Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

Thank you so much to all our families who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences last week! We enjoyed meeting with each of you. Currently, we have met with 78% of our families. We strive for 100% so if we did not meet with you yet, you will be hearing from us to reschedule that time. Thank you for being an active partner in your child's education!

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

Mrs. Kim Meyers-Lopez, Building Leader

October is Audiology Awareness Month, Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month, and Principal Appreciation Month

October 28: Trick or Treat on the Trail @ 5:00-7:00

October 30: Picture Retakes

October 31: Halloween Parade & Parties (see flyer below)

November is Native American Heritage Month

November 1: School-Wide Pajama Day!

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

November 6: StoryTime with Advisors Excel

November 7: Fire Safety Lesson #2 with Topeka Fire Department; Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

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

Please consider taking a moment to complete the district's 360 Survey.

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.

Picture Retakes will take place on October 30th. If your child was absent that day or you are not satisfied with your child's photo, they are welcome to have their picture taken that day.

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.*

As of July 2024, Topeka Public Schools will be using My School Bucks as a way for parents to track and pay student fines, fees and other costs online. Pine Ridge Prep students DO have an enrollment fee. This ranges from $21-$32. The lower rate is for those families who qualify for free or reduced lunch by completing the Child Nutrition Form (link to complete is further down in this newsletter). See the pictures below (you can click on a picture to make it bigger) for instructions on how to set up your My School Bucks account and pay your fees for the 24-25 school year. Please reach out to the office with any questions.

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 8:20 AM (drop off at classroom door)
• School starts: 8:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 8:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 8:30 AM. Students arriving after 8:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office )
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up at classroom door)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

• Arrival begins: 9:20 AM (drop off at classroom door)
• School starts: 9:30 AM
• Arrival ends: 9:30 AM (Students will be considered tardy after 9:30 AM. Students arriving after 9:30 AM will need to sign in at the main office)
• Dismissal begins: 3:30 PM (pick up at classroom door)
• Dismissal ends: 3:45 PM (all students must be picked up by 3:45 PM)

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the doors will open at 9:20 and school will begin at 9:30. This is for every Friday that school is in session.

This handbook includes important information about Pine Ridge Prep including our mission and vision, policies and procedures.

Please take time to review this handbook.

Pine Ridge Prep follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar. The only exceptions are a later start. The first day of school for Pine Ridge Prep students is Wednesday, August 21st.

Our Pine Ridge Prep 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!

https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/

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.

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) 329-7870. 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

Email: klopez@tps501.org
Website: https://pineridgeprep.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1120 Southeast Highland Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep