June 4

June 4, 2010

Issue 20

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 School Families,

What a great finish to this month!

The Day of the Child, field days, Middle School plays, Awards Assembly, trips to Earthworks and the Nelson Art Gallery, and the Talent Show are just a few of the special things that we were able to accomplish in addition to the academic requirements.

This week's Middle School Awards Assembly and Graduation were wonderful, warm events filled with pride and affection. No one who witnessed those celebrations of our outstanding students can doubt the strong bonds between those students and their teachers, nor question that this school is a family. Rachael G. Sokoloff '98, graduate Josh G.'s sister, spoke to the Class of 2010 in an eloquent graduation address containing encouragement, advice and humor. Watch for excerpts in an upcoming Collegiate Connection.

Looking ahead, our enrollment for next year looks positive. We are starting a waiting list for Kindergarten, first and second grades. These grades will each have one homeroom until we have enough names on the waiting lists to allow us to add a second section. Stronger enrollment in third grade will allow us to have two homerooms. Our third-fifth grade models allow us to have small learning groups and our teachers to teach their strongest subjects.

My number one goal for next year is to build a strong community at Topeka Collegiate. For the last 18 months, I have had to deal with budget concerns. Next year we have a plan to stabilize the budget which will allow me to focus on building a strong partnership with everyone connected with the school.

Veteran Middle School Science Teacher Loren Shinn is leaving us to teach math at Washburn Rural High School. We thank him for his many contributions to Topeka Collegiate during his nine years here, and wish him all the best.

Dr. Allen Macfarlane will replace Mr. Shinn. Dr. Macfarlane is a professional scientist with the Kansas Geological Survey and an experienced educator at both the middle school and college levels. Dr. Macfarlane has been using hands-on, project-based learning with middle school students three years as part of the KU Environmental Science Academy.

Other adjustments that we planning for next year include:

- Increasing instructional time in both Lower and Middle School:

- Lower School will begin the day at 8:15, the same as Middle

School.

- Students in Lower School will still visit the library twice a week,

as they did this year, and receive library instruction once a week.

- Dené Mosier will help coordinate computer instruction with Lower

School teachers so technology skills are more thoroughly

integrated into the curriculum.

- Progress reports will continue to be released after each quarter,

but formal comments will accompany only first and third quarter

progress reports.

Have a great summer and prepare for a great school year in the fall! Carl Tillona

Dick Patterson

Head of School

In This Issue

2010-2011 Academic Calendar

Calendar Highlights

Student Council Officers and Reps for 2010-2011

TCS Choir Presents "Annie"

Children's Choir Forming

Talent Show

Coming in 2010-2011!

C. Brothers are Heads for a Day

National Talent Search Identifies Four

8th Grader Honored for Perfect Math Competition Score

First Grade Poetry Tea

Summer Tutoring Available

Field Days Planned

Student Directory Changes

Around Campus

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Next Year's Calendar Now Available

The academic calendar for 2010-2011 is now available on the school Web site (click here). In addition to school vacations, holidays and faculty in-service days, you will find something new: several 2:45 p.m. early dismissal days.

These early dismissals have been scheduled to provide time for teachers to work on curriculum and professional development. Child care will be available on those days, beginning at dismissal time.

Extended instructional time in both Lower School (earlier start time) and Middle School (shorter passing times), more than makes up for these early dismissal days.

Calendar Highlights

For the most current information, refer to the calendar on ParentsWeb!

Tuesday, June 1 -- Day camp at TCS begins

Monday, June 7 -- Summer Adventures at TCS begin; Camp Invention at TCS begins

Sunday, June 13 -- Topeka Collegiate Book Fair at Barnes & Noble, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, August 13 -- Last day of Day Camp

Sunday, August 15 -- New family social, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 17 -- Back-to-school picnic, evening

Wednesday, August 18 -- First day of school for pre-k through 8th grade; half day (noon dismissal) for pre-k through 5th grade; pk orientation (times vary);

Tuesday, September 7 -- First day of school for jr. pre-k

2010 - 2011 Student Council Officers and Representatives

Student Council Officers for the 2010 - 2011 academic year are (from left) Jordie S. (6th), Secretary; Laura N. (6th), Treasurer; Skyler D. (7th), Vice President; and Marisol K. (7th), President.

Class representatives for next year are:

6th grade:
Adam C.
Christopher G.

Satchel P.

Dalton V.

7th grade:
Jenna B.

David B.
Anneleise M.
Neha T.

8th grade:
Mariella K.
Grayson M.
Ariel S.

Tyler V.

TCS Choir Presents "Annie Jr."

The Topeka Collegiate Choir under the direction of Kay Siebert presented the musical "Annie Jr." on Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 in the Assembly Hall.

(left) Skyler D. (7th) as Annie; (below) Mariella K. as Lily, Josh G. as Rooster, and Maria K. as Miss Hannigan.

Kay Siebert To Direct Community Children's Choir; Auditions Planned

Dear Topeka Collegiate Community,

As you may have heard, I will be directing a community children's choir called the Kansas Youth Chorale which is open to youth with unchanged voices in the Topeka area who are entering 4th-8th grade in the 2010-2011 school year. This will be an auditioned choir with the purpose of "expanding the experiences of young singers in musical excellence with the common goal of bringing joy to others through music." There are many talented singers here at Collegiate who I hope will audition for this group. The auditions will be held on June 15 and 16 at First Lutheran Church (1234 SW Fairlawn) between 3:30 and 5:30 and 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.

For more information and to sign up for an audition time, please go to the Kansas Youth Chorale website: www.kansasyouthchorale.org There are cards in the school office with information, also.

Mrs. Siebert

STUCO Talent Show

"Bravo!" to all the students who participated in this year's talent show! We are always amazed at the breadth and depth of the talents possessed by our students (and teachers, too!) Thank you to our eighth grade Student Council members who emceed the show.

DVDs of the program are available for purchase. Contact Tracey Goering at tgoering@topekacollegiate.org for more information.

(Above, left) Cellist Tyler V. (7th); (above, right) Lorinc K. and Aaram S. (pre-K) perform a dance duet; (below, left) Leonardo P. and Bryce V. (5th) perform tricks on their yo yos; Gabrielle H. G. (3rd) sings "Love Story."

(Above, left) Tae kwon do black belt Anneleise M. (6th); (above,right) James W. (5th) dances to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"; (below) Middle School faculty (and faculty spouse Suzanne MacDonald) perform "Whoa, Mule, Whoa."

(Above, left) Tessa D. and Micaela M. (6th) dance to "Classic Pow"; (above, right) Grace M. (4th) sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"; (below, left) Thomas S. (pre-K) and book buddy Charlie L.-A. (4th) sing "Beans In Your Ears"; (below, center) Baker V. (3rd) plays "Our Song" on guitar, and (below, right) Jack R. (3rd) plays "Hot Cross Buns" on the recorder through his nose.

Coming in 2010 - 2011!

Beginning this fall, all the materials that we normally distribute in printed form will be available electronically. This includes:

Annual Student Directory and Handbook
Topeka Collegiate Annual Report
Calendars
Collegiate Life

Paper copies of publications will be available for purchase in the office.

C. Brothers are Heads For a Day

Brothers Jacob and Adam C. (6th grade and 5th grade) shared the honor and responsibility of being Head of School at Topeka Collegiate May 14th.

We didn't detect any power grabs by either boy; in fact, they worked together to distribute cups of frozen yogurt to all the students at lunchtime. Yum!

Our thanks go to the C. family for purchasing this Head for a Day opportunity at Auction 2010.

National Talent Searches Recognize Four TCS Students

Duke and Northwestern Talent Identification 2010

(left to right) Skyler D., Grayson M., Cheyenne K., Josh G.

Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search has singled out Topeka Collegiate eighth grader Josh G. for national recognition as part of its annual search for academically talented students. National Level honorees are recognized for scoring above the 99th percentile on the SAT. In fact, Josh scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT - something very few high school students are able to achieve. Josh has been invited to an award ceremony on the Northwestern University Campus in Evanston, Illinois on June 5.

The other Topeka Collegiate students have earned recognition in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) for seventh graders, and are invited the the state Award Ceremony at Kansas University on June 6. Skyler D, Cheyenne K. and Grayson M. qualified for recognition ceremonies based on their SAT and ACT scores. .

Governor Parkinson Honors 8th Grader for Perfect Score on AMC-8

Governor Mark Parkinson recently presented a plaque to Topeka Collegiate 8th grader Josh G. in recognition of Josh's perfect 25 score on the AMC-8 last fall.

The plaque reads "Mathematical Association of America American Mathematics Competition, Josh G., Topeka Collegiate, First Place in Kansas, 25th Annual American Mathematics Contest AMC-8 2009."

Josh joins two other Topeka Collegiate alumni in this achievement: Andy Brownback and Hero Okano also had the opportunity to meet and be photographed with the Governor of Kansas when they also achieved top scores on the AMC-8.

(Did we mention that Josh also achieved a perfect 800 on the SAT test?!)

First Grade Poetry Tea

First graders presented their annual Poetry Tea on May 21st. Each student memorized a poem, and, dressed in their finest, presented them on stage to an appreciative audience. Following the recitations, hosts and guests were treated to an elegant reception featuring hot tea and coffee served in china cups, as well as punch, and a variety of dainty finger foods.

In preparation for the event, students were given the opportunity to decorate a ceramic teacup and saucer (below) which were then glazed and fired at Potwin Pottery. The students used their personalized cups at the reception, and then were able to take them home as a special souvenir.

(left to right) Jillian W., Tanner H., and Aubree A. perform

At the reception and tea following the poetry recital, students trade autographs in their booklets of collected poems. (Left to right) Trinity B., Andrew N., Kashi K.)

(Below) Mako Ueno and Maude M. choose treats at the reception

Summer Tutoring Available

School will soon be out, and summer will be here. Many of you may have started thinking about arranging some summer tutoring for your child. My name is Jaime Frederick, and I'm a first grade teacher at Topeka Collegiate. I have been tutoring students in grades K-8 for twelve years now, and I will be offering tutoring this summer as well. If you feel like your child needs a little extra help or would benefit from some enrichment, feel free to give me a call. I will talk to your child's teacher to find out what concepts or skills your child could use improvement in. Then, I will work with your child to strengthen those skills.

Because of the great demand for tutoring, it is important to know if your child will be able to attend the majority of the tutoring sessions before signing him or her up. I will take children on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on the dates and times I am offering, please give me a call or email me. I look forward to working with your child.

Thank you,
Jaime Frederick
jfrederick@topekacollegiate.org
273-2229

Lower School Field Day

Students in pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade participated in our annual Field Day on May 18th.

The weather was perfect, and we witnessed many acts of competitive spirit, team support, and

good sportsmanship.

Thank you, Mr. Ginapp, for organizing another active and fun Field Day! Thank you, too, to the parent volunteers who helped make this event a success.

(Below, left) R. J. F. (K) shows off his blue ribbon won in the always popular shoe kick event.

(Right) Isaiah H. sprints to the finish during the 1st grade boys' 50-yard dash.

(Below) In the Balloon Race, pre-Kindergarten students run holding a balloon (or not

holding a balloon, if they so choose) to the finish line, where the first person to successfully pop

their balloon by sitting on it is declared the winner!

(Below) The three-legged race requires coordination and balance. Alexis K. and ZiYan D. (5th) win their heat; Ethan A. and Psalm K. (2nd) have their technique perfected.

(Below) In spite of Mrs. Berryman's awesome upper body strength, her Kindergarten class was ultimately defeated by Ms. Van Aalst's Kindergarten class in the tug of war competition. (Left to right) Yuan Yuan D., Mary D., Kelley Berryman.

(Below) Matt M. and Jack M. give it their all in the 3rd grade boys' sack race.

In the fourth grade versus fourth grade tug of war, 4A struggles to overcome 4B.

Student Directory Changes

Rajya M. (Rishi - 1) has a new cell phone number: XXX.

Around Campus

Art instructor Blake Zachritz poses with eighth grader Dylan C. Dylan's parents assembled all of the Original Art magnets that Dylan has created during his years at Topeka Collegiate and had them framed as a surprise gift for their son.

Head of School Dick Patterson joins a group of Lower School boys who share an interest in yo yos.

Parent Dan D. (Teddy Mac) coaches the Red Hawks baseball team in the Ken Berry League. The team includes TCS students Gabe K., Santino J., Nibi K., Teddy Mac D., Ethan P., and Zooey M.

Congratulations to Middle School Social Studies and Study Skills instructor Patti Cross, who earned her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Social Studies May 16th from the University of Kansas. Her husband Paul Cross earned a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering. We wish them the best of luck as they continue their careers in South Carolina this fall.

The bronze statue recently donated to the TCS library by the Pennington family (left) now has a name. It will henceforth be known as "Margaret" in honor of its original owner, Margaret Smith. Thank you, Balin S., for your winning suggestion.

This poem was written by first grader Catya C. to her teacher, Laura Schwerdt. With permission, we would like to share it with you.

I love you

I love you with a speshle love in my heart

In my heart I see you

I want you

I breeth you all the time

I see you

I love you

All the dreems I had were you

I love you better then me cause you're my teacher that loves me.