Community News

In spite of the warm temperatures, we have had a very successful start to the school year, with many events and celebrations already underway. We sincerely thank our families for their patience, flexibility, and understanding as we work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

In August, we proudly celebrated our second cohort of Youth Teacher Apprentices, pictured above, as they signed their commitments during a special ceremony at TCALC. We are incredibly proud of these future educators and of our district’s continued leadership in Kansas through our efforts to grow our own talented teachers.

In September, we look forward to celebrating additional district achievements and honoring the 2026 Patron Award recipient at the TPS Foundation Breakfast on September 22. We also can’t wait to welcome our families to Family Fitness Fun Night on September 23.

We also look forward to kicking off celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, IT Professionals Day, Constitution Day, and Celebrate Freedom Week. Homecoming festivities are right around the corner, and details are included in the newsletter below.

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 7, and all district buildings will be closed in observance of Labor Day. We hope our students, staff, and families enjoy the long weekend.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping us make this such a wonderful start to the school year!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day!

We hope all of our students, staff, and families enjoy the 3-day weekend and get some well-deserved time to relax and recharge.

The Topeka City Council will meet at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8, with funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program among the budget items that directly impact Topeka Public Schools.

The City has announced plans to allow its current SRO contract with the district to expire at the end of the 2026-27 school year, which would result in the six Topeka Police Department officers currently assigned to TPS middle schools no longer serving in those buildings.

Topeka Public Schools has shared with City leaders the importance of continuing this more than 20-year partnership and has offered to assist with funding to help maintain TPD officers in our schools. TPS families, staff, and community members are encouraged to stay informed and may attend the September 8 meeting or share their perspectives with members of the Topeka City Council.

Individuals wishing to speak during a public hearing are not required to register with the City Council in advance. Those who would prefer to submit a written message may find contact information for City Council members here.

Topeka Public Schools proudly celebrated its second cohort of Youth Teacher Apprentices during a special signing ceremony held on August 14 at TCALC.

Developed in partnership with Washburn University and the Kansas State Department of Education, the program allows high school students to gain hands-on experience in local classrooms while earning college credit and preparing for careers in education.

The ceremony recognized TCALC’s newest group of aspiring educators as they officially began their apprenticeship journey. We are incredibly proud of these future educators and of our district’s continued leadership in Kansas as we grow our own teachers and build a strong educator pipeline rooted in the Topeka community. View photos from the signing ceremony on Flickr and learn more in this highlight video.

This summer, Jardine Middle School educator Amelia Black took learning beyond the classroom as she spent 12 days aboard a ship in the Gulf through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Teacher at Sea program. During the experience, Ms. Black worked alongside scientists studying marine life and gained hands-on knowledge she is now incorporating into lessons for her English Learner students.

Now entering her 15th year with Topeka Public Schools, Ms. Black hopes her experience will inspire students to embrace learning, explore science, and recognize that they can accomplish challenging things. She will also share what she learned with educators from across Kansas during an upcoming K-12 educator conference at the University of Kansas’ Spencer Museum of Art.

We are proud of Ms. Black for bringing this incredible learning experience back to her students and representing TPS through this national program!

A familiar face in Topeka Public Schools is beginning an exciting new chapter! Vic Williams, who served as principal of McEachron Elementary School for 25 years before retiring in 2024, is celebrating the publication of his first book, Elsie the Scarecrow, inspired by his childhood growing up in Lakin, Kansas.

Mr. Williams is also continuing his longtime commitment to TPS students by donating copies of the book to district schools in honor of retired TPS teacher Lou Mills, who generously provided books to McEachron students each year.

Mr. Williams recently shared his journey from longtime educator to published author on WIBW’s Red Couch with Melissa Brunner. Congratulations, Mr. Williams, and thank you for continuing to inspire a love of reading and learning throughout our community!

Mark your calendars! The 16th annual Topeka Public Schools Family Fitness Fun Night kicks off at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, September 23 at Hummer Sports Park.

This free, family-friendly event is all about healthy living, education, and fun, bringing our community together in a positive atmosphere for all ages. Attendees can enjoy booths with tips on nutrition, fitness, and mental health, plus games, activities, and more.

We can’t wait to see our families and community members there!

Students and staff across the district will celebrate culture, history, music, and art during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 - October 15.

Topeka Public Schools provides students with the only PreK-12 Dual Language Program in the region. In 2022, the Dual Language Program was honored with the Magna Award Grand Prize by the National School Boards Association as a model of excellence for other school districts across the country.

On September 17, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will sign a proclamation in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and hear highlights about activities taking place across the district. Stay tuned to our social media channels for more exciting events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!

It's Homecoming season! We can't wait to kick off the festivities with spirited parades, royalty celebrations, and Friday night lights.

Families and community members are invited to pack the stands, cheer on our teams, and enjoy our marching bands, cheer, and dance in action. View the district schedule below and mark your calendars to join the celebration!

Highland Park High School

• Wednesday, September 16: Homecoming Pep Rally & Cookout (5:30 PM)

• Friday, September 18: Royalty Introductions (1:30 PM); Parade (2:30 PM); Game vs. Atchison (7:00 PM, Hummer Sports Park; Royalty crowed at half-time)

Topeka High School

• Friday, September 25: Pep Assembly & Royalty Introduction (1:00 PM, Auditorium); Parade (2:00 PM, begins on Polk St.); Game vs. Washburn Rural (7:00 PM, Hummer Sports Park; Royalty crowned at 6:30 PM)

Topeka West High School

• Friday, October 9: Pep Assembly (2:00 PM, Gym); Parade (2:30 PM); Game vs. Spring Hill (7:00 PM, Hummer Sports Park; Royalty crowned at 6:30 PM)

Families can now pay student fees for the 2026-2027 school year using My School Bucks. Visit myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app to pay your invoice using a card or e-check.

If you are creating a My School Bucks account to pay fees for the first time, please visit myschoolbucks.com to create a secure login. View step-by-step instructions to create an account here.

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com or by calling 855-832-5226.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Topeka Public Schools students and staff serve on the Shawnee County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and mental health teams work to provide support at all schools.

We encourage students, families, and staff to view the district's well-being resources and information about suicide prevention from Astra Mental Health & Recovery.

The 988 Lifeline is available 24 hours a day to provide mental health support, no matter what you are going through. Connect with a trained crisis counselor who is ready to support you simply by dialing 988.

Topeka Public Schools and NAMI Topeka have partnered to provide a new support opportunity for families through the You’re Not Alone: Family Support Group for parents and caregivers of USD 501 students experiencing behavioral health or emotional challenges.

This free, peer-led group offers a safe and confidential space for families to connect with others who understand the challenges of supporting a child’s mental health and well-being. Facilitated by trained leaders with lived experience, the group provides encouragement, practical coping strategies, and valuable resources in a judgment-free environment.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22 from 6:00–7:30 PM at the Bishop Professional Development Center (3601 SW 31st St). Meetings will continue monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and no registration is required. View the event flyer in English and Spanish here.

To help support families in attending, limited childcare and transportation are now available. For more information, please contact Stacey Kramer at skramer@tps501.org.

TPS families interested in becoming homeowners are encouraged to learn more about an upcoming opportunity through Topeka Habitat for Humanity!

Homeowner applications will be accepted September 10-26, 2026, for two homeownership opportunities: a fully renovated home in the Chesney Park neighborhood and a newly constructed home in the Ward Meade neighborhood. During this application cycle, households of four people or fewer will be considered based on the size of the available homes.

Beginning September 10, application packets will be available online or at the Topeka Habitat ReStore (121 NE Gordon St) during regular business hours of 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Thursday through Saturday. Completed applications must be submitted by 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 26.

Topeka Habitat will also host three optional Homebuyer Information Sessions where families can learn about eligibility requirements, the homeownership program, and the application and selection process. Attendance is not required to apply. Learn more about the Topeka Habitat Homeownership Program at topekahabitat.org.

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.

We're excited to introduce a new and improved transportation tool for Topeka Public Schools families! This school year, families of eligible riders can stay informed with the Versatrans My Stop™ mobile app, making it easier than ever to track your child's school bus.

The free app allows families to:

• Securely view their student's assigned bus
• Track the bus location in real time
• Receive estimated arrival times at their bus stop
• Opt in to notifications when a bus is delayed by more than 20 minutes

Getting Started is Easy:

1. Download Versatrans My Stop™ from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Select Topeka, Kansas as your school district.
3. Log in using your student's Student ID as the username and their 8-digit date of birth (MMDDYYYY) as the initial password.

The app is free for families of students who qualify for transportation and provides a convenient way to stay connected to your child's daily bus route. If you need assistance, please contact Kansas Central School Bus at 785-233-2009 during business hours.

We are excited to offer this new tool to help make transportation information more accessible and provide families with greater peace of mind throughout the school year!

As families plan for the upcoming school year, view the 2026-2027 academic calendar here. We encourage families to review important dates, including the first and last days of school, holidays, breaks, and professional development days as we prepare for another great year ahead.

Below are important dates for September 2026:

• September 1-30: National Campus Safety Awareness Month
• September 1-30: National Suicide Prevention Month
• September 7: Labor Day
  NO SCHOOL | All District Buildings Closed
• September 11: Patriot Day / National Day of Service and Remembrance
• September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month
• September 15: National IT Professionals Day
• September 17: Constitution Day
• September 17: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• September 18: Highland Park High School Homecoming
  View Event Calendar
• September 22: TPS Foundation Breakfast
  7:30 AM | Maner Conference Center | Learn More
• September 23: College Prep Academy Jacketing Ceremony
  9:00 AM | TCALC
• September 23: Family Fitness Fun Night
  5:30 PM | Hummer Sports Park
• September 25: Topeka High School Homecoming
  View Event Calendar

The Topeka Public Schools Foundation is proud to support students and staff across the district through grants, scholarships, summer programs, student resources, and other opportunities that help our schools thrive. Information about our programs and services is available on the TPS Foundation website.

Teachers, have an innovative idea for your classroom? The TPS Foundation wants to help bring it to life! Staff members are encouraged to submit their ideas through a simple grant application for consideration: Submit a TPS Foundation Grant Application

TPS staff can also make a difference by supporting students and educators through the Foundation's Employee Giving Campaign. Every contribution helps the Foundation continue investing directly in opportunities and resources throughout Topeka Public Schools. If you would like to support the Foundation through our Employee Giving Campaign, please complete this form.

• 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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