Community News

It has been a joy meeting families across the district at our summer school programs and at Juneteenth activities in our community.

Next week will be the last week of our summer programs, and we thank all of our incredible staff who remained over the summer to lead and teach during our summer programs and extended school year. Our fine arts, athletics, and academic camps were very engaging, and students in the Coding & Drones course were highlighted by WIBW as they completed an obstacle course as their final project for the week.

Remember to register early for the upcoming school year in order to receive your school of choice. Registration is available online at topekapublicschools.net, and information on in-person enrollment is included in the newsletter below.

School resumes on Monday, August 12 for students in grades K, 6, and 9, as well as high school students at Capital City, Hope Street, and Avondale Academy; Tuesday, August 13 for all students K-12; and Wednesday, August 21 for preschool. School supply lists are in stores and on our website. We are grateful for the many organizations that are providing school supplies through various local efforts, including Stuff the Bus and United for a Successful School Year.

We hope all of our staff and families enjoy the upcoming July 4th holiday, and thank you for helping us have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Topeka Public Schools is currently seeking a dedicated individual to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education.

The Board of Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our district, overseeing policies, budgets, and initiatives that impact students, families, and staff members alike. This position offers a unique opportunity for community members with a passion for education and a commitment to serving our diverse student population.

To learn more, please visit our website to view the TPS Board of Education Vacancy notice posted in the Topeka Metro news on June 17, as well as the School Board Districts Map.

Topeka Public Schools is fostering the next generation of innovators through the exciting Coding & Drones Summer Program!

Last week, students and educators in the the program were highlighted by WIBW as they combined hands-on coding activities with the use of drone technology in an obstacle course at Hummer Sports Park.

Throughout the program, students not only learned the technical aspects of drone operation but also explored real-world applications of drone technology, such as aerial photography and environmental monitoring, to prepare students for future career opportunities.

View photos from the program in our Summer Enrichment album on Flickr.

The Native American Student Summer Program at Topeka Public Schools brought together Indigenous students in grades K-8 for a week of cultural immersion and celebration at Jardine Middle School from June 10-14.

Each year, this unique initiative provides Indigenous students with the opportunity to explore and connect with their Native culture through a variety of engaging activities.

Throughout the week, students engaged in hands-on experiences that honored their heritage, including cooking traditional foods, learning native languages, and creating meaningful projects rooted in Indigenous history.

The program not only fosters cultural pride but also encourages educational exploration in a supportive and enriching environment. View photos from the program in our Summer Enrichment album on Flickr.

This week, Topeka Public Schools students and staff celebrated Juneteenth, a national holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US, held annually on June 19.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson, the first African-American female Superintendent of Topeka Public Schools, dressed in her Jubilee attire and visited Ross Elementary, where she spoke with students about the significance of the holiday as they were engaged in Juneteenth reading and activities. View photos from the activities on Flickr.

To learn more about the significance of Juneteenth and local celebrations in our community, view this article from WIBW.

Join Topeka Public Schools for the I ❤️ TPS Hiring Fair, Listening Tour, and Enrollment Event on Thursday, July 11 at Quinton Heights!

Hiring Fair & Online Registration:

Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

TPS is recruiting certified and classified talent! Join us to explore career opportunities, and don’t forget to register your student for the upcoming school year.

Listening Tour & Food by Los GemElotes:

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Join us for our Listening Tour to share feedback about the district with members of our team! Enjoy delicious food from Los GemElotes, co-owned by two of our 2024 Highland Park High School graduates. The first 20 attendees will receive a free order of street corn!

We look forward to engaging the community, meeting with future TPS team members, and connecting with our current students and staff and their families as we prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year!

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.

Join us on Thursday, July 25 at all schools and the district Welcome Center at Quinton Heights for in-person enrollment! Staff members will be available to help you enroll from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (and from 5:00 - 7:00 PM by appointment only).

Online enrollment, a school supply list, and the 2024-2025 academic calendar are available at topekapublicschools.net.

For questions about enrollment, please call the district office at 785-295-3000. For assistance with your Synergy ParentVue online account, please reach out to our Information Technology team via email at SISHelp@tps501.org.

Throughout the summer months, our Topeka Public Schools Food Service staff members are dedicated to serving students and families!

The 2024 Summer Meal Program kicked off on June 3, where meals are served at no cost Monday through Friday at congregate meal sites across the city for children 18 and under. Please note that meals must be eaten on-site.

Visit our website to see a full listing of sites, offerings, and schedules.

Topeka Public Schools is recruiting certified and classified talent for positions across the district as we look forward to the upcoming 2024-2025 school year!

Why choose Topeka Public Schools? We offer:

• Highest teacher starting salaries in the region
• Monthly professional development & personal wellness days
• Opportunities for student loan forgiveness

View this flyer to join us at hiring events throughout the month of June, or learn more about available positions and apply online at topekapublicschools.net/careers.

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.

Families can register their students online, view important information for the 2024-2025 school year, download a school supply list, and more at topekapublicschools.net on the Online Registration page.

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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