Pine Ridge Prep Update

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

As we end the month of October with our Fall Fling this week, the weather is finally beginning to feel like fall! As the days turn cooler, please be sure students are wearing weather appropriate clothing. Layers are helpful during these fall days with cooler mornings and warmer afternoons! Now is a great time to trade out the warmer weather extra clothes we have in your child's classroom for items appropriate for fall and winter.

Are you looking for a new job that would allow you to match your work schedule with your child's preschool schedule? Pine Ridge Prep is looking to hire a full-time classroom paraprofessional to work in one of our wonderful classrooms. If interested, please apply HERE.

Please take a few moments to complete the district's climate survey regarding our school. We value this feedback and will truly use it to grow our program in a positive way! You can access the short survey in English by clicking HERE or Spanish by clicking HERE. Thank you for your support!

Please ensure your children are coming to school with masks each day. It is a good idea to send a spare mask as well. We appreciate your support in ensuring students come to school prepared to learn and masks are essential to a safe learning environment. Additionally, please be sure your children are seated in the proper car seats, per Kansas law. If you need help with this, see the Family Resources section below!

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

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Mrs. Shelley Banzhaf, Building Leader Intern

• October 29: Fall Fling Parade & Pumpkin Patch
  

Attendance Policy

*As established by SCDC Head Start Policy Council and based upon Topeka Public Schools rules and regulations.

1. The Topeka Board of Education believes that attendance at school is a key factor in student achievement and success. Students are expected to regularly attend school, participate, and learn.

2. If your child is ill, has an appointment, or other reason that will constitute an excused absence, you must call into the office between 8:00-9:00a.m. Advanced notice is appreciated.

3. A phone call attempt will be made on any child that does not arrive at school by 10:00am and 11:00am on late start Friday.

4. Head Start performance standards require children to be in attendance at a minimum of 90% of the time. Students who drop below 90% attendance will be placed on an attendance plan to improve student attendance. Any child who has been absent for 10 consecutive days, or 15 cumulative days, risks being dropped from the program and placed on the waitlist.

5. After 2 days of unexcused absences, staff will conduct a home visit or make other direct contact with the child's family, determining what assistance is needed to remedy the problem.

6. Tardies are cumulative and can affect attendance just like absences do. Students must arrive at school on time each day. Excessive tardies may result in the family being placed on an attendance plan.

7. Although Kansas law does not require students to be in school prior to the age of 7, ANY child enrolled in public school does fall into the state truancy policies. Truancy reports may be made to the district truancy officer for any student with excessive absences and/or tardies.

On Friday, October 29th at 2:30 we will be having our Fall Fling Parade, Parties and Pumpkin Patch! We will once again be bringing the pumpkin patch to Pine Ridge Prep! Students are asked to wear their costumes to school over their full set of clothes. We will not be able to do wardrobe changes at school that day. Keep this in mind as you're planning a costume that is easy to remove for your student to go to the restroom. Please make sure costumes are school appropriate - no blood, fake weapons, scary costumes, etc.

Students will parade around the playground beginning at the gazebo and walking past the new store fronts, sandbox, musical garden and following the fence around to the east side. After they have walked the parade route, students will pick their pumpkins from the pumpkin patch that will be set out on the playground. Family members are welcome to attend the parade! You may view your child's class from OUTSIDE the playground fence as they parade inside the playground. The parade schedule is listed below:

2:30 - PaT

2:45 - Owl

3:00 - Deer

3:15 - Rabbit

After students have picked their pumpkins from the patch, they will return to their classrooms for their Fall Fling classroom party. Due to COVID protocols, families will not be able to enter the building.

Each week we will be sharing a piece of our Conscious Discipline curriculum with families. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Please be sure you are communicating with the office or your child's teacher when your child is sick or has been exposed to COVID-19. We are following all Shawnee County Health Department guidance when it comes to evaluating students being at school. We are keeping careful track of students who are identified as having COVID, as a close or household contact to ensure quarantine periods are being followed. Your communication is critical in ensuring we have the information we need to keep everyone safe and healthy! This page on the Topeka Public Schools website provides the most up-to-date COVID information for our families.

Shawnee County Health Department to Start Flu Shots

Monday October 11

Fall is upon us, which means so is flu season. Flu vaccines have just arrived at the Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD), and SCHD will begin giving flu shots to anyone six

months and older starting today Monday October 11th, 2021 with or without insurance.

Flu vaccines are available at our Clinical Services Division, 2115 SW 10th Ave, by appointment only. Individuals can call 785.251.5700 to schedule an appointment for the following clinic hours:

Monday, Thursday, Friday Tuesday Wednesday

8:00am - 11:00am 10:00am - 1:00pm 8:00am - 11:00am

1:00pm - 4:00pm 3:00pm - 6:00pm 2:00pm - 4:00pm

This year’s vaccination protects against 4 strains of seasonal flu. The flu shot will cause antibodies to develop in the body after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the flu virus. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older be vaccinated against flu. It continues to be extremely important to protect those at higher risk for flu complications. Many of these people are also at high risk for COVID-19 illness or other serious outcomes. It is also important for caregivers and essential workers to protect themselves and those around them from flu by getting a flu vaccine.

In addition to getting vaccinated, SCHD encourages residents to take the following steps to help minimize the spread of germs:

• Wash your hands

• Cover your cough

• Stay home if you are sick

For more information on seasonal flu visit the CDC Seasonal Flu webpage:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and everyone entering the building over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask. If accommodations are needed due to a medical condition please call 785.251.5700.

Christmas Bureau applications have opened up for this year! Click here for the forms.

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted on August 5th to follow the CDC Universal masking guidelines to start the school year. This means that masks will be required indoors for all staff, students, and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required during outside times. Please be sure you send your student to school with a clean face mask each day. This is part of their required dress code and we appreciate your assistance with ensuring we are providing a safe environment for our students! We will also be continuing with frequent handwashing/sanitation, disinfection protocols, and maintaining a social distance of 3 feet. Follow this link to view the entire "TPS Safe to Return to School Plan".

You can find the 2021-2022 Academic Calendar HERE.

This updated document provides a list of food pantries and food resources available in English and in Spanish.

Family Service and Guidance Center is hosting a 12 session series for parents of an autistic child. The flyer is attached here.

The Nest, Pine Ridge Prep's food and clothing bank, is up and running! Ms. Heather is available to assist families with needs. You can reach her at 785-329-7876.

Are you receiving the amount you should for Child Tax Credit? This tool will help you determine what your payment should be.

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.

Website: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/pine-ridge-prep
Location: 1110 SE Highland Ave.
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep