April 16

April 16, 2010

Issue 17

The Collegiate Connection

Our Mission Statement

We prepare students for advanced education, successful careers and responsible citizenship through a commitment to academic excellence and humanitarian ideals.

From Our Head of School

Dear Parents, Families and Friends,

Dick Patterson

The damage to our property caused by a driver taken into custody on suspicion of DUI this week will be repaired soon. Thanks to parent volunteer Randy Badsky, the swing set support pole will be replaced by early next week. The south fence will be repaired next.

If you have not yet done so, please read the e-mail about class size for next year. It was sent on Wednesday, April 14, and should be of interest to all TCS parents.

Also, check out our new videos on the Web site, featuring parents explaining why they choose Topeka Collegiate for their children.

(click here) We're excited to add more videos soon. We will keep you posted.

Please pay close attention to the upcoming end-of-the-year events. Spring is a busy time and there are so many wonderful opportunities to make memories with your children. Don't miss the chance!

Educationally yours,

Dick Patterson

Head of School

In This Issue

Calendar Highlights

Watch Our History Day Students!

Heifer Ranch Banquet

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Talent Show scheduled

Trash to Treasure Contest

School Directory Changes

Around Campus

Mrs. Hoyt's 6th Grade Assembly

Dillons Card Poster Contest

Pre-Kindergarten Assembly

Music Festival Results

Kehres Cares

3rd Quarter Honor Roll

Videos Now on TCS Web Site!

State Science Olympiad Competition

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Calendar Highlights -- April and May

Friday, April 16 -- Combined Kindergarten classes assembly, 8:35 a.m.; half day of school, noon dismissal; child care is available - for more information, click on "Programs" > "Extended Day Care Program" on the TCS web site

Saturday, April 17 -- State History Day competition, Washburn University

Monday, April 19 -- No school; no child care available

Wednesday, April 21 -- Volunteer appreciation luncheon, noon - 1:00 p.m., Assembly Hall; Middle School (grades 5-8) art show and 8th grade coffeehouse/poetry reading, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 22 -- Earth Day; Yoram Bauman, economist and stand-up comedian, will lead the Middle School in a simulation on supply and demand and the "invisible hand" of the market, 1:00 p.m., Assembly Hall

Friday, April 23 through Monday, April 26 -- 7th graders go to Heifer Ranch, Perryville, Arkansas

Tuesday, April 27 -- Middle School spring concert, 6:30 p.m., TCS gym *** New Time ***

Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 -- Middle School play, "How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying," 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall

Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4 -- STUCO talent show try-outs

Tuesday, May 4 -- Teacher Appreciation Day luncheon for faculty

Thursday, May 6 - Sunday, May 9 -- National Mathcounts Competition in Orlando, Florida; good luck, Josh Greene and team Kansas!

Thursday, May 6 -- Heifer Ranch banquet, 5:00 p.m.; Open Forum (tentative) 6:00 p.m.

Friday, May 7 -- Mrs. Woodward's 1st grade assembly, 8:35, Assembly Hall; Day of the Child; family bingo night (a SeaCamp fundraiser), 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Assembly Hall

Friday, May 14 -- Mr. Martinez' 8th grade class assembly, 8:35, Assembly Hall; Middle School field day, afternoon; Middle School overnight lock-in, 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

Thursday, May 20 -- "Annie" performed by TCS students, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall

Friday, May 21 -- 1st grade poetry tea, 1:00 p.m., Assembly Hall; Middle School dance, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Commons

Monday, May 24 -- STUCO talent show, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Assembly Hall

Wednesday, May 26 -- Last day of school for pre-k through 7th grade - noon dismissal; Middle School awards ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Assembly Hall

Thursday, May 27 -- 8th grade graduation, 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday, June 1 -- Day camp at TCS begins

Monday, June 7 -- Summer Adventures at TCS begin; Camp Invention at TCS begins

State History Day is This Saturday

Heifer Ranch Banquet -- Thursday, May 6

Join us for a simple meal as the Topeka Collegiate 7th Graders teach us about places in the world served by Heifer International.

Heifer International Banquet

When: 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6

Where: Topeka Collegiate School Commons

Why: To raise awareness about global poverty, raise money to buy a Heifer animal for a family in need, and learn about the Heifer Ranch Global Village through the eyes of the 7th graders.

Cost: Voluntary. A pay-what-you-can donation to Heifer International. Please R.S.V.P. by calling Topeka Collegiate at 228-0490.

Heifer's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Learn more at www.heifer.org.

Volunteer Spotlight on YOU!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

You are invited to a

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Wednesday, April 21

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Assembly Hall

Please join us for a buffet lunch as we say "thank you" for your volunteer support.

Program Begins at Noon

Youth Choir Performance

PowerPoint Presentation

RSVP by Friday, April 16 to mloftus@topekacollegiate.org

Parking will be available along Eveningside Drive and on 23rd Street; please do not park in the church parking lot. Thank you!

Calling All Talent!

The TCS Student Council Talent Show will take place on Monday afternoon, May 24!

Any TCS student may participate, and groups are welcome.

Each act has a three minute time limit, and each student may participate in only one act (unless you have received prior permission from STUCO advisors).

All acts must sign up for an audition before the talent show so that we may preview your act.

Auditions are scheduled in the Assembly Hall at the following times:

-- Monday, May 3rd from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

-- Tuesday, May 4th from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m.

-- Tuesday, May 4th from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Sign-up sheets will be posted in the foyer outside the Assembly Hall.

We will provide microphones, a CD/cassette tape player, and a piano. If you need other equipment, please indicate it on the sign-up sheet.

If you have questions, please see Sonja Czarnecki.

Third Annual Trash to Treasure Contest

Take your trash and create a treasure.
Show how you can be creative with your trash.

Due Date: Week of April 26
Competing Categories: Class, individual, or small group
Judges: Media and Earth Day visitors
Guidelines: Use only items you would normally throw away or recycle
Questions: Ask a third grader.

School Directory Changes

The E. family (Trey - 2nd) have a new address and phone number:

XXX

Around Campus

Celebrate National Library Week (April 11 - 17) by purchasing a used book in the library! Books are only 50 cents; come by and make your selections early!

Erin Bess P. (Satchel - 5th, Rose- 2nd) has graciously donated a statue to the Topeka Collegiate library. It is a young girl reclining while reading a book. The statue belonged to Erin's grandmother, Margaret Smith, and was displayed in an outside garden at her home. It will be dedicated in her memory. Margaret loved to collect dolls and art pieces, especially those of children.

In special commemoration, we will have a contest to name the statue. Your entries may be dropped off at the Collegiate library at any time until April 23.

-- Jan Allison, Librarian

As Head of School Dick Patterson recites the Pledge of Allegiance during a recent school assembly, Health Services Director Danielle Huckins performs the Pledge in American Sign Language for our audience.

Mrs. Hoyt's 6th Grade Assembly

Mrs. Hoyt's sixth graders strutted their stuff and displayed their dancing skills in their production of "Dancing with the TCS Stars" at their April 9th assembly.

Gift Card Poster Contest

Middle school students are invited to create posters that encourage participation in the TCS gift card fundraising effort. They may work as individuals or teams. The completed posters will be displayed and used to generate excitement about the sale of Dillons and HyVee cards.

Deadline: Friday, April 23

Prize: $50 gift card

Winner(s) Announced: Friday, April 27

Information About the Gift Card Fundraising Program

n TCS purchases gift cards from Dillons and HyVee in bulk, giving us up to a 6% discount.

n These gift cards can be purchased at the TCS office in denominations of $20, $50, or $100 at their face value. If anyone would like to purchase cards with higher values, they can make a request at the TCS office and receive their order within a couple of business days.

n The gift cards do not expire

n The 6% discount goes into the Eagles Flight Fund which supports the school's operating budget.

Fundamental Judging Criteria to Help Guide You (listed in no specific order)

n Accuracy of information presented in the poster

n Quality of comprehension gained from poster information

n Motivation or enthusiasm generated by the poster to participate in the gift card program

n Aesthetic appeal

n Originality of approach

Pre-Kindergarten Classes Assembly

Mrs. Chapas's and Mrs. Odermatt's pre-kindergarten classes taught us how to be be brave about banishing the monsters in our closets during their April 2nd assembly.

Students Perform at Music Festival

On Friday, April 9, ten Topeka Collegiate students participated in a Music Festival for students in private schools in the Topeka and Kansas City area. Seven of our students performed in the vocal solo category, two performed in the vocal duet category, and one student performed a piano solo.

All the performances were for a judge who gave the participants points, comments and a rating. The rating scale was as follows: I-Superior, II-Excellent, III-Average, IV-Poor. All of the Topeka Collegiate students received Excellent or Superior ratings and Skyler D., who received a Superior rating in the vocal solo category, was awarded "Best of Show" in her area and was featured in the awards assembly at the end of the day.

The following students participated in this event: (VOCAL) - Skyler D. (I), Maria K. (I), Thomas C. (II), Ella B./Elena B. (II), Ariel S (II), Bailey S. (II), Michael B. (II), Mira R. (II) and (PIANO) - Jordie S. (II).

Congratulations to these students for taking advantage of this musical opportunity and for the outstanding job they did!

-- Kay Siebert, Music Department

Kehres Cares

The Admissions office has been busy following up with attendees from our Discovery Day and Open House events. We have had a very positive response, with classroom visits scheduled nearly every day over the past several weeks.

If you know of any family interested in attending Topeka Collegiate next year please let me know as soon as possible. Classes are filling up quickly, particularly in PK and K.

Thank you to our current families who have submitted contracts for next year. We appreciate your commitment to Topeka Collegiate and look forward to another successful year.

Third Quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following students whose grades have earned them a place on the Honor Roll this quarter:

6th Grade High Honors

Madeline B.

David B.

Michael B.

Jenna B.

Alex C.

Jacob C.

Micaela M.

Laura N.

Michael P.

Sage P.

Mira R.

Nathan R.

Bailey S.

Jordan S.

Sarah S.

Jeremiah S.

6th Grade Honors

Nikhil B.

Mark B.

Antonio C.

Brandon C.

Brian D.

Tessa D.

Jordan F.

Sofia K.

Thomas K.

David L.

Anneleise M.

Anjum S.

Neha T.

Haley U.

7th Grade High Honors

Courtney B.

Ella B.

Sky D.

Mariella K.

Marisol K.

Grayson M.

Mollie M.

Savia P.

Michael P.

Shay R.

7th Grade Honors

Kyle B.

Elena B.

Dakota B.

Corben B.

Noah C.

Ryland E.

Max H.

Cheyenne K.

Ariel S.

Tyler V.

8th Grade High Honors

Megan A.

Nick B.

Dylan C.

Brandon F.

David G.

Alex M.

Irene N.

Federico P.

Sahil R.

8th Grade Honors

Alec B.

Connor B.

Thomas C.

Mike E.

Caty F.

Julia G.

Josh G.

Maria K.

Austin M.

Carter P.

Andreia S.

Ashley S.

FDR and Holocaust Remembrance

Television actor Ed Asner, a seven-time Emmy Award winner, will portray Franklin Delano Roosevelt Tuesday, April 27^th, at 8 p.m. at Topeka Performing Arts Center in FDR, a one-man adaptation of the Tony Award-winning play Sunrise at Campobello.

This is the same evening as the TCS Middle School spring vocal performance, but Mrs. Siebert has been nice enough to change the start time to 6:30 p.m. to guarantee its conclusion by 7:30 p.m. in case people have tickets to FDR.

TCS families are being offered a group discount ticket price of $27 per person (for 15 people or more). If you are interested, please e-mail Mary Loftus at mloftus@topekacollegiate.org.

At the end of Ed Asner's performance, TCS students Josh G. and Sarah S. will present flowers to him in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Month.

Josh, fellow eighth grader David G. and alumna Lauren G. '07 have speaking parts at the Holocaust Remembrance observance Monday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kansas Museum of History.

Videos Now on TCS Web Site!

Check out our new videos on the school Web site!

You'll find interviews with half a dozen parents about why they love our school. Click here, or go to our website and click on the VIDEO button at the top.

We've created a TCS YouTube account, and we plan to add more videos soon, showing our students in action. We'll keep the links coming so you can share with family and friends.

Science Olympiad Teams Fare Well at State Competition