Meadows Family News
February 2024
Dear Families,
Hello families!
What a start to winter we have had! I hope you are staying warm and safe during these really cold days and maybe got to build a snowman or two on the Snow Days we had. We are anticipating a full month of learning in February. Teachers and Specialists have groups they are focused on for direct instruction at every level to ensure ALL students are making progress in math and reading especially.
Thank you to those of you who have had meetings rescheduled due to inclement weather. We appreciate your flexibility and responsiveness.
This month we celebrate our Counselors, Ms. Wabaunsee and Ms. Smyth for National School Counselors' Week. They are incredible with our students and meet needs on a daily basis keeping our school climate positive and pleasant.
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up again. My Goodness! Is it that time already?? Be on the lookout for your child/children's teacher(s) to reach out to you with times and dates. We aim for 100% participation to discuss your needs and concerns as well as sharing some amazing accomplishments of your student(s) at these. We look forward to seeing you towards the end of the month.
As the weather goes back and forth so please watch the forecast and dress your student(s) warm enough if it's cold outside. As long as the wind chill high enough and there is no precipitation, we will be outdoors for recess.
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 through each newsletter so you stay informed!
Thank you for your continued support. You are an integral part of our team and we could not do this without you. 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 are here to serve you and your children.
"We can. We will. Watch Us!"
Kyna Croft, Assistant Principal
(785) 235-7150
IMPORTANT DATES
Black History Month
Board of Education Meeting: February 1 and 15 @ 5:30 PM | Burnett Center
TPSF 2024 Major Saver Campaign Dates:
Campaign Kickoff: January 31st
Campaign Collections: February 4th -12th
Campaign Follow Up: February 13th
Spirit Day- Hats and Sunglasses: Friday, February 2
National School Counseling Week: February 5-9
Shawnee County Spelling Bee: February 10 @ 9:00 AM | Topeka West High School
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Wednesday, February 21-4-8pm & Thursday, February 22-8am-8pm
No School: Friday, February 23
Harvesters Food Pantry: February 23 @ 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Hummer Sports Park
PTO meeting: Monday, February 26 6-7pm
Class Pictures: Tuesday, February 27
School Day Hours
- 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
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
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.
Events
PTO Meeting
Monday, February 26, 2024
6:00 pm
Meadows Multipurpose Room
Spirit Day
Friday, February 2
Show your school spirit by paying $1 and wearing your hats and sunglasses!
Smickers and Smencils will be sold in the atrium for $1 also.
Washburn Football Camp
When: Monday, February 5th
Time: 6-7:30 PM
Ages: K-8th Grade
Cost: $20
Where: Washburn Indoor Athletic Facility
Parent/Teacher Conferences
WE WANT YOU!!
Volunteers Needed
Come once a month or one time in a rotation to help sell Smickers and Smencils! What are they?? They are smelly stickers and smelly pencils! Click the link below to sign up.
Class Pictures
Dillons Community Rewards
Dillons Food Store donates to the organization of your choice based on the shopping you do everyday. You can help Meadows Elementary School by designating your rewards to our school. Download the Dillons App, sign up for rewards if you have not yet, and follow the instructions to link your shopper's card. Just scan your card when you shop at Dillons to start helping today!
Open the Dillon's App
- Click hamburger on the top right of the app
- Rewards
- Community rewards
- Meadows Elementary
Sam's Club Fundraiser
Happy Monday Meadows families! Your Monarch PTO has joined with Team GroupRaise for an easy fundraiser! Between now and February 1, 2024 any new memberships (or those that have lapsed over 6 months ago) your PTO will receive 25% of the membership cost!! All we are asking is for you to share this post and tell your families, friends and loved ones. We thank you and hope you are staying warm during these cold days!
Family Resources
Valentine's Virtual Library Books
Click the picture to journey to a wonderful array of books that you and your children can listen to and other fun activities.
Affordable Connectivity Program:
Campus Care Clinic
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
Phone: 785-295-3256
Fax: 785-295-3259
KEEP EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
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.
Baby and Kids' Closets
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
YOUR CHILD'S INNER VOICE
Please read this short article about self-talk written by her.
Contact Us
Email: kcroft@tps501.org
Website: https://meadows.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 201 Southwest Clay Street, Topeka, KS, USA
Phone: 785-235-7150