Community News

We have enjoyed a wonderful start to the fall season. We celebrated Homecoming at Topeka West and Topeka High, and another celebration is just around the corner, as Highland Park will host its Homecoming activities on Thursday, October 9.

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.

Throughout October, we are celebrating National Principals Month, National Audiology Awareness Month, National Physical Therapy Month, National Custodial Worker Appreciation Day, National School Lunch Week, and National School Bus Safety Week. Please join us in thanking our incredible school staff as we highlight these individuals on social media.

As a reminder, there will be no school for students on October 13-14 as our staff will be engaged in professional learning. Additionally, Parent Conferences will be held on October 22-23, 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

As we look ahead to the rest of October, please note that there will be no school for students on Monday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 14. During this time, our staff will engage in professional learning activities designed to enhance their teaching strategies in the classroom.

Additionally, please mark your calendars for Parent Conferences on Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, and there will be no school for students on Thursday or Friday (October 23-24). Each school will be sending out information on how to schedule your conference.

This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and build stronger connections between our families and educators, and we look forward to engaging with you during conferences!

During the final week of September, we enjoyed celebrating Homecoming at Topeka West on Thursday and Topeka High on Friday. Each school held royalty assemblies, parades, pep rallies, and Hall of Fame events to showcase their school spirit and highlight the Homecoming candidates.

Thursday evening, the Chargers varsity football team took on Lansing High School at Hummer Sports Park, and Topeka West crowned Dakota Dalsing-Short and Alayna Oltmanns as the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen, a moment filled with cheers and applause. At half-time, the Topeka West Charger band wowed the crowd with an amazing performance. View photos on Flickr.

On Friday, Topeka High students, staff, and alumni filled the streets of downtown Topeka with Trojan pride in celebration of the school's 154th Homecoming. That evening, the Trojans beat Emporia in an exciting match up, and the stadium erupted in cheers as Darius Taylor and Zuleika Madrid Rodriguez were crowned Homecoming King and Queen, marking a night of school spirit, pride, and unforgettable memories under the Friday night lights.

At half-time, the Topeka High Trojan Band & Drumline put on a spectacular performance, featuring many alumni and former band members. View photos on Flickr.

Congratulations to Mary Ann St. John, Special Education Art Teacher at Capital City School, who has been named the 2025-2026 Outstanding High School Art Educator of the Year by the Kansas Art Education Association (KAEA)!

Ms. St. John, a highly respected educator known for her creativity and empathy, has inspired students for nearly two decades through her dedication to art and special education. She is actively involved in professional organizations, regularly presenting at conferences, and supporting student art exhibits across the state. Her students participate each year in the Kansas Youth Art Month Exhibition, and she has published articles on the connections between art and mental health.

Ms. St. John will be officially recognized at the KAEA Fall Conference on October 10 in Hiawatha, where she and other award recipients will be celebrated during a banquet and awards ceremony. We are proud to celebrate Mrs. St. John for her outstanding contributions to students, the Capital City community, and the field of art education statewide!

We are proud to share that Ms. Keisha Cross, a preschool intervention teacher at Ross Elementary, has been recognized by the Kansas State Department of Education Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator and the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) as the very first “Bright Spot of the Month.”

Ms. Cross was honored during the SICC meeting on September 15, highlighting her as a model of excellence in early childhood education, with a passion for ensuring best instructional practices in her classroom. She creates a warm and welcoming environment for students and families, and does an amazing job of meeting the diverse needs of her preschool scholars.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Cross and thanking her for the joyful and inclusive learning environment she creates every day at Ross!

Congratulations to Topeka West High School for being named a Commended School in the 2024-25 Performing Arts School of Excellence program by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA)!

Topeka West is one of only 23 high schools across Kansas to receive this honor, which recognizes schools with outstanding results in debate, speech, music, and theatre. Selected by a committee representing KMEA, KSCA, Kansas Thespians, and KSHSAA staff, this award is a true testament to the talent, dedication, and hard work of Topeka West students and staff.

We are incredibly proud of the Charger community for continuing to build such a rich tradition of achievement in both academics and the arts!

On October 2, Topeka Public Schools proudly recognized Sulletta Ajapa-Fosu as the district's October Senior of the Month.

Sulletta is an exceptional senior at Highland Park High School, who has excelled as the first-place student in her class for four consecutive years, demonstrating both academic excellence and leadership.

She embodies what it means to be a Scot, and is actively involved in AVID, AP courses, Equity Lab, Scholar’s Bowl, ROTC, and athletics, including both softball and tennis. In addition, Sulletta completed the Restaurant & Event Management Pathway at TCALC, and has continued to take advanced math courses through the district's College Prep Academy.

We are proud to celebrate Sulletta's accomplishments and look forward to all that she will achieve in the future! Watch the October Senior of the Month video on YouTube.

Join us in congratulating Ms. Marie Carter, who has been recognized by the AARP with the prestigious Merle Bolton Award for Excellence in Leadership.

Ms. Carter currently serves as a substitute and part-time media specialist at Williams Magnet, continuing her service to students and staff even after her retirement. Throughout her career, she was known for her leadership, commitment, and unwavering dedication to education and community service. Notably, she also served as the district’s United Way liaison, strengthening community partnerships that directly benefitted TPS families.

The Merle Bolton Award, established in 2004, honors leaders who exemplify excellence and service. Named for Dr. Merle Bolton, a longtime AARP Kansas leader and volunteer state president, the award celebrates individuals whose leadership leaves a lasting impact.

We are so proud of Ms. Carter for receiving this honor and thank her for her continued dedication to Topeka Public Schools and the Topeka community!

From September 15 - October 15, Topeka Public Schools students and staff are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with vibrant events highlighting rich culture, history, and community.

At Highland Park High School, students, families, and staff came together for the annual Hispanic Tasting Fair, led by Mrs. Irma Labrador. The evening was filled with the flavors of authentic cultural dishes, music, and dancing, as students showcased the richness of Hispanic heritage through food and fun.

Last month, Robinson Middle School hosted an engaging family event, Fall Family Night: Math & Coding Adventure in Celebration of Día de los Abuelos, a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and Grandparents Day, with a twist of math and coding! The event allowed generations of families to celebrate culture and learn together.

These celebrations reflect the joy, pride, and diversity of our schools, and we thank the students, staff, and families who made these events so meaningful. TPS is proud to uplift and honor Hispanic heritage this month and throughout the year!

On September 17, Topeka Public Schools held its 15th annual Family Fitness Fun Night at Hummer Sports Park.

The event brought over 1,000 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 and learn more in this segment from WIBW.

On September 23, Topeka Public Schools proudly celebrated 7th-grade College Prep Academy scholars at the annual Jacketing Ceremony. Much like the White Coat Ceremony for medical professionals, this tradition symbolizes an important academic milestone, as students officially transition into the advanced College Prep curriculum.

Through College Prep, scholars begin studying rigorous math and computer science coursework that is two grade levels ahead of their peers, preparing them for future success in high school and beyond.

We extend our congratulations to these outstanding scholars and their families! View photos capturing all the special moments from the event on Flickr.

October is National Principals Month! This month, we are shining a special spotlight on the school leaders who make such a tremendous impact across Topeka Public Schools.

Throughout October, we’ll be highlighting principals across the district on social media and at the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education meetings on October 2 and October 16.

Please take a moment this month to thank your principal and let them know how much they mean to our students, families, and staff. Follow us on Facebook to join in the celebration and learn more about National Principals Month at principalsmonth.org.

The District Citizen's Advisory Council (DCAC) will host a Meet the Candidates Forum on Tuesday, October 7 from 6:00-7:00 PM at TCALC, and has invited all candidates running for the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education to attend and participate.

The forum will be moderated by DCAC President, Ms. Nikki Ramirez-Jennings, and Disaya Lynch, a senior at Topeka West High School and scholar in TCALC's Law & Public Safety Pathway. Light snacks will be provided by NEA-T.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our staff, students, families, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue and hear directly from the candidates who will help shape the future of Topeka Public Schools.

Mark your calendars! Topeka Public Schools is excited to invite students, families, staff, and the community to the TPS 501 Fall Art Palooza on Saturday, October 18 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the NOTO Arts District Art Center Pavilion & Lawn, located at Redbud Park.

This free, family-friendly event will provide a variety of interactive activities, including trick-or-treat bag making, canvas painting, mini pumpkin painting, STEAM stations, and more! Guests can also enjoy live music by Quincy Elementary students, guest performances from the Pastense Bluegrass Band and No Boundaries Dance Collective, and a wide selection of food and refreshments from local food trucks.

Fall Art Palooza is hosted by Quincy Elementary Visual Arts Signature School, and we thank Ms. Ana Diaz, Visual Arts Coordinator and Instructor at Quincy, for her hard work and dedication to bringing arts and art education to our Topeka community.

As families prepare for the upcoming year, the 2025–2026 academic calendar is available to help with planning for important dates, breaks, and events. We encourage families to review the calendar early as they make arrangements for the coming year.

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

Below are important dates for October 2025:

• 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 7: Board of Education Forum
  6:00-7:00 PM | TCALC
• October 13-17: National School Lunch Week
• October 13-14: NO SCHOOL
  Staff Development Days
• October 16: Boss's Day
• October 16: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• October 18: TPS Fall Art Palooza
  10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Redbud Park
• October 20-24: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 23: Kansas School Transportation Appreciation Day
• October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
• October 22-23: Parent Teacher Conferences
  Look for scheduling information from your child's teacher
• October 23-24: NO SCHOOL
  School Not in Session
• October 31: Fall Festivities

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2025 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 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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