Meadows Family News

I am sincerely grateful and appreciative to you and our community partners for your support in educating our students at Meadows.

We have several important events, programs, and updates in this edition to take note of. You won't want to miss the wonderful things happening here at Meadows!

You will continue receiving my monthly newsletter highlighting all upcoming dates and events. It will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read each newsletter so you stay informed!

Thank you for your continued support. You are an integral part of our team and we could not do this without you. Here's to another month of growth and success!

If you have further questions after reading this, please do not hesitate to reach out! We are here to serve you and your children.

"We can. We will. Watch Us!"

Kyna Croft, Assistant Principal

kcroft@tps501.org

(785) 235-7150

• Thursday, November 28 through Wednesday, December 4: Holiday Box Collections

• Friday, December 6: PTO Spirit Day- Twin Day

• Friday, December 6: Family Movie Night at 6:00pm in the Multipurpose room

• Tuesday, December 10: Music Concert- 4th and 5th grade at 6:00 pm

• Friday, December 13: Band/Strings concert 2:45pm

• Wednesday, December 18: 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee, 12:45-3:30pm in the MPR
• December 20, 2024: Last Day of 2nd Quarter
  

• December 25: Christmas Day

• December 23-January 1: Christmas/Winter Break, No School
• No PTO Meeting for December

• January 1: New Year's Day

• Monday, January 6: Students return to school

Monday through Thursday- 8:40 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• Arrival begins: 8:20 a.m.
• School starts: 8:40 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 8:40 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday)- 9:30 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.
• School starts: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:30 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Please do NOT drop your students off before arrival times. We will not have staff on duty to supervise before the times listed.

As the weather begins to cool, we would like to remind families of school closing notification procedures. As we make decisions about closing school, a number of factors come into play, including the safety of travel but also the safety of students who will be home during the day.

Should school be canceled, we will:

• Send a text, email, and/or phone call via SchoolMessenger
• Update the district social media pages
• Update the district website
• Contact our local media partners

To sign up for text message updates, text Y to 67587. To learn more about school delays and closures, please review our How We Communicate With Families document.

District Mobile App

The TPS mobile app, TPS Engage, gives students, families, staff, and the community a more convenient way to stay informed about what’s happening in our schools. This free app gives you access to news, social media feeds (no social media accounts needed), district and school calendars, notifications, staff contact information, and more.

Download from the App Store or Google Play by searching for Topeka Public Schools.

We have a drop-off process for PODs that is quick and safe for everyone. Please carefully read the information below.

PLEASE READ and FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES:

STUDENTS WHO ARE CAR RIDERS MUST BE DROPPED OFF AT THIER SPECIFIC POD # between 8:20-8:40 am.

After 8:40, you must bring them to the front door to check in and obtain a tardy slip.

• ONLY DROP OFF ON THE SIDE NEAREST THE BUILDING!

• DO NOT ALLOW students exit vehicles on the opposite side of the street and dart through traffic. PLEASE HELP US KEEP YOUR STUDENTS SAFE!
• Pull forward as far as you can between PODs. We will be directing you forward.
• REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLE- Staff will assist in getting your student(s)
• Remain in ONE line and move as the line moves.
• Do NOT cut in or out of the drop-off line. The line will move quickly and this will prevent accidents.

Also, the front drive will be for Buses only in the mornings until 8:40am and afternoons until 3:50pm unless otherwise instructed.

Thank you for your cooperation in this process!

Students will have holiday celebrations in their classrooms on Friday, December 20. Look for communication coming from your child's teacher regarding treats and activities.

December 6, 2024

6-8pm

Free movie. Popcorn, water, movie candy for sale.

Gym mats will be available for rent.

Famiilies may choolse to bring your own snuggly blankets, lawn chairs etc.

Snacks: $1 for popcorn, $1 for bottled water, and 4/$1 for fruit snacks

Mat rental-$5/mat

This week: December 2-6

Movies up for Voting:

#1- Double feature: Prep & Landing/Prep & Landing "Naughty vs. Nice"

#2-The Grinch

#3- Double feature: Frosty the Snowman/Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

Bring your pennies, dimes, nickles, quarters, and bills to vote for your favorite movie!

Whichever movie earns the most will be the Friday Night Feature Film for Movie Night!

Silver coins: Subtract points from your opponent's movie

Pennies and Bills: Add points to your choice of movie

DCAC Meeting- 5:30 p.m. in Person at Jardine Elementary School and by Zoom Meeting

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Join Zoom Meeting

https://tps501.zoom.us/j/87173263655

Meeting ID: 871 7326 3655

Passcode: JoinDCAC

Wednesday, December 18: 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee, 12:45-3:30pm in the Multipurpose Room.

If you choose to attend, please come in the front doors and check in at the office.

4th grade: Will begin at 1:05pm

5th grade: When 4th grade is done there will be time to transition and 5th grade students will brgin shortly after.

Washburn Athletics is excited to invite elementary and middle school students from the Topeka community to join us for an unforgettable Washburn Basketball Game Day experience!

What Makes This Event Special?

Discounted Tickets:

All students, staff, and family members can enjoy the game for just $5 per ticket by mentioning the school you are affilated with at the ticket gate.

Fun Activities:

• Cheer on the Ichabods alongside the Washburn Cheer Squad and Dance Team.
• Participate in exciting halftime games and contests!

• Don’t miss our mascot, Mr. Ichabod, for high-fives and photo opportunities.

Top-Notch Basketball:
Experience the fast-paced action as our Washburn Ichabod's take the court to compete in an electrifying matchups.

We’d love to see your students, staff, and their families in the stands supporting local college athletics and fostering school spirit!

January 30th WU vs. FHSU is the conference matchup for our school to attend.

Let’s pack Lee Arena with energy and excitement as we cheer on the Ichabods together! We can’t wait to see you there.

Dear TPS Staff & Families:

Thank you for helping us kick off another great school year! TPS Transportation and Kansas Central have collaborated this week to ensure all routes have been completed and bus routes are now available to families in your Synergy ParentVue account.

Below are detailed instructions to view the route in ParentVue.

1. Please login at our district's new SynergyParentVue portal from an internet browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) on your computer or mobile device. THIS INFORMATION CAN NOT BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE PARENTVUE APP AT THIS TIME. If you are in need of assistance logging in to your ParentVue account, please contact Information Technology at 785-438-4750 or sishelp@tps501.org.

2. Once you have logged in, if you are on a computer, click on the ParentVue tab at the top of your screen. If you are on a mobile device, click on the Home tab at the top of your screen.

3. Click on the Student Info button from your computer or mobile device.

4. If bussing information is available for your student, it will be listed under the Bus Information heading at the bottom of the Student Information page.

5. Routes are currently posted for many families, and additional routes will be posted to Synergy over the weekend for families who have new routing information or signed up after the first day of school. Please note that students must be at least 1.75 miles from their home school address to receive free transportation. The eligibility for bus services is determined by the student's home address, not a relative or a daycare provider.

6. If you have any additional questions on transportation and bus routes, please contact our Transportation Call Center at 785-295-3928, 785-295-3979, or 785-295-3904.

7. If your student receives transportation through the district and not Kansas Central, you will receive a separate email from TPS Transportation if and when changes occur.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure a smoother experience for all families for the first full week of school.

HERE COMES THE BUS APP ®

Now available to parents of (Topeka Public Schools) students

• 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:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com

2. Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website. https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx

3. Enter school code 29036 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"

4. Complete the "User Profile" box

5. Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number

6. Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

*Available at the App Store and Google Play

Here Comes the Bus® is a registered trademark of Synovia Solutions™ LLC

For more information please visit: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/Domain/444

If do not know your student's ID number, have them go to your Parent Vue account (where you registered) and go to student information. You will be able to find it. Here is what you will see.

Dillons Food Store donates to the organization of your choice based on the shopping you do everyday. You can help Meadows Elementary School by designating your rewards to our school. Download the Dillons App, sign up for rewards if you have not yet, and follow the instructions to link your shopper's card. Just scan your card when you shop at Dillons to start helping today!

Open the Dillon's App

• Click hamburger on the top right of the app
• Rewards
• Community rewards
• Meadows Elementary

Click this link for more information.

District Mobile App

The TPS mobile app, TPS Engage, gives students, families, staff, and the community a more convenient way to stay informed about what’s happening in our schools. This free app gives you access to news, social media feeds (no social media accounts needed), district and school calendars, notifications, staff contact information, and more.

Download from the App Store or Google Play by searching for Topeka Public Schools.

My name is Ashley Dinkel and I am the Family Nurse Practitioner at the Campus Care Clinic located at Topeka High School. We are a healthcare clinic open to all USD 501 staff and students. We are able to serve as a patient’s primary care provider or we can see patients for acute visits only if they already have a PCP.

Video about the clinic: Campus Care Clinic movie - YouTube

Clinic website: University of Kansas Health System - Campus Care Clinic at Topeka High School - Topeka Public Schools

Ashley Dinkel, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner, Topeka High School Campus Care

THSCampusCare@KUMC.edu

Phone: 785-295-3256

Fax: 785-295-3259

The Baby Closet is located on the lower level of the Westside Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th Street. They have clothing sizes newborn-5T. Families in need of clothing or baby items-diapers, wipes, etc.. are encouraged to come. This is a FREE service for families.

Their hours are Mondays 9-11 am, Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 pm, and Thursdays 1:00-3:00 pm.

Westside Christian Church, 432 SW Linwood, houses the Kids' Closet. They have Elementary Age items. Their hours are the first Wednesday of each month 3:30-5:30 or by appointment. (785) 234-0469

What successful parents do differently~

Parents who raise the strongest and most resilient kids create an environment that allows them to make mistakes and not fear failure.

You can still love the person, but you don’t love the action. When we’re able to clearly separate the two, a child doesn’t link their worth to their behavior, whether “good” or “bad.”

This doesn’t mean you can’t have expectations about your child’s behavior. You just have to be mindful about how you express those concerns. When a kid acts in ways that are inconsistent with our values or hopes, we still need to signal warmth even while expressing disappointment.

*taken from The No.1 thing successful parents who raise the strongest and most resilient kids do differently by Jennifer Breheny Wallace

• Topeka Public Schools Blog
  
• Topeka Public Schools YouTube Channel
  
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda

Do you have a question or need more information? Please do not hesitate to reach out so we can get your questions answered!

Email: kcroft@tps501.org
Website: https://meadows.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 201 Southwest Clay Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-235-7150