Elternbrief for January 30, 2020

We're excited that Diane Madison Pitman, the author of German School is Cool! Deustche Schule ist Toll! , and the grandmother of two TCGIS students, will be there to share her book with us. Pick up your own signed copy for a $15 donation!

Maskenball 2020 - Hollywood Gala!

Who are you wearing?

Prepare to face the paparazzi and walk the red carpet - it's a Hollywood gala!

The event you've been waiting for is back! Join us at the TCGIS PTO Maskenball, an adults-only formal dance hosted this year at the gorgeous Saint Paul Athletic Club.

Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 7:00pm
Invite and tickets for purchase coming soon!
Dress: Formal/Black Tie. A themed costume is also encouraged, but not required.
There will be dancing, beats provided by DJ Lubbert, appetizers, a full cash bar, and wonderful ambiance at the Saint Paul Athletic Club.
Included again this year: Silent and art auction! Come ready to bid on your child(ren)'s art auction class project along with many amazing donated experiences and packages!

Herzlichen Dank!

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and books, promoted the event among friends and neighbors, and attended the fundraiser last evening with author Sara Zaske! Prior to the engaging and informative evening program, Sara visited TCGIS classrooms in grades K-4. She truly enjoyed meeting our staff and students, and answered many thoughtful questions prepared by 3rd and 4th graders.

We wish to extend special thanks to Sara Zaske, for traveling from Idaho to St. Paul and sharing her time and experiences with us; to Prof. Susanne Wagner at University of St. Thomas for her support and for co-hosting; the TCGIS PTO for financial support of the event; and parents who sponsored tickets for teachers.

School Board Announcements

Agenda Highlights for Tonight's Board Meeting

Tonight: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Room 100 at TCGIS

Oath of Office for School Board members - administered by City Council President Amy Brendmoen
Special recognition of volunteers (spring intern host families) and staff (Professional Development Committee members, Teacher Union Leadership, and EA Union Leadership)
Presentation by Mike Mullins and Esther Neu on Capstone School Partner Selection
Presentation by Eric Snyder (Excelsior Bay Group) on Capital Campaign Feasibility Study findings
Retain exceptional talent goal and school workplace satisfaction survey summary - presented by Board Chair

School Board Retreat

The TCGIS Board and Executive Director held a retreat on Saturday. The retreat topics included how to improve decision-making with critical thinking skills (presented by a Medtronic engineer); the results of a personality strength-finder assessment, so that the board can work together more effectively; and a discussion and training on anti-bias leadership, led by Rebecca Slaby from Amazeworks.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

Anyone can volunteer on a board committee. Help us build a school together!

School Board Meeting: Thu. January 30, 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Rm. 100

Fundraising & Development Committee: Tue, Feb. 4, 8:15am-9:15am, Rm. 308

Workplace Culture & Innovative Education Committee: Fri, Feb. 7, 3:45pm - 4:45pm, Rm. 99

Governance & Leadership Development Committee: Mon, Feb. 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm, Rm 99

Communication & Diversity Outreach: Tue, Feb. 11, 8:15am - 9:15am, Rm TBD (99 or OPC 1)

Finance & Facilities Committee: Tue, February 18, 6pm - 7pm, Room 99

Executive Committee: Thu, February 20, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Room 100

Board Meeting: Thu, February 27, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Room 100

School Information

IMPORTANT: February Early-release DATE CHANGE

February's early-release day has been changed from Wednesday, Feb. 5 to Thursday, February 6.

Due to the date of Minnesota's World Language Day at the Minnesota Zoo, February's early release day has been moved one day later. Twin Cities German Immersion School participates in programing at the World Language Day at the Minnesota Zoo every year. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please mark your calendar and adjust your child's dismissal plan in Pikmykid. Thank you!

Construction Updates

We are now fast approaching our scheduled delivery date for the walls, so it's time for another construction udpate.

Friday, January 31

Delivery and erection of construction crane.

Como Ave. will be closed from 8:30AM-12:30PM and will be open for arrival and dismissal

Starting Monday, February 3

Delivery of all precast wall panels and decking that the crane will lift into place.

Como Ave. directly in front of the OPC (between Oxford Ave. and the alley) will be closed daily 7:00AM - 3:00PM for about 3 weeks.

Thank you for your understanding.

Andy Nesset

TCGIS Facilities and Grounds

5th Graders Thank TCGIS Lunch Servers

Frau Scholtz' 5th grade students composed a poem and wrote thank-you cards to Angie and Lisa, TCGIS lunch servers. Read their creative poem here.

Welcome, Spring Interns!

Please help us welcome our spring interns! Currently we have 10 interns in all 9 grades and we are hoping that an 11th intern arrives in February. Learn more about these engaging and energetic young people here.

L-R: Vadim, Lotte, Jan, Verena, Ina, Janina, Sarah, Nina, Christina

Not pictured: Niklas, Ariam

Interested in hosting an intern next school year? Complete this short interest form and Katharina will be in touch!

Order Yearbook(s) Now and Save

You still have time to purchase a TCGIS yearbook for the lowest price this school year!

For a limited time, buy your yearbook for $17.50! Prices will increase at the end of January.

Go to jostens.com and search for Twin Cities German Immersion School.

8th Grade Parents

Celebrate your Grad with a Yearbook Ad. Submissions are due by February 8. Click here for more information.

Volleyball Season is Coming!

Click here for the 2020 Volleyball Letter, which includes details about practices and game times. Please read before registering. The registration link can be found here.

Registration closes Monday, February 3rd at 5:00pm .

The first practice is Wednesday, February 5th, from 3:30-5:30pm at the
Orchard Recreation Center. Players are responsible for getting from TCGIS to Orchard, which is an 11 minute walk. They will meet in Coach K's room and walk over as a team.

If you have further questions after reading the letter, please contact Coach Kulhanek at kkulhanek@tcgis.org.

Family Ski Day at Trollhaugen: Friday, February 14

TCGIS Family Ski Day is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for Friday, Feb. 14,

and join us at Trollhaugen in nearby Dresser, WI. Don't miss this chance to hit the slopes with
family and friends!

Cost

$16 ski/snowboard rental (includes helmet)

$16 lift ticket (FREE for kids 5 & under)

**Special student packages**

Grades 5 & 6 -- $19 (includes lift ticket, rental & lesson)

Grades K-4 -- $28 (includes lift ticket, rental & lesson)

Sign up in person in the school lobby on 1/28, 1/30, 2/5, or 2/7, with times before and after school. Click HERE for full details.

Registration deadline is Friday, February 7. No late registrations will be accepted. Please contact Kelly Huxmann with questions.

TCGIS Outdoor Track-and-Field

Registration for the TCGIS Outdoor Track-and-Field will be open from Feb. 15 - 29, and the season will begin on Monday, March 16. Please, register early! We reached our maximum number of athletes for indoor track, and we expect to see a similar number of registrations for outdoor track.

Regarding the calendar : Practices are set for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Most of the meets and races are still based on last year's calendar. We have not yet been able to confirm all of the meets. We will let you know once we have confirmed those meets.

With questions, please contact Herr Tabisz.

Summer Running, Jumping, Throwing at TCGIS

We are offering some off-season summer training and meets (open to current 4th graders through current 8th graders). This is a great opportunity for current 4th graders to get to know other middle schoolers, for 8th graders to prep for high school cross-country, and for everyone to get some great exercise and have fun with friends over break. Some practices will only be for TCGIS athletes, and for other practices, we will join Mill City Running and Track Thursdays. We will also participate in the USATF Summer Track Meets and in the University of Minnesota Cross-Country and Track-and-Field Camp.

Registration will open on February 15, and registration will remain open until we reach our maximum number of athletes. It costs $50 to participate in all of the practices and meets. The University of Minnesota XC and T&F Camp is NOT included in this, and registration must be done separately through the camp. More details about the camp are forthcoming.

Regarding the calendar: We have not yet been able to confirm the summer meets. The current dates on based on the meet dates from last summer. We will let you know once we have confirmed those meets. All practices will take place from 6 PM until 7:30 PM. Locations will vary and be in parks around the Twin Cities.

With questions, please contact Herr Tabisz.

Support TCGIS: Volunteer Opportunities

Potluck Sign-ups: Intern Breakfast, Staff Appreciation Lunch

3rd Grade Hosts: Early-Release Thursday, Feb. 6th

Sign-up here.

2nd Grade Hosts: Intern Breakfast Monday, Feb. 10

Be a Judge for our school History Day Competition!

When: February 27th, 8:15 to 3:15
Full-day, morning and afternoon shifts available

Judging is a fantastic way to connect with students, support your community, and learn about history. Be a part of TCGIS students' successes as they learn and grow through History Day!

Contact Catie Jacobs (cjacobs@tcgis.org) if interested or for more information.

Book Fair Rescheduled for April

Due to limited space in our building, the Scholastic Book Fair has been rescheduled for spring. The new dates are April 27 - May 1.

We rely on volunteers to help us set-up, run, and take down the book fair. Please consider signing up for shift here.

Another reminder will be sent in April.

Parent Resources

Parent Powerschool Report Card Instructions

We are now officially in the second semester of the 2019-20 school year! To see the written progress of your student, please click on this link to find information on how to view/print your child's report card. Kindergar ten report cards were emailed out to parents this week.

Reminder: 2020-2021 Enrollment is Open

Parents with incoming siblings of currently-enrolled TCGIS students: please remember to submit an application for sibling enrollment.

Please visit the TCGIS website under the prospective parents tab to find our 2020-2021 application online.

Field Trip Chaperones and Background Check Forms

If you (or a grandparent/relative) may chaperone a field trip with your child(ren)'s class this spring, and have not turned in a Background Check form within the last two years, please do the following:

Fill out this Background Check Disclosure Form and read the
Statement of Rights
Turn in the Disclosure Form to the Front Office with payment ($20/adult)

The cost for background checks if $20 / adult and can be paid with cash, check or in Boonli.

Parents for whom the $20 fee would present an obstacle to chaperoning: please email Nicole Sveen (nsveen@tcgis.org). We also welcome donations towards the $20 fee for parents who may otherwise not be able to afford it.

Background checks will be considered valid for 3 years. If you're not sure if a background check you submitted in the past is still valid, please email Nicole Sveen (nsveen@tcgis.org). In order to ensure we've received background checks from our provider before your next field trip, please submit your disclosure form by February 1. Thank you!

PTO Updates

PTO Meeting: Next Thursday

Thurday, Feb. 6 at 6:30pm, room 100 TCGIS

A light meal will be available and we will have a short presentation for our meeting by TCGIS parent Linde Althaus. Linde is Psychology Faculty at St. Cloud Technical and Community College.

Special Topic
Beyond pink and blue: Stereotypes, Similarities and All Things Gender

Maskenball 2020 - Seeking Sponsors & Volunteers

We need your help in organizing and identifying sponsors for the biggest party of the year!

Have experience or enjoy organizing events?
Do you know community supporters in the Twin Cities area?
Interested in being part of community of parents who are passionate about our school?
Desire to volunteer with a large or small impact? All time commitments are welcomed!

Email our M askenball chair Ashley Clayton at maskenballtcgis@gmail.com for any questions!

Box Tops

It's that time again - get your Box Top submissions in before March 1st. Thanks!!

News from the GAI

Karneval Tanzparty

Saturday, February 8, 8 PM-1 AM

A night of revelry German Karneval style. Featuring two shows by Elektra Cute, "The Most Shocking Woman in Burlesque," and Mistress Victoria DeVille. A drag competition for up-and-coming performers will benefit JustUs Health. It's the naughtiest night of the year at the GAI Haus! More information and tickets here .

21+, $15 ($10 GAI members and cultural partners member)

Advance tickets online, limited tickets at the door.

Summer Camp: Registration Now Open

The 2020 GAI German Summer Camp program for children will take place June 22 - August 28 at the GAI. Each camp will last one week (M-F) and is centered around a fun, highly-interactive theme . (TCGIS families can register at 'member' rates.)

Click here for details and to register.