Warrior News
April Edition
The past month has been filled with so much fun here at Whitson. We've had Spring Break, Kona Ice, Breakfast with Buddies, and so much more. On top of having fun and celebrating spring we've been working very hard in our classrooms! It's amazing to walk the halls daily and we are in constant awe of our teachers and students and how much learning is taking place! We are quickly approaching state assessments starting on April 12. PTO has graciously provided us with snacks for students during testing. We also just want to thank all of you for being aware of our testing schedule and mindful of testing dates when pulling students for appointments. Whitson is projected to do very well this year on state assessments and we attribute the amazing partnership between families and Whitson to our success. The amazing progress and achievement that has happened this year despite two years of a pandemic would not be possible without the support and hard work our families have put in.
We are also looking forward to meeting our future Warriors on April 5 at Kindergarten Orientation. Families if you have any questions at all please call the office. We also look forward to seeing you all at the Carnival and Fun Run on April 22. It has truly been amazing to have families back in our building and we look forward to a night filled with family fun! See you all soon!
April 5 Kindergarten Orientation
April 6 Paraprofessional Day
We are blessed to have the most amazing paraprofessionals that work hard every day. If your child works closely with any of our paraprofessionals I encourage you to drop them a note and share your appreciation.
April 12 SPMT and PTO Meeting
PTO 6PM In person, Whitson Library
CONGRATULATIONS TO 1st and 5th GRADE FOR BEING THE HIGHEST ATTENDANCE IN MARCH!!
Please remember picking up students early and/or arriving late affects your students attendance. Our schoool day starts at 8:40 and ends at 3:40. Thank you!
2022-2023 Preschool Registration Opens Online on April 4
Topeka Public Schools is accepting applications for State Pre-K, Preschool Intervention Program, Scott Dual Language, Sheldon Head Start, Pine Ridge Prep, and Shaner Early Learning Academy.
View the 2022-2023 preschool flyer in English and Spanish here.
For more information on our outstanding preschool programs, visit topekapublicschools.net.
Join Us for 2022-2023 Kindergarten Orientation on April 5
This event is an opportunity for parents to learn more about Topeka Public Schools, meet teachers and staff, and tour our schools.
Kindergarten Orientation will take place at each elementary school in the district, so please attend the event hosted at your child's school. Eligible students must be 5 years-old by August 31, 2022.
KAPP Summer Application KAPP (Kindergarten Academic Preparation Program) "Power UP" is a six-week summer program that is offered to excite and encourage students and families to prepare for kindergarten while learning new skills required of in-coming kindergarteners!
The KAPP “PowerUP” program is provided by YWCA Northeast Kansas, funded by the United Way of Greater Topeka, and in partnership with Topeka Public Schools. The program is free and provides breakfast and lunch. Students with little-to-no preschool experience will have the first opportunity to participate. Students who may have attended pre-school but whose attendance may have been disrupted due to circumstances beyond
their control, or who believe their child may have other factors that have delayed their kindergarten readiness, will also be considered. Available KAPP spots will be filled first according to need and qualifications, then on a
first-come basis. Very Limited bussing is available.
YWCA KAPP “PowerUP” summer kindergarten academic prep program is offered daily beginning June 13th and ends on July 22th, 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
KAPP enrollment questions may be directed to
Rebecca(or Becky) Trapp-Márquez
785-235-7131 (office)
WHITSON YEARBOOKS
You can also order online HERE
You can also use the QR code right here to take you to the online orders!
CARNIVAL AND FUN RUN
State Assessment Schedule
Paraprofessional Position!!
We are looking to hire a full time para professional here at Whitson!
Position Purpose: to assist in providing a beneficial learning environment in which all students can take full advantage of the instructional program and available resource materials
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalency
- Possess 48 hours of college credit or pass the equivalency exam
- Ability to successfully accomplish/complete the annual in-service training
- Conscientiously accept and follow directions
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Exhibit sound judgment
- Adapt to a variety of situations
- Fundamental understanding of students and the learning process
PTO
Don't forget about the Whitson Spiritwear Store! Open year round, the store has free shipping for orders more than $50. Go to https://whitsonspiritwear.com/ for your Whitson gear today!
Topeka Dino Days!
After School Program
Upcoming Dates
APRIL
- April 5 - Kindergarten Orientation 5:30PM
- April 12 - SPMT 4PM, PTO 6PM IN PERSON WHITSON LIBRARY
- April 15 - No School
- April 18 - STUCO 8am
- April 21 - Class Pictures
- April 22 Fun Run and Carnival
- April 25 - No School -Staff PD
- April 26 - Middle School Visits- Jardine/Landon/Chase
- April 27 - Middle School Visits - French/Robinson/Eisenhower
- April 28 - Middle School Parent Orientation
MAY
- May 5- Papa John's Night
- May 6- Talent Show
- May 10- SPMT 4PM and PTO 6PM
- May 12-Field Day
- May 16- Field Day (Rain Date)
- May 17 6pm Band/Orchestra Spring Concert
- May 18 Preschool Promotion 2pm
- May 19 Whole School Awards 2pm
- May 20 Last Day of Pre-School
- May 23 5th Grade Promotion 2pm
- May 24 Last Day of School 11am
Calendar Changes
There has been a calendar misprint on the district website and our Whitson printed calendar.
April 15, 2022 there is NO SCHOOL.
April 22, 2022 school will be in session and it is late start.
April 25, the calendar is correct. There is NO SCHOOL.
Once we encountered the error we wanted staff and families to know the change well in advance. Our website calendar has been updated!
Please note that KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION which was previously scheduled on April 15, 2022 will now be held on APRIL 5, 2022 at 5:30pm.
Student Transfers for 2022-2023
The link will be open until 3/31/22
Good to Know Information
*Early Pick-up*
When picking students up early please be aware that anytime away from school is recorded. Picking students up early multiple times can affect attendnace. Our school day ends at 3:40. Students of course may be excused early for appointments, but a parent/guardian must check-in at the office and sign the student out. Students will only be dismissed from class after someone checks them out of the office first. This ensures that we keep our students safe.
Start of the Day
Doors open at 8:10 and students will be counted as Tardy after 8:40. Please keep all students in the car prior to 8:10 as there is no supervision before the doors are open! It is very important for students to be on time to school every day. It makes for a better dayof learning when students are in their seats when the bell rings (8:30). Thank you for your help and support in this.Parent Drop off
Please remember that Arnold is strictly for drop off and pickup. If you want to get out of your car please utilize one of the parking lots and walk your child in. This helps us to keep traffic off of 17th street. Thank you!
Dismissal
If you are picking your student up by car, please pull onto Arnold with your Pickup Number Visible. Thank you so much for your flexibility and patience with pickup. We appreciate your feedback and respect towards our staff as we direct traffic in order to speed up pickup. We have 350+ students that are picked up safely on average by 3:55 each day. Thank you for helping us make that happen.
If your students are walkers they will be dismissed at 3:35.
Busriders are dismissed as their buses arrive.
Meeting With Staff
We ask that you call to make an appointment with a teacher or staff member in the event that you need to meet with him/her in person. Our teachers and staff utilize every minute of the day to benefit our students, so it is important to respect their instructional time by minimizing distractions. If you need to visit with a principal, teacher, or other staff member, please call the office at 438-4570, and a meeting time will be set up that will be most convenient for everyone.
Late Start Fridays
The doors will open at 9:00, and school will start at 9:20 students will be counted tardy at 9:30. This allows time for teachers to collaborate, look at data, and plan for the following week with their teams. This is a change from last year where late start was on Wednesday, thank you for your flexibility in supporting teacher collaboration!
Topeka Public Schools App
This dynamic resource will take advantage of leading technology resources to connect with parents, students, and other community members. Using existing tools, streamlining access to information, allowing parents and the community to customize the information they receive and engage users with timely and responsive news and conversation about our schools and students.
The TPS Mobile App is free and available for both Apple and Android devices. Just search for Topeka Public Schools in the App Store or Google Play, or click on the convenient links below to go directly to the app download.
Here Comes the Bus App
This App is free and available for both Apple and Android devices. Just search for Here Comes the Bus in the App Store or Google Play, or click on the convenient links below to access the app download site.
More information regarding this service will be mailed to you along with you bus route information the first full week of August.
How to get signed up:
1. Visit www.herecomesthebus.com or download the app to your smart phone or table from the Apple Store or Google Play.
2. Click the 'sign up' button.
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. If you do not know your student's ID number, please call Ms. Perkins in the office.
6. Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Get Connected!
Email: kpierce@tps501.org
Website: https://whitson.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1725 Southwest Arnold Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-438-4570
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitsontps