Community News

Our school leaders returned this week, and we are all preparing for our families to return. Please remember that Thursday, July 20 is in-person enrollment day! To ensure your school of choice is secured, we encourage you to enroll online or in-person as soon as possible. You can schedule a tour or time to enroll with the principal of your child's school by contacting the school directly.

School resumes on August 8 for students in grades K, 6, and 9; August 9 for all students K-12; and August 17 for preschool. School supply lists are in stores and on our website. We are grateful for the many organizations that are providing school supplies through various local efforts, including Stuff the Bus and United for a Successful School Year. If families are in need of supplies and unable to attend one of the free community events, please contact your building principal for assistance.

We welcome all of our school leaders back and look forward to welcoming all of our school staff members back on August 1. We encourage families to review school websites to learn more about the new things occurring at their schools. We look forward to seeing all of you at in-person enrollment or in August on the first day of school.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Join us on Thursday, July 20 at all schools and the district Welcome Center at Quinton Heights for in-person enrollment! Staff members will be available to help you enroll from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (and from 5:00 - 7:00 PM by appointment only).

Online enrollment, a school supply list, and the 2023-2024 academic calendar are available at topekapublicschools.net.

For questions about enrollment, please call the district office at 785-295-3000. For assistance with your Synergy ParentVue online account, please reach out to our Information Technology team via email at SISHelp@tps501.org.

Below are some important dates as we approach the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year:

• August 7: Meet the Teacher Night (K-5)
• August 8: First Day of School (Grades K, 6, & 9)
  
• August 9: First Day of School (K-12)
• August 16: Meet the Teacher Night (Preschool)
• August 17: First Day of Preschool
  

For more information, please reach out to your building principal.

Last month, two Topeka Public Schools students and future educators, Gabby Barron (Topeka High) and Renae Easter (Highland Park), placed among the top students in the nation at the National Educators Rising Competition in Orlando, FL.

Gabby placed 2nd in the junior varsity fine arts category, and Renae took 6th place in STEM. Nearly 2000 students from across the US participated.

Congratulations to Mrs. Diane Kimsey and Mrs. Robin Dixon, who lead the TCALC Teaching as a Profession Pathway, for their excellent work in leading the next generation of educators! Learn more in this article from the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Topeka Public Schools is hosting hiring events at Ross Elementary & Eisenhower Middle School throughout the month of July. Please see the video below that is being shared on local TV stations featuring our amazing staff.

• July 15: 8:00-10:00 AM | Ross Elementary
• July 20: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Ross/Eisenhower Campus
• July 22: 8:00-10:00 AM | Ross/Eisenhower Campus

Any TPS staff member who refers a NEW certified staff member in July that is hired by the district will be eligible for $500 to spend on resources and materials for their classroom or school once the candidate shares who referred them as an added thank you. As new staff members join us, please ask about the apartments and local companies reducing rent for teachers in TPS.

To learn more about joining our team, please visit topekapublicschools.net/careers or contact Nicole Johnson in Human Resources at 785-295-3027 or njohnson@tps501.org.

This month, many Topeka Public Schools students and educators are traveling locally, nationally, and even internationally, gaining national recognition for Topeka and training to be global leaders.

Students from Highland Park High School visited Panama and Costa Rica on an excursion led by their Spanish teacher, Nicole Fraise, who has been promoted to serve as the Dean of Students at Highland Park.

The group explored the countries and learned about their cultures, and participated in teambuilding activities like white water rafting, zip lining, and snorkeling. We thank outstanding educators like Ms. Fraise for helping develop students into global leaders!

Additionally, a group of Highland Park students departed for South Africa this week to participate in the KU Upward Bound Study Abroad Experience at Stellenbosch University.

The students are attending college classes and participating in tours and cultural activities around the area, including visiting Nelson Mandela's jail cell at Robben Island. We extend a special thank you to Upward Bound for making this opportunity possible for our students!

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, as this information is vital for the district to receive funding for many programs, technology, and more to ensure student success.

Families may qualify for reduced textbook fees and free or reduced-cost internet from Cox Communications. Complete the application at topekapublicschools.net.

Throughout the summer months, our Topeka Public Schools Food Service staff members are dedicated to serving students and families.

The 2023 Summer Meal Program will run through Friday, July 28, and all meals are served at no cost Monday through Friday at congregate meal sites across the city for children 18 and under. Please note that meals must be eaten on-site.

Visit our website to see a full listing of sites, offerings, and schedules.

Over the summer, many of our principals and staff members have been attending local and national conferences as participants and presenters, gaining national recognition for Topeka. This week, we welcomed back principals, who have been engaged in PLC training at Jardine Middle School.

Additionally, the Jardine Elementary team visited the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA where they served as national presenters, and our instructional team members Angela Dick, Sara Frisbie, and Karen Flories are currently presenting at the National Visible Learning Conference in Orlando, FL.

We thank all of our Topeka Public Schools educators who are dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, serving as a model for others across the US.

This week, Topeka Public Schools partnered with Gibbs Elite Basketball Academy to hold a free basketball camp for 5th through 8th-grade students at Chase Middle School.

The camp’s goal was to teach young athletes the fundamentals of basketball, build leadership skills, and encourage teamwork and cooperative learning.

Gibbs Elite Academy founder and head coach Ta’Nia Gibbs graduated from Topeka High School and attended Highland Community College.

Thank you to our community partners for investing in these outstanding athletes!

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 ensure students are prepared for the upcoming year.

This event is first-come, first-served, and aims to provide school supplies for students in grades K-8. Join us at Highland Park High School from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 5.

In addition, United for a Successful School Year will offer $10 sports physicals, community resources, employment opportunities, food trucks, games, and more.

Students must be present to receive supplies. If you are unable to attend and still in need of school supplies, please contact your building principal for assistance.

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.

As our families and staff plan for the upcoming year, view the 2023-2024 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department drop-down menu.

Below are important dates for August 2023:

• August 7: Meet the Teacher Night (K-5)
  
• August 8: First Day of School (Grades K, 6, & 9)
  
• August 9: First Day of School (K-12)
• August 16: Meet the Teacher Night (Preschool)
• August 17: First Day of Preschool

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2023-2024 Kansas Legislative Session on the Current Events page at kslegislature.org.

• Topeka Public Schools Blog
  
  
• Topeka Public Schools YouTube Channel
  
  
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda

The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. For students, the Title VI, Title IX and Section 504 compliance coordinator compliance coordinator is the General Counsel for the district. For employment, the EEO/AA and Title VII compliance officer is the general director of human resources. Compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 S.W. 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000.The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3059 or by writing to 624 S.W. 24th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611-1294.

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