November 3, 2016

Take a look at current volunteer opportunities! If you are not yet a volunteer, but are interested in becoming one - please fill out an application here. Vielen Dank!

Administrative Information

Vielen Dank for a Great Halloween!

We had a great Halloween celebration, and wanted to say thank you for those who helped out in the classrooms, helped organize the donuts and hot cider, and those who came to watch the parade and dance! In case you missed it, or you'd like to relive the excitement, check out our videos of the parade and of the dance!

A Message from Our 8th Graders

We need your help! This spring we will be flying to Germany for our Capstone Exchange. During our trip there will be many outings to help immerse us fully in German culture. We would very much appreciate your support.

To help finance this trip we will offer babysitting services in the TCGIS library on Thursday and Friday during parent teacher conferences. We hope to offer activities such as games, German-language kid's shows, drawing, reading, and even homework help. AND on Friday there will be a bake sale with delicious goodies. All funds will help make sure we can all share a meaningful experience on our trip.

With Sincere Gratitude,

The 8th Grade

Picture Retake Day - November 8

Picture retake day is scheduled for November 8. If your child received a picture package and you would like them to have their photo retaken, please send the old package with your student on November 8.

Now Accepting Sibling Kindergarten Applications

We are now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year! If you have a child that will be entering Kindergarten next year, please fill out your application and return it to us at your earliest convenience.

Winter Clothing Drive for Service Learning

During conferences Service Learning is having a winter clothing drive! Please bring used/unused winter clothing. There will be boxes around the school that you can put your donations in. These donations will be donated to homeless people, so they can have a warm winter. Please consider helping us out this weekend.

TCGIS Service Learning Group

Winners of the Creativity Competition

The Creativity Competition "Kreativwettbewerb" of the ZfA is a US-wide competition in creative writing offered through the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad. Some of our 5th, 6th and 7th graders participated this year.Each student responded to the German prompts: "Germany is on the move". Students were able to create a podcast or video, or write a short story. All the entries were awesome!

They were sent to the German Agency and evaluated. Earlier this school year, we received the message that three groups of TCGIS students were being honored as winning entries. They all received an official certification from the German Government, a hard copy of their published work with all the winners, and gift cards. Congratulations to our creative middle school students! Click on the photos to enlarge.

Basketball Sign Up - We Need YOU!

The 5th/6th Grade basketball team cannot happen without at least 2 more 5th or 6th students. If you are interested in trying something new and fun sign up today !

The 7th/8th grade basketball team currently has too many for one team, but not quite enough for two. We're still hoping for about 4 more players to make our second full team sign up today !

Players must be willing to commit to one practice and one game each week. Players must also be willing to approach improving their basketball skills and knowledge as part of a team. Click here for more information and to register today!

Looking for Music Players for St. Martinstag!

Parents, interns, and teachers wanted to play with the TCGIS band at the Sankt Martinstag festival at Landmark Center! Krista Johnson is looking for flutes, clarinets, saxes, and trombones! Email band teacher Krista Johnson at monk2miles@gmail.com for copies of the music!

Welcome to Skiwerx TCGIS 2016-2017!

Skiwerx is an intermediate and advanced cross-country ski team for students in grades 5-8 at Twin Cities German Immersion School. Registration is limited, but available on a first come, first served basis. Please complete this registration link to reserve your spot today. Contact Britta Walker by email if you have any questions. We will finalize and communicate the team roster by November 11th.

Middle School Election Party

All middle school students are invited to the middle school election party! There will be food to purchase, music, dance competitions, other party games, and we will say who becomes the Middle School president!

When: Friday, November 11

Time: 3:30-5:40 pm

Where: Aula

Invitation to TCGIS String Players

Herbert and Nancy Engelmayer, of Vienna Community Arts, will sponsor a String Orchestra starting in November. Orchestra times will be Mondays, approx 5-6, twice a month. Details TBA. This is open to all string players enrolled at TCGIS. You do not need to be studying with VCA. The orchestra will be funded by Herbert and Nancy, and directed by Elena Kolbrek and Sarah Guhl, both violin teachers with Vienna Community Arts. There is no cost to participants. Parents please contact Herbert or Nancy at 651-773-9525 for an interview request or email herbert@artsvienna.comcastbiz.net.

Scholastic Book Fair - Order Online

This is a reminder that the book fair at school is open TODAY until 7:30 (during conferences) and on Friday, November 4, from 8-3:30. You can also shop the online book fair through November 11! Click here for our book fair homepage link.

We Need Two More Music Stand Donors!

Only TWO more donors are needed to purchase one more box of music stands! Please contact Krista Johnson at monk2miles@gmail.com if you're interested or if you have any questions. Donations can be cash, or check made out to Krista Johnson, and left at the office.

Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful. What Is PBIS?

PBIS ( Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) is a new effort underway at TCGIS. The main idea of PBIS is that there are three main school-wide agreements that our community follows: be safe, be responsible, and be respectful. Come learn more about this proactive approach Monday, November 21 from 6:30-8pm in Room 100 - sponsored by the Special Education Advisory Committee.

RSVP for the meeting here. Free Babysitting is available. You must RSVP by Nov. 18 if you plan to use babysitting.

Spirit Wear Has Arrived!

If you ordered any spirit wear last month, it has arrived! Please swing by the front office to pick up your orders.

Curriculum & Instruction Corner

"It makes sense to take a break from thinking"

I'm addressing a topic this week that I think is near and dear to all of you: How your child can best process and learn during the long days at school.

Last week I sent you links and information about homework and how we are in keeping with global trends with individualizing and purposefully choosing to give young learners homework both during and after the school day ends.

However, we are also very aware that the school days need to be mindfully planned and structured allowing kids time to process and simply re-energize their bodies and minds from what I'll call 'thinking fatigue.'

Click on this link to learn more from our Occupational Therapist.

PTO

PTO Announcements

Volunteers Needed : We sold 218 strudel in the strudel sale and we need some help in getting them out the door. The strudel sale is looking for 2 volunteers on Friday, November 18, 2:30-4:00 pm to help set up tables in the Atrium, receive strudel from Ruhland's, carry them to the Atrium, and prepare the strudel bags for the kids going home on the bus. If you can help, please email auctionTCGISPTO@gmail.com .

Click here to find out more about these upcoming events:

Parents' Night Out at Urban Forage Winery & Cider House, Nov. 10, 5:00-8:30 pm , f eaturing cider by glass and wine by the bottle, with 20% of proceeds going to the PTO
PTO Meeting Nov. 15, 6:30-8:00
Kaffeeklatsch, Nov 18 at 8:30 after morning circle. Thanks to Clare Roney and Julie Alkatout for signing up to host