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The Collegiate Connection
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From Our Head of School
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Dear Parents and Friends,
As I work to finalize our faculty for next year,
I am pleased to announce a wonderful example of
the quality of our new staff members. Sonja
Czarnecki will join Topeka Collegiate in the
fall as Director of Staff Development and
history instructor.
Sonja has 11 years of experience in independent
schools. She comes to us from the Lakeside
School in Seattle, where she is Chairman of the
Upper School History Department. At Lakeside,
Sonja led departmental work on technology
integration, collaboration, assessments and
curriculum development, as well as conducting
formal evaluations, hiring faculty and teaching
history.
At TCS, Sonja will develop and oversee plans for
faculty
 professional
development and peer evaluation. She will also
be responsible for curriculum development and
alignment. She is eager to begin work and says
she plans to "spend a good deal of time in other
teachers' classrooms, getting to know the
teachers, students, and different pedagogies and
curricula already in use."
These past few weeks, I have been amazed at how
many wonderful things happen to enrich the
education of our students - things that no other
school matches. Earth Week activities and my
guided tour of the third grade rain forest are
two of many examples. These activities would not
be possible without the hard work of a committed
faculty.
As we approach the end of the year, many
traditional Topeka Collegiate field trips,
awards assemblies, and other activities (I've
heard there is an 8th grade vs. faculty kickball
game!) will roll out, culminating in graduation
on May 21. Enjoy these end-of-the-year
activities. I know I will. This is a great place
to be!
With warm regards,
Dick Patterson
Acting Head of School
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Head of School Search Committee |
 Dear
Collegiate Friends,
The Head of School Search Committee has been working
diligently and has narrowed its search to three
candidates. Two of those will visit Topeka this weekend,
the third next weekend.
We are approximately halfway through the selection
process. Thirty-six people applied for Head of School
from all across the country and from within our own
school community. The field was narrowed to nine
following preliminary screenings, and the three
finalists selected from those nine.
The committee will conduct formal, in-depth interviews
with the three top candidates during their visits to
Topeka, followed by thorough background checks. The
committee will then meet, discuss, deliberate and make
its recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The Search
Committee Co-chairs will make an on-site visit to the
school and community of the top finalist before an
employment contact is offered.
We are very pleased with the quality of the Head of
School candidates. Committee members look forward to
meeting them face-to-face and getting to know them
during the next 10 days.
We thank Acting Head of School Dick Patterson for giving
us the gift of flexibility by agreeing to stay on until
we find the right permanent Head of School.
I want to thank the dedicated members of the Search
Committee (listed below) who are devoting many, many
hours to this important work.
Sincerely,
Kristina Dietrick, Co-chair
Head of School Search Committee
Alison Langham '86, co-chair
Dené Mosier
Dick Patterson
Scott Hamilton
Jeff Chanay
Marta Kennedy
Steve Malone
Winnie Kimata
Lanny Moyer
Susan Garlinghouse
John Dietrick, ex officio |
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Calendar Highlights -- April, May |
Friday, April 24
-- Ms. Wilch's assembly postponed to
May 12; Middle School play
preview, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall;
Earth Day celebration and contest;
fresh-popped popcorn after school
- 75˘ (Sea Camp fundraiser); rain
forest tours and Earth Day
activities 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.;
Middle School play, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday April
25 -- State
History Day competition,
Washburn University;
Middle School play, 7:00
p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monday, April 27
--
Wildernessclassroom.com's
Dave Freeman morning
visit and assembly for
2nd - 8th grades
Friday, May 1
-- Ms. Bauer's 5th grade
assembly, 8:35 a.m.,
Assembly Hall;
fresh-popped popcorn
after school - 75˘ (Sea
Camp fundraiser); family
pizza and bingo night
6:00 p.m. - 9:00
p.m. (Sea Camp 2009
fundraiser)
Saturday, May 2
-- Pancake breakfast,
7:00 - 11:00 a.m.,
Assembly Hall
(Technology fundraiser)
Sunday, May 3
-- Jr. Singing Fun
program, 1:00 p.m. -
1:30 p.m., Assembly
Hall; recital for
students in private
lessons, 2:00 - 3:00,
Assembly Hall
Tuesday, May 4
-- Talent show
auditions, 7:30 a.m. -
8:15 a.m. - sign up
outside Assembly Hall
Monday through Friday
May 4 - 7
-- Teacher Appreciation
Week
Tuesday, May 5
-- Talent show
auditions, 7:30 a.m. -
8:15 a.m. - sign up
outside Assembly Hall;
Middle School spring
vocal concert, 7:00 p.m.
- 8:00 p.m., Assembly
Hall; cookies for sale
following concert
(SeaCamp 2009
fundraiser)
Thursday, May 7
-- Thank you breakfast
for volunteers, 8:00
a.m. - 10:00 a.m., front
foyer and eagle foyer;
Talent show auditions,
3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. -
sign up outside Assembly
Hall; Open Forum, 6:00
p.m. - 7:00 p.m.,
Assembly Hall
Friday, May 8
-- Mrs. Hoyt's 6th grade
assembly, 8:35 a.m.,
Assembly Hall;
fresh-popped popcorn
after school - 75˘ (Sea
Camp fundraiser)
Monday, May 11
-- STUCO talent show,
part one, 1:00 p.m. -
3:00 p.m., Assembly Hall
(times are approximate)
Tuesday, May 12
-- STUCO talent show,
part two, 8:45 a.m. -
10:00 a.m., Assembly
Hall (times are
approximate); Ms.
Wilch's 5th grade
assembly, immediately
following talent show;
Mrs. Thiessen's
retirement reception,
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.,
TCS library
Friday, May 15
-- 8th grade farewell
assembly, 8:35 a.m.,
Assembly Hall; 1st grade
Poetry Tea, 1:30 p.m.,
Assembly Hall;
fresh-popped popcorn
after school - 75˘ (Sea
Camp fundraiser)
Monday, May 18
-- Youth choir program
"Alice in Wonderland,"
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. and
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May
20 -- Middle
School awards ceremony,
8:35, Assembly Hall;
last day of school for
students in grades pre-K
through 7; half day of
school - noon dismissal
- no child care
available
Thursday, May 21
-- last day of school
for 8th grade students;
8th grade graduation
ceremonies (attendance
is optional for students
in grades 5, 6, and 7)
Tuesday, May 26
-- TCS Day Camp begins
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Technology Improvements Coming |
Dear TCS Family,
As chairman of the Building Futures One Child at a
Time capital campaign, I am very pleased to bring
you good news!
The campaign has raised more than $1.8 million so far in
gifts and pledges. While the campaign is not complete,
we will soon begin to see the early fruits of our
labors, specifically technology upgrades that will
impact our children right away (even my daughter, who
will graduate in May!)
As you might recall, the three goals of the capital
campaign are: building a permanent middle school,
renovating parts of the existing building, and enhancing
science, media, and technology. The Board of Trustees
has enthusiastically endorsed the expenditure of some of
the capital campaign funds for technology improvements.
This effort is moving forward on two tracks.
Immediate Initiative:
- Replacing the old, bulky
computer lab monitors with new, flat-screen
monitors.
- Increasing exponentially
the speed of the lab computers. This work has
already begun.
These immediate goals will be
funded using proceeds from the Parent Council Poker
Night and Pancake Feed and other funding sources that
may develop.
Strategic Initiative:
We have formed a Technology
Committee, and the members represent a wide range of TCS
constituencies--- parents, faculty, staff, students,
past parents and board. The members are listed below.
The Technology Committee will
study technology in education, survey best practices in
independent schools, and develop a proposal for the
Board of Trustees to consider. Many exciting and
innovative options are available to enhance learning
with the use of technology; we plan to research these,
then move forward with those which will work best for
Topeka Collegiate.
Prior to the expenditure of any
capital funds, the Technology Committee's
recommendations must be approved by the Board of
Trustees.
We are very excited to share
with our school families the beginnings of significant
improvements to our school. Our children deserve the
very best, and with your continued support, we will make
a great school even better.
Sincerely,
Grace Morrison, MD
Chairman, Building Futures Campaign
Technology Committee
Carl Tillona, Chairman, Assistant Head of School
David Zlotky, Network Administrator
Dick Patterson, Acting Head of School
Eva Brown, Parent, Trustee
Dennis Mahan, Parent, IT Professional
Tracey Goering, Computer Teacher, Parent
Brenda Wilch, Faculty, Parent
Kelley Berryman, Faculty, Parent
Jason Berryman, High School Teacher, Parent
Tamara Kessler, Media Specialist, Parent
Miguel Martinez, Faculty
Marilyn Ault, Past Parent, Education Technology
Specialist
David G., Student
Maria K., Student
Sahil R., Student
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Earth Day Celebration and Contest -- Friday, April 24 |
Our school will celebrate Earth Day on Friday,
April 24. 3rd grade students have planned a
number of activities for Friday evening from
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.:
* Take guided tours of the rain forest
* Create some oxygen by planting a plant
* Vote on your favorite "Trash to Treasure" art
project
* Make a food ornament for birds
* Fold origami from newspaper/magazines
* View rain forests live from Google Earth
* Take an ecological footprint quiz
* Purchase and decorate an earth-friendly tote
bag
** Everyone is invited
to participate in these Earth Day activities!**
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Middle School Play -- Friday and Saturday, April 24
and 25, 7-8 pm |
Middle School students will present "Brothers Grimm:
Out of Order," a modern-day retelling of traditional
fairy tales, under the direction of Robin Murphy
this Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 from 7:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages
12 and under.
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State History Day Competition -- Saturday, April 25 |
 Seven
Topeka Collegiate middle schoolers have qualified to
participate on the state level for National History
Day. We're proud of their accomplishments thus far and
wish them the best of luck on Saturday!
If you'd like to attend and cheer them on, please keep
in mind that only performance and documentary categories
are open to the public during judging.
The event will take place at Washburn University.
Tentative judging times and locations are posted on the
Kansas State Historical Society web site (www.kshs.org/teachers/historyday):
7:00 - 8:00 a.m.: Exhibit set up
9:00 a.m. Josh G., Website -- Thomas Room, 2nd Floor,
Memorial Union
9:00 a.m. Carter P., Exhibit -- Kansas Room, 2nd Floor,
Memorial Union
9:20 a.m. Alec B., David G., Sahil R., Documentary
-- Room 159, Morgan Hall
11:20 a.m. Ella B. R., Performance -- Vogel Room, 2nd
Floor, Memorial Union
11:30 a.m. Cooper S., Exhibit -- Kansas Room, 2nd Floor,
Memorial Union |
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Family Pizza and Bingo Night - 7th Grade Sea Camp
Fundraiser -- Friday, May 1 |
  7th
grade students are hosting a bingo and pizza
night on Friday, May 1 as a
fundraiser for their trip to Sea Camp next fall.
Cheese pizza will be served beginning at 6:00 p.m.;
bingo starts at 6:30 p.m.
For a $5 donation, you'll be able to play nine games
of bingo. We have an assortment of fun prizes for
the big winners - check them out on the table in the
front hall!
The pizza will be served whole ($12 per large size)
and by the slice ($2 per slice) and includes
lemonade and water to drink. Please let us know how
many slices or whole pizzas you would like to
reserve by Monday, April 27th. You
may pay at the event.
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Pancake Breakfast; Technology Fundraiser -- Saturday,
May 2 |
If you're still hungry after
all that cheese pizza Friday night, join us
for breakfast Saturday morning! Don't worry about
the pajamas, the bed head or the slippers --just
roll out of bed and come as you are!
We'll be serving breakfast in the Assembly
Hall from 7:00 a.m. until 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 2.
Each plate will include pancakes, sausage, and
your choice of coffee, milk, or orange juice.
The cost is $5 for adults and
$3 for children 12 and under.
Advance reservations and payment for meals would
be appreciated so that we may plan accordingly.
Please make arrangements in the school office.
All proceeds from the event will be applied to
the TCS Technology Fund.
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Teacher Appreciation Week -- Monday through Friday,
May 4-8 |
 National
Teacher Appreciation Week will be observed May 4 through
8. Here at school, parents will be demonstrating how
much our teachers mean to us by treating them to
breakfast on Monday, lunch on Tuesday, and an
after-hours social on Friday. We'll also be relieving
them of selected recess and lunchroom duties so they may
enjoy their day more fully.
If you haven't signed up but would like to participate,
we'd love to have you. Contact School Support Volunteer
Coordinator Rae Anne Davis for more information.
Please encourage your child to write a note of
thanks to their teachers during the week.
We're sure they'll appreciate being appreciated!
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Cookies! 7th Grade SeaCamp Fundraiser -- Monday, May
4 |
 Immediately
following the Middle School choir concert on May
5th, 7th grade students will be selling home-baked
cookies as a fundraiser for next fall's trip to
SeaCamp.
Cookies will be sold by the bag - $3 for one bag,
or two bags for $5.
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Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast -- Thursday, May 7 |
Because we know that:
- We couldn't survive
without our volunteers,
- We have world-class
volunteers,
- Nothing is too good for
our volunteers,
- We appreciate YOU, our
volunteers,
We want to say
THANK YOU!
Please join us for continental
breakfast on Thursday, May 7, from 8:00 to 10:00
a.m.
Grab a bite on the run, or
linger and share breakfast with us. Either
way, enjoy a morning treat
on Thursday, May 7. We'll be
expecting you at the main entrance and in the Eagle
Foyer.
Please allow us to express our
gratitude for all you do!
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STUCO Talent Show -- Monday and Tuesday, May 11 and
12 |
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 Calling
all talent!
 The
TCS Student Council annual Talent Show will take place
on Monday afternoon, May 11 and Tuesday morning,
May 12!
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 in the Assembly Hall the week before the
talent show so that we may preview your act.
Auditions are scheduled in the
Assembly Hall for:
Monday, May 4th from 7:30
a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
Tuesday, May 5th from 7:30
a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
Thursday, May 7th from
3:45 p.m. to 5:30 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 any questions, please
see Carl Tillona or Kim Baker. |
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Last Day of School; End of Year Parties |
 The
last day of school for students in pre-Kindergarten
through 7th grade is Wednesday, May 20, which is a
half day (noon dismissal). The last day of school
for students in 8th grade is Thursday, May 21 with a
morning graduation ceremony. Attendance at the
graduation ceremonies is optional for students in
grades 5 through 7.
Many homerooms will commemorate the end of the
school year with a class party. Your child's
homeroom teacher or volunteer room parent will
communicate with you the dates and times of
those parties.
We request that all off-campus
end-of-the-year parties do not affect regular
school hours of operation. TCS asks that
year-end parties held off of the Topeka
Collegiate campus take place after noon
dismissal on Wednesday. In keeping with the
school's philosophy of encouraging our students
to develop strategies of acceptance and
inclusion for all members of their learning
community please include all members of your
student's class when planning end of the year
off-campus parties.
Volunteer room parents should always get final
approval of the homeroom teacher when helping or
making arrangements for classroom parties.
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Camp Invention: The Discover Program |
 Camp
Invention is returning to Topeka Collegiate June
1-5, 2009!
Camp Invention is a nonprofit enrichment
experience that develops creativity, teamwork,
and problem-solving skills through hands-on
exploration. It promotes a passion for learning
science and focuses on making learning fun. Your
child will experiment with physics, engineering
and creative problem-solving while practicing
critical thinking skills that they will continue
to use throughout their lives.
This program is open to children who are
currently in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
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Summer Adventures 2009 Catalog is Now Online! |
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Whether you have preschoolers who love to "do"
things, children who thrive on academic challenges,
or middle schoolers who want to get a jump on
History Day, you will find an activity to their
liking at Topeka Collegiate Summer Adventures. All
children are welcome regardless of the school
they attend. Children can spend the entire
summer, a few weeks, or just part of the day at
Topeka Collegiate.
You may view this year's classes by going to the TCS
web site and clicking on "Summer Programs" or by
clicking here.
Please print out, complete, and return the two
registration forms ("Camp Registration" and "Summer
Adventures Registration Form") for each child and
return it to school with your deposit. Enroll
early; camps fill quickly!
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Ms. Cook's and Mrs. Hubbell's Pre-K Assembly |
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At their Friday morning assembly April 10,
pre-Kindergartners in Ms. Cook's and Mrs. Hubbell's
classes performed "Bear Snores On," based on the
book by the same name by Karma Wilson and Jane
Chapman.
Each child portrayed an animal who makes its way out
of the cold and into the bear's cave as the bear
snores on, unaware of the party going on around him.
Special thanks go to the Cheep Chicks production
team (Erin Bess Pennington, Debra Ricks-Copley and
Barbara Shapiro). Their services were purchased at
our annual auction by parents for the following
assemblies: Mrs. Shinn's 2nd grade assembly (April
3) and for Mrs. Hubbell's and Ms. Cook's pre-k
assembly (April 10). The Cheep Chicks created the
set design, provided the costumes and props, and
helped out in innumerable other ways to make these
assemblies as successful as possible.
 Cheep
Chicks accept the thanks and gratitude of teacher
Mrs. Shinn and Cheep Chicks auction item purchase
Tracey Goering after the 2nd grade assembly April 3.
( Pictured left to right) Tracey Goering,
Barbara Shapiro, Barbara Shinn, Debra Ricks-Copley,
and Erin Bess Pennington.
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Open Forum -- Thursday, April 16 |
To view the PowerPoint
presentation from the Open Forum, visit the TCS web
site and follow the link on the "Programs" button,
or click
here.
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Poker Party Raises $550 for TCS Computer Lab |
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Thank you for attending the Texas Hold 'Em poker
fundraiser on Friday, April 17. We had a fun time
playing, and made some new friends along the way.
After expenses, we raised $550 for updating
equipment in the computer lab -- that's five new
monitors!
TCS parents Steve and Lori W. (Anne,
8th) took home the first and second place pots.
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Kindergarten Assembly |
Mrs. Berryman and Ms. Van Aalst combined their classes
into one grand celebration of Kindergarten in their
April 17 assembly titled "Welcome to Kindergarten." We
learned that anything is possible when you're in
Kindergarten, especially when lines are spoken in
rhyme! We especially enjoyed their performance of "The
Potty Dance." |
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Science Students Receive an Object Lesson on
Earthquakes |
As part of their unit on
earthquakes and plate tectonics in Ms. Baldwin's
science class this month, fifth graders used
dominoes and slinkys to create and observe different
kinds of waves.
They learned that during an earthquake the P
wave, or primary wave, arrives first. It is a
compression wave, which means that the earth is
squeezed forward and then pulled back as it
travels. The S wave, or secondary wave, travels
more slowly than the P wave and arrives second.
The S wave moves the earth side to side as it
travels through it.
Ben T. and Sage P.
(left) work on their domino topple
Jeremiah S. (below)
explores the difference between a P wave and an
S wave
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From the Health Room -- Fun in the Sun Seasonal
Reminders |
 With
the season changing, there are many new considerations
when preparing your child their school day.
Please remember to apply sunscreen in the mornings so
they have protection against the sun's harmful rays
during recess time. If your child goes to after-care,
it is common for them to spend ample time on the
playground when the weather permits, so please put a
small sunscreen bottle in your child's backpack so the
aftercare supervisors can reapply. Please remind your
child not to use the sunscreen on their own. Be
watchful in classroom newsletters for notice from your
child's teacher when you may send in water bottles to
keep at their desks for constant hydration.
Keep your family safe this summer by following these
tips from the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
For Young Children:
-- Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going
outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF
should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB
rays.
For Older Children:
-- The intensity of activities that last 15
minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and
humidity reach critical levels.
-- At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or
after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and
duration of exercise should be limited initially and
then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14
days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
-- Before prolonged physical activity, the child should
be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking
should be enforced; for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz
of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child
weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130
lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
-- Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and
limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate
evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be
replaced by dry clothing.
-- Practices and games played in the heat should be
shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks
should be instituted.
HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN
Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html
FUN IN THE SUN
Source:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm
--
Danielle Huckins
Health Services Director |
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Upcoming Musical Performances |
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPRING
MUSIC PROGRAM -- Tuesday, May 5 at
7:00 p.m.
Did you know that Topeka Collegiate has the largest
middle school chorus in Topeka? These 78 talented
students will be giving their spring music program
on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. in Assembly Hall. In
honor of our Europe theme this year we will be
singing a madrigal, a catch and a mini-opera. The
other part of our concert could be called
"Generation Clash," but don't worry, our program has
a happy ending! Students should wear their blue
Topeka Collegiate collared shirts for this
performance.
TCASA's JUNIOR SINGING
FUN CHOIR SPRING PERFORMANCE -- Sunday, May 3 at
1:00 p.m.
The twelve 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
graders in the Junior Singing Fun Choir will give a
spring program called "The Electric Cat" on Sunday,
May 3 at 1:00 in the afternoon at Topeka
Collegiate's Assembly Hall. This will be followed
at 2:00 by the TCASA private lesson recital. Hope
to see you there.
THE TOPEKA COLLEGIATE
YOUTH CHOIR PRESENTS THE MUSICAL, "ALICE IN
WONDERLAND" -- Monday, May 18 at
7:00 p.m.
On Monday, May 18, the Topeka
Collegiate Youth Choir will present the musical
"Alice in Wonderland" at 7:00 p.m. in Assembly
Hall. Come see Alice and all the crazy wonderland
characters come to life on stage!
-- Kay Siebert
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7th Graders Experience Heifer Ranch |
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7th grade students spent the April 17th weekend at
Heifer Ranch near Perryville, Arkansas taking part in a
hands-on education program for education about world
hunger and solutions.
Participants in the Heifer Global Village program
learn the realities of obtaining shelter, food,
water and firewood and an existence in which nothing
can be taken for granted.
Heifer Global Village programs show participants
that sometimes having a little means a lot. Whether
spending one day in a village representing one of
the regions in which Heifer works - Central and
Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia/South Pacific, or the
Americas - or participating in the more intense
programs, visitors will be taken through the daily
struggles that impoverished people face every day.
Heifer's philosophy is that in living the lives of
others, you'll find that something extraordinary
happens. Your attitudes about individual action,
community cooperation, and sustainable solutions for
global hunger, poverty and the environment will be
transformed. Your understanding of the world - and
your place in it - will change forever.
Students share some of their reflections on the
weekend:
"An experience like this teaches us to value the
life that we have. Some people are not as fortunate
as us. It gives us the opportunity to feel what
they feel every day. I wish that all people could
live equally, but unfortunately there is imbalance
in the world. . .Heifer also teaches us the value of
needs versus wants. An example would be how just
one animal can change the life of a family or child
for better." -- Carter P.
"My experiences at Heifer were great. It is
very important that we experience situations
like this because we get the opportunity to
learn about the lifestyle of other people and
how they do things every day. It teaches us to
appreciate our things a lot more and that we
should help out teach other. Heifer teaches us
that not all people around the world live like
us and it gave us the opportunity to briefly see
how they live." -- Jessica J.
"Honestly, before this trip I never really
thought about how the rest of the world
lives. I think it is important to
experience the global village to understand
the challenges that people and their society
undergo every day to sustain a healthy and
balanced lifestyle. Before this, instead of
thinking 'How am I going to get food, where
will I get it, how will I cook it, how will
I feed myself?' I just thought 'I know I'm
going to get food tonight, but I want
steak.' I would then ask 'What steak do I
want? Do I want to go out to eat, or make
it myself?' Or even what time should I go
to bed, instead of where am I going to go to
bed, or will I go to bed?
"What Heifer teaches us about the rest of
the world is something truly outstanding:
That an average American citizen will
probably never understand or experience. It
is something that changes your lifestyle and
influences you to understand someone who is
truly in more poverty than you. It makes
you think and understand these questions.
Have you ever been hungry? Have you ever
been starving? Or have you ever been so
long without food that your muscles and
brain do not send you the message to swallow
anymore, and your body is too weak to move?
It teaches you how to appreciate your life
and realize that there are people out there
who are actually living with no food, or
maybe no shelter, or maybe no fire, or
water, or clothes. It tells you about a
part of your life that you should always
appreciate." -- Austin M.
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Volunteer Opportunities |
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As you are probably aware, we have asked parents for
ideas to improve the current financial situation of
the school. One approach is to avoid incurring cost
in the first place by making our parents aware of
classroom or school needs. These needs could be
anything from time in the classroom on a particular
day, to supplies for a special project, to mowing
the grounds. In each bimonthly newsletter, we'll
update you with current needs.
If you are able to help with any
of these events or projects, please contact the
faculty or staff member indicated. Thank
you!
One or two volunteers are needed to hand-address 150
envelopes. Notes are available now; deadline is May
1, 2009. Contact: Kristen Tillona at 228-0490 or
ktillona@topekacollegiate.org.
Mary Loftus is seeking six volunteers to help with
Mrs. Thiessen's retirement reception on May 12 from
3:30 to 5:30 p.m. She would like help decorating
the library and serving refreshments. Contact: Mary
Loftus at 228-0490 or
mloftus@topekacollegiate.org.
Kristen Tillona is seeking tomato cages,
stakes, etc. for our garden. She would also
like a rain barrel to collect rain water.
Contact: Kristen Tillona at 228-0490 or
ktillona@topekacollegiate.org.
Anita Thiessen would like assistance
with closing out the library for the school
year. Computer competence would be
helpful. She needs the help on the second
week in May (11-15) 8:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Contact: Anita Thiessen at 228-0490 or
athiessen@topekacollegiate.org
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Grades 5 through 8 Art Show and 8th Grade Poetry
Night and Coffee House -- Wednesday, April 22 |
 (left)
Students take in the art created by students in
Mrs. Zachritz's fifth through eighth grade classes.
The middle school art show took place April 22 in
the Assembly Hall.
Following the art show, 8th graders
participated in a poetry reading and
coffeehouse (above).
Below are a few samples of the poems that
were read aloud by the authors to our
visitors:
This I Believe
-- Bailey E.
I believe we have little control over our lives
That they are predetermined
That living fully is the only way to survive
Yet the future to us is completely uncertain
I believe that risks are everything
And fear is nothing
Taking a chance is living
And staying home is hiding
I believe in enjoying the purely good things
Because in a world focused on bad
They're getting fewer and farther in between
Without them, this isn't the world we once had
I believe in smiling when no one's around
Making music every day
Laughing just to hear the sound
And telling people everything will be okay
I believe in Allah, Buddha, and all in between
That religion can be healing
But it's more complicated than it seems
And it's some peoples' only way of dealing
I believe in faith and hope
They get us through the day
And they can help us cope
They're there even when the skies are grey
I believe in the goodness in every person
Even as evil is all they project
And even as their thoughts worsen
It's the person inside they're trying to protect
I believe in death
In accepting it, but not giving in to it
Because life is about living to the last breath
Not deciding when to quit
I believe in question what you believe
In questioning everything you hear
In fighting for what others can't begin to conceive
Because one day, we find our lives have disappeared.
The Worst Poem Ever
-- Connor K.
My fingers tap the keys feverishly
As I try to make
The worst poem ever
It won't rhyme
Octopus
(see I told you)
It won't sound smart
I am not try
(see it's not smart)
It won't make a particular amount of sense either
I can count to potato
(even I was surprised at how stupid that sounded)
It won't get a good grade
(actually I hope it does nevermind)
And centuries from now
People will laugh and point
At the worst poem ever.
Moving Day
-- Sam T.
The bags of lost memories
were ready to go
I sat inside my forgotten home and thought
of the memories of my earlier childhood,
The walls in my former home hold memories
that I will cherish forever,
They hold sad tales, funny tales, tales that
are unspeakable,
Tales of laughter and tales of sorrow, tales
of indifference and tales of anger,
The times I spent with my friends are stuck
in those impenetrable walls,
Thunder, lightning, and hot chocolate on
snowy days, while the sweet
smell of lavender filled the house in hot,
humid New York summers,
There were bees and poison ivy, while
dandelions embraced the
landscape on a midsummer's day
The fresh mouth watering raspberries grew
nice and plump on their
prickly bushes,
The amazing view of Nessequage Harbor, where
I would fish all day,
watching the striped bass prance through the
water, their
greenish red blue strips ablaze,
My friend whose jokes and sense of adventure
I will never forget,
The diamond patterns of the baseball fields
at Moriches Park, where I hit my first
homerun,
As summer gave way to fall, and fall gave
way to winter,
The cool, icy hills, where sliding down the
slippery ice became a
habit, encompassed the landscape,
The world's biggest snowman towered above me
like nothing I had ever seen,
Memories of getting stuck alone in a blazing
blizzard up to my knees,
while trying to get home for supper,
And sledding and snowboarding down the
ferocious rolling hills of the Knox School
campus,
The tackle football games we played and the
heart pumping joy of the
first snowfall of the year, where we would
shout for joy as the news bulletin flashed
No School,
Now I look back and see the place I used to
live and I think that
memories can end when a person passes on,
but these special
memories will live in the walls of that
house for eternity, because
those memories are so great that nothing can
outlive them.
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Topeka High School PTO Welcomes Freshman Students and
Parents |
The Topeka High School Parent
Teacher Organization extends a BIG Trojan welcome to
freshman students and parents!
We invite you to become a member of the Topeka High
School PTO and be a part of the parent group
supporting Topeka High through volunteer efforts and
fundraising.
Because our kids are involved in all sorts of
activities, over the last two years it was our
pleasure to contribute more than $34,000 for
activities at Topeka High including After Prom,
academic needs not met by the school budget,
athletic teams, student clubs and organizations,
band, theater, debate and much, much more. In
addition, THS PTO needs volunteers for everything we
do and during summer enrollment you can select from
a variety of activities.
Look for our flyer in the summer enrollment
information or contact Susan Duffy, Membership Chair
at skduffy@cox.net . See you next year!!
HOY, HOY, MIGHTY TROY!!
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Student Enrollment Agreements Due Now |
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Parents, if you HAVE NOT
received an enrollment agreement for your student
for the 2009-2010 school year, please contact the
business office.
Reservation agreements are
due now for next year's enrollment. If you have any
questions regarding your child's enrollment, please
contact Jane Tilghman or Kristen Tillona.
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www.goodsearch.com
-- Each time you use GoodSearch, a Yahoo!-powered search engine,
for your online searches, Topeka Collegiate receives a cash
donation. Be sure to designate Topeka Collegiate as your
designated cause.
Box
Tops for Education -- For each Box Tops 4 Education coupon
you clip and turn in to the office, TCS receives 10 cents. The
Box Tops logo can be found on hundreds of participating brands
from diapers to frozen vegetables to disposable bags. And if
you shop online at the Box Tops marketplace, a portion of every
qualifying purchase (up to 22%) is donated to our school at no
extra cost to you. Participating online stores include GapKids,
Pottery Barn, Hotels.com, and Lands' End. Your box tops have
earned our school $235 since August 1, 2008!
Best
Choice Labels -- New this school year. 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.
Nestlé
Pure Life Water Labels -- As part of Nestlé's Go Play!
program, TCS can redeem any size or flavor Nestlé water bottle
labels for sports gear or towards transportation costs for
school field trips. The entire label from individual
bottles should be turned in; no multi-pack wrappers or
case labels.
Tyson
Project A+ Labels -- Labels from boxes and bags of
Tyson frozen chicken products are worth 24˘ to Topeka
Collegiate. Clip the end flap from boxes (top
left) or the top edge from bags (bottom right).
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. 
Target
Take Charge of Education Program -- Apply and get approved
for a Target REDCard. When you enroll, designate TCS as your
school of choice and Target will send our school a
no-strings-attached check worth up to 1% of your REDCard
purchases at Target and Target.Com.