Topeka Public Schools (TPS) is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we returned to school. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student health, safety, emotional well-being, and academic progress.
Social Emotional Resources
Mental health supports will be available for students. Each TPS building has a Mental Health Team composed of social workers, counselor(s) and a school psychologist. Additionally, the district, in partnership with Family Service and Guidance Center, has eight mental health liaisons who will help students in sixteen schools to connect to mental health community supports.
The district and school-based Mental Health Teams will:
Ensure resources are provided to address the social emotional needs for students and staff;
Provide age appropriate information and support to students related to student anxiety, fears, and loss;
Provide individual counseling to students who express fears, loss, anxiety and/or signs of depression;
Consult with teachers, school counselors, parents, and school social workers to deliver services to students who display outward signs of trauma;
Refer students to outside agencies as needed;
Consult with classroom teachers about student needs and develop classroom guidance lessons as appropriate to the age and grade level;
Co-teach lesson (health) on depression symptoms and warning signs and offer referral services to students and staff;
Check in with staff to determine their mental health needs and work with Employee Assistance as needed;
Visit classrooms to observe adult behaviors looking for signs of stress and anxiety. Discuss concerns with administration and refer as needed.
Ensure all students will continue to participate in social skills lessons: Conscious Discipline (pre-K) Second Step (pre-K-8), Olweus Class Meetings that Matter (9-12). Second Step digital access will be available for grades K-8 next year. Tier 2 and Tier 3 social emotional supports (eg., small group counseling, individual counseling) are also available at each building.
Ensure all students will continue to be screened for risks of Internalizing and Externalizing behavior using the SRSS-IE (K-12) or SRSS-EC (Early childhood). Once identified as being at risk, Ci3T leadership teams and mental health teams will connect students to additional support and/or implement additional strategies.
Continue implementing the use of Restorative Practices and Mindfulness strategies to address the social-emotional needs of students. Training will be provided for staff members, including classified employees.
Purchase Zones of Regulation district wide for all elementary schools. Zones of Regulation will be an additional resource for use to help students stay or become regulated.
Create a district curriculum and assessment team to write curriculum design maps for Social-Emotional Growth (SEG) standards and assist in training teachers and mental health team members in district wide social emotional curriculum.
TPS has many resources available, contact your building social worker or counselor for help.
The following resources are linked to the partnering organization's website:
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Family Service & Guidance Center 785.232.5005
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800.273.8255
Kansas Protection Report Center 800.922.5330
General Resources
Community Resources Council Directory
Homelessness (English)
Homelessness (Spanish)
PARENTING
Kansas Parent Information Resource Center
MENTAL HEALTH
Family Service and Guidance Center
Stormont Vail Behavioral Health Center
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Kansas Special Education Process Manual