Sheldon Update

In-person enrollment is THIS WEEK! If you have already registered, there is NO NEED for you to attend the in-person enrollment. If you have not yet registered and would like to come to the school to do so, we will be available this Thursday, July 20 from 8:00-5:00 and would be happy to assist you! Families can enroll for the 2023-2024 school year online anytime by visiting the registration page at topekapublicschools.net. Families in need of enrollment assistance may contact our IT Department at sishelp@tps501.org or 785-438-4750.

Dear Sheldon Families,

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, text, 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

Sheldon provides bus services to those families who truly can not transport their child to school. Space is limited and families must apply to receive bus services.

To apply for transportation, please find the tab on Sheldon's web page titled "Sheldon Bus Application OR click here.

All applications need to be turned in by August 1st to receive busing for the first day of school.

If you need to make changes to an already submitted application, please email Kassi Neufeld at kneufeld@tps501.org. Transportation information will be given out at the initial home visit in August when you meet with your child's classroom teacher. Thank you!

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.

Class lists will be finalized by Monday, August 7th.

You will find out your child's teacher that week when your child's teacher reaches out to you and schedules a home visit to occur before the first day of school. At Sheldon, we complete a home visit before school starts so your child can meet his or her teacher team in a familiar environment. This allows the staff to learn about your child and begin building a relationship in a setting that your child is comfortable with. We love meeting students at the home visit because then the child has already met the teachers. This results in a much smoother "Meet the Teacher Night" and "First Day of School." We will also conduct an end of the school year Home Visit. This is the reason for Sheldon students ending the school year earlier than others in the district. This also fulfills the Head Start requirement of home visits with each family twice a year and gives us a one-on-one opportunity to share information and complete required paperwork.

We look forward to setting up home visits with each family.

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.

As a Head Start program, Sheldon provides all school supplies. The only items we ask your child bring are two sets of weather appropriate clothes (socks, underwear, bottom, top) in case of an accident or getting messy throughout the day. Additionally, while a backpack is not required, most students do bring one. If you need assistance with providing a backpack for your student, please reach out as we do have a few on hand!

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.

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.

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

It is important that your child attend school each day to have a consistent educational program. Of course, illness or other family emergencies can cause absences. If your child will be absent please let us know by contacting the office at 785-438-4530. Head Start requires all students to be in attendance at least 90% of the time.

The Topeka Public School Procedures are as follows:

1. 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.
2. A phone call attempt will be made on every child that does not arrive at school by 9:30am.
3. 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.
4. Unexcused absences can result in a truancy report being filed.
5. Each absence after 10 excused absences may result in the need for a doctor’s release note to be considered an excused absence.
6. 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.

Policy Council is an opportunity for parents to be part of program decision-making. Policy Council gives parents an opportunity to have a voice and learn about program leadership. Policy Council members vote on Grant Approvals, Program Budget Approvals, Staffing, Publics Relations, and Policies & Procedures.

The Sheldon Policy Council meets monthly for 1 hour and asks for a one year commitment. More information will be shared at Home Visits.

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