Community News

Over the past two weeks, Dr. Anderson visited the high school students and staff at
Topeka West and Highland Park during Homecoming pep rallies, parades, and football games.

This is a month filled with celebrations! This week, we attended the Topeka Public Schools Foundation annual community breakfast fundraiser and celebrated 36 years of service to TPS students.

We also celebrated Homecoming at Topeka West and Highland Park. Another celebration is just around the corner, as next Friday and Saturday, Topeka High will host its Homecoming activities.

This has been a busy month filled with activities, which included the district's recognition of 9/11. Peaceful remembrance and reflection took place at all schools, including flag ceremonies at all of our high schools.

In addition to taking College Prep students on an out-of-state college tour next week, I look forward to connecting with families at Family Fitness Fun Night on Wednesday.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

On Friday, September 9, Topeka West High School students and staff kicked off the district's 2022 Homecoming festivities with a pep rally and parade. The Chargers played against Leavenworth in a varsity football game at Hummer Sports Park, where Angel Arzate and Malachi Bert were crowned Homecoming Queen & King. View photos on Flickr.

Throughout this, Highland Park High School students showed their school spirit at various Homecoming events, including a royalty assembly, pep rally, and parade. This evening, the Scots take on Sumner Academy at 7:00 PM at Hummer Sports Park. Go Scots! View photos on Flickr.

Upcoming Homecoming Events

Topeka High School will hold its Homecoming parade in downtown Topeka at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 23, followed by the varsity football game vs. Emporia at Hummer Sports Park at 7:00 PM. Hoy! Hoy!

Join us at Hummer Sports Park for the 12th annual Topeka Public Schools Family Fitness Fun Night at 5:30 PM on September 21!

This event provides information to families and the community on education and healthy living in a positive and fun atmosphere for all ages in a safe and socially-distanced setting.

Attendees can visit various booths to learn about nutrition, fitness, mental health, and much more, or even participate in games and activities. We can't wait to see you there!

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Terri Bailey at 785-295-3024 or tbailey@tps501.org.

Topeka Public Schools offers endless opportunities for students in preschool through twelfth grade, including:

• National award-winning Dual Language Program
• State-of-the-art technology & career readiness programs at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning & Careers (TCALC)
• Accelerated courses in mathematics & computer science through College Prep Academy
• Magnet schools with a focus on science & fine arts
• Signature schools with a focus on music & performing arts
• Half-day and full-day preschool options
• Virtual School Education Program for homeschool families

Learn more about all the opportunities available to students in our District Connections magazine.

Online enrollment, a school supply list, and the 2022-2023 academic calendar are available any time in the Back to School Headquarters at topekapublicschools.net. For questions about enrollment, please call 785-295-3000.

On September 13, a group of 21 educators from across the district were inducted into the Topeka Public Schools & Kansas State University Leadership Academy.

A commitment ceremony took place at Bishop Professional Development Center, where inductees pledged to spend the next two years learning about organizational structure, teaming, collaboration skills, coaching, data analysis, problem-solving, and effective leadership skills.

The participants will also have a mentor to help guide them through the Leadership Academy. Congratulations to these outstanding educators!

Topeka High School standout senior Thomas Schmidt was selected as the September 2022 Senior of the Month! Thomas was recognized by the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education at their meeting on September 15.

Thomas excels academically and in athletics, and participates in many school activities such as Nu Alpha Theta Honor Society, Link Crew, soccer, swimming, and more. He is passionate about math and is interested in pursuing degrees in engineering and business.

Outside of school, Thomas is an Eagle Scout who serves his community through volunteering. Those who know Thomas through school or scouting describe him as a leader who many look up to. Congratulations, Thomas!

On September 13, student leaders from Highland Park High School's Girl Up Club were featured as WIBW Good Kids of the week.

In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, Girl Up leaders handed out roses to their fellow students and told them, "You matter!" and "You are beautiful!"

Girl Up is a club that was founded by the United Nations Foundation and has spread globally to provide young women with training, tools, and community to build their leadership skills, focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard or underrepresented.

Learn more about Girl Up and these outstanding young leaders in this article from WIBW.

This month, Mrs. Claire Perry was honored with the Topeka Public Schools Above & Beyond Award for outstanding service to staff and retirees.

Mrs. Perry serves as the district's Retirement/KPERS Manager, going above and beyond her assigned duties to support staff in need. Whether it's before or after work hours, Mrs. Perry is always willing to lend a hand.

Staff and retirees who work with Mrs. Perry all say the same thing; Her positive attitude, inviting smile, and warm personality put them at ease.

Congratulations, Mrs. Perry! Thank you for all you do for Topeka Public Schools.

Ms. Daija Coleman, a first-year teacher at Jardine Elementary, serves as an amazing example of an educator who, even through adversity, is dedicated to her profession and her students.

Ms. Coleman graduated at the top of her program at Washburn University and student taught at Jardine last year. She loved it so much, that she applied for a job with the district and was hired as a first-grade teacher.

Ms. Coleman uses a wheelchair, and shared that part of teaching with a disability is also teaching about inclusivity and accessibility. She shared, "Whatever positive impact I make on these kids, they'll go and spread that, and it just becomes a butterfly effect."

Learn more about Ms. Coleman in this article from the Topeka Capital-Journal.

To help Ms. Coleman continue her dream of being a teacher, she needs our support! She is in need of a part-time caregiver to assist with activities of daily living at her home. If you are interested in this position, please contact Ms. Jacqueline Coleman at jacqueline.coleman@usd409.net.

This summer, Kristin "Kris" Jekins, a second-year Topeka Public Schools teacher, published her first book titled "Team Work Makes the Dream Work."

The book explores ways that educators can work in tandem with families to increase engagement and provide the best possible education for each child.

Ms. Jenkins dedicated the book to her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Maxine Moore, who helped her through the death of her father after he was killed during the Vietnam War. She says, "Mrs. Moore's kindness, caring, and empathy is something I strive for in my daily interactions with my students!"

Ms. Jenkins has been an early childhood educator for 39 years, and is in her second year as a preschool teacher at Ross Elementary.

Students across the district are celebrating culture, history, music, and art during 2022 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 April, the Dual Language Program was honored with the 2022 Magna Award Grand Prize by the National School Boards Association as a model of excellence for other school districts across the country.

On Thursday, September 15, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education signed a proclamation in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, read by Dr. Pilar Mejía, TPS Director of Cultural Innovation.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for more exciting activities in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!

On September 11, 2001, the world watched as the deadliest attack in American history unfolded. This week, students and staff at Topeka Public Schools took the time to remember those lives who were impacted 21 years ago.

Peaceful remembrance took place at each school, and flag ceremonies were held by ROTC programs at each high school. Educators reminisced about living through the tragedy, and now preserving history for a new generation of students who were not yet alive when it took place.

View photos and the live-stream from Topeka West's ceremony, held in partnership with first responders from the Topeka Fire Department. Events from Highland Park and Topeka High were also live-streamed and can be viewed on the TPS Facebook page.

This week, the Topeka Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) 13th Annual Community Breakfast and Superintendent's State of the District Address was held at Hummer Sports Park.

This year's event brought together many public officials and community partners to celebrate the 2022 Patron Award recipients, Jim and Ethel Edwards, for their decades of service to public education.

Thank you to the many community partners who supported this event! View photos on Flickr and video highlights on Facebook.

This month’s College Connections Newsletter provides:

• ACT/SAT testing dates and information
• Information/deadlines for financial aid and scholarships
• Information/deadlines on college registration and admission
• Links to virtual tours of college campuses

Topeka Public Schools is sponsoring a free ACT test on October 18, 2022. Students can contact their school counselor to register.

Senior Families: As you begin planning for the remainder of the school year, please note that graduation will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Stormont Vail Events Center.

KTPS-TV, the official television station of Topeka Public Schools, is back to our regularly scheduled programming! Thank you for your patience during this transition.

Be sure to tune in to Cox Channel 14, where we highlight students and staff across the district and share important information with our families.

View KTPS-TV live from your computer or mobile device at topekapublicschools.net.

The Kansas Association of School Boards is hosting a series of webinars in partnership with USA Kansas, with the goal of connecting women in education across the state.

Topeka Public Schools educators are welcome to join in the webinar series, which will provide professional development centered on empowering women as leaders.

The first session will be held at 12:00 PM on September 28 and feature Topeka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Anderson, who will share her leadership experience and insights from 28 years in public education.

Learn more and register at kasb.org.

Thank you to all of our students, families, and staff for a wonderful start to the new school year! To help you stay prepared, please be sure to check out the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.

Below are important dates for September:

• September 16: Highland Park High School Homecoming
  View Event Calendar
• September 20: National IT Professionals Day
  
• September 21: College Prep Academy Jacketing Ceremony
  4:00 PM | TCALC
• September 21: Family Fitness Fun Night
  5:30 PM | Hummer Sports Park
• September 23-24: Topeka High School Homecoming
  View Event Calendar

• 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 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.

Copyright © 2018, All rights reserved.