Meadows Family News

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I am so excited to welcome all of our new and returning Meadows scholars!

Meadows is a wonderful school with incredible staff who are passionate about growing young minds, hearts, and bodies. Together, home and school are creating the educational foundation that will set the precedent for many academic years to come! Thank you for helping us teach your child(ren).

This first newsletter contains important information you need to know before school starts so I sent it a little early. I hope it helps answer many of your questions.

You will continue receiving my monthly newsletter highlighting all upcoming dates and events. It will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read through each newsletter so you stay informed!

Thank you for your continued support. You are an integral part of our team and we could not do this without you. Here's to another month of growth and success!

If you have further questions after reading this, please do not hesitate to reach out! We are here to serve you and your children.

"We can. We will. Watch Us!"

Kyna Croft, Assistant Principal

kcroft@tps501.org

(785) 235-7150

• August 8, 2024, 4:30-5:30pm: Meet the Teacher Night - PreK-12
• Monday, August 12, 2024: Kindergarten First Day of School
• Tuesday, August 13, 2024: 1st-5th First Day
• August 21, 2024: First Day of PK
• Monday August 26, 6-7pm: PTO Meeting
• September 18, 2024: FFFN at Hummer

• Arrival begins: 8:20 a.m.
• School starts: 8:40 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 8:40 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday)- 9:30 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.
• School starts: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:30 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Please do NOT drop your students off before arrival times. We will not have staff on duty to supervise before the times listed.

Enroll Now for the 2024-2025 School Year

Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for students in grades PreK-12! Returning TPS families may register their students at this link or through the ParentVue app on a mobile device.

Families NEW to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register by following these instructions.

Families can view important dates for the 2024-2025 school year, a school supply list, and more at topekapublicschools.net on the Online Registration page.

For questions about enrollment, please call the district office at 785-295-3000. For assistance with your Synergy ParentVue online account, please reach out to our Information Technology team via email at SISHelp@tps501.org.

We are excited to provide meals to all TPS students free of charge for the 2024-2025 school year!

Families are still encouraged to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application, as this information is vital for the district to receive funding for many programs, technology, and more to ensure student success.

Families may qualify for reduced textbook fees and free or reduced-cost internet from Cox Communications. Complete the application at topekapublicschools.net.

Generally at the start of the year and during the winter months, more people become ill and we encourage everyone to practice safety precautions that include, but are not limited to handwashing and remaining home when you are under the weather. The guidelines we are giving to parents and staff are on our Safe Return to School Web Page.

Dear TPS Staff & Families:

Thank you for helping us kick off another great school year! TPS Transportation and Kansas Central have collaborated this week to ensure all routes have been completed and bus routes are now available to families in your Synergy ParentVue account.

Below are detailed instructions to view the route in ParentVue.

1. Please login at our district's new SynergyParentVue portal from an internet browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) on your computer or mobile device. THIS INFORMATION CAN NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE PARENTVUE APP AT THIS TIME. If you are in need of assistance logging in to your ParentVue account, please contact Information Technology at 785-438-4750 or sishelp@tps501.org.

2. Once you have logged in, if you are on a computer, click on the ParentVue tab at the top of your screen. If you are on a mobile device, click on the Home tab at the top of your screen.

3. Click on the Student Info button from your computer or mobile device.

4. If bussing information is available for your student, it will be listed under the Bus Information heading at the bottom of the Student Information page.

5. Routes are currently posted for many families, and additional routes will be posted to Synergy over the weekend for families who have new routing information or signed up after the first day of school. Please note that students must be at least 1.75 miles from their home school address to receive free transportation. The eligibility for bus services is determined by the student's home address, not a relative or a daycare provider.

6. If you have any additional questions on transportation and bus routes, please contact our Transportation Call Center at 785-295-3928, 785-295-3979, or 785-295-3904.

7. If your student receives transportation through the district and not Kansas Central, you will receive a separate email from TPS Transportation if and when changes occur.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure a smoother experience for all families for the first full week of school.

HERE COMES THE BUS APP ®

Now available to parents of (Topeka Public Schools) students

• View the real-time location of your child's bus
• Access the app from your smartphone, tablet, or computer
• Receive push notifications or email alerts
• Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time

How to get started:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com

2. Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website. https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx

3. Enter school code 29036 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"

4. Complete the "User Profile" box

5. Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number

6. Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

*Available at the App Store and Google Play

Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC

For more information please visit: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/Domain/444

If do not know your student's ID number, have them go to your Parent Vue account (where you registered) and go to student information. You will be able to find it. Here is what you will see.

We congratulate Dr. Anderson on her book Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools: Actions for Authentic Impact published by Corwin.

The Switch Point

Independently published

Mrs. Alisha Davis, English Language Arts teacher, & Language Arts Department Chair, Topeka Public Schools

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Newman Springs Publishing

Mrs. Kris Jenkins, Preschool Teacher, Ross Elementary

There’s a Skunk Next Door

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Mrs. Wanda Bulmer, retired teacher, Topeka Public Schools

Alba, the South American Street Dog

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Mrs. Melanie Stuart-Campbell, Topeka Public Schools School Board Member, Instructional Specialist and Advocate for Migrant Education (Fort Scott Community College)

Get ready for an unforgettable evening under the lights at Yager Stadium!

We are thrilled to invite you to the Washburn Athletics Community Kickoff Event, presented by Envista. This event marks the exciting beginning of the Washburn Athletics season, and you won’t want to miss it!

Event Details:

• Date: August 20th

• Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Location: Yager Stadium | 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS 66621

Here’s why you NEED to be there:

• Meet Washburn Athletes: Your chance to play sports and mingle with your favorite Washburn Athletes.

• Food Truck: Savor mouth-watering treats with a variety of options.

• Fun for Everyone: Enjoy photo opportunities on the field, a snow cone machine, fun jumps, and even a money grab machine!

• Exciting Games: Challenge your friends and family to a game of tic-tac-toe, cornhole, giant jenga, and other fun activities.

• Free Admission: Yes, you read that right! This event is completely free to attend.

This is more than just an event – it’s a celebration of our community spirit and the upcoming sports season.

Why you shouldn’t miss out:

1. Incredible Opportunities: Get up close and personal with Washburn Athletes and be part of the exciting Washburn Athletics community.

2. Family Fun: A perfect evening for families in the Topeka community

3. Memorable Experience: Create lasting memories with exciting activities and delicious food.

Mark your calendar, spread the word, and bring your friends and family. Let’s make this a night to remember!

See you on August 20th at Yager Stadium!

Go Bods!

Thanks,

DCAC Meetings - 6:30 p.m. (Zoom Meeting)

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Join Zoom Meeting

https://tps501.zoom.us/j/87173263655

Meeting ID: 871 7326 3655

Passcode: JoinDCAC

Dillons Food Store donates to the organization of your choice based on the shopping you do everyday. You can help Meadows Elementary School by designating your rewards to our school. Download the Dillons App, sign up for rewards if you have not yet, and follow the instructions to link your shopper's card. Just scan your card when you shop at Dillons to start helping today!

Open the Dillon's App

• Click hamburger on the top right of the app
• Rewards
• Community rewards
• Meadows Elementary

Click this link for more information.

District Mobile App

The TPS mobile app, TPS Engage, gives students, families, staff, and the community a more convenient way to stay informed about what’s happening in our schools. This free app gives you access to news, social media feeds (no social media accounts needed), district and school calendars, notifications, staff contact information, and more.

Download from the App Store or Google Play by searching for Topeka Public Schools.

My name is Ashley Dinkel and I am the Family Nurse Practitioner at the Campus Care Clinic located at Topeka High School. We are a healthcare clinic open to all USD 501 staff and students. We are able to serve as a patient’s primary care provider or we can see patients for acute visits only if they already have a PCP.

Video about the clinic: Campus Care Clinic movie - YouTube

Clinic website: University of Kansas Health System - Campus Care Clinic at Topeka High School - Topeka Public Schools

Ashley Dinkel, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner, Topeka High School Campus Care

THSCampusCare@KUMC.edu

Phone: 785-295-3256

Fax: 785-295-3259

The Baby Closet is located on the lower level of the Westside Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th Street. They have clothing sizes newborn-5T. Families in need of clothing or baby items-diapers, wipes, etc.. are encouraged to come. This is a FREE service for families.

Their hours are Mondays 9-11 am, Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 pm, and Thursdays 1:00-3:00 pm.

Westside Christian Church, 432 SW Linwood, houses the Kids' Closet. They have Elementary Age items. Their hours are the first Wednesday of each month 3:30-5:30 or by appointment. (785) 234-0469

What successful parents do differently~

Parents who raise the strongest and most resilient kids create an environment that allows them to make mistakes and not fear failure.

You can still love the person, but you don’t love the action. When we’re able to clearly separate the two, a child doesn’t link their worth to their behavior, whether “good” or “bad.”

This doesn’t mean you can’t have expectations about your child’s behavior. You just have to be mindful about how you express those concerns. When a kid acts in ways that are inconsistent with our values or hopes, we still need to signal warmth even while expressing disappointment.

*taken from The No.1 thing successful parents who raise the strongest and most resilient kids do differently by Jennifer Breheny Wallace

• Topeka Public Schools Blog
  
• Topeka Public Schools YouTube Channel
  
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda

Email: kcroft@tps501.org
Website: https://meadows.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 201 Southwest Clay Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-235-7150