Sheldon Update
March 22, 2022
Welcome from Mrs. Tanner
Dear Sheldon Families,
It has been a wonderful day welcoming students back from Spring Break! We are getting back into the swing of our routines and procedures and setting the stage for a busy and engaging final quarter of school! There is a lot of new information in this week's newsletter. Please reach out if you have any questions!
As a reminder, per the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education decision on March 3, 2022, masks are no longer required and are now optional. If you send your child in a face mask, we will have them keep it on for the remainder of the school day.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~
Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal
Kindergarten Orientation
This event is an opportunity for parents to learn more about Topeka Public Schools, meet teachers and staff, and tour their child's school.
Kindergarten Orientation will take place at each elementary school in the district, so please attend the event hosted at your child's school.
2022-2023 Preschool Application
2022-2023 Preschool Application
Upcoming Events
March Events
- March 24: Board of Education Meeting @ 6:30
- March 28-April 1: Sheldon Dino Week!
- March 28 & 29: Discovery Center Field Trips
- March 29: Math Family Engagement Event
- March 31: National Crayon Day!
Discovery Center Field Trips
On Monday, March 28th and Tuesday, March 29th, Sheldon students will be going to the Topeka Discovery Center! This is the kick-off to our Sheldon Dino Week! They will start with breakfast at Sheldon and then will be back in time for lunch. No need to send money or food! Make sure your child wears appropriate clothing and shoes.The bus leaves at 9:45am. Please make sure your child is to school on time so they don’t miss the field trip.
Monday, March 28:
Ms. Miller
Mrs. D
Ms. Gavaghan
Ms. Heather D.
Ms. Jessica
Mrs. Stevenson
Tuesday, March 29:
Ms. Kayla
Ms. Heather A.
Ms. Anna
Ms. Kim
Ms. Jennie
Ms. Lewis
Ms. Balbuena
Sheldon Dino Week
Class Picture Day
STEAM Family Engagement Event - Save the Date
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2022, 08:45 AM
Sheldon Head Start School, Southwest Seabrook Avenue, Topeka, KS, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Items That Need Your Attention
Topeka Public Schools Communication Tools
COVID-19 Self-Reporting
As we continue to respond to the community spread, if your student has tested positive for COVID-19 or had a COVID exposure, please complete the TPS COVID-19 Self Reporting form located on our website, and a district health official will contact you within 24 hours. Your child should not return to school until given guidance from school health officials.
Families are asked to complete the self-reporting form for any COVID exposure. If a parent does not have internet access, they can call the COVID-19 reporting line at 785-438-HELP (785-438-4357) to report a COVID exposure. Schools will redirect families to the form on our web page or to the number to call.
Monthly Policy Council Update
Policy Council Update
Each month the Sheldon Policy Council meets and discusses the Status Report from the previous month. This report provides information on many different pieces, such as enrollment, attendance, family engagment, special education services, etc. Following the monthly meeting, highlights from this report will be shared with all families in the parent newsletter.
February Policy Council Update
-Sheldon’s School Readiness Goals:
1. By May 2022, 90% of Sheldon 4 year old students will score in the cut or Tier I categories on one-to-one correspondence as evidenced by the myIGDIs assessment.
*2022 Winter myIGDIs scores show that currently 92% of our 4 year-old students scored in the cut or tier I categories for 1-to-1 correspondence. This is an increase from our 2021 Fall myIGDIs scores of 73%.
2. By May 2022, 75% of Sheldon 4 year old students will score in the cut or Tier 1 categories on letter sound identification as evidenced by the myIGDIs assessment.
*2022 Winter myIGDIs scores show that currently 64% of our 4 year-old students scored in the cut or Tier 1 categories for letter sound identification. This is an increase from our 2021 Fall myIGDIs scores of 58%.
-Attendance:
We ended January with a 91% attendance rate. Head Start Performance Standards expect each child's attendance to be above 85% with the overall program attendance rate above 90%.
-Importance of Attendance:
As of today, March 22, we have had 121 school days. The information belows highlights what a child's attendance rate would be if they have missed a certain number of school days thus far, as well as the number of hours of instruction they will have missed. As you can see, the hours of missed instruction add up very quickly!
5 days = 96% attendance rate and 33.75 hours of missed instruction
10 days = 92% attendance rate and 67.5 hours of missed instruction
12 days = 90% attendance rate and 81 hours of missed instruction
15 days = 88% attendance rate and 101.25 hours of missed instruction
20 days = 83% attendance rate and 135 hours of missed instruction
25 days = 79% attendance rate and 168.75 hours of missed instruction
Policy & Procedure Review
Program Planning
Program Planning
POLICY:
The program will develop and implement a systematic, ongoing process of planning that includes consultation with the program’s governing body, policy groups, parents, program staff and community organizations that serve Head Start or other low-income children and families.
This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.102
PROCEDURE:
1. The program will conduct a Community Assessment within the Sheldon service area at least once over the five-year grant period with a review in each of the following years to determine any significant change. The collection of data about community strengths, needs and resources will be used to make decisions about the way the agency will respond through its program and services. (See Community Assessment policy)
2. The agency will perform an annual program self-assessment to determine its effectiveness and progress in meeting program goals and objectives and in implementing Federal, State and local regulations.
3. The program will use the information gathered to update the current long range goals and to establish shorter one-year program and financial objectives that address the findings of both the Community Assessment and the program’s annual self-assessment.
4. Summarized data of the assessment findings will be given to TPS School Board, Parent Policy Council, advisory groups and staff. The information provided will allow the governing bodies, parents, staff and community members to have a voice in establishing Head Start’s direction and service delivery strategies. The process will also help in establishing priorities to address the short and long term goals and objectives.
5. The Policy Council and TPS School Board will approve the final long and short term goals established through the planning and governing bodies.
6. Written work plans and an operating budget to implement services will then be developed with input from staff, parents, community, and governing bodies.
7. Written plans will be monitored monthly and budgets will be analyzed at management meetings to determine the need for improvement and adjustments. Reports are then forwarded to the Policy Council for input and approval. Written plans will be revised and budget modifications will be made as required/needed.
Transportation Information
Here Comes the Bus App
Here Comes the Bus®
Now available to parents of (Topeka Public Schools) students
• 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:
1. Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
2. Sign Up by going to the Here Comes the Bus website https://login.herecomesthebus.com/SignUpConfirm.aspx
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
6. Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Time to Eat!
Informational Items
Academic Calendar
Family Resources
WiFi Hotspots
Sheldon Food & Clothing Bank
Community Resources Council Directory
Sheldon Head Start Child Development Center
Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart