Community News

Thank you so much for the incredible year. The School Board members and all of our staff congratulate all of our graduates, who collectively earned over $14 million in college scholarships. Each commencement ceremony was live-streamed and can be viewed on the Topeka Public Schools YouTube channel.

Our promotional ceremonies for 5th grade took place today, and we look forward to celebrating our 8th grade students tomorrow morning. It has been wonderful visiting with many of our PreK families at the various ceremonies earlier in May. This weekend's graduation celebrations were amazing, and the elementary and middle school leaders attended in celebration of our scholars.

We thank all of our retiring staff for their dedication to Topeka Public Schools. Some of our retirees have spent decades serving students and families, such as Ms. Lorie Booher, who has served as a teacher for 38 years and now retires from Topeka West. We extend a heartfelt thanks to district Athletic Director, Mr. Brad Snyder, who has served as a tennis coach and athletic director for 35 years and was recently honored with an Above & Beyond Award.

A heartfelt message of gratitude and love is extended to our retiring Principals Mr. Dale Noll of Hope Street Academy and Mr. Vic Williams of McEachron Elementary, who have both spent decades at their schools, leaving a tremendous impact on our Topeka community.

Thank you for your support and commitment to making this a very special year! We look forward to seeing students in June at one of our many summer programs.

Have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

On May 18, we celebrated the Topeka West High School graduating class of 2024! We know these Chargers are destined for greatness, whether they are headed to college, trade school, the military, or the workforce.

Students at Topeka West High School collectively earned nearly $4.3 million in college scholarships, and Caleb Annan-Noonoo was named as the class Valedictorian. Additionally, Carolyn Parker was recognized as the second scholar to complete the Early College Scholars Program in partnership with Washburn University, earning her associates degree in Liberal Arts on May 11.

Congratulations, graduates! View our photo album on Flickr, where additional photos will continue to be added over the next several days

On May 18, we celebrated the Highland Park High School graduating class of 2024! We congratulate these outstanding graduates, whose hard work and dedication are commendable.

Students at Highland Park High School collectively earned nearly $1 million in college scholarships, and Andrew Soto was named as the class Valedictorian.

It is truly GREAT to be a Scot! View our photo album on Flickr, where additional photos will continue to be added over the next several days.

On May 18, we celebrated the Topeka High School graduating class of 2024! Congratulations to all of our graduates.

Students at Topeka High School collectively earned nearly $9.5 million in college scholarships, and five scholars, Siena Boiteau, Isabelle Hays, Madeline Holter, Emma Ludlum, and Ke Ni, were named as co-Valedictorians.

We know the future ahead is bright for all of these Trojans. Hoy! Hoy! View our photo album on Flickr, where additional photos will continue to be added over the next several days.

On May 15, we celebrated the graduating class of 2024 at Hope Street Academy! Congratulations to all of our Hope Street scholars, your hard work and perseverance have paid off.

It was a bittersweet moment for Principal Dale Noll, who is retiring after 30 years of service to Hope Street students and families. Additionally, Victoria Hird was named as Hope Street's winner of the Superintendent's Award as a model of excellence for her fellow graduates.

View our photo album from the ceremony on Flickr.

Join us in celebrating our scholars as they take the next step in their educational journey! Elementary and middle school promotions will be held at the dates and times listed below.

• 5th Grade: Monday, May 20 - 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, or 2:00 PM
  
• Schools will provide additional details
• 8th Grade: Tuesday, May 21 at 8:00 AM

Promotion ceremonies will be held at each school. Please reach out to your building principal for additional details.

Last week, Topeka Public Schools celebrated our youngest scholars as they were promoted from preschool to kindergarten.

Promotion ceremonies were held at Sheldon Head Start, Pine Ridge Prep, Shaner Early Learning Academy, and preschool programs at each elementary school.

View photos from the preschool promotion ceremonies on Flickr. Congratulations to all of our young scholars!

Congratulations to our May 2024 Senior of the Month, Caleb Annan-Noonoo, an outstanding scholar at Topeka West High School!

Caleb excels academically and serves as a member of numerous athletic teams including basketball and soccer. He was recently named the Valedictorian of Topeka West High School for the 2024 Graduating Class.

Caleb is studying in the Sports Medicine Pathway at TCALC, and plans to attend college at the University of Kansas with a major in biology and a goal of going into medical school. Also, as part of his pathway at TCALC, he held an internship at Stormont Vail Health, learning first hand how to work in a hospital setting.

Learn more about this outstanding senior in this highlight video.

On May 14, Topeka Public Schools celebrated staff members at the annual districtwide retirement ceremony.

Some of these individuals, such as Mr. Cary Renfro, have served in the same school in the same role the entire time. We thank Mr. Renfro, the PE teacher at Landon Middle School, who has also been a coach a for 35 years!

This year's retirees with over 30 years of service to Topeka Public Schools are:

• Terri Hodge (30 years) - Meadows
• Michiko Snell (31 years) - Various buildings (Williams, McClure, State Street, Quincy)
• Bradley Stallbaumer (30 years) - Topeka High
• Tena Bouton (30 years) - Jardine Elementary
• Kristy Raush (35 years) - Jardine Elementary
• Susan Correll (32 years) - Highland Park High
• Megan Taylor (33 years) - Lowman Hill
• Barb Garst (30 years) - Eisenhower
• Cary Renfro (35 years) - Landon
• Brad Snyder (35 years) - Jardine Middle
• Lorie Booher (38 years) - Topeka West
• Dee Seelbach (36 years) - Ross

We thank each and every retiree for exemplary service to Topeka Public Schools students and families. View photos from the retirement celebration on Flickr.

As we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision last week, Topeka Public Schools is honored to be highlighted for diversity, equity, and tremendous strides in high school graduation rates by CBS News. View the segment from CBS here.

CBS highlighted the incredible work of our educators and families across the district at many of our schools and various programs. Additionally, our partnership with Top City Promise is showcased, reflecting our collective efforts to transform lives and uplift our Topeka community.

Topeka Public Schools and the Topeka Public Schools Foundation also honored the families of the plaintiffs and other Topeka trailblazers as we proclaimed May 17 as the Brown v. Topeka Public Schools Board of Education Commemoration Day. View photos from the celebration on Flickr.

Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for students in grades PreK-12! Returning TPS families may register their students at this link or through the ParentVue app on a mobile device.

Families NEW to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register by following these instructions.

Families can view important dates for the 2024-2025 school year, a school supply list, and more at topekapublicschools.net on the Online Registration page.

Please note that the last day of school for students for the 2023-2024 school year is Tuesday, May 21.

Students will be dismissed at 11:30 AM and no lunch will be served. We hope all of our students and families enjoy a wonderful summer break!

As our families plan for next school year, Topeka Public Schools has released the 2024-2025 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department menu.

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2024 Kansas Legislative Session on the Current Events page at kslegislature.org.

• 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.

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