On August 9, Topeka Public Schools was honored to host Second Gentleman Mr. Douglas Emhoff, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, Governor Laura Kelly, and Mayor Michelle De La Isla for a tour of our back-to-school clinic at Topeka High School.

At the clinic, students and families were greeted by therapy dogs as they arrived for COVID-19 vaccinations, sports physicals, school supplies, and online enrollment. Interpreters were also on-site to assist with interpretation services. The event was highlighted on Facebook and Instagram by Secretary Cardona.

Mr. Emhoff and Secretary Cardona also participated in a question and answer session with current and former Topeka Public Schools students who have been helping their community through the pandemic, including leading outreach efforts to encourage people to get vaccinated. Those students were featured in a TikTok created by White House aides.

Topeka Public Schools students are off to a great start during the first full week of school!

Students in grades K-6, grade 9, Hope Street Academy, Capital City Schools, and Avondale Academy Virtual School returned for the 2021-2022 academic year on August 11 and all students returned on August 12.

Parents and school staff members were thrilled to return to in-person learning, and excited students were greeted at schools with balloons, parades, cheering, and fun.

Families can view photos from the first week of school on Flickr, and watch an interview with McClure Elementary School Principal Chelsea Artzer in this segment from KSNT News.

Topeka Public Schools is welcoming its youngest scholars to the district this week! Meet the Teacher Night for Shaner, Sheldon Head Start, and Pine Ridge Prep is Wednesday, August 18 from 4:30 - 5:30 PM and preschool begins Thursday, August 19.

We thank families for their patience with our school bus service vendor as they navigate through the impact of the pandemic, which has affected the transportation industry. The bus service provider is working to address our bussing needs; however, families may experience some delays in arrival and dismissals.

The 2021-2022 academic year district calendar is available at topekapublicschools.net. The calendar includes dates of parent-teacher conferences, no school days, and semester sessions. Below are important dates for August.

• August 18: Preschool Meet the Teacher Night
  4:30 - 5:30 PM for students attending Shaner, Sheldon Head Start, and Pine Ridge Prep
• August 19: First Day of School for Preschoolers
  Learn more on the Early Childhood Education page
• August 19: Board of Education Meeting
  Begins at 5:30 PM | Open to public at 6:00 PM
• August 20: Late Start Friday
  School begins at 9:30 AM for all elementary schools
• August 21: Free Screening of Coco
  Hummer Sports Park | View Event Page
• August 24: Robinson Meet the Teacher Night
  5:30 - 7:00 PM at Robinson Middle School
• August 25: Highland Park High School Open House
  5:30 - 8:00 PM
• August 26: Middle School Open House
  5:30 - 7:00 PM at Chase, Eisenhower, Jardine, and TCALC
• August 27: Harvester's Mobile Food Pantry
  9:00 AM | Capital City at Hummer Sports Park

On August 12, a Jardine Elementary student was honored with the President’s Environmental Youth Award. Adelyn Meyer, now a third grader at Jardine Elementary School, received the President’s Award for her “Just Say No to Palm Oil” campaign.

With help from her family and 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Brittany Vale, Adelyn researched palm oil and learned about its effects on orangutans. She then discovered that her favorite cookie used palm oil and wrote a letter to the company hoping to change that. Because of her letter and campaign, the company has since changed their ingredients!

The President’s Environmental Youth Award recognizes outstanding environmental projects achieved by K-12 students. This award is awarded by the President in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Topeka Public Schools (TPS) Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson shared, "Schools are the center of the community, and TPS is serving the community by extending career opportunities to parents across the community at their child's school."

The district strategically recruited parents from the local community to serve as paraprofessionals and fill other positions in schools. Schools such as Quincy Signature Visual Arts Elementary School have employed mothers of students to fill almost all of their nine paraprofessional positions.

As a result, attendance at Quincy is above 95%, relationships across the Quincy community have expanded, and there are fewer issues with school anxiety or class disruptions as students see familiar faces at school. One parent serving as a para at Quincy is providing support in the new therapeutic sensory room for students who experience anxiety as they transition back to school full-time.

To apply for a position, please visit topekapublicschools.net/careers.

Topeka Public Schools and Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz are hosting a free screening of Coco for all families on Saturday, August 21 at Hummer Sports Park Soccer Field (436 SW Oakley Ave).

Gates will open at 7:30 PM and the movie will begin at 8:00 PM.

Coco is Disney/Pixar's vibrant tale of family, fun, and adventure starring an aspiring musician named Miguel, who embarks on an extraordinary journey to the magical land of his ancestors.

Families can view and share the event on Facebook, and even RSVP to get event reminders. No outside drinks, food, or pets will be allowed. Concessions will be available.

Bring your family to Hummer Sports Park for the 11th annual Family Fun Fitness Night (FFFN) on September 15 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.

Attendees can visit school and community booths featuring information on healthy habits, activities, and nutrition. The event will also include performances by the Topeka West Cheerleaders, the Topeka High Drumline, and demonstrations from Evolution Gymnastics and Sunflower Strength and Conditioning.

We appreciate the many vendors and volunteers who support this health and wellness family event!

On August 12, Laird Noller Ford donated $20,000 to Topeka Public Schools to be used for school supplies and uniforms for the Early College Prep Academy at Lowman Hill.

Laird Noller previously donated $5,000 to Topeka Public Schools in July 2020 to buy uniforms as part of a 5-year commitment to support Topeka Public Schools' College Prep Academy.

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will recognize Laird Noller's generosity and celebrate their ongoing partnership with the district at the upcoming board meeting on August 19, 2021.

Topeka Public Schools recently partnered with West Ridge Mall to collect school supplies for the 2021-2022 academic year through our annual Stuff the Bus campaign, which was made possible thanks to donations from members of the community and local businesses.

Brenda Stewart, the General Manager for West Ridge Mall, emphasized the importance of the community in collecting these donations. Stewart said that they, “were really pleased with the donations we received this year."

Businesses at West Ridge Mall that donated and served as drop-off points were American Eagle, Maurices, SkyZone, Topsy’s Popcorn, and Worth a 1000 Words. Kansas Secure Title also donated many supplies during the drive.

Topeka Public Schools extends our condolences to the family of Victoria Soto-Llamas, who passed away unexpectedly on July 25. Ms. Soto-Llamas was a 2019 Highland Park High School graduate and library paraprofessional at McClure and Lowman Hill.

We continue to offer support to all TPS students and staff affected by the passing of Ms. Soto-Llamas and encourage you to share your most beloved memories to the memorial wall at Peaceful Rest Funeral Chapel.

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• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda