Learning Options for Families
Families have received communication asking them to indicate their educational preference for each child. As the school year progresses, changes to academic instructional choices will be permitted at each quarter. Choices are available as space permit.
As a result of the continued spread of COVID-19, Topeka Public Schools is providing the following options for students and parents to begin the school year:
This plan may change and be modified as necessary to support the health and wellness of students, staff, parents, and community. In fact, this plan may change between now and the first scheduled day of the school year, September 9th. Generally speaking, the plan includes:
screening procedures to prevent symptomatic individuals from entering schools;
routine, frequent, and proper hand hygiene;
use of face coverings/masks;
social/physical distancing to the extent possible;
minimizing the number of interactions among students and staff throughout the school day;
regular and systematic cleaning of classrooms, schools, and buses, with special emphasis on high-touch surfaces;
mental health awareness and support for students and staff;
and communication about COVID-19 with students, staff, and parents
Parents will have the opportunity to move to another learning model at the quarter. A Google form will be shared during "Option Week" to capture parents requests. Choices are available as space permits.
Below are the dates for option week per quarter:
Quarter 1
Option Week - prior to August 12th
Quarter 2
Option Week - October 19-23rd
Quarter 3
Option Week - January 11-15th
Quarter 4
Option Week - March 1 - 5th
Learning Options Explained
Modified Micro-Classrooms
(Instruction offered 5 days a week onsite) *Elementary ONLY
Beginning in Phase 2
Elementary school students attend their home school every day Monday-Friday
Students are placed into small, stable groups reducing the risk of exposure to Covid-19
Teachers deliver targeted, data-driven instruction to meet the academic needs of students
Technology device provided
Option to move to another learning model may be selected each quarter
A/B Learning
(Combination of in-person & online learning)
Beginning in Phase 2
In person & online learning
Instruction will be delivered through both face to face and remote learning
Schools will operate on an A/B schedule
Technology device provided
Option to move to another learning model may be selected each quarter
Middle & High School General Schedule
Below is the general schedule for middle and high school. Each building principal will share specifics relating to your child's schedule.
Middle School
Schedule A: Students with the A schedule will attend school in the morning from 7:50 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Meals will be served.
Schedule B: Students with the B schedule will attend school in the afternoon from 11:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Meals will be served.
High School
Students will attend using the following A/B Schedule:
Group A: Students in the A Group will attend school in the morning from 7:55 a.m. -10:50 a.m. Meals will be served.
Group B: Students in the B Group will attend school in the afternoon from 12:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Meals will be served.
100% Remote Learning
(Learning online with your school/class)
Beginning in Phase 1 - September 9th
100% online instruction
Learning is connected to base or magnet school
Technology device provided
Engaging, daily interactions with teachers
Full regular school day of instruction
Learning log regularly submitted by parents/ students/teachers
Option to move to another learning model may be selected each quarter
Virtual Learning
(Virtual)
Beginning in Phase 1 - September 9th
Instruction will be 100% virtual
Limited interaction between teacher and students
Technology device provided
Offered for grades 4-12
Self-paced lessons
Edgenuity and Edmentum will be two of the main instructional platforms utilized
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the school year begin?
We will begin the school year on September 9th in Phase I (remote learning).
What are the end dates for each quarter?
1st quarter ends - November 6th
2nd quarter ends - January 29th
3rd quarter ends - March 31st
4th quarter ends - June 4th
When will families be able to choose their academic option for the next quarter?
Quarter 1
Option Week - prior to August 12th
Quarter 2
Option Week - October 19-23rd
Quarter 3
Option Week - January 11-15th
Quarter 4
Option Week - March 1 - 5th
A Google form will be shared for parents to submit their options at the beginning of that week.