Whitson Elementary Students Connect with NASA Astronauts Aboard the ISS
Students from Whitson Elementary had an extraordinary educational experience as they interacted live with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station!
Students had the unique opportunity to ask astronauts Tracy Dyson and Matthew Dominick questions about life in space, from daily routines to the specifics of conducting experiments in zero gravity. The live Q&A session, held on August 21, allowed the students to learn firsthand about the intricacies of space travel and the daily operations of the ISS.
The event, organized with support from NASA and facilitated by Whitson teacher and FAA-certified pilot Mrs. Barbara Wright, highlighted the school’s commitment to providing innovative learning experiences! View photos from the event on Flickr and learn more in this article from WIBW.
TPS Educators Recognized For Innovation & Excellence in Their Field
Topeka Public Schools is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two outstanding educators within our district!
Ms. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal of Sheldon Head Start and Pine Ridge Prep, has been named one of Topeka's Top 20 Under 40. This recognition highlights her exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence in early childhood education.
In addition, Ms. Maria Martinez, a teacher at Scott Dual Language Magnet, was named a Kansas NextGen Under 30 honoree. Ms. Martinez is recognized for her innovative teaching methods and leadership in bilingual education, setting a standard for educational excellence and creativity.
These accolades underscore the commitment of TPS educators to lead and inspire, not only within the their schools but across the broader community. We are incredibly proud of Ms. Tanner and Ms. Martinez for their well-deserved recognition!
Outstanding Topeka High School Scholar Recognized as September Senior of the Month
Congratulations to our September 2024 Senior of the Month, Lillian Krohe, of Topeka High School!
Lillian excels academically and participates in many extracurricular activities, but her true passion is for choir and theatre. She also works on the daily THS Morning Report.
Lillian intends to pursue her love for acting by majoring in performing arts in college after graduation. We can't wait to see all the amazing things this outstanding senior will accomplish!
Learn more about Lillian in this highlight video.
Join Us For Our Annual Family Fitness Fun Night on September 18!
Join us at Hummer Sports Park for the 14th annual Topeka Public Schools Family Fitness Fun Night at 5:30 PM on September 18!
This event provides information to families and the community on education and healthy living in a positive and fun atmosphere for all ages in a safe and socially-distanced setting.
Attendees can visit various booths to learn about nutrition, fitness, and mental health and participate in fun games and activities. We can't wait to see you there!
Meals for the 2024-2025 School Year
We are excited to provide meals to all TPS students free of charge for the 2024-2025 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.
With this form, families may qualify for reduced textbook fees and free or reduced-cost internet from Cox Communications. Complete the application at topekapublicschools.net.
TPS Initiatives Embrace Special Olympics & Unified Sports Participation
Topeka Public Schools has become a Unified Champion School, thanks to the initiative of Dr. Jennifer Harrington, General Director of Special Education & Special Services, who also spearheaded the district's involvement in the Special Olympics.
Topeka West High School, under the coordination of Dr. Sarah Packard and Dr. Harrington, has notably excelled in its first year, engaging in Unified basketball, bowling, and soccer, and winning regional placements! Beyond sports, the school hosted community events, including family lunches and leisure field trips, enriching the student experience.
Highlighting the success, Ms. Miranda Gil, recognized for her dedication, represented TPS at the National Leadership event "To Inclusion & Beyond" at the University of Wisconsin. Alongside several of her students and a unified partner, Ms. Gil explored leadership development, creating invaluable connections nationwide.
This initiative not only highlighted the athletic skills of our students but also their potential in leadership roles. We are excited to continue expanding these enriching opportunities for all students at TPS!
TPS JROTC Cadets Excel at Leadership Challenges at Camp Konza
Cadets from Topeka West and Topeka High joined peers from three other Kansas high schools for a rigorous six-day leadership development experience at JCLC Camp Konza, held at Fort Riley.
The program, designed to enhance leadership skills, mixed cadets from different schools, fostering new relationships and teamwork. Each participant took on various leadership roles, from squad leader to battalion commander, with guidance from leaders from the Kansas Army National Guard.
The intensive training included land navigation, rappelling, obstacle courses, and survival swimming, providing cadets a comprehensive military training experience.
This annual event continues to enrich the leadership skills of Topeka Public Schools' cadets, preparing them for future challenges. Thank you to our JROTC program leaders for providing outstanding opportunities for our TPS scholars!
Capital City School Welcomes New Leadership
Congratulations to Capital City Principal, Ms. Aryn McCoy, on her new corporate role, and we thank her for her many years of service to the district. Her leadership at Capital City has been instrumental, and while we will miss her, we are excited to see her thrive in this new capacity, continuing to impact our community positively.
We are excited to announce new additions to the administrative team, as Dr. Kara Schuetz steps into the role of Interim Director/Principal, bringing nearly two decades of dedicated service within the district, including roles as the Coordinator of School Psychology and leader in special education.
Joining her is Ms. Nicole Fraise, newly appointed as Building Administrative Intern, who brings a wealth of experience from Highland Park High School, along with a robust academic background, including an upcoming doctoral degree from George Washington University.
We are also fortunate to have Mr. Dan Bullock's continued leadership as Assistant Principal. His unwavering commitment and deep familiarity with the Capital City community will be invaluable as we welcome new administrators and embark on this new chapter!
TPS Announces New Partnership With Lewis Toyota of Topeka to Support Staff & Families
We are excited to announce a new partnership with Lewis Toyota of Topeka, which was kicked off over Labor Day weekend and is currently exclusive to Topeka Public Schools!
This partnership, created between the administrations of Lewis Toyota and Topeka Public Schools, offers a unique discount program for all TPS employees and provides significant savings on a variety of services and products at Lewis Toyota of Topeka. Information on the discount program can be viewed in this flyer.
In addition to this program supporting all TPS staff, Lewis Toyota also recently announced a new program to support our international teachers in their transition to Topeka. Learn more in this article from the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Lewis Toyota also supported our College Prep Academy scholars last week with the purchase of school uniforms for 7th-grade scholars again this year! Learn more in this article from WIBW.
Pay School Fees Online Using My School Bucks
As of July 2024, Topeka Public Schools is using My School Bucks as a way for families to track and pay student fees and other costs online. Create your free My School Bucks account to conveniently and securely pay your student's school fees online or with the mobile app.
To access My School Bucks, please login to ParentVue and create a secure login. Once your secure login has been created, you will login to My School Bucks to access your account. View step-by-step instructions to create an account here.
If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com or by calling 855-832-5226.
Download the Here Comes the Bus App
Families can stay updated on transportation during the upcoming school year by downloading the Here Comes the Bus app!
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus.
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Receive push notifications or email alerts.
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time every time.
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website. https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx
- Enter school code 29036 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Text Messaging Service Sends Alerts to TPS Families
Topeka Public Schools utilizes the SchoolMessenger system for web services and to deliver text messages to families in the district. Alerts come straight to your mobile phone with important information about school events, school closings, and more.
Parents and guardians can participate in this free service by sending a text message of "Y" or "Yes" to the TPS short code number 67587. You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying "stop" to one of our messages.
View our communications document in English and Spanish to learn more about how Topeka Public Schools communicates with families throughout the school year.
Don't forget to follow us on social media! We're active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
District Calendar & Upcoming Events
As our families plan for next school year, view 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.
Legislative Advocacy
Topeka Public Schools Publications
TPS Tip Line
Use the helpline numbers:
- 785-GET-HELP
- 785-438-4357
for any emergency questions or concerns.
TPS In The News
TPS Parent Resource Site
View information and health alerts from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) on our Parent Resource Site.