February 12

February 12, 2010

Issue 13

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, Mr. Patterson

You should be receiving your reenrollment agreement for next year in the next day or two. If you do not, please let us know.

This has been a great year, and we are busy planning further improvements to the program for the 2010-2011 school year.

I look forward to continuing as Head of School next year. Sonja Czarnecki will serve as Middle School Head, and Dené Mosier will become Lower School Head. Sonja and Dené may also continue classroom teaching part-time. We are returning to the division head administrative model that worked well several years ago.

We will continue our commitment to teacher collaboration, outstanding curriculum, and strong partnerships with our families. We have established a positive learning environment for everyone. As we move forward we are building on these positive changes and growing from our mission.

When you give your resources to Topeka Collegiate, you commit to your children's future. Your commitment makes this school a great place to send your children, today and into the future.

So we can plan for next year and ensure a sustainable future for the school, I ask that you send in your enrollment contract no later than the March 12 deadline. It's important that we know your plans so we can staff the school appropriately for next year.

If you have questions when you receive your reenrollment packet, please let us know by calling or dropping by the school.

Educationally yours,

Dick Patterson
Head of School

P.S. Happy Valentine's Day!

In This Issue

Asst. Head of School Resigns

Calendar Highlights

Mathcounts Team #1 at Chapter

TILRC Director to Speak

Discovery Day Planned

Andy Brownback '02 to Visit

Art Walk to Include TCS

Auction 2010

History Fair February 2 and 3

Volunteer Spotlight On:

Kehres Cares

Purchase Grocery Cards and Support TCS

Explorer Wax Museum

Kansas Day at TCS

Spelling Bee 2010

TCS Quiz

Equity and Justice Webinar Available for Viewing

Around Campus...

Camp Invention Returns in June

Innovations in Lower School Science

Kindergarten Teachers Attend Conference

Student Directory Updates

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Mr. Tillona Resigns to Rejoin Family

Carl Tillona has resigned his position as Assistant Head of School in order to spend more time with his family in Massachusetts. Mr. Tillona will continue in a consulting role for the remainder of the school year, will remain in e-mail contact, and will return to TCS twice during the next four months for on-site consultation.

Director of Staff Development Sonja Czarnecki, Technology Director David Zlotky and Lower School Coordinator Dené Mosier will assume many of Mr. Tillona's day-to-day responsibilities.

We thank Mr. Tillona for his hard work and contributions to our school, wish him well, and look forward to working with him for the remaining months of this school year.

Calendar Highlights -- January and February

Now -- Bring your auction items to school and return your auction RSVPs

Monday, February 15 -- No school; Presidents Day; no child care

Thursday, February 18 -- Middle School service day

Friday, February 19 -- Auction RSVPs are due; Mrs. Schwerdt's and Mrs. Frederick's 1st grade assembly, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall; Mike Oxford presentation; popcorn for sale after school; all-school roller skating party, 5:00 - 7:00 at Sk8away, 815 SW Fairlawn, $5 per skater. Wear your TCS spirit gear!; Middle School Dance, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., Commons

Sunday, February 21 -- Discovery Day for prospective students entering Jr. Pre-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Monday, February 22 -- Multicultural Education Committee meeting, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Conference Room

Tuesday, February 23 -- Lower School Art Show (pre-K through 4th grade), 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall

Thursday, February 25 -- Andy Brownback '02 to speak about gender equity and the political situation in Honduras

Friday, February 26 -- Mr. MacDonald's 6th grade assembly, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall; popcorn for sale after school; Auction 2010 Preview, 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 27 -- History Day district competition, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Washburn University

Mathcounts Team Takes First at Chapter Competition

TCS Mathletes 2010 (top row, from left) Alec B., Josh G., Irene N., Sahil R.; (bottom row) Grayson M., Laura N., David G., Carter P.

Congratulations to our Mathletes for an outstanding performance at the Mathcounts Chapter Competition February 6 in Lawrence. Competing against middle schools from the Topeka, Lawrence, and Emporia areas, our team placed first and our individuals took 6 of the top 10 spots.

The team awards are based on a combination of individual scores and the score on the team round, on which all 4 team members collaborate. Here are the results:

Team Awards
1. Topeka Collegiate (Josh, Irene, Sahil, and Alec)
2. Mater Dei
3. Shawnee Heights Middle School
4. Southwest Jr. High (Lawrence)
5. Washburn Rural Middle School
6. West Junior High (Lawrence)

Individual Trophies
1. Josh G.
2. Irene N.
3. Sahil R.
4. Laura N.
7. Alec B.
9. Grayson M.

This was a banner year for us! To have six of the top ten individual awards is a testament to the dedication, hard work and mathematical passion that our students exhibit. I am extremely proud of our mathletes!

The team and Laura will advance to the State Competition on March 6 in Salina.

-- Phyllis Hoyt

Topeka Independent Living Resource Center Director to Visit -- Friday, February 19

On the afternoon of February 19 we have a special visitor coming to our school, Mike Oxford. Mr. Oxford is the Executive Director of the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, which advocates for the rights of differently-abled (physically handicapped) persons. He has been involved with numerous advocacy groups for over twenty years, and has spoken to a wide variety of audiences (including children).

The purpose of his visit is to help raise students' awareness of the different needs among those who are differently-abled, to help us in our goal of becoming a more inclusive community. His visit supports this year's Multicultural Education Committee theme, "Equity and Justice: People Making a Difference."

-- Sonja Czarnecki

Discovery Day for Jr. Pre-K, Pre-K and Kindergarten -- Sunday, February 21

Discovery Day will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Prospective families interested in Junior Pre-K, Pre-K or Kindergarten can bring their children to our school to participate in fun "Rumble in the Jungle" activities. Current Junior Pre-K and Pre-K families are also welcome to attend this fun event.

If you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about TCS, please provide Admission Director Linda Kehres with their name and contact information. Thank you.

Speaker Andy Brownback Visit Rescheduled -- Thursday, February 25

Andy Brownback '02, whose December visit was postponed due to the weather, has been rescheduled for Thursday, February 25 at 2:45 p.m. in the Commons.

Andy will be addressing middle school students and faculty and about his research in Honduras on gender equity and the political situation there.

TCS Included in First Fridays Art Walk -- March 5

Parents, grandparents, alumni, and other adult artists!

Topeka Collegiate School is happy to announce that the works of our school's talented young artists will be one of the featured stops on the ARTSConnect First Fridays Artwalk on March 5th.

The Lower School Art Show, scheduled for Tuesday, February 23rd, will remain on display through March 5 for friends, family members, and the Topeka community to enjoy. Refreshments will be provided, and our middle school students will be performing instrumental and choral music.

If you have original works of art that you would like to have included in the artwalk, we'd love to have you!
Artists should plan to deliver pieces to school by Thursday, March 4th, along with easels for display, if applicable. Please contact Sonja Czarnecki at 785-228-0490 or by email by clicking here.

For more information on the First Fridays Artwalk, visit their Web site: www.artsconnecttopeka.org.

Auction 2010 -- A Starry Night

The Topeka Collegiate School annual auction is scheduled for the evening of March 6, 2010!

The time has come to deliver your auction acquisitions to school! Please drop off the item or service that you have procured either in the school office or in the Development office (room 109).

If you have not submitted your acquisition form or buy-out form, please return your form(s) as soon as possible. Extra acquisition forms are available in the school office and on the TCS web site by clicking on the "Giving" button, and selecting "Auction" from the drop-down menu. If you're still pondering what to donate to the auction, contact one of our auction co-chairs (Erin Bess Pennington and Amy Spurgeon-Hochard) and they'll try to help you with ideas.

Invitations have been mailed; please return your RSVPs to school by February 19th so that we can do our best to honor your seating requests.

MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF!!!!

USE THE EXPRESS CHECK-OUT OPTION AT THE AUCTION

For those of you who are new to the Collegiate Auction, we have a VERY popular service we call EXPRESS CHECK-OUT. It works like this:

You tender your VISA, DISCOVER, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS card for processing when you check-in and sign the blank credit card slip or give us a signed, blank check made out to TCS Auction. After the auction, you take home your purchases and we will mail to you your filled-in credit card slip and any gift certificates you have purchased. This will enable you to leave promptly and avoid waiting in the check-out line. TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT!

2010 TCS History Fair

Middle school students presented their History Day projects at a fair Tuesday night, February 2nd in the Assembly Hall on the theme "Innovation in History: Impact and Change."

The young historians' projects took the form of research papers, exhibits, documentaries, Web sites and performances. Below are the students whose projects earned them superior ratings:

Historical Paper: Megan A., 8th grade

Individual Exhibit, 6th grade: Jacob C., Mira R., Jordie S., Jeremiah S.

Individual Exhibit, 7th grade: Michael P.

Individual Exhibit, 8th grade: Nick B., Fed P.

Individual Documentary: Josh G., 8th grade

Group Documentary: David G./Sahil R., 8th grade

Group Performance: Ella R./Skyler D., 7th grade

Topeka Collegiate students who choose may take their projects on to competition at district History Day, scheduled for Saturday, February 27 at Washburn University.

(Above) Brandon C., Thomas C.

(Below) Ella R. and Skyler D.

Volunteer Spotlight On Paul Kopp

Past Parent Paul Kopp (Rebecca '00) spent his working life as a businessman, but since retirement, sea camp 09 1

he's had time to pursue a long-held interest in art.

He's taking classes, creating art in a variety of media, and having the time of his life. He's showing and selling his work, and donating pieces to art auctions.

Mr. Kopp recently offered to lead eighth grade students (including Caty Field, right) in a class art project for the TCS auction. Individual landscapes are combined into a mural. Watch for it in the Student Treasures section of the auction.

Kehres Cares

Please plan to attend the all school Open House/Information Night on Tuesday, March 9th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. This is an excellent opportunity to hear from our current students during the student panel, as well as visit with the teachers about all the exciting things your child has to look forward to next year at TCS!

The evening will begin at 6:30 with a brief program, followed by the student/parent panel. At 7:00 the classroom visits and teacher presentations will begin. The middle school teacher presentations will take place in the commons.

We hope to see you at the Open House on March 9th. Please RSVP by March 3rd. This night is also for prospective families looking at our school, so if you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about TCS, please provide me with their contact information. Thank you for choosing Topeka Collegiate.

Just a reminder: Discovery Day will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1:00 - 3:00 for prospective families interested in Junior Pre-K, Pre-K or Kindergarten. Current Junior Pre-K and Pre-K families are also welcome to attend this fun event.

Buy Your Grocery Cards Here Before Shopping!

We have Dillons and HyVee grocery store merchandise cards available for purchase in denominations of $20, $50 and $100 each in the school office. The cards may be used at Dillons and HyVee stores for merchandise including prescriptions and gas.

For every card you buy, Topeka Collegiate receives a six percent rebate. The 6% rebate will go in to the Eagles Flight Fund, which will be used to support our school's operating budget.

4th Graders Put On Explorer Wax Museum

On January 26th, 4th graders held their annual Explorer's Wax Museum. As part of a unit on Early American Exploration, students each researched a European explorer and wrote a paper about him. They then dressed up as their explorer and became wax figures. When visitors pressed their buttons, the 4th graders recited information about the explorer they had studied.

Kansas Day Celebrated at TCS

Friday, January 29th marked the 149th year since Kansas became a state. Students in Kindergarten through 5th grade attended a celebration in the library, complete with a story of how pioneers traveled in covered wagons on the Santa Fe Trail to Kansas. The students learned how the hardships these people endured made them stronger and how they learned to accept people of all cultures. The theme of the book "Abigail" is that we all fear those who are different from ourselves.

The students then enjoyed popcorn while discussing the factual and fictional parts of the book. Jacob Gernon, second grader, remarked "This was the funnest library we have ever had!"

Thank you to library volunteers Evelyn Ibrahim, Carolyn Adams, Marsha West, Leslie Ham, and Sid Allison.

-- Jan Allison, Librarian

Spelling Bee Champ

School spelling bee finalists Kaden K. (3rd) and Laura N. (6th)

Laura N. was declared TCS Spelling Bee Champion after correctly spelling enfranchise, the 107^th word of the bee. Second place went to Kaden K., who together with the other spellers, battled Laura through 13 rounds that included the words solemn, missile, casserole, monopolize, quarantine, subterranean, centennial, financier, and psychoanalysis.

Laura advances to the Shawnee County Spelling Bee on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Whitson Elementary School. Competition begins at 1:00 p.m. The public is invited. Best of luck, Laura!

We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the 26 students who represented their grade levels in the school spelling bee that took place January 29:

Leonardo P. - 5th

Jeremiah S. - 6th

We would also like to thank our school staff and faculty for their assistance with the spelling bee. Mary Loftus served as moderator, and our judges were Gail Franklin, John MacDonald, and Lanny Moyer.

TCS Quiz

What is the greatest number of Topeka Collegiate students ever to be among the Top 10 individual finishers at the chapter Mathcounts competition?

Equity and Justice Webinar Available for TCS Community Thru Feb. 23

On Wednesday, February 10 faculty took part in viewing a "webinar" from the Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS), called "To Believe or Not to Believe: Transcending 7 Myths That Hinder Equity and Justice." The webinar will be available for two weeks after this date for anyone else in the community who is interested. Please contact Sonja Czarnecki for instructions on logging into the conferencing web site.

Around Campus

(Right) Mr. Patterson receives his H1N1 vaccination at the clinic held for TCS students, staff, and faculty on February 1st. Thank you for organizing this event, Mrs. Huckins!

(Below, left) Never bet with a child! For the second year in a row, TCS grandfather and volunteer Stephen Twemlow took the bait when he was challenged to a wager on the outcome of the K.U. - K-State game. Last year he donned a lovely evening gown when he lost to Marshall Sheetz '09; this year eighth grader and bet winner David G. created this placard for Mr. Twemlow to sport during lunch.

(Below right) Trinity B. displays the jug of can tabs collected by her grandmother, Leena Baxter, and Leena's friends at an assisted living facility in Onaga. Trinity is helping the second graders reach their goal of collecting fifty pounds of pop tops for Ronald McDonald House. They will be collecting the tabs through March 23rd, if you would like to contribute.

(Right) In connection with their classroom unit on the Iditarod dog sled race, third graders had an opportunity to hear a dog sled musher speak about her experiences with the Iditarod when adventurer Jane Land (pictured at left, with one of her sled dogs) spoke in Lawrence recently.

(Right) During Community Helpers week in Kindergarten, students received a visit from Officer Joe Kinnett of the Topeka Police Department. Officer Kinnett is the uncle of Kindergartner Gabby K. (far right).

(Below) Third graders spent the day February 3rd at the Sheffel Theatre Clinic at the Topeka Performing Arts Center learning about stagecraft, costumes, and theatre make up.

Camp Invention Returns to Topeka Collegiate in June

Camp Invention is returning this summer! Camp will be held from Monday, June 7th through Friday, 11th. The camp is open to current Kindergartners through 5th graders.

Register by March 31st and your child will attend camp for only $185 - this is a $25 discount off the base price. With a $50 deposit, you may pay in monthly installments if you'd like.

This year we'll have all new modules for the students to enjoy. Campers will participate in a variety of activities including building their own motorized creature and learning about alternative sources of energy; building an online virtual world and becoming an entrepreneur in the avatar marketplace; and discovering the fun side of math with tessellations and fractals in patterns.

We'll also explore cultures from around the world by discovering the link between ancient games and those we play today. As always, students will have the opportunity to take apart a broken machine, see what's inside, and make a new creation out of the parts.

If you have any questions, see 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Oswald.

Ms. Baldwin Enriches Lower School Science Classes

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Mary Kate Baldwin to learn about her new and improved Space unit for first and second grade. She has put forth tremendous effort in creating this program and is fully utilizing the new technology now available in her classroom. Ms.Baldwin's lessons are exciting and provide a multitude of opportunities for her students to be an active part of the learning process. She clearly understands the need to address different styles of learning.

In this lesson she provided visual, auditory and kinesthetic experiences. She has made accommodations for the different paces at which children work. She also recognizes the need to take learning to a higher level for certain students, and provides enrichment materials. She encourages children to go beyond "worksheet" learning. Ms. Baldwin's presentation was a great example of a Topeka Collegiate teacher individualizing the education provided to our scholars.

-- Dene' Mosier, Second Grade

Kindergarten Teachers Attend Conference

Kindergarten teachers Kelley Berryman and Katrina Van Aalst attended the annual Conference for the Kansas Kindergarten Teachers through Staff Development for Educators. The keynote speaker was Jack Hartmann who is a published author and nationally-renowned children's songwriter and musician. He was also a presenter for 2 of the sessions: "Cool Beats That Help Kindergartners Read" and "Movin' 2 Math."

Mrs. Berryman and Ms. Van Aalst also attended the seminars "Early Literacy Interventions for Kindergartens Who Struggle" and "Marvelous Math Treasures."

This continuing education session was made possible by your donations to the Professional Development Fund at the school auction. Please plan to attend our fundraising auction on March 6th and contribute to this very important enrichment fund.

Student Directory Updates

Kathy P.'s email address has changed to XXX.

Pre-Kindergarten paraprofessional Cheryl Hamilton's email address is

XXX.

TCS Quiz Answer

Answer: D 6

Congratulations to this year's Mathcounts Team, and to their teacher and coach Phyllis Hoyt, for placing six individuals in the Top 10 at the chapter contest - more than ever before. Wow!

Earn Money for Collegiate Through Everyday Activities!

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