Der Rundbrief
ISSUE 488 / February 24, 2022
Greetings from the Executive Director
Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! Dear TCGIS community,
Although much of Black History Month at TCGIS and other U.S. schools understandably focuses on the past and present contributions of Black Americans, Black History Month has also been celebrated in Germany for over 30 years. The Initiative of Black People in Germany (Initiative schwarze Menschen in Deutschland, or ISD) organized the first Black History Month celebrations in 1990 in Berlin. The ISD was founded in 1986 in the wake of a visit by famed Afro-American poet Audre Lorde to Berlin, during which Lorde encouraged the black students with whom she met to organize for activism, solidarity, and support and especially to write about their lives and experiences. 
Black Germans have been part of Germany’s cultural landscape for centuries, and organizations such as ISD and many others, including the Black German Heritage and Research Association (BGHRA), Black Central Europe, Black Brown Berlin, and Each One Teach One, to name just a few, aim to create community, fight racism, and highlight the many historical and contemporary contributions of Afro-Germans.  
US Poet Audre Lorde with Afro-German poet May Ayim. Source: AudreLordeBerlin.com
The Deutsche Welle documentary Afro Germany: Being Black in Germany also provides rich insights into the lives of contemporary Afro-Germans. 

I invite you to visit these sites and to celebrate Black History Month across cultures.

Herzlich
Kirsten Christensen
Incident Response Team (IRT)
The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly.
This Week's Zepto Testing
We held our school-wide Covid-19 testing with Zepto today since there was no school on Tuesday, our normal testing day. Results will be emailed tomorrow.
Test-to-Stay for Unvaccinated Students
Last week the IRT decided to move to a test to stay for unvaccinated students who are deemed close contacts. Going forward, close contacts who are unvaccinated will not need to quarantine if they test twice after being notified as a close contact. TCGIS will distribute rapid antigen tests to the students to use, though we do strongly recommend testing with a PCR/Molecular test as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to Director of Operations Ashley Weston Miller (awestonmiller@tcgis.org).
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:
  • Updated Quarantine Procedures
  • Updated MDH Decision Tree
  • Weekly COVID-Testing at TCGIS
  • Keep Sick Kids Home this School Year
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!
Arrival & Dismissal: Living our Values
We are noticing an increase in behaviors by some drivers during drop-off and pick-up that are inconsiderate and can even be dangerous. Last evening we emailed all families about the guidelines and expectations for arrival and dismissal that help keep our students and families safe. If you haven't read that email yet, click here.
If other family members or friends drop off or pick up your student(s), please forward them the email so they are also aware of the rules and expectations.

The behavior we describe in yesterday's email is not aligned with our school values of Kindness and Community, or with our stated PBIS behavior expectations of Respect and Safety, of which all students are aware. We all can and must model these important behaviors in order to keep our students and families safe during the busy arrival and dismissal periods. Together, we are a strong community that cares for each other with our actions and lives up to our values. Thank you for your partnership.

P.S. Vielen Dank to everyone who did not park on Como today! Two-way traffic moved much more smoothly and it was much easier to see pedestrians crossing.

A Tip: if you turn from Lexington onto Como Ave, take your first right onto Churchill and continue south to Jessamine, you will bypass the line of cars waiting for pedestrians to cross with the guard at Oxford, directly south of the school. You can park on Churhill, or access Oxford and Argyle streets from Jessamine, and it's also a short walk for students to Jessamine.
Carpooling Map Opt-in Form is Open
There are now 57 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).
BIPOC affinity group: Hidden Figures Movie @ Grandview Cinema - This Saturday!
To celebrate Black History Month, the BIPOC family affinity group is gathering for a private showing of the movie Hidden Figures (PG) at Grandview Cinema on Saturday, February 26 at 10 am. The event is sponsored by TCGIS and is FREE to attend. Please RSVP here.
We also have BIPOC affinity group circle discussions for both adults and kids scheduled for March 24 at 6pm, led by Amazeworks facilitators. Read more about the details and RSVP here. 
PTO News: Virtual Bingo this Saturday
Join us for Virtual Bingo on Saturday, Feb 26 at 10am.
We'll have prizes and it will be a great time - everyone is invited!The link for your cards will be in the Chat at 9:55 and the first game will start at 10:05.

Meeting ID: 879 7939 6503
Passcode: 363170"
Rescheduled: TCGIS Day at Trollhaugen
What: The annual family ski event has been reschedule for Monday, March 14th. Registration is open until Wednesday, March 9th. Meet at the ski resort between 9:30 and 10 AM to pick up your lift tickets and rentals. The ski hill opens at 10:00. Lessons are included with paid lift tickets, but are only offered in the morning. We will have an area in the lower level of the chalet roped off for our group.
When: Monday, March 14th 9:30-3:00
Where: Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area - 2232 100th Ave, Dresser, WI 54009
Cost:
  • Lift tickets for ages 7+ (lessons included) = $19
  • Lift ticket for ages 6 and under (no lesson) = Free
  • Beginner group lesson for ages 6 and under = $10
  • Youth Equipment Rental = $10
  • Adult Equipment Rental = $22

Must register by 3/9/2022 at 8:00 pm in Cheddar Up, be sure to answer the questions for each person you are registering. If you wish to participate but the fees are a barrier, please contact Jacquie who can get you signed up.
Questions, contact Jacquie Engelmayer.
The second annual Lesemarathon is almost here!
This year's school-wide read-a-thon is coming up! From March 7-20th, both elementary and middle school students will track the minutes they read in any language, and submit them to a Google form by March 20th. Prizes will be awarded to the top three readers of both elementary and middle school. Tracking sheets will be sent home with students next week. There will be no financial pledges this year. Read more about our Lesemarathon here.
Sign up to lead an Enrichment Class!
It's time to plan for the next session of Enrichment Classes! The Spring session starts Monday, April 11th and ends June 10th. We are looking for instructors who are interested in leading an activity.

Enrichment classes meet once a week for an hour after school (3:30-4:30). Classes can be anything from arts and crafts, playing a sport, dancing, etc. The possibilities are endless! If you would like to lead an Enrichment Class, please fill out this form and submit it no later than March 6th.

Please note that filling out this form is a commitment to lead your class on the day it is scheduled, based on the availability you provide. If you have any questions, reach out to nkaplan@tcgis.org.
Girl Scout Cookies Sale
Girl Scout Troop #57317, made up of 50 TCGIS students, is selling Girl Scout cookies now through March 13. We are not able to have our traditional cookie booth at school, so if you would like to support our Scouts please send your name, contact information, and which cookies you want to 57317cookies@gmail.com. We will have a Scout deliver them to you. Cookies sales help fund the activities we have had at meetings since we began our troop seven years ago, and also fund things like visits to a Minnesota Roller Girls derby, outdoor skills education at Camp Elk River, a cooking class at Way Cool Cooking School, and snowshoeing at Tamarack Nature Preserve. We also serve our school community with activities like cleaning up the playground and neighborhood a few times a year and helping stock sanitary supplies in the girls' restrooms. Thank you!
Reminders
Call for Nominations & Applications for the School Board
By serving on the School Board, YOU can help our school, strengthen connections within our community, and make important decisions that affect the future. The work of the Board ensures that TCGIS provides a meaningful education and experience for all students. The Board represents the entire TCGIS community, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQ, and families with neuro-diversity are especially encouraged to apply.

This year, the community will elect four parent board members to each serve a three year term. We seek any interested persons, especially those with experience in financial compliance, education, board governance, legal matters, management and leadership, and marketing and development. 

If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate someone to serve, all details and forms are available on this document. You do not need to be nominated to apply. 

If you have questions or want to talk to a current board member about the role, responsibilities, and expectations, feel free to contact any of the current Board members. Send your nominations or applications to Emily Albers at ealbers@tcgis.org and/or governance@tcgis.org
Sign up for Spring Conferences
Spring Conference Dates:
Thursday, March 10 4:30-7:00 PM
Friday, March 11: 8:10 AM-3:30 PM

Conferences this year will be held virtually via Zoom for ALL families. You should have received a Constant Contact email with sign-up information on Wednesday, Feb 16 at 8pm CT (when the window opened).

Sign-up runs through March 2, 8pm CT. Please contact the front office if you did not receive the sign-up email.
Support the 8th Grade class trip & the GACC!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 20 from 2-5 pm! Join us for a joint TCGIS and German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) fundraising event at Yoerg Brewing Company to benefit the TCGIS 8th grade class trip. Come for great food, beer and socializing with fellow TCGIS families and members of the GACC. Special thanks to Yoerg’s—named for the Bavarian immigrant who established the first commercial brewery in the state of Minnesota—for supporting this effort! More details to come.
Kinderclub Tax Receipts
Please log into your Popsicle account and click on Receipts. You can conveniently print your tax receipts directly from there. Please contact mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org if a signature is needed. Thank you!
Order your Immer Sports Gear on Boonli!
We have TCGIS Sports gear for our teams and families!
 
The sweatshirts and water bottles are now in production and will take a few weeks to arrive. Sweatshirt orders made before February 28 are guaranteed correct sizes. The beanies, masks and buff are already at TCGIS and will be handed out soon after ordering. Order all of your TCGIS sports gear on Boonli!
 
For those families who qualified for free/reduced lunch benefits for school year 2021-2022, there is an automatic discount in Boonli.
Please contact Athletic Coordinator Chris Tabisz with questions.
School Board Announcements
School Board Meeting Tonight
Tonight, the Board of Directors will publicly recognize and celebrate TCGIS staff reaching milestone service awards. Anke Krug will be recognized for 10 years of dedication to TCGIS! Many others will be recognized for 5 and 3 years of service. Families and staff are invited to attend the board meeting in the school cafeteria or by Zoom to help us honor the staff. Thank you for helping us celebrate these incredible milestones! The meeting agenda can be viewed here. The zoom link for the 6:30 pm meeting tonight is here or on the TCGIS website.
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.

February Board Meeting: Thurs., Feb. 24, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Communication & Outreach Cmte: Wed., Mar. 9, 8:30 AM; Agenda
Governance & Leadership Dev. Cmte: Mon., Mar. 14, 4:30 PM; Agenda
Diversity & Belonging Cmte: Tue., Mar. 15, 3:45 PM; Agenda
Cmte of the Whole: Wed., Mar. 23, 6:30 PM; Agenda
March Board Meeting: Thurs., Mar. 31, 6:30 PM
Community News
The Story Table: Die Schildbürger
THIS SATURDAY! February 26, 2022
1–2:30 PM
Storyteller Nicholas Pawlowski will get the whole family into the Fasching spirit during this Story Table event. Join us virtually during this ‘time of fools’ for a free online telling of Die Schildbürger, a German folktale about foolish ingenuity! This highly interactive online event will take place in a mix of German and English and includes dancing, drawing, and discussion. Best for ages 5 to 12. Free but registration is required. Register here.
Swiss Teen Night: Heidi Reloaded
Saturday, March 12 | 4-8 pm
Switzerland is famous for towering Alps, Swiss cheese, milk chocolate, and the classic story, Heidi. Teens will learn about Swiss culture as they prep and eat cheese fondue and a Swiss dessert, watch a Swiss movie in German and learn some phrases in Schwiizerdütsch (Swiss German).
The event will be in German and an intermediate to advanced language level is recommended. The registration fee is $45 for the four-hour event. Fondue dinner, drinks, dessert, and snacks are included. For ages 13 to 17. Register here.
Make Knödel with Helga Parnell
Online Cooking Class
Saturday, March 19, 2022 | 1–2 PM
GAI cooking and baking expert, Helga Parnell, will demonstrate how to make Böhmische and Bayerische Knödel. You can follow along from your own kitchen and ask questions by chat as Helga shows the step-by-step process. Participants will receive the recipes before the beginning of the class. $5. Buy tickets 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
February 24: Annual Service Awards Recognition
February 24: HS Panel for 8th grade families
February 26: PTO Virtual Bingo
March 10 & 11: Spring conferences
March 14: No School