Community News
Topeka Public Schools | 6/17/22
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Topeka Public Schools Staff and Families:
We have had a busy start to our summer! This month, we started our Summer Enrichment Programs and Extended School Year, which have been full of students engaged in learning opportunities. Thank you to KSNT News for highlighting the many exciting activities taking place across the district. Watch the monthly segment to learn more.
This week, we celebrated Juneteenth and enjoyed reading books to scholars to highlight the importance of storytelling. We also posted a special Juneteenth message on Facebook, where we are holding a Question of the Day Raffle. Learn more about Juneteenth festivities in Topeka here.
Enrollment for next school year is filling up fast, so please register this month to ensure your child attends your first choice of school.
Enjoy your summer break and thank you for your continued support.
Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent
Topeka Public Schools Keeping Scholars Engaged Through Summer Learning
The district is keeping scholars in grades PreK-12 engaged through courses like Coding & Robotics, Builders Workshop, Chess, Geography & Art, and much more.
Yesterday, 2nd and 3rd graders in the Kids Cooking course at Topeka High enjoyed making pancakes from scratch. Check out the highlights in this Facebook and Instagram Reel.
View photos from our Summer Enrichment Programs on Flickr.
Students in the Drama & Theatre Summer Program Share the Art of Storytelling
The play focused on storytelling, including what students aspire to be when they grow up. Students also acted out short poems, memorizing a script and using many props on stage. Watch highlights from the production on Facebook.
Topeka West theatre teacher, Mr. Scott Kickhaefer, and his wife, Glynis, partnered to lead the Drama & Theatre Summer Enrichment Program.
Next week, students in grades 4-8 will begin their course, which will end with a performance of their own on July 1.
Find a Meal Site Near You This Summer!
Any child in Shawnee County aged 1-18 can receive breakfast and lunch at congregate meal locations across the city. These meals are served free of charge Monday through Friday until July 29.
Families also have the option to pick up Grab & Go meals each Friday, which provide 7 days worth of nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Families will receive an orange card the first time they visit, which will then be used to pick up Grab & Go meals in the future.
Visit our website to see a full listing of sites, offerings, and schedules.
Harvesters Food Pantry Serving Families Across Topeka
Below is a list of dates and locations for drive-thru pick-up:
July 1 & August 5
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Robinson Middle School
June 24, July 22, & August 26
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Hummer Sports Park
July 9 & August 13
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Jardine Middle School
Enroll Now for the 2022-2023 School Year
In order to receive your first choice of school, register early for the 2022-2023 school year as classes are filling up! Online registration, a school supply list, and the 2022-2023 academic calendar are now available at topekapublicschools.net.
Topeka Public Schools offers endless opportunities for students in preschool through twelfth grade! Learn more about our national award winning PreK-12 Dual Language Program in this video highlighting Scott Dual Language Magnet School.
The district also offers a virtual education program. Homeschool families can register to enroll in the virtual school, which provides students (grades K-12) and adults with both virtual and on-site learning opportunities.
Preschool Registration is Open Online, Enroll In-Person By Appointment Only
Is your young scholar ready to begin preschool this fall? Preschool registration is available online at topekapublicschools.net!
In-person registration will be available by appointment only from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 6 at Sheldon Head Start (1155 SW Seabrook). To schedule an appointment, please call 785-438-6899.
When registering your child, you will need to provide the following documents:
- child's immunization records
- child's legal birth certificate
- current physical exam
- parent's 2021 tax return/W-2
Topeka Moms Demand Action Distribute Over 100 Free Gun Safety Locks
Many parents and teens took a few minutes to have important conversations regarding safety. Learn more in this feature from WIBW.
The motto #BeSMART encourages parents and adults to normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries.
The BeSMART framework is:
- Secure all guns in your home and vehicles
- Model responsible behavior around guns
- Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide
- Tell your peers to be SMART
Topeka Public Schools Scholars Learn About the Significance of Juneteenth
This week, Topeka Public Schools students and staff celebrated Juneteenth, a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US, held annually on June 19.
Dr. Tiffany Anderson, the first African American female Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools, dressed in her Jubilee attire, has been visiting schools reading books to young scholars.
Join in on the celebration by participating in our Juneteenth Question of the Day Raffle on Facebook! Simply comment on each question posted, and each right answer will give you one entry into the raffle for the chance to win a Juneteenth book of your own.
To learn more, watch this video of Dr. Anderson as she discusses the significance of Juneteenth.
Please note that although Juneteenth is a federal holiday, Topeka Public Schools buildings will be open to conduct business and engage students through summer learning.
Topeka Public Schools Foundation Fundraising Through Summer Events
After a rain delay, the Topeka Public Schools (TPS) Foundation held its 29th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on June 8 at the GreatLife Shawnee Country Club golf course.
This year, the event included a special recognition ceremony for the tournament's honorary chair, Chris Palmer. View the golf tournament winners, hole prize winners, and more on the Foundation website.
Proceeds from the tournament go to the TPS Foundation to support various TPS student and staff services and programs, including scholarships and educational grants.
District Calendar & Upcoming Events
As you enjoy your summer and begin preparing for next year, please be sure to check out the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.
Below are important dates for late June and early July:
- June 19: Juneteenth
- June 19: Father's Day
- June 24: Harvesters Food Pantry
9:00 AM | Hummer Sports Park - June 30: Board of Education Meeting
12:00 PM | Burnett Center - June 30: TPS Summer Music Program Band & Orchestra Concert
6:00 PM | Highland Park High School - July 1: TPS Summer Music Program Choir Concert
6:00 PM | Highland Park High School - July 1: Last Day of Summer Enrichment
- July 1: Harvesters Food Pantry
3:00 PM | Robinson Middle School - July 4: Independence Day
All district buildings closed - July 7: Board of Education Meeting
5:30 PM | Burnett Center - July 9: Harvesters Food Pantry
9:00 AM | Jardine Middle School
Topeka Public Schools Publications
TPS Tip Line
- 785-GET-HELP
- 785-438-4357
TPS In The News
TPS Fact Sheet
View facts about Topeka Public Schools.
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 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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