Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

October is flying by and the days, especially mornings, are getting cooler! Parent-Teacher Conferences would be a great time to trade out the warm weather extra clothes your child has at school for cooler weather clothes.

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

October is Audiology Awareness Month, Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month, and Principal Appreciation Month

October 19: Picture Retakes

October 24: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

October 25: Parent/Teacher Conferences @ 4:00-8:00

October 26: NO SCHOOL - Parent/Teacher Conferences @ 8:00-8:00

October 27: NO SCHOOL

October 31: Fall Festival & Costume Parade - details below

Sheldon's Picture RETAKE Day is coming up on October 19! If your child was absent on picture day, had not yet started school, OR you are dissatisfied with your child's portraits, you are welcome to have them retake their picture. If your child did have their picture taken in September and you are wanting retakes, you must return the original pictures you received.

The flyer below provides details on the different packages that are available for order. You may order online, or pay by cash or check. If paying by cash, you must provide the EXACT amount. We will not be able to make change. If paying by check, please make the check out to Strawbridge Studios. Paying online is the easiest! We will collect orders and payments at the school beginning October 13 and ending on picture day, October 19.

We are excited to be heading to the Pumpkin Patch for our first field trip of the school year! All classrooms will be going on Tuesday, October 24th. Permission slips for this trip will be sent home. These must be returned by the day before your child is scheduled to go. Those students without signed forms the day of the trip will not be allowed to attend. It is critical all students arrive on time to school as buses will leave as scheduled.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on October 25th from 4:00-8:00 and October 26th from 8:00-8:00. There will be NO SCHOOL for students on October 26th & 27th. If you have not already, you will be hearing from your child's teacher soon to sign up for a time frame that works best within your schedule. Teachers will then use that information to create a finalized schedule. Once that has been done, your student's teacher will send a confirmation of the date and time for your conference. These conferences will be held in person in your child's classroom. We look forward to meeting with you and sharing your child's progress!

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.)

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arrival time will be at 10:15.

Sheldon Head Start follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar.

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 Mental Health, Child Development & Education, Disability. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!

Behavior, Social, Emotional Screening

POLICY:

Teaching staff will administer a Behavior, Social and Emotional Screening for each child enrolled in the Head Start program. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 1302.33(a) (1)-(c) (1) and 1302.46 (iv)

PROCEDURE:

1. Teachers will use the Ages & Stages Social Emotional Questionnaire as a tool to screen for behavior, social, and emotional skills, at the first home visit. Parents will fill out this form. During this process, teachers will have conversations with family about any concerns they have.
2. In the classroom, if there is concerns, a Concern sheet will be filled out and sent to the Mental Health Coordinator and any other staff that it concerns. The Mental Health Coordinator will follow up with the child’s teachers to meet individual needs.
   
3. If teachers continue to have concerns about the child’s Behavior, Social and Emotional development he/she may be referred for further observations and screenings.
4. A copy of the completed screen is kept in each child’s file and documented in the student information system.

Click here for more information and to apply for the Christmas Bureau.

To Apply for Help

• You must live in Shawnee County. No exceptions.
• At least one adult from your household must apply in person on one of the four intake dates. There is no online intake.
• Everyone living at the same address must register on the same application.
• One adult can register the entire household.
• Registering adult MUST BRING:

-his/her Photo ID

-Proof of Income for the ENTIRE household

-everyone’s Social Security cards (copies or document with SSN number listed are okay)

Christmas Bureau Intake Dates

There is only one location this year:

Echo Ridge Community Center 2021 SE Market St.

Use Topeka Metro Route 4

Wednesday, October 25

10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Monday, October 30

10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Thursday, November 2

10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 4 LAST DAY

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Documentation for Proof of Income

Any State assistance or money received for food, rent, etc. is considered income. Bring copies that apply to your household. VISION cards are not proof, you MUST show the award letter from the State.

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION. See the flyer for complete information.

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