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The Collegiate Connection
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From Board President John Dietrick |
 Dear
Collegiate Friends,
As most of you know, David Hudspeth has elected to
file suit against Topeka Collegiate. We were hopeful
litigation would not occur, but in our system of
government this is Mr. Hudspeth's prerogative. From
my perspective, I can tell you this: The Board of
Trustees lawfully terminated David Hudspeth's
employment agreement for cause, and Topeka
Collegiate is vigorously defending the lawsuit. The
matter is now in the court system and that is where
all questions will ultimately be answered.
With Dick Patterson at the helm as Acting Head of
School, our search is now underway for a permanent
Head of School. With input from the Executive
Committee as well as members of the Board of
Trustees, I have appointed a 12-member Head of
School Search Committee. They are:
Kristina Dietrick, co-chair
Alison Langham '86, co-chair
Dené Mosier
Dick Patterson
Scott Hamilton
Jeff Chanay
Marta Kennedy
Steve Malone
Winnie Kimata
Lanny Moyer
Susan Garlinghouse
John Dietrick, ex officio
The committee represents the wide variety of the
Topeka Collegiate family, including parents and
faculty from both lower and middle schools, alumni
parents, board members, a past board president, an
alumna and a founder.
I am pleased that Kristina Dietrick and Alison
Langham have agreed to co-chair the Head Search
Committee. They bring unique, necessary and
complimentary skills to this important work.
Kristina has more than 15 years' experience in human
resources management. She is currently president
and co-owner of Creative Business Solutions, an
established Topeka company that offers a variety of
human resources services, products and tools to
businesses. Previously, Kristina served as assistant
manager of corporate staffing and development at
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Kristina and I are
the parents of two Topeka Collegiate students,
Lauren and Mary.
Alison is a Topeka Collegiate alumna (Class of
1986), and a second-generation trustee. She is a
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Measurement and
Evaluation. Working as a research analyst, Alison
has advised the U.S. Department of Education on
policy, and continues to conduct research and
evaluate educational data. Previously, Alison worked
in K-12 education teaching students with special
needs.
We have placed notice of our Head of School opening
on the NAIS (National Association of Independent
Schools) web site, circulated it in independent
school circles, and released it to our current
faculty and staff.
The Search Committee will meet next week to outline
its work. We plan to screen and interview candidates
during the next few months. Our goal is to choose
the ideal candidate and have him or her in place by
the time School begins in the fall. We appreciate
Dick Patterson for his willingness to help ensure a
seamless transition.
I also would like to acknowledge our faculty and
staff for their positive energy, leadership and
patience as we work diligently to position the
School for the successful completion of this school
year and the beginning of many more!
I will report to you periodically on the progress of
the Search Committee. In the meantime, feel free to
contact me if you have questions, comments or
suggestions.
With best wishes,
John Dietrick, President
Board of Trustees |
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From Our Head of School
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Dear Parents and Friends,
This has been an exciting week at school.
Tuesday's Open House provided an opportunity for
families with children already enrolled to
discover what's in store for next year, and for
new families to look at what Topeka Collegiate
offers their children.
Thursday night, TCS Founder Kent Garlinghouse
was inducted into the Junior Achievement
Business Hall of Fame, with sixth grader
Marisol Kingfisher doing a poised,
polished, funny introduction. It was a wonderful
night for Kent and for our school.
Friday was Peace Corps Day. Nineteen returned
Peace Corps volunteers visited our school to
talk with our students in honor of the Peace
Corps' 48th birthday. The returned volunteers
served in South America, Africa, Turkey, Latin
America, New Guinea, Romania, Mongolia and more.
Each has a wonderful story to tell about service
at the grassroots level, immersion in another
culture, and the commonalities we share as human
beings. They all agree that while they
volunteered to help people overseas, they
received much more than they gave. Be sure to
ask your student about Peace Corps Day!
With the memory of Peace Corps Day fresh in our
minds, it's fitting that the peace symbol is
part of the newly-designed T-shirt for 2010.
(see photo below) You can place your order
through Tuesday.
I'm looking forward to tonight's Mexican dinner
and 80s dance which should be "totally cool!"
Dick Patterson
Acting Head of School
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Calendar Highlights -- March and April |
Friday, March 6 --
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Day;
Mexican dinner (Sea Camp
fundraiser), 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Commons; free school-wide dance,
7:00 - 11:00, Gym
Saturday, March 7
-- MATHCOUNTS state competition
in Salina
Tuesday, March 11
-- Parents' reading education
program with Pam Pifer, 7:00
p.m.
Friday, March 13
-- Mrs. Allison's 3rd
grade class assembly,
8:35 a.m.
Saturday, March
14 -- Free CPR/AED/First
Aid training sessions;
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
or 1:00 - 4:00
p.m.
Monday, March 16
through Friday,
March 20 --
Spring break -- no
school
Monday, March 23
-- Teacher work day --
no school; child care
will be available
Friday,
March 27 --
Mr. Martinez' and
Mr. Tillona's 7th
grade class
assembly, 8:35 a.m.
Saturday,
March 28 --
SUMday Math Contest,
4th through 8th
grades, WRHS
Thursday,
April 2 --
Parent Council
meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Friday,
April 3 --
Mrs. Shinn's 2nd
grade class
assembly, 8:35 a.m.
Monday,
April 6 --
Book swap drop-off
Wednesday and
Thursday
April 8 and 9
-- Book swap
Friday,
April 10 --
Mrs. Hubbell and Ms.
Frost-Cook's
pre-kindergarten
class assembly, 8:35
a.m.; all-school
roller skating party
at Sk8away, 5:00 -
7:00 p.m.
Friday,
April 17 --
Mrs. Van Aalst's and
Mrs. Berryman's 1st
grade class
assembly; teacher
in-service day -
half day of school -
noon dismissal;
child care will be
available; 7th
graders to Heifer
Ranch; Poker Party
to benefit TCS
Computer Lab
Monday,
April 20 --
No school; no child
care
Wednesday,
April 22 --
Middle School art
show 5:30 p.m.; 7th
and 8th grade poetry
and coffee
Friday,
April 24 --
Ms. Wilch's 5th
grade class assembly
Saturday
April 25 --
State History Day
competition,
Washburn University
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Mexican Food Dinner and Enchiladas for Sale -
Fundraiser for 7th Grade Sea Camp -- 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. Even if you have not
RSVP'd, please plan to come! There will be plenty
of food available, and you'll want to be fully
nourished for the school-wide dance that follows!
Adult meals will be $7
and include one enchilada, one taco, rice,
refried beans, dessert, and a drink.
Children's meals will be $5 and include one
entree, rice, refried beans, dessert, and a
drink.
In addition, delicious
homemade enchiladas will be available for
purchase. For $20, you'll take home a dozen
enchiladas!
After your meal,
plan to stay for the free school-wide
dance from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in
the assembly hall featuring music and
fashions from the totally rad 1980s!
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Free 1980s-Themed Dance -- Friday, March 6th |
 Pull
on those acid-washed jeans, get that spiral
perm, and break dance over to the 1980s
themed dance tonight! All Collegiate family
members and friends are invited to dance to
the era's rad tunes at this free event in
the assembly hall from 7:00 to 11:00
p.m.
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New Spirit Gear Designs -- Order by March 10th! |
Orders are now being taken for
spirit shirts featuring the new
"2010" logo shown at left. Short-sleeved t-shirts
in medium blue with dark blue printing are available
in youth sizes small through extra-large and in
adult sizes small through XX large for $15.
Also available are navy
blue sweatpants with
"EAGLES" printed in white down the
outside of one leg. They are available in youth
sizes small through large (no extra-large) and
adult sizes small through XX large for $20.
Order forms are available in the office. Only
one order will be placed; please return your
order forms by
Tuesday, March 10th.
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Reading Specialist to Visit TCS March 10-12 |
 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 calendars! |
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Free CPR/First Aid/AED Training -- Saturday,
March 14th |
Topeka Collegiate is proud to
host a FREE CPR/First Aid/Automatic External
Defibrillator training course through the American
Heart Association on Saturday, March 14th at the
school. It will be available at no charge to the
first 100 people who register. Any interested person
age 16 or older may attend.
There will be two
session times to choose from: 10 a.m to 1
p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4
p.m. You may register by contacting Danielle
Huckins at dhuckins@topekacollegiate.org or
228-0490.
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First Grade Assembly |
Mrs. Wilk's and Mrs.
Odermatt's 1st grade classes performed a play
titled "School House Stone Soup" at their
February 20th assembly.
The play was a modern retelling of the European
folktale "Stone Soup." It was was written by
Ashlie Wilk, and stressed respect and
cooperation. Special features included a Clone
Trooper, The Twilight Zone theme and a
song "Stone Soup," written specifically for the
play by Topeka actor and musician Greg Krummins.
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National History Day District Competition
Results
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Top row: Carter P., Alec B.,
Sahil R., David G.. Bottom row:
Ella B. R., Josh G., Cooper S.,
Mariella K..
24 TCS students submitted
outstanding projects to the National
History Day district competition at
Washburn University on Saturday,
February 28. Seven students,
representing five projects, placed
first or second in their categories
to earn the right to compete at the
state level.
Topeka Collegiate students earned 5
of 16 berths available at State,
which will be held at Washburn on
April 25.
Individual Exhibit
1st place: "Harry Colmery Writes the First
G.I.Bill: The Making of the American Middle
Class" - Cooper S.
2nd place: "James Naismith: The Invention of
Basketball and Its World Wide Popularity" -
Carter P.
Honorable Mention: "El Che: Legacy of a
Man Without a Country" - Mariella K.
Individual Performance
2nd place: "Chanel's Suite: A
Reflection of Ambition and Achievement" - Ella
B. R.
Group Documentary
2nd place: "Genghis Khan, His Life and
Legacy" - Alec B., David G., Sahil R.
Individual and Group Website
2nd place: "A Hit Below Hitler's Belt" - Josh
G.
State History Day
competition will take place Saturday, April
25th at Washburn University. Good luck!
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Donation Benefits Middle School Science Students |
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 Sixth
graders Savia P., Mollie M. and
Marisol K. study chemical reactions
as part of an experiment on rates of reactions using
a recently-received kit funded by the Kokari
Foundation.
Our middle school science department received a
gift of science supplies through the generosity
of the Kokari Foundation. Middle School science
teacher Loren Shinn says, "We have been using
the materials to support the life, Earth and
physical science study of all our middle school
students. In the biology area, we have received
materials to model, extract and observe DNA,
microscopic organisms cultures and dissection
materials. We are enhancing our Earth science
study by using an updatable weather map, along
with a radio-controlled weather station."
Students will be improving their environmental
science understanding by using a soil testing
kit when they visit Hidden Pond and will be
using a composting bin beginning this spring.
Our students' physical science education will
also be enhanced by additional balance scales
and new digital hot plates. We have several new
kits with which to study mixtures, chemical
reactions, organic and inorganic chemistry, as
well as the structure of the atom and the
development of the Periodic Table of the
Elements. Even our Science Olympiad team will
benefit from some new forensics science kits.
Says Mr. Shinn, "We very much appreciate this
generous gift. Our students will surely benefit
from it!"
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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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Mrs. P. Presents Program on Italy to 1st Graders |
 Mrs.
Wilk and Mrs. Odermatt and their first
grade students would like to thank TCS parent
Isolde P. ( Federico, Savia, Leonardo,
and Dario), who
visited their classroom last week to speak on
the culture and customs of Italy (left).
As part of their study of
this year's school-wide theme of Europe,
the first grade classes are still seeking
someone knowledgeable in the culture and customs
of Ireland to visit their classrooms
for a 45-minute presentation. The speaker
doesn't necessarily need to be a native;
tourists are welcome, too! The teachers would
prefer a Friday in March from 1:15 to 2:00 p.m.
or from 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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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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Mr. MacDonald's 6th Grade Class Assembly |
During Mr. MacDonald's 6th
grade assembly on February 27th, the class
communicated the message that it's fine to be
different. This was demonstrated by Tommy, a middle
school student at Oakville Collegiate, who became a
werewolf each month. His family and community let
him know that it's okay to be different: we are all
different and special in our own way; we are part of
one large family! |
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Two 7th Graders Selected for Honor Choir |
 7th graders
Josh G. and Maria K.
were selected by audition as members of the
2009 KCDA (Kansas Choral Directors Association)
Treble Honor Choir.
At the Kansas Music Educators Conference in Wichita
on February 27th, they worked with the
nationally-known conductor of the Florida Singing
Sons Boy Choir, Craig Denison, and, along with 200
other students chosen for this honor, performed a
conference for parents and music educators attending
the conference. |
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Please Update your TCS Directory |
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David P., father of 4th grader
Lana P., has a new cell phone
number. Effectively immediately, he may be reached
at 785-554-6768. |
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Bully Prevention Poster Contest Winners |
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As part of our school's
anti-bullying program, students in all grade levels
created posters designed to raise awareness of
bullying and defense tactics. Congratulations to the
winners and runners-up!
Pre-K: Mary D.;
runner-up: Teddy D.
Kindergarten and 1st
grade: Lilliya L.; runner-up:
Ethan A.
2nd and 3rd grade:
Grace M.; runner-up: Kevin B.
4th and 5th grade:
Justin A. and Lillian W.;
runner-up: Anneleise M.
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Carpool Lane Reminders |
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Upon dismissal at the end of the day, students who
are not regularly placed in aftercare will go to the
appropriate carpool lane for pick-up. Any child who
has not been picked up by 3:45 p.m. will be escorted
to aftercare. Unless there is an emergency, parents
are not required to call the office to let us know
they are running late for the carpool lane.
If you have any questions regarding the carpool
policy, please call the office at 228-0490.
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Poker Party to Benefit TCS Computer Lab --
Friday, April 17th |
 Last
year's Poker Night at Topeka Collegiate was so much
fun, we're going to do it again! This time around,
the proceeds will go toward the purchase of flat
screen monitors to replace outdated equipment in the
Computer Lab.
Mark your calendars now for
Friday, April 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For
$25 per person you'll receive $5,000 in chips. 8
adults per table. Refreshments and snacks will be
available. Reserve your seats now by contact Debra
Ricks-Copley at 357-1910 or
ricks_df@hotmail.com. |
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Welcome Baby! |
Owen Willis L.-A. (TCS
class of 2023) with big brothers Charlie
(3rd) and Malcolm (1st).
Owen Willis L.-A. was born to parents Tyler
and Marjorie on Thursday, March 5th. At
birth, Owen weighed 11 pounds 4.5 ounces and
was 22-1/2" long! His parents had been told
to expect a big baby - both brothers were
big, too - so his size wasn't a surprise.
Malcolm, however, was annoyed that Owen beat
his previously-held record by one ounce.
Congratulations, L.-A. family!
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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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