Topeka Public Schools

The first day is here! 🎒🙌

Today, we are excited to welcome our kindergarteners, 6th graders, and freshmen as they walk through our doors and begin a new chapter filled with learning, growth, and opportunity.

To our students, families, teachers, and staff, thank you for making today so special! We wish everyone a wonderful first day and an incredible school year ahead🌟

Let's make it a great year, ! ✨
📸: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD28Cj

Meet the Teacher Night was a success! Families across the district came together to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and get excited for the first day of school. 💙 📚✨

A special shoutout to Randolph Elementary, where Meet the Teacher Night started with a little unexpected outdoor excitement! When an issue was reported several blocks away as the evening got underway, families and staff patiently followed safety precautions while first responders quickly confirmed that the school was safe. We’re grateful for everyone’s patience, flexibility, and quick response. It truly takes a team, and a village, to keep our students and families safe! And Randolph is READY for the first day of school, especially our kindergarteners who will join us tomorrow! 🎉🍎

We loved seeing families across the district, including our Whitson Elementary Warriors, coming together to kick off a new school year.

Here’s to an amazing year ahead!

🎉 The wait is almost over! We can't wait to welcome back our returning students and meet all of our new students this week as we kick off another great year at Topeka Public Schools! 💜

📚 PreK-5 Meet the Teacher Night
🕟 Tonight | 4:30-5:30 PM

First Day Schedule
📅 Tuesday, August 11: Grades K, 6, 9, Capital City & Avondale Academy
📅 Wednesday, August 12: Grades K-12
📅 Wednesday, August 19: Preschool

We'll see you tonight and again on the first day of school!

Today, 305 families were served with school supplies and important resources for the upcoming school year during the first annual Dale Cushinberry Community Kickoff at Eisenhower Middle School: Signature Music School! 💜🦅

This special event was made possible through the generosity of the Community Unite Foundation , SparkWheel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and other amazing partners who came together in the spirit of service and community.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to honor the legacy of Mr. Dale Cushinberry and continue his commitment to uplifting and serving others. We are grateful to everyone who helped make the inaugural event such a meaningful success and look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come!

📸: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1TC9

Thank you to Dillons at 29th & California for hosting us on August 7 for the final stop of our annual Listening Tour! 💙💛

It was wonderful visiting with so many TPS families who stopped by to share ideas, ask questions, and discuss ways we can continue strengthening connections throughout Topeka Public Schools. We were also grateful for the opportunity to surprise several TPS families with free groceries as an added way to support them as they prepare for the new school year!

One of the highlights of our visit was welcoming several TPS parents as our newest team members after connecting them with employment opportunities in the district. A special shoutout to our DCAC members who joined us, as well as our retired educators like Ms. Lattimore, whose dedication to our students continues to inspire us.

Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout this summer's Listening Tour. Your ideas, feedback, and partnership help make Topeka Public Schools stronger.

We're STILL feeling the excitement from welcoming back more than 2,500 TPS team members for the start of another amazing school year at our annual Convocation! 💙✨

📸 Check out a few more highlights below and relive the day by watching our Convocation Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-ya0M556VA

We Are One Team. We Are TPS!

There’s nothing sweeter than the first day back for the Little Stars Daycare at Shaner Early Learning Academy! 💜🩵✨

Today, we welcomed our youngest learners with smiles and excitement as they begin a new year of learning. We can’t wait to watch them shine!

Did you know? Many TPS staff choose Shaner because they can work the same schedule as their child, and families also receive reduced preschool tuition.

Learn more about future opportunities with TPS here: https://careers.topekapublicschools.net/

First day of school is just right around the corner! Here are some important dates to keep in mind. ✍️

As families prepare for the upcoming school year, here are a few important back-to-school dates and reminders to keep in mind! 📚✏️

For school supply lists, the academic calendar, school menus, online registration, and more, visit: www.topekapublicschools.net/departments/assessment_demographics/online_registration

We can't wait to welcome our students back for another great year! 🙌❤️

The Topeka Public Schools Board of Education will meet on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Burnett Administrative Center, 624 SW 24th Street. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the public session scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. The agenda includes an executive session, the Superintendent's Report, discussion of the district's FY27 budget development and building needs assessment, and several items supporting district operations and student achievement.

As part of the consent agenda, the Board will consider purchases and contracts that support teaching and learning, district facilities, and student services. Key items include the purchase of professional development MacBooks, emergency replacement of rooftop units at the district natatorium, Family and Consumer Sciences classroom appliances, a vehicle for Campus Police, and annual renewals for the Seesaw learning platform, fresh bread products, and districtwide waste and recycling services. The Board will also consider approval of the 2026-2027 Elementary/Preschool Student and Parent Handbook and the Special Education Policies, Procedures, and Practices Manual.

Additional agenda items include agreements supporting services for students with visual impairments, student health consulting, educational consulting, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant, the McKinney-Vento program, and a partnership with SENT, Inc. The Board will also consider acceptance of a $220,064 Carl D. Perkins Grant, a $1,000 Keep It Clean, Kansas (KICK) Outreach Challenge grant for Lowman Hill Elementary, and more than $7,100 in donations, including a trailer donation for the Topeka High Trojan Band. During the Superintendent's Report, Board members will review Strategic Plan Goals 2, 4, and 5, including academic achievement data and the district's needs assessment as required by state law.

Community members are welcome to attend the meeting in person or review the complete agenda and supporting documents through the district's BoardDocs portal: https://www.topekapublicschools.net/.../agenda_and_minutes

What a way to kick off the 2026-2027 school year! 🎉💙

Today, our staff came together for an unforgettable Convocation filled with energy, inspiration, and the reminder that We Are One. We Are TPS. 💙✨

A special thank you to Tierra Walker, who will be attending Topeka High School this fall, for sharing an inspiring message and reminding us of the incredible impact our educators and staff have on every student, every day. 🌟

Thank you to Lewis Toyota of Topeka and our many incredible community partners for your continued support of Topeka Public Schools. A special thank you to our partners at Sonic Drive-In for providing a free drink to every TPS staff member, Frye's Auto Repair for contributing prizes for our staff, and to Washburn University for graciously hosting this year's Convocation.

Your generosity and partnership help make moments like these possible as we prepare for another incredible year of learning, growth, and success.

Here's to an amazing 2026-2027 school year! 🙌💪

📸: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1Ffo