Warrior News
Welcome Back to School!
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
We are preparing for an exciting new school year, and this week we hosted our in-person registration at Whitson. It was so nice to see so many families. We are full at multiple grade levels if you have not registered your student please do so as soon as possible.
We know many of our families are interested in the district's plan for masks next year. At this time, the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education plans to vote on the reopening plan at their meeting on August 5, 2021 as they continue to review the data and final guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC and Shawnee County (SNCO) Health Department guidelines are posted on the Topeka Public Schools Website Currently, no masks are required outdoors.
Once the Board of Education votes on the reopening plan on August 5, we will be sharing more information with our families. We appreciate your patience as we work together to make the best decisions for our students, staff, and community.
A Message From the Principal
We hope you all are doing well. We are so excited to begin the new year with you all! For all of our NEW Warriors, what an exciting time for you! If you have any questions, please let us know. You can reach the office at 785-438-4570. We hope you all had time for rest and relaxation! My summer consisted of traveling for softball with my oldest daughter Kennedy and my middle daughter Kallie. Jase, my little guy was just along for the ride everywhere we went! I enjoyed my time off with my family but I'm excited to be back in the building. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Mrs. Pierce
Meet Our New Building Admin Intern
Dear Whitson Families,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the Assistant Principal of Whitson for the 2021-22 school year. I feel extremly lucky to be joining such a fantanstic community. I have been in this new role for a short time and can already tell how special Whitson is. I'm looking forward to getting to meet each and everyone of you in person.
Before joining the Whitson Family I served as a classroom teacher, special education consulting teacher, dean of students and instructional coach for the district. I grew up just outside of Topeka and began my teaching career with Topeka Public schools. I'm a Kansas State University and Emporia State University graduate. I'm newly married and love spending time with my husband and two dogs (Louie and Rosa). I also spend a lot of time horseback competing in barrel racing and team roping.
I am excited to the school year started and to meet all of our Whitson Warriors! Throughout the year please feel free to reach out at anytime! My email is jcrow1@tps501.org or reach me by telephone 785.438.4584.
See you soon!
Mrs. Crow
Upcoming Events
August 10
Back to School Night (Sneak Peak)
In order to calm first day jitters, see your classroom, and meet your teachers! Come to this event on August 10 from 4:30-5:30pm.
August 11
Kindergarten- 5th grade will start school on Wednesday! Doors open at 8:10, we are excited to see our warriors!
August 19
We will welcome back our Pre-k students on the 19th!
Back to School Headquarters
Pre-School Supply List and Supply List
Local Churches Unite to Donate School Supplies to Students
Date: Saturday, July 31, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Highland Park High School, Girls Gym
Class Lists
Attention Parents of Incoming Kindergarteners: Please Complete
Attention Parents of Incoming Kindergarteners: Please Complete
All incoming Kindergarteners must complete the Kansas State Board of Education required Kindergarten Readiness Questionnaires: ASQ-3 & ASQ-SE-2.
The ASQ-3 provides a check of your child's development. Your answers show your child's strengths and any areas in which your child may need more help or practice. Try each activity with your child before you mark a response.
The ASQ: SE-2 prdvdovides a quick check of your child's social-emotional development. Your answers will show your child's social-emotional strengths as well if there are behaviors you would like to talk about.
Click this link to complete the survey in
English: https://www.asqonline.com/family/29ea31
Click this link to complete the survey in Spanish: https://www.asqonline.com/family/ae50db
Transportation
Important Dates to Remember
- August 6- Class List will be posted 4:00
- August 10 - Sneak Peek 4:30-5:30
- August 11 - First Day of School
- August 19 - First Day of Pre-K
- September 2 - Papa Johns Night
- September 6 - Labor Day-NO SCHOOL
- September 10- Grandparents Day Lunch
- September 14 - SPMT 4-5pm/PTO 6-7pm
- September 30- Social Emotional Learning Family Night
Good to Know Information
Start of the Day
We will be returning to having the two main doors open for students arrival! Students may enter the main doors by the flag pole or the second set of main doors by the 2nd and 3rd grade hallway. Doors open at 8:10 and students will be counted as Tardy after 8:40. 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!Early Pick-up
Our school day ends at 3:40. Students 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.
Dismissal
Dismissal for the 2021-2022 school year will be similar to last years for those that are returning. Each student or set of siblings will receive a identification number for car pickup. This will take place of the QR code, whoever is picking up the student that day must have the provided car tag. Students will be dismissed from the building once your number has been entered into the tracking system. If you have multiple children at Whitson they will be together and exit out of the main doors by the flag pole. If you have one student they will exit out of the their grade level pickup door. Kindergarteners with no siblings will exit out of the Kindergarten door which is located inbetween Most Pure Heart and Whitson by the preschool playground.
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.
Whitson PTO
Dear Parents,
We would like to invite all of the parents of Whitson students to attend our PTO meetings. These meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the library. Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 14th at 6:00 PM.
The group helps raise funds for many school projects such as PE and recess equipment, classroom libraries, and field trips! There are openings on all committees after the last year due to COVID. Come to a meeting or contact us to see what options are available for extra help.
Please e-mail us with questions! ptowhitson@gmail.com
Thank you,
Whitson PTO
President- Mindy Nichol
Vice President-Julie Phillips
Secretary-Jennifer Phelps-Roper
Treasurer-Beckey Prue
Late Start FRIDAYS
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!
Preschool Registration Available Online and In-Person on August 3
The preschool application is available online and will also be available in-person on August 3 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at Sheldon Head Start (1155 SW Seabrook Ave).
When registering your child, you will need to provide the following documents:
- child's immunization records
- child's legal birth certificate
- child's current physical exam
- child's medical insurance card
- parent(s)' drivers license or ID
- parent(s)' 2020 tax return/W-2
For more information on how to register your new preschooler, call 785-438-6899.
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