TPS COVID Communicator
December 11, 2020
Message from Communications
Dear TPS Staff and Families,
Yesterday, Shawnee County Health Department released its Community Transmission Scorecard, and the county currently continues in a Red uncontrolled status.
As we shared on November 20th, November 25th, and last Friday, December 4th, if the Shawnee County Community Transmission Scorecard remained in the red rating and it impacted staff, we may remain closed through December. Therefore, as we support the continuity of instruction for our scholars, remote learning at this time will continue. Based on feedback from the Board of Education, in-person learning across the district at this time is not supported while in the uncontrolled status without adequate staffing. However, once we move into the Orange rating with adequate staffing, we have their full support to open for in-person learning.
We anticipate returning to in-person learning for some groups after winter break (January 4, 2021), as long as we have adequate staff to do so. We will continue to ensure that proper safety measures (temperature checks, wearing of masks, proper social distancing, etc.) are in place for both staff and students to keep everyone safe while reducing the spread.
Thank you for your continued support of your children and the district as we work to keep everyone safe. Furthermore, we appreciate all the facilities and schools within the district for adopting families for the holiday to further support families across the county impacted by this pandemic. #WeAreTPS
Want to learn more and gain additional tools? Visit our parent resource page.
This Week's Edition
In this edition of the COVID Communicator, you will find:
- Shawnee County Phase Update
- TPS Positive Case Rate Scorecard
Message from the Athletic Director
- Look for TPS Vans in Your Neighborhood
- Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program
Comprehensive Resource Available to Help Families -KCSL
Stop the Spread. It's Up to Us, Kansas
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home if Someone has COVID-19
Take 3 Actions to Fight Flu
- Technology Repair
- TPS Makes the News
- Important Dates
This tool provides information on the identified presence of the virus within the district and will not be used alone to determine remote learning. Small group and remote learning will be considered based on external and internal data as well as on-going collaborative conversations between Topeka Public Schools and health care officials. This scorecard covers all 38 facilities.
Topeka Public Schools has 38 facilities with 13,183 students and 2,360 staff.
Athletics Update
All home games will be live-streamed. Please contact your child's school for details on how to view their home games.
Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program
Stop the Spread. It's Up to Us, Kansas
Topeka Public Schools has partnered with the county to provide a free COVID-19 testing site.The Shawnee County Health Department and Kansas Department of Health and Environment in coordination with the states “Stop the Spread. It’s Up to Us, Kansas” campaign to expand testing statewide is sponsoring 3 separate sites to provide COVID-19 testing to the citizens of Topeka and Shawnee County.
This testing is free of charge and will be offered to anyone that arrives at the site. Persons that have no symptoms are also eligible for testing. Pre-registration is encouraged although those who wish to be tested can arrive and be tested without an appointment. Please go to www.gogettested.com/Kansas to register.
Sites will be open Monday – Saturday from 9:00am to 5:30pm each day. The following locations will be available to the public.
- New Mt. Zion Baptist Church located at 2801 SE Indiana. Please enter off of SE 28th St.
- Topeka Housing Authority located at 2010 SE California Ave. Please enter off of SE Swygart Ave.
- Hummer Sports Park located at 500 Tuffy Kellog Dr in the east parking lot. Tuffy Kellog Drive is located just west of SW MacVicar Ave. from SW 6th Ave.
Hummer Sports Park is currently in operation. New Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the Topeka Housing Authority sites will begin on December 10th.
For any questions please contact: Operations Section Chief, Craig Barnes at craig.barnes@snco.us
Take 3 Actions to Fight Flu
Technology Repair
TPS Makes the News!
Dec 7: Topeka's USD 501 partners with Shawnee Co. to provide free coronavirus testing
Dec 7: Topeka Public Schools’ staff deliver surprise gifts to families of first responders
Dec 3 : With no action from board, USD 501 is cleared for winter sports season
Dec 3: Topeka Public Schools launching rapid testing, staying remote
Dec 3:Topeka Public Schools to begin Covid-19 rapid testing pilot program
Dec 2: USD 501′s Anderson delivers holiday cheer to first responders
Important Dates
December 17th - Board of Education Meeting (noon)
December 24th - January 1st - Winter Break
Learn more about Topeka Public Schools by visiting our website or Community News!