Join us TODAY (Thursday, July 21) at all schools and the district Welcome Center at Quinton Heights for in-person enrollment! Staff members will be available to help you enroll today 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 2022-2023 academic calendar are available any time in the Back to School Headquarters at topekapublicschools.net.

Don't forget to complete the e-forms in the Parent Portal, including the Free & Reduced School Meals Application!

For questions about enrollment, please call 785-295-3000.

Below are some important dates as we approach the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year:

• August 9: Meet the Teacher Night (K-5)
• August 10: First Day of School
  Grades K-6 and 9; Hope Street Academy; Capital City School; Avondale Virtual School
• August 11: First Day of School for Grades 7, 8, & 10-12
• August 17: Meet the Teacher Night (Preschool)
• August 18: First Day of Preschool
  

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

As Topeka continues to demonstrate inclusivity and acceptance for all families, new families from Ukraine were greeted with wrap-around supports and resources with the help of many partner organizations this week.

Students and families gathered at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library where they received a warm welcome from administrators, principals, and staff. The district provided enrollment support, translation and academic services, school supplies, and fellowship, followed by lunch.

Thank you to Ms. Yana Ross, one of the many mentors who supports families, the Greater Topeka Partnership, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, volunteers, and other local agencies for their ongoing partnership in support of Ukrainian families.

Learn more in this article from WIBW or view photos from the event on Flickr. If you are interested in providing support to families from Ukraine, please contact TPS Communications at 785-295-3024.

Through our ongoing partnership with the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, all Topeka Public Schools families will be able to opt-in for a free library card when enrolling online or in-person.

Being a student in Topeka Public Schools means you have access to all resources at the public library, including online databases, e-books, digital audio books and streaming videos, as well as all of the physical items at the library or bookmobiles.

Enroll your student and apply for your free library card in the Parent Portal at topekapublicschools.net.

On Monday, July 25 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, a free Kindergarten Fair for kindergarteners across the state will take place at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center (4400 SW 10th Ave).

Topeka Public Schools and many community partners will offer activities, learning resources, health screenings, and more! A real school bus will be on-site to help students prepare for riding the bus and the full museum will be open for play.

Learn more about this exciting event in this article from WIBW or visit the Kansas Children's Discovery Center website. We can't wait to see you there!

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

Any child in Shawnee County aged 1-18 can receive breakfast and lunch at congregate meal locations across the city. These meals are served free of charge Monday through Friday until July 29.

Families also have the option to pick up Grab & Go meals each Friday, which provide 7 days worth of nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Families will receive an orange card the first time they visit, which will then be used to pick up Grab & Go meals in the future.

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

Harvesters Food Pantry is serving families at multiple Topeka Public Schools locations this summer! To learn more about food assistance and find a site near you, visit harvesters.org.

Below is a list of dates and locations for drive-thru pick-up:

July 22 & August 26

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Hummer Sports Park

August 5

4:00 - 5:00 PM

Robinson Middle School

August 13

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Jardine Middle School

The 2022-2023 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 make sure students are prepared for the upcoming year.

The event, organized by Lisa Davis of New Mt. Zion Church and Carole Denton of Fellowship Bible Church, is first-come, first-served, and aims to provide school supplies for over 500 students. It will take place at Highland Park High School from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 6.

In addition, United for a Successful School Year will have representatives on-site offering community resources, employment opportunities, sports physicals, and more.

Participants are encouraged to bring a canned good to donate to the Topeka Public Schools Community Cupboard.

To serve Topeka Public Schools students in need, Bonkers is holding a Stuff the Bus event to collect donations of school supplies for the upcoming year.

Stop by Bonkers any time through July 24 with a donation of supplies from this list, and you'll receive a free Play Maze pass.

Plus, get SOCIAL with us! Post a picture of your family on Facebook or Instagram and tag @Bonkers with the hashtag #stuffthebus for a chance to win a FREE Bonkers Birthday Party for up to 10 guests.

Due to popular demand, Topeka Public Schools has extended its 2022 Hiring Fair event! Join us at Quinton Heights Education Center on Thursday, July 28 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The district has openings for a variety of positions, including:

• Teachers

• Paraprofessionals

• Nurses & Health Aides

• Office Personnel

• Custodians & Maintenance Professionals

• Food Service Workers

• Information Technology Specialists

• Bus Drivers & Delivery Drivers

• Lifeguards

• Warehouse/Textbook Helpers

Walk-ins are welcome, or you may apply online and schedule an on-site interview. Please visit topekapublicschools.net/careers, click on Job Opportunities, then select the position of your choice.

Last week, Topeka Public Schools completed its “I ❤️ TPS Listening & Learning Tour” with stops at Hy-Vee Grocery Store and Mi Pueblito Meat Market.

Members of the community have highlighted programs, teachers, and the schools at which they serve. Thank you for sharing your suggestions, feedback, and reasons why you love your school and district! Review the lessons we learned at each site and action steps for 2022-2023 here.

We also send a very special thank you to Milk & Honey Coffee Co., Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Hy-Vee, and Mi Pueblito for their partnership.

View highlights from the second week of our tour in this feature from KSNT. If you would like an I ❤️ TPS sign for your yard, please contact us at communications@topekapublicschools.net.

Last week, Robinson Middle School was honored the “You Did WHAT?” Award from the United Way of Greater Topeka during their annual Campaign Celebration event.

Robinson received this honor for their contributions to United Way through the annual Penny Wars campaign, during which students bring pennies and other small change to school and donate it to various staff participants.

The staff members with the most pennies were then pied in the face by students, including Robinson Principal, Tim Leffert.

We are so proud of our middle school scholars and staff members for giving back to their community. Way to go, Ravens!

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

The camp’s goal was to teach young athletes the fundamentals of basketball and encourage them to participate in team sports.

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

Students and staff were honored to receive a special visit from Chief Brian Wheeles, of the Topeka Police Department, who showed off his hoop skills.

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

Mark your calendars! Topeka Public Schools will hold Convocation at 8:00 AM on Thursday, August 4 at Lee Arena on Washburn University campus.

We can't wait to welcome our amazing staff members to the 2022-2023 school year! This year's Convocation is an optional, all-staff celebration.

Shuttle buses will be picking up from Topeka High, Topeka West and Highland Park, with the first trip leaving right at 7:15 AM from all three locations. A shuttle bus will also be taking passengers from the Stormont Vail Events Center to Lee Arena.

At this time, the Shawnee County COVID-19 Community Level is categorized as high.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends the following steps:

• Wear a mask indoors in public
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Get tested if you have symptoms
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe

For more information, please visit the Topeka Public Schools Parent Resource Site.

As you enjoy your summer and begin preparing for next year, please be sure to check out the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.

Below are important dates for July & August:

July 2022

• July 11-24: Stuff the Bus
  10:00 AM | Bonkers
• July 21: In-Person Enrollment Day
  8:00 AM | All District Buildings
• July 21: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• July 22: Harvesters Food Pantry
  9:00 AM | Hummer Sports Park
• July 25: Kindergarten Fair
  4:00 PM | Kansas Children's Discovery Center
• July 25-28: New Staff Orientation
  8:00 AM | Bishop Professional Development Center

August 2022

• August 3: All School Staff Returns
  
• August 4: Convocation
  8:00 AM | Lee Arena at Washburn University
• August 4: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• August 5: Harvesters Food Pantry
  4:00 PM | Robinson Middle School
• August 6: United for a Successful School Year
  10:00 AM | Highland Park High School
• August 9: Elementary Meet the Teacher Night (K-5)
  4:30 - 5:30 PM | All Elementary Schools
• August 10: First Day of School
  Grades K-6 and 9; Hope Street Academy; Capital City School; Avondale Virtual School
• August 11: First Day of School
  Grades 7, 8, and 10-12
• August 13: Harvesters Food Pantry
  9:00 AM | Jardine Middle School
• August 17: Preschool Meet the Teacher Night
  4:30 - 5:30 PM | All Preschool Sites
• August 18: First Day of Preschool
• August 18: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
  
  

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