February 22
 
February 22, 2008  Issue 14
Newsletter Logo
The Collegiate Connection
 
From Our Head of School
Dear Friends,
 
You know that saying about "the best-laid plans...?" Well, our plan to implement the new security system two weeks ago was sabotaged by some equipment problems. Those snafus have now been eliminated, and we are ready to "go live" with the security system on Monday, February 25. See the article below for further details. That's Mrs. Mullican
(right) demonstrating how she will be able to see who's at the door before buzzing them in.
 
Monday is also the day we will debut our new school Web site. Many people have spent many hours working on this project but special thanks go to TCS parent Andrew Goodrick and Network Administrator David Zlotky. I'll be interested to hear your feedback as you explore and familiarize yourself with the new site.
 
Tomorrow is district History Day competition at Washburn. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the results of many months of research by our middle school students. A schedule of events is below.
 
Have a wonderful weekend!
 
Warm Regards,
David Hudspeth 
In This Issue
New Security Protocol
New Website Launch Date
Calendar Highlights
Mathcounts Competition
Honor Students
Parent Council News
First Grade Dissects a Heart for Heart Month
25th Anniversary Celebration
Disco Night
TCS History Fair
Mat-8 Testing Dates Set
Basketball News!
Second and Third Grade Basketball Team
TCASA First Aid and Babysitting Course
Chess Tournament Results
Math Olympiad #4
Quick Links
 
New Security Protocol in Place
Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 25th, you will need to use the buzzer located between the front doors in order to gain entry to the building.   You may be asked to identify yourself and the reason for your visit.  Please do not be offended by these questions. They are being asked to ensure the safety of our students.  These procedures will be new to everyone, so we ask for your patience as we work out the rough spots.  The doors will be unlocked from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 3:15 - 5:30 p.m.  We are encouraging all parents and visitors to enter through the main entrance.  Beginning Monday, the gates to the playground will be secured at 4:00 p.m. to ensure the safety of the after-school care students. 
New Web Site Launches Monday
On Monday, February 25th, the updated school Web site will be launched.  It has a clean, new appearance and easier navigation, though much of the information is the same.  Though lots of effort has gone into this new site, we view this as "phase 1" of the project and anticipate many more changes in the future.  We welcome comments or suggestions.  Many thanks to Andrew Goodrick and David Zlotky for their efforts in the design and implementation of this site. 
Calendar Highlights
February 25 -- New Security Protocol Implemented and New Website Launched
 
March 6 -- 3rd Grade Travel Convention, 5:00 p.m. in the Commons
 
March 6 -- Open Forum, Dinner at 5:30 p.m., Meeting at 6:00, Childcare provided 
 
March 7 -- All School Disco Dance Night at 7:00 p.m.
 
March 8 -- State MathCounts Competition in Salina
 
March 11 -- MEC (Multicultural Education Committee Meeting) 5:30 Childcare provided
 
March 17th - 21st -- Spring Break
 
March 24 -- No School, Teacher In-service
 
March 28 -- Progress Reports
 
March 28 -- BINGO Night 
 
March 31st - April 4th -- MAT 8 Testing
 
April 4 -- Skating Party
 
 
Follow the quick link (above right) to a concise academic calendar for 2007-2008.
 
Follow the quick link (above right) to a full events calendar for 2007-2008.
MATHCOUNTS Team Takes First
 

Auction Chairs

Topeka Collegiate mathletes (back row) Cody J., Alix W., Haley P., Eddie L., (front row) Josh G., Edward C., Nicky H. and Cain M.
 
Congratulations to our MATHCOUNTS team for its amazing 1st place finish at the regional competition in Lawlrence on February 9. Coached by Mrs. Hoyt and Mr. McCoy, these mathletes finished ahead of teams from seven other middle schools in the Topeka and Lawrence areas.
 
All four of our team members also placed in the top ten in the individual competition, thereby qualifying each of them to compete in the oral Countdown round. Final places for the team members are:  Nicky H. (1st), Edward C. (3rd), Josh G. (4th), and
Cain M. (9th). NIcky and Edward are eighth graders, Cain is a seventh grader, and Josh is a sixth grader. For his first place finish, Nicky received a $25 gift certificate for any Art of Problem Solving product. For placing in the top four, Josh, Edward and Nicky were awarded $1,000 scholarships by the Kansas University School of Engineering.
 
The first place team now advances to state compertition on March 8 in Salina.
 
Congratulations also to Cody J., Eddie L., Haley P. and Alix W. for their great job in the individual competition. They were just points away from the Top 10.
 
MATHCOUNTS is a timed mathematic competition that emphasizes both individual and team skills.
Academic Honors Announced

Congratulations to all Topeka Collegiate School students for their academic accomplishments during the second quarter of the 2007-2008 school year.  High honors are achieved by those middle school students, grades six through eight, who have earned a grade point average of 3.7 or above.  Honors are achieved by middle school students who have earned a 3.4 to 3.69 grade point average.

 

HIGH HONOR ROLL

3.7 AND ABOVE

 

Eighth Grade                                   Seventh Grade                                         Sixth Grade

 

Emran A.                                          Blair A .                                                     Nick B.

Shelby C.                                         Alexandria B.                                              Alec B.

Alex C.                                             Megan B.                                                   Connor B.

Edward C.                                         Colby B.                                                    Dylan C.

Joyce B.                                           Christine E.                                                Michael E.

Patrick E.                                         Bailey E.                                                    Caty F.

Kate H.                                            Cody J.                                                       Brandon F.

Nicky H.                                           Connor K.                                                   David G.

Colton M.                                         Eddie L.                                                     Josh G.

Madison M.                                      Cain M.                                                      Maria K.

Alessandra P.                                  Riley M.                                                      Austin M.

Haley P.                                          Luke M.                                                      Alexandra M.

Haley R.                                          Mackenzie M.                                             Irene N.

Matthew R.                                      Cooper S.                                                   Federico P.

Meaghan R.                                     Natalie S.                                                   Carter P.

Nicole R.                                         Joe V.                                                        Sahil R.

Marissa W.                                      Alix W.                                                      Ashley S.

                                                      Anne W.                                                

____________________________________________________________________________________

                                                              

                                                               HONOR ROLL

      3.4 TO 3.69

 

Eighth Grade                                 Seventh Grade                                         Sixth Grade

 

Nick G.                                           Soren L.                                                    Megan A.

Asher G.                                        Meredith R.                                                 John H.

Rebecca K.                                    Christopher S.                                             Andreia S.

Nyalia L.                                                                                                          Naftali Z.

Maura M.                                                                                                      

William M.                                                                                                        

Julian M.

Nick P.

 
Parent Council News
Volunteers are needed to fill in for Mrs. Buckland in the health room over the noon hour.  She is also seeking additional names to assist in her absence.  Contact Kim Baker if you are able to help.  Volunteers are also needed for various committees for the Disco Dance on March 7th.  Contact Debra Ricks if you are available for this one time event.
 
The next meeting is 4/03/08.   Please plan to attend.  The minutes to the 2/7/08 meeting are posted online.    PC Meeting Minutes 02/08/08
 
12/6/07; 2/7/08; 4/3/08
All meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m.
 
Officers
President - Joe Pennington  (contact Joe with agenda items)
Vice President - Dave Lob
Treasurer - Elena Carrington
Secretary - Tracey Goering
 
Volunteer Chairpersons for 2007-2008 School Year
 
Fundraising - Julie Unruh
Special Events - Debra Ricks & Sarah Shipman
School Support - Kim Baker
Marketing - Mary Brownback
MEC - Dallas Bauer
Communications - Jill Cox
 
Anyone wishing to volunteer on any of these committees should contact the Volunteer Chairperson listed above.
First Grade Dissects a Heart for Heart Month
February is American Heart Month. What better way to recognize it than by dissecting a pig heart?  The first grade was honored to have Dr. Sanjay Tripathi (father of first grader Sachin and fourth grader Neha), a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, visit the class and dissect a pig heart while explaining the features of the organ.  He talked to the students about Healthy Heart Month and how to keep a heart healthy.  The first graders were allowed to cut into certain parts of the heart.
 
 
Auction ChairsAuction Chairs
 
 
25th Anniversary Celebration Calendar and Contest

 

PiratesIt's time to celebrate our 25th year at Topeka Collegiate.  To keep the spirit going all school year long we have established a 25th Anniversary Celebration Calendar of 25 activities.  TCS students will get points for every activity they attend or in which they participate.

 

At the end of the first semester the lower and middle school classes with the most points  received pizza parties.  At the end of the second semester, the students in the classroom with the most points for the entire year will all receive movie passes.

 

At the end of the year each student will have a chance for every point he or she received to be in a drawing for a grand prize.  There will be a middle school winner and a lower school winner.  The grand prizes will be a $100 gift certificate at Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Wal-Mart or Toys 'R' Us.

 

Your child's homeroom teacher will have a chart in the classroom to keep track of the students' participation.  If one of the activities is off-site please have your child remind his or her teacher to record it on the chart. 

 

Here is a list of the activities. Some dates are still to be established.

 

Back to School Picnic - 8/14

Raising of the 25th Anniversary Flag - 8/15

25th Anniversary Assembly - 9/7

Human number 25 Photo Shoot - 9/7

Chili Supper - 10/3

Run for a Reason - 10/13

Dress up for Halloween - 10/31

Buy a book at the Book Fair - 11/12-11/20

Dress up for Stucco Spirit Day - Jan.

Participate in making the classroom auction item - Jan.

Attend the History Day Fair - 2/5

Attend the Art Show

Participate in the Multi Cultural Event

Attend the 3rd Grade Form and Function Science Fair

Come to a Skating Party

Bingo Night

Participate in Day of the Child

Attend the Science Fair

Participate in Field Day

Attend a TCS Sporting Event

Perform Community Service (such as donating items or your time or participating in a class project)

Match the Staff and Faculty with their pictures from 1982

Dust your dancing shoes off for Disco Night - 3/7

Participate in decorating the Hallways for the Alumni Picnic - 4/25

Current Families and Alumni Picnic - 4/27

 

Some activities might be subject to change or cancellation.  We will keep you and your child updated.

 

Please show your TCS spirit by encouraging your child and your whole family to participate in the exciting activities planned for this year for our 25th Anniversary!

Third Grade Assembly--Ms. Bauer
 3rd grade
Ms. Bauer's 3rd grade class put together an assembly explaining the 12-year cycle of the Chinese calendar.  The fable includes a race across a river to see what place the animals will occupy in the 12-year cycle. 
 
At the end of the play, the class further explained the cycle by allowing the students to guess Mrs. Zachritz's age.  They determined that she is 39 years old!  Mrs. Z. is such a great sport!
 
Ms. Bauer displayed a chart outside her room where everyone could find the symbol of their birth year and sign it.
 
ages
zach
History Day Schedule of Events
 

2007-2008 District History Day

 February 23, 2008

Washburn University

 
Some forty-five middle school students will compete at district History Day competition tomorrow, Saturday, February 23 at Washburn University. This year's theme is Conflict and Compromise in History.

 

Students in the exhibit categories set up between 7:30 and 8:30 in Washburn Room A of Memorial Union, and are judged throughout the morning.  Exhibits are available for public viewing from 7:30 - 8:45 a.m. and from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

 

Students in the paper category are not required to attend.  Their papers are on display in the Shawnee Room of the Union from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

 

Following are times and locations for performances and documentaries:

 

9:00      Megan A                                  Individual Performance                KS Room, Union

9:40      Mullican/Chanay/Henriquez    Group Documentary                   308, Henderson

9:40      Carpenter/Lamb/Lui                Group Performance                    Washburn B, Union

10:00    Kaye/Ramirez                          Group Performance                    Washburn B, Union

10:00    Elisha/Phillips                          Group Documentary                   308, Henderson

10:20    Brennan/Manley                      Group Performance                    Washburn B, Union

10:30    Edward C                                 Individual Performance                KS Room, Union

10:40    Rattan/Vosburgh                      Group Documentary                   308, Henderson

11:00    Luke M                                     Individual Performance                KS Room, Union
 
The awards ceremony is at 3:30 in Washburn Room A of the Union.
MAT-8 Testing Dates Set
Dates have been set for MAT-8 standardized testing. First through eighth graders will be taking the tests the week of March 31 - April 4. Please make sure your students get plenty of sleep that week and send them off with a nutritious breakfast so they can perform their best on the tests.
Basketball News

The TCS middle school basketball teams concluded their season last week with the end-of-the-season Parochial League basketball tournament.  We had two teams bring home trophies this year!

 

The 7th grade boys wrapped up the season with a 5-6 record and 4th place in the tournament. Team members and coaches are: Soren L., Cooper S., Cain M., Sam T., Joe V., Skyler Y., Chris S., Jacob M., Marshall S., Coach Jackie Schumann and Coach Tracie Lamb.

 

The girls' team (6th-8th graders) finished their season 4-9 and 4th place in the tournament. Once again, Coach Nanny Matthias did an outstanding job with a team where a majority of the girls had not played basketball very much.  We are very lucky that she is willing to share her time and expertise with our athletes!  A special thanks to Melody Evans for stepping in and assisting Coach Matthias. The team members and coaches are:  Hillary R., Shelby C., Joyce B., Alessandra P., Bailey E., Anne W., Natalie S., Meredith R., Alexandra M., Josie P., Irene N., Ashley S., Mickayla S., Coach Melody Evans and Coach Nanny Matthias.

 

The 8th grade boys' team concluded their season with a record of 1-9.  Their win came in the first round of the tournament thus extending their season by a day! Good Luck to the 8th graders who try out for high school basketball next year!  Team members and coaches are Nick G., Nick P., Madison M., Nicky H., Nyalia L., Edward C., Julian M., Asher G., Reston P., Coach Bruce Myers and Coach Damon Williams.

 

The 6th grade boys were split into two teams for the season. Team 1 went 2-8 and Team 2 went 1-8.  Both teams had some very close losses.  The future of 6th grade boys' basketball is very optimistic. All the boys showed improvement throughout the season.  Team members and coaches are Nick B., Alec B., Connor B., David G., Austin M., Federico P., Sahil R., Thomas C., Dylan C., Michael E., Brandon F., John H., Carter P., Josh G., Naftali Z., Coach Ben Coates, Coach Jane Greene and Coach Tracie Lamb.

 

None of these student athletes would be able to play for TCS without our valuable volunteer coaches.  The approximate amount of time given to our program by all of our coaches was a whopping 250 hours.  Please express your thanks and appreciation to the coaches.  We can't have a good quality program without them!

 
TCS 2nd and 3rd Graders Join Hands for Successful Basketball Team
 2nd/3rd grade team
This group of 2nd and 3rd graders formed a team last fall under the coaching and supervision of TCS Parent Nanny Mathais and Cody Ausborn to play in the Mega Basketball League at the Sportzone. 
 
The team struggled through the first part of the season--learning defense, effective ball-handling, teamwork, etc.  But by the end of the second half of the season, they were a "lean, mean, shooting" team, winning 5 games and losing only one.  Nanny's special touch with youth in sports is especially obvious with this fine group of ball players.  Congratulations to the "Spitfire" team!
 
Pictured here is the team:  (bottom) Will B.(1st row) Adam H., Jacob S., Drew M., (2nd row) Luke J., Christopher G.(3rd row) Adam C., Job K., and Dalton V.  Not pictured:  Blake R. 
TCASA First Aid and Babysitting Course
Students in the Babysitting and First Aid course offered in the After-School Adventures program by TCS parent Julie Unruh, RN, used a real baby to learn how to hold a small child properly.  The course is Red Cross certified. Students learn about supervising and caring for small children, how to handle emergencies, and first aid.  TCS hopes to offer a similar course during the summer or after school next fall. 
 
 babysitting  
class
Chess Tournament Results
 

The Cordley Elementary Chess tournament drew more than 200 students to the KU Student Union in Lawrence earlier this month.  They

played in four sections. Here's how our students placed: 
 
K-8
 
Jacob M.  40th
 
K-6
 
Lang P. 29th

Ryland E. 33rd

Fed P. 44th

Matt M. 51st

Jenna B. 64th

Madison M. 67th

7th as a team

 

K-3

Leo P.  1st (6 points) 

Malcolm L. 28th

Will B 29th

Charlie L 30th

Jack M 36th

4th as a team 

 

Math Olympiad #4

The fourth Olympiad was given February 5th. We recognize any student who received a 3, 4, or a 5. In the 4th grade we recognize students who received a 2, because they are taking the same test as the 5th and 6th graders.

 

4th Grade - Students receiving a 2

Michael B.

Madison M.

Jeremiah S.

Benjamin T.

Brennen S.

 

4th Grade - Student receiving a 3

Jordie S.

 

5th Grade - Student receiving a 3

Skyler D.

 

6th Grade - Students receiving a 3

Maria K.

Federico P.

 

4th Grade - Student receiving a 4

Laura N.

 

6th Grade - Students receiving a 4

Josh G.

Carter P.

Sahil R.

 

6th Grade - Students receiving a 5

Megan A.

Irene N.

 
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. -Mohandas Gandhi