ISSUE 461 / JUNE 24, 2021 |
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Message from the Elementary and Middle School Deans |
Thanks to all students and families for perseverance in an incredibly difficult school year. We made it! Summer is finally here!
For many students, summer is a nice break from school. For others, the loss of routine requires an adjustment period. If your child seems a little out of sorts these first few weeks, this could be part of the reason. Try to ease into the long break by providing them with a little routine or structure. Some kids benefit from seeing a visual schedule for the day.
The summer break also provides a rich opportunity for some low-stakes language enrichment. We know there are plenty of families that plan to unplug and have an analog summer. For those that are wanting to supplement their summer with a little German language, here are some tips for encouraging this summer learning both with screens and without:
- A reminder that reading is important, no matter what language it is! Encourage your children to continue reading over the summer. Creating incentives can help: reading for 20 minutes = an extra 20-30 minutes of a favorite activity, such as playing Minecraft or extra time at the pool.
- Help students find a high-interest book in our library (see library summer hours) or find an online book or magazine on our German Enrichment page and help your child set goals for daily reading.
- Journal writing and weekly reflections are excellent ways to build regular writing practice into a student’s summer routine. Students can also develop their writing skills by corresponding with friends and family in letters, postcards, and even by email.
- Choose a show to watch together and switch the language to German on your TV or computer. Choosing one that your child has seen before will increase levels of engagement. If you don't speak German, you can check in with your child to see what they understand.
No matter how you spend your summer, enjoy!
Michael White, ES Dean & Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, MS Dean
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Incident Response Team (IRT) Updates |
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What is the Incident Reponse Team (IRT)? This team meets regularly to review data and makes decisions about changes to the learning model. IRT Members are: Ted Anderson, Executive Director; Julie Alkatout, TCGIS Board Chair; Ashley Weston Miller, Dir. of HR and Operations; Monika Avery, Health Services Associate.
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Safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan & Survey |
Please see our initial Safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan for the 2021/22 school year. We welcome public comment in the survey at the end of the document. Thank you for keeping TCGIS safe! |
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Note: If you don't see the calendar at the end of your Elternbrief, the message has been clipped and you must click "View entire message" to see the full Elternbrief. Danke!
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Tickets are now available for Charter School Day at the Twins on Sunday, August 29 at 1 pm. Tickets are just $22.
Want some help getting the word out?
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Front office summer hours |
The Front office will be open June 21-August 13 from 8am-12pm. We will be closed July 5-9.
Have a great summer!
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If your students' Chromebook didn't get returned yet, don't worry! The front office will be staffed this summer, though check to make sure they will be here when you plan to drop off. Please make sure to return all school technology so we can ensure a strong start in the fall! |
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TCGIS is partnering with a new food service vendor |
TCGIS is excited to announce that we are partnering with a new food service vendor, Done Right Food Services, Inc. (DRF) starting in the fall of 2021. Done Right Food has provided school catering services since 2007 and has worked with many charter school programs in the Twin Cities area including Upper Mississippi Academy, Hennepin Elementary & Middle School, Venture Academy, Beacon Academy Charter School, and Al-Amal School among others. They currently serve approximately 7,000 fresh, wholesome, scratch-cooked, healthy breakfast, lunches and snacks each school day in accordance with USDA School Nutrition Programs. All DRF school menus have been certified and are in full compliance with Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act requirements.
DRF’s founder, Caldoun Abuhakel and his team have over 35 years of experience in food operations, school meal programs and small business ownership.
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Seeking part-time food service associate |
TCGIS is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Food Service Associate for the 2021-22 school year.
A full job description for this position is available here. Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a letter of interest and a current resume to Ashley Weston-Miller. |
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Wir Haben es Geschafft! (We made it!)
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For our final communication this academic year, we just want to say a final herzlichen Dank! Thanks for all you have done during this epic school year unlike any other. Your generosity and support has helped our staff, our teachers, and your kids with teaching, distance learning and keeping our school running and safe.
Because of your generosity we were able to meet our Annual Fund target of $103,000! This was not an easy task and is a great achievement! We know there have been so many financial demands of all of us from lots of worthy organizations needing help during this pandemic year. Thank you again for all you've done for TCGIS. Truly, gemeinsam sind wir stark!
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Calling all TCGIS families: Be in our next TCGIS music video! |
Remember the Brilliant Variety Show Video that the PTO Put Together in March? Want to be in our next TCGIS music video? Of course you do!
We're recruiting awesome participants to help us put together a music video with a celebratory and welcome back to school theme. Similar in scope to the Variety Show video, it will be filmed in early August, at the school.
You don't need singing and dancing skills - you just need to bring your enthusiasm! We'll work with you and your family to make sure you look great, and you'll have a blast! Email producer/director Erin for more information, and we'll see you there! |
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TCGIS Brand Refresh: Share your Insights! |
Next school year a sub-committee of the board Communications Committee will lead a refresh of the TCGIS brand. It has been 5-6 years since the last brand evolution, and, having moved through our construction project and a pandemic in our 15th year, the time is right.
We are eager to hear from students, staff, and families what kinds of words and imagery each group of stakeholders associates with our school. Parents/Guardians: please share your perspective in this very brief, 3-question survey. We will send staff and students their respective surveys separately.
Thank you in advance for your input!
The Branding Sub-Committee
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Come check out books this summer at the TCGIS library! Summer library hours are every Monday 8-12pm from June 21-August 9, except for the week of July 5-9.
Sign up here for a 30-minute time slot to visit inside our library! Each time slot is limited to 3 families (max 5 people per family). Masks are required.
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TCGIS Soccer Clinic & PTO Interest Survey |
Your friendly TCGIS Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Twin Cities Soccer Academy are teaming up to bring you:
TCGIS Soccer Clinic
Featuring Coach Swen Anderson from Stuttgart, Germany
Saturday July 17th, 9am until noon at Como Park.
Want to have some input on PTO meetings? We'd love to change things up if it means we get to see you! Please take this short 3 question survey.
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Don't miss summer playdates! Located at the TCGIS playground, weather permitting.
Saturday June 26, 2pm-4pm
Saturday July 24, 10am-12pm - for KINDERGARTEN and NEW FAMILIES
Saturday August 14, 10am-12pm
Follow TCGIS PTO on Facebook for our all of our awesome events. Have an amazing summer!
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Health records and vaccination records needed: Kindergarten and 12-Year-old students/7th grade |
Our school must follow Minnesota regulations for certain health requirements. You will receive more information about this in the coming weeks, but please already familiarize yourself with our school and state policies (Minnesota State Statute 121A.15) to ensure that your child can attend school in August. You will need to work with your pediatrician to complete the forms carefully and completely. All forms can be found on our website. Please send to one of the following:
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via email
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U.S. mail to school (1031 Como Ave., St. Paul, MN 55103) ATTN: Monika Avery
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Student Medication Authorization for 2021-22 |
If your student(s) will need to take medication in the 2020-21 school year, please be sure to:
If you have questions or need to make alternate arrangements to drop off completed forms and/or medication, please contact our Health Service Associate, Monika Avery.
Please note: School staff can only provide medication to students with a completed 2021-22 Medication Authorization Form on file!
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School Board Announcements |
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The Board of Directors will give special recognition to volunteers and staff for their hard work and dedication to our school. Families and staff are welcome to attend the meeting to help us celebrate them! On tonight’s agenda, the board will hear a presentation about QComp from Ginger Sanford. It will also be considered to approve the teacher union contract, SY2122 budget, the committee meeting schedule for SY2122, and the new caterer contract.
Furthermore, the newly-elected board members will take their oath of office administered by Amy Brendmoen, St. Paul City Council President. Join us here at 6:30PM to welcome them! |
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Each year the school board conducts a self-evaluation to document achievements and identify opportunities for development. We share the self-evaluation with our authorizer and invite you to read it as well. Check out the work of your SY 20-21 school board here. |
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Family Affinity Groups: Mark your calenders! |
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Family affinity groups are intended for TCGIS parents/guardians who identify with the affinity group, or whose children identify with the affinity group, and for those who are supporters and allies. The intention is to provide a supportive forum for affinity group members to foster relationships, discuss experiences unique to their families, to uplift and empower their voices.
Modern families affinity group (Co-/Step-/Single Parents) - August 11 at 6:30pm
BIPOC families affinity group: next meet-up in September
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Volunteers needed for the TCGIS community garden! |
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The TCGIS Community Garden is a small plot at the D10 Como Community Garden near the State Fairgrounds. TCGIS community members sign up for week-long slots throughout the summer to do light gardening like pulling weeds, watering plants, and donating our harvest to the Keystone Midway food shelf. With slots for three families per week, it is light work for all involved. We are especially in need of volunteers for late July and early August.
The time commitment is very minimal and flexible to your schedule, it's great for gardeners of all levels, and kids will have fun watering and harvesting. Sign up through this link. Want more specifics? Please email Lisa Linnell for a brief info packet. |
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Please email the committee email addresses listed below for each meeting’s login details. You can find links to the new committee charters here. All are welcome to join committee meetings!
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International Café at the GAI
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Saturday, July 17 | 1–3 PM
Join the GAI and the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) for an international Kaffee und Kuchen featuring German and Iraqi sweets. Members of the Iraqi community will also share some traditional Iraqi dances and music in a joint celebration of culture and community.
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Summer classes for adults at the GAI
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Improve your comprehension and conversation with themes like Sommerparty auf Deutsch!, Haribo macht Kinder froh! (German ads), contemporary German topics and German short films. For level A2/B1, the summer Buchclub class features the book Schloss Gripsholm. More information and registration here. |
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German Language Camps at the GAI
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The GAI is offering a variety of half-day summer camps including German for Beginners. After-care is available! More info here.
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Summer Music Lessons with Vienna Arts
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Vienna Community Arts will continue to provide music lessons throughout the summer for new and continuing students. Please contact us at infoviennarts@gmail.com for more information.
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German Tutors for TCGIS Students |
TCGIS has built a list of local university/college students interested in virtual private tutoring in German for TCGIS students. We update this Google spreadsheet of tutors regularly. Learn more here. |
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June 24: School board meeting
June 26: PTO Playdate (everyone welcome!)
July 17: TCGIS Soccer Clinic
July 24: PTO Playdate for Kindergarten & new families
August 10: TCGIS Alumni Picnic
August 11: Modern Families Affinity Group (Zoom)
August 14: PTO Playdate (everyone welcome!)
August 21: Kaffeeklatsch with new Executive Director Dr. Christensen (Zoom)
August 26: Back to School Night at TCGIS
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