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February 20, 2009 |
Issue 14 |
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The Collegiate Connection
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From Our Head of School
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Dear Parents and Friends,
Saturday night was a special
time! The Bid From Your Heart
auction gave everyone a welcome opportunity to
escape for a brief time from the effects of the
recession that our nation is experiencing.
I particularly want to thank Auction Co-Chairs Joe
Anderson and Petra Schneider and all the volunteers
who worked so hard to make this a fun night when we
came together as a community with a common purpose.
The financial results of Saturday's auction
are well above what you might expect in the
current financial climate.
I thank all of you for stretching as far
as you could. Without your support, our
children would not have the bright
futures they do.
With warm regards,
Dick Patterson
Acting Head of School
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Calendar Highlights -- February and March |
Friday, February 20 --
Mrs. Odermatt's and Mrs. Wilk's lst
grade assembly, 8:35 a.m.; fresh-popped
popcorn for sale after
school; all-school roller skating party,
5:00 p.m. at Sk8away, 815 SW Fairlawn,
$3 per skater.
Wear your spirit gear!
Tuesday, February 24 -- Lower
School Art Show and reception
featuring works from students in
grades pre-k through 4, 5:30
p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall;
Auction Redux: bid on select
auction items, Lower School
hallway, 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 27
-- Mr. MacDonald's 6th grade
assembly, 8:35 a.m.
Monday, March 2
-- Dr. Seuss's birthday
Tuesday, March 3
-- All school round-up and
re-enrollment 8:00 a.m. -
3:30 p.m. and 7:00 - 8:30
p.m.
Thursday, March 5
-- Open Forum, 6:00 p.m.,
Commons
Friday, March 6
-- Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers Day; Mexican
dinner, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Commons; free school-wide
dance, 7:00 - 11:00, Commons
Friday, March 13
-- Mrs. Allison's 3rd grade
class assembly, 8:35 a.m.
Monday, March 16
through Friday,
March 20 -- Spring
break -- no school
Monday, March 23
-- Teacher work day -- child
care is available
Friday, March 27
-- Mr. Martinez' and Mr.
Tillona's 7th grade
assembly
Saturday, March
28 -- SUMday
Math Contest, 4th
through 8th grades, WRHS
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Bid From Your Heart Auction |
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Thank you to Bid From Your Heart
Co-Chairs Joe Anderson and Petra Schneider (above
right) and Acquisition Co-Chairs Kim Baker and
Julie Unruh (above left) for their months of
hard work, imagination, perseverance and good humor as
they led a dedicated group of volunteers to our
Valentine's Day auction. It was a happy, fun, affirming
night of community.
Just as important, the auction grossed nearly $148,000
for our school. The auction is one of the two major,
annual fundraisers on which our school relies for
operating funds. So whether you bid in the silent
auction, raised your bid number in the live auction,
helped your child's class decorate a desk, solicited an
auction item from a local business, or helped set up the
auction displays, we say THANK YOU from our hearts!
Congratulations to the entire auction team, represented
here by the committee chairmen:
Auction Co-Chairs
Joe Anderson and Petra Schneider
Acquisition Co-Chairs
Kim Baker and Julie Unruh
Advertising/Corporate Tables
Greg Schwerdt
Catalog Entry/Editing
Tracey Goering
Classroom Items
Marta Kennedy
Day of the Auction Co-Chairs
Brendan Beyer and Tyler Lathrop-Allen
Financial Records
Karen Benson
Logo and Invitation Design
Lawson Phillips
Invitation Assembly/Thank You Notes
Lovica Pourmirza
Recorders/Runners
Mary Kate Baldwin
Decorations
Bess Pennington and Laura Schwerdt
Reservation Tracking/Auction Packets
Karen Benson
Seating
Sarah Shipman
Food
Krista Tolsdorf
Beverage/Wine
Brad Aboud
Bob Hannigan
Ryan Duncan
Teacher Gift Certificate Board
Sally McEvoy
Silent Auction Closing
Rick Baker
Teacher Involvement
Dallas Bauer
Check Out
David Zlotky
Live/Silent Gift Certificate Display
Lisa Anderson |
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Auction Redux -- A Second Chance to Bid on Unsold
Items and Services -- Tuesday, February 24th 4:30 - 7:00
p.m. |
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Our annual fundraising auction was
a fun and successful event, and we hope you were able to
attend and join in the festivities. If you were unable
to make it, or didn't have a chance to get around to
bidding on all the things you marked in your catalog,
you're in luck!
We're planning a second-chance
event where we will be featuring a number of items and
services that did not receive the minimum bid needed to
sell the item. You'll find everything on tables in the
Lower School hallway; just print your name on the line
with your most generous bid amount, and if you're the
high bidder when the art show closes at 7:00 p.m., it's
yours! |
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Lower School Art Show -- Tuesday, February 24th |
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You are all invited to celebrate art at the Lower School
(PK-4th) Art Show reception on Tuesday, February 24th
from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Hall. The
students are so excited to have you come and see their
works hanging on the walls.
This show will feature the works of students in grades
pre-k through 4th; 5th grade students will exhibit their
work at the Middle School Art Show Coffee House and 8th
grade Poetry Event in April.
See you there!
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All School Round-Up and Re-Enrollment Day -- Tuesday,
March 3rd |
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 7:00
- 9:00 p.m.
All families are invited to tour the school and
visit classrooms.
· New/prospective families may complete
applications for enrollment and schedule
grade-level screenings.
· Current families may re-enroll.
· Families who apply or re-enroll will receive a
cool TCS Frisbee!
· TCS Spiritwear will be available for purchase
including a new T-shirt for students enrolled
for next year.
· 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.:
Reading Readiness information for parents of
pre-k and kindergarten students
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.:
· Lower and Middle School student panels
Bring a Friend:
Remember the $500 tuition rebate for school
families responsible for bringing a new student
to TCS.
Questions? Contact Admission Director Kristen
Tillona at 228-0490;
ktillona@topekacollegiate.org.
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MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition -- February 7th |
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Congratulations to our mathletes who competed Saturday,
February 7 in the Mathcounts Chapter competition in
Lawrence. Competing against middle school students from
Topeka and Lawrence, our team, composed of Josh
G., Cain M., Irene N.,
and Alix W. placed first. In the
individual competition, the following individuals
received trophies for placing in the Top Ten:
Joe V. - 8th place
Alix W. - 5th place
Irene N. - 3rd place
Cain M. - 2nd place
Josh G. - 1st place
Alix W. did exceptionally well in the oral Countdown
Round, defeating all of her first five opponents, and
losing only to Cain, who won three Countdown rounds. The
last round was won by Josh, which secured his first
place individual finish.
The team will advance to the state competition in Salina
on March 7.
This year's Mathcounts win at the chapter
competition is an example of history repeating
itself. If you look closely at the photo below from
the April 4, 1984 Hot Springs, Arkansas
Sentinel-Record, you'll see that Cain
M.'s father Shane (second from left)
was a member
of his school's first place team 24 years ago. Cain
is on the far left in the photo above. As they say,
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
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Mexican Dinner -- 7th Grade Fundraiser and
1980s-Themed Dance -- Friday, March 6th |
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7th grade students will be hosting
a Mexican dinner on Friday, March 6 from 5:30 to 7:30
p.m. in the Commons as a fundraiser for next year's Sea
Camp trip.
Adult meals will be $7 and
include one enchilada, one taco, rice, refried
beans, dessert, and a drink. Childrens' meals will
be $5 and include one entree, rice, refried beans,
dessert, and a drink.
Please return the RSVP form
from your child's Friday folder by Wednesday,
February 25 to reserve your family's meal.
After your meal, plan to stay for the free
school-wide dance featuring music and fashions
from the gnarly 1980s!
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Reading Specialist to Visit TCS March 10-12 |
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A reading specialist with expertise and experience in
teaching teachers to teach reading is coming to our
school March 10-12 to provide professional development
for our faculty.
Dr. Pam Pifer is Head of Lower School at the
Catherine Cook School in Chicago. She holds a
doctorate in education from National-Louis
University. Her bachelor's and master's degrees in
education were earned from DePaul University and
Northeastern Illinois University respectively. An
educational consultant and literacy specialist, she
is passionate about the development of literacy
skills in young children so that they become
lifelong readers and learners. She teaches graduate
methods courses in literacy at National-Louis
University and is on the board of Literacy Works.
Dr. Pifer will conduct a parent education session on
Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at
TCS, offering information on what parents can do at home
to strengthen reading skills and build on what students
are learning in the classroom. Please mark your
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Topeka Collegiate History Day and Judging |
 Middle
School students displayed their History Day
projects and answered questions posed by parents
and guests Tuesday, February 3, at the TCS
History Day Fair.
On Wednesday, judges evaluated student projects
according to criteria established by the
National History Day organization. Most
projects earned an assessment of "excellent;" a
very few were ranked "superior." Students
earning superior rankings and their project
categories are:
Historical Paper - Megan A.
Documentary - Alec B.,
David G., and Sahil R.
Exhibits - Emma B. (photo
below), Maria K.,
Austin M., Sophie O.,
Lang P., Cooper S.
District History Day
competition will take place Saturday, February 28th
at WU. Good luck!
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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.
Enroll ONLINE before March 31st for lowest
available rate at
www.campinvention.org. Monthly
installment payments are now available for
all registrations received on or prior to
March 31st
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First Grade Classrooms Seek Speakers on Italy and
Ireland |
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As part of their study of this year's school-wide
theme of Europe, the first grade classes would like
to have someone knowledgeable in the culture and
customs of Italy and of Ireland visit their
classrooms for a 45-minute
presentation. The teachers would prefer a Friday in
February (for Italy) and a Friday in March (for
Ireland) from 1:15 to 2:00 p.m. or 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.
If you can help, or know someone who would be
willing to come in, please contact first grade
teacher Ashley Wilk at 228-0490 or
awilk@topekacollegiate.org. |
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From the School Library: |
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Thank you for book donations to the TCS library in
February. We have received over 60 books from the
Ayers-Berry family and about 20 travel videos from Jan
B., grandmother of Janea
B. (Kindergarten). |
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Welcome, Baby! |
 Stormy
R. (2nd) has a new baby sister.
Sydney Rose R. was born Tuesday, February 3,
weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces, 21 inches long.
Congratulations to parents Michelle and Cody R.
 Aubree
A.
(K) has a new
baby brother.
Zacary Eugene T.
was born Tuesday, February 17, weighing 8 pounds, 9
ounces, 21 inches long.
Congratulations to
parents Megan and Jason T.
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Middle School Play Announced |
Parents and Students,
This year's Middle School play is entitled "The Brothers
Grimm: Out of Order." This year's director is Robin
Murphy. Robin comes to us from Topeka Civic Theatre and
Academy, where she has performed in "The Mousetrap" and
"The Women of Lockerbie." You will find her enthusiasm
contagious and we are delighted to have her at TCS!
Information regarding audition dates and times will
be posted and announced during upcoming Middle
School morning meetings
Break a Leg!
Mr. Tillona
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From Ms. Kido, 3rd Grade: |
 In
the third grade, as we learn about the western region,
we study Alaska and the Iditarod, an annual sled dog
race in the Alaskan interior and west coast.
Each student researches a sled dog musher to follow, and
we write friendly letters to them. Often the mushers
write back, and sometimes they even send us souvenirs!
Jazmine J. (left) received a
letter from her musher with an actual bootie that the
dogs wear.
We are also participating in an online Idita-Read race.
Ryan R., Will B.,
Jackson D., and Luke J. have
already completed the reading race by reading over 1,131
minutes. |
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Lost and Found |
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We have accumulated quite a collection of clothing in
our lost and found area. If you are missing something,
please check the bin and shelves in the niche by the
Assembly Hall stage door (across from Kristen Tillona's
office). Articles not claimed by Friday,
February 27th will be disposed of. |
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100th Day of School Celebration |
 Several
Lower School classes marked reaching the 100th day of
school on February 5th by creating projects and
activities all having to do with the number 100.
Students demonstrated their triple-digit counting
prowess by stringing necklaces containing 100 cereal
pieces, and creating collages containing 100 "things" of
their choice.
Kindergartners Andrew N. and
Carter L.
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Parent Council Meeting -- Thursday, February 5th |
Parent Council officers and attendees held a
brainstorming session on February 5th in
response to recent budget concerns at Topeka
Collegiate School. Minutes from that meeting
follow. If you would like to volunteer to
plan and implement any of these suggestions,
please contact Parent Council President Greg
Schneider.
1. Tutoring for outside students on
Saturdays -- Dianne Sands volunteered.
2. Workshops (like Love and Logic) for adults
and/or children -- no volunteers.
3. Trivia night -- no volunteers.
4. 5K/10K run; make Run for a Reason a
TCS benefit event -- no volunteers.
5. Host a sports tournament with concessions for
sale -- no volunteers.
6. School overnights -- spend the night with a
teacher -- no volunteers.
7. SCRIP -- Danielle, Dallas and Stephanie
Valley volunteered.
8. Ethnic food event -- Carl Tillona, Jen Beyer
volunteered.
9. Instructional basketball -- Joe Pennington
and Carl Tillona volunteered.
10. Poker night -- already underway -- Deb
Copley volunteered.
11. Pancake feed -- no volunteers.
12. Volunteerism -- families would be required
to volunteer at the school; hours may be bought
out rather than performed -- no volunteers.
13. Young kid carnival -- no volunteers. Tracey
Goering may take this on for a summer event.
14. Ebay -- Tracey Goering will head this up.
15. Pig roast -- no volunteers.
16. Iitty bitty basketball -- open basketball
instruction for younger kids on Saturday
mornings for a small fee -- no volunteers.
Please plan to attend the Open Forum meeting on
Thursday, March 5 at 6:00.
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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 Kristen
Tillona at 228-0490 or
ktillona@topekacollegiate.org.
*Rebate applies only to
enrolling families not already in the school's
system. Enrolling family must name referring family
on application.
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Mrs. Mosier's Pre-Kindergarten Class Assembly |
Mrs. Mosier's Pre-K students
were shining stars in their January 30th assembly
based on the book Big Words for Little People
by Jamie Lee Curtis. They delighted in sharing the
definitions of words like "cooperate", "patience"
and "considerate." Their book buddies, Mrs.Oswald's
fourth graders, even joined in to help teach the
audience how to sing and dance to the Tooty-ta.
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TCS Scholastic Chess Tournament Results |
TCS hosted a chess tournament
on Friday and Saturday February 5th and 6th. Our
school's grades K through 3rd grade team and the K
through 6th grade team both took third place.
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Thank You, Kim B.! |
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Most of the words you read in The Collegiate
Connection are written by a talented writer and
editor - Kim B., whose son Edward is
a third grader. Kim was hired on a part-time basis this
year to edit the twice-a-month e-newsletter, but her job
was a casualty of the recent belt-tightening due to
economic conditions.
Nonetheless, most of the words you read in this
newsletter are still written by Kim, who
has stayed on as a volunteer, still reliably and
expertly writing and editing The Collegiate
Connection.
We are so thankful that Kim is not only skilled,
but generous. When you see her, please join me
in thanking her for going the extra mile, and
way beyond.
Mary Loftus
Development Director
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From the Main Office: |
Thank you to the wonderful people who have been helping
in the front office:
Sid Allison
Kim Baker
Karen Benson
Harriett Johnson
Laura Schwerdt
Rehana Syed
Jane, Melanie and Cassie appreciate you!!! |
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Earn Money for Collegiate Through Everyday Activities! |
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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.
 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. Last year your purchases
earned Topeka Collegiate $538.49!
Recycle your old cell phones, printer
and toner cartridges, plastic containers
marked with a 1 or 2 within a triangle, paper,
corrugated cardboard, and newspapers --
all of these items are collected and redeemed for cash. Please
place old cell phones and printer cartridges in the collection
boxes across from the main office in the teachers' workroom.
Plastic, cardboard, paper, and newspaper may be placed in the
marked Dumpsters on the east side of the campus. Last year your
recycled materials earned the school $105.07!
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