Sheldon Update
Sheldon's Weekly Family Newsletter - 8.10.23
Welcome from Mrs. Tanner
Dear Sheldon Families,
*Next week's newsletter will come on Monday and will have important information regarding arrival and dismissal. Stay tuned!
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am so excited to welcome all of our new and returning Sheldon Sharks!
I am privileged to be beginning my fourth year as principal at Sheldon Head Start and Pine Ridge Prep Preschool. Here at Sheldon we are blessed with the best ~ the most passionate and dedicated teaching staff, incredible students, and rock star families! Working together, we will set the tone for your child's continued academic success!
Once school starts, you will receive a weekly newsletter from me highlighting all upcoming dates and events. The weekly newsletter will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read the newsletter each week so you stay informed! This is the number one way I communicate with all families. This newsletter will be sent via email, and posted on our Sheldon Facebook page. Speaking of, haven't followed us yet on social media? Please do! We love to share pictures of all the fun we are having!
This edition of the newsletter contains important information you need to know leading up to the first day of school. I hope this newsletter helps answer many of your questions.
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
Required Child Nutrition Form
The child nutrition form is a required form that all enrolled families need to complete. The district was awarded a grant that results in all students in Topeka Public Schools receiving free meals this school year. By filling out this form, you will NOT be charged any amount for meals this school year. This form benefits the TPS district because it helps us receive funding for many programs and technology to ensure student success. Please take time NOW to complete the form.
This form is for your whole family, so if you have multiple children at several schools, you only have to complete one form.
Topeka Public Schools Homepage
Click on "Free/Reduced Meal Application." This will take you to a Horizon Software page that indicates Topeka Public USD #501 at the top. Read through the "Welcome" page and click on "Start Application" at the bottom.
ASQs
A requirement for early childhood programs is that all families complete the ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE2 for their student(s). Below you will find links to complete these online, available in both English and Spanish. Please choose the first option to complete BOTH surveys at the same time. You are able to save and come back to it if you need more time. It is important on the questions that ask about whether your child can do a certain task/skill that you actually ask/do those with your child. This gives us accurate information to support your student at school. Please complete these as soon as possible and let us know if you have any issues! Thank you!
School Day Hours
Monday through Thursday: 9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.
Arrival ends: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:30 a.m.)
Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.
Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)
Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Arrival begins: 10:15 a.m.
Arrival ends: 10:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 10:30 a.m.)
Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.
Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)
Before the first day of school, you will receive a newsletter that explains the arrival and dismissal procedures.
Water Bottles
Meals at Sheldon
Meet the Teacher Night
Families should plan to attend "Meet the Teacher Night" on Wednesday, August 16th. This event is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and is a come and go event. Bring your child, see your child's classroom and school.
TPS 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
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 Thursday, August 17th. The last day of school for Sheldon students will be May 14th.
School Supplies
Required Preschool Enrollment Documents
Thank you to the families who have delivered, sent or uploaded the required preschool documents!
If you have not done so, please submit your child's:
- birth certificate
- immunization records
- health assessment (physical)
- oral health form
The above documents can be submitted by , scanning and emailing them to kneufeld@tps501.org, faxing to the Sheldon office (785-271-3647), or delivering them to the Sheldon office.
We must have the required documents before the first day of school.
Follow Sheldon Head Start on Facebook
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!
Attendance Policy
The Topeka Public School Procedures are as follows:
- Absences are excused for student illness or family emergencies. If your child is going to be absent, you should call the office before 9:15 a.m. It is each parent’s responsibility to be sure the office has been notified of the reason for absence. Advanced notice is appreciated.
- A phone call attempt will be made on every child that does not arrive at school by 9:45am.
- After 2 days of unexcused absences, staff will conduct a home visit or make other direct contact with child’s family, determine what assistance is needed to remedy the problem.
- Unexcused absences can result in a truancy report being filed.
- Each absence after 10 excused absences may result in the need for a doctor’s release note to be considered an excused absence.
- Although Kansas law does not require students to be in school prior to the age of 7, ANY child enrolled in public school does fall into the state truancy policies. Truancy reports will be made to the district truancy officer for any student with excessive absences and/or tardies.
Check out this article on WHY attendance matters!
Sheldon Policy Council
The Sheldon Policy Council meets monthly for 1 hour and asks for a one year commitment. More information will be shared at Home Visits.
Community Resources
Topeka Resources Checklist
Community Resources Council Directory
If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.
Sheldon Head Start Child Development Center
Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart