August 15

August 15, 2009

Issue 1

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.

Month Year

Vol 1, Issue 1

From Our Head of School

Dear Parents and Friends, Dick Patterson

I spent much of this week in faculty meetings, preparing for the start of school. I'm more excited than ever about the staff we've been able to attract to our school, and they're excited about delivering excellence to our students. They are focused on engaging your child in positive ways, both in and outside the classroom.

This year marks a new beginning for Topeka Collegiate, and a recommitment to our school's mission. Our school was founded during a turbulent period for public education in Topeka. Out of those difficult times, Topeka Collegiate emerged as a model for academic excellence, the celebration of diversity, and the pursuit of humanitarian ideals. We remain dedicated to that mission today.

Our culture here is based on collaboration. You are partners with us, and we need your active participation. Let your child see you modeling the role of volunteer, whether it's during or outside of school hours. You will enjoy it and your child will see you in a whole new light. This time is precious, so don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of it.

I look forward to seeing you at the school picnic Tuesday evening, and on the first day of school. This is going to be a great year for Topeka Collegiate School!

With warm regards,
Patterson Signature

Dick Patterson
Head of School

In This Issue

Calendar Highlights

G. family donates new sign

Welcome back!

New parent social

TCS picnic and open house

1st day of school

Back-to-school night

Jr. pre-k information

Summer reading

Lunch at TCS

Health room news

Drop-off and pick-up procedures

$500 Tuition Rebate

YOUR Parent Council

Cooper S. donates History Day project

Volunteer corner

Guided reading

Wanted: used tennis shoes

MS textbook exchange

Buy Groceries, Help Your School

TCS chess players attend camp

Soap Box Derby

TCASAWA

Join us at the KC Wizards!

Free fundraisers

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Calendar Highlights -- August and September, 2009

Saturday, August 15 -- New Parent Social, 5:00-7:00 p.m., TCS Commons. Adults only, please.

Tuesday, August 18 -- Pre-Kindergarten (full-day program) Orientation; TCS all-school picnic.

Wednesday, August 19 -- First Day of School (1/2 day; noon dismissal - child care is available). Welcome back!

Monday, August 24 -- Back-to-School Night, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Assembly Hall and classrooms.

Thursday, September 3 -- Junior Pre-K (half-day program) Orientation; Open Forum 6:00-7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall.

Friday, September 4 -- Schoolwide roller skating party at Sk8Away, 814 SW Fairlawn, 5:00-7:00 p.m. $3 per skater, all ages. Wear your TCS spirit gear!

Monday, September 7 -- No school - Labor Day.

Tuesday, September 8 -- First day of school for Junior Pre-Kindergarten (half-day program) students.

Monday, September 14 -- School picture day.

Friday, September 18 -- Parent social for all grade levels. Adults only, please.

Saturday, September 26 -- Topeka Collegiate Night at the Kansas City Wizards.

Monday, September 28 -- No school - teacher in-service day.

New Sign - Thanks, G. Family!

What a difference a new sign makes! Notice our fresh, crisp look as you pull up to school.
Thank you to the G. family (Debbie, 1st grader Ryley and Michael) for donating and installing the striking new sign featuring our soaring eagle.

Forms We'll Need From You On or Before the First Day of School

Welcome back!

WELCOME BACK TO TOPEKA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL!

We hope your summer has been rejuvenating and restful, and that you're ready for a another school year to begin! We've been working hard all summer preparing for your return, and are looking forward to saying hello to our old friends and to making new friends!

To make sure that we have all the necessary information to begin our school year smoothly, please take a couple minutes to look over the forms we require before your child begins attending classes. All forms may be found on our web page under the "Forms" link at the top of the page or by clicking here. Please return completed forms to the school office.

New Students:

In addition to the pertinent forms listed below, new students also need to submit:

-- A School Entry Health Assessment Form for new students entering grades Kindergarten through 3rd. Parents with Pre-K students will need to contact the office for a yellow state health assessment form.

All Students:

-- Every family will need to print out and complete a new Student Directory Form. The information you provide on this form is vital to us! Please complete the School Business Directory Form at the bottom of the page if you wish to be included in this free publication.

-- Every family will need to print out and complete a Health Form '09-'10. Please be sure your child is current on his her vaccinations, too (see article below).

-- If your child needs a new spirit shirt, you will need to print and complete a Spirit Shirt Order Form. The cost of your child's spirit shirt is included in his or her tuition.

-- A completed Computer Acceptable Use Form is required to be signed by both the student (all ages) and a parent.

-- Parents should review (not necessarily print) the Tuition Insurance Plan, Health Room Information, Immunization Requirements '09-'10, and the When is my child too ill to attend school? document.

All Students in Middle School (Grades 6 through 8):

-- If you have a middle school student (grades 6-8) who is interested in participating in Parochial League sports, the student needs to have a physical exam dated after May 1. The Sports Physical Form must be completed and signed by a physician or other qualified medical provider. Students will only be allowed to participate in practice and competitions when this form is on file in the health room.

-- Parents of Middle School students should also review the Middle School supply list. The supplies should be sent with your student on the first day of school.

Please contact the office at 228-0490 if you have any questions regarding our enrollment forms.

New Parent Social -- Saturday, August 15

All parents who are new to our school are invited to a New Parent Social at Topeka Collegiate School on Saturday, August 15 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. There will be a short program at 5:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. This evening is for adults only, please.

Kindly enter through the north door. Your RSVP is greatly appreciated to: Admission Director Linda Kehres - 228-0490 or lkehres@topekacollegiate.org.

All-School Open House and Picnic -- Tuesday, August 18

All returning and new families are invited to kick off the school year with a back-to-school picnic and open house the evening before school begins.

The TCS campus will be open beginning at 4:00 p.m. Plan to meet your child's teachers and visit their classrooms between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.

Beginning at 5:30, we will have a picnic dinner in the Assembly Hall. We will supply hot dogs, drinks, and your table service. If your last name begins with letters A through M, please bring a side dish to share. If your last name begins with N through Z, please bring a dessert.

You will also have the opportunity to purchase Collegiate Spirit Wear and Dillons grocery merchandise cards at this event.

First Day of School for Full-Day Pre-K Through 8th Grade -- Wednesday, August 19th

School resumes Wednesday, August 19th at 8:30 for all students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Classes begin Tuesday, September 8 for students enrolled in our half day Junior Pre-K class.

School dismisses at noon on the first day of school. There will be child care available from 12:15 to 5:45 p.m. An afternoon snack will be provided, but students will need to bring a lunch from home. The fee for the afternoon is $25. There is a sign up sheet posted outside of the Extended Day Room (room 110).

Back-To-School Night -- Monday, August 24

An informational night for parents of new and returning students is scheduled for the evening of Monday, August 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Child care will be available for at the rate of $2 per hour.

Junior Pre-Kindergarten (Half Day Pre-K)
Orientation -- Thursday, September 3

First Day of School -- Tuesday, September 8

An orientation has been schedule for Thursday, September 3 from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. for parents of children enrolled in our half day Jr. Pre-K program.

Classes begin Tuesday, September 8.

For more information, please contact pre-kindergarten director Lisa Chapas at lchapas@topekacollegiate.org.

Summer Reading -- Required and Voluntary; Time's Running Out!

Required summer reading:

All Topeka Collegiate students enrolled in grades Kindergarten through 8th are required to read and report on books chosen by their incoming grade-level teachers. The lists of books by grade may be found on our web site home page by clicking on the "Programs" button and then selecting "Summer Reading."

Voluntary summer reading:

The Windows Reading Program is a voluntary summer reading program that partners your child with an adult who also has shared in the experience of reading the same book. This shared experience plants a precious memory that will last a lifetime for both adult and child.

Your child and his or her adult reading partner (which could be you, a relative, a neighbor, family friend, etc.) participating in the Windows Reading Program should choose a book to read, either from the summer reading list, the recommended reading list, or another age-level book. More recommended books can be found at http://kids.nypl.org/reading/index.cfm.

After choosing a book, the child and the adult should read the book separately. After reading, your child should talk to his or her reading partner about each book. The adult should ask questions about the plot, characters, themes, favorite parts etc. When the adult is confident the child has understood the book, the adult and child should fill out and sign the card they have printed out from the "Summer Reading" link. Bring the cards to school with you in August and hand them into Mrs. Allison in the library.

Our Lunch Program

Welcome to the TCS New Lunch Program!

Krystal Hall and Kate Hilbert are our two new "lunch ladies"! Krystal and Kate are a great team and will be working hard to create tasty meals from scratch.

Please be aware that there will be some changes to the lunch program this year. There will no longer be a selection of individually-priced entrees, a la carte items and desserts; one entree with sides and milk or water will be available each lunch. Desserts will be offered as part of some meals, but cookies and brownies will not be routinely available. Students in all grades may substitute a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the entree.

Salads are available for all grade levels; however, salads will be pre-made for students in pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade and should be ordered in advance by contacting the kitchen staff. Students in 4th through 8th grades may assemble their own salads from the salad bar.

Students in the 4th through 8th grades will be able to purchase hot lunch, salad bar, or milk from the lunch room. They may also return for seconds on the hot lunch.

2009-2010 Lunch Prices:

Pre-K through 3rd grade:

Hot lunch, including milk: $2.75

Pre-made salad, including milk: $2.75

Additional milk: .60

4th through 8th:

Hot lunch, including milk, $3.25

Salad bar, including milk: $3.25

Seconds on entrees: $1.25

Additional Milk: .60

As always, parents are welcome to join their child for lunch. We can add your meal to your child's account when you come through the lunch line.

Please contact Health Services Director Danielle Huckins with any dietary restrictions.

Immunization Requirements for the 2009-2010 School Year

From Health Services Director Danielle Huckins:

New Kansas statutes mandates all children to have an updated yearly health form (which can be found on the school web site) and have a current copy of updated immunizations on file in the health room prior to them starting their first day of school. This will be enforced more strictly this year due to state regulations. Depending on the grade level, additional forms may also be required. Below is a table outlining the changes in inoculations:

CURRENT VACCINE REQUIREMENTS

Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP): 5 doses required; 4 doses are acceptable if dose 4 is given on or after the 4th birthday. Booster dose Tdap required at age 11.

Poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV): 4 doses required; 3 doses are acceptable if dose 3 is given on or after the 4th birthday.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 doses required.

Hepatitis B: 3 doses. Required through grade 9. Will be required for all students for the 2010-2011 school year

NEW VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
Varicella (Chickenpox): 2 doses required for Kindergarten. 1 dose required for grades 1-9 for the 2009-2010 school year. 2 doses will be required for all students for the 2010-2011 school year unless there is a history of the Varicella disease documented by a licensed physician.
There must be at least 3 months between doses.

Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib): 3 doses. Required for children less than 5 years of age.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV7): 4 doses. Required for children less than 5 years of age.

Hepatitis A: 2 doses. Required for children less than 5 years of age. There must be 6 months between doses

If you need the paperwork to take to a licensed physician for a medical inoculation exemption or for religious adherence, please stop by my office.

Your compliance and cooperation to keep our school healthy is greatly appreciated and certainly necessary. Please do not hesitate contacting me with further questions or concerns.

For the complete Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations you can go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm.

Danielle Huckins
Health Services Director

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

We are modifying our drop-off and pick-up procedures. We will continue a morning drop-off lane; however it will be at the north entrance only for 4th through 8th grade students. Angle parking is available for parents of younger students who are encouraged to walk their children to their classrooms. There will be no pick-up lane on Eveningside Drive after school. There will be angle parking for parents picking up their children.

The after-school pick-up lane has been moved to Hope Street. It will be a north-to-south pick-up zone on the west side of Hope Street. This will increase safety and eliminate some of the traffic congestion we experienced last year.

This $500 Could Be Yours!

By simply referring a family to Topeka Collegiate School, you can earn $500!

Do you know a family who might be interested in enrolling their child at Topeka Collegiate School? For every child who enrolls based on your referral, we will give you a $500 rebate on your tuition!

To refer a student or for more information, contact Admissions Director Linda Kehres at 228-0490 or lkehres@topekacollegiate.org

*Rebate applies only to enrolling families not already in the school's system. Enrolling family must name referring family on application.

Your Parent Council -- Introducing Our New Initiatives, Officers, and Committee Members

Did you and your family go roller skating with us at Sk8away? Did you attend the hayrack ride and bonfire at Rees Fruit Farm? Play poker with us to raise money for the Computer Lab? Did you boogie at the all-school dance in March? Eat pancakes at the come-as-you-are breakfast? These events and others were put on by your Parent Council. We raised some money for the school, increased our visibility, strengthened our school community, and had fun, too!

If you are a parent of a student enrolled at Topeka Collegiate School, then you are a member of the Parent Council!

We would like to recognize and thank the Parent Council officers and committee chairs for the 2008-2009 academic year. They gave freely of their time and talents to help plan, coordinate, implement, and staff community-building and fund-raising events throughout the school year last year.

Thank you to Greg Schneider (President); Kim Baker (Vice President); Elena Carrington (Treasurer); Tracey Goering (Secretary); Debra Ricks-Copley (Co-Chair, Special Events); Joe Anderson (Co-Chair, Special Events); Rae Anne Davis (Chair, School Support); Jill Cox (Chair, Communications); Debbie Gibson (Chair, Fundraising - Spirit Gear); and Ben Coates (Chair, Marketing).

Parent Council officers and committee chairs for the 2009-2010 school year were nominated and elected through a online ballot available to all TCS parents this summer. Thank you to these parents for agreeing to be nominated and for volunteering their time to our school for the upcoming year:

President: Debra Ricks-Copley
Vice President: Leslie Ham
Secretary: Jill Cox
Treasurer: Tracey Goering
Fundraising Committee Chair: Debbie Gibson
Special Events Committee Chair: Joe Anderson
School Support Committee Chair: Kim Baker
Marketing Committee Chair: Ben Coates

MEC Committee representative: to be announced

SeaCamp fundraising committee representative: to be announced

With the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, the Topeka Collegiate Parent Council will be the umbrella organization for all volunteer endeavors within, for, and on behalf of the school. Coordination of events and fundraising campaigns and the recruitment of volunteers will be through the Parent Council.

We can't do it without YOU! There are many, many opportunities for you to become involved with your child's classroom, teachers, and school. A full listing of ways you can help will be available soon, and we strongly encourage every family to choose at least one event within their child's classroom and within the school at large.

Student Donates Nationally-Ranked Exhibit to American Legion

Cooper S. '09 spent so many hours researching his History Day project on Harry Colmery that he began to feel an obligation to spread the story of the Topekan who wrote the first G.I. Bill. Maybe it was the countless hours poring over Colmery's papers and other primary source documents at the Kansas Museum of History. "I began to feel like I was part of history," says Cooper.

Cooper has made good on a promise that will ensure many more people learn about Harry Colmery's role in the landmark G.I. Bill. He donated his award-winning exhibit, "Harry Colmery Writes the First G.I. Bill: The Making of the American Middle Class" to the Kansas headquarters of the American Legion where it will be on permanent display after a trip to the National American Legion Convention in Louisville later this month.

When Cooper spoke to the American Legion state convention earlier this year, he promised to donate his exhibit after he competed at the National History Day Contest in College Park, Maryland in mid-June. At that contest, Cooper's project took second place in the individual exhibit category.

After presenting his exhibit to State American Legion Department Commander Chuck Yunker and promising to bring his children to see his work one day, Cooper inscribed these words on the back:

Donated to the American Legion by Cooper S. Finished 2nd at National History Day Finals. 7/24/09.

Volunteer Corner - Three Cheers for Lawn Crew!

Throughout the summer, they gave up their leisure time to battle heat, humidity, insects and scorching sun to keep the school grounds mowed and trimmed. Jim C. (right), Randy B. (left), James B. (below left) and Ben C. (below right) are the volunteers who saved the school a considerable amount of money by organizing themselves into a regular, reliable, cheerful grounds crew.

We thank them and salute them as the first volunteers to be profiled in what will be a regular Collegiate Connection feature. Job well done!
James Brown

Guided Reading Benefits Students

Lower school teachers spent part of this week training in a systematic approach to small-group reading instruction called Fountas and Pinnell guided reading. Topeka Collegiate is implementing this approach in Kindergarten through third grade.

Trainer Leslie Ryan says guided reading is a way of teaching reading that involves placing students who are in the same place in processing information together in reading groups. Through interactive reading aloud and discussion, teachers help students build their thinking about books and expand the kinds of readers and writers they are. "We have a lot of surface readers," Ryan explains. "They can retell the story they've read, but it hasn't had an impact on them. They're not thinking about what they read." Guided reading aims to change that by helping students think critically about what they read.

Ryan cites the example of children who are capable of reading the Harry Potter series, but don't get the subtleties and characterizations. They may read simpler examples of the fantasy genre in a guided reading group, in order to learn to understand and enjoy the genre, rather than just moving to harder and harder books.

There is also a Fountas and Pinnell assessment tool that helps teachers observe and pinpoint children's strengths and weaknesses, then teach to those. Bottom line: guided reading helps students become better readers who enjoy a variety of writing genres.

Wanted: Used Tennis Shoes

Run for a Reason coordinator Debra Ricks-Copley is seeking donations of used tennis shoes in any condition. They will be used to mark the path for the Fun Run this October.

Donations may be left in the marked box near the front doors.

For more information, please contact Debra at ricks_df@hotmail.com.

Middle School Textbook Exchange -- Buy One, Sell One, Trade One

To all 5th through 8th grade parents:

As a past TCS parent, I know that it is easier to keep a copy of some textbooks at home rather than have your child lug his books home each night. We would like to help you out in that regard. Do you have "at home" copies of textbooks that you'd like to sell ? Do you need to purchase "at home" textbooks for the coming year? We'd like to get the buyers and the sellers together. Email me, Karen Benson, at kbenson@topekacollegiate.org and we will get you sorted.

I look forward to hearing from many, many middle school parents with orders to buy or sell.

Karen Benson
TCS Support Staff

Buy Groceries and Help Your School

You buy groceries anyway. Now there's a way to buy groceries and help your school at the same time!

$20 Dillons Plus Shopper's cards will be available for purchase 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 cannot be "reloaded."

TCS Chess Players Attend Week-Long Camp in Lindsborg

(from left)
Malik B., Var Akobian, Dario P., and Thomas K.

Three Collegiate scholars, Dario P., Thomas K., and Malik B. attended a week-long chess camp this summer at the International Chess School Lindsborg, Kansas. They had the daily opportunity to learn from, play with, dine with, and hang out with the current National Chess Champion, Grandmaster Var Akobian.

Grandmaster Akobian, born in Armenia, raised in Mongolia, and now residing in Los Angeles, California, recently won the National Open. He also played in the U.S. Champtionship and qualified to for the World Cup. Last year while Collegiate scholars Federico P., Leonardo P., Bryce V., Thomas K., and Malik B. attended the same camp, Grandmaster Akobian received word that he was chosen to be a member of the U.S. Chess Olympiad Team, which later took the bronze metal in Dresden, Germany.

Also on hand at the camp were the current Kansas Open Champion and the International Chess School Director, Tom Brownscombe, and current Kansas High School Chess Champion Chris Purdy. The fact that these boys were able to spend quality time with all these men at once for a week was quite a unique and extraordinary opportunity.

It has already been announced that Grandmaster Akobian will return to Lindsborg for next year's summer camp. Ms. Bauer looks forward to chaperoning another group July 18-23, 2010 and hopes more chess scholars will join her! If you would like more information about next year's camp, please contact her at dbauer@topekacollegiate.org.

8th Grader Races to Independence Day Victory

David G. (second from right) won first place in this year's Robinson, Kansas 4th of July Soap Box Derby. There were twenty participants, including younger brother Christopher and cousin Matthew (who lives in Hiawatha). David raced in four heats, for a total of eight races, before wining the first-place trophy.

After the race, David thanked the local resident who donated the car for him to drive.

Robinson is located in Brown County, northeast of Topeka. The G. family has participated in the Soap Box Derby event for several years.

TCS Summer Adventures Has Ended; After-School and Weekend Adventures is Coming Soon!

We completed another successful year of summer camps this July. Children from all over Topeka were able to participate in classes, events, and camps with a variety of themes. We hope you were able to join us for the fun!

We would like to thank staff member Barbara Shinn for her years of committed service to the after-school and summer programs. Her enthusiasm and vision were crucial to the programs' success. This fall, Mrs. Shinn will be passing the reins of the after-school and summer adventures to a new director, third grade teacher Dallas Bauer. Ms. Bauer will be extending the after-school program to include an occasional weekend adventure, too, such as the Topeka Collegiate Night at the Kansas City Wizards on September 26th (see article below).

Check our web site in about a month for the online version of the new Fall 2009 TCS After-School and Weekend Adventures catalog!

Children in our "Fun in the Sun" camp delight in the magic of a solar balloon,

a long plastic bag made from a very thin plastic and colored black to absorb solar energy. As the sun heats the air inside the bag, the balloon becomes buoyant and begins to float. When the sun slides behind a cloud, the balloon descends, then rises again as the sun reappears.

Topeka Collegiate Night at the Kansas City Wizards -- Saturday, September 26, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Topeka Collegiate After School and Weekend Adventures Presents
Topeka Collegiate
Night at the Wizards
KC Wizards

To kick of the addition of Weekend Adventures to the Topeka Collegiate After School Adventures Program, we have partnered with The Wizards, Kansas City's Professional Soccer team, to create a Topeka Collegiate Night at the Wizards!

Join us as the Wizards play the Colorado Rapids on September 26, 2009. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be played at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark (just west of The Legends in Kansas City, Kansas).

Tickets are now on sale!

$25 ticket includes

Stadium seating in a special Topeka Collegiate Section
A pass to go on the field before the game to help form a human tunnel which the Wizards will run though and slap your hands as they take the field
A pass to go on the field after the game where kids will be able to take a goal shot!

Additional Add On Options:

Ball Kid (available to youth ages 12 and up)

$25 in addition to admission ticket price
Spend the entire game on the field serving as a Ball Kid, ready to throw in a new ball when the game ball is kicked out of bounds
Training and special t-shirt provided prior to the game
Spots are limited to the first 14, so order early!

Flag Bearer (available to children ages 8 to 13)

$15 in addition to admission ticket price
Be on the field as part of the opening ceremony as you help carry the FIFA Fair Play and MLS flags
Receive training prior to the game
Spots are limited to the first 12, so order early!