Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,

Don't forget - our PTO meeting is tomorrow at 3:45 in the Conference Room! There is NO SCHOOL this Friday, April 7th. We will see students back on Monday, April 10th.

Click the link to access the 2022-2023 Family Handbook.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Mrs. Shelley Banzhaf, Building Leader Intern

• April 4: PTO Meeting @ 4:00 - Conference Room
• April 7: NO SCHOOL!
• April 25-28: Jungle Week! Keep an eye out for more information coming soon!
  
• April 26: Parent Rights Advocacy Night @ 5:30-6:30 (at Sheldon Head Start)

You can find all school events listed on our school calendar which you can access on our webpage.

Pine Ridge Prep students are invited and encouraged to register to attend Pine Ridge Prep Preschool Camp, available only to current Pine Ridge Prep students! Click the link below to see more information and to register your student(s).

Pine Ridge Prep Preschool Camp

In addition, Topeka Public Schools offers multiple summer programs for students. Click on the link below to explore the different programs.

PK-12 Summer Academic/Enrichment Camps

Math - 3 Year Olds

• We are learning to compare numbers and explain our answer so we can talk about what we want or need.
  
• We are learning to precisely describe and compare measurable attributes so we can compare objects.
  

Math - 4 Year Olds

• We are learning to compare numbers and explain our answer so we can talk about what we want or need.
  
• We are learning to precisely describe and compare measurable attributes so we can compare objects.
  

Reading - 3 Year Olds

• We are learning to ask and answer questions about a text so we can understand a text.
  
• We are learning to identify similarities between texts so we can understand the information presented.
• We are learning to use new words so we can build our vocabulary.
• We are learning to identify parts of a book so we can understand the importance of books.
• We are learning to speak clearly so others can understand our ideas, feelings, and needs. (CL.SL.p3.5)
• We are learning to draw pictures so we can share information with others.
  

Reading - 4 Year Olds

• We are learning to ask and answer questions about a text so we can analyze details from the story.
  
• We are learning to identify the connection between two individuals, events or ideas so we can understand information in a text.
• We are learning to ask and answer questions about words we don’t know so we can understand a text.
• We are learning to identify physical parts of a book so we can use a book correctly.
• We are learning about the author and illustrator of a text so we can explain how information in our book is presented.
• We are learning to use words to express our thoughts so we can verbally express what we know.
• We are learning to show our thoughts with words and pictures so that we can share what we know.
  

Social Studies - 3 Year Olds

• We are learning to identify positive actions in the classroom so we can create a better learning community.
  
• We are learning to recognize events that have happened in the past, present, and future so we can understand changes in our daily lives.

Social Studies - 4 Year Olds

• We are learning to identify positive actions in the community so when we grow up we are a part of a nice community.
  
• We are learning to recognize historical figures so we can understand the changes that affect our daily lives.

Science

• We are learning to recognize the difference between helpful and harmful actions toward the natural environment.
  

Social/Emotional Learning

• We are learning to use fair ways so that we can have fun when playing with friends.
  
• We are learning to say the problem so that we can think of solutions.

What is choice?

Offering choice is a strategy in which a person (in this case a caregiver) offers their child two or more options for an activity or setting. As adults make so many of the decisions affecting children, offering choice gives children some control over the activities they do during the day within the family schedule. Choice is used to promote decision-making and other self-determined behaviors. Offering choice can be done for many activities such as helping make the family menu, deciding on which game to play, or which path to take when on a walk. Offering choice prevents problems as all choices offered should be acceptable to the family.

How do I use this strategy at home?

Below, we provide the steps for how to get started with choice at home. Following the steps are two examples, one for younger children and one for older youth.

Step Description

• Step 1: Determine what types of choices you would feel comfortable offering to your child during various settings or activities throughout the day and create a menu of choices.
• Step 2: Use the menu to select the choices to offer each day.
• Step 3: After you have made your “choice menu,” offer these choices to your child during the identified setting or activity.
• Step 4: Ask your child to make their choice.
• Step 5: Provide wait time for your child to select their choice.
• Step 6: Listen to (or observe) your child’s response.
• Step 7: Remind your child to make a choice from one of the available options if they have not made a choice within the time you gave them.
• Step 8: Praise whatever choice your child makes and provide them with the option they chose.
• Step 9: Offer your child a chance to give feedback on the choice they made

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arival time will be at 9:30.

You can find the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar HERE.

Communities In Schools of Mid-America is hosting two FutureNow: Finance events this spring. The first event is at Topeka High School on April 26th and 27th, followed by Topeka West High School's rescheduled event on May 4th.

Sign up for the event at Topeka High on April 26th and 27th here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094DA5A92CABFA7-futurenow7

Sign up for the event at Topeka West event on May 4th here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094da5a92cabfa7-spring#/

FutureNow: Finance is an interactive financial literacy simulation. Students receive a profile detailing their life at age 26, including their profession, salary, family status, and more. They use this information to navigate through stations representing all the expenses they must account for in a month, such as housing, transportation, child care, groceries, etc. Volunteers are positioned at each station to help students determine what they owe and help them with their budget. Students leave the event with a better understanding of creating and balancing a budget.

The success and lasting impact of these events depend on volunteers like you. We hope you will join us for this incredible volunteer experience. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, Miranda Carpenter at Miranda.Carpenter@cismidamerica.org.

The Pine Ridge Prep Food & Clothing Bank is up and running! If your family has any needs, reach out to Ms. Heather Hayden at 785-329-7876.

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://www.topekapublicschools.net/pine-ridge-prep
Location: 1110 SE Highland Ave.
Phone: 785-329-7870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PineRidgePrep/
Twitter: @PinePrep