Community News

Last week, we celebrated Dr. Bridget Stegman, our instructional coach at Jardine, who was diagnosed with ALS this month. Dr. Stegman has impacted the lives of thousands of TPS students throughout her career as an educator. Learn more about Dr. Stegman Day in the CNews article below.

We are excited to announce that our PreK-12 Dual Language Program has been recognized as the top in the nation by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) as a Grand Prize winner for the 2022 Magna Awards. This is the first time in recent memory that a Kansas school district has won the NSBA's grand prize!

This month, we are celebrating National Career & Technical Education Month and the 2022 Living the Dream Food Drive, during which McCarter Elementary will be congratulated at our Thursday board meeting. Congratulations to McCarter who collected over 3,300 food items to serve families in need.

As we prepare for National Public Schools Week, we thank all of our families for their support of public school staff through our Mental Health Day on February 21, 2022. We are grateful for the many partners donating athletic passes, coupons, free therapy sessions, and more to our staff as a thank you on that day.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

On February 11, district administrators, central office staff, and the entire staff at Jardine Elementary honored Dr. Bridget Stegman for her 16 years of service to Topeka Public Schools after she was recently diagnosed with ALS.

Dr. Stegman has positively impacted countless lives through her work as an educator and instructional coach. In spite of her own personal challenges, she continues to come to work each day and uplift students and staff at Jardine!

Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson declared March 31 Dr. Bridget Stegman ALS Awareness Day at Jardine Elementary. The district also plans to hold a Walk to Defeat ALS in May during ALS Awareness Month.

Watch a video highlighting Dr. Stegman on Facebook and YouTube, and view our photo gallery on Flickr.

Topeka Public Schools is excited to announce that the National School Board Association (NSBA) has officially announced Topeka Public Schools PreK-12 Dual Language Program as a Grand Prize winner in the 28th annual Magna Awards program.

As the only PreK-12 Dual Language Program and the first Grand Prize winner in the state, this award highlights Kansas as one of the most innovative states in the nation!

The district extends special thanks to Dr. Pilar Mejía, Principal of Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, and Dr. Aaron Kipp, General Director of Assessment & Demographics, for their investment in bilingual education and equity for TPS students.

To learn more, view the NSBA Magna Award Press Release along with the TPS Magna Award Press Release in English and Spanish.

On February 17, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will honor Aaliyah Smith, a junior at Topeka West High School, for her service to Kenyan families in need through her work as a US Ambassador Girl Scout.

Aaliyah is set to receive an international award from the Kavod Foundation for the positive impact she has made in the Nunguni Village through the Community Poultry Project (CPP), which she founded in 2020.

The CPP empowers women in the village by providing wealth-creating opportunities and access to health resources. Read the full press release from Nairobi Daily News here.

We are so proud of Aaliyah for her leadership and determination to make a difference in the lives of others!

Topeka Public Schools, in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc. (LTD), hosted the fifth annual district-wide food drive throughout the month of January, and collected more food items than ever before.

Congratulations to McCarter Elementary School, the winner of this year's food drive! McCarter students and staff collected over 3,300 items and will be presented with the LTD traveling trophy for the second year in a row.

The district collected nearly 6,000 food items total thanks to the generosity and support of our students, families, and staff. The Community Cupboard at Quinton Heights is now fully stocked with donations and open to all TPS families in need.

In support of Topeka Public Schools staff, our school board approved a calendar adjustment to close school on Presidents' Day, February 21, 2022, to provide one paid mental health day for all staff!

Partner organizations are also providing district staff with low or no-cost physical and mental health services along with recreational resources for families. For a complete list of community partners, visit topekapublicschools.net/health.

Thank you to all Topeka Public Schools staff members for their dedication and support throughout the pandemic!

All Topeka Public Schools families are invited to attend our Social Emotional Learning Virtual Parent Night from 5:15 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Attendees may choose 2 of the 4 breakout sessions below. Session 1 will be held from 5:30 - 6:00 PM and Session 2 will be held from 6:15 - 6:45 PM. Session topics will repeat.

Session topics will include:

• Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum for Suicide Prevention
  

• Vaping Recovery
  

• Healthify: Helpful Family Community Resources
  

• Cyberbullying and How to Support Your Child

Learn more and register at topekapublicschools.net/parentnight.

February is National Career & Technical Education Month (CTE) Month! We are so proud of our programs that provide 21st century academic and technical skills for our students.

Topeka Public Schools will be highlighting the Teaching as a Profession pathway at TCALC during the Board of Education meeting on February 17.

The district extends special thanks to TCALC Principal, Dr. Tim Murrell, and Teaching as a Profession pathway instructors, Ms. Diane Kimsey and Ms. Robin Dixon, for inspiring the next generation of educators!

Visit the TCALC website to learn more about the CTE pathways offered by Topeka Public Schools.

The district's middle school College Prep Academy is now accepting applications from current 6th and 7th-grade students for the 2022-2023 school year!

The College Prep Academy, which offers accelerated curriculum in Math and English, is housed at TCALC and students are bused from their home school for a portion of the school day. Students in the College Prep Academy are also exposed to career pathways offered at TCALC.

To have your student considered for a spot in the College Prep Academy, please complete the application form online by March 11, 2022. Accepted students will be notified during the week of April 3.

Is your child interested in enrolling in Topeka Public Schools Dual Language Program, Spanish Enrichment, Early College Prep Academy, or Science & Fine Arts Magnet?

Available openings:

• Scott Dual Language Magnet School Kindergarten
• Whitson Elementary Kindergarten Spanish Enrichment
• Early College Prep Academy at Lowman Hill
• Williams Science & Fine Arts Magnet Schools K-5

Applications will be accepted online at topekapublicschools.net beginning Monday, March 21! View the Magnet Application Day flyer in English and Spanish here.

Do you have a young scholar ready to begin preschool? Get ready! Our 2022-2023 preschool application will be available online beginning Monday, April 4!

Topeka Public Schools is accepting applications for State Pre-K, Preschool Intervention Program, Scott Dual Language, Sheldon Head Start, Pine Ridge Prep, and Shaner Early Learning Academy.

View the 2022-2023 preschool flyer in English and Spanish here.

For more information on our outstanding preschool programs, visit topekapublicschools.net.

Families who have a preschooler ready to begin kindergarten this fall are encouraged to join us for 2022-2023 Kindergarten Orientation at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 5!

This event is an opportunity for parents to learn more about Topeka Public Schools, meet teachers and staff, and tour our schools.

Kindergarten Orientation will take place at each elementary school in the district, so please attend the event hosted at your child's school. Eligible students must be 5 years-old by August 31, 2022.

The Jayhawk Council Awards Committee recently announced the honorees for the 2021 Silver Beaver Awards.

Congratulations to Chris Wagner, TPS Child Nutritional Services Specialist, and Dick Carter, a TPS Foundation Board Member!

The Silver Beaver Award recognizes the time, dedication, and commitment a Scouter has made as an adult to provide leadership and support at the Unit, District, and Council levels.

Mr. Wagner and Mr. Carter represent the “best of the best” in providing the best Scouting experience for youths. They will be honored at a Council Recognition Banquet on February 19.

Parents or guardians who attend Parent Teacher Conferences for their student(s) this week are encouraged to provide feedback through this survey.

Thank you and we appreciate your support as we work to meet the needs of our families!

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will meet on Thursday, February 17 at 5:30 PM. The meeting will be open to the public beginning at 6:30 PM.

Please note that this meeting will be held virtually due to the forecast for inclement weather.

Watch the meeting live on the Topeka Public Schools YouTube channel.

The 2021-2022 academic year district calendar is available at topekapublicschools.net. The calendar includes dates of parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and more.

Below are important dates for the remainder of February:

• February 1-28: Black History Month
• February 1-28: Career & Technology Education Month
• February 17: Board of Education Meeting (Virtual)
• February 17-18: NO SCHOOL IN SESSION
• February 21: President's Day
• February 21: TPS Mental Health Day
  NO SCHOOL IN SESSION

• 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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