Dear Sheldon Families,

Happy Monday!

Please remember, the front of our building is our bus lane for loading and unloading students at the beginning and end of the day. Please DO NOT park in the spaces at the front of the school from 9:00-9:30 Monday-Thursday (10:00-10:30 on Fridays) and 3:00-4:00. If your vehicle is parked there, you will be asked to move and you risk getting blocked in by the school buses. If the car line has ended, you may park along Munson. You may also park along Sena or other side streets surrounding Sheldon. Also, please do NOT park in any parking spots with a Reserved sign, even if it is currently empty. Thank you for your attention to this!

If you have further questions after reading, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

November is Native American Heritage Month

November 4-8: National School Psychology Week (Thank you, Ms. Christa!)

November 5: StoryTime with Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

November 6: Fire Safety Lesson #2 with Topeka Fire Department

November 7: StoryTime with Advisors Excel; Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

November 8: National STEAM Day; National Parents As Teachers Day

November 11: Veterans Day

November 12: Math Morning Family Event @ 8:30-9:00; DCAC @ 5:30-7:00

November 12-14: GraceMed Dental Clinic

November 18-22: American Education Week

November 18-19: Art with Angie

November 21: National Parental Involvement Day; Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

November 22: Substitute Educators Day

If you come to pick your child up from school between 3:00-3:30, please park on Sena and walk down the sidewalk to the front door. We are implementing this change for the safety of our students, parents, and buses and increased traffic at that time.

Families of Bus Riders:

Just like with a seatbelt in your car, it is important that bus harnesses go UNDER your students' heavy coat. If they are wearing a jacket or hoodie, it can go over the top. Putting the harness under the heavy coat ensures it still fits the child properly. Please have this done prior to the bus arriving at the stop so there is not a delay in the route. Thank you for your attention to this!

Please note that there are no paper applications to hand out this year. 2024 Christmas Bureau signup starts on October 30th.

• Wednesday, October 30 from 10 to 7PM
• Monday, November 4 from 10 to 7PM
• Thursday, November 7 from 10 to 7PM
• Saturday, November 9 from 10 to 2 PM (Last Day to submit/verify information. Please note the earlier closing time. No late applications are accepted)

All applicants must provide documentation in person at the intake site, which will once again be at the Echo Ridge Community Center, 2021 SE Market St., in Topeka. Only Shawnee County households are eligible to apply.

Still need to order pictures? Strawbridge's NEW Code Lookup Tool is now available. You can simply scan the QR code on the flyer below and follow the directions to access your child's picture ordering gallery. No need to contact Customer Service for an access code! *Student last name and Student ID number will be required for data security. Student ID numbers can be found on your Synergy ParentVUE account.*

Monday-Thursday: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:00 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 9:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:15 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:15 AM. Students arriving after 9:15 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 AM - 4:00 PM

• Arrival begins: 10:15 AM (drop off through car line)
• School starts: 10:15 AM
• Arrival ends: 10:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 10:30 AM. Students arriving after 10:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:45 PM (pick up in the car line)
• Dismissal ends: 4:00 PM (all students must be picked up by 4:00 PM)

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arrival time will be at 10:15. This is for every Friday that school is in session.

This handbook includes important information about Sheldon Head Start including our mission and vision, policies and procedures.

Please take time to review this handbook.

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exceptions are a later start date and earlier end date. The first day of school for Sheldon students is Wednesday, August 21st. The last day of school for Sheldon students will be May 16th.

Our Sheldon Head Start Facebook page is active! We use this as a way to communicate with families and share many pictures. Please follow the page to stay updated!

@SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart

Below are two different QR codes with some great information pertaining to car seat safety and drug abuse within the home and how it relates to children. You can download a free QR reader to your phone and when you scan the code it will take you directly to the websites.

We have seen in the news recently about many children and caregivers not surviving car accidents because they were not properly restrained. Unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. If you need a car seat, we have a great resource to obtain one. Also, please remember that the car seat needs to be properly restrained within the car as well and you must have the proper number of seatbelts per person in the car. Please move seats between cars as needed when changing vehicles with the children.

After alcohol, marijuana use is the most commonly used psychotropic drug (drugabuse.gov). In Kansas it is illegal to drive under the influence of a combination of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle(Kansas State Legislature).

Please let us know if you need any referrals as we work together to keep children healthy and safe. Family Services: 438-4538.

Regular school attendance is one of the most important factors that determine school success. The habit of attending school every single day begins with the preschool year(s).

Daily Absence Information

• Parents/guardians should notify the school each day a student is absent by 9:15 a.m, by calling (785) 438-4530. If leaving a voicemail, please provide the student's name, classroom teacher and reason for absence. If the parent/guardian fails to notify the school, the school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian. The communication can be in a variety of methods, such as electronic communication, telephone call or in person. Home visits will be conducted if there has been no contact made after two days.
• All absences, including those excused, will count against a student’s attendance.
• The school encourages parents to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours, or on days when school is not in session.
• Parents/guardians may be required to submit supporting documentation in order to excuse the absence of their student if student absenteeism is excessive.
• Preschool absences are recorded in Synergy, the district's student information system. The expectation is that students attend school at least 90% of the time. If the student falls below 90% (excused or unexcused) a letter will be sent home. If this issue does not improve an official attendance plan will be put into place and/or a meeting with the school principal will be scheduled.

The Kansas State law specifically says that a student is truant if they have missed 3 unexcused days in a row, 5 unexcused days in a semester, or 7 unexcused days in a school year. Truancy may result in a report being filed with DCF.

Examples of Excused Absences:

• Personal illness or medical appointment
• Illness of an immediate family member
• Death in the immediate family or other emergency beyond the control of the family
• Religious holidays of the student’s religious faith
• Participation in a district approved or school sponsored activity or event
• Required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency
• Family vacation/Out of town (that have been pre-approved by the school principal)

Examples of Unexcused Absences:

• No contact by parent/guardian
• Oversleeping
• Personal grooming appointments (hair, nails, etc)
• Shopping/errands
• Suspension from school
• Family vacation/ Out of town that have not been pre-approved
• Missing the bus/ride

https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/kansas-dcf-to-host-community-resource-fair-in-topeka/

Check out this website for free or affordable mental health resources and supports.

Check out this excellent packet of community resources available, provided by the City of Topeka.

Take a look at the Topeka Resources Checklist. This is very helpful for planning! This is a list of possible resources to help you stretch your dollars and avoid economic emergencies. Place a check beside the ones you are using or have used.

You can find the link to the 2021 Community Resources Council Resource Directory here. This directory provides contact information for a variety of community resources.

If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

English and Spanish

Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart