Over the past week, Topeka Public Schools celebrated its graduating seniors at commencement ceremonies for Hope Street, Capital City, Topeka High, Highland Park, and Topeka West. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Photos from each of the ceremonies are available on Flickr. Families wishing to purchase photos captured by Grad Images may contact their building principal for additional information.

Each commencement ceremony was live-streamed and can be viewed on the Topeka Public Schools YouTube channel. A virtual Presentation of Graduates celebration for each school is also available on YouTube and Facebook.

On May 16, Topeka Public Schools celebrated staff members at the annual districtwide retirement ceremony.

Many of these dedicated staff members had decades-long careers with the district, and we thank each and every retiree for exemplary service to Topeka Public Schools students and families.

View photos from the retirement celebration on Flickr.

After 40 years in education, Topeka High School Principal Rebecca Morrisey has announced her retirement on June 30. Please read this letter from Ms. Morrisey and this letter from Dr. Anderson to learn more.

We congratulate Ms. Morrisey on this exciting new chapter in her life, and thank her for 14 years of service to Topeka Public Schools students, families, and staff!

If you would like to share memories, send words of encouragement, or include a video shoutout to Ms. Morrisey, please send them to TPS Communications by completing this form.

Join us next week as we host elementary and middle school promotions to celebrate our students as they take the next step in their educational journey!

Promotion ceremonies will be held at the following times:

• 5th Grade: Tuesday, May 23 at 1:30, 1:45, or 2:00 PM
• 8th Grade: Wednesday, May 24 at 8:00 AM

Promotion ceremonies will be held at each elementary and middle school. Please reach out to your building principal for additional details.

Throughout this week and next, Topeka Public Schools is celebrating our youngest scholars as they are promoted from preschool to kindergarten.

Promotion ceremonies were held at Sheldon Head Start on Wednesday, followed by our Preschool Intervention Program ceremonies today at 2:00 PM.

Next week, promotions will take place at Pine Ridge Prep, Shaner Early Learning Academy, and at each elementary school for students in state PreK.

View photos from the preschool promotion ceremonies on Flickr. Congratulations to all of our young scholars!

Online registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open for students in grades PreK-12!

Returning families have received an email to register their students from Synergy Student Information System. Please refer to the email to register.

Families NEW to Topeka Public Schools will create a new account and register online.

Families can view important dates, a school supply list, and more at topekapublicschools.net on the Online Registration page.

Last weekend at the KSHSAA 5A State Tennis Tournament, the Topeka West High School boys tennis team earned their first State Championship win in program history!

Additionally, twin brothers Ian and Miles Cusick dominated the court to win a 5A State Tennis Championship in doubles for the second year in a row.

The Topeka West tennis team members are an inspiration on and off the court, with class valedictorian Carter Cool and the Cusick brothers opting to compete in the State Tournament instead of attending their high school graduation ceremony, as they did not want to let down their teammates.

Coach Kurt Davids, Coach Shon Daniels, Athletic Director Richard Mariani, and the six tennis team members were honored by the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education on May 18.

After winning the Regional Championship on May 17, the Topeka High School boys baseball team will now advance to the 2023 State Tournament!

The KSHSAA 6A State Baseball Championship will be held at Hoglund Stadium on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence on May 25-26.

We are so proud of Coach Cody Miller and the outstanding scholars of the Topeka High baseball team. We look forward to cheering them on in the State Tournament! Hoy! Hoy!

Last week, Ms. Lori Booher was awarded the first-ever $500 TPS Foundation - Class of ‘67 Teaching Award at the Topeka West High School (TWHS) Senior Scholarships & Awards Night!

TWHS alumnus Dr. Carl McFarland, Dr. David Reibstein, Dr. Judy Joss, Dr. Neal Satten, and Cynthia Schmidt Heath created the Class of ‘67 Teaching Award Scholarship to uplift the profession of teaching and to honor teaching at TWHS.

In addition, TWHS class of 2023 graduate Byron Howell was presented with the TPS Foundation $500 cash reward of the endowed Dr. Carl E. Mcfarland Science Award. Dr. McFarland established this award in 2022.

Congratulations to both recipients, and special thanks to the illustrious alums that established these exceptional TWHS cash Awards! Read more in this article on the TPS website.

This year’s TPS Foundation benefit golf tournament will be held on Thursday, June 1 at the GreatLife Shawnee County Country Club. Lunch and registration begins at 11:00 AM.

The TPS Foundation is looking for parent, staff, and student players, and more teams to compete. There is still time to register and celebrate the end of the year with friends and educators!

Grab a golf buddy and join in this fun day of celebration! View the registration form or visit the TPS Foundation website to learn more.

The last day of school is near! Below you will find last day of school dates for all grade levels.

• Monday, May 22: Last day for Preschool Intervention Program
• Tuesday, May 23: Last day for students in grades 6-8
• Wednesday, May 24: Last day for all grades (PreK-12)
  Half day, no lunch served

View the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.

As our families and staff plan for the upcoming year, Topeka Public Schools has also released the 2023-2024 academic calendar, which is available on the Communications Department drop-down menu.

Below are important dates for the month of May 2023:

• May 1-31: Better Hearing & Speech Month
• May 19: Preschool Intervention Program Promotions
  All PIP Locations | 2:00 PM
• May 22: Pine Ridge Prep Promotion
  Pine Ridge Prep | 1:30 PM
• May 22: Shaner/Preschool Promotions
  Shaner & All PreK Locations | 2:00 PM
• May 23: 5th Grade Promotions
  All Elementary Schools | 1:30 PM, 1:45 PM, or 2:00 PM
• May 23: Last Day of School (Grades 6-8)
• May 24: 8th Grade Promotions
  All Middle Schools | 8:00 AM
• May 24: Last Day of School (Half Day - All Grades)
  
• May 25: Staff Professional Development
  
• May 29: Memorial Day

Stay up-to-date with everything you need to know about the 2023-2024 Kansas Legislative Session on the Current Events page at kslegislature.org.

• Topeka Public Schools Blog
  
  
• Topeka Public Schools YouTube Channel
  
  
• Board of Education Meeting Minutes & Agenda