Chase Middle School

August

7- PTO Meeting 5:15 PM

8- First Day of School Grade 6- Cougar Camp

9- Grades 6-8 Attend

14- Fall Sports Practice Begins

17- 8th Grade Parent Meeting 5:00/Open House 5:30-6:30 PM

18- Picture Day

30- V-Ball V/JV @ Eisenhower, B-Team @ Chase. Tennis @ Chase

31- Football vs Silver Lake @ Silver Lake

Dr. Ambata- will be our new Special Education Teacher. She will be joining us in October from the Philippines!

Mrs. Blanck- is our new secretary. She is available in the front office to assist you upon your arrival to Chase.

Ms. Brouhard- is the new 2nd shift custodian. She is taking over for the temporary agency that was with us last year.

Mr. Hill- is our new daytime custodian. He is returning staff to Chase!

Ms. Hruda- our new Math Resource teacher. She has many years of experience in Math as well as Special Education.

Mrs. Johnson- will be teaching 6th grade ELA. She is coming from Ross elementary where she taught 5th grade.

Mrs. Kessler- has joined us all the way from Dodge City, KS and will be teaching FACS.

Mr. Kessler- will be teaching 7th grade math and could be a distant relative of Mrs. Kessler.

Mrs. Kuebler- is our new para who will be working with our students and Dr. Ambata.

Mrs. Meinert- is teaching 7th grade Science, she is joining us from Ross elementary as well.

Ms. Stowers- will be teaching 8th grade math. She comes to us from Washburn Rural High School.

Ms. Villa- is our new paraprofessional. She will be supporting many students around the building.

Welcome ALL to Chase Middle School!

Thursday, August 17 is the night for parents/guardians to tour the building and meet our teachers!

8th Grade families should plan to begin at 5 PM to learn about the high school transition process.

6th-8th Grade families will then meet in the commons at 5:30 PM to meet teachers and tour the building. A brief formal presentation will be given prior to your tour.

The school takes no responsibility for lost or stolen personal items. We discourage students from bringing ANY electronic devices, toys or games to school and they must remain OFF in the classroom. These items should be kept in the locker during the school day. Gym bags, purses, and personal items must be kept in lockers. Lasers are not allowed in school. Electronic devices used during the school day will be confiscated and brought to office by an administrator.

Cellular phones and electronic devices are not needed at school. Chase Middle School has a policy of no student cell phones out in the classroom or hallways during school hours. If a staff member sees a student’s cell phone, the student will be asked to put the cell phone away. If the student refuses, an administrator will be notified to come take the cell phone to a secure location in the office. The first time personal items are brought to class they will be given back to the student at the end of the day. The second time, a parent will have to come and get the personal items. Multiple violations of this policy may result in additional consequences.

Students who refuse to put away their cell phone at a Chase staff’s request will have those taken to the office and secured to the end of the day. They will conference with an administrator the first two times this occurs. The third time parents will be contacted. Any additional instances will result in ISS or OSS depending on the unique individual and situation.

Student cell phones are a distraction in class and we appreciate parent support in helping all our students be in a productive learning environment. There is a phone in the office that students are welcome to use to contact parents. Students can have their cell phones out at before and after school hours. During school hours, they need to be off and out of sight!

All students entering 7th grade are required to have a Tdap and Meningococcal immunization. Students who have not yet sent in documentation of this vaccine will be notified.

Students are not allowed to carry medications with them at school. This includes all prescription and over the counter medication (with occasional exceptions for inhalers or epi-pens.) All medication should be locked in the nurse’s office, and proper paperwork must be completed in order for students to received medication during the school day. All prescription medication will require a physician signature. Over the counter medication, such as Tylenol, Advil, or cough drops will only need a parent’s signature when taken as directed. All medication must be in its original container. If your student requires medication during the school day, please contact my office for the proper forms.

Online Registration is now open. We would like to provide a few important tips to prepare our families for the experience with our new Student Information System, Synergy!

1. When registration opens, families who have at least one student returning to Topeka Public Schools will receive an automated individual email sent directly from the Synergy system. This email will include a unique code the parent must have in order to create a username and password to use with the Synergy ParentVue portal. Once the parent creates these credentials, the link for online registration is at the top-right in ParentVue.

2. When registration opens, families who have NO STUDENTS previously attending Topeka Public Schools will begin the process from the district's website. Families with any returning students cannot begin from the website, as they must have the unique code provided in the automated email.

3. If you have an electronic copy of the student's birth certificate and other requested documents, you will be able to upload those prior to submitting your registration. This will save you having to provide those items to the school in-person later.

4. If you have any questions about logging into Synergy ParentVue or Submitting your Online Registration, please email SISHelp@tps501.org or call 785-438-4750 between 7:30 and 4:30 for assistance.

5. If you have any questions after submitting your online registration, please contact your student's school or the demographics office at 785-295-3000 for assistance.

We are very excited about this transition to Synergy's Online Registration System, and we look forward to the many exciting ways we will use this platform in the upcoming academic year.

School hours are 7:50 AM to 2:45 PM. The doors open to all students at 7:20 AM. Students arriving each morning for breakfast and bus riders should enter through the blue doors and into the gym. Students arriving after 7:50 am should enter through the main doors. Students who are not involved in supervised after school activities need to be off campus by 3:10 pm.

Be attendance aware! Showing up to school each and every day is important to your child's academic success. Families play a key role in making sure your child is provided the best opportunities possible. Did you know?

• Regular attendance, punctuality, and success in school are closely related?
• It is necessary for a parent/guardian to notify the school the day of the student's absence.
• When a student's absence extends beyond three consecutive school days, a physician's statement is required.
• 2 unexcused absences results in pre-truancy advisory letter.
• 5 unexcused absences in a semester or 7 in a school year results in truancy notification to court services.

Dress Code The Board of Education has adopted the following policy (#8150) regarding student dress: “A student shared with his/her parent (s) the right to dress according to personal preference except where such dress is dangerous to the student’s health and safety or to the health and safety of other or is unsanitary, distractive, or indecent to the extent that it interferes with the learning and teaching process. Grooming and neatness are also the primary responsibility of students and their parent (s). Standards of grooming and dress may be prescribed for participation in certain extracurricular activities.” The purpose of a dress code is to encourage students to dress tastefully. A general statement of our dress code may be defined with three words: NEAT, CLEAN, AND APPROPRIATE for the job of being a student! Not Acceptable- halters, half-shirts, midriffs or short tops not covering the stomach area, spaghetti straps, oversized armholes, bare feet, slippers, short shorts/skirts, sagging pants, as well as any other clothing, belt/buckles, notebooks or tote bags designed to make references to illegal drugs, alcohol, violence, gangs, profane statements, or otherwise determined inappropriate by the school administration will not be permitted. Sagging pants are not permitted. The wearing of linked metal chains (non-jewelry) is prohibited, as well as jewelry or clothing with sharp or pointed appendages that could physically injure others (i.e. collars or bracelets with spikes, etc.). Other Guidelines: Pant legs must be uniform (you may not have one pant leg rolled up, etc.); hats, sunglasses, combs, and gloves are NOT to be worn in the building. Ripped Jeans, where most of the legs are showing, are not appropriate for school. Administration will determine if a student in question will need to make changes. Jackets/coats designed for outside wear are to be in lockers and not worn in classrooms. Sweatshirts/sweaters/hoodies may be worn in cool classrooms, HOWEVER, hoods must remain down while inside the building. Students will be asked to comply with this or may have consequences for failure to comply. Coats, hats, bandanas, book bags, string bags, and purses will be placed in student lockers. Backpacks, bookbags, string bags, and purses will not be allowed to be carried around to classes. This list does not include every possible clothing description that may be deemed inappropriate. School administration reserves the right to determine what is acceptable or appropriate dress at Chase Middle School.

We are excited to provide meals to all TPS students free of charge for the 2023-2024 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.

Chase will be working with GraceMed Health Clinic to offer on-site dental services through the Dental Outreach Program to your child’s school during the 23/24 school year. The online consent can be found athttps://gracemed.org/dental-consent#dental-consent-form. We invite you to take advantage of this service to improve your child’s oral health. All children are eligible for these services; however, if you already have a dental home or have seen a dentist within the past year, please continue to see your dentist for routine care.

La clínica de salud GraceMed está ofreciendo servicios dentales en el sitio a través de nuestro Programa de Extensión Dental a la escuela de su hijo/a durante el año escolar 23/24. El consentimiento en línea se puede encontrar en: https://gracemed.org/dental-consent#dental-consent-form. Lo invitamos a aprovechar este servicio para mejorar la salud bucal de su hijo/a. Todos los niños son elegibles para estos servicios; sin embargo, si ya tiene un hogar dental o ha visto a un dentista en el último año, continúe visitando a su dentista para recibir atención de rutina.

Students taking medications of any kind must have proper paperwork on file with the nurse. All medications prescription and over the counter are to be stored in the nurse's office. Contact Shelly Garst if you have any questions or need medication forms. She can be contacted at 785-295-3845 or sgarst@tps501.org

School picture day is quickly approaching. Students will receive order packets from their AB teachers on the first day of school. Please click on this link https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/chase-middle-school/fall-pictures-8-18-2023-2/optIn if you can order on-line.

Change will not be available on picture day. Please send students with exact amount in the envelope for the photographer if you can not order on-line.

The Chase Middle School after school enrichment program will begin September 11. The program is scheduled Monday-Thursday, 2:45 PM-4:45 PM. There is no cost for this program and students will receive a light after school snack before sessions begin. Look for enrollment information in the next few weeks.

Your child’s Chromebook is essential to their 21st Century education, just like a printed textbook or pencil and paper. Please make sure your child charges it, brings it to school every day, and takes good care of it. It is an important tool!

Chromebooks cost $235 to replace and chargers are $20. Other repairs will be charged to the student’s account. Please avoid repair charges by treating it gently and leaving it only in safe places away from liquid/food/pets/small siblings!

Please inform the library if a Chromebook has been lost. It cannot be tracked, but we can "brick" it to prevent others from using it.

Chromebooks can stay at school if necessary. Your student needs their Chromebook at school, but if it is not working for your family to take it home, please email our Library Media Specialist at cschwanke@tps501.org.
Your student may also be asked to leave their Chromebook at school if they are not bringing it charged to every class, if they are using it inappropriately, while waiting for a repair to be paid, or if administration decides it is necessary.
We will make arrangements for the Chromebook to be left in 8th hour when they leave each day, and your student may pick it up each morning before going to class.

Topeka Public Schools

The mission of the Topeka Public School is ENGAGE students in the highest quality learning; PREPARE students for responsible, productive citizenship, and INSPIRE excellence for a lifetime.

Chase Middle School

Through the implementation of the Comprehensive, Integrated, 3-Tiered System of Supports (CI3T), all staff will guide students to succeed at their highest potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

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. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 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) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.

Email: jstallbaumer@tps501.org
Website: https://chase.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 2250 Northeast State Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-295-3850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPSChase