Meadows Family News

We have completed the first quarter of our school year and so many wonderful things are happening! We are seeing students form positive relationships with others, make progress through the academic standards, and they are thinking critically about their behavior, growth, and goals.

As we near the end of 2023, we aim to have individual students make as much progress as possible and take more ownership of and initiative in being mindful of their education.

You will continue receiving my monthly newsletter highlighting all upcoming dates and events. It will also include reminders and important information. Please make sure to read each newsletter so you stay informed!

Thank you for your continued support, here's to another month of growth and success!

If you have further questions after reading this, please do not hesitate to reach out!

"We can. We will. Watch Us!"

Kyna Croft, Assistant Principal

kcroft@tps501.org

(785) 235-7150

PTO Spirit Day-Sports: Friday, November 3

Veterans Day: November 11

National American Education Week: November 13-17

Principal for a Day: Thursday, November 16

No School: November 20-24

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23

PTO Meeting: November at 6:00 pm

Monday through Thursday- 8:40 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• Arrival begins: 8:20 a.m.
• School starts: 8:40 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 8:40 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Late Start Fridays (every Friday)- 9:30 a.m.-3:40 p.m.

• Arrival begins: 9:15 a.m.
• School starts: 9:30 a.m. (students will be considered tardy after 9:30 a.m.)
• Dismissal begins: at 3:40 p.m. (all students must be picked up by 3:45 p.m. unless enrolled in after-school childcare)

Inclement Weather

As the weather begins to cool, we would like to remind families of school closing notification procedures. As we make decisions about closing school, a number of factors come into play, including the safety of travel but also the safety of students who will be home during the day.

Should school be canceled, we will:

• Send a text, email, and/or phone call via SchoolMessenger
• Update the district social media pages
• Update the district website
• Contact our local media partners

To sign up for text message updates, text Y to 67587. To learn more about school delays and closures, please review our How We Communicate With Families document.

District Mobile App

The TPS mobile app, TPS Engage, gives students, families, staff, and the community a more convenient way to stay informed about what’s happening in our schools. This free app gives you access to news, social media feeds (no social media accounts needed), district and school calendars, notifications, staff contact information, and more.

Download from the App Store or Google Play by searching for Topeka Public Schools.

The City of Topeka is completing a waterline relocation project on 1st Street between Taylor and Polk. While not directly impacting Meadows Elementary, the traffic detour route will increase traffic on Clay in front of the school. Please be aware of the possible impacts of additional traffic at pick-up and drop-off times.

The project (and associated detour) is scheduled to begin on 10/30 and be complete by 1/12/24.

We are organizing drop-offs for PODs 1 and 2 a little differently this year to streamline the traffic and make it quicker for parents. Please read and follow these guidelines to make morning drop-off safe and successful for everyone.

• Pull forward as far as you can between both PODs. We will be out directing you forward.
• Staff will assist in getting your student(s) from the vehicle and to the correct POD.
• Remain in one line as move as the line moves.
• Use Crosswalks if parking on the opposite side of 2nd street.
• Do not cut in or out of the drop-off line. The line will move quickly and this will prevent accidents.

Thank you for your cooperation in this newer process!

September iREAD 20 calendars are out! Students are encouraged to read- books, magazines, articles, etc... for at least 20 minutes every night and then return the calendar at the end of the month for a free book. Students will need to write the minutes that they read each day on the calendar. Students do not necessarily have to have the entire calendar filled out. There is a place at the top for the student's name, the teacher's name, and a parent's signature. Post it on your fridge as an easy reminder and have fun reading! Miss Hodge

Many of our families will qualify for the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which will provide a $30 discount for many internet service providers in our area. To learn more about the program, please visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp where you can sign up. Also, the district still has FCC-funded hotspots for temporary use and Chromebooks available for our elementary families who do not have a computer in the home.

My name is Ashley Dinkel and I am the Family Nurse Practitioner at the Campus Care Clinic located at Topeka High School. We are a healthcare clinic open to all USD 501 staff and students. We are able to serve as a patient’s primary care provider or we can see patients for acute visits only if they already have a PCP.

Video about the clinic: Campus Care Clinic movie - YouTube

Clinic website: University of Kansas Health System - Campus Care Clinic at Topeka High School - Topeka Public Schools

Ashley Dinkel, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner, Topeka High School Campus Care

THSCampusCare@KUMC.edu

Phone: 785-295-3256

Fax: 785-295-3259

KEEP Provides $100 Per Eligible Student for Educational Goods & Services: The Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) provides qualifying parents and guardians with $1,000 per eligible student to spend on approved educational goods and services.

KEEP funds can be used on enrichment and educational activities, including:

• Musical instruments, supplies, and lessons
  
• Curriculum and educational materials, including school supplies and certain allowed technological devices
• Tutoring
• Language classes
• Camps with academic-related curriculum such as music, arts, science, technology, agriculture, mathematics, and engineering
  

An application and more information can be found at www.keep.ks.gov.

The Baby Closet is located on the lower level of the Westside Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th Street. They have clothing sizes newborn-5T. Families in need of clothing or baby items-diapers, wipes, etc.. are encouraged to come. This is a FREE service for families.

Their hours are Mondays 9-11 am, Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 pm, and Thursdays 1:00-3:00 pm.

Westside Christian Church, 432 SW Linwood, houses the Kids' Closet. They have Elementary Age items. Their hours are the first Wednesday of each month 3:30-5:30 or by appointment. (785) 234-0469

Caroline Harvey is a clinical psychologist who provides individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and parents utilizing evidence-based approaches.

Please read this short article about self-talk written by her.

THE WAY WE SPEAK TO OUR CHILDREN

Do you have a question or need more information? Please do not hesitate to reach out so we can get your questions answered!

Email: kcroft@tps501.org
Website: https://meadows.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 201 Southwest Clay Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-235-7150