Dear Sheldon Families,

Happy Monday and the last day of February! It's hard to believe that Spring Break and the end of the third quarter are coming up so quickly. We are excited about the warm weather this week so we can go do some learning outside! This week we are celebrating Read Across America Week and will have a spirit day each day. The flyer with details is below.

Please ensure your children are coming to school with masks each day. It is a good idea to send a spare mask as well. We appreciate your support in ensuring students come to school prepared to learn and masks are essential to a safe learning environment.

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

• February 28-March 4: Read Across America Week
• March 2: National Read Across America Day
• March 7-11: National School Social Work Week
  
• March 9: Policy Council Meeting @ 12:00
• March 10: Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30
• March 11: End of 3rd Quarter
• March 14-18: Spring Break ~ NO SCHOOL
• March 21: NO SCHOOL
• March 24: Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30
• March 28-April 1: Sheldon Dino Week!
• March 28 & 29: Discovery Center Field Trips
• March 29: Math Family Engagement Event
• March 31: National Crayon Day!

Topeka Public School District uses a wide variety of communication tools to engage its families. You can get more information here.

As we continue to respond to the community spread, if your student has tested positive for COVID-19 or had a COVID exposure, please complete the TPS COVID-19 Self Reporting form located on our website, and a district health official will contact you within 24 hours. Your child should not return to school until given guidance from school health officials.

Due to the volume of exposure in our county, all COVID student exposures being reported to Topeka Public Schools are to be reported online by going to TopekaPublicSchools.net. This process will allow us to address the current parent COVID needs and allow nurses to carry out their regular school duties and meet daily student needs. Please click on the link labeled Reporting a COVID-19 Exposure, which is on our main web page. Based on the information parents provide, an emailed response will be given informing you of the date your child can return to school and your child's school principal and nurse will be notified.

If you do not have the internet and need to report your exposure through this call, please provide your name, phone number, email address (if you have one), your child's name, birthdate and the date of the COVID-19 positive exposure. If you have school-related questions regarding a COVID-19 exposure, please leave a message and a health professional will return your call within 2 business days. Messages are only checked once every afternoon as our nurses are focused on patients for the majority of the day.

Families are asked to complete the self-reporting form for any COVID exposure. If a parent does not have internet access, they can call the COVID-19 reporting line at 785-438-HELP (785-438-4357) to report a COVID exposure. Schools will redirect families to the form on our web page or to the number to call.

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!

Voluntary and Involuntary Withdrawal of Children

POLICY:

If a parent decides to voluntarily withdraw his/her child from the Head Start program, every attempt is made by Head Start staff to determine the cause. All feasible attempts are made to maintain a child’s enrollment in the program. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.15, 1302.16, 1302.17

PROCEDURE:

1. When Head Start learns a parent is considering withdrawing their child, an attempt to determine the reason is made. Staff will work with the parent to eliminate or reduce any problems identified relating to the potential withdrawal of the child and will encourage the parent to allow the child to remain in the program.

2. If applicable, the Family Advocate will make a home visit to determine if the parent(s) will allow the child to remain in Head Start. A resolution of any conflict or problems concerning the family or child is then suggested by the Family Advocate. A conversation discussing benefits the child receives from remaining in Head Start is made at this time. Documentation of this conference is made by the Family Advocate on Child Plus.

3. The Family Advocate informs the child’s teacher of the conference and whether the parent has been persuaded to allow the child to remain in Head Start. A careful review of the parent’s concerns or reasons for considering withdrawal is discussed between the Family Advocate and the teacher, along with any other management staff. Documentation of the family advocate/teacher conference summarizing the problem is completed.

4. If the parent(s) still insist on withdrawing the child from the program, the teacher and family advocate proceed with the withdrawal procedures. Documentation of withdrawal is recorded and entered into Child Plus.

5. In certain situations, it may be necessary for a child to be involuntarily withdrawn from the Head Start program.

6. Children with behavior issues will not be expelled from the program. The decision to suspend a child from the program will only be made in the most severe of cases (danger to himself or others) and will only be temporary.

7. Final approval of the withdrawal is made by the Principal after ensuring everything possible has been done to prevent the child from withdrawing.

FCC has announced a permanent AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM that will provide eligible families, who apply, a credit of up to $30 per month to cover the cost of Broadband services with various providers, including Cox. Eligible families include those who qualify for free and reduced lunch, SNAP, WIC or those with an income level at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline for family size. Click one of the next links for information from Cox in either ENGLISH or SPANISH.

Here Comes the Bus is an app that will allow you to track your student's bus in real time. It is free on both the Android and Apple app stores. You will need your child's student ID number, which you can find in your account in TylerSIS. If you have trouble locating this, please give us a call and we will provide it. Directions for downloading and setting up the app are below:

Here Comes the Bus®

Now available to parents of (Topeka Public Schools) students

• View the real-time location of your child’s bus.

• Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer.

• Receive push notifications or email alerts.

• Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time.

How to get started:

1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com

2. Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx

3. Enter school code 29036 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”

4. Complete the “User Profile” box

5. Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number

6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!

Recall of Certain Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare Baby Formulas

Abbott, the maker of baby formula brands Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare, has issued a voluntary recall of powder formulas manufactured in Sturgis, Michigan.

What Parents and Programs Should Do

The products under recall have a multidigit number on the bottom of the container starting with the first two digits 22 through 37 and containing K8, SH, or Z2, and an expiration date of April 1, 2022, or after.

To find out if the product is included in this recall, visit similacrecall.com and type in the code on the bottom of the package, or call (toll-free) 800-986-8540 and follow the instructions provided. No action is needed for previously consumed product.

For more information about this recall, please read the announcement on the Food and Drug Administration website.

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education voted on August 5th to follow the CDC Universal masking guidelines to start the school year. This means that masks will be required indoors for all staff, students, and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required during outside times. Please be sure you send your student to school with a clean face mask each day. This is part of their required dress code and we appreciate your assistance with ensuring we are providing a safe environment for our students! We will also be continuing with frequent handwashing/sanitation, disinfection protocols, and maintaining a social distance of 3 feet. Follow this link to view the entire "TPS Safe to Return to School Plan".

Check out the March Health and Fitness Tip here!

You can find the 2021-2022 Academic Calendar HERE.

Did you know that you can check out a WiFi Hotspot from the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library for FREE? Get more information here.

This updated document provides a list of food pantries and food resources available in English and in Spanish.

The Sheldon Food & Clothing Bank is still up and running! If your family has any needs, reach out to your Family Advocate or call 438-4538.

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.