Wildcat News

August 3, 2021

Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year!

Dear Williams Families,

We are excited to welcome you to the 2021-2022 school year! For our returning families and to our new families, what a treat you are in for here at Williams. As the only school with a rainforest, greenhouse, space, desert, and art lab, we are one of a kind! We are excited about the many learning opportunities we can offer our students.

We know you may have many questions about specific COVID protocols for this school year. At this time, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education plans to vote on the reopening plan at their meeting on August 5th, as they continue to review the data and final guidance from the CDC and the Shawnee County Health Department. Once the board votes on the reopening plan, we will be sharing more information with you.

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A Message From the Principal

Dear Williams Families,

I want to take a moment to introduce myself as the new principal this school year. I am so excited to be joining the Williams community. What a special school this is and what a privilege it is to be here. I look forward to connecting with you and working together for the success of our students.

I am entering my 22nd year with Topeka Public Schools. I was a classroom teacher for 18 years before moving into administration. After graduating from Kansas State, I spent 18 years teaching at Scott, Lundgren, State Street, and Randolph. I graduated from Emporia State in 2018 with my Master's degree and became the Assistant Principal at Randolph. I have a 13-year old daughter who also attends Topeka Public Schools. She is my pride and joy and I really just love spending time with her!

I am excited to get the school year started and know that we will have a tremendous year together!

-Ms. Kari Ritter

Meet Our Administration Team

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Mrs. Adrienne King

Assistant Principal

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Mrs. Dianne Denmark

Dean of Students

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Meet the Teacher Night

Meet the Teacher Night is scheduled for August 10th from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Come meet your teachers, see your classroom, drop off supplies, and get acquainted with Williams!

*MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE BUILDING!*

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Parents of Incoming Kindergarteners: PLEASE COMPLETE

All incoming Kindergarteners must complete the Kansas State Board of Education required Kindergarten Readiness Questionnaires: ASQ-3 & ASQ-SE-2.

The ASQ-3 provides a check of your child's development. Your answers show your child's strengths and any areas in which your child may need more help or practice. Try each activity with your child before you mark a response.

The ASQ: SE-2 provides a quick check of your child's social-emotional development. Your answers will show your child's social-emotional strengths as well if there are behaviors you would like to talk about.

Click this link to complete the survey:

English: https://www.asqonline.com/family/b9a482

Spanish: https://www.asqonline.com/family/b3e0e9

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Household Economic Survey

In order to simplify the collection of data for the free and reduced lunch benefits, we need ALL families to complete the Household Economic Survey (HES) for the new school year. This form is located in your Tyler parent account as an e-form and you only need to complete one form for your whole family. This form is important to the funding our district receives. Thank you for getting it completed!

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Back to School Headquarters

If you still need to register your student, please register them online here, our classes are filling up quickly! You can also find an academic calendar, school supply list, and other back-to-school information at the district's Back to School Headquarters!

Here is a quick link to the Supply List!

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Class Lists

We will be posting class lists on the front doors Friday, August 6th at 4:00 pm. You can also log into TylerSIS on August 6th to see who your teacher is.

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Transportation

Information regarding bussing will be mailed to parents. Please make sure that you have completed the transportation e-form in Tyler in order to request transportation. All enrollment must be completed before bus routes can be established. Topeka Public Schools will be offering transportation for students who live outside the 1.75-mile radius this year. Students will be socially distanced on the bus with the exception of siblings and masks will be required in order to get on the bus.

Click the attached file below for directions on how to access routes in TylerSIS.

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Bus Routing- Parent Access Instructions.pdf

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Help Stuff the Bus

Topeka Public Schools will be collecting school supplies for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year at West Ridge Mall from July 30-August 8. To donate, simply purchase school supplies and drop them off at a participating store at West Ridge Mall (1801 SW Wanamaker Rd.) TPS staff will also be collecting school supplies in-person from 3:00-5:00pm on August 3-4 in the Center Court.

Important Information for Arrival/Dismissal

Arrival

Doors will open at 8:20 Monday thru Thursday. Students will enter through the front doors and will either go down to the cafeteria for breakfast or will report to their pods. We encourage our students to arrive by 8:30 as that is when students will be welcomed into their classrooms to begin their day of learning. The tardy bell will ring at 8:40. Attendance is such a vital component for a successful school year for your child. Please be on time and here every day.

Late Start

Late Start will occur on Fridays this year. Doors will open at 9:10, students welcomed into classrooms at 9:20, and the tardy bell will ring at 9:30.

Dismissal

Students will dismiss at 3:40 each day. If your child is a car rider, you will follow the car line through the parking lot where your child will be called to you as you enter our circular drive. Please see the following map that outlines the flow of traffic in our parking lot. If your child walks, they will exit the front door. Please make sure you are staying in your car and following expectations so that we can ensure the safety of all of our students.

Early Pick-Up

Our school day ends at 3:40. On the occasion that students must leave early for appointments, a parent/guardian must check in at the office and sign the student out. Students will only be dismissed from class after someone checks them out of the office first. This ensures that we keep our students safe.

Transportation Changes

Any changes you need to make for your child's transportation on a given day must be made before 2:00 pm by calling Donna at the front office (785) 235-7330.