Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

We hope everyone had a great 3 day weekend and enjoyed time with their loved ones!

You will receive a weekly newsletter from us 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 we 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

Parenting the Love and Logic® Way. This 10-week course begins Monday, September 22, from 6:00–8:00 PM, and is designed to help parents, step-parents, guardians, grandparents, and caregivers develop practical tools for raising responsible, respectful children in a supportive and encouraging environment. More information is available here: https://wsbctopeka.org/kids/parenting_classes.

Scholarships are available for families in need, and space is limited.

If your child is still working on potty training, please be sure they are coming to school in pull-ups NOT diapers. We will provide a few potty training resources in next week's newsletter!

On behalf of the Topeka High Cheer Program, I am excited to share details about our Annual Kids Clinic coming up in 2 weeks! Boys and girls of all ages are welcome!

The clinic is a fun and memorable opportunity for students to:

• Learn cheers, chants, and routines directly from the Topeka High Cheerleaders.
• Be grouped by age, so younger kids and older kids learn at their own pace.
• Perform with the squad at a Topeka High School football game under the Friday night lights.
• For middle school students interested in trying out for cheer in the near future, we’ll also teach skills and content that can help them prepare for high school tryouts.

📅 Clinic Details

Practice Dates: Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept. 16th & 17th | 5:30–7:00 PM

Practice Location: Topeka High School (800 SW 10th St, Topeka, KS 66612)

Game Day Performance: Thursday, Sept. 18th | Kickoff 6:45 PM

Game Location: Hummer Sports Park (2751 SW East Circle Dr S #1, Topeka, KS 66606)

Cost: $30 per child

🎀 Optional Spirit Items (available for purchase):

$8 Black/white/gold checkered hair bow

$5 Plain black or white bow

$20 Mini black & gold poms

$20 Parent shirt

📌 Families can sign up here: Register Online

September 1: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 4: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

September 11: Tornado Drill

September 17: Family Fun Fitness Night @ Hummer Sports Park @ 5:30-7:00

September 18: Picture Day!!

September 18: Math Carnival @ 4:15-5:15

September 18: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

September 25: StoryTime with Advisors Excel

September 29: NO SCHOOL - Personal Development Day

Picture Day is coming up on Thursday, September 18! Retakes will be on October 29. If you need a paper order form, please reach out to the office. 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 8 and ending on picture day, September 18.

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).

We have seen in the news recently about many children and caregivers not surviving car accidents because they were not properly restrained. Unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. If you need a car seat, we have a great resource to obtain one. Also, please remember that the car seat needs to be properly restrained within the car as well and you must have the proper number of seatbelts per person in the car. Please move seats between cars as needed when changing vehicles with the children.

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. 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 25-26 school year. Please reach out to the office with any questions.

As a state and district expectation, all preschool children must have the ASQ3 and ASQSE2 completed each year.

Please use the appropriate link below to complete both the ASQ and ASQ-SE screening forms. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. When you click on the link, you will have the option of choosing to complete BOTH surveys.

English version: https://www.asqonline.com/family/ca822f

Spanish version: https://www.asqonline.com/family/54618c

If you need additional help completing the screener please use our step-by-step directions using the link below.

ASQ Parent Guide

SPANISH ASQ Parent Guide

Thank you to the families who have delivered, sent or uploaded the required preschool documents!

If you have not done so, please submit your child's:

• birth certificate
• immunization records
• your W2 forms or 1040 (first page of taxes)

The above documents can be submitted by uploading them into Synergy, scanning and emailing them to klopez@tps501.org, or delivering them to the Pine Ridge Prep office.

We must have the required documents before the first day of school.

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)

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 20th.

Topeka Public Schools has a new site for school menus. Please use this link to access school menus. You will use the drop-down boxes to choose Pine Ridge Prep and then choose the breakfast or lunch menu you would like to view.

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/

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 9:15 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

The Pine Ridge Prep Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking for family members to serve on PTO. More details to come!

If you are interested in being a part of Pine Ridge Prep's PTO, please reach out to Mrs. Meyers-Lopez at klopez@tps501.org.

Thank you for your consideration!

Shawnee County has a youth soccer program beginning at 3 years old! There are scholarships available.

Shawnee County Parks & Rec Youth Sports

Scholarship Information

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