Community News

It has been a joy meeting families across the district at our summer school programs, at our listening tours, and at Juneteenth activities in our community. Thank you all for sharing what makes your experience in TPS so special as we build on the many great things across Topeka for our families and staff.

This was the last week of our summer programs, and students in the Coding & Robotics course held a competition today as their final project. Our fine arts, athletics, and academic camps were also very engaging. We give a special thanks to our staff who worked the Drama & Theatre camp and put on 14 performances throughout the summer! Pictured above are our Board President, Ms. Sue Bolley, and our Summer School Coordinator, Dr. Pilar Mejía, at the final performance this morning.

We thank all of our incredible staff who remained over the summer to lead and teach during our summer programs and extended school year. A video highlighting all of our summer programs is below.

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 August 8 for students in grades K, 6, and 9; August 9 for all students K-12; and August 17 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.

Happy July 4th holiday, and thank you for helping us have a wonderful summer!

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

This week, students in the Coding & Robotics Summer Enrichment Program at Jardine Elementary completed their final missions.

Students worked in teams with drones and Lego robotics, then put their coding skills to the test to retrieve materials and navigate obstacles.

Last week, students received a special lesson on drones and infrared technology from experts at Kansas State University. They also created mini-golf courses with coded moving parts and LEDs, and younger students were then invited to play.

View photos from this event and all of our Summer Enrichment Programs on Flickr.

This morning, aspiring actors in grades 2-8 performed a play for their fellow summer school students, staff, and families as a finale to the district's Drama & Theatre summer course.

Students spent two weeks crafting their theatrical skills and working together to build a set, costumes, and props. The play focused on storytelling, and students also acted out short poems.

Our Board of Education President, Ms. Sue Bolley, dropped by Jardine Elementary to watch the play and talk with students about their summer school experience.

View photos from this event and all of our Summer Enrichment Programs on Flickr.

The Educational Theatre Association recently recognized Topeka High School and Topeka West High School with national awards for excellence in theatre education and advocacy.

Topeka High received the Outstanding School Award and Outstanding Impact Award, while Topeka West also received the Outstanding Impact Award. Additionally, Rebecca Morrisey, the retiring principal of Topeka High School, was honored with the 2023 EdTA Administrator's Award.

Students from both schools are attending the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University this week, where they competed in the Thespian Excellence Awards. Ten students received a Superior or Excellent Rating for their performances!

View all the winners and learn more about these outstanding theatre programs at topekapublicschools.net.

To ensure a positive and smooth school year as we welcome new families and new teachers in July and all staff and students in August, Mr. Dustin Dick, who oversees career and technical education for the district, will serve as Interim Principal at Topeka High School for the 2023-2024 school year.

Mr. Dick is excited to join the Topeka High Community. We thank him for his willingness and are grateful for his many years of outstanding leadership that has positively impacted all Topeka high schools.

Learn more in this letter to families and staff from Dr. Anderson.

On June 29, Governor Laura Kelly's Early Childhood Transition Task Force visited Bishop Professional Development Center as part of a statewide community engagement tour.

The discussion focused on early childhood education, programs, and overall wellness and how Governor Kelly's administration and their partners can best serve Kansas families.

View photos from the event on Flickr.

Last 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 summer school sites, where she spoke with students and handed out stickers and bookmarks.

Our preschool summer classes, led by Ms. Sara Hermann and Ms. Tina Auten, created their own Kente Cloth and shared Juneteenth facts with others.

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

Last week, many of our educators and new hires were engaged in professional development, including Kagan Cooperative Learning Training at French Middle School.

We thank the Kansas Learning Network for their support of our teachers and for helping us to provide these amazing professional development opportunities, and we look forward to hosting additional sessions next month with national trainers.

Some schools, such as Jardine Middle, are even attending national conferences, such as the Model School Conference this week in Orlando, while new hires are also engaged in learning sessions with TPS Human Resources.

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

The 2023 Summer Meal Program kicked off on June 5, 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.

Harvesters Food Pantry is serving families at multiple Topeka Public Schools locations this summer! To learn more about food assistance and find a site near you, visit harvesters.org.

Below is a list of dates and locations for drive-thru pick-up:

July 7 & August 4

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Robinson Middle School

July 8 & August 12

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Jardine Middle School

July 28

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Hummer Sports Park

Classes are filling up! Enroll now for the 2023-2024 school year! In-person enrollment will take place on Thursday, July 20 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM at all school sites, or families can enroll online.

Returning families have received an email to register their students from Synergy Student Information System. Please refer to the email to register. Families NEW to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register online.

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

Please reach out to our Information Technology team at SISHelp@tps501.org for assistance.

Topeka Public Schools is now hiring for all positions! Apply online at topekapublicschools.net/careers or join us for in-person hiring events at the following dates and locations:

Thursday, July 6

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Quinton Heights Education Center

2331 SW Topeka Blvd

Friday, July 7

12:00 - 3:00 PM

Quinton Heights Education Center

2331 SW Topeka Blvd

Additionally, throughout the month of June, families can schedule an in-person interview at Jardine Campus as they visit for summer enrichment activities!

Please contact Nicole Johnson at njohnson@tps501.org or 785-295-3027 to schedule an interview.

As our families and staff plan for the upcoming year, view the 2023-2024 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department drop-down menu.

Please note that school begins on Tuesday, August 8 for students in grades K, 6, and 9; Wednesday, August 9 for all students in grades K-12; and Thursday, August 17 for preschool.

Below are important dates for July 2023:

• July 4: Independence Day
  All district buildings closed
• July 20: In-Person Enrollment
  8:00 AM | All District Buildings
• July 20: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2023-2024 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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