
Sheldon Update
Sheldon's Weekly Family Newsletter - 3.18.24
Welcome from Mrs. Tanner
Dear Sheldon Families,
Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope you were able to enjoy the nice weather! We are excited to get started with this final quarter of the school year!
Click here to access the 2023-2024 Family Handbook.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~
Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal
Upcoming Events
March Events
March is Music in Our School Month, Youth Art Month, and Women's History Month
March 18: NO SCHOOL
March 19: Beginning of 4th Quarter
March 21: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30
March 26: TSCPL StoryTime; Family Reading Night @ TSCPL @ 5:30
March 28: TSCPL StoryTime
School Information
Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. As a school, we will have a pinwheel garden planted at Sheldon to bring awareness and we encourage all staff and students to WEAR BLUE on April 5th to promote the importance of child abuse prevention.
Footsteps2Brilliance
During Parent/Teacher Conferences, teachers sent home information on accessing Footsteps2Brilliance. This is such a cool program! It is accessible in both English and Spanish. Once you have it downloaded, it can be used WITHOUT internet! Check out the items below for more information and resources. In March, we will begin using this program with students at school!
- Family Welcome Videos in English and Spanish
- Monthly Online Family Workshops - Reading and Writing Workshops for Families / Talleres de lectura y escritura para familias - Helps families develop strong literacy practices at home
- Summer Learning Resources with Footsteps2Brilliance Virtual Summer School
- Reading Challenges: Winter, Spring, and Summer reading challenges ready-to-go!
In District Transfer Requests
For students who will be going to Kindergarten next year, you received information about your child's home school during Parent/Teacher Conferences. If you would like to request a transfer to another Topeka Public Schools location, you will use this link. Deadlines for transfer requests to Scott Dual Language Magnet and Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet are March 9th. All other transfer requests must be submitted by March 31st.
Here is the link to apply for Scott Dual Language Magnet. See the flyers below for more information!
Sheldon Attendance Policy
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) 438-4530. 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
Sheldon Shirts
All students should have received their blue Sheldon Sharks t-shirt. We encourage students to join us in wearing their Sheldon shirt EVERY FRIDAY of the school year!
School Day Hours
Monday through Thursday: 9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.
Arrival ends: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:35 a.m.)
Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.
Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)
Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 10:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Arrival begins: 10:15 a.m.
Arrival ends: 10:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 10:35 a.m.)
Dismissal begins: 3:45 p.m.
Dismissal ends: 4:00 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 4:00 p.m.)
Time to Eat!
Important Information
TPS 2023-2024 Academic Calendar
Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar.
Policy & Procedure Review
Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Family Service and Parent Involvement. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!
**At this time, we are conducting a review and update of all Sheldon Head Start Policies & Procedures. We will resume including these in the weekly newsletter when all updates are complete and approved by the Policy Council and Board of Education.
Community Resources
Car Seat & Child Safety
Check out this WIBW article on car seat safety. This website has a lot of great information and resources, including on car seat safety.
Topeka Resources Checklist
Community Resources Council Directory
If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.
Sheldon Head Start Child Development Center
Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart