Dear McClure Families,

I hope you and your family have had an enjoyable and relaxing summer! This newsletter is filled with lots of important information about the start of the school year. If you have questions or need clarification on any topic, please don't hesitate to call or email.

I look forward to seeing our students and families on Monday, August 7th from 4:30-5:30, during our Meet the Teacher Night. This is an opportunity for students to drop off their supplies and hopefully ease some back to school jitters before we officially kick off the 2023-2024 school year with the first day of school for Kindergarteners on Tuesday, August 8th and the first day for all other grades on Wednesday, August 9th.

Please know you may reach out to me at any time this school year with questions, concerns, or to provide feedback. My number is 785.438.4346 and my email address is cartzer@tps501.org.

Enjoy the last of summer and we will see you soon for another great school year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Artzer

Principal

This year the first day of school, Tuesday August 8, will be for students in grades Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grades only. All students will come on Wednesday August 9, 2023.

Class lists will be posted on McClure's front doors on Friday, Aug. 4th, at 4pm. You may also log into your Synergy account at 4pm on Aug. 4th to view your child's teacher for the 23-24 school year.

Meet the Teacher Night is Monday, August 7th from 4:30-5:30pm. Stop in during this hour, to meet your child's teacher, drop off school supplies, and take a tour of the building. We look forward to seeing you soon!

We are excited to provide meals to all TPS students free of charge for the 2023-2024 school year!

Families are still encouraged to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application. This information is vital for the district to receive funding for many programs, technology, textbooks, and much more to ensure student success! Families may qualify for reduced text book fees and free or reduced cost internet from Cox Communications.

School supply shopping? Be sure to bring the TPS supply list with you! The pdf version can be printed by clicking HERE

Please join us in welcoming all of our staff members that are new to McClure. Look out in next month's newsletter for more information about each new team member.

• Dr. Michael Berry-Assistant Principal
• Susan Ortega-3rd Grade Teacher
• Tina Kleiner-Special Education Teacher
• Kasynda Eubanks-Speech Pathologist
• Alison Snell-English Language Teacher (and McClure parent!)
• Vicki Bilderback-Paraprofessional
• Tiffany Dunn-Paraprofessional
• Krista Bonzo-Media Paraprofessional (and McClure parent!)

School Instructional Hours

Mon.-Thurs.- Students enter the classroom at 8:30am. Direct instruction begins at 8:40am. Students are dismissed at 3:40pm.

Fri.-Students enter the classroom at 9:20am. Direct instruction begins at 9:40am. Students are dismissed at 3:40pm.

School Doors Open

Students are not allowed to enter school until 8:20 a.m (9:10am on Fridays) unless they are enrolled in the before school child care program, are participating in a before-school program under the direction of a teacher, or are under the supervision of a parent.

School supervision will be provided for students beginning at 8:20 a.m. (9:10am on Late Start Fridays). Breakfast will be served from 8:20 until 8:40 a.m. Dropping students off outside of school to wait unsupervised before 8:20 a.m. (9:10am on Late Start Fridays) could present a safety risk. Parents are asked to supervise your children until 8:20 a.m. (9:10am on Fridays)

Every Friday of the school year (except for the first Friday, August 12th), the doors will open at 9:10am, and school will start at 9:20am students will be counted tardy at 9:40am. This allows time for teachers to collaborate, look at data, and plan for the following week with their teams. Thank you for your flexibility in supporting teacher collaboration!

The district's academic calendar provides a quick-glance overview of important dates for parents to be aware of. This calendar includes days school is not in session, parent-teacher conferences, and start and end dates for the 2023-2024 school year.

The McClure school calendar is posted on our school website. Click here to view.

• August 4: Class lists posted 4:00pm

• August 5: United for a Successful School Year K-8 (Highland Park HS) - 10:00 am - 12:00

• August 7: Meet the Teacher Night 4:30-5:30

• August 8: First Day of School Grades K, 6, and 9

• August 9: First Day of School Grades 1-5, 7-8, and 11-12

• August 18: First Late Start Friday - Doors Open at 9:10. Classes Begin at 9:20

• September 5: PTO Meeting, 5:30-6:30pm

• September 14: Papa John's Night

• September 20: Family Fitness Fun Night

• September 27: Family Fitness Fun Night Rain Date

The Kansas State Board of Education would like for parents of incoming kindergarten students to complete two questionnaires: ASQ-3 and ASQ: SE-2. Click on the attachment below to learn more about each.

At McClure, our goal is to have 100% completion. You may complete the questionnaires at home by clicking on the links below. If you prefer to complete this process at McClure with the guidance of staff, stop by the school this Thursday, July 20th anytime from 9am-12noon or by appointment. If this day does not work with your schedule, please call our office at 785.438.4340 to schedule an appointment for an alternate date.

Online link to ASQ-3:

ASQ-3 English https://www.asqonline.com/family/8a86b7

ASQ-3 Spanish https://www.asqonline.com/family/cd805e

Online link to ASQ: SE-2:

ASQ: SE-2 English https://www.asqonline.com/family/5a81da

ASQ: SE-2 Spanish https://www.asqonline.com/family/0fec69

Questions? Email the ASQ coordinator, Mrs. Sanders, at jsanders@tps501.org

In order to support you and your child, the Kindergarten teachers at McClure have designed this opportunity to give you hands-on practice on how to work with your child at home. During these evenings, you will be informed about upcoming skills that your child will be learning during that quarter. Then, the Kinder teachers will teach YOU how to practice these skills with your child, then YOU will practice with your child while we are there to support and answer questions you may have. This format allows you to get hands-on experience to practice "in the moment" because your child will be at your side during your learning experience. It promises to be a fun and worthwhile time for you and your child.

The first quarter session will be Tuesday August 22nd from 5:30-6:30pm. The remaining dates are listed below.

2nd quarter-October 17th, 5:30-6:30pm

3rd quarter-January 9th, 5:30-6:30pm

4th quarter-March 26th, 5:30-6:30pm

McClure is continuing own before and after school childcare program this year. If you are interested, please complete the registration form linked below. The form also outlines the monthly fees, times, etc.

McClure 23-24 Childcare Registration Form

**The free tutoring and enrichment afterschool program will also continue this year on Tuesday and Thursdays. The application form will be shared with families in August.

We would like to invite all parents and guardians of McClure students to attend our PTO meetings. These meetings are held monthly on Tuesdays in the library. Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 5th at 5:30 pm.

Our PTO is essential to assisting in raising funds for many school projects and instructional resources. You do not need to hold a PTO position in order to be a part of PTO. We hope to see many of you at the first meeting!

We are still in need of a PTO president for this school year. If you are interested in serving in this role, complete this Google Form.

Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Highland Park High School, Main Gym

The 2023-2024 school year is right around the corner. Many local churches have partnered with Topeka Public Schools for the annual United for a Successful School Year supply giveaway to make sure students are prepared for the upcoming year.

The event, organized by Lisa Davis of New Mt. Zion Church and Carole Denton of Fellowship Bible Church, is first-come, first-served, and aims to provide school supplies for over 500 students. It will take place at Highland Park High School from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 5th.

Each participating church is collecting a particular school supply, such as backpacks, notebooks, and crayons. The items will then be donated to students in need during the event. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned good to donate to the Topeka Public Schools food pantry.

In addition, United for a Successful School Year will have representatives on-site offering community resources, employment opportunities, sports physicals, and more.

To serve Topeka Public Schools students and families, Bonkers family play center is holding a Stuff the Bus event to collect donations of school supplies for the upcoming year.

Families can stop by Bonkers during regular hours from July 7-23 with a donation of supplies to receive a free Play Maze pass! All supplies collected will be donated to the Topeka Public Schools Community Cupboard.

Learn more on the Bonkers Topeka Facebook page.

Parents of 4th & 5th graders may view their child's state assessment results from 22-23 by following the directions below.

LOGGING IN TO KITE PARENT PORTAL:

1. Access Kite Parent Portal at: https://parentportal.kiteaai.org/

2. Enter your email address your previously registered with your child's school district in the Email Address field.

3. Click Get Started!

4. An email will be sent from the Kite Service Desk to the registered email address with a temporary access code.

5. Paste or enter the access code in the area provided on the login screen.

6. Select Let's Go.

Email: cartzer@tps501.org
Website: https://mcclure.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 2529 Southwest Chelsea Drive, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785.438.4340
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TPS501McClure