September 11

September 11, 2009

Issue 3

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 and Friends, Dick Patterson

This has been a great beginning for the Topeka Collegiate

community. Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer and many students had to return to school with completed homework. I suspect that quite a few parents had to enforce study time so their children could complete homework that was due on Tuesday. A few middle school parents asked my advice about getting their students to get their homework completed. Here are a couple of thoughts:

1. This is a very important time for you to establish your expectations. It is important that students have a place to study without interruptions or distractions (TV, phone, etc).

2. Allow phone use only after homework is completed (8:00 to 9:00 p.m., for example).

Lower school parents if you establish #1, then #2 will be less confrontational.

3. If your children disagree with you, don't take it personally. It is their way of testing your support. I know that you expect them to develop good study habits. They will thank you for your guidance and support later - maybe when they turn 19 years old!

4. Be the constant in your child's life. Even if your child tests you, you are the steady, reliable influence he or she can rely on.

This is a very important time for you and your child to develop a partnership in education. I know that you can learn as much from them as they learn from you.

Your partner in the development of your child,
Patterson Signature

Dick Patterson
Head of School

In This Issue

Calendar Highlights

School picture day

TCASWA begins next week

Hot air balloon to visit

Youth Choir begins 9/16

All Parent Social

Fun Filled Friday Night

Drug education speaker on 9/23

Math Olympics 10/1

Donations sought for music dept.

Bonfire party and hay ride

AF Halloween party

Jr. Pre-k begins 9/8

Eagle Ideas box

A TCS quiz

School directory now available

Volunteer spotlight on:

From our librarian

Article Headline

We're off to see the Wizards!

ParentsWeb

Family profile

Kehres Cares

Violin Virtuoso

Around campus

Use grocery cards and help our school

T shirt design contest

$500 Tuition Rebate

Free Fundraisers

Quick Links

Academic Calendar

Past Newsletters

Join our Newsletter Mailing List!

Calendar Highlights -- September and October, 2009

Monday, September 14 -- School picture day. Look your best! Session one of After School Adventures begins.

Tuesday, September 15 -- Hot air balloon event on south playground, 8:35 a.m.

Friday, September 18 -- Parent social for all grade levels. Adults only, please. A childrens event is available at TCS; see article below.

Wednesday, September 23 -- Drug and alcohol education program for parents of 4th through 8th graders, 7:00 p.m. - 8: 30 p.m., Assembly Hall. Child care will not be available.

Saturday, September 26 -- Topeka Collegiate Night at the Kansas City Wizards.

Monday, September 28 -- No school - teacher in-service day. Childcare is available from 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Students should bring a lunch.

Thursday, October 1 -- Math Olympics, afternoon; Family Read Night from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 7 -- All-school Family Night open house and chili supper (SeaCamp fundraiser), 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, October 9 -- 3rd grade assembly - part 1, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall.

Monday, October 12 -- Hearing and vision checks, all grades, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Children should wear or bring eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Tuesday, October 13 -- TCS Science Fair.

Friday, October 16 -- 3rd grade assembly - part 2, 8:35 a.m., Assembly Hall.

Monday, October 19 -- No school - teacher work day. Childcare is available from 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Students should bring a lunch.

Friday, October 23 -- Oswald/Park/Jackson assembly, 8:35, Assembly Hall; all-school bonfire party and hayrack ride at Rees Fruit Farm.

Wednesday, October 28 - UNICEF bake sale, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., Assembly Hall.

Friday, October 30 -- Halloween assembly and parade, 8:35 a.m., gymnasium and courtyard. Half day of school; noon dismissal. Childcare is available from 12:15 to 5:45 p.m. Students should bring a lunch.

Saturday, October 31 -- Annual Fund thank you/Halloween party, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

School Picture Day -- Monday, September 14

School parent and photographer Nathan H. will be here on Monday, September 14 to photograph students individually and by class. Look your best, everyone!

After School Adventures Begins Next Week!

We hope everyone has had a chance to check out the after-school adventures catalog that came home last week. Session One begins September 14th!

Our program is set up slightly different this year: classes are held from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and with the exception of choir and chess, are now offered in five-week sessions rather than semester-long sessions.

Additional catalogs and sign-up sheets are available in the school office.

If you need more information or have questions, please contact Dallas Bauer, Director of Extended Day Programs, at 554-8799 or at dbauer@topekacollegiate.org.

Hot Air!

Topeka Collegiate students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade will enjoy the excitement of watching a hot air balloon as it goes from flat to fully inflated. They'll see a few of their teachers lift off the ground in the gondola of the balloon (tethered to the ground) and watch them return to earth. All this happens Tuesday, September 15, beginning at 8:35 a.m. on the south playground, courtesy of Rex A., a local Re/Max agent and grandfather of four Topeka Collegiate students.

Please join us on the south field if you would like to join the fun.

Topeka Collegiate Youth Choir Begins September 16

Hey all you singers out there!

The Topeka Collegiate Youth Choir is about to start its eleventh year and we'd love to have you join us. The choir is open to students in grades 4 - 8 and meets on Wednesdays from 3:45 - 5:15 p.m. Our plans for the semester include working on new vocal skills, learning a wide variety of music, and performing here at school and also in the Topeka community. We will sing at Festival of Trees and do a Holiday Performance Tour at some of our favorite places to sing in December. You may go online or pick up a form in the front office to register. Choir starts next Wednesday, September 16.

Hope to see you there!

Mrs. Siebert

Parent Social - All Grade Levels -- Friday, September 18

Your Parent Council will be hosting an evening get-together at the home of Chip and Linda M., XXXX SW Stratford Road*, next Friday, September 18 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Parents and caregivers of students in all grades are invited to get acquainted with other parents, staff, and faculty of our Topeka Collegiate Community.

Aboud's Catering will be providing the hors d'oeuvres, and Parent Council members will be furnishing beer, wine, and soft drinks.

This is an adults-only event; however, you may take advantage of Topeka Collegiate's Fun-Filled Friday (see article below).

We look forward to meeting new parents and getting reacquainted with all the families, faculty members, and staff who make up our TCS community!

* Stratford Road is in the Westboro neighborhood, approximately one block east and south of the intersection of Huntoon and Gage. Parking will be available on Stratford Road north of York Way, or on York Way east or west of Stratford Road.

Fun-Filled Friday Night -- Friday, September 18

Enjoy the Parent Social while your children have fun at School!

Ms. Bauer and Mrs. Gutierrez will offer a Fun Filled Friday Night from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, for students in Pre-K through 8th Grade.

Students in grades K - 8 will spend time playing and hanging in the gym, in the commons, and outside. There may even be running in the hallway!

Pre-K students will play on the playground, engage in centers in a pre-K classroom, and end the evening with an age-appropriate movie. Pre-K spots are only available to the first 12 children signed up.

Fee for those pre-registered by Wednesday, September 16: $20 per student or $50 per family (snacks included). Fee for those registered after Wednesday, September 16 (including at the event): $25 per student or $60 per family (snack included).

Registration: To register, please sign up outside of the Extended Day Room or e-mail Ms. Bauer at dbauer@topekacollegiate.org.

Richard Ryan to Speak to Parents about Drug Education -- Wednesday, September 23

When are children most vulnerable to make a poor decision?
How do I help strengthen my child at that time?
What are the signs that my child may be using drugs and/or alcohol?

4th through 8th grade parents are invited to attend an informational session with Richard Ryan on Wednesday, September from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Assembly Hall. The session is free.

Richard Ryan's Creative Drug Education program provides drug and alcohol education to private schools through out the U.S. He is also the founder of The Center for Personal Responsibility, which works with families and adolescents dealing with chemical dependency.

Richard has visited our campus several times in recent years to share his expertise with our students and families. Ryan, who lives in Lakewood, Colo., has been working with adolescents and families for 26 years. He started Creative Drug Education in Boston in 1980.

Math Olympics -- Thursday, October 1

Are you available for a few hours on the afternoon of Thursday, October 1 to help with Math Olympics?

We're looking for one parent volunteer for each classroom from pre-k through 5th grade to escort the class from one "country" to another as they participate in the "games." The Math Olympics begins as 12:15 p.m. with the parade of nations, and concludes at 3:30.

If you can help, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

A Note from Music Teacher Kay Siebert

Dear Topeka Collegiate Family,

I felt very honored last spring when the 8th grade 2009 graduates decided to give the music department their class gift of $500. I want to use this money wisely for something that will benefit our school and its students. Since we have our Halloween and VIP assemblies (and probably more as our school grows) in the gym along with some of our large middle school music rehearsals, I was thinking it would be wonderful to have a digital piano that is easily moveable to use for these occasions. This would be a regular size piano with a bench, pedals and an acoustic piano sound, but it would also be capable of some special effects which would be fun to use in certain types of songs.

Unfortunately, I would not be able to purchase this instrument for the $500 that was given. However, another $1,500 would cover the cost. I know these are difficult financial times and I understand for many this is not possible, but if any of you feel you would be able to donate even a small amount to this cause, it would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kay Siebert

All-School Bonfire Party and Hay ride -- Friday, October 23

Thank you to everyone who came out to roller skate with us last Friday. We counted 122 skaters (with Mrs. Hoyt's class having the highest number of participants), and $305 was raised toward our technology fund.

Mark your calendars now for our next all-school event: Your Parent Council will be hosting a dinner, bonfire party, and hayrack ride at Rees Fruit Farm on Friday evening, October 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The shop at the fruit farm will remain open until 7:00 p.m. so you can pick out your pumpkin and buy some treats!

Rees Fruit Farm is located at 2476 K4 Highway, about 4 miles east of Topeka on 24 Hwy, or about 4 miles north of I-70 from the Valley Falls exit.

Join Us For An Annual Fund Thank You/Halloween Party

It makes sense. October is Annual Fund month. The last day of October is a Saturday and Halloween. So what better way to say thanks to TCS families for participating in Annual Fund than with an all-school, family Halloween party? And where better to celebrate the "Fly Like an Eagle" Annual Fund campaign than at an airplane hangar?

Co-Chairs Mary Etzel and Mindy Bowman and the Annual Fund Steering Committee are teaming up with the Parent Council to plan a fun Halloween party for all school families on Saturday, October 31, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. There will be games, treats, contests, booths, relays, fun, and plenty of time to get home and prepare for trick-or-treating.

So mark your calendars for Halloween afternoon. All you need to bring are the five "C's": children, costumes, cameras, candy and chairs (for the Halloween parade). Details to come!

Welcome, Junior Pre-Kindergarten Students!

Students in Mrs. Forstein's half-day pre-kindergarten class began their year on Tuesday.

Despite the expression on Jordan A.'s face, Mrs. Forstein reports the year is off to a great start for the Junior Pre-k students. We're certain we'll see lots of smiling faces in the days and weeks to come.

Eagle Ideas Box

Because we value your opinions, we would love to hear your ideas and feedback as we all continue to work towards making TCS the very best it can be for our children.

Please stop by room 110 (our future Community Room) where we have idea forms for you to fill out and drop in the Eagle Ideas Box (left), or you can e-mail your ideas to

eagleideas@topekacollegiate.org.

A TCS Quiz

We learned this week that Topeka Collegiate alumna Anna H. '08 has been named a National Merit Semifinalist - one of about 16,000 students nationwide. Anna will learn in February whether she has been selected as a National Merit Finalist.

Some 50,000 high school students with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit® Scholarship Program, as Finalists, Semifinalists or Commended Students.

That brings us to this week's TCS Quiz:

How many TCS alumni have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program?

a. 3 - 5
b. 6 - 15
c. 16 - 20
d. More than 25

(Answer appears below)

School Handbook and Directory

You should receive a copy of the 2009-2010 Topeka Collegiate Student Handbook and directory in your child's home folder today. Please familiarize yourself with the handbook's contents. If you find an error in your family's contact information, please email Karen Benson with corrections.

Additional copies (for your office, car, etc.) are available in the school office for $5 each.

Volunteer Spotlight On: Dianne S.

Dianne S. (mother of 2nd grader Lucas and kindergartner Luxanna) doesn't let the fact that she works full-time stand in the way of her volunteer spirit. Dianne is the driving force behind making Dillons and, as of this week, HyVee grocery cards available for sale to our school families. TCS receives 6% of the face value of each card.

To date, we've earned more than $500 for the Eagles Flight Fund, which supports the operating budget. That includes everything from teachers' salaries to instructional supplies to light bulbs.

Dianne created the forms to keep track of the cards. She orders and picks them up, with help from husband "Tac", and she would like you to know that while we welcome any payment method, we prefer cash or checks, since credit card fees eat into the profit margin.

Thanks, Dianne!

From Mrs. Allison in our Library

If you ordered a copy of the book "Ben and Me," you may pick it up over the weekend at Barnes and Noble and get started on an exciting and humorous time reading.

Thanks to everyone who has donated books to the library. However, at this time we are not accepting any more used books.

We are clearing out space and in fact are selling books for 50 cents apiece. The money will be used for buying current Newbury, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, and other award winners. We are updating our collection. Come on in (when there isn't a class) and choose your books. Mrs. Allison will write you a receipt and after awhile you'll be seeing new bright shiny books in our library!

Newly-Minted Middle Schoolers Reflect on their First Week

Thank you to Mr. MacDonald for sharing these sixth graders' thoughts as they complete their first week as middle schoolers:

"My First Week of Middle School"

"My first week of Middle School was all that I had ever hoped for and more! It was great to see all of my friends again and hear what they had been up to. The teachers are great! They are so fun and enthusiastic. They really help you get adjusted." (Tessa D.)
"In my first week of Middle School I experienced so much and loved every minute of it." (Haley U.)
"I like to run to class in the rain, and I like to get to school early to visit with my friends." (Brandon C.)
"My first week of middle school was great! I love having lockers and switching classes. Switching classes more often makes the day seem shorter. I love all my teachers." (Madeline B.)
"The best part about middle school is going back to our lockers, getting our books, and having five minutes to get to class." (Brian D.)
"The first day of middle school I was nervous and excited. I picked my locker, and I liked where it was positioned. After all my classes, I felt a lot more comfortable about middle school." (Alex C.)
"My favorite thing about middle school is locker. They are so cool!! They have plenty of space, and I can hang pictures in them." (Nathan R.)
"My first full week of middle school was great! I loved getting a locker; I've completely memorized my combination for my lock." (David L.)
"In Study Skills I chose my topic for History Day. My topic is about Crayola Crayons. My partner, Madeline Boles, and I are going to make a board about how Crayola Crayons changed history." (Jenna B.)
"Every teacher has a different way of teaching the class. That is why I like every one of my teachers." (Sarah S.)
"You know how they say that life is a roller coaster? Middle School must be the base of life because it matches that criteria. It is too much fun to put into words. It all starts with the most amazing teachers in the world." (Bailey S.)
"I have learned that my planner is my lifeline to school; it has saved me many times from getting late homework." (Mark B.)
"The first full week of middle school was a learning experience. It was great to finally find out what it was like to be in middle school! I expected middle school to busier than last year, to have more homework, but be more exciting. So far, these predictions are true." (Jordie S.)

Topeka Collegiate Night at the Kansas City Wizards -- Saturday, September 26, 7:30 - 10:00

Topeka Collegiate After School and Weekend Adventures Presents
Topeka Collegiate Night at the Wizards

KC Wizards

To kick of the addition of Weekend Adventures to the Topeka Collegiate After School Adventures Program, we have partnered with The Wizards, Kansas City's Professional Soccer team, to create a Topeka Collegiate Night at the Wizards!

Join us as the Wizards play the Colorado Rapids on September 26, 2009. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be played at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark (just west of The Legends in Kansas City, Kansas).

Tickets are now on sale!

$25 ticket includes

Stadium seating in a special Topeka Collegiate Section
A pass to go on the field before the game to help form a human tunnel which the Wizards will run though and slap your hands as they take the field
A pass to go on the field after the game where kids will be able to take a goal shot!

Additional Add On Options:

Ball Kid (available to youth ages 12 and up)

$25 in addition to admission ticket price - all proceeds benefit Topeka Collegiate
Spend the entire game on the field serving as a Ball Kid, ready to throw in a new ball when the game ball is kicked out of bounds
Training and special t-shirt provided prior to the game
Spots are limited to the first 14, so order early!

Flag Bearer (available to children ages 8 to 13)

$15 in addition to admission ticket price - all proceeds benefit Topeka Collegiate
Be on the field as part of the opening ceremony as you help carry the FIFA Fair Play and MLS flags
Receive training prior to the game
Spots are limited to the first 12, so order early!

Because Topeka Collegiate profits from the sale of tickets, please consider selling additional tickets to your friends, family, and soccer teams.

To order tickets, e-mail Dallas Bauer, Director of Extended Day Programs, or complete an order form. Order forms are available outside the Extended Day room (room 110)

If you are interested in a Ball Kid or Flag Bearer Add On, please contact Ms. Bauer to ensure there are spots still available. You may e-mail her at dbauer@topekacollegiate.org, call her at 554-8799, or see her in person! Orders will be confirmed via e-mail by Ms. Bauer and you will be notified when tickets are ready for pick up. Tickets are non-refundable.

ParentsWeb

If you're experiencing difficulty with your password or with logging on to Parents Web, please contact either Network Administrator David Zlotky or Assistant Head of School Carl Tillona at 228-0490 for assistance.

Family Profile - Larevedere, Andrei! (Goodbye, Andrei!)

This is the first of what will be a regular feature profiling school families and exploring what brought them to our school. This first installment is unusual because it's about a Romanian student who spent only three weeks and a day with us.

Yesterday was nine-year-old Andrei N.'s last day at TCS. During his short time here, he made friends he hopes to see again, discovered he likes hot dogs, and vastly improved his English. Now he's on his way home to his own school, which starts Monday in Bucharest.

How did Andrei find his way here? His uncle, Radu T., is a psychiatrist in Topeka and a friend of the D. family (5th grader Toma and 2nd grader Petre), who are Romanian, too. Andrei's mother wanted him to have an English immersion experience to build on his already-strong English foundation. The details were worked out and Andrei (front row in striped shirt) found himself in Mr. Park's 5th grade with his buddy Toma.

At the school picnic in August, Andrei was timid, and despite Nicoleta D.'s assurances to Mr. Park that Andrei could speak English, he did not utter a single word in English that night. "You should have seen Mr. Park's face!" laughs Mrs. D.

In class, Andrei's English was tentative at the beginning, but that quickly changed. "Now he's raising his hand and reading aloud from the history textbook," says Mr. Park. Mrs. D. agrees. "Andrei was speaking only Romanian to me the Friday after school started," she remembers, "but the following Monday he got in the car and began telling a story 100% in English."

Andrei says going to school in English wasn't particularly difficult for him. Asked about the

best part of the whole experience, he doesn't hesitate: "I met new kids." Andrei wants to stay in touch with his new friends. There's even talk some might visit him in Romania. All after just three weeks and a day.

Kehres Cares

Linda Kehres This is officially my 6th week as Admissions Director for TCS and I'm thrilled to be here. I look forward to getting to know all of you better throughout the weeks and months ahead. As is customary when I start any new job, most people struggle with pronouncing my last name, Kehres.

My sister has been a 5th grade teacher for many years and she recently told me a secret she used with her students to help them remember her name. She told her students, "I am Ms. Kehres and you can remember that because I care about us."

Although I thought her technique was pretty corny at first, I know it works, so I thought I would share it with you. Hello, I am Ms. CareUs. I am honored to be part of the Topeka Collegiate family and I am here to help in any way I can. So please don't hesitate to call me.

Take the time to tell someone today how much you care.