Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

Happy Monday!! This is our last full week of school!

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

Next week, we’re traveling back in time to the land of the dinosaurs! We will be celebrating Dinosaur Week with exciting hands-on activities, stories, songs, and crafts. Children will have the chance to dig for fossils, stomp like dinosaurs, and explore all things prehistoric! It's going to be a roaring good time!

Don't forget: Dino Dress-Up Day is on Thursday May 22nd– wear your favorite dinosaur gear!

All Pine Ridge Prep students will receive a Summer Learning Kit this year. In the bag is a book for your child's home library, a summer review booklet, and all the supplies needed to complete the activities in the booklet. We hope you have fun using these materials to keep your child's brain engaged and active over the long break!

See below for an invitation to Pine Ridge Prep's Promotion Ceremonies for our 4 year old students heading to Kindergarten next year! We do still have a half day of school on May 29th. Please plan for your student to attend the last day!

🎓 After Graduation Instructions

After our graduation ceremony, here’s what to expect:

✅ Refreshments will be served in the gazebo – feel free to stop by and enjoy some treats!

👨‍👩‍👧 Meet your student at their class’s designated location (look for signs or teacher to guide you).

🖊️ Please remember to sign your child out with their teacher before leaving.

📸 Photo opp! You’re welcome to take photos with your child & their classmates at the class location.

Thank you for helping us keep everything safe, smooth, and celebratory!

Topeka Public Schools has summer program offerings available in June to any preschool student who attended in a TPS program in the 24-25 school year. Students MUST BE fully potty-trained. This summer program will be held at Shaner Early Learning Academy. Click this link for more information on dates, fees, and registration. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Additionally, there is a summer program available at the Deer Creek Community Center. See more information below. Reach out to Ms. Kim if you would like a printed copy of the full summer program packet.

Check out this site for information on the Summer Book-It Program!

Our next staff meeting is coming up. We would LOVE to have more staff shout-outs to share! This form will be live for the rest of the school year. Feel free to submit your shout-outs and then we will print them, read them out loud at our monthly staff meeting, and provide the printed note to that staff member. Thank you for taking a moment to highlight the hard work our staff does daily!

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Better Hearing & Speech Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Military Appreciation Month

May 19-23: Dino Week! (see information above)

May 21: Summer Kick-Off BBQ! @ 3:30-5:30 (see flyer below)

May 26: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

May 27: PRP Promotion Ceremony @ 1:30

May 28: Fishing Trip to Lake Shawnee Jr. Fishing Lake

May 29: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Dismiss @ 11:30 - no lunch served; Water Day! (see flyer below)

We’re excited about our upcoming Fishing Field Trip on May 28th! We’ll be heading to Lake Shawnee's Junior Pond for a fun, hands-on outdoor adventure where children will get to explore nature and try their hand at fishing (with safe, age-appropriate equipment).

Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and outdoor play! Here’s what to bring/wear:

• Comfortable clothes that can get a little messy
• Closed-toe shoes
• A hat, if wanted

We’ll provide all the fishing gear and supervision — just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!

Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield for partnering with us for this adventure!

As of July 2024, Topeka Public Schools will be using My School Bucks as a way for parents to track and pay student fines, fees and other costs online. Pine Ridge Prep students DO have an enrollment fee. This ranges from $21-$32. The lower rate is for those families who qualify for free or reduced lunch by completing the Child Nutrition Form (link to complete is further down in this newsletter). See the pictures below (you can click on a picture to make it bigger) for instructions on how to set up your My School Bucks account and pay your fees for the 24-25 school year. Please reach out to the office with any questions.

The Topeka Public Schools Online Registration link is live. Register TODAY for the 2025-2026 school year!

*Preschool Registration is part of the district registration and is found on the same link. Students who will be 3 or 4 years of age on or before August 31st can register for preschool. All preschool students will be placed at "Quinton Heights" until the Early Childhood Enrollment team has processed applications, ensure students qualify, and assign to specific schools.

*Students registering for Kindergarten will be assigned to their home elementary schools.

All students must register, even if you will be returning for the second year of preschool. If you have questions or need help through the process, please reach out to our Preschool Enrollment team at preschool@tps501.org or 785-438-6899.

Please note required immunizations for the 25-26 school year, pictured below.

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 at classroom door)
• 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 at classroom door)
• 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 at classroom door)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the doors will open at 9:20 and school will begin at 9:30. This is for every Friday that school is in session.

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/

Check out this website for free or affordable mental health resources and supports.

Check out this excellent packet of community resources available, provided by the City of Topeka.

Take a look at the Topeka Resources Checklist. This is very helpful for planning! This is a list of possible resources to help you stretch your dollars and avoid economic emergencies. Place a check beside the ones you are using or have used.

You can find the link to the 2021 Community Resources Council Resource Directory here. This directory provides contact information for a variety of community resources.

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

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

English and Spanish

Email: klopez@tps501.org
Website: https://pineridgeprep.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1120 Southeast Highland Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep