Calendar Highlights --  April, 2011

Saturday, April 2 --

-- State Science Olympiad.

-- SUMday competition, Washburn Rural Middle School.

Sunday, April 3 -- Landscaping work party, TCS grounds, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, April 8 --

-- Combined 7th grade classes assembly, 8:25 a.m., Assembly Hall.

-- Middle School lock-in, overnight Friday to Saturday morning.

Saturday, April 9 -- Pancake breakfast, 7:00-11:00 a.m., Assembly Hall.

Thursday, April 14 through Monday, April 18 -- 7th graders at Heifer Ranch, Arkansas.

Thursday, April 14 --

-- Cancelled Community Health Fair.

-- GET meeting: "Dessert and Discussion," 7:00 p.m., conference room.

-- 7th graders visit Heifer Ranch, Perryville, Arkansas

Friday, April 15 --

-- Mrs. Schwerdt's and Mrs. Frederick's 1st grade assembly, 8:25 a.m., Assembly Hall.

-- All school roller skating party, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sk8away roller rink, 815 SW Fairlawn Road; $5 per skater.

Wednesday, April 20 -- Middle School Art Show (5:30-6:45 p.m.) and 8th grade poetry reading and coffee house (7:00-8:00 p.m.), Assembly Hall. 

Saturday, April 23 -- History Day state competition, Washburn University.

Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29 -- 3rd graders give tours of their rainforest. Contact Dallas Bauer for more information.

Thursday, April 28 -- Earth Day observed at TCS: 3rd grade rainforest tours and activities, evening.

Friday, April 29 --

-- Mrs. Odermatt's and Mrs. Hundley's pre-K assembly, 8:25 a.m., Assembly Hall.

-- Bingo night (a SeaCamp fundraiser), 6:00-9:00, Assembly Hall.

Saturday, April 30 --

-- Scrapbooking Day at TCS, 10:00 a.m.-8:00p.m., Assembly Hall.

-- Chalk the Walk event, Shunga Trail, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Campus Landscaping -- Sunday, April 3

Work Party! Come join us on Sunday, April 3rd at 12:00 noon as we continue to make progress on the the new landscape for the front of the school. We need your help! Volunteers have already taken out some of the old junipers, but the rest must also go. 

TCS grandmother and landscape architect Ann Palmer of Designscape has donated the design, which will feature native Kansas grasses and flowers, and will be drought-resistant and watered through precipitation run-off from the school's roof. A $1,200 grant from the Kansas Green Schools foundation is supporting the costs for materials.

Another work party has been planned for Sunday, May 8th, when we will be preparing the ground and planting our new grasses and flowers.

Questions? Contact Middle School Head Sonja Czarnecki.

All-You-Care-to-Eat Pancakes -- Saturday, April 9

An all-you-care-to-eat pancake breakfast will be served by the Parent Council on Saturday morning, April 9, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The cost will $5 for adults and $3 for children. Tickets are available for purchase now in the school office.

Come meet our new Head of School! Mary Beth Marchiony and husband Jim will be attending the breakfast and look forward to meeting our students and families!

Global Education: Dessert and Discussion -- Thursday, April 14

What does "global education" mean to YOU?  The Global Education Team has been talking about  global education this year, but we need to hear your thoughts and questions too.  We invite anyone in the Collegiate community to join us for dessert and discussion!  Please plan to participate: Thursday, April 14th at 7:00 in the Conference Room (we regret that no childcare will be available)

We hope you will come and share your point-of-view and hear those of others, so that we can work together to educate our students for life in the 21st century! Please contact anyone on GET for more information: Sonja Czarnecki, Erin Forstein, Leslie Ham, Danielle Huckins, Karen Kapusta-Pofahl, Dene' Mosier, or Carolyn Vanderstaay.

Scrapbooking Day at TCS (A SeaCamp fundraiser) -- Saturday, April 30

Saturday, April 30, 2011

10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

Grab your scrapbooking supplies, bring them to TCS, and enjoy a full day of quality, uninterrupted scrapbooking fun! Your pre-registration includes lunch, snacks, and dinner, beverages, vendor coupons, and lots of opportunities to win fabulous door prizes. What a great way to "get away" and work on family vacation pictures! 

This is a fundraiser event and all proceeds go to the November, 2011 trip to SeaCamp in Florida. Return your check for $35 made payable to SeaCamp 2011 and this form to school, or email us at seacamp2011@gmail.com. Registration ends April 26.

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone:

email (to confirm registration):

Save the Date for End-of-Year Fun!

Mark your calendar for a family picnic to thank Mr. Patterson for all he has done during his two-and-a-half years as Head of School, and to celebrate the end of a successful year. The fun is scheduled for

Sunday, May 22, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

We will provide the main course and drinks, and ask families to potluck the side dishes and desserts, much as we do at the all-school picnic at the start of school. Food will be served in Assembly Hall. All other activities will be on the south playground, patio and field.

At Mr. Patterson's request, the festivities will include bluegrass music. Bring your banjo, guitar, fiddle, washboard or other instrument, and lawn chairs. And keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

Ms. Berumen Seeks Vitamins For Mexico Trip

As we reported in the February 25 issue of the Collegiate Connection, Lower School Spanish teacher Graciela Berumen will be traveling to Mexico this summer on a Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Language Cemanahuac scholarship. The Cemanahuac Educational Community in Cuernavaca, Mexico has requested that each conference participant bring a bottle of children's vitamins with them. If you would like to purchase and donate a bottle of vitamins for Ms. Berumen to take with her - infant vitamins with iron and vitamins for pregnant women are especially needed - please leave them at the school office. Your donation will be gratefully received by the low income families in Mexico.

Ink Bottles Wanted for Use in Art

Lower School art teacher Blake Zachritz is trying to gather this specific type of glass (not plastic) ink bottle for use in the art room.

It is made by Sheaffer and looks exactly like this picture. This bottle is the only one that has a built-in well that the students can dip into without their brushes or pens going in all the way to the bottom of the jar. It must have a lid that works and looks like the one in the picture; no other ink bottle you might have will work.

Mrs. Zachritz would like to gather at least ten, for use with black drawing ink for brushes or pens. It will not matter what color of ink is in your jar; she will clean it out. If any of your family ever used a refillable fountain pen, you might have a jar or two such as this tucked away in a drawer somewhere! 

Third Graders Need Plants for their Rainforest

Third grade scholars are busy working on this year's rainforest. If you have real or artificial plants that you are willing to loan or donate, please let Ms. Bauer know. They are in need of plants of all sizes.

Directory Updates

Connor C. has joined our third grade. Welcome, Connor! Please add his parents' information to your directory: XXX.

Lori K. (Harun - 4th, Kashi- 2nd) has a new last name and new work email address. She is now Lori W. and may be reached at XXX.

Ali K. (Harun - 4th, Kashi - 2nd) has a new email address: XXX.

Eileen D. (Brian - 7th) has a new work email address: XXX.

Middle Schoolers Complete Third Community Service Day

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students completed their third and final day of community service on March 3. The middle schoolers learned about the mission of each organization and performed needed services.  Their tasks this month included creating table service packets at the Rescue Mission, exercising and socializing dogs at the Helping Hands Humane Society, and  bowling with residents of Plaza West Health Center. 

The mission of Topeka Collegiate School includes responsible citizenship through a commitment to humanitarian ideals. Compassion, sharing, responsibility, and respect for others are discussed as part of our character education program. The community service program in Middle School provides an opportunity for children to reach out to the broader community with a caring spirit and an active willingness to serve.

Math Olympiad Results

The Math Olympiad is a contest given once a month to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students, November through March. There are five questions on each test, or contest, for a total of 25 questions.

The 5th and final Math Olympiad was given on March 10th. We recognize any student who received a score of 3, 4, or 5. In the 4th grade we recognize students who receive a 2 because they are taking the same test as the 5th and 6th graders.

Students receiving a 2:

4th grade: Mia L., Matt M., Kaelin T., Sachin T., Baker V.

Students receiving a 3:

3rd grade: Malcolm L.

4th grade: Malik B., Kai G., Maha K.

5th grade: Annabel C., Daniel M., Amber S.

6th grade: Toma D., Hannah D., Satchel P., Lana P., Chloe W.

Students receiving a 4:

3rd grade: Irene C.

6th grade: Bryce V.

After the scores for all five of the Math Olympiads were tallied, the following overall winners were announced:

Gold Pin (22-25) and Top Scorer Trophy: Bryce V. (6th grade)

Silver Pin (17-21): Satchel P. (6th grade)

6th grade Patch Winners (10-16),: Christina C., Toma D., Hannah D., Christopher G., Noor K., Lana P., Erica S., Dalton V., Chloe W.

5th grade Top Scorer Trophy and Silver Pin (17-21): Amber S.

5th grade Patch Winners (10-16): Luke D., Charlie L., Drew M., Daniel M., Claire P., Grant S.

4th grade Top Scorer Trophy and Silver Pin (17-21 ): Malik B.

4th grade Patch Winners (10-16): Kai G., Mia L.

Ms. Van Aalst's Kindergarten Assembly

It is fun to have such BIG dreams when you are young. When Grace Campbell grows up she will be the President of the United States! Ms. Van Aalst's Kindergarten class assembly March 11 was based on the book "Grace Campbell for President."

Middle School Third Quarter Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following Middle School students on their academic achievements this quarter. Keep up the good work!

6th grade, high honor roll:

Christina C.

Hannah D.

Lauren F.

Christopher G.

Isabel H.

Alexis K.

Noor K.

Emily P.

Erica S.

Bryce V.

6th grade, honor roll:

Adam C.

Toma D.

Gabrielle F.

Mason H.

Chase H.

Nick J.

Griffin L.

Jack P.

Satchel P.

Lana P.

Desmond S.

Peter S.

Dalton V.

James W.

Chloe W.

7th grade, high honor roll:

David B.

Michael B.

Jenna B.

Jacob C.

Micela M.

Laura N.

Michael P.

Sage P.

Jordie S.

Sarah S.

Jeremiah S.

Neha T.

7th grade, honor roll:

Nikhil B.

Mark B.

Alex C.

Antonio C.

Brandon C.

Brian D.

Jordan F.

Sofia K.

David L.

Anneleise M.

Mira R.

Nathan R.

Anjum S.

8th grade, high honor roll:

Ella B.

Skyler D.

Mariella K.

Marisol K.

Grayson M.

Mollie M.

Shay R.

8th grade, honor roll:

Courtney B.

Elena B.

Ryland E.

Max H.

Cheyenne K.

Ariel S.

Tyler V.

Middle Schoolers Celebrate Pi Day

On 3.14, middle school students celebrated Pi Day by eating pi(e), singing Pi Day songs, and doing circle activities. Congratulations to Bryce V. (left) who memorized 170 digits of pi. He has surpassed the school record of 162 places, held for two years by Skyler D., and attained fame (through this newsletter) and fortune ($3.14).

(Below, front row) Bryce V., Toma D.; (below, back row) Satchel P., Emily P., Christopher G., Peter S., Erica S., Griffin L., Christina C., Lana P.

Around Campus

Ballet Midwest will be presenting "Giselle" at the Topeka Performing Arts Center on April 9th at 8:00 p.m. and on April 10th at 3:00 p.m. Topeka Collegiate students performing in the production include Tessa D., Kiana M., Micaela M., Dan M., Daniel M., and Gina M. Tickets are available for purchase at the TPAC box office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Congratulations to the family of 4th grader Trevor J.! Kristen Margaret V. was born March 8, 2011 to Kayla and Matt V. Trevor's half-sister weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20-1/4" long at birth. Welcome, Kristen!

Trevor and Kristen

TCS parent Chelle D. (Teddy Mac, 1st) has asked us to share the following information with you:

"I am participating in Leadership Greater Topeka this year and my class project is called Chalk the Walk. My group has created an event that is being held on Saturday, April 30. We plan to have LOTS of sidewalk chalk on hand and we are asking kids, adults, schools, churches, non-profits, businesses, and more to show up between 10:00 a.m. and noon to help decorate the Shunga Trail with chalk art.

The purpose of the event is to bring awareness of the Shunga Trail and its benefit to our community. The event starts at the Crestview Community Center with registration at 9:00 a.m. Local non-profits will be on hand distributing information about community-related causes. Best of all, registration is free! Any money raised at the event will benefit the Topeka Park and Rec Foundation. Kids can have fun creating their own art! It would be great if Topeka Collegiate wanted to decorate a square too! It is our hope there will be LOTS of kids present, and it would be great if they see a Topeka Collegiate message along the trail."

For more information, visit chalkthewalktopeka.org.

5th grader Daniel M. (left) was selected through a competitive audition process for the Interlochen Center for the Arts' Advanced Piano program. Daniel was one of eight artists accepted out of hundreds of applicants. He will spend six weeks there and have the opportunity to audit master classes and receive coaching from visiting guest artists, as well as perform with other pianists in duets and two piano, eight-hand situations. You can view Daniel's audition video by searching for "Daniel M." on Youtube.

Craig G. (above, far right) (Lauren - '07, David - '10, Christopher - 6th, Jacob - 3rd) and Craig's parents, John and Charlene G., rode along with Head of School Dick Patterson in his orange VW Beetle last week. The Gernons were the successful high bidders at Auction 2011 for the opportunity to be treated to lunch at Topeka fixture Porubsky's Deli with Mr. Patterson.

The same week that mathematics teacher Phyllis Hoyt was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Topeka Chapter of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (see story in

Collegiate Connection issue 14), she was also nominated for MATHCOUNTS Coach of the Week by two of her students. The following appeared on the MATHCOUNTS web page for the week of March 7, 2011: 

"A student at Topeka Collegiate School recently nominated Mrs. Phyllis Hoyt for Coach of the Week. Based on the student's nomination, Mrs. Hoyt has made quite an impact on her students.

Mrs. Hoyt has coached Topeka Collegiate School's MATHCOUNTS team for the past 27 years, and under her tenure, the team has placed at the MATHCOUNTS Chapter and State Competition nearly every single year. Mrs. Hoyt's students say she has a way with teaching mathematics -- she makes students learn even when they don't know they actually are learning.

Mrs. Hoyt's students call her "one of the most kind and caring people" they know. According to her students, she always emphasizes the importance of hard work and staying true to morals.  

Mrs. Hoyt has been deemed a wonderful person, coach, and teacher, and her students want her to know she is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations Mrs. Hoyt, for being nominated this week's Coach of the Week!"

You'll find the article at http://mathcounts.org/Page.aspx?pid=1957. 

You can earn money for Topeka Collegiate through everyday activities like going to the grocery store, searching and shopping online, and recycling useful products. Click on the links for more information on participating brands and special promotions.

 -- Dillons grocery store merchandise cards are available for purchase in denominations of $20, $50, and $100 in the school office.The cards may be used at any Dillons store for merchandise including prescriptions and gas. For every card you buy, Topeka Collegiate receives a six percent rebate. For every $1,000 of Dillons cards we sell, the school receives $60, for example. The 6% rebate will go in to the Eagles Flight Fund, which will be used to support our school's operating budget. The Dillons card is like cash. It buys a full $20 worth of groceries or gas, but cannot be replaced if it is lost and is not reloadable. 

 

-- HyVee grocery store merchandise cards are available for purchase $20, $50, and $100 each in the school office. Like the Dillons cards, Topeka Collegiate receives 6% of all sales. Cards may be purchased in the office.

 

Best Choice Labels --  When you purchase Best Choice brand products, clip out and return the UPC portion (the proof of purchase) to the office. For each bundle of 1,000 UPCs, our school will earn $30. Topeka-area stores that carry Best Choice products are Apple Market, Tilton's Westside, Price Chopper, Perry Lecompton and Oskaloosa Thriftways, and Checkers.  

   Campbell's Labels for Education -- You no longer need to save the entire label - just the UPC code as shown above is needed for redemption. Other brand names besides Campbell's in this program include Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Swanson, V8, Market Day, Franco-American, and SpaghettiO's.   

Office Depot 5% Back to Schools Program -- 5% of your purchase comes directly to the school in the form of free supplies. School supplies qualify for the program, while computers, technology items, and other items do not. Simply identify TCS as your school choice at the checkout and/or supply the school ID number: 70039209.  Past purchases can be credited to the school as long as they were made within the last quarter.