Pine Ridge Prep Update

Pine Ridge Prep's Weekly Family Newsletter ~ 9.5.23

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Welcome from Mrs. Tanner & Mrs. Meyers-Lopez

Dear Pine Ridge Prep Families,


We have had a wonderful week of learning and practicing new routines! We conducted a Fire Drill this week and will have a Lockdown Drill and Tornado Drill next week. A reminder that there is no school on Monday due to Labor Day. Have a wonderful week!


Please be sure the time sensitive items listed below have all been taken care of.


Click here to access the 2023-2024 Family Handbook.


As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us!


Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

Mrs. Kim Meyers-Lopez, Building Leader

Upcoming Events

September Events

September 4th: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

September 6th: Fire Safety Lesson #1

September 8th: Fire Truck Friday

September 11th: Grandparents Day Breakfast @ 8:30-9:00

September 20th: Family Fun Fitness Night @ Hummer

September 21st: Picture Day

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Picture Day

Picture Day is coming up on Thursday, September 21! Retakes will be on November 2, 2023. We will send home a paper flyer and order form on September 13. The flyer below provides details on the different packages that are available for order. If ordering photos, you may pay in the following ways:


Pay by Cash: You must provide the EXACT amount. We will not be able to make change.

Pay by Check: Make the check out to Strawbridge Studios

Pay Online: This is the easiest! See the information in the flyer below.

We will collect orders and payments at the school beginning Thursday, September 14 and ending on picture day, September 21.


You can also use this link to sign up to receive updates via email regarding your child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school (you can double check this in your Synergy ParentVue).

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Time Sensitive Items

Extra Sets of Clothes

All students must have at least one full set of extra clothes on hand at school (top, bottom, underwear, socks). Two sets is preferred. If a student does not have extra clothes and is needing to be changed, parents will be called to bring clothes to the school.

Required Preschool Enrollment Documents

Thank you to the families who have delivered, sent or uploaded the required preschool documents!


If you have not done so, please submit your child's:

  • birth certificate
  • immunization records
  • your W2 forms or 1040 (first page of taxes)


The above documents can be submitted by uploading them into Synergy, scanning and emailing them to klopez@tps501.org, or delivering them to the Pine Ridge Prep office.


We must have the required documents before the first day of school.

School Information

Introducing Heather Hayden, Family Outreach Facilitator

The Pine Ridge Prep school community has a Family Outreach Facilitator, Heather Hayden. Heather is liaison for you and community resources and services, such as social services, food and clothing bank information, mental and physical health, parenting, education and many more services. Pine Ridge also has a clothing bank and an emergency food bank available to families.


Heather will be meeting with each family this year as part of Pine Ridge’s whole family approach to learning. Heather works with your student’s teacher and families to help with communication, policies and challenges.


You can set up an appointment with Heather by calling 785-329-7876 or the office, at 785-329-7870. If you are in immediate need of assistance please come to the office at 1120 SE Highland Ave.

School Day Hours

Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Arrival begins: 8:30 a.m.

Arrival ends: 8:45 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 8:50 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:30 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 3:45 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.)


Late Start Fridays (every Friday): 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Arrival begins: 9:30 a.m.

Arrival ends: 9:45 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:50 a.m.)

Dismissal begins: 3:30 p.m.

Dismissal ends: 3:45 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m.)


Before the first day of school, you will receive a newsletter that explains the arrival and dismissal procedures.

Fire Safety Education

We will engage in Fire Safety Education with the Topeka Fire Department this year. A fireman will come to the school and present fire safety lessons to each classroom. We will have Fire Truck Friday where students will be able to explore a fire truck!

Late Start Fridays

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arrival time will be at 9:30.

Time to Eat!

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TPS 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Pine Ridge Prep follows the Topeka Public Schools Academic Calendar.

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Pine Ridge Prep PTO

The Pine Ridge Prep Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking for family members to serve on PTO. More details to come!


If you are interested in being a part of Pine Ridge Prep's PTO, please reach out to Mrs. Meyers-Lopez at klopez@tps501.org.


Thank you for your consideration!

Community Resources

United Ways Kids at the Market

Kids at the Market is back! Join Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods at the Breadbasket Farmers Market where children ages 5-12 will receive five, $1 vouchers to be spent on fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The market will feature an in-season produce item each week by offering activity sheets focused on tasty fruits and veggies market vendors are selling. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. Kids at the Market happens Saturday, September 2 and 16 from 10 am to noon!
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Topeka Resources Checklist

Take a look at the Topeka Resources Checklist. This is very helpful for planning! This is a list of possible resources to help you stretch your dollars and avoid economic emergencies. Place a check beside the ones you are using or have used.
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Community Resources Council Directory

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.


If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

Food Pantry Lists

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

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