This month, volunteers from Advisors Excel served at Sheldon Head Start, bringing countless smiles to our preschool scholars!

Each year, Advisors Excel adopts Sheldon Head Start and allows each student to choose a new coat, pair of shoes, socks, and winter attire such as hats and gloves.

The shopping day for the preschoolers is set up and facilitated by Advisors Excel staff, filling the school with smiles, laughter, and joy. View photos from the event on Flickr.

The district extends a special thank you to all at Advisors Excel for the generous donation and for their ongoing support of Topeka Public Schools students.

From September 15 - October 15, students and staff across the district have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month!

Listening & Learning Tour

Last week, we continued the I Love TPS Listening & Learning Tour with a stop at Tacos El Sol. We had a great time visiting with community members and TPS graduates while supporting a local business and proud TPS family. View photos on Flickr.

School Events & Activities

Scott Dual Language Magnet School was featured by WIBW for their amazing Culture Tour, which immersed students in Hispanic art, music, and literature. The event even featured a performance from musician Roger Ortega! View photos on Flickr.

Students and families at Highland Park High School took part in a Multicultural Tasting Fair, featuring food from all over the world. View photos on Facebook.

Landon Middle School hosted an outdoor Hispanic Heritage Fair for students, families, and the community, featuring music, local food trucks, and desserts.

To end this year's celebration, students, families, and members of the community attended Scott's annual Fall Fiesta on October 14, which featured games, local food trucks, a raffle, and entertainment. View photos on Facebook.

Juan Maldonado, a standout senior from Highland Park High School, was selected as the October 2022 Senior of the Month! He was recognized by the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education on October 6.

Juan is both a scholar and an athlete, who has studied at College Prep Academy for 6 years and is active in soccer, wrestling, cross country, and track. He has taken National Education Equity Lab courses through Stanford University, as well as other dual-credit college courses.

Principals and teachers at Highland Park describe Juan as a leader whom others can look up to. He is known for always having a smile on his face and wearing a signature white shirt.

Visit our YouTube or Facebook channels to watch the video highlighting Juan.

On October 26, the Topeka Public Schools Foundation (TPSF) “Grant Patrol” surprised 6 TPS staff members with balloons and big checks.

The Foundation grant funding is provided to TPS educators to support and recognize their innovative programs designed to offer Topeka Public Schools students unique, hands-on experiences. TPSF has provided grant funding to Topeka Public Schools educators for the past 36 years.

In total, the 2022 TPSF Grant Patrol awarded 10 educators with $10,000 in grant funding. TPSF grant awards are for classroom, school-wide, or district-wide innovations and provide additional learning opportunities for students that otherwise are not available.

Last week, Topeka High School instructor Jen Womack took some of her students to the University of Kansas School of Engineering to participate in the Engineering Design Challenge.

Students Myia Elwood and Kaylin Phillips, who competed in the Civil Engineering discipline, won first place after designing a structure that could hold up to 295 lbs without cracking or breaking.

We are so proud of these outstanding scholars! View more photos on Facebook.

Earlier this month, the Eisenhower Middle School volleyball team made history! For the first time, the school won the City Volleyball Championship.

The Lady Eagles finished the season with a program-best record of 15-5. The next day, their teachers and classmates honored them with a Champions Walk through the halls of the school. View video highlights on Facebook.

These student-athletes are also outstanding scholars, who have maintained a 3.28 average GPA. Way to soar high, Lady Eagles!

On October 12, the Jardine Middle School football team celebrated the end of their season by winning the City Championship. We congratulate the Jaguars on this exciting win, and on an undefeated season!

Additionally, we send congratulations to our students at Chase Middle School, who played Jardine in the City Championship and took 2nd. Way to go, Cougars!

Both schools fought hard in the championship game, which came down to the final minutes with a score of 44-42. We are so proud of our middle school scholars and athletes.

Topeka Public Schools is excited to announce that Andrew Anderson, a student at Topeka High School, recently won the prestigious Topeka Symphony Young Artist Competition in the Strings Division.

On October 2, Andrew performed the 4th Movement of the Elgar Cello Concerto, from memory, to a panel of judges at White Concert Hall on Washburn campus.

Out of 13 talented musicians from all over the state of Kansas, Andrew was named the winner of the Strings Division! As a result, he will play his winning solo with the entire Topeka Symphony on January 21.

To purchase tickets in support of Andrew, please visit topekasymphony.org or stop by the Topeka Symphony office. Tickets may also be purchased at White Concert Hall on the day of the event.

On October 20, Topeka Public Schools hosted the annual Shawnee County College & Career Fair at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning & Careers (TCALC).

Students from every high school students in Shawnee County were in attendance at the event, which featured over 75 colleges, universities, and employers from across the region who provided important information for after graduation. Students even had the opportunity to apply for jobs on-site.

View photos from the event on Flickr. Be sure to check out the October College Connections Newsletter for information on ACT testing, FAFSA, and more!

This month’s College Connections Newsletter provides:

• Information on the Kansas Promise Act
• Information/deadlines on college registration and admission
• Information/deadlines for financial aid and scholarships
• ACT/SAT test dates and information
• Job opportunities

As you plan for the rest of the 2022-2023 school year, please note that graduation will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Stormont Vail Events Center.

Our community partners at the United Way of Greater Topeka support Topeka Public Schools students and families through many programs and services.

These programs and services would not be possible without donations from our community. You can support the United Way of Greater Topeka and invest in the lives of TPS students by making a donation at unitedwaytopeka.org/give.

The United Way provides funding for early childhood and kindergarten readiness programs at Pine Ridge Prep preschool, supports the Parents as Teachers Program, hosts financial literacy courses for high school students, and much more! Learn more about our amazing partnership with the United Way in this video.

Free COVID-19 testing remains available for Topeka Public Schools students and staff in school health clinics. Staff may choose to test at their school clinic or at the Service Center clinic.

In addition, for the convenience of students and staff, the district is now offering 2 free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to each student and staff member upon request.

COVID-19 Spanish Interpreter

The district has a new Spanish-speaking interpreter for our COVID-19 testing grant, located at Quinton Heights!

She is available to assist students, staff, and families who have questions about COVID-19 or other medical issues and she will help facilitate conversations with the nursing staff.

Laura Romero Munoz

District Interpreter & Translator

Office: 785-235-7271

Cell: 785-600-8002

lmunoz2@tps501.org

The Campus Care Clinic, which is owned by the University of Kansas Health System and located inside Topeka High School, provides safe, convenient, high-quality patient care both in-person and via telehealth.

On October 27-28 when students are out of school, the clinic will be open for telehealth appointments only. Please call 785-295-3256 and leave a message, and a clinic staff member will return your call to schedule a telehealth appointment.

Topeka Public Schools utilizes the SchoolMessenger system for web services and to deliver text messages to families in the district. Alerts come straight to your mobile phone with important information about your child's school events, inclement weather, and more.

Parents and guardians can participate in this free service* just by sending a text message of "Y" or "Yes" to the TPS short code number, 67587. You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying "stop" to one of our messages.

SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.

Households with low or no incomes across the country could still get thousands of dollars in federal money with the Child Tax Credit - even if they have never filed taxes before (and have not filed taxes this year).

Families can receive up to $3,600 with the Child Tax Credit if they file for this credit before November 15.

Claim your tax credit at getctc.org. The form takes about 15 minutes to complete, and tax documents are not required. If you want to claim additional money with the Earned Income Tax Credit, you will need your W-2(s) from your employer.

Thank you to all of our students, families, and staff for a wonderful start to the new school year! To help you stay prepared, please be sure to check out the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.

Below are important dates for October:

• October 1-30: National Principals Month
• October 1-30: National Audiology Awareness Month
  
• October 1-30: National Physical Therapy Month
• October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
• October 26-27: Parent Teacher Conferences
  Look for scheduling information from your child's teacher
• October 27-28: NO SCHOOL
  School Not in Session
• October 31: Fall Festivities
  Visit your school's website for details

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