Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

Have a great week! Reminder - there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 9th!

You will receive a weekly 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 Sheldon 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

The Preschool Application for next school year will open in April. ALL preschool students, including those who will be returning for their second year, MUST complete the online application.

Friendly reminder: Please send your child to school with a coat every day this winter. Students go outside for recess unless it’s 20°F or below, and there may be times they need to go outside unexpectedly, such as in an emergency or if the bus breaks down. We’ve noticed more students coming without coats, so thank you for helping keep them warm and safe!

As of today, the 100th day of school for our Sheldon Sharks will be Tuesday, February 10th. All classrooms will be celebrating! See the flyer below for ideas on how to join in the fun!

*This does account for the 1/26 snow day! If we have any more inclement weather days between now and then, we will adjust the date.

We will celebrate Friendship Day - our version of Valentine's Day - on Friday, February 13th. See the flyer below for more information.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on February 25th from 4:00-8:00 and February 26th from 8:00-8:00. There will be NO SCHOOL for students on February 26th and 27th. You will be hearing from your child's teacher soon to sign up for a time frame that works best within your schedule. Teachers will then use that information to create a finalized schedule. Once that has been done, your student's teacher will send a confirmation of the date and time for your conference. These conferences will be held in person in your child's classroom. We look forward to meeting with you and sharing your child's progress!

See the flyers above for information on Kindergarten Orientation. ALL FAMILIES with students who are going to Kindergarten next year should plan to attend. You will attend this event at your home Kindergarten school. We will provide information at Parent/Teacher Conferences on your child's home Kindergarten school.

Safe Kids Shawnee County hosts monthly car-seat check lanes across Topeka and Shawnee County. Certified technicians inspect everything from infant carriers to booster seats, ensuring each seat is the right fit for a child’s age, height, and weight.

The checks are free, and families who qualify can also get help accessing a car seat if cost is a barrier.

The next car-seat check is Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cable Dahmer of Topeka. Families can also schedule appointments if they can’t make the event.

The district transfer window is now open. Applications for admission to a magnet school, or any other school that is not the school of residence, must now be submitted after January 1 and no later than March 31 for fall admission in the next school year. Applications for transfer of enrollment at times other than the designed period are discouraged. Information regarding the magnet schools - Scott Dual Language and Williams Science and Fine Arts - are pictured below.

For a transfer request application CLICK HERE.

The following are some frequently asked questions about school transfers. CLICK HERE

We will go on several field trips this year. Dates and locations are listed below. Parents are welcome to attend field trips BUT must provide their own transportation and their own entry fee. Siblings are welcome to attend, with parents providing transportation and entry fee, EXCEPT for the Discovery Center field trip as they are closed to the public on the day we visit and children outside of Sheldon will not be able to attend. We will pay all fees for Sheldon students. Even if their family attends, students are to stay with their school group. Finally, we require a signed permission slip before every field trip. Teachers will provide these. These MUST be completed in order for students to attend.

Discovery Center: Monday, February 16th @ 10:00-12:00 (upstairs classrooms)

Discovery Center: Monday, February 23rd @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

Topeka Zoo: Monday, April 6th @ 10:00-12:00 (upstairs classrooms)

Topeka Zoo: Tuesday, April 7th @ 10:00-12:00 (downstairs classrooms)

As a federal Head Start program, Sheldon implements policies & procedures to ensure a safe and effective program. Each week, one will be posted here for review. This quarter our focus is on Mental Health and Child Development & Education Services.

Parent Orientation

POLICY: 1302.34

Parents will receive an orientation to the Head Start Program.

PROCEDURE:

1. Orientation starts with the first contact with parents.
2. Parents will be informed about program participation, activities, and services.
3. Opportunities available to parents as individuals or groups will be shared.
4. Orientation topics will include:

• Program philosophy and goals
• Curriculum and learning objectives
• Classroom routines and expectations
• Staff introductions
• Parent involvement opportunities (volunteering, committees, meetings)
• Health and safety procedures
• Attendance policies
• Communication methods (parent-teacher conferences, newsletters)

5. Orientation methods may involve: individual/group training, parent meetings, orientation days,

home visits, classroom visits, prescreening, or mailing informational packets.

Monday-Thursday: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:00 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 9:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:15 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:15 AM. Students arriving after 9:15 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 10:15 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 10:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 10:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 10:30 AM. Students arriving after 10:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exceptions are a later start date and earlier end date. The first day of school for Sheldon students is Wednesday, August 20th. The last day of school for Sheldon students will be May 18th.

Our Sheldon Head Start 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!

@SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart

Check out this link for Kansas Food Source. This link provides a map of all of the KS counties and indicates what food resources are available in each county.

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

Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart