January 16, 2009  Issue 12 
   Auction Chairs
The Collegiate Connection
 
From Our Head of School
Dear Parents and Friends, Mr. Hudspeth
 
This edition of The Collegiate Connection will make you proud of our students, as I am. Their accomplishments display the breadth of their knowledge, skill and hard work. 
 
Read on to see how TCS students have distinguished themselves in math, science, spelling, geography and writing.
 
Enjoy your weekend as we welcome a respite from the bitterly cold temperatures.
 
Hudspeth signature
   
David K. Hudspeth, Jr.
Head of School
In This Issue
Calendar Highlights
Earn $500 The Easy Way
Mrs. Bammes' Assembly
2009 Geography Bee
Math Olympiad #3
Science Olympiad Results
"Living the Dream" Essay Contest
2009 Spelling Bee
Welcome, New Students!
Roller Skating Party
L.S. Music Program
Parents' Coffee
All-School Dance
Auction 2009
Free Fundraisers
And the Answer Is. . .
Quick Links
 
Calendar Highlights - January and February
Friday, January 16 -- Mrs. Bammes' 2nd grade assembly, 8:35 a.m.; fresh-popped popcorn for sale after school (7th grade fundraiser); all-school roller skating party, 5:00 p.m. at Sk8away, 815 Fairlawn, $3 per skater.  Wear your spirit gear!

Monday, January 19 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school, no child care available
 
Friday, January 23 -- MathCounts assembly for grades 5 through 8, 8:30a.m. - 9:15 p.m.; fresh-popped popcorn for sale after school (7th grade fundraiser)
 
Tuesday, January 27 -- Spirit week
 
Wednesday, January 28 -- 4th grade Explorers Wax Museum, 12:45 p.m. - 1:10 p.m., Assembly Hall
 
Friday, January 30 -- Mrs. Mosier's pre-k assembly, 8:35 a.m.; fresh-popped popcorn for sale after school (7th grade fundraiser)
 
Tuesday and Wednesday February 3 and 4 -- History Day Fair and judging
 
Thursday, February 5 -- Parent Council meeting, 6:00 p.m., Commons; child care will be available; music program featuring students in grades 1- 4, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Hall
 
Friday, February 6 -- Parent-Teacher conferences - no school, child care will be available
 
Friday, February 13 -- Mrs. Allison's 3rd grade assembly, 8:35 a.m.; fresh-popped popcorn for sale after school (7th grade fundraiser)
 
Saturday, February 14 -- Auction 2009, 5:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Ramada Inn Downtown
 
Monday, February 16 -- Presidents' Day - no school, no child care available
 
Friday, February 20 -- all-school roller skating party, 5:00 p.m. at Sk8away, 815 SW Fairlawn, $3 per skater.  Wear your spirit gear!
 
Friday, February 27 -- Mr. MacDonald's 6th grade assembly, 8:35 a.m.  
$500 Could Be Yours!
 $500 bill 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
Mrs. Bammes' 2nd Grade Class Assembly
 Mrs. Bammes' Assembly 1-09
The familiar tale of Henny Penny was retold by Mrs. Bammes' 2nd graders this morning during their class assembly. Rather than the sky falling, however, in this "Earth Quack" the ground was shaking. Was it an earthquake?! No, just geographically-challenged moles tunneling under the earth.
Geography - It's Where It's At!
On January 12th, ten 4th through 8th graders tested their knowledge of world geography by participating in our Geography Bee. Participants were Jenna B., Antonio C., Noah C., Mike E., Christopher G., Josh G., Max H., Eddie L., Luke M., and Leonardo P.
 
The final three contestants were Luke M. (8th) - first place; Josh G. (7th) - second place; and Max H. (6th) - third place.
 
How well would you have done? See if you know the answer to the championship question:
What large U.S. city is located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers?
 
The answer appears at the bottom of this newsletter. 
3rd Math Olympiad
The Math Olympiad is a math contest given once a month to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from November through March. There are 5 questions on each test, or contest, for a total of 25 questions. The third Olympiad was given January 13th. 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
Justin A.
Adam C.
Toma D.
Lauren F.
Karl L.
Leonardo P.
Mira R.
Bryce V.
 
5th Grade - Students receiving a 3
Madeline B.
Jenna B.
Thomas K.
Michela M.
Laura N.
Michael P.
Sarah S.
Brennen S.
Anjum S.
Neha T.

6th Grade - Students receiving a 3
Dakota B.
Gabriel B.
Skyler D.
Mariella K.
Matt M.
Savia P.
Ella B. R.
 
5th Grade - Students receiving a 4
Jordie S.
 
6th Grade - Students receiving a 4
Grayson M.
 
5th Grade - Students receiving a 5
Jeremiah S.
 
6th Grade - Students receiving a 5
Lang P.
Middle School Science Olympiad Team Places Second
Congratulations to Topeka Collegiate's Science Olympiad Team and Coach Loren Shinn. They took second place at the regional State Science Olympiad in Salina January 13th. The event was covered by WIBW-13 news and televised that evening.
 
Mr. Shinn and the 15 middle school participants were acknowledged in front of the school at the end of our assembly this morning. Mr. Shinn noted that ours is the only middle school in Topeka that competes in the Science Olympiad, and we have once again demonstrated that our students are involved in, and excel in, extra-curricular activities. 
 
For the seventh consecutive year, our Science Olympiad team will be competing at the state level, scheduled for April 4 in Wichita.
Martin Luther King "Living the Dream" Essay Contest
Each year, Shawnee Country sponsors a Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" Essay Contest.  Students must pick a quote from a famous person and write an essay that expresses their beliefs on subjects such as peace, human rights, peace, and community service based on that quote.
 
Marisol K. (6th) won first place the 5th and 6th Grade category with her essay based on King's quote "At the center of nonviolence stands the principal of love."  Savia P. (6th) placed second in the same category. Her essay was centered on Indira Gandhi's quote "You can't shake hands with a clenched fist." 
 
In the 7th and 8th Grade category, Joe V. (8th) was awarded second place for his essay based on "Peace comes from being able to contribute the best we have, and all that we are, towards creating a world that supports everyone..." spoken by Hafsat Abiola, the world-renowned Nigerian civil rights activist. Christine E. (8th) was chosen as the third place winner with her essay titled "Making a Difference: Honoring the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."
 
To read the complete essays at cjonline, click here.
Annual Spelling Bee Results
$500 bill
Irene Nicolae, Mr. Hudspeth, Satchel Pennington
 
7th grader Irene N. successfully defended her title of TCS Spelling Bee Champion on January 9th by correctly spelling mariachi. Second place went to Satchel P., who together with the other spellers in the bee, battled Irene through eight rounds that included the words hassock, chinchilla, herbivore, and shogun. Twenty-four spellers, winners of classroom bees, participated in the 2009 competition. Participants were: Drew M., Jackson D., Blake R., and Caleb G. (Grade 3); Adam H., Satchel P., James W., and Lillian W. (Grade 4); Tessa D., Sage P., Laura N., and Thomas K. (Grade 5); Skyler D., Gabriel B., Cheyene K., and Grayson M. (Grade 6); Megan A., Caty F., David G., and Irene N. (Grade 7); Cody J., Alix W., Mackenzie M., and Blair A. (Grade 8).
 
Irene advances to the Shawnee County Spelling Bee on February 21, 2009 at Whitson Elementary School. Competition begins at 1:00 p.m. The public is invited.
 
Best of luck, Irene!
Welcome, New Students!
Please help us welcome these new students to our school:
 
Madeline B. has joined Ms. Wilch's 5th grade class. 
 
Thomas B. has joined  Ms. Cook's pre-k class. 
 
Daniel H. has joined Ms. Cook's class pre-k.
 
Olivia V. has joined Mrs. Hubbell's pre-k class.
 
Vacancies exist in all grade levels. Remember, if your referral results in a student being enrolled at Topeka Collegiate, we'll give you $500! 
All-School Roller Skating Party -- Friday, January 16th
All students and their families are invited to join us on Friday, January 16 for roller skating at Sk8away, 815 SW Fairlawn 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.. The cost is $3 per skater. Wear your TCS spirit gear!
Lower School Music Program -- February 5th
Mrs. Siebert has announced that lower school students (grades 1 - 4) will be performing in a music program on Thursday, February 5th from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, immediately following the Parent Council meeting.
Parents' Coffee -- Tuesday, February 10th
Topeka Collegiate School Parent Council officers would like to invite you to a morning coffee to be held Tuesday, February 10th. This coffee is for parents of students in all grade levels.
 
Please plan to drop in to the Assembly Hall between 8:15 and 9:15 a.m.  We'll supply the coffee; you supply the conversation! 
All-School Dance Scheduled for March 6th
Special events chairs Debra Ricks-Copley and Joe Anderson have announced that there will be another all-school dance on Friday, March 6. 
 
As you may remember, last year's disco dance was wildly successful. Kids and parents alike dressed up and boogied to the disco beat in the gym. This year's theme hasn't been finalized yet, although Debra hints we may be revisiting the gnarly 1980s.
 
As the event draws nearer, there will be a call for volunteers to help with planning, decorations, publicity, etc. Those who have already signed up to help will be contacted with details. 
Auction 2009 -- Updates and Reminders
Auction 2009 logoAuction 2009 - "Bid From Your Heart" - has been scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Ramada Inn downtown.
 
Ten rooms have been reserved at the Ramada Inn at the discounted price of $79. Mention that you are with the Topeka Collegiate School Action when you book your room to receive the discount.
 
Auction reminders:
  • Auction items are due now. The items or services that you have procured may be brought in. Please deliver your items and gift certificates to either the front office or to the Development office (room 109). If you have not turned in an acquisition form but would still like to do so, acquisitions are still being accepted.
  • Invitations will be delivered this week.  Please complete your RSVP form and return it to school by January 30th. You may pay online at our website by clicking here.

See you on February 14th!
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.
 
Good Search.com logowww.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 logoBox 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. New! Your box tops have earned our school $765 since August 1, 2008!  
 
Best Choice label logoBest 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 logos   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.  
 
 
Nestle water bottle labelNestlé 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 A+ label 1Tyson A Label 2Tyson 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 logoOffice 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 logoTarget 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. 
 
 
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. 
Geography Bee Answer
The correct answer is "Philadelphia."