Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

Happy snowy Monday! The start of the 2nd semester is a great time to make sure your student has two sets of weather appropriate clothes at school.

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

The Office of Head Start is proposing changes to the Head Start Performance Standards, which are the set of regulations that programs are held accountable to. On November 20, 2023, the proposed standards were released and are open for public comment for 60 days. The comment period closes on January 19, 2024 and a determination on whether to implement these changes will be made after that date. You may click this link to read the proposed standards and access several items, including documents and webinars, that make these changes clear.

January 4-31: Living the Dream Food Drive

January 10: Policy Council Meeting @ 11:30

January 15: NO SCHOOL - MLK, Jr. Day

January 17: Fire Safety Lesson

January 18: Board of Education Meeting @ 5:30

January 23: Dinner with Dudes @ 5:30-6:30

January 29: Kansas Day

January 30: TSCPL StoryTime

Does your family have a need for a computer in order for you student to continue learning activities or engage with the school? USD501 has Chromebooks available for families through a grant with the FCC. If you are interested, please reach out to Mrs. Tanner.

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!

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.)

As the weather begins to cool, we want to remind families and staff of school closing notification procedures. When making 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 review our How We Communicate With Families document.

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 Family Service and Parent Involvement. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!

Family Services Home Visits

POLICY:

Staff will ensure opportunity for interaction with parents throughout the program year concerning the Family Assessment and Partnership. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.52

PROCEDURE:

1. The Family Advocate will schedule a minimum of one (1) home visit/conference with each family between the time the child is accepted into the Head Start program and up to 120 calendar days after enrollment in order to complete the Family Assessment and Partnership Agreement.

2. To the extent possible, assessment, goal setting and service plan will be developed with the family in the home setting. In cases when the family requests visits be conducted outside the home, or in cases where there is a safety issue for staff, the home visit may take place at the classroom site or another safe location.

3. Home visits may be scheduled in conjunction with the teacher’s education home visits when possible.

4. Additional home visits/contacts will be scheduled with the family as needed throughout the year concerning attendance, referrals, direct services of the program.

5. All family contacts and home visits will be documented in the child/family file and entered into the student information system.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.

The 2024 LIEAP application period will begin December 18, 2023 and will continue until the close of business on Friday, March 29, 2024. Once the application period begins, you can apply online by clicking on "Apply for Services" at the top of this page. If you would rather receive a paper application or if you have questions about an application you've submitted, you can call 1.888.369.4777. Click here for more information and the application.

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