Community News

Our summer programs concluded last week, marking the end of an incredible four weeks of learning and fun. Our students and staff engaged in a variety of enriching activities throughout the month of June, and we invite you to watch the video highlighting all of our summer programs here.

We look forward to our school leaders returning on July 15, and we are already busy preparing for our families to return. Please remember that Thursday, July 25 is in-person enrollment day! To ensure your school of choice is secured, we encourage you to enroll online or in-person as soon as possible. You can schedule a tour or time to enroll with the principal of your child's school by contacting the school directly.

We look forward to welcoming our school staff members back on Monday, August 5, and school resumes on Monday, August 12 for students in grades K, 6, and 9; 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. If families are in need of supplies and unable to attend one of the free community events, please contact your building principal for assistance on or after July 15.

We encourage families to review school websites to learn more about the new things occurring at their schools. We look forward to seeing all of you at in-person enrollment or in August on the first day of school.

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

Renae Easter, a future educator and student at Highland Park High School, placed among the top students in the nation for the second year in a row at the National Educators Rising Competition in Washington, D.C.

On July 1, Educators Rising announced Renae as one of the top 10 Semi-Finalists in Arts Lesson Planning & Delivery, and and she also placed 6th in the nation in the STEM category in 2023. Nearly 2000 students from across the US participate in the competitions each year.

Congratulations to Mrs. Diane Kimsey and Mrs. Robin Dixon, who lead the TCALC Teaching as a Profession Pathway, for their excellent work in leading the next generation of educators!

Topeka Public Schools is excited to announce that Ms. Annette Wiles, the Director of Hummer Sports Park and former Athletic Director for Topeka High School, will be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Ms. Wiles, a two-time women's basketball NAIA All-American and the NAIA National Tournament MVP, led Fort Hays State to the 1991 national title and holds several records, including being the all-time leading scorer with 2,407 points. She enjoyed a successful coaching career with a 409-227 record, leading teams to multiple NCAA and NAIA tournament appearances.

We look forward to celebrating Ms. Wiles during the induction ceremony on October 13 at the Sunflower Ballroom of the Hotel Topeka City Center. Tickets go on sale July 15 at kshof.org. Learn more about Ms. Wiles in this article from Fort Hays State University.

NiJaree "NiJa" Canady, a standout Topeka High School alum and the top pitcher in college softball, is once again competing with Team USA as a member of the US Women's Elite Team here in the states and in Japan at the All-Star Series later this week.

In May, NiJa was named the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, further cementing her status as one of the nation's top softball players. Known for her dominance at the Women’s College World Series with Stanford University and her back-to-back 6A State Championships with Topeka High, she described playing for Team USA as a dream come true and is excited about the possibility of competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

NiJa's journey from Topeka to the national stage showcases her incredible talent and dedication, continuing to inspire students in Topeka Public Schools! Stay tuned - we look forward to celebrating NiJa and all her accomplishments through events later this year.

Some of our youngest learners at Shaner Early Learning Academy's summer program had an incredible final week, marking the culmination of four weeks filled with fun and enrichment.

We thank our community partners for their support of our preschool scholars, including GraceMed Health Clinic, who visited Shaner to highlight the importance of dental hygiene in an engaging and interactive lesson. Each student received a toothbrush, reinforcing healthy habits in a fun way!

To end their summer camp experience, the Kansas Children's Discovery Center's Mobile Museum visited Shaner, bringing a wide array of arts and activities for students to learn through play.

View photos from Shaner and other summer program sites on Flickr.

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 invites community members to join us in a "thinking of you" card shower for Ms. Pamela Johnson-Betts, the Executive Director of the Topeka Public Schools Foundation who has served the district for decades. Mrs. Johnson-Betts has been out as a result of a health event at the end of last year.

As she embarks on her healing journey, we want to surround Ms. Johnson-Betts with love and well wishes. Throughout the month, we are sending her cards filled with words of encouragement, and expressions of gratitude.

Any emailed messages will be printed and delivered, as we ensure cards are sent to her every Monday. Cards can also be delivered to the central office at 624 SW 24th St in Topeka to Ms. Lister or Dr. Anderson, and those will be forwarded on to Ms. Johnson-Betts every Monday. Our goal is to bring her joy and remind her how much she means to us all!

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 July, or learn more about available positions and apply online at topekapublicschools.net/careers.

We are excited to announce the launch of the Topeka Public Schools Swag Shop in partership with H&H Designs, where students, staff, and families can showcase their TPS spirit with pride!

The shop currently features three unique t-shirt designs, with more designs and additional merchandise available in the future, offering even more ways to represent our school district.

These t-shirts are not only stylish and comfortable, but also a great way to unite our Topeka community to engage, prepare, and inspire students for a lifetime of learning.

Visit the TPS Swag Shop here. Thank you for your continued support of Topeka Public Schools!

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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