Elternbrief
Issue: 343                          
October 11, 2018 
In This Issue

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Administrative Information
Fall Break 2018

Please note that during fall break, while Kinderclub will be open, our offices will be closed. In addition, our teachers have been encouraged to unplug, set up their vacation responders, and enjoy their time away from school. However you are spending your break we hope that it is restorative and relaxing!

We will see you on October 22!
Use Amazon Smile - Support TCGIS!

Did you know that TCGIS has an Amazon Smile account? If you use https://smile.amazon.com/ when doing your Amazon shopping and add Twin Cities German Immersion School as your charity, TCGIS receives a small donation for each purchase you make! Thank you!
TCGIS Parent Council

Attention ALL parents! As mentioned in the  director's message  from August 31, we are starting a TCGIS parent council this year. On Monday, November 5, TCGIS will hold its first elections for parent council. We will start at 6:30 with informational/instructional meetings in the Aula (K-3) and the Cafeteria (4-7), followed by elections in classrooms. (8th grade parents will hold their election at a Capstone meeting.) Democracy is carried by those who show up and we hope for a big turn out on the night before election day! For more information, check out  these slides  from our middle school information night.
St. Martin's Day at TCGIS

We are slowly approaching the annual St. Martin's Day celebration at TCGIS. This celebration commemorates the tradition of St. Martin cutting his coat in two pieces and sharing one-half with a less fortunate person. Here is a link explaining that tradition.

We are already planning to celebrate this tradition again this November, but we are moving the ceremony and celebration to the TCGIS Campus. Here are the details:

When: Friday, November 16

Time: 5-7 pm.

Where: The TCGIS Campus and surrounding community.

While elementary age students primarily are involved in the TCGIS celebration, there are also some Middle School students participating. ALL families are invited. The Capstone Committee is planning a fundraiser for the 8th grade students travelling to Germany in May and June 2019. Several other groups have been invited as well. Please save the date!
TCGIS Volunteer Opportunity

We are seeking volunteers to help with our daily student dismissal process! Please see below for more information:

WHO: TCGIS parents, grandparents, or other adult family members

WHAT: You can be assigned to 1) assist students safely cross either Como or VanSlyke at designated crossing area, 2) help direct vehicle traffic in our student loading zones, or 3) help direct pedestrians to the crossing areas. You can review the volunteer position description  HERE.

WHEN: Opportunities are available 3:10pm - 3:30pm on all school days. We are seeking volunteers who can commit to this position at least once per week.

WHERE: Once you sign up, you will receive further instructions and brief training; you'll either be assigned to the VanSlyke or the Como dismissal zones.

HOW: If you are interested in trying this volunteer opportunity out, please complete the following form BY October 18, 2018:  Dismissal Volunteer Sign Up Form.
Last Chance to Order Yearbooks at Lowest Price

Yearbook orders at $15 are closing over MEA break. On October 20th orders will open at $16.50. Order your yearbook by October 19th for the lowest price of the year! Please pre-order the yearbook through  Jostens website. You'll notice there are cool and practical design features you can choose to customize like adding a monogram plate of student's initials to the front cover, adding a clear protective cover to protect the yearbook from accidental spills, photo pockets for adding your own photo prints, ect.

Yearbook cost by order date:
September 24- October 19 - $15.00
October 20 - November 30 - $16.50
December 1 - February 22 - $17.50
February 23- May 11 - $20.00 (On May 11 online ordering closes)
May 12- end of school year -  $25.00 cash only payments at front office

The yearbooks should arrive at the school in May 2019. Yearbook pick-up location is the front office.
Visitors from St. Pölten, Austria

For the second time, we had group of nursing students from St. Pölten, Austria, visit TCGIS. They spent a few days in Elementary School as part of their exchange program with the University of Minnesota, Mankato. After visiting and observing in different grade levels, they each taught a short unit on topics hygiene, nutrition, dental care and exercise. Vielen Dank, Herr Schobert (grade 4), Herr Herz (grade1), Frau Liebscher (grade 2), and Frau Dersch (grade 3).

TCGIS Band Fundraiser

To raise money for a new clarinet and hopefully some extras, the TCGIS band is having an online/catalog Pampered Chef Party!  Band kids will be bringing home catalogs today, and Oct. 24-25 for those that miss them today.  

EVERYONE can go to THIS LINK to order! 

You can also call or email TCGIS mom Jessica Chastek with questions and/or orders 651-726-4455  rubyrya@gmail.com.

In addition to money for the band, the school will receive cooking items for the kids! These items will be available to teachers to use in classes and anyone who wants to do an after school cooking class!

Thank you so much for helping out the band!!!
Krista Johnson, Band Teacher
Congrats to our Mausmünzen Winners!

Congratulations to this week's Mausmünzen winners! This week we said gratuliere to Olivia Gray (1c), Emerson Ritter (Kc), Alma Hiebert (7b), Colson Pearce (5a), Surya Patel (4b), and Alma Swedberg (7b)!
 
Facility Committee Update
**No Partial Demolition Over MEA Break**

Rivera architecture Inc has provided a first draft of the building  plans, viewable on the website and on display in the TCGIS foyer.  The design shows the use  of brick and glass with metal panels and window designs to create a  unified look to the entire campus.  Facilities Committee, Board  members and Ted Anderson met with SHSA on Oct 11 to discuss the  negative impact historic designation would have on our school. We are  hoping we have established open lines of communication. TCGIS is  meeting with the City to discuss ways to improve traffic and  pedestrian safety around the school.

The next steps for the building project include: submitting site plans  to the city for review and approval and securing the bonds to fund the  project. Check the news tab on our building website for future  updates.

The facility committee usually meets the second Tuesday of the month.  The meeting is open to the public. Next meeting is November 13th.

Nic Ludwig
Facility Committee Chair
Twin Cities German Immersion School
PTO Announcements
Fall Plant Sale - Last chance--Going on NOW through October 12th! Get your holiday wreath, garland, and swag! Share this easy-to-use Square shop with friends and family too. Pickup will be the same day as Strudel pickup. 

PTO Auction - FINAL CALL for donations and submissions! The Auction is the largest PTO fundraising event for the year and is OPEN for donations until midnight on Thursday October 11th. Please consider hosting a "Great Gathering" or donating some "Great Stuff".  Questions? Contact Joyce Albers Tyrrell or Maureen Carlyle at  auctionTCGISPTO@gmail.com.

1st Grade Families: Please  sign up to contribute to the intern breakfast on Friday, October 26th. 
GAI Announcements
PLANNING AHEAD FOR HERBSTFERIEN AND MEA WEEKEND?
The GAI is offering a series of German & Science workshops for kids K - 4th grade;  The first session about Wasserkraft (hydropower) is on Oct. 19. CLICK HERE for more information   

CHECK OUT OUR UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS