Community News

This week, we were deeply saddened to learn of the senseless, tragic death of Zoey Felix, who was a preschool student at Shaner for part of the last school year. The district crisis team will remain in place at Shaner throughout this week. Please keep all those who knew and loved Zoey in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Last Friday, we celebrated Homecoming at Topeka High School, and another celebration is just around the corner, as Topeka West will host its Homecoming activities on Friday, October 6.

In September, I met many of our students and families at Homecoming events, Family Fitness Fun Night, and the county marching band exhibition. It has been wonderful seeing so many families attending these events.

This week, our preschool students at Sheldon Head Start enjoyed a day of shopping for winter attire, courtesy of Advisors Excel. We are so grateful to our community partners for investing in the lives of TPS students.

Throughout October, we are celebrating National Principals Month, National Audiology Awareness Month, National Physical Therapy Month, and National Custodial Worker Appreciation Day! Please help us celebrate our incredible school staff as we highlight these individuals on social media.

As a reminder, there will be no school for students on October 9-10 as our staff will be engaged in professional learning. Additionally, Parent Conferences will be held on October 25-26, with no school for students on Thursday or Friday that week. Information on scheduling your conference will be sent by your child's school in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

On September 29, Topeka High School students, staff, and alumni showed their school spirit at various Homecoming events, including a royalty assembly and parade.

Topeka High graduates from the classes of 1973, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2013 joined the events to celebrate their high school reunions and even decorated floats for the parade.

The Trojans varsity football team then took on Northwest High School at Hummer Sports Park, where they crowned their Homecoming King and Queen. View photos on Flickr.

Upcoming Homecoming Events

We look forward to celebrating our final Homecoming of the season at Topeka West next Friday, October 6 with a Royalty Assembly at 2:00 PM, immediately followed by the parade, then the football game at 7:00 PM at Hummer Sports Park. Go Chargers!

This week, volunteers from Advisors Excel served at Sheldon Head Start, bringing countless smiles to our preschool scholars!

Each year, Advisors Excel adopts Sheldon Head Start and allows each student to choose a new coat, pair of shoes, socks, and winter attire such as hats and gloves.

The shopping day for the preschoolers is set up and facilitated by Advisors Excel staff, filling the school with smiles, laughter, and joy. View photos from the event on Flickr.

The district extends a special thank you to all at Advisors Excel for the generous donation and for their ongoing support of Topeka Public Schools students.

On October 2, national-award winning author Janae Marks, creator of the Zoe Washington series, visited Ross Elementary and Chase Middle School thanks to a partnership between Topeka Public Schools and the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

At each school, Ms. Marks met with the school book clubs, where students have been reading her first novel, From the Desk of Zoe Washington, which highlights issues of social justice and the experiences of characters of color.

Each student received a copy of the book from their school librarian, and were able to ask thoughtful questions to the author about her work. She then signed each student's copy!

Ms. Marks also held all-school presentations, followed by an evening presentation at the public library. View photos from the visits on Flickr.

On September 23, district leaders and educators gathered in Wichita for the Kansas State Department of Education's 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year awards ceremony.

Ms. Cherryl Delacruz, who serves as a district consulting teacher and math teacher for College Prep Academy, was honored as the Region 2 winner and Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist.

This is the second year in a row a TPS educator has been named a finalist, and Ms. Pamela Muñoz, a kindergarten teacher at McCarter Elementary and 2023 finalist, was there to show her support.

We are so proud of our state-recognized teaching staff!

On September 20, we celebrated our 7th-grade College Prep Academy scholars at the annual Jacketing Ceremony.

Much like a White Coat ceremony for medical doctors, the Jacketing Ceremony marks a student's transition to the advanced math and computer science curriculum offered through College Prep, which is two grade levels ahead of their peers.

The 7th-grade scholars also took part in a tie-tying workshop with TPS Deputy Superintendent Mr. Larry Robbins, where they learned important lessons about professional dress and responsibility.

Additionally, College Prep instructors accompanied the 9th and 10th-grade students on a college tour in St. Louis.

View photos from all of our College Prep Academy events on Flickr.

On September 20, Topeka Public Schools held its 13th annual Family Fitness Fun Night at Hummer Sports Park.

The event brought hundreds of families from across Topeka to the football field, where they were able to visit school and community education booths and take part in games, physical challenges, and learning activities.

We appreciate the many vendors and volunteers who supported this amazing health and wellness event! View photos on Flickr.

October is National Principals Month! While we celebrate educators throughout the year, we will be highlighting principals across the district throughout the month. Learn more about National Principal Month at principalsmonth.org.

Principals and other school leaders will be recognized during the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education meeting on October 5.

Please take time to let your principal know how very special they are to all of us! Follow us on Facebook to join in the celebration.

As we celebrate the fall season, families are invited to a free children's costume giveaway, hosted by SENT Topeka, on Saturday, October 14 from 9:00-11:00 AM.

The giveaway will take place at the SENT office at 455 SE Golf Park Blvd and is first-come, first-served - so be there early to secure your favorite look!

SENT will also offer free flu shots provided by Washburn University Student Health Services. 50 shots will be available to families on a first-come, first-served basis.

Treat bags will also be provided to attendees, thanks to a generous donation from Ventus Heating & Cooling, LLC.

On Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Impact Avenues will host a community furniture collection to serve families in need.

Bring your new or used furniture, including couches, dressers, chairs, dining room tables, end tables, and other items, to the Impact Avenues Warehouse at 322 NW Crane. Please do not bring mattresses as they can not be accepted.

Impact Avenues is a community organization that supports our homeless population and most vulnerable students and families in our community.

For questions or additional details, please call 785-233-8100 or email info@forthegoodofthecity.org.

On Tuesday, October 17, Topeka Public Schools will host the Warm Little Ones Winter Coat Giveaway at Quinton Heights Education Center (2331 SW Topeka Blvd).

Stop by Quinton Heights from 6:00 - 8:00 PM to pick up a free winter coat for your student!

Leading up to this event, Quinton Heights will be accepting donations of new or gently used winter coats that will be donated during the event.

For questions or additional details, please contact Fred Willer at fwiller@tps501.org.

On Saturday, October 28 at 9:00 AM, Topeka Public Schools will hold its school surplus auction at the USD 501 Service Center (125 SE 27th St). The auction will take place in the front parking lot.

Learn more about available items by viewing the event flyer. For more information, please contact Lucy Nixon at 785-295-3912.

As our families and staff plan for the upcoming year, view the 2023-2024 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department drop-down menu.

The district Google Calendar is also available on our home page.

Below are important dates for October 2023:

• September 15 - October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
• October 1-30: National Principals Month
• October 1-30: National Audiology Awareness Month
  
• October 1-30: National Physical Therapy Month
• October 2: National Custodial Workers Appreciation Day
  
• October 2-6: Anti-Bullying Awareness Week
  School Spirit Week & KSDE Wear Pink Challenge
  
• October 4: National Walk to School Day
• October 5: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• October 9-10: NO SCHOOL
  Staff Development Days
• October 9-13: National School Lunch Week
• October 16: Boss's Day
• October 16-20: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 18: Kansas School Transportation Appreciation Day
• October 19: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
• October 25-26: Parent Teacher Conferences
  Look for scheduling information from your child's teacher
• October 26-27: NO SCHOOL
  School Not in Session
• October 31: Fall Festivities

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2023-2024 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 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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