Warrior News
October Edition
Welcome October, fall leaves and cooler weather!
What an exciting first quarter it has been at Whitson. While we are still working through protocols related to COVID-19, our students have been able to get back to some normalcy. We are taking field trips, hosting family nights, grandparent's day and planning our first PTO Breakfast with a Buddy Event!
We have worked hard to assess each of our students in the area of Math, Language Arts and Social Emotional Wellness. Each of these components are a part of our Ci3T framework to help us monitor how our students are progressing.
We have used Scantron and Fastbridge as universal screeners. Sight word testing and F&P reading level testing has also been completed for students. We continue to assess the mastery of standard knowledge through Master Connect.
Families will get this data and more during our upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences! We look forward to seeing all of our families either in person or via zoom!
As always, our doors are open. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher or the office!
Fire Prevention Week
No School (Teachers have Professional Development)
Parent Teacher Conferences
Make sure you've filled out the form to let teachers know your time preferences!
Monday: Opening Ceremony- Each class will receive an Olympic torch to pass amongst their classmates who are showing kindness. This takes place all week.
“Passing the Torch of Kindness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCVlRFWOjgE
Tuesday: We are going for the GOLD! We will be collecting “loose” change for the rest of the week. The money collected will be used to purchase playground equipment (balls, soccer balls, etc).
Wednesday: We are asking students in each grade level to wear the colors of the Olympic Ring.
Green- Preschool and Kindergarten
Yellow- 1st grade
Red- 2nd and 3rd grade
Black- 4th grade
Blue - 5th grade
Thursday: Dress up like your favorite Olympic sports OR Workout attire
Students will watch a video that provides aerobic activities in reflection of their favorite Olympic sport.
Friday: Show your school spirit- Wear Whitson T-shirts or Blue/yellow
Social Emotional Learning Night
New Information
Beginning at 11:30, our school messenging system will call families of any students that are absent prior to 11 am.
After School Program
First Quarter of After School will end on October 7. We will start Quarter Two on October 19. We will be sending the google form out for second quarter next week through e-mail and seesaw. If you wish for your child to participate please complete the form to reserve a spot for your student.
Assessments
As we approach the end of the first quarter your student(s) have completed multiple assessments that have given us multiple data points. These assessments are diagnostic for instructional and social emotional needs. We will have the results and data from these assessments for you at parent teacher conferences. This fall we have completed Scantron, Fastbridge, and the Student Risk Scael which measures internalizing and externalizing behaviorial risk for studetns.
Test to Stay, Learn, Play, & Participate
Do you have questions about Topeka Public Schools' new testing options for COVID-19, Influenza, and Strep? Attend our virtual information session at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 20 to learn more about the Test to Stay, Learn, Play, & Participate program.
Attendees will learn about in-school quarantine options, testing methods, and incentives to get tested. Please register in advance at tps501.zoom.us.
PTO
Currently there is FREE Shipping on all spirit wear orders!
Print off the flyer below
or
Visit the online store!
Important Dates to Remember
- October 4- 5th Grade field trip to Kanza
- October 7- PK-2 Breakfast with Buddies
- October 8- Warrior Way Quarterly party
- October 11-12 NO SCHOOL Teacher Professional Development
- October 13- 4th Grade field trip to Kanza
- October 18-21 Scholastic Book Fair
- October 20- 4-8 pm Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 21- 8-8 Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 22- NO SCHOOL
- October 26 -Grade Med Dental
- October 29- Halloween Parade and Parties 2pm
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