Topeka Collegiate families and friends,

The 2022-2023 academic calendar at Topeka Collegiate is in full swing, and we have already reached the month of October, which means it’s Annual Fund time once again! It is our pleasure to introduce this year’s campaign, “Soar”.

When we think of “Soar,” several things come to mind in association with Topeka Collegiate. We think of the heights that our children reach based on the high standards of academic excellence that our school offers. We also think of the great things that our Eagles accomplish after they graduate as they “Soar” into their local communities as leaders and critical thinkers.

Click here to read more from the Annual Fund Co-Chairs, Grady and Lizzi Woodruff (Liam 5th, Emery 3rd)

Staffing Update

We are so excited to welcome two former teachers back to our excellent faculty team! Erin Forstein (Estella, 8th) previously taught PreKindergarten and now is back in the same program, partnering with Ms. Sheri Rippel with our smallest friends. Welcome back, Erin! 

Additionally, Debra Fisher (Claire Fisher '01, Evan Fisher '97) is returning to work with our students in the Aftercare Program. Debra is grandmother to current students Sophia (1st) and Audrey (PreK). The saying Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle rings true for them, as it will for all of us. Welcome back!

Collegiate Kitchen Update

Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and feedback on our new lunch program, Collegiate Kitchen. Our First term concluded today and Term 2 begins on Monday. As with anything new, adjustments are expected. Based on student, teacher, and parent feedback, we know that the variety and quality of food are much appreciated. Also, we hear that the fruit tower, fruit-infused water, and other extras are excellent.

We also want you to know that improvements are underway based on your helpful feedback! Our caterers are making adjustments so that the program meets all of our high expectations. Moving forward, each weekly menu will include at least two days of standard school lunchroom meals (such as crispitos and pizza) in addition to the fun, culturally-diverse foods you've come to expect from Collegiate Kitchen. We hope this achieves the balance we are all looking for in our new food program!

I've included next week's menu below and will share the revised menu for Term 2 by the end of next week. As a reminder, you are invited to join your student for lunch (please give us a week’s notice) and we continue to need one volunteer a day.

Dr. Lyn D. Rantz

Head of School

• September 30: Middle School Dance, 7:00-10:00 PM
• October 3: 4th Grade Field Trip, 9:10 AM- 11:50 AM
• October 3: Topeka Collegiate Volleyball vs CTK @ McB Activity Center, 7:00 PM
• October 5-7: 7th Grade Field Trip to Rock Springs
• October 5: Topeka Collegiate Volleyball vs MPH @ CTK North Court, 7:00 PM
• October 7: End of 1st Quarter
• October 7: 2nd Grade Rocket Launch; 2:30 PM- 3:30 PM (Guests Welcome)
• October 7: TCL Soccer vs Mater Dei @ Topeka Collegiate, 5:10 PM
• October 7: 6th Grade Space Night at Banner Creek Observatory, 6:30 PM- 9:00 PM
• October 10: No School, Teacher Work Day
• October 10: Deadline to order school photos
• October 10: Topeka Collegiate Volleyball vs Mater Dei @ McB Activity Center, 7:00 PM
• October 11-14: Spirit Week! Click here to see the details!
• October 13: Book Buddies: Leaders
• October 13: First Grade Field Trip, 10:15 AM- 2:30 PM
• October 14: Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Field Trip, 9:45 AM- 12:00 PM
• October 17: First Quarter Report Cards
• October 19: 6th Grade Field Trip, 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
• October 21: TCL Soccer vs Holy Family @ Topeka Collegiate, 5:10 PM
• October 24: Friends and Family Haunted House Preview Night; 4-5 PM, RM 114
• October 27: Visitation Day (Please share this flyer with others in your network)
• October 28: TCL Soccer vs Most Pure Heart @ Topeka Collegiate, 5:10 PM
• October 28: Halloween Assembly, Gym, 8:30 AM
• October 28: Halloween Haunted House, 10:30 AM-11:30 AM, RM 114
• October 28: Halloween Observed, 1/2 Day of School
• October 31: No School, Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Morning Meetings for Middle School Students focus on our core competencies. Throughout the month of September students learned different ways to communicate with strangers, peers, teachers, and themselves! See pictures from some of these meetings here.
• Art has started to fill our hallways! Don't miss seeing their masterpieces before they are gone! See pictures from this "Beyond the Book" experience here. 

• Order school photos for the 2022-2023 school year here. The deadline to order is October 10. Retakes can be found at the same link. 
• Volunteer of the Month goes to Nick Krug (Olive 6th, Bruce 2nd)! Thank you, Nick, for all you do for our school community through your volunteer work!
• Kansas Book Festival Speaker Highlight, Jimmy Beason: Our school takes great pride in learning from and appreciating the diversity within our community. This year we have a planned speaker series. Families are always welcome to join us for these presentations. Last Friday, all students heard from Mr. Jimmy Beason, author of Native Americans in History. This was in conjunction with the Kansas Book Festival. His presentation focused on Native American language, culture, and history.
• We also are proud of our middle schools students who were out in the community in service as a part of Nancy Perry Day of Caring! To see photos of our students in action throughout the community, click here! 
• Hispanic Heritage Month Speaker Highlight, Luis Estrada: On Friday, October 7, students will hear from Luis Estrada as part of our schoolwide recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. See your Friday Folder for more information. 

• We are looking for an Aftercare Provider to join our team on Thursdays and Fridays only! Let us know if you - or someone you know - are interested!
• We have multiple Admissions events around the corner! Please share this flyer with your network.