The Weekly Update #4
November 6th, 2023
From the Principal
It is hard to believe that we are four weeks away from completing half the school year! I would like to thank all parents and guardians for supporting your students as they navigate their middle school education. Chase had 82% attendance at parent teacher conferences. It was so good to see you all here. Your participation and support is greatly appreciated not only by staff, but also by your students.
As we begin the month of November, we want to let you know of some upcoming dates and activities. We are at the halfway point of this quarter so please check in with your student about any missing work they may have. It can become overwhelming when they get too far behind. Please encourage/help your student with talking to teachers about any missing assignments as well as assignments missed when they are absent. It is important for students to ask for make-up work and make arrangements to get extra help if they need it after returning from an absence. We appreciate your help!
The girls basketball season as well as boys soccer season are going well. Both teams are undefeated at this point. Students wanting to cheer on these teams may attend home games without a parent, but must be with a parent for the duration of any away games. When attending games at Hummer Sports Park Middle School students must be accompanied by a parent and backpacks are not allowed.
Attendance is so important! Did you know that "Missing just 2 days a month means a child misses 10% of the school year."? (from Attendance Works). This includes being on time to class. Thanks for talking to your students about the importance of being on time to class and being in school! We love seeing their faces every day!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break November 20-24!
Ms. Spalding
Principal
Spectators and Students Sporting Events
Admission to all athletic events is $2.00 except for tournaments, which varies by the type and place of the tournament. All football games at the schools are free. All games/activities at Hummer are $2.00. Students may not attend extracurricular activities if they have failing grades. Students will wait outside the gym doors until a staff member allows them to enter the gym. This will usually be by 3:00 p.m. Students MAY NOT enter the event after 3:30 p.m., unless accompanied by a PARENT or with a pass from a teacher. Students are to enter the gym quietly, pay admission, sit down and watch the event. Students must sit in the “Cougar Den”. Once students enter the gym, they are in the bleachers until half time or a break in play occurs.
If students leave at any other time, they MAY NOT reenter. Students asked to leave a game for any reason will not be allowed to attend any more games for the remainder of the season. DON’T wait to call after the event is over! Rides should be at school on time to pick you up. All student spectators must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the game or event (plays, dances or any other extra curricular activity) or risk not being allowed to attend any more activities. All student spectators attending away game events at other schools and facilities MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT. If the parent leaves the student must leave with the parent. Clapping or cheering for a good play is encouraged. GO COUGARS!!!!
Parents There may be parent meetings for each sports season which will be required for student athletic participation. These meetings will outline safety, sportsmanship, district, school and KSHSAA guidelines. KSHSAA Guidelines prohibit any spectator from entering the “field” of play during athletic events. Violations are reported to KSHSAA and offenders must take a KSHSAA sportsmanship online course before they can attend further events. This course has a cost. At Chase, an emphasis is placed on courteous and positive interaction with officials, opponents and all coaching staff. Sportsmanship Be courteous to all: participants, coaches, officials, staff, and fans.
Know the rules; abide by and respect the officials’ decisions. Win with character and lose with dignity. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team. Exercise self-control and reflect positively upon yourself, your team, and your school. Permit only positive, sportsmanlike behavior to reflect on your school or its activities. Do nothing that will embarrass you, your school, your team, or your coach.
October Students of the Month
Congratulations to the follow students and their ability to be respectful, responsible, compassionate, and self-aware. It's another great month to be a Cougar!
6th grade - Sterling Bush
7th grade - Maddyson Reilly
8th grade - Tru Shields
Congratulations to Ana Diaz-Mayorga & Ruby Ortiz
Ana had two of her poems published on the Teen Ink Literacy Magazine Website. Ruby had a poem published in early November. Congratulations, Ana and Ruby! Your creative and hard work is opening many opportunities. It's a Great Day to be a Cougar!
Nursing Department Updates
The Kansas School Immunization Law (K.S.A. 72-5209 and K.A.R. 28-1-20) requires all students receive the most appropriate inoculations in the required series unless there is a medical or religious exemption. See the Immunization Chart.
Effective October 24, 2023, students who are non-compliant with the current KDHE Immunization schedule, and do not have a Medical and/or Religious Exemption on file, will be excluded from school and school related activities until requested immunizations are received.
With the change from Tyler SIS to Synergy, student medical conditions did not transfer. Please make sure to contact the nurse if your student has a known chronic medical condition that may require intervention or treatment while they are at school. You may also complete the Anticipated Health Crisis Plan. This will give nursing and school staff directions as to how you as the Parent/Guardian would like staff to address specific situations. This form should be completed for students with conditions including Asthma, Food Allergies, Seizures, Headaches, Frequent Nosebleeds, Heart Conditions or any other condition or disease regardless of whether or not they take medication at school. (This form is required to be completed at the beginning of each school year, previous forms are not kept on site.)
Students are not allowed to carry medications with them during the school day. All medication including prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen must have proper paperwork in place and all medications must be kept in the school nurse's office. (This includes cough drops.) Exceptions can be made for Inhalers and Epi-Pens, with an additional form. If you have questions please contact Nurse Besenyi for the appropriate forms. MEDICATION GUIDELINES
Covid Testing:
Test to Learn, Test to Know, Test to Play: FREE Covid tests are available for students at school. In order for your student to be tested at school, the Consent form must be completed before the test can be administered. You can find this form on the Topeka Public Schools website, located under the Health Services Department or by clicking the link: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=8252843&pageId=12167711 Nursing staff will make every effort to contact you prior to any testing, even if the form is on file. Once the form is completed it will be good for the year.
Reporting a Covid Illness or Exposure:
Please continue to report all Covid Illnesses and Exposure to the school nurse as soon as possible. This includes Positive Tests, Close Contact and Household Exposure. In order to assure you have the most up to date Quarantine, Mask Requirements and Testing Options, information will be shared at the time of notification.
23/24 Yearbook
Chase Middle School Yearbooks 23/24 are on sale now! Don't be left behind without your treasure from the school year. Below you will find information on how to order your very own copy!
CMS Spirit Wear
Chase Spirit Wear is HERE! If you are interested in ordering, click on picture. The link will be open until Friday, November 10. Get your shirt(s) today. Spirit Wear is supported by the Chase Middle School PTO.
Chase PTO Updates
Thanks to all of our families who supported the PTO during conferences. Together, with the Chase staff PTO gathered baskets and raffled them off. The PTO was able to gather around $300 during their raffle basket adventure. These funds will be used to support classroom activities and the CMS Winter Olympics. Thanks so much to the staff for all of their support and making this a fun opportunity! The PTO still has a few spirit wear items and trash bags for sale. Those are available in the front office anytime during regular school days.
PTO Bingo Night
Join us Friday, November 10, 5-6:30 PM in the CMS Commons. Bingo, hot dogs, and popcorn. $5 for 6 cards or $1 card. Hot dog meals are $5. Don't miss out on this family fun event!
Save the Date and join us for our next PTO meeting scheduled January 8, 2024 @ 5:15 PM.
Do's and Don'ts Around the Community
Make sure you are following city traffic laws by following the guidance link below. Red lines indicate locations you should not park at any time. Do Not block driveways or mailboxes within the community. Failing to obey the policies described below can earn you a traffic ticket from the police department. If you have any questions, please contact Officer Hamilton at 785-295-3848.
Transportation Expectations
Busing services are a privilege for students who qualify and students are expected to follow all bus expectations in our student handbook. Questions regarding busing can be answered by TPS transportation department at 295-3910 or Kansas Central Bus Service @ 233-2009.
Below is information on how to access the Here Comes the Bus App.
This app will allow parents to:
- View the real-time location of your child’s bus
- Access the app from your smartphone, tablet, or computer
- Receive push notifications or email alerts
- Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
How to get started:
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
- Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website
- Enter school code 29036 and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
- Complete the “User Profile” box
- Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
Upcoming Events
6- PTO Meeting
Boys Soccer vs. Eisenhower
7- Girls B-Ball B Team @ Chase, Girls B-Ball V/JV @ French
8- Boys Soccer vs. French
9- Boys Soccer vs. Robinson, Girls B-Ball Varsity Mid-Season @ Topeka West
10- PTO Bingo Night
11- Girls B-Ball Varsity Tournament @ Topeka West
13- Boys Soccer vs. Landon
14- Girls B-Ball B Team @ Robinson, V/JV @ Chase
15- Boys Soccer Varsity Classic
16- Girls B-Ball B Team @ Chase, V/JV @ Jardine
20-24 - No School
28- Girls B-Ball B Team @ Chase, V/JV @ Eisenhower
30- Girls B-Ball B Team @ French, V/JV @ Chase
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Topeka Public Schools, Unified School District No. 501 is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity. No person shall, on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin or ancestry be denied lawful access to any appropriate educational service, program or activity provided by the school district. The Title VI and Title IX compliance coordinator is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching/Learning/Administration. The Section 504/Title II compliance coordinator is the Coordinator of College and Career Ready Services. For employment, the EEO/AA officer is the General Director of Human Resources. All compliance coordinators may be contacted at 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294, (785) 295-3000. The clerk of the Board of Education has been designated to receive and redirect or handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, regulations and procedures. The clerk may be contacted by calling (785) 295-3045 or by writing to 624 SW 24th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1294.
MISSION STATEMENTS
Topeka Public Schools
The mission of the Topeka Public School is ENGAGE students in the highest quality learning; PREPARE students for responsible, productive citizenship, and INSPIRE excellence for a lifetime.
Chase Middle School
Through the implementation of the Comprehensive, Integrated, 3-Tiered System of Supports (CI3T), all staff will guide students to succeed at their highest potential academically, socially, and emotionally.