Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

Reminder - there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day!

Each week, you will receive a newsletter from me highlighting all upcoming dates and events. The weekly newsletter will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read the newsletter each week so you stay informed! This is the number one way I communicate with all families. This newsletter will be sent via email, text, and posted on our Pine Ridge Prep Facebook page. Speaking of, haven't followed us yet on social media? Please do! We love to share pictures of all the fun we are having!

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

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Mrs. Kim Meyers-Lopez, Building Leader

There are 9 school days in August. To keep your child's attendance at 90% or higher, they cannot miss a full day of school. Missing just one full day drops their attendance to 89%.

Please remember that arriving late (tardy) or leaving school early also affects your child's attendance percentage. Thank you for helping your child be at school every day and on time!

Picture Day is coming up on Wednesday, September 30th! Retakes will be on October 28th. Paper order forms will be sent home soon. The flyer below provides details on the different packages that are available for order. If ordering photos, you may pay in the following ways:

• Pay by Cash: You must provide the EXACT amount. We will not be able to make change.
• Pay by Check: Make the check out to Strawbridge Studios
• Pay Online: This is the easiest! See the information in the flyer below.

We will collect orders and payments at the school beginning Monday, September 14th and ending on picture day, September 30th.

You can also use this link to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school (you can double check this in your Synergy ParentVue).

If your child is still working on potty training, please be sure they are coming to school in pull-ups NOT diapers.

Potty Training Resources

-The Right Age to Potty Train (English)

-The Right Age to Potty Train (Spanish)

-Toileting Independence in Preschool Age Children - Head Start Resource

-Help Children Use the Bathroom On Their Own (this includes songs, videos, and book ideas!)

Due to the new state law on social media communication, Topeka Public Schools is using 5 approved tools for family communication - including the new app Parent Square. Directions are below for how to download the app and log in to your account. This will be our primary communication tool at Pine Ridge Prep, so please download the app and access your account as soon as possible. Let Ms. Kim know if you have any issues!

Parent Square Directions:

• Scan the QR Code. Or go straight to the App Store and download the app (a picture is on the flyer below).
• Scroll down past the long list to the bottom of the page and click on either the Download App from Apple Store or Download App from Android Store.
• Once the app has downloaded, sign-in using the same email and password you use for Synergy ParentVUE (this is how you enrolled your child in school this year). It will not tie you to our school if you try to use a different email.
• Once logged in, you should be on the Pine Ridge Prep Home Page. If not, check to see if you received an invitation email from Parent Square to join Pine Ridge Prep and click the link in that email.
• If you have children in multiple TPS schools, you will have a drop-down option at the top of your screen that lets you switch between schools.
• Email Ms. Kim if you are having any issues! klopez@tps501.org

We LOVE our friends on Sesame Street! They have so many great resources for families. Check it out here!

School fees will be added to My School Bucks accounts around the beginning of September. If you haven't yet, you can go ahead and set up your account and make sure you can log-in. We DO NOT suggest logging in from ParentVUE as that seems to be having some trouble. Access your account directly from the website myschoolbucks.com. See this step by step guide on how to access your account.

Students at Pine Ridge Prep are dropped off and picked up from their classroom door. Beginning at 8:20 Monday-Thursday and 9:20 on Friday, school staff will be outside each classroom to greet students. An adult is to walk the child up to school staff for them to be checked in. DO NOT drop your child and pull away/walk away. It is important for safety that an adult have eyes on all children at all times. At the end of the day, please walk up to pick up your child. The arrival process ends at 8:45. Any student arriving to school after 8:45 will need to check in at the office, located in building 1120. The dismissal process ends at 3:45. Any student not picked up will need to be checked out at the office.

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 8:20 AM (drop off at classroom door)
• School starts: 8:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 8:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 8:30 AM. Students arriving after 8:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:20 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 9:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:30 AM. Students arriving after 9:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Before the first day of school, you will receive a newsletter that explains the arrival and dismissal procedures.

Our Pine Ridge Prep Facebook page is active! We use this as a way to communicate with families and share many pictures. Please follow the page to stay updated!

https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/

Pine Ridge Prep follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exception is a later start date. The first day of school for Pine Ridge Prep students is Wednesday, August 19th.

Topeka Public Schools utilizes the SchoolMessenger system for web services and to deliver text messages to families in the district. Alerts come straight to your mobile phone with important information about school events, school closings, and more.

Parents and guardians can participate in this free service by sending a text message of "Y" or "Yes" to the TPS short code number 67587. You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying "stop" to one of our messages.

View our communications document in English and Spanish to learn more about how Topeka Public Schools communicates with families throughout the school year.

Don't forget to follow us on social media! We're active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

New interactive meal menus can be found here. In the first drop down, choose Pine Ridge Prep. In the second drop down, pick either breakfast or lunch.

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors that determine school success. The habit of attending school every single day begins with the preschool year(s).

Daily Absence Information

• Parents/guardians should notify the school each day a student is absent by 9:00 a.m, by calling (785) 329-7870. If leaving a voicemail, please provide the student's name, classroom teacher and reason for absence. If the parent/guardian fails to notify the school, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian. The communication can be in a variety of methods, such as electronic communication, telephone call or in person. Home visits will be conducted if there has been no contact made after two days.
• All absences, including those excused, will count against a student’s attendance.
• The school encourages parents to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours, or on days when school is not in session.
• Parents/guardians may be required to submit supporting documentation in order to excuse the absence of their student if student absenteeism is excessive.
• Preschool absences are recorded in Synergy, the district's student information system. The expectation is that students attend school at least 90% of the time. If the student falls below 90% (excused or unexcused) a letter will be sent home. If this issue does not improve an official attendance plan will be put into place and/or a meeting with the school principal will be scheduled.

The Kansas State law specifically says that a student is truant if they have missed 3 unexcused days in a row, 5 unexcused days in a semester, or 7 unexcused days in a school year. Truancy may result in a report being filed with DCF.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Personal illness or medical appointment
• Illness of an immediate family member
• Death in the immediate family or other emergency beyond the control of the family
• Religious holidays of the student’s religious faith
• Participation in a district approved or school sponsored activity or event
• Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency
• Family vacation/Out of town (that have been pre-approved by the school principal)

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• No contact by parent/guardian
• Oversleeping
• Personal grooming appointments (hair, nails, etc)
• Shopping/errands
• Suspension from school
• Family vacation/ Out of town that have not been pre-approved
• Missing the bus/ride

FREE English conversation instruction for people who speak other languages/English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Start Date: September 8, 2026

When: Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Location: Washburn University, Main Campus near the Student Union

Living Learning Center, Reading Room (first floor)

1801 SW Jewell

Topeka, KS 66604

Contact Person: Anita Epps

Participants will fill out a simple application form when they first attend. No books are required.

If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

English and Spanish

Website: https://pineridgeprep.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1120 SE Highland Ave.
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep