On September 23, Topeka High School students, staff, and alumni showed their school spirit at various Homecoming events, including a royalty assembly and parade.

Topeka High graduates from the classes of 1972 and 2002 were present at the events to celebrate their 50th and 20th high school reunions and even decorated floats to join in the parade.

The Trojans varsity football team then took on Emporia at Hummer Sports Park, where they crowned their Homecoming King and Queen. View photos on Flickr.

Watch highlights from Homecoming events at Topeka West, Highland Park, and Topeka High in this video.

On September 30, community leaders visited Robinson Middle School for a Community Recognition Breakfast in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

EL students in Dr. Roger Laubengayer's class have been diligently working on a new project, interviewing Hispanic leaders in Topeka whom they look up to, such as Mayor Mike Padilla, Board of Education President, Lalo Muñoz, and Azura Credit Union Financial Associate, Juan Deras.

The breakfast was an opportunity for the students to present their work and share why they were inspired by these amazing leaders. View photos on Flickr.

On September 28, community business leaders visited the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning & Careers (TCALC) to participate in a panel with high school students on the topic of career readiness.

After the event had concluded, a student at TCALC experienced a medical emergency. Leaders from Stormont Vail Health sprung into action and provided lifesaving aid until paramedics arrived, ultimately saving their life.

Topeka Public Schools is so grateful for the heroic actions of Carol Perry, Stormont Vail Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, and Amy Kincade, Vice President of Clinical Integration.

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will honor Ms. Perry and Ms. Kincade with the Life Saver Award at its upcoming meeting at Ross Elementary on October 6.

On September 24, district leaders gathered in Wichita for the Kansas State Department of Education's 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year awards ceremony.

Ms. Pamela Muñoz, a kindergarten teacher at McCarter Elementary, was honored as a Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist.

Ms. Lisa Martinez, an Assistant Principal at Scott Dual Language Magnet and TPS parent, was there to show her support as one of the 2022 finalists.

We are so proud of our state-recognized teaching staff!

On September 23, we celebrated our 7th and 8th grade College Prep Academy scholars at the annual Jacketing Ceremony.

Much like a White Coat ceremony for medical doctors, the Jacketing Ceremony marks a student's transition to the advanced math and computer science curriculum offered through College Prep, which is two grade levels ahead of their peers.

The 7th-grade scholars also took part in a tie-tying workshop with TPS Deputy Superintendent Mr. Larry Robbins, where they learned important lessons about professional dress and responsibility.

Additionally, TPS Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson and College Prep instructors accompanied the 9th and 10th-grade students on a college tour in St. Louis.

View photos from all of our College Prep Academy events on Flickr.

Over the past several weeks, the Kanza Education and Science Park has been the host to all of our 4th graders!

Topeka Public Schools has some new partners this year, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment bringing out their Mobile Lab. Students are extracting DNA from strawberries, building a watershed, and exploring how viruses spread.

Additionally, the Kansas Energy Program has partnered to help with the substation and provide information on careers in energy.

Other stations include students building a marble roller coaster and working with the Evergy App that interacts with the solar panels and wind turbines! View photos on Flickr.

Hummer Sports Park was filled with music last Wednesday evening for the Annual Shawnee County Marching Band Exhibition!

Area high schools, including Highland Park, Topeka High, and Topeka West, were given an opportunity to showcase their musical talents during the exhibition.

Jaqui Ortega (pictured), a 2022 Highland Park High School graduate who served as Senior Class President, even returned to Topeka to support her former bandmates! Jaqui currently attends college at the University of Kansas.

View video and photo highlights from the event in this article from KSNT News.

On September 21, Topeka Public Schools held its 12th annual Family Fitness Fun Night at Hummer Sports Park.

The event brought hundreds of families from across Topeka to the football field, where they were able to visit school and community education booths and take part in games, physical challenges, and learning activities.

We appreciate the many vendors and volunteers who supported this amazing health and wellness event! View highlights in this video and photos on Flickr.

On September 16, Topeka Public Schools celebrated the Pine Ridge Partnership and the 10th anniversary of Pine Ridge Prep Preschool!

Students, families, and community members enjoyed free books, face painting, a train ride, food trucks, inflatables, and a special performance from the Highland Park High School marching band.

Thank you to our partners at United Way of Greater Topeka and Topeka Housing Authority for 10 amazing years of service to the Pine Ridge community. View photos from the celebration on Flickr.

Last week, the Kansas School Superintendents' Association (KSSA) announced the finalists for the 2023 Superintendent of the Year Award. The award is given annually to recognize superintendents across Kansas who have positively impacted their district in a number of ways.

We congratulate Topeka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Anderson, on being selected as a finalist for this award!

Topeka Public Schools also congratulates Dr. Michael Argabright of Southern Lyon County School District and Dr. Alicia Thompson of Wichita Public Schools.

Learn more in this article from KSNT News.

Last week, Topeka Public Schools aired its first episode of KTPS-TV News for the 2022-2023 school year!

A new episode of KTPS News airs at 7:00 PM on the last Thursday of each month on the district's Facebook, Youtube, and cable channel (Cox Channel 14).

Each episode features stories told by high school students from across the district that highlight the amazing staff and students of Topeka Public Schools.

October is National Principals Month! While we celebrate educators throughout the year, we will be highlighting principals across the district throughout the month. Learn more about National Principal Month at principalsmonth.org.

Principals and other school leaders will be recognized during the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education meeting at Ross Elementary Signature Music School on October 6, where a National Principals Month Proclamation will be read.

Please take time to let your principal know how very special they are to all of us! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join in the celebration.

The Topeka Public Schools Community Cupboard provides food, clothing, and hygiene products to families in need in Topeka.

We are currently in need of specific shelf-stable food items like canned tuna, peanut butter, and cereal.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact Fred Willer at fwiller@tps501.org or drop off your donation at Quinton Heights Education Center during school hours.

Thank you to all of our students, families, and staff for a wonderful start to the new school year! To help you stay prepared, please be sure to check out the 2022-2023 academic calendar at topekapublicschools.net.

Below are important dates for October:

• September 15 - October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
• October 1-30: National Principals Month
• October 1-30: National Audiology Awareness Month
  
• October 1-30: National Physical Therapy Month
• October 2: National Custodial Workers Appreciation Day
  
• October 3-7: Anti-Bullying Awareness Week
  School Spirit Week & KSDE Wear Pink Challenge
  
• October 5: National Walk to School Day
• October 6: Board of Education Meeting* VENUE CHANGE
  5:30 PM | Ross Elementary Signature Music School
• October 10-11: NO SCHOOL
  Staff Development Days
• October 10-14: National School Lunch Week
• October 16: Boss's Day
• October 17-21: National School Bus Safety Week
• October 20: Kansas School Transportation Appreciation Day
• October 20: Board of Education Meeting
  5:30 PM | Burnett Center
• October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
• October 26-27: Parent Teacher Conferences
  Look for scheduling information from your child's teacher
• October 27-28: NO SCHOOL
  School Not in Session
• October 31: Fall Festivities
  

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