Der Rundbrief
ISSUE 495 / April 21, 2022
Greetings from the Executive Director
Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! / Dear TCGIS community,

Students and a group of dedicated teachers have just wrapped up a beloved TCGIS tradition—four days at Waldsee in Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji. After two years of no camp due to the pandemic, 6th and 7th graders attended together this year. Waldsee is set up to look like a German village. Students have opportunities to do science experiments at the Waldsee Biohaus, the first certified passive house in the U.S., and to enjoy music, games, and many learning activities together amid Waldsee’s beautiful natural surroundings. 

Many thanks to all the staff and families who made this richl educational experience possible for our students. 

Sehr herzlich
Kirsten Christensen
Incident Response Team (IRT)
The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly.
COVID-19 Updates Available on IRT Webpage
In order to shorten the Rundbrief, we will prioritize new items for this newsletter and link to our Incident Response Team Updates webpage so you can reference past updates more efficiently.
School News & Updates
Note: If you don't see the calendar at the end of your Rundbrief, the message has been clipped and you must click "View entire message" to see the full email. Danke!
Used Book Fair Starts Today!
Our used book fair is today and tomorrow! Come browse books from 3-5pm in the TCGIS parking lot (Rain site: Lobby). Buy raffle tickets to win an Earth Day or Reading-themed gift basket! Our book fair is a fundraiser for our school, supporting initiatives such as our intern program and school library.

And, you can support our 8th grade students with their Chicago trip by buying a delicious (nut-free) bakery item or beverage at their bake sale booth on both days!
Lost and Found: Pick up items before April 22!
Missing your student's coat, mittens, hat, etc.? We might have it! Please help us to return these items to their owners by looking through it before the end of next week. Our lost and found is located at the West Entrance at the bottom of the staircase. Items will also be out on April 21 & 22 during the Used Book Fair for families to look through. After the 22nd we will be donating any remaining items to keep our “lost and found” organized and easier for students to search for items.
May & June Lunch/Milk Order Window: Open until Saturday, Apr. 24, 10PM
Remember to place your order for May/June 2022! Please log on to our online store website Boonli to place your child's School Lunch/Milk order. Please make sure to check out your cart to successfully place an order and to check your order for completeness. All orders must be submitted by 10pm on Sunday, April 24th. Orders received after the 24th will have a one-week delayed start date. The May Bus Donation window is open as well.
End of Year Picnic: Lunch Options
End-of-Year Picnic: Vegetarian Lunch Option - Grilled Cheese Sandwich
In order to have an accurate count of how many vegetarian meals we have to order from Done Right Foods, please order from the following June menu in Boonli: "Lunch VEG ONLY: Picnic June 15".
Students who want the regular picnic option - as usual a hot dog on bun, do not need to order. Questions? Please contact us at ordering@tcgis.org.
Save the Date: Middle School Dance
We are so excited to announce that the Middle School Dance is officially on the calendar!  All Middle School students are invited on Friday, May 20th to hang out with friends and do some dancing in our new beautiful gym! The 5th and 6th graders dance will be from 6:00pm to 7:15pm; 7th and 8th graders will join us from 7:30-9:00. There will be a DJ and the dress for the dance is casual. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, April 22nd and can be purchased in Boonli.
5/6th grade students, please order from the following menu:
7/8th grade, please order from:
Parent Council Update
The Parent Council (PC) met on Monday, April 18th via Zoom. Here are some of the main talking points of the meeting:
  • The Parent Council will co-host with the PTO a virtual Board Candidates Forum on May 4th at 7pm (more details to follow)
  • Next school year is the first time every grade will have three sections.
  • The University of St. Thomas, our authorizer, approved the Charter renewal for the next five years
  • The school will install plaques and hold dedication ceremonies for both the atrium and library, in honor of co-founders Marcy Zachmeier-Ruh and Mary-Fred Bausman-Watkins
  • The TCGIS Rebranding Group has been working since November to design a new logo for the school that fits the school environment, increases recognition, and leads to more consistent messaging and visuals. The team is now in the process of gathering feedback on three design concepts. 

Read the full update here. The council did not receive any parent communications this past month. As a reminder, please email your class representative or the full PC at parent-council@tcgis.org if you have any questions or anything you’d like the Parent Council to address.
PTO News
Staff Appreciation Week
We're still looking for donations so we can make Staff Appreciation Week (May 2-6) amazing for our school. Can you help us out? Information here.
Maskenball: April 30
Maskenball is just over one week away! We'll have appetizers, music, Kid's Art Auction, Silent Auction, and entertainment! That's right! We'll have some amazing performers from Twin Cities Trapeze Center - it's going to be epic! Here's a great refresher on How to Maskenball with us. More information and tickets here.
Note: The Scavenger Hunt on 5/7/2022 has been postponed.
TCGIS Annual Fund: Spring Campaign Underway
We are just $24,000 shy of our goal of $110,000 annual goal, and we have just over two months to meet (or exceed) it!
The Annual Fund ensures that we can provide those opportunities and programs that are unique to TCGIS and to learning German like hosting interns and purchasing German language materials for the library and classrooms.
Join us for the Used Book Fair today or tomorrow, or make a gift in honor of your student or a staff member! Click here to make a gift today, or click here to learn more about fundraising at TCGIS. Vielen Dank!
Reminders
Tomorrow: Dress up like your Favorite Book Character Day!
In honor of World Book Day on April 23, our school will be having a Dress Up Like Your Favorite Book Character Day TOMORROW, Friday, April 22nd. Students and staff are invited to dress up like a character from one of their favorite books!
Summer Camp Updates: K-2 Camp Opening & Aftercare
We have added a second camp for grades K-2! The camp Kunst in der Natur is now also offered on August 8-12th with camp leader Frau Kaufman. Registration is open until April 30th. Register directly in Popsicle. Please reach out to Michaela Bromenschenkel with any questions.

We are also pleased to offer Afternoon Care only during Camp Weeks. You do not have to be registered for Camp to utilize the 12:00pm-5:00pm Care. Cost for the PM without Camp is $150. Please register in Popsicle and email Michaela Bromenschenkel to be invoiced the additional $30.
Summer Camp availability for 3rd-6th Grade
We have spaces left for Grades 3-6 for Summer Camp! In order to run each Camp, we need a certain amount of sign-ups. Here is the list of the available Summer Camps by weeks, with the number of students needed to run the camp:

  • Week 1 / June 27-July 1:  
  • Young Track Athletes Camp (2 more needed)
  • Week 2 / July 5-8:  
  • Camp Rocks (6 more needed)
  • Week 3 / July 11-15:   
  • Circus Camp (3 more needed)
  • Week 4 / July 18-22: 
  • Painting with Watercolors Camp (7 more needed)
  • Week 5 / July 26-30:   
  • Improv and Theater ( 8 more needed)
  • Week 6 / August 1-5:    
  • Explore Science (minimum reached-more spots available), Soccer Camp / Fußball Camp (minimum reached-more spots available)
  • Week 7 / August 8-12:   
  • Fun with Math (3 more needed) , Fort Building (minimum reached-more spots available)

You can find Camp Descriptions and Staff Bios here. Sign up is through Popsicle. Please reach out to Michaela Bromenschenkel with any questions regarding Summer Camps.
MCA Season Continues with Math and Science
The MCAs (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) are administered state-wide each spring in grades 3-12. Assessments begin in March and go through the beginning of May. You can learn more about MCAs by reading this information from the Minnesota Department of Education. Upcoming MCAs:

  • Grades 5 and 8 ONLY Science: April 25th & 26th
  • You can view more schedule details on TCGIS’s MCA Assessment Calendar
 
On the day students take their MCAs, they should bring: 
  • Their fully charged school Chromebook (7th- & 8th-graders)
  • A snack and water bottle
  • Comfortable headphones (bluetooth headphones are not permitted for this exam)
  • 1-2 sharpened pencils
  • A book or drawing/coloring materials in case they finish early (note that it must be a paper book, not a Kindle or other electronic device)
 
The data we glean from the MCAs is helpful in informing instructional and curricular decisions. Parents and guardians have the right to refuse participation in MCA testing by filling out this form, which can be submitted in hard copy in the office or by email to eneu@tcgis.org . Please submit this form at least three days before your child(ren)’s first assessment so we have time to process it.
Transfer of Memory Exhibit at TCGIS
TCGIS is pleased to host a series of events in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day. A reminder of the following events:

On Wednesday evening, April 27, TCGIS will host a special evening in connection with the exhibit. The evening will be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages, with an emphasis on honoring past generations, and on tolerance, openness to others, and finding common bonds. 

6:00 pm--Doors open for the exhibit. 
6:30 pm-- short program with introduction by Dr. Christensen and remarks from Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, and David Sherman, the photographer who created the portraits in the exhibit.
6:45 pm--screening of the animated short film, The Tattooed Torah, intended for young viewers. 
7:30 pm--event concludes

Sunday, May 1, 4-6pm - Transfer of Memory exhibit open to the public

Thursday, May 5, 6:30 pm at TCGIS-- Heidi Schneider from the Jewish Community Resource Center will speak on Jewish life. This event will be appropriate for all ages.
SC Paderborn vs. Minnesota United: full-price tickets left!
Minnesota United will host TCGIS on June 11 as they take on Germany’s 2nd division team SC Paderborn. There are still regular-priced tickets left, available at $46. We’re excited to organize this again for our community!

What: Minnesota United FC versus SC Paderborn
When: Saturday June 11th at 7pm
Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul

Click here to purchase your tickets.
Carpooling Map Opt-in Form is Open
There are now 60 families who have opted in to using this Google form to participate in the 2022 Carpooling Map.

Interested in exploring carpooling to / from school? Fill out this Google form. We will share the link to the unlisted Google map with those who have opted in (through the form).
School Board Announcements
Monthly Diversity & Belonging Slideshow
The Diversity & Belonging Committee is sharing pictures and short texts about what is happening in classrooms. Although we don't have many visitors in our classrooms these days, we are proud to show what is happening here.
Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings
The board of directors meets twice a month at the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Board meetings, both public meetings. All are invited to attend school board and board committee meetings. It’s a great way to stay engaged and informed regarding the governance of our public charter school and independent school district. Upcoming meetings and their agendas are listed below. Zoom links are available on the agendas and on the online school calendar.

Board Retreat: Saturday, April 23, 8am-2pm; Agenda
April Board Meeting: Thurs., April 28, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Communication & Outreach Committee: Wed., May 11, 8:30 AM; Agenda
Governance Committee Meeting: Mon., May 16, 4:30 PM; Agenda
Diversity & Belonging Committee: Tues., May 17, 3:45 PM; Agenda
Finance Committee Meeting: Tues., May 17, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Committee of the Whole Meeting: Wed., May 18, 6:30 PM; Agenda
May Board Meeting: Thurs., May 26, 6:30 PM
Community News
Raising Funds for Refugees in Germany
The GAI has launched the Communities for Ukraine fundraising campaign to support Ukrainian refugees who have fled to our adopted “sister cities” of Plonsk, Poland and Zell, Germany. Together with many partners in our community, we are raising $20,000 by May 21 to provide critical aid to refugees who need housing and immediate economic support. There are now more than 300 refugees in Zell and nearby villages, with more arriving daily. Funds will go directly to the town of Zell to help them house more refugees. Please donate here.
KinderKino at Trylon Cinema
Saturday, May 7 | 3–5:30 PM
Quatsch und die Nasenbärbande (Fiddlesticks) (2014) is about the average village of Bollersville—a town so average that it is perfect for consumer research. The adults of Bollersville will do anything to remain that way, including putting all the grandparents into an old folks home to keep their statistical average! In an attempt to avoid the same fate as their parents, Rieke, Max, Lene, Paul, Suse, and Ben team up with a Nasenbär (coati) named Quatsch to set a world record and prove that their town is anything but average!
82 minutes long. In German with English subtitles. Best for ages 4 to 9.
Buy tickets here.
GAI's Pork & Kraut Curbside Dinner
$20 GAI members/$25 non-members
Order here by Sunday, April 24
Pick up Saturday, April 30, from 1–3 PM

Feed your Pork & Kraut cravings with our annual dinner, again available for curbside pick up. Prepared in-Haus, your meal will include a smoked pork chop, Helga’s secret recipe sauerkraut, sweet and sour green beans, boiled potatoes, Apfelstreuselkuchen, and a can of Paulaner beer! Order ahead, then pick up your Pork & Kraut dinner at the GAI Haus and warm it up at home. Guten Appetit!
Get a head start on German for your Preschooler!
Kinderstube German Immersion Preschool is enrolling for fall at its Minneapolis location -- less than a 20 minute drive from TCGIS! We welcome younger siblings to join our preschool. Through daily play, music education, art and science exploration, as well as outdoor play time, Kinderstube students are exposed to all the concepts of early childhood education--while learning German! No language experience from the child or family is needed. Learn more about 2022-2023 enrollment here.
Resources & Calendar
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.
CALENDAR
April 21 & 22: Used book fair & Capstone Bake Sale
April 22: Dress up like your favorite Book Character Day
April 23: School Board Retreat
April 27: Transfer of Memory Evening Event
April 28: School Board Meeting
April 30: Maskenball
May 2-6: Staff Appreciation Week
May 20: Middle School Dance