Thanksgiving: A Time to be Thankful and Thoughtful

Dear Topeka Families, Staff and Community,

As the Thanksgiving break approaches, we find ourselves with a special time to reflect on the things we have to be thankful for. We, at Topeka Public Schools, are very fortunate to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive community that values the work of preparing our students for their future.

We have a great deal to be thankful for; not the least of which is the opportunity to serve nearly 14,000 students and their families. As the Topeka community continues to grow, we will have many opportunities to come together, in a concentrated effort to ensure that our students continue to gain the best educational experience possible.

We are fortunate to have the strong support of community businesses and civic organizations. They provide volunteers, classroom resources, technology, school supplies and recognition for our teachers and students. Their generosity allows us to offer more opportunities for our children.

I wish you and your family a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent

Great Things Take Place in Classrooms

Spending time with Ms. Lonna Latimer's kindergarten class at State Street Elementary.

Dear Topeka Families, Staff and Community,

It's Veteran's Day this weekend and many of our schools are taking the time to recognize our military men and women who have sacrificed so much for all of us. We will be highlighting some of our amazing staff members who have served through TPS social media. We'd like to thank all of our veterans and those currently serving for their courage and sacrifice.

It is a momentous time for our district's history, as our overall four-year graduation rate has increased to 81.7 percent. Together, with the commitment of our parents and educators, we truly accomplish great things. There is no better time than the present to make a positive impact on the lives of our students.

This past week, I had the opportunity to spend time teaching in Ms. Lonna Latimer's kindergarten classroom at State Street Elementary School. The day was a great reminder of what an important job our teachers are tasked with. Our students are our future, and we must be mindful of their limitless potential.

I am thankful for teachers like Ms. Latimer. She is a fun, kind, teacher, who puts the needs of her students first. She was announced as October's winner of the Crystal Apple Award from Magic 107.7, which is an honor given to one teacher each month for going above and beyond for their school and their students. Congratulations, Ms. Latimer. You can view the video of Ms. Latimer's surprise by clicking here.

Thank you for all your support of Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Graduation Rates Reach New Heights in 2018

We are excited to share the overall four-year graduation rates for our district has increased to 81.7 percent. This is the first time above the 80 percentile, since 2010, when the State changed the graduation formula. In addition to the overall district rate, we are pleased to share that all three of our high schools saw an improvement in graduation rates this year.

• Topeka High increased from 77.9 percent to 81.3 percent graduation rate.
• Topeka West increased from 93 percent to 95 percent graduation rate.
• Highland Park saw the largest gain, from 68.6 percent to 86.9 percent graduation rate.

For the first since at least 2011, the graduation rate across African-American students, Hispanic students, and Caucasian students are equal at 81 percent, eliminating the graduation achievement gap by race across our district. The 2018 graduation numbers prove to be the highest graduation rate in 8 years for African-American students, Hispanic students, English Language Learner students, and free lunch students.

On top of graduation rates, USD 501 ACT participation rate has also increased 13 percent in the last 5 years.

Thank you to all of our faculty and families who have worked as a team for continuous improvement in order to help our students continue on their path towards graduation.

Watch the video below to view chart data regarding graduation rates.

Read all the details from CJOnline

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Spending Time with the Parents as Teachers Program

Dear Topeka Families, Staff and Community,

It's always a rewarding experience to spend time in our classrooms. This week I joined the bilingual play group at the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program. The amazing PAT staff holds the playgroup for any family with a young child starting at birth, up to age five who live within the TPS district. This provides a great opportunity for parents to meet other parents and for children to learn social skills. The play groups are 1-2:30 p.m. at Quinton Heights on Thursdays. For more information about the play groups at PAT, contact the Parents as Teachers team at 785-274-6480. A big thank you is extended to the team for allowing me to join in the fun this week with our young scholars.

Thank you for all your support of Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

McKinley Burnett Statue Dedication

Dear Topeka Families, Staff and Community,

We have so much to be proud of! Last Sunday afternoon, our College Prep Academy students spoke at the McKinley Burnett statue dedication ceremony. It is important for our community to recognize and honor Burnett's profound legacy and contributions to the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. This event was a truly memorable occasion as Burnett's son, Marquis Burnett, was in attendance, as well as several local leaders. It was truly a pleasure to be a part of such a significant event for our community. To learn more about McKinley Burnett and his contribution click here.

“Brown v. Board is the foundation by which all Americans can look for hope - hope for their children, hope for their families, and hope for a better future.” – Michael Dennis Rogers, U.S. Representative

To learn more about the event follow the link to the news story.

McKinley Burnett Statue Dedication (CJOnline) and Statue Dedicated in Topeka (US News)

Thank you for all your support of Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Women of Influence

This week, we began our informational sessions on national board certification for teachers as we move towards the goal of being leaders in the number of national board-certified teachers in the region over the next two years. The majority of our teachers have advanced degrees and we anticipate many of those teachers will enter into national board certification this year. 

Pictured below are our students from our College Prep Academy who attended the Women of Influence event with me. They joined me on stage as the future generation of leaders. 

Congratulations to our staff and families for such a positive first month of school as we welcomed back over 13,500 students.

To learn more about the event follow the links to the news stories.
Go Topeka's Women of Influence (CJOnline) and Go-Topeka Women of Influence (WIBW)

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson

Superintendent

Welcome Back to School

The convocation was Wednesday, August 8. In attendance to help us welcome back, staff was Mayor De La Isla, and clergy members from Antioch, Love and Fellowship Bible Church.

Thank you for being a part of the celebration to start the new year.

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent.

Congratulations KAPP Students

KAPP students and staff

Congratulations to our Kindergarten Academic Preparation Program (KAPP) Students! They just completed a six-week program to prepare for Kindergarten in August.

I would like to extend our thanks to the KAPP sponsors - United Way of Topeka, and YWCA. I would also like to thank our community partners Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, Kansas Kids Discovery Center, Forster Grandparents, Modern And Kansas Expo Center and Grace Med, without the support of our community this program would not be possible. Finally, I would like to thank our Program Administrator, Sharon Bedolla and her staff for all of the hard work before and during the KAPP program

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools.

Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

We have been celebrating our teachers all week long. Today is a special day as I attended the graduation for the TPS 14 teachers who have completed Graduate School at Kansas State University. These teachers joined the 52 percent of our teachers in Topeka who have advanced degrees.

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools

Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent

Week of the Young Child

This week I spent some time volunteering in classrooms around the district. Below are some photos from my time at State Street Elementary, teaching Ms. Abernathy's Kindergarten Class.

Dr. Anderson reading to her Kindergarten friends at State Street Elementary.

Ms. Abernathy's Kindergarten class paints suncatchers during Dr. Anderson's visit.

Ms. Abernathy, thank you for letting me spend some time with your wonderful students.

Thank you for all your support of our Topeka Public Schools

Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Superintendent