April 30

April 30, 2010

Issue 18

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

Please make plans to attend the Open Forum on Thursday, May 6, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., following the Heifer International Banquet. We will share information about the budget, plans to enhance the quality of the educational program, progress on the Strategic Plan and more.

There will be time for questions afterwards, either in the group or one-on-one. We're serving coffee and cookies, and invite you to have a casual conversation with Board President John Dietrick and other trustees, or me, after the Open Forum ends.

Good news from the Early Childhood Education end of the building:

We have installed two computers in Mrs. Odermatt's Pre-K classroom, one with phonics software, the other with a math game. Mrs. Odermatt says the children (including Sloane S. and Rishi S., below) are having a wonderful time using the computers, and learning lessons in sharing and delayed gratification as they await their turns!

From an education standpoint, Mrs. O. says research shows that to be most effective, technology needs to be integrated into children's everyday experience. The Pre-K computers are helping our young students become proficient at technology, while reinforcing other subjects. Coming soon: computers in the other Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms.

Touring the 3rd grade rain forest this week and watching the middle school play preview this morning remind me what a great education our students are receiving. I'm looking forward to another great year next year.

Educationally yours,

Dick Patterson

Head of School

P.S. As you know, our teepee blew down in high winds over the weekend. We will raise it again in the fall. And we've learned our lesson. We will tie it down more securely next time!

In This Issue

Calendar Highlights

MS Play This Weekend

Nat'l Teacher Apprecciation Day

Talent Show scheduled

Heifer Ranch Banquet

Day of the Child

Family Bingo Night Planned

TCS Sends Student and Coach to National Mathcounts

Watch Our History Day Students!

Field Days Planned

School Directory Changes

Kindergarten Assembly

Math Olympiad 2010

Around Campus

Remembering Wilma Mankiller

Coming in 2010-2011!

Alumni Make Us Proud

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Calendar Highlights -- April and May

For the most current information, refer to the calendar on ParentsWeb!

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 G. and team Kansas!

Thursday, May 6 -- Heifer Ranch banquet, 5:00 p.m.; Open Forum 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 -- 8th grade farewell assembly, 8:35, Assembly Hall; Middle School field day, afternoon; Middle School overnight lock-in, 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

Tuesday, May 18 -- New! Lower School Field Day, 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., north soccer field

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

Middle School Play This Weekend

Topeka Collegiate middle school students will present the Jonathan Rand play "How to Succeed In High School Without Really Trying" tonight, Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall under the direction of Robin Bonsall.

In this short comedy, a group of student agents infiltrate an assembly to demonstrate their secret tips and tricks, ranging from legally changing your name to get around roll call, to using Tom Cruise to help memorize science terms.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under.

Come out and support your middle schoolers! They've worked really hard!

National Teacher Appreciation Day -- Tuesday, May 4

In observance of National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 4, we'll be showing our faculty just how much they mean to us!

Parent volunteers and members of the Topeka Collegiate Board of Trustees will be providing a springtime luncheon to all of our faculty members. So that they may enjoy lunch with their colleagues, we're also relieving them of their noontime lunchroom and recess duties.

If you haven't signed up but would like to participate, we'd love to have you. Contact School Support Volunteer Coordinator Kim Baker 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!

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.

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. Students will be sharing their experiences from their trip to Heifer Ranch earlier this month. They will also be presenting brief PowerPoints on the research they have been doing on the part of the world they studied while at Heifer.

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. Heifer logo

Day of the Child -- Friday, May 7

Dear Families,

We will celebrate the International Day of the Child on Friday, May 7 with child-friendly activities including a large inflatable slide, 5th grade maypole dance, Mariachi musicians, 8th grade vs. teacher kickball game, etc. Maypole and Mariachi activities are planned for lunchtime (11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.).

Unfortunately we still do not have enough volunteers to help make this day run smoothly. We need parents to:

-- Donate bubbles, tattoos, nail polish, and sidewalk chalk
-- Help prepare and serve lunch
-- Assist teachers at classroom stations
-- Help take groups of students around to stations
-- Bag up popcorn for the kickball game spectators
-- Bring in bite-sizes pieces of ethnic foods for the International Food Court (NEW!)

-- Donate cash to support the cost of the big bouncy slide

If you can help with any of these needs: please email me, contact Nicoleta Dimitriu directly about food, or Jewelia Oswald about being a classroom volunteer. Supplies can be dropped off at the office or Jewelia's room. We need your support to make this day special and fun!

Many thanks,

Sonja Czarnecki

Family Bingo Night -- Friday, May 7

7th grade students are hosting a family bingo night on Friday, May 7 as a fundraiser for their trip to SeaCamp next fall. The event is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall.

Seacamp gives our eighth graders an opportunity to learn about the ocean, which impacts all of our lives, at a level not possible in vacation-type experiences.

Questions? Contact parent Isolde Pettinella.

Student and Coach Head to National Mathcounts

Eighth grader Josh G. and three other members of the Kansas Mathcounts team head to Orlando, Florida for the National Mathcounts competition from Thursday, May 6 to Sunday, May 9. Josh is accompanied by TCS math teacher and his Mathcounts Coach Phyllis Hoyt. Josh qualified for this very select team by finishing second in the individual standings at state Mathcounts competition on March 6. The top four finishers at state make up the Kansas team at nationals. This is the fifth time Topeka Collegiate School has sent a student to National Mathcounts, and it's the sixth time Phyllis Hoyt has gone. She was the Kansas team coach in 1997.

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems, the MATHCOUNTS competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

State History Day Results; Three Advance to Nationals

*Neha Tripathi, Sahil Rattan, David Gernon*

We're proud to announce that of the nine Topeka Collegiate students who participated in National History Day at the state-level competition on April 17th, three will be advancing to the National competition!

Congratulations to the team of David G. (8th) and Sahil R. (8th), who placed 1st in the Group Documentary category and to Neha T. (6th) who placed 2nd in the Individual Exhibit category. History Day judges commented that the students were very knowledgeable about their subject matter and presented their topics in a poised, polish manner.

Sarah S. (6th) and Josh G. (8th), who were 3rd place winners in their respective categories, will serve as alternates.

We wish Sahil, David, and Neha the best of luck in the National History Day competition June 13-17 in College Park, Maryland!

Field Days Planned

Field Day is right around the corner. Here is some information that you should be aware of:

Lower School Field Day is Tuesday, May 18th 12:30 - 3:15 p.m.
- Please have your kids wear athletic attire
- Please make sure your kids are wearing tennis shoes for the events.
- Include a towel to sit on, a water bottle, and sunscreen for the afternoon.

- Please don't send drinks or snacks with your child; we'll provide drinks for them.

Middle School Field Day is Friday, May 14th 12:30 - 3:15 p.m.
- Once again, please have your kids wear athletic attire and tennis shoes.
- Please have them bring a towel, water bottle, and sunscreen if they want.

We are planning on having a good time, so if you are interested in volunteering in any way, please contact Mr. Ginapp at nginapp@topekacollegiate.org. We look forward to seeing you on the north soccer field to cheer on all of our competitors!

School Directory Changes

The B. family (Elena - 7) have a new email address: XXX.

The V. family (Tyler - 7) have a new home phone number: XXX.

Kindergarten Classes Assembly

Kindergartners in Mrs. Berryman's and Ms. Van Aalst's classes based their April 16th play on the book "Ferocious Wild Beasts" by Christopher Wormell and taught us why we should always listen to our moms!

2010 Math Olympiad Winners Announced

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the 2010 Math Olympiad:

Gold Pin and Top Scorer Trophy: Thomas K., Laura N.

Silver Pin and Top Scorer Trophy: Bryce V.

Patch Winners, 6th Grade: Madeline B., David B., Michael B., Mark B., Jenna B., Jacob C., Micaela M., Sage P., Mira R., Walker R., Jordie S., Sarah S., Jeremiah S., Anjum S.

Patch Winners, 5th Grade: Justin A., Christina C., Toma D., Christopher G., Alexis K., Karl L., Satchel P., Leonardo P., Emily P., Chloe W.

4th Grade Participants: Charlie L.: Top 4th Grade Trophy; Drew M., Amber S.

Around Campus

After studying the themes of Homer Hickam, Jr.'s memoir "Rocket Boys," ("Aim High" or "Follow Your Dreams"), the 6th graders present Head of School Dick Patterson with a signed copy of the novel at a recent assembly.

(From left: Dick Patterson, Sarah S., John MacDonald)

During their study unit on Zoo Animals, Kindergarten students took a field trip to the Topeka Zoo.

On Saturday, April 23rd Dalton V. (5th) had his 11th birthday party at Topeka Collegiate. This was the Kido/Bauer evening party auction item that was purchased by Dalton's grandparents, Mark and Lynn S. Instead of gifts, Dalton requested donations for the Helping Hands Humane Society. Along with donated items (dog/cat toys, animal carriers, shoe boxes, etc.) he also collected $180 to give HHHS.

Second graders in Mrs. Bammes's and Mrs. Mosier's classrooms collected 146 pounds of beverage can pull tabs for their community service project this year, far exceeding their goal of 50 pounds. They delivered the tabs to Ronald McDonald House on April 6th, along with basic supplies that the charity had requested. The event was covered by three local television stations.

Assistant Head of School Carl Tillona (left) was back on campus this week helping out and tying up loose ends.

Middle Schoolers presented their spring music program April 27 under the direction of Kay Siebert.

The F. family purchased a Lunch With the Head opportunity at Auction 2010. When the event rolled around, James F. invited Head of School Dick Patterson and James's current and past book buddies to eat with him at Chez Yasu, the French restaurant owned by James's mother, Mako U. (From left) Dick Patterson, Mark B., David B., Isaiah H., James F.).

Remembering Wilma Mankiller

We're sorry to report the death on April 6 of Wilma Mankiller,

the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation in modern times, whose leadership on social and financial issues made her a national role model. Mankiller was principal chief of the Cherokee from 1985 to 1995.

Wilma Mankiller visited Topeka Collegiate in November of 2004 (left), during our year of Native American study. We remember the wonderful day she spent at our school, reminding students that not all Indian tribes are alike, explaining the evolution of the written Cherokee language, and emphasizing again and again that girls can do anything!

We extend our sympathy to Mankiller's husband Charlie Soap, who accompanied her on her visit to TCS, and to her wide circle of family and friends, including David and Cheryl Kingfisher, who were instrumental in making it possible for our students to spend time with this respected and influential woman.

Coming in 2010 - 2011!

Beginning this fall, all the materials that we normally distribute in printed form will be available electronically. This includes: