Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

What a beautiful start to the week! Enjoy the warm weather and sunshine while we can!

Click here to access the 2023-2024 Family Handbook.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

February 26-March 1: National Public Schools Week

February 26: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

February 28: Advisors Excel StoryTime

February 29: TSCPL StoryTime

March is Music in Our School Month, Youth Art Month, and Women's History Month

March 2-6: Read Across America Week

March 3-9: National School Social Worker Week

March 6: Tornado Drill

March 7: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

March 8: End of 3rd Quarter

March 11-15: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break

March 18: NO SCHOOL

March 19: Beginning of 4th Quarter

March 21: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

March 26: TSCPL StoryTime

March 28: TSCPL StoryTime

For students who will be going to Kindergarten next year, you received information about your child's home school during Parent/Teacher Conferences. If you would like to request a transfer to another Topeka Public Schools location, you will use this link. Deadlines for transfer requests to Scott Dual Language Magnet and Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet are March 9th. All other transfer requests must be submitted by March 31st.

Here is the link to apply for Scott Dual Language Magnet. See the flyers below for more information!

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors that determine school success.

The habit of attending school every single day begins with the preschool year(s).

Daily Absence Information:

• Parents/guardians should notify the school each day a student is absent by 9:15 a.m, by calling (785) 438-4530. If leaving a voicemail, please provide the student's name, classroom teacher and reason for absence. If the parent/guardian fails to notify the school, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian. The communication can be in a variety of methods, such as electronic communication, telephone call or in person. Home visits will be conducted if there has been no contact made after two days.
• All absences, including those excused, will count against a student’s attendance.
• The school encourages parents to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours, or on days when school is not in session.
• Parents/guardians may be required to submit supporting documentation in order to excuse the absence of their student if student absenteeism is excessive.
• Preschool absences are recorded in Synergy, the district's student information system. The expectation is that students attend school at least 90% of the time. If the student falls below 90% (excused or unexcused) a letter will be sent home. If this issue does not improve an official attendance plan will be put into place and/or a meeting with the school principal will be scheduled.

The Kansas State law specifically says that a student is truant if they have missed 3 unexcused days in a row, 5 unexcused days in a semester, or 7 unexcused days in a school year. Truancy may result in a report being filed with DCF.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Personal illness or medical appointment
• Illness of an immediate family member
• Death in the immediate family or other emergency beyond the control of the family
• Religious holidays of the student’s religious faith
• Participation in a district approved or school sponsored activity or event
• Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency
• Family vacation/Out of town (that have been pre-approved by the school principal)

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• No contact by parent/guardian
• Oversleeping
• Personal grooming appointments (hair, nails, etc)
• Shopping/errands
• Suspension from school
• Family vacation/ Out of town that have not been pre-approved
• Missing the bus/ride

This year Sheldon will be part of a CLASS Review. We are once again excited to showcase the amazing things happening in our classrooms! See the graphic below for more information on this review.

Did you know that there is a Campus Care Clinic located at Topeka High School that is available to all USD 501 staff, students, and household family members? Check out this video for more information. Below are two flyers with additional information.

All students should have received their blue Sheldon Sharks t-shirt. We encourage students to join us in wearing their Sheldon shirt EVERY FRIDAY of the school year!

Monday through Thursday: 9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.

Arrival ends: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:35 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Arrival begins: 10:15 a.m.

Arrival ends: 10:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 10:35 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar.

Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Family Service and Parent Involvement. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!

**At this time, we are conducting a review and update of all Sheldon Head Start Policies & Procedures. We will resume including these in the weekly newsletter when all updates are complete and approved by the Policy Council and Board of Education.

Check out this WIBW article on car seat safety. This website has a lot of great information and resources, including on car seat safety.

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