Elternbrief
Issue: 376                        
July 25, 2019 
In This Issue

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Summer Greetings from TCGIS
Welcome to the first Elternbrief of the new school year! 

The Elternbrief is our main mode of communicating important information to our families on a weekly basis. Starting today we will email an Elternbrief every Thursday. We encourage all families to read these weekly newsletters to stay current on important school-wide information. Even though we still have a few weeks of summer to enjoy, please watch for upcoming Elternbrief editions that willl contain important information for a great start to the new year!
Building Update

A giant DANKESCHÖN to all TCGIS community members for all your support during the construction / historic designation process. Whether you came to a meeting, wrote a letter, joined a committee, ran for the school board, shared kind, encouraging words, asked tough questions, or merely paid close attention to all of it, your contribution was meaningful. We are all lucky to be part of such a great community.

With final approval achieved, the next phase of work begins. The space has been emptied and soon fences will be going up. While we can't say an exact day, it is likely that demolition will begin the week of August 5. Be on the lookout for regular construction and school operations updates as the summer progresses, including drop-off/pick-up, lunch, student safety and timelines. 
School Board Announcements
Board Committee Volunteers Recognized at Tonight's Board Meeting

The TCGIS Board of Directors would like to formally recognize and thank TCGIS volunteers that support the work of the board through our board committees. The dedicated work of our committee members is critical to supporting the school. The committees provide in-depth evaluation and make recommendations to the school board for consideration. The list of honorees will be included in the public board packet and can also be viewed here. We are grateful for their substantial volunteer efforts in support of the school. 

The TCGIS Board of Directors invite you to volunteer on a board committee this coming school year. Committees include: Executive, Facilities, Finance, Fundraising, and Governance. If you would like to volunteer on one of these committes, please email board@tcgis.org.
Upcoming Board and Committee Meetings

All board and committee meetings are open to the public and we encourage attendance and participation. Please check the  online school calendar for possible date changes. Board meetings are also posted on the TCGIS YouTube channel
  • Board meeting tonight - July 25, 6:30 pm, Room 100 (tonight's Agenda
  • Facilities Committee - August 13, 6:00 pm, Room 99
  • Finance Committee - August 20, 6:30 pm, Room 99
  • Executive Committee - August 21, 6:30 pm, Room 100
  • Board meeting - August 28, 6:30 pm, Room 100
  • Fundraising and Development Committee - Sept. 3, 8:15am, Room 308
  • Governance Committee - Sept. 9, 3:30pm, Room 99 
School Information
2019-20 Registration Process for Returning Students

All registration forms for returning students will be made available in mid-August. The registration process will largely entail reviewing and updating existing forms online. You'll receive an email in August when it's time to log into PowerSchool for annual registration.
Application for Free and Reduced Lunch Program

Please find the  information and instruction letter and the  application form for the Free and Reduced Lunch program for the 2019-2020 school year. Applications can be submitted at any time during the school year, however in order to receive free/reduced school lunches for the first day of school, please submit your application form no later than Aug. 11, 2019. Forms may be emailed to Alex Weeding ( aweeding@tcgis.org) or dropped off at the front office. 

If you have any questions or need help, please don't hesitate to email Alex Weeding at  aweeding@tcgis.org or call the front office: 651- 492-7106.
School Bus Updates

We are pleased to offer school bus transportation to TCGIS students again this coming school year. We have reduced the number of routes from 5 to 4 routes, but have not reduced the number of stops, rather we have reallocated some stops to a different route. 

Please review this Google map of bus stops to identify which stop and route your child(ren) will use in the 2019-20 school year.  

Then, please indicate which bus stop your child(ren) will use in the 2019-20 school year on this 2019-20 Bus and Kinderclub Registration Form  by Friday, Aug. 2. (Busing and Kinderclub registration use the same form because many families use them in conjunction.)

In mid-August we will send all busing families the updated forms for permission to ride, the behavior agreement, and donation options; please be sure to complete the registration form so that you receive this important and time-sensitive information! 

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Kinderclub Registration 

If you plan to use Kinderclub for before- or after-school care, or during early-release and school-free days, please register for 2019-20 Kinderclub by Fri. Aug. 2. By filling out this form, you register your child(ren) in Kinderclub for the 2019-20 school year. (Busing and Kinderclub currently use the same registration form since many families use both services in conjunction.)

After you have completed the registration form by Aug. 2, Kinderclub Director Michaela Bromenschenkel will email you the required forms and add the registration fee to your child(ren)'s Boonli account, so that you may begin booking Kinderclub for August when the order-window opens in Boonli on Aug. 4; the registration fee will be $40 for the first student and $10 for each additional sibling. 

Please note: Kinderclub prices have changed for the 2019-20 school year; f or updated prices and general information on before-and-after school care, please review the updated  Kinderclub Handbook If you qualify for free or reduced lunches, please email Michaela Bromenschenkel so she can adjust the prices accordingly for your family.
2019-20 School Supply Lists Available

School supply lists are now available for 2019-2020. Click here to access the folder with supply lists by grade level; c lass/teacher assignments will be communicated to families later in August. Individual supplies can be brought by your student on the first day of school; shared classroom supplies can be brought to Back-to-School night, Aug. 22. 

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Do you have marketing doo-dads to donate?

Do you work for a business that has a marketing closet full of stuff that nobody wants?! We will take your stress balls, earbuds, computer mice, fancy pens and pencils, frisbees, and other fun stuff to use as student rewards for our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at TCGIS! We also use $5 Target gift cards for our middle school students. Staff choose from $10 Target/Amazon/Caribou gift cards or a prime parking spot in our lot. [Food is never used as a reward per TCGIS school policy.]

You can drop off these items at the PBIS table during our Family Back to School Night on August 22. If you have any questions, please contact Michael White, PBIS Coach.  
TCGIS Cross-Country Registration is OPEN!

Here is  our 2019 Cross-Country Letter with all the details about our upcoming season.
Register  early to guarantee a spot on the team!  Registration  closes Thursday, Aug. 15th!

We are proud to offer something new this fall:  USATF Membership. All TCGIS cross-country runners will be registered USATF youth athletes. This allows them to register and compete at USATF events in Minnesota and nationwide for the rest of 2019. We will compete at a few of these meets as a team, as well. USATF membership in 2020 will be connected to TCGIS track registration.

New to the calendar: we are officially in a conference with Yinghua Academy and a few other private and charter schools, which will add a few smaller meets to our schedule. Additionally, our 7th and 8th graders will be competing at one of the largest meets in the nation: the  Milaca Mega Meet!

We look forward to seeing you at our pre-season practices starting  August 12th!

   
Summer Fun 
2019 Summer Art Challenge #2

Are you looking for something different to do?  Suffering from Minecraft malaise?  Is your Fortnite fizzling, your Pokemon Go going stale?  Check out  Frau Lenburg's Summer Art Challenge #2 for a chance to stretch your creative muscles!
TCGIS Alumni Reunion Potluck: August 19

Please join us for the 4th Annual TCGIS Alumni Reunion Potluck Picnic!  

When:  Monday, August 19th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: The GAI Lawn at  301 Summit Avenue St Paul, MN 55102
Who: All former students and families, staff, and friends of TCGIS welcome. 
 
Please R.S.V.P. to the Evite here and check out the "What to Bring" list for the potluck; families bring their own plates, silverware and beverages. 
Summer Office Hours

The Front Office will have limited hours during the summer:
  • July 8 - August 9: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 
  • August 12: regular hours return, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
If you'd like to make an appointment with an Administrator, please contact the office during the above times or email the Administrator directly. 

Have a wonderful summer!
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Wir wünschen allen einen schönen Sommer!
PTO Updates
Summer Play Dates

Come to one or all - no need to RSVP - just show up! 
See  this list of all our parent-planned summer play dates. Email parent 
Becky Deimel for questions. 

Upcoming playdates:
  • August 13, 9:00-11:00 am, Mendakota Community Park
  • August 18, 3:00-5:00 pm, TCGIS playground
Stay up to date with the PTO on our Facebook page throughout summer!! 


Save the Date: Sat., September 21st 
2nd Annual Twin Cities Oktoberfest Fun Run


This is a family-friendly event that's open to the public. Proceeds benefit the TCGIS PTO. Tickets coming soon. Follow updates here.

News from the GAI    
Summer Fun & Classes at the GAI

Saturdays, June 15-August 17 | 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Summer Saturdays are for coffee and German Kuchen baked and served by the GAI Damenklub. Join us 
on the porch and in the dining room for this sweet summer tradition. 
 
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR FALL SESSIONWe offer classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Both daytime and evening options are available.
 
Samstagsschule for kids & teens  
Samstagsschule (Saturday School) is a fun way for young kids through pre-teens to begin or continue learning German.
 
NOW OFFERING ADVANCED CLASSES FOR TCGIS ALUMNI: German for Teens c lasses are scheduled Saturday morning / afternoon beginning in September. 
Save the Date: St. Paul Oktoberfest

Mark your calendars for a fun weekend at the GAI's St. Paul Oktoberfest, Sept. 13 + 14 at Schmidt Brewery.