ISSUE 462 / JULY 29, 2021 |
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Greetings from the Executive Director |
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Liebe Familien!
Herzliche Grüße to the TCGIS community! I am thrilled to have arrived in the Twin Cities just a little over a week ago. My sons and I spent a few days exploring sights in the area before my first day in the office this past Monday. I look forward to exploring more in the coming weeks and months and am always happy for recommendations!
Thanks to those of you who have popped into the school in my first few days here. I look forward to meeting many more of you at some upcoming events, at Back-to-School Night on August 26, and throughout the school year. I wish all of you a restorative rest of the summer with friends and family in the meantime and offer my assurances that those of us already at the school are working hard to be ready to open our doors to all of you in just a few weeks.
mit sommerlichen Grüßen,
Kirsten Christensen
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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!
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Name Change: the Elternbrief is now the Rundbrief
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As we work to become a more diverse and inclusive community where all staff, students, parents, and supporters feel they belong, we are changing the name of this weekly newsletter from Elternbrief to Rundbrief beginning today.
Rundbrief is the German word for newsletter. This name change recognizes that not all of our readers and supporters are Eltern (parents) and that this community of people who support our staff, students and school is rich in varied perspectives and experiences.
We recognize that changing the name of our main vehicle for communicating with our community, and something that has been an integral part of our school culture since its inception, needs to be done thoughtfully. We wish to thank the Staff Council, and the TCGIS Mission & School Culture and Diversity & Belonging Board Committees for their feedback and input on this change.
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Front office summer hours |
The Front office will be open June 21-August 13 from 8am-12pm. Have a great summer! |
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Come check out books this summer at the TCGIS library! Summer library hours are every Monday 8-12pm until August 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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We know some of you are curious about school supply lists. You haven't missed them! We are finalizing them and will share them in next week's Rundbrief. |
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Kinderclub Registration for the 21/22 school year is now open. If you are interested in booking a spot for your child, please email Michaela Bromenschenkel: mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org for more information on how to sign up and to be put on the Kinderclub email list. Thank you!
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Vienna Community Arts Fall Music Lessons begin August 30. Registration begins August 1 for new and continuing students.
Contact VCA Office - Herbert and Nancy at 651-304-6205
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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:
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Review the Medication information on page 22 of the Family Handbook and Policy 516 - Student Medication
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Complete the Medication Authorization Form (also available in the Front Office)
- Bring student medication and Medication Authorization Form to TCGIS Back to School Night on August 26, 2021.
- All medication must be in its original package with a valid expiration date and labeled with the student's name.
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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The Oktoberfest Fun Run is back!
Save the Date for October 9th and more exciting news is coming soon.
Want to be in our next music video? We're filming over the next 2 weeks at TCGIS and would LOVE to involve all of you. Please email tcgispto@gmail.com if you're interested and we can talk details. No special skills needed, we won't let you look bad, and it's super fun, short and easy to play a small or huge role, whatever works for you. Low pressure, lots of fun.
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TCGIS Alumni Students and Parents: Mark your calendar for August 10th! |
You are invited to the annual TCGIS Alumni Picnic on Tuesday, Aug 10th at 6pm at the German American Institute (GAI) 301 Summit Ave, St. Paul. Please bring a dish or dessert to share. Also, bring your own reusable plate and cutlery as part of our zero-waste initiative at TCGIS.
Prior to the picnic, at 5pm, we invite everyone who is interested to tour the new TCGIS facilities (try out the basketball hoop in the new gym...). Come to TCGIS, 1031 Como Avenue, St. Paul.
In case of bad weather watch out for a social media announcement on the TCGIS FB page or call 612-709-5593. Please SPREAD THE WORD!
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Family Affinity Groups Meet in August & September |
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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 11th, 6:30pm
BIPOC families affinity group: next meet-up in September
LGBTQ2S+ families affinity group: watch for more info next week
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School Board Announcements |
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Board of Directors Welcomes Executive Director Kirsten Christensen
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The Board of Directors welcomes Dr. Christensen to TCGIS and to the Twin Cities! Our school community has several opportunities to meet and welcome Kirsten to TCGIS, including the upcoming Alumni Picnic, Modern Families affinity group, PTO playdate, Zoom Kaffeeklatsch, Back to School night, and a special Kaffee & Kuchen with Kirsten family gathering at Como picnic shelter (near the playground) on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm for elementary families and 5:00-6:30 pm for middle school families (attend either time for families with both age groups). Check the online school calendar for dates and times for each event. Please direct any questions to the executive assistant, Julia Henriksen at jhenriksen@tcgis.org.
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Volunteers needed for the TCGIS community garden! |
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Volunteers needed for the TCGIS Community Garden!
Help is needed in the TCGIS community garden over the next few weeks. Our work is paying off, and we have lots of vegetables ready to donate to the Keystone Midway Food Shelf. We especially need help watering the garden and harvesting and donating vegetables during the weeks of August 1, 22, and 29, and September 5.
The time commitment is very minimal and flexible to your schedule. Sign up through this link.
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Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings |
Board meetings will be held in-person at TCGIS Room 100 with the opportunity for non-board members to attend via Zoom. The public is also welcome to attend in-person as the room capacity allows within public health guidelines. Committee meetings will continue via Zoom to make them easier to attend. All are welcome to join committee meetings! You can find links to the committee charters here. The charters will be updated by each committee for the 21-22 school year. Please email the committee email addresses listed for each meeting’s login details.
Cmte of the Whole: Room 100 & Zoom, Wed., Aug. 18, 6:30 PM; board@tcgis.org
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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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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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