Outstanding TPS Educator Honored With 2025 Kansas Horizon Award By KSDE
Topeka Public Schools is excited to announce that one of our educators has been honored with the 2025 Kansas Horizon Award from the Kansas State Department of Education!
Mr. Jason Dester, a social studies teacher at Topeka West High School, was surprised with a Zoom call from Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson to announce the award on January 13.
Mr. Dester was showered with love and congratulations by his students, colleagues, and district leadership, and later had the opportunity to appear on the KSNT Morning Show.
The Kansas Horizon Award program recognizes exemplary educators who have completed their first year of teaching. Learn more in this video highlighting Mr. Dester's award recognition.
TPS Celebrates School Board Recognition Month
January is School Board Recognition Month—a time to salute the work of our school board members and celebrate public education.
School board members play a crucial role in ensuring our students receive the best education possible by working with parents, education professionals, and community members to create successful learning environments.
We encourage you to join us in celebrating the work and success of our school board on Facebook and Twitter! You can learn more about each of our board members at topekapublicschools.net.
Topeka West & Topeka High Take Home Top Honors at Kansas Thespian Festival
On January 9-11, students from Topeka West High School and Topeka High School attended the 2025 Kansas Thespian Festival in Wichita, KS, where both schools earned numerous awards for the second year in a row.
Topeka West earned the designation of Gold Honor Troupe for the second year in a row, Troupe Director Katie Murphy was named Teacher of the Year, and TPS Fine Arts Director Chris Reynolds was named Administrator of the Year.
Additionally, Topeka High School was selected to perform the musical, Hadestown Teen Edition, on the main stage, an honor only five schools statewide receive each year.
Senior Richard Johnson (TWHS) was bestowed one of three available state-wide scholarships, and eleven students qualified for nationals and will now compete at the International Thespian Festival in June at Indiana University Bloomington.
Congratulations to all of our Topeka West and Topeka High scholars and theatre educators!
Topeka High Scholars Earn National Recognition from College Board
Topeka Public Schools proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of 6 Topeka High School scholars who have been honored through the College Board’s National Recognition Program!
These scholars have been recognized for their academic excellence and exemplary performance on College Board assessments, coupled with resilience in their educational journeys.
Cora Ambrose, Sophia Ambrose, Gustavo Hernandez-Garcia, Wyatt Humphrey, and Niomi Johnson have all received the “First Generation” award, distinguishing them for their significant accomplishment as the first in their families to aim for college education.
These achievements not only highlight the dedication of each student but also underscore Topeka High School’s commitment to fostering an environment where diverse talents are acknowledged and nurtured. Congratulations to these young scholars for setting a standard of excellence!
TPS Students & Staff Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Leading up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20, Topeka Public Schools students and staff honored Dr. King's legacy through a variety of school and community events in partnership with Living the Dream, Inc., including the annual Governor's March & Proclamation Signing at the Kansas Statehouse.
Many students and staff will join us on January 18 at the annual Living the Dream, Inc. Scholarship & Awards Banquet, where scholarship and community award recipients will be recognized. Additional information will be shared in the next edition in the Community News.
We also congratulate all of the winners of the 2025 Living the Dream, Inc. art, essay, and poetry competitions, whose work was inspired by Dr. King. View a list of student awards here, and view photos from all of the events on Flickr.
TPS Now Accepting Donations for the 8th Annual Living the Dream Food Drive
In celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Topeka Public Schools and Living the Dream, Inc. kicked off the 7th annual district-wide Living the Dream Food Drive this week.
Students and staff are encouraged to donate non-breakable, non-perishable items between now and February 1. The school or building that collects the most items will receive the Living the Dream traveling trophy.
Last year, the food drive collected more food items than ever before, with over 6,000 items donated to the TPS Community Cupboard and Washburn University Food Pantry, and we are hoping to top that number this year with a goal of 8,000 items!
TPS Child Nutrition Services Managers Excel in ServSafe Certification
Topeka Public Schools is proud to recognize the dedication and achievement of 9 Child Nutrition Services managers who have recently earned their ServSafe certifications!
This certification is a testament to their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and operational excellence within our schools.
The recipients of this distinguished certification include Erina Gamez, Secundina Garcia, Maria Gonzalez, Pamela Grimes, Trisha Helsel, Shannon Nave, Joyce Reutzel, Harry Smith, and Amber Workman. Each of these managers has gone above and beyond to enhance their knowledge and skills to serve our students and staff.
Achieving ServSafe certification requires rigorous study and a deep understanding of food safety practices and regulations. This accomplishment ensures that our nutrition services not only comply with regulatory requirements but also embrace best practices in food hygiene and safety.
Happy National Technology Day! TPS is Thankful For Our District IT Professionals
On January 6, we celebrated National Technology Day! We are grateful for all the technology we have, which helps us in our everyday lives and in the classroom.
We thank our Chief Information Officer Todd Reinert and his team for their hard work to keep everyone connected across the district.
In addition, we send special thanks to Gail Ramirez, Curriculum Technology Integration Specialist, Travis True, Technology Services Coordinator, and Jess Blouvan, Technology Specialist, for their work incorporating drones, robotics, and other technology into the district's curriculum.
TPS Celebrates National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
Across the country on January 9, we have an opportunity to thank law enforcement for their service. Students and staff across the district showed their SROs some extra appreciation this week!
We would like to recognize Chief Bill Cochran, General Director of Transportation & Campus Police, Chief Ron Jeanneret, Director of School Safety, and the entire Topeka Public Schools Police Department, as well as our local, county, and state police agencies, for working to keep our community safe.
Join us in honoring our school police by thanking them for their service on social media!
Fellowship Hi-Crest & Community Partners Host Teacher Resource Fair
On January 25 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Fellowship Hi-Crest is hosting a Teacher Resource Fair at Ross Elementary School to uplift and support Topeka educators! The event is open to any teacher or school staff member who works in the city of Topeka.
Last year, the event hosted 82 teachers from 22 schools, who serve a combined 3,515 students in Shawnee County, and distributed $7,800 worth of free classroom supplies to these educators.
Ms. Dianne Denmark, Principal of Eisenhower Middle School, shared that the most significant impact of the Teacher Resource Fair was her staff feeling recognized and valued by the community.
Save the date, bring a colleague, and leave with the supplies you need to make your classroom even more amazing!
TPS to Celebrate Mid-Year Graduates in January 2025
Topeka Public Schools high schools are hosting mid-year graduation ceremonies on Monday, January 27, 2025 for students who are eligible to graduate at mid-year.
Each school will hold its own ceremony, which will also be streamed live on the respective high school's YouTube page. Schools have reached out to families of graduates with additional details regarding the ceremonies.
Ceremony times are as follows:
- Topeka West High School: 8:30 AM
- Topeka High School: 9:30 AM
- Highland Park High School: 5:00 PM
January College Connections Newsletter
Check out our new College Connections Newsletter on Smore! With an easy to navigate Table of Contents, it's now simpler than ever for high school students and families to find helpful information on college and career readiness.
This month's newsletter covers the following topics:
- Applying for Federal Student Aid
- The Kansas Promise Act
- College registration/admissions process & deadlines
- Scholarships
- ACT/SAT testing dates
- Job opportunities for students
- Washburn Institute of Technology (watch video)
Topeka West JROTC Collecting Worn or Damaged US Flags for Ceremonial Disposal
Topeka West High School's JROTC is currently undertaking a special community service project aimed at honoring our nation's flag. They are calling on the community to submit any worn out or damaged U.S. flags for a dignified and respectful retirement.
A formal ceremony to retire these flags will be held on February 12. If you possess any flags that are frayed, faded, or otherwise damaged and wish to ensure they are retired with the respect they deserve, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Topeka West JROTC is also offering to conveniently pick up the flags. Please email your details to jhall2@tps501.org to arrange for pickup.
TPS Weather Notifications
Throughout the winter months, we want to remind families and staff of school closing notification procedures.
As we make decisions about closing school, a number of factors come into play, including the safety of travel but also the safety of students who will be home during the day.
Should school be canceled, we will:
- Send a text, email, and/or phone call via SchoolMessenger
- Update the district social media pages
- Update the district website
- Contact our local media partners
To sign up for text message updates, text Y to 67587. To learn more about school delays and closures, please visit topekapublicschools.net/weather.
Stay Updated on Transportation With the Here Comes the Bus App
Parents can stay updated on transportation by downloading the Here Comes the Bus app!
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus.
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- Receive push notifications or email alerts.
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time.
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Sign Up by visiting the Here Comes the Bus website.
- Enter school code 29036 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add" then enter your child’s last name and student ID number
- Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
District Calendar & Upcoming Events
View the full 2024-2025 academic calendar or the district Google Calendar to plan ahead for parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and more.
Below are important dates for January 2025:
- January 1-31: National School Board Appreciation Month
- January 13 - February 1: Living the Dream Food Drive
- January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No school in session. All district buildings will be closed in observance of the holiday. - January 23: Board of Education Meeting
5:30 PM | Burnett Center - January 27: Mid-Year Graduation Ceremonies
- January 29: Kansas Day
Legislative Advocacy
Topeka Public Schools Publications
TPS Tip Line
Use the helpline numbers:
- 785-GET-HELP
- 785-438-4357
for any emergency questions or concerns.
TPS In The News
TPS Parent Resource Site
View information and health alerts from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) on our Parent Resource Site.