertise you bring to our schools!

Students in grades 1-12 are invited to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through art, poetry, and writing. Sponsored by Living the Dream, Inc., the 25th annual competition gives students an opportunity to share their ideas and creativity.

Entries are due by 4:30 PM on Friday, December 11, 2026. Contest guidelines and submission forms are available for each competition:

• Student Art Competition

• Student Poetry Competition

• Student Essay Competition

First, second, and third place winners in each grade category will receive a gift card ($50, $40, or $30) and a certificate of achievement during the King Holiday Student Awards and Recognition Program. The program will take place on Monday, January 18, 2027, at 10:30 AM at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park (1515 SE Monroe St).

Check out our 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
• Washburn Institute of Technology (watch video)

It is with tremendous sadness that Topeka Public Schools shares the passing of J’Lanette Harrison, a beloved senior at Highland Park High School. An active member of her school community, J’Lanette was cherished by students and staff. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

Over the weekend, the Highland Park community came together for a balloon release to celebrate J’Lanette’s life. Family and friends will have additional opportunities to gather in her honor later this month. View the obituary and additional details here.

• Friday, November 20: A wake will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Bowser-Johnson Funeral Home (723 SW 6th Ave).

• Saturday, November 21: A viewing will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a service at 11:00 AM at El Shaddai Ministries (920 SE Sherman Ave). A celebration of J’Lanette’s life will take place that evening at 5:30 PM at the Boys & Girls Club’s Adams Center (550 SE 27th St).

Please keep J’Lanette’s family and the Highland Park community uplifted in your thoughts and prayers. If you’d like to support J’Lanette’s family during this difficult time, the family has provided this Meal Train link.

As families plan for the upcoming school year, view the 2026-2027 academic calendar here. We encourage families to review important dates, including the first and last days of school, holidays, breaks, and professional development days as we prepare for another great year ahead.

Below are important dates for November 2026:

• November 1-30: Native American Heritage Month
• November 8: National Parents as Teachers Day
• November 9-13: National School Psychology Week
• November 11: Veterans Day
• November 14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
• November 16-20: American Education Week
• November 17: Principal for a Day
  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Districtwide
• November 18: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (Kansas Observance)

• November 19: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
  NO SCHOOL IN SESSION
  
• November 26: Thanksgiving Day

The Topeka Public Schools Foundation is proud to support students and staff across the district through grants, scholarships, summer programs, student resources, and other opportunities that help our schools thrive. Information about our programs and services is available on the TPS Foundation website.

Teachers, have an innovative idea for your classroom? The TPS Foundation wants to help bring it to life! Staff members are encouraged to submit their ideas through a simple grant application for consideration: Submit a TPS Foundation Grant Application

TPS staff can also make a difference by supporting students and educators through the Foundation's Employee Giving Campaign. Every contribution helps the Foundation continue investing directly in opportunities and resources throughout Topeka Public Schools. If you would like to support the Foundation through our Employee Giving Campaign, please complete this form.

• 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.

Copyright © 2018, All rights reserved.