Hello, Families and Friends,

Welcome to March 1! The past two months have flown by, with Thursday, March 7, concluding the third academic term.  

Much of this time travel feeling is due to the many Beyond the Book events. In just the past seven days, we celebrated our students competing in District National History Day, with nine students advancing to State competition, our Boy's Basketball team winning the League Tournament, and the middle school advisory holding a pancake feed, raising nearly $200 for the Sustain Campaign. Today, we hosted our 11th Biennial Returned Peace Corp Day. This event is a special one for our school. We welcomed 11 volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps to share their experiences with our student body. In small groups, students were able to learn about other cultures and the work of the Peace Corps. This valuable Beyond the Book is a perfect way for our students to learn from adults who have given their time and service to others- matching our mission to advance humanitarian ideals.   

It is true that as a deliberately small independent school, we cannot be all things to all people- but we come pretty close when you consider our expansive list of Beyond the Book experiences.  

Sustain Campaign Update:

Construction continues to progress on time and budget. Thank you to all school members for your support during this campus renovation and construction. We are nearing the end, about eight weeks from completion. Next week, the Eagle Foyer west doors will be removed and replaced. So, all students will need to enter and exit through the main front entry Wednesday through Friday.   

Leilani Grey, Director of Admissions, Diversity, and Social Responsibility, Bridget Elmer '91, parent of Mina (2) and Henry (K), the Board Trustees, and I have been at the NAIS Annual Conference this week. We heard some outstanding information from incredible speakers. Having an opportunity to collaborate with other independent school educators and learn of new effective school practices has proven inspiring and hopeful for our school's future.  

Thank you for supporting Topeka Collegiate, and best wishes for a restful Spring Break from March 8-18. We look forward to our final quarter of school beginning March 19.  

Best,

Dr. Lyn D. Rantz

Head of School

EDUCATE

Topics that support the Educate Pillar of the Strategic Plan, ensuring that we provide an unparalleled foundational education.

Congratulations to all the students and faculty for a successful February full of

Beyond the Book adventures!

CONNECT

Topics that support the Connect Pillar of the Strategic Plan, fostering an inclusive and supportive community.

Custom Yearbook Pages

Complimentary student yearbooks will be ordered soon! Each family receives two custom pages at no cost, with an option to purchase additional customized pages. Click here for instructions on how to submit your child's special yearbook pages.

Submissions are due by Sunday, March 7.

2024 Summer Blast

Topeka Collegiate will once again be hosting consistent, student-centered, safe, and FUN summer camps in Summer 2024. Called Summer Blast 2024, Topeka Collegiate will host seven themed weeks for children in Grades 1-8. Our new Summer Blast Director, Hayley Smith, is excited about new themes and new activities found here to keep children engaged throughout the summer days. 

Summer Blast will begin on June 3 and run through July 26, with no camp the week of July 1. Registration is now open. Current Collegiate families will receive 10% off each week’s registration, so be sure to look for that code posted in the hallways. So check your calendars and get your registrations taken care of. 

Evening on Eveningside

I hope you have saved that date and plan to join us to celebrate and raise funds together for our school.

Please complete the donation form found here by Friday, March 15, to ensure all items are listed in the event catalog. The opportunities to help are diverse and plentiful, ensuring there's a perfect fit for everyone. Items must be delivered to the school on or before Monday, April 1.

In addition, volunteers are the heartbeat of our successful event. Check out our list of committees with descriptions and time commitments here. 

We look forward to showcasing the new spaces with the broader Collegiate school community!

2024-2025 Admissions Events

As we gear up for another successful school year, we want to remind you of your invaluable role in our community. Your recommendations are sincerely the best way to boost our enrollment and help us continue to make a difference in the lives of our students. 

Ultimately, parents' recommendations and their personal experiences play a significant role in attracting new families to our school. We are grateful for your support and involvement in our community and look forward to continuing to grow and thrive together.

Here is how you can help:

Spread the word - Talk to friends, family, and neighbors with school-aged children and tell them about your child's great experiences at our school.

Share on social media - Share posts from our school's social media pages.

Attend school events - Attend our school events and bring your friends and family with you. This will give them an opportunity to meet the teachers and staff and learn more about what we offer.

Write reviews - Write positive reviews on social media, school review sites, or other online platforms. 

To learn more about the referral program and requirements, visit our website!

SUSTAIN

Topics that support the Sustain Pillar of the Strategic Plan, ensuring a strong future through strategic investments.