March 12

March 12, 2010

Issue 15

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,

On behalf of our entire school, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many, many volunteers who helped with Saturday's "Starry Night" auction. What a wonderful evening!

I am in awe of Auction Co-Chairs Erin Bess P. and Amy H. They took on a special challenge this year - planning the first-ever auction at school. Bess and Amy had a vision that became a beautiful reality. Not only beautiful, but fun!

Bringing the auction to the school had a major impact on building community spirit. You could see it in the way volunteers came together to pitch in before, during, and yes, even the day after the auction. It was my pleasure to pose between these two amazing women on auction night.

This is a time for much celebration. In addition to a memorable auction, we hosted successful Discovery Day, Open House and First Friday ArtWalk events.

As you will see in this newsletter, our students are distinguishing themselves things in a wide variety of competitions, reflecting not only the excellence of our academic program but the caliber of their teachers. Our faculty is exceptional. It is due to their instruction and support that our students are able reach academic heights.

It is the partnership between our school and our families that makes it possible for our teachers to continually maintain their positive influence on students, and to instill in them the principles of our school's mission.

I wish you a safe, relaxing, productive Spring Break however you spend it. We'll see you March 23 for the start of a busy spring. Don't miss any of this precious time with your child!

Educationally yours,

Dick Patterson

Head of School

In This Issue

Calendar Highlights

Spring break childcare

Mathcounts Team Takes 5th at State

History Day District Competition

Heifer Ranch Meeting

Volunteer Spotlight On:

Follow-up H1N1 Clinic

Schoolwide Dance Planned

Egg Drop Competition 2010

Josh G. Selected for State Honor Choir

Mr. Mac's Class Assembly

TCS Quiz

TCS Art in Artwalk

8th Graders Participate in Model U.N.

Around Campus

Google Collegiate School

School Directory Changes

Camp Invention Returns in June

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Calendar Highlights -- March and April

Friday, March 12 -- Enrollment contracts for the 2010-2011 academic year are due

Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19 -- No school - spring break; no child care available

Monday, March 22 -- No school - teacher in service day; child care will be available; click on the "Programs" and "Extended Day Care" buttons on the TCS website for more information

Wednesday, March 24 -- Mandatory Heifer Ranch trip informational meeting for 7th graders and their parents, 7:30 a.m., Commons

Thursday, March 25 -- Repeat H1N1 vaccinations available; contact Danielle Huckins for more information

Friday, March 26 -- Combined 7th grade classes assembly, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall; spaghetti dinner, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (SeaCamp fundraiser); all school Hawaiian-themed dance, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 27 -- SUMday competition, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Washburn Rural High SChool

Monday, March 29 -- Friday, April 2 -- Metropolitan Assessment Test (MAT 8) testing, all grades

Friday, April 2 -- Combined pre-kindergarten classes assembly, 8:35 a.m.

Saturday, April 3 -- State Science Olympiad competition

Friday, April 9 -- Mrs. Hoyt's 6th grade assembly, 8:35 a.m.; schoolwide roller skating party at Sk8away, 815 SW Fairlawn Road, $5 per skater, all ages, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 10 -- Middle School lock-in, 10:00 p.m.

Friday, April 16 -- Combined Kindergarten classes assembly, 8:35 a.m.; half day of school, noon dismissal; child care is available - for more information, click on "Programs" > "Extended Day Care Program" on the TCS web site

Saturday, April 17 -- State History Day competition

Monday, April 19 -- No school; no child care available

Wednesday, April 21 -- Middle School (grades 5-8) art show and 8th grade coffeehouse/poetry reading, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 23 through Monday, April 26 -- 7th graders go to Heifer Ranch, Perryville, Arkansas

Friday, April 30 -- Middle School play

Childcare Available Monday, March 22

There will be no school Monday, March 15 through Sunday, March 21 for spring break. No child care will be available during this period.

Monday, March 22 is a teacher in-service day. There is no school, but child care will be available. The rate will be $25 for half a day (7:15 to 12:30 or 12:30 to 5:45) or $45 for the full day (7:15 to 5:45). Children will be provided a morning and afternoon snack, but will need to bring a lunch from home. Our day will include a movie, time in the gym, arts and crafts, free play time, and outdoor fun.

To register your child, please contact Ms. Bauer at dbauer@topekacollegiate.org or (785) 380-4126.

The next five week session of After School Adventures classes will begin the week of April 12. Class offerings and class descriptions will be available when we return from spring break.

Starry Night A Sparkling Success

Q. When is a gym not a gym?

A. When it's transformed into a beautiful, magical Starry Night!

That's just what happened Saturday night. Auction guests were awestruck. Congratulations to Auction Co-Chairs Erin Bess P. (Satchel-5^th, Rose-2^nd) and Amy H. (Chase-5^th, Cooper-2^nd), Acquisitions Chair Cacy K. (Izahbella-Pre-K) and their stalwart band of volunteers! The Starry Night auction was not only visually stunning, it was a wonderful coming together of our community - parents, faculty and staff, trustees, past parents, founders, corporate sponsors, friends and alumni.

Special thanks to the A. family (Coral - 2nd) for helping make it possible for us to host the auction at school by bringing their considerable catering talent and experience to our party.

*Auction Spotter Joe Pennington with enthusiastic bidder Debra Ricks-Copley*

We thank everyone who had any part in making the auction so successful. The gross proceeds (before expenses) are just over $110,000. The final number will not be available until all the bills are paid, but hats off to Bess and Amy for holding the line on expenses.

Watch for the Auction Redux (a second-chance opportunity to bid on items that didn't receive the minimum bids on Auction Night) after Spring Break.

*Cynthia Warren considers a Silent Auction bid.*

*Staff Development Director Sonja Czarnecki with friends Andrea and Lynette Palmer*

Auction Night helpers from the Class of 2006: (back row, l to r) Steven Benson, David
Gast, Jackie Horn (front row l to r) Elizabeth Kresie, Emily Park, Jennifer Rosacker, Sjobor Hammer

Not pictured: Tess Wilson '04 who took this and all the auction photos shown here, and Sam Zlotky '04.

Mathcounts Team Places 5th at State; Josh Greene Advances to Nationals

Congratulations to our Mathcounts team, composed of (from left, above) Josh G., Sahil R., Alec B., and Irene N., who placed 5th as a team at the state Mathcounts competition on March 6.

Josh placed second in the Individual Competition, and will join the top four individuals from the state of Kansas (the others are all from the Kansas City area) to form the Kansas team that will compete at the National Competition in Orlando on May 6-9. He also received a $500 per semester engineering scholarship to Kansas State University.

Sahil received a ninth place Individual trophy and competed well in the oral Countdown Round. To have two students in the Top Ten and the Countdown Round is a feat never before accomplished in TCS history. What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that this year was Sahil's first trip to the state contest. He has worked incredibly hard this year, and I am so proud.

We have been meeting three times a week since October; I am so proud of these amazing mathletes for their hard work both here at school and at home. My mathletes now will join other students preparing for the SUMday contest on March 27. They will then get to relax!

-- Phyllis Hoyt
Mathematics Instructor

Six Students Advance to State History Day

First and second place finishers advance to State History Day at Washburn on April 17.

(Back row, from left) Ella B. R., Sahil R., Josh G., David G.; (front row, from left) Skyler D., Neha T., Sarah S., Jeremiah S.

Six Topeka Collegiate middle school students are bound for State History Day on April 17 after placing first or second in their categories at district competition Saturday, February 27 at Washburn University. Two additional students received honorable mention for their work.

History Day judges commented on how well Topeka Collegiate students performed during the judges' interviews. That's when students answer questions about their research, explain their theses and defend their conclusions. The judges described our students as self-possessed, passionate, articulate, knowledgeable and well-prepared.

Those comments and the History Day results illustrate some of the important core competencies our students gain at TCS. They are researchers who possess the research skills they need to synthesize and apply information. They are collaborators who understand how to work effectively with others. They graduate as global citizens engaged and interested in issues and trends like this year's History Day theme, "Innovation in History."

Junior Individual Exhibits
1st Place: Neha T. "The Artificial Heart: Beating the Odds"

Honorable Mention: Sarah S. "Jonas Salk's Innovation: The Polio Vaccine"

Honorable Mention: Jeremiah S. "No Longer Low, Thanks to Thaddeus Lowe"

Junior Group Performances
2nd Place: Ella R. and Skyler D. "Barbie at 50: Oh So Many Jobs, Shoes and Clothes"

Junior Individual Documentary
1st Place: Josh G. "Painting the World Yellow: The Innovation of the Simpsons"

Junior Group Documentary
1st Place: David G. and Sahil R. "Menninger: Pioneers in the Field of Psychiatry"

Heifer Ranch Meeting for 7th Graders and Their Parents -- Wednesday, March 24

Attention 7th Grade Students and Parents!

On Wednesday, March 24th, at 7:30 a.m. in the Commons, we will be hosting a mandatory meeting for students and parents regarding the Heifer Ranch trip in April. Students will participate in the Global Village at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, from April 23rd - 26th.

We will explain the things you need to pack, hand out medical and insurance forms, and begin our focus on sustainable development and how individuals can help make a difference in impoverished nations.

Hope to see you there!

-- Patti Cross

6th and 7th Grade Social Studies and Study Skills

Coming Soon: TCS Facebook Fan Page

We're launching a Topeka Collegiate Facebook Fan Page in order to help spread the word about the wonderful things going on here at TCS. Postings will come from teachers and administrators only, but we invite all to join the group as fans.

As with our Web site and promotional materials, we plan to share photos of school events. Social media publicity will not use students' names in conjunction with photos. If you have any questions regarding the TCS school publicity policy, please contact Development Director Mary Loftus at mloftus@topekacollegiate.org or 228-0490, ext. 34.

Watch for information on how to become a TCS fan!

Second H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic -- Thursday, March 25

Thursday, March 25th Google Collegiate will have the H1N1 vaccine available. This would be for anyone who has not had the vaccine or is in need of a second dose (children under the age of 9). There is a very limited number so please contact the health room for forms if you are interested. It is still helpful to get the vaccination at this time of year due to the unique nature of the virus. The H1N1 is not typical in the fact that it doesn't hit only during winter months, but in fact had lingered through the spring/summer months this past year. Both the nasal spray and injectable will be available. Again, there are specific forms to be completed and will be available upon request.

Danielle Huckins

Health Services Director

SeaCamp Fundraising Dinner and All-School "Hawaiian" Dance -- Friday, March 26

Tired of the cold. . .looking forward to sunshine and palm trees . . .

Start the evening of Friday, March 26th in the Commons with a fundraising dinner for the 8th grade SeaCamp trip. 7th grade students and their parents will be hosting a spaghetti dinner on Friday, March 26th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30, prior to the all school dance.

Enjoy a spaghetti dinner with choice of vegetable or plain marinara sauce, a side salad, garlic bread and beverage. A chocolate fountain for dessert will be available during the dinner and dance for $1.00 per basket of "dippables."

Tickets are now on sale for the dinner. They are $6.00 per person in advance or $7.50 at the door. Under 6 eat for free. You may purchase tickets in the office, from 7th grade students and teachers, or from SeaCamp fundraising organizers Paula Hittle or Tonya Smith. Please make checks payable to "TCS Class of 2011" with "spaghetti dinner" written on the memo line.

This year we are offering take out if you can't join us at TCS for dinner. To reserve your take-out dinners, or if you have questions, email Tonya Smith at tonyamarie7@yahoo.com.

Between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., sway on down to the Assembly Hall for the free All School Family Hawaiian Dance. You'll want to dig through that closet and find your best Hawaiian attire, because although shirts and shorts are required, winter coats and snow boots are forbidden! If

you have appropriate decorations you could loan us, or would like to help decorate the Assembly Hall for the dance, please contact Tammy Schmidt (tammyds@prodigy.net) or Joe Anderson (joeanderson81@gmail.com).

Collegiate Eggs Drop to New Heights

For the third consecutive year, 7th graders Elena B. and Savia P. (left) have won the local American Society of Civil Engineers' egg drop contest for their age group. 6th grader Sarah S. (right) was the winner in the her age group. In fact, Topeka Collegiate students represented six of the top ten entries in each of the categories!

The competition was open to Kansas students in two categories: Grades 4 through 6 and grades 7 through 9. It was sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Kansas Section, Young Member Group, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation and was held Saturday, March 6 at West Ridge Mall.

The object of the contest was to create a container or vehicle of the lightest weight possible that would protect a fresh egg from cracking or exploding when it was dropped from the second floor to the hard surface of the first floor of West Ridge Mall. If the egg was intact when the container was opened for inspection, the drop was considered successful. Of all the successful drops, the structure that was lightest was declared the winner.

10th place: Leonardo P.

7th: Drew M. and Stormy R.

4th: Bryce V.

3rd: Anjum S. and Mira R.

2nd: Karl L. and Dalton V.

1st: Sarah S.

7th - 9th Grade Division:

10th: Austin M.

9th: Maria K.

8th: Ashley S.

5th: David G. and Federico P.

3rd: Tyler V.

1st: Elena B. and Savia P.

To view photos on the Spotted feature at CJOnline, follow this link: http://spotted.cjonline.com/galleries/index.php?id=475243#

-- Loren Shinn
-- Donna LaLonde
-- Mary Kate Baldwin

Josh G. Selected for State Honor Choir

Music teacher Kay Siebert and Josh G.

This past October 8th grader Josh G. sent in an audition tape along with over 1000 other 7th, 8th and 9th grade students across the state of Kansas and was selected to be a part of the 200 voice KMEA (Kansas Music Educators Association) Middle Level Honor Choir. On Friday, February 26, Josh and the other chosen students came together at the Wichita Century II Convention Center as part of the KMEA Annual Conference to work during the day with nationally-known clinician Victor Johnson to prepare a concert given for music educators, parents and other guests.

Congratulations to Josh for pursuing this excellent musical opportunity and on being selected for this State Honor Choir.

Mr. MacDonald's 6th Grade Class Assembly

Mr. MacDonald's 6th grade homeroom, with the help of Mr. Park and Mr. Mayfield, relate the theme, "Be Yourself" in their class play, No Princes to Be Found.

TCS Quiz

As eighth grader Josh G. heads to National Mathcounts in May, we're wondering how many times Topeka Collegiate has sent a student to this prestigious national math competition?

Topeka Collegiate a Popular Stop on Artwalk

Thank you to everyone who loaned their art for us to display during the March 5th First Fridays Artwalk. We welcomed many visitors to our school during the course of the evening, and were proud of the efforts of our students, staff, faculty, and friends in the creation of such a successful event.

Thank you too, to TCS parents Marlo and Peter J. (Roman - JPK, Santino - K) , for choosing our venue to debut their documentary film Mariachi Estrella, depicting the story of Topeka's famed all-female mariachi band, one of the first in the country.

8th Graders Participate in the Topeka Model United Nations Conference

On Monday and Tuesday, 20 eighth graders represented the nations of Mongolia, Ethiopia, Turkey, Germany, Peru, Mexico, India, and Chile at the annual Topeka Model United Nations Conference. Among the 700 delegates, our students were among only about 100 or so eighth graders. Our school was one of only two non-public schools represented at the conference, which included schools from as far afield as Salina and Lawrence. Eighth graders prepared by writing position papers, resolutions, and speeches of affirmation or negation. Afterwards they commented about how much they learned, and many are looking forward to attending as delegates again next year!

Around Campus

Isabella Gichiri (right), Washburn University Business student and cousin to Kathryn G. (K) has been working on a Junior Achievement program with fifth graders in Mr. Park's and Ms. Jackson's classes.

It was chick-a-palooza in the second grade classrooms as the students witnessed the hatching of incubated chicken eggs last week. When they're ready, the chicks will go to chicken-friendly homes.

(Pre-Kindergartners Rishi S. and Thatcher H. get a chance to hold the fluffy chicks during a visit to Mrs. Mosier's classroom)

**Jack R.** (3rd) sets the right tone on Wacky Wednesday

**Claire P.** (4th), Briana Jackson, **Kiana M.** (3rd)

We celebrated the 106th birthday of Dr. Seuss the week of March 2nd with a variety of Seuss-related activities, including Whoville Who Hair Day (left). Mrs. Allison sponsored a writing contest, inviting students to create poems a la Dr. Seuss:

The Wild Yowblo's 8 feet tall

It eats spinach and dahl

It runs at a tremendous speed

He also really likes to read.

Charlie L., 4th

So much work to be done.

Just pick up the right job and work will be fun.

Ethan A., 2nd

During a February 25th presentation to middle school students, Andy B. '02 shared his experience working and studying in Guatemala and Honduras and explained how his research on gender equity combines many disciplines: sociology, mathematics, and economics.

Jenna . (4th), Andy B. '02, Mark B. (4th).

Google Collegiate School

Topeka Collegiate School will become Google Collegiate School for the remainder of the month of March, in support of Topeka, rather, Google, Kansas' efforts to convince Google to make our city a test site for ultrafast Internet connection. What a wonderful opportunity for our students on their journey to becoming global citizens connected to and engaged in the issues and trends that shape our future!