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November 16, 2007 |
Issue 9 |
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The Collegiate Connection
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From Our Assistant
Head of School |
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Dear TCS Families,
As
a member of the Leadership Team, my responsibility
during last week's eighth grade Seacamp trip had
implications far wider than just that of an adult
chaperone. I was investigating the soundness of
Seacamp's program and whether or not the educational
significance of the Seacamp experience could be
translated throughout our entire curriculum. I have
to say that the hands-on approach of Seacamp's Near
Shore Ecology Labs and Marine Investigations gave
each student a distinctive perspective on the
ocean's resources.
From
algae dissection to night wading to swimming
with Bonnet Head Sharks in the shark pond to
swimming with barracuda out in open water, just
to name a few, the experience was always
complimented by a significant amount of teaching
by the camp's caring staff.
We were happy to have Ms. Baldwin, our lower
school science teacher, along with us. She
constantly spoke of what she could do in the
lower school science curriculum to prepare those
students for their experience at Seacamp when
their time comes. For everyone involved, Seacamp
was definitely "the experience of a lifetime
every day."
Please keep reading for journal entries from
eighth graders about their Seacamp
experience (below) and more photos (courtesy
of Ms. Baldwin).
Warm Regards,
Carl Tillona
P.S. On the trip home, the flight
attendant announced to the whole
plane that ours was the best, most
well-behaved group ever!
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Calendar Highlights |
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November 20
-- Grandparent/VIP Day
November 12-20 -- Book
Fair! Sponsored by the Multicultural
Education Committee
(25th
Anniversary Spirit Activity - Buy a
Book)
November
21-23--Thanksgiving Break
November 28--Unicef
Bake Sale
December 6 --
Parent Council/Open Forum -- Supper
at 5:30, Parent Council at 6:00.
Open Forum immediately following
Parent Council meeting.
Complimentary child care provided.
December 21 -- End
of Quarter--Noon Dismissal.
December 24 -- January 4
-- Winter Break.
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.
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Thanksgiving Feast and Grandparent/VIP Day |
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Monday November 19th is
our annual Thanksgiving Feast! The whole school
will sit down and enjoy a wonderful meal together
provided by our kitchen and family volunteers. This
feast is our way to give thanks to each and every
Topeka Collegiate student as we are truly grateful
for all of you. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our
TCS families!
Tuesday November 20th is
Grandparent/VIP Day. If you have not yet sent in
your reservation, please do so right away. The
schedule for the day is:
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Grandparents/VIPs gather and
browse the Book Fair
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Visits to classrooms
11:15 - 11:45 a.m. Assembly in gymnasium
Noon - Dismissal
Reminder:
All students must wear their blue TCS polo shirts
on Tuesday November 20th. |
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Parent Council News |
The next meeting is 12/6/07.
It will be combined with an Open Forum
rescheduled from November. Dinner will be
served at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin
at 6:00 p.m. Open Forum will immediately follow
the Parent Council Meeting. Please plan to
attend.
12/6/07; 2/7/08; 4/3/08
All meetings
will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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.
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TCS Auction--"Celebrate! Auction 2008" |
 Thank
you to all families who have submitted their
acquisition forms or buy-out forms. IT IS
NOT TOO LATE! This year's catalog deadline
is before Christmas--we ask your help in
completing and turning in these forms as
quickly as possible. If you need help in
coming up with the right item, how to
complete your form, where to get additional
forms, etc., feel free to ask any member of
school leadership, your teacher, or any
member of the auction team (Laura Schwerdt,
Kim Baker, Tracey Goering, or Debra Ricks)
and they will be happy to assist. If you
are a new family, we have catalogs from past
auctions available to view to give you
ideas. This is a fun event and we are
relying on our school family for 100%
participation.
This year's co-chairs are Kim Baker and Laura
Schwerdt. They are excited to chair the auction
this year and are looking forward to seeing you
there. Feel free to contact either of them by
phone or e-mail (numbers and addresses are in
the school directory) for more information or
contact anyone on the school leadership team.
This year's auction is
Saturday, February 2. We need
your help meeting this year's earlier deadlines!
Thank you for participating in the auction.
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Eighth Graders Reflect on Seacamp
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(left) Eighth graders Haley R
and Shelby C dissect
algae.
"Overall, my experience at Seacamp was - well, let's
just say it was AMAZING!! I will never forget all
of the fun I had on the trip. It was a great time to
learn more about the ocean and just bond with and
get to know my friends more."
- Haley
P
Haley
"On
the first full day we got to go to the coral
reefs!! It was so much fun! There were so
many different types of fish. Kate and I saw
a HUGE barracuda. It was so much fun. We got
to wade to Horseshoe Island, and we covered
ourselves in mangrove mud! It smelled so
bad, but then we played a game where we
covered ourselves head to toe in the mud and
hid behind the mangroves and played hide and
seek!"
- Hillary R
(right, giving the "everything's OK"
sign)
"At Seacamp I had a great time; one of
the most fun experiences was snorkeling
in the coral reef. The water was quite
cold. Palmer was my diving buddy. We got
started exploring the waters of the
Florida Keys' reefs. We discovered many
things ranging from a parrot fish to a
barracuda. I will definitely miss the
wonders of snorkeling the coral reefs."
(Left) Matthew R
prepares to perform a dissolved oxygen test
on ocean water.
"Sea Camp is over. I really had a great
time and I learned a lot. I also think I
learned more about the people in the
eighth grade and the teachers. All the
fundraising and things for Seacamp were
definitely worth it. It was one of the
best experiences of my life."
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Nicky H
"This trip
helped me get to know my peers
and myself. I will never forget
this trip, and I hope that all
the other grades can go and have
as much fun as our class did."
- Lindsey R
 (right)
Joyce B
"models" part of a squid
during squid
dissection lab.
"I will never feel any
regrets from Seacamp or
even going to Seacamp.
Seacamp is a truly heart
and mind changing
experience that will
stay in my bank of
memories for years to
come."
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Patrick E
"While flying back from Seacamp, I realized how
lucky I am. I have a loving and supportive family, I
go to a great school that gives us so many cool
opportunities, and I am blessed with so many other
things as well."
-
Maura M
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UNICEF Bake Sale |
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UNICEF BAKE SALE
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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Treats may be taken to the Assembly Hall before
school on November 28th
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Please send treats already bagged for sale
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Students may purchase 2 items (up to $1.00) at the
sale during the day-additional donations are
welcome!
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Leftover items will be sold after school |
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Article Written by After-School Adventures
Journalism Class |
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 BOOK
FAIR
We
decided to go to the book fair today to see what it
is all about. While we were there, we interviewed
workers and teachers that were at the book fair.
When we were there, we got the chance to look around
and have so much fun too. All the money we earn at
the book fair goes to special programs that our
school has. One of the fun events is Day of the
Child.
When we have the book fair, guess who puts it on:
The Multicultural Education Committee. Give a big
thanks to all the people that make it possible to
have our book fair. The book fair is going on when
we have our VIP Day so that all of your VIPs can
come and buy you books! A lot of people come to the
book fair, including our very own Ms. Kessler and
Mrs. Bammes!
According to Ms. Kessler, "I like the book fair, but
it is too big. There is no way I will be able to
get though all this!"
Now see for yourself, come on down to your local
book fair.
This is your book fair reporter, Ella B. 
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Successful Volleyball Season! |
 The
TCS volleyball teams ended the season with
unprecedented success! To top off two first place
trophies and one third place trophy, TCS volleyball
teams received the Gary Wienkoff Sportsmanship
Award! This not only honors our athletes and
coaches, but our fans and parents as well. This
award is voted on by the referees, who, after
watching the teams, coaches, fans, and parents
throughout the season, vote for the school they
believe has promoted and practiced outstanding
sportsmanship. I am especially proud of this
award!
The 8th grade
girls' team continued their undefeated streak during
both the regular season and post-season tournament
in the Parochial League. They took home the regular
season and tournament championship as well second
place at the Topeka Lutheran tournament. This team
has not lost a Parochial League volleyball game in
two years! Without question this is the best
volleyball team our program has produced. I am
confident that each girl can play at the next level,
if she chooses to do so. They all possess the
talent, dedication, and work ethic to succeed. These
girls made 90% of the practices offered to them.
That is why they were so successful! The coaches are
extremely proud of this group.
Members are: Shelby
C, Nicole R, Hillary R, Joyce B, Maura M, Alessandra
P and Haley.
Though the 7th grade team's effort was
not reflected in the win column, their
 enthusiasm
and hustle put them in the
winner's circle. The coaches were extremely proud of
their sportsmanship and good humor throughout the
season! I am confident that this team will continue
to improve to have a successful 8th grade
year. Members are: Blair A, Colby B, Megan
B, Bailey E, Mackenzie M, Alix Anne W, Alex B,
Natalie S and Meredith R.
The 6th
grade team finished the year with a regular season
record of 6-2 and was seeded number 2 in the
tournament bracket. Although they lost their first
round tournament game, they played their way into
the semifinals, taking third in the tournament. This
is the best finish by a 6th grade team in
TCS history.
 Members
are: Caty F, Ashley S, Julia G, Josie P,
Maria K, Andriea S, Mickayla S, Haley B,
and Bailey B.
The boys' volleyball team were
regular season and tournament champions in the
Parochial League. They posted a 13 - 1 record for
the season, with only two 8th graders!
Because this team is so young and talented, I
anticipate that they will be even better next year
and therefore will be playing a more complicated
offense. Members are: Colton M, Edward C,
Soren L, Skyler Y, Joe V,
 Marshall
S, Chris S, Thomas C, David G and
Connor B.
Unfortunately, we are saying
goodbye to two long-time, wonderful coaches. Maria
Raquel Morales and her husband are moving to Kansas
City in the spring, and Jane Tilghman will reduce
her time coaching. These phenomenal women have been
instrumental in the growth of our volleyball
program. I remember being inspired by their
dedication while I was still coaching at Topeka
High. Even though TCS had no gym and the teams
practiced in the morning outside, I wanted to be a
part of their program. Not only did I get to coach
with them, but we became very good friends. Our
program will also lose an important volunteer,
alumna Rebecca R '04. Rebecca has
been accepted at Kansas State next year. She has
been an excellent role model for our teams. Good
luck, Rebecca!
Thank you to the parents and
fans for supporting a great volleyball season!
Coach Lamb
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Love Without Boundaries |
Love Without Boundaries is a worldwide group of
volunteers who say they have realized that people
with a pure love for helping children can truly make
a difference. These volunteers donate their time and
resources in an attempt to brighten the lives of
orphaned children in China.
Brightening the lives of children is exactly what
our very own TCS parent Julie Unruh has done. Julie
traveled to Shanghai recently as part of a surgical
team that repaired cleft lips at Shanghai Children's
Hospital. Julie is a registered nurse and works
part-time at area hospitals. Julie says her trip
was a life changing experience and she has come home
very thankful for her own healthy children. This
trip has opened Julie's and her childrens' eyes to
the world and it has taught them to be grateful for
all the things that they have.
In 2006, Love Without Boundaries helped heal
hundreds of children, giving them the best chance
possible of being chosen for adoption. For more
information about Love Without Boundaries, visit
www.lovewithoutboundaries.com
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Academic Honors Announced |
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Congratulations to all Topeka Collegiate School
students for their academic accomplishments during
the first 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
Shelby
C
Blair A
Megan A
Alex
C
Colby B Nick
B
Edward C
Christine E Alex
B
Joyce D
Bailey
E Connor B
Patrick E
Cody
J Dylan C
Kate H
Connor
K Caty F
Nicky H
Eddie
L David G
Rebecca K
Cain M Josh
G
Colton
M
Riley M Jessica
J
William M
Luke
M Maria K
Julian
M
Mackenzie M Austin
M
Alessandra P
Cooper
S Alexandra M
Haley P
Natalie
S Irene N
Haley R
Joe V
Federico P
Matthew R
Alix W
Carter P
Meaghan R
Anne W
Sahil R
Nicole R
Marissa W
____________________________________________________________________________________
HONOR ROLL
3.4 TO 3.69
Eighth Grade Seventh
Grade Sixth
Grade
Emran A
Megan B
Brandon
Nick G
Ryan B
John H
Asher G
Soren L
Ashley S
Maura M
Christopher S
Madison M
Sam T
Nick P
Hillary R
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Student Scores Perfect 800 on SSAT Math Test |
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Eighth grader Edward C scored a
perfect 800 on the math portion of the SSAT, which
is the test students take to qualify for boarding
schools. Mrs. Hoyt, Edward's middle school math
teacher, was thrilled to hear of this outstanding
accomplishment. "Edward's math skills have grown by
leaps and bounds the past couple of years. I am very
proud of this result of his hard work. I am
expecting big things from him this year!" |
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Website Progress |
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The website survey is
complete. Thanks to all participants for your
feedback. Several
parents said that they would like to see a secure
parent/student section in which they could find
information for their own students--classes, grades,
homework, etc. We hope to implement this major
change by fall of next year. There is a team of
school leadership and other advisors who are looking
at several companies who can provide this service to
integrate with our new website.
A tentative calendar of
changes follows:
January-- website
"facelift". Launching of the new homepage with
all existing information and some new features.
Possible security features will be tested.
Spring-Summer-- website
improvements, such as implementing a system to
ease the use of class pages for teachers. Some
security features will be implemented. Online
completion of some forms should be possible.
Fall 08--possible website
integration with a parent portal and database
system. This is still under research and
scrutiny for feasibility and the best system to
meet our goals.
This calendar is subject
to change as the work continues or we discover
that certain features would best be implemented
in a different phase of the "remodel". We thank
you for your patience while we strive to make
improvements to a key communication tool in our
school!
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Last Call for the Business Directory |
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We like to encourage our school families, faculty
and staff to patronize businesses with a Topeka
Collegiate connection. If you would like to be
included in this year's TCS business directory, go
to "forms" under Admissions on the Web site and
select the Business Directory form or follow the
link below. Print it, complete it, and return it to
the office by Monday, November 19th. The directory
will be printed on Tuesday, so Monday is your last
opportunity to be in the business directory.
Thank you!
Business Directory Form
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Financial Aid Update |
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It is that time of year again to begin applying for
Financial Aid for the 2008/2009 school year.
Financial Aid is based on a first come, first served
basis. If this is the year for your family to
reapply, NAIS began taking applications on November
15, 2007. The web address is
www.nais.org/financialaid/sss.
You may also access this address from our TCS
Website. If you are unsure as to whether you need
to apply, please contact the business office. Thank
you in advance for your attention to this matter. |
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25th Anniversary Celebration
Calendar and Contest |
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 It'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 class with the
most points will receive a pizza party. 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
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! |
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Ancient Treasures from China |
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The
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in
Kansas City is hosting a temporary exhibit
titled "Rising Dragon: Ancient Treasures from
China." The exhibit features 16 items
presented to the public for the first time.
Included are Chinese lacquer, ceramic miniatures,
and objects with a dragon motif. The museum also
has an entire gallery featuring Chinese art.
Admission is free to
members, $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for
students 13-19, and free for children under 12. The
temporary exhibit runs from October 6, 2007 through
February 10, 2008.
For more information
or to book tickets, visit the website at
www.nelson-atkins.org |
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Volunteer Listing Posted to Website |
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Have you been trying to
remember what you signed up to help with this year?
The volunteer listing has now been posted to the
website. We will also be placing a copy of this
listing on the bulletin board just outside the main
office. The school relies on its volunteers, so
please try to keep your committments or find a
replacement when you aren't able to participate.
Click on the link below to access this page or go to
"About Us" "School Community" and click on
"Volunteer Listing" This list is not a permanent
document. Should you have the desire to volunteer,
please let Kim Baker know and we will be glad to
revise the listing and include you in the fun.
Thanks to everyone who is volunteering for our
school!
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Basketball Season Has Started! |
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Basketball season has
STARTED! Eighth grade boys will practice Monday and
Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Sixth and seventh
grades will practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
frp, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. Shooting practice will be
offered to 6th - 8th graders
on Fridays from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Girls' practice
will be Mondays and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Specific rules are in the basketball handout in home
folders.
Coach Lamb |
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Let's Keep Tidy! |
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Help!
Please help us keep the little
kitchen (by the assembly hall) clean by washing your
dirty dishes after use. The sink should ALWAYS be
emptied of dirty dishes. |
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Guitar Class and Violin
Instructor Available |
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A new TCASA guitar class for
grades 3-8 is available for beginning and
intermediate players beginning Tuesay, November 27th
from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. The instructor is Dan Falley
of Dan's Guitars. The cost for the remaining 4 weeks
is $40. This class will also be offered in the
spring TCASA session.
A new violin/fiddle
instructor, Bill Allen, is now available at TCS
for private lessons. He has nearly 40 years of
experience playing and teaching the violin. If
you are interested in either of these new
offerings, please contact Barbara Shinn.
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Private Instruction Recital |
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The TCASA Private Instruction Recital will be held
on Sunday, December 16, at 2:00 p.m. in Assembly
Hall. Don't miss this special event! |
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Extended Care |
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After-school care is NOT being offered next week
Tuesday through Friday. School is dismissed at noon
on Tuesday. Have a great Thanksgiving break! |
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My'Kale's Baby Brother |
Congratulations to the H-M
family on the arrival
of a brand new baby boy.
That's proud big brother, pre-kindergartner
My'Kale holding "his baby,"
little Malique Elexander Frederick M, who was
born October 19 weighing 8 pounds, and measuring
21 inches.
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Chess Tournament |
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A chess tournament was held
at Wakarusa Valley Elementary School on November
10th. TCS had two students in the K-6 division and
eight in the K-3 division.
K-6 results:
Thomas K 21st
Federico P 27th
Since we only had two
players in K-6, we didn't have an official 'team'.
If Thomas and Federico were a team, they would have
gotten 8th.
K-3 results:
Leonardo P 8th
Kian F 14th
Justin A 15th
Christopher G 17th
Malik B 20th
Dalton V 24th
Jackson D 27th
Charlie L 34th
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Alumna Volleyball Success! |
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The New England Prep School Girls Volleyball
Association (NEPSGVA) held its All-Star Tournament
this past November 4th. It is a 30 team league and
56 players were invited to play. The 56 players
were distributed onto 6 teams which played a round
robin format of 20 minute games. During the
tournament all coaches were asked to submit the
names of twelve players they thought were worthy of
being the best 12 All-Star players. Atima was
voted number 2.
She is the Number 2
Seed in the entire NEPSGVA league for 2007!
She is an outside hitter and has the highest
vertical jump on her team. (She missed League MVP
by just two votes.) Atima is Co-Captain of the
Phillips Academy Andover Varsity Volleyball team,
along with fellow TCS alumnae Cassidy Carpenter.
They have played varsity VB for four years.
Atima graduated from TCS in
2004. |
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Don't look at your feet to see if you are doing it
right. Just dance. Kobi Yamada |
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