Der Rundbrief
ISSUE 499 / May 19, 2022
Together we do more at TCGIS
20K by the 20th of May (that's tomorrow!)
We have set ourselves a big goal for this week: raising 20k by 20th of May!

We are in the midst of our Spring Campaign, the companion to our fall Give to the Max campaign. This week alone TCGIS parents have donated $8,635 in gifts from $5 to $2000. Gifts of all sizes make a difference and we hope every family will participate at whatever level works for them.

When you donate now, you also have the opportunity to celebrate teachers, staff, students, friends or family with a personalized paper flower that will be “planted” in our Garden of Gratitude on the cafeteria windows.
If we sent home a flower with you in the pick-up line or at Kinderclub pickup this week, your student(s) can drop it off in the front office or with their teacher anytime this week and next and we'll hang it in our Garden of Gratitude that's growing every day -- as of today, there are 66 flowers in our garden!
Incident Response Team (IRT)
The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly.
(We have removed the quarantine numbers on the dashboard because we have moved to a test-to-stay program and only have students isolating.)
NEW Community Testing Site in Hamline Midway Neighborhood
As of Monday, May 16, the state will open a new testing site (not far from TCGIS), in the former Herberger’s at 1400 University Ave. West in St. Paul. Rapid Antigen testing will be available Sundays 11am-4pm and Mondays through Fridays 11am-6pm.

Families can also access tests and masks here: https://www.covid.gov/
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!
Middle School Dance is Tomorrow!
The day has finally come. We are so excited for this Middle School Milestone to happen The theme for this year's dance is ""Hollywood"" and anything goes for dress--casual to semi-formal is fine! The DJ is preparing his music list and the Disco ball is being hung!

Parents are not expected to come as we have teachers chaperoning.

Please drop students off at the gym side of the building on Como Ave. Doors open for 5th and 6th graders at 5:55 in time for their 6:00 dance. Please arrange pick-up with your student for 7:15 P.M. on the same side of the school. The 7th and 8th Graders' dance starts at 7:30 with doors opening for them as soon as the 5/6 students are out, approximately 7:20. 7th & 8th grade students should be picked up at 9 P.M. We recommend car pooling - we have over 150 students attending our dance night!

We are not having snacks or refreshments due to the trickiness of Covid. We have drinking fountains for thirsty dancers.

Tickets are still available for sale on Boonli for $5 and will not be sold at the door. If your child needs to, you may send them with $5 in an envelope to give to the front office.

Please email any questions to ezehnpfennig@tcgis.org.
2022-23 Bus Planning Survey
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have navigated an incredibly difficult year of transportation shortages together.

We are working diligently to negotiate our busing contract for the 22-23 school year with CSTMN as well as other vendors. Because negotiations are ongoing, we do not have details of the busing situations next year. In our conversations with other districts and charter schools, we know that the nationwide bus driver shortage continues to severely impact our local public schools, including ours. We are doing everything we can to return to four bus routes for next year and will notify you with any updates or changes as they come.

In preparation for next school year, all families should have received a Constant Contact email this afternoon with the ‘22-23 Bus Route Planning Survey.
Please complete ONE planning survey per family.
The planning survey deadline is Friday, June 3. 
All library books due back by May 26th
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Please make sure all of your student's library books are returned by Thursday, May 26th. A notice slip will be sent home for any books not returned and an overdue fee will be assessed. If you have any questions, please contact our library coordinator Frau Zimmerman or our library assistant Frau Walz. 
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.
Infinite Campus Grades and Comments Closed
Access to grades and comments in Infinite Campus will be closed May 25-June 9th while teachers finalize semester 1 grades. Once access to grades and comments reopens, please follow the steps here to access your child(ren)'s report card.
Spring Universal Screening
Spring universal screening is near! Spring universal screening began Monday, May 16th, and continues through Thursday, May 26th. We use screeners to identify those students who are on-track to meet grade-level standards in reading and math and those students who may need some additional support to keep them on-track to meet grade-level goals by the end of the school year. Meet some of our interventionists who are integral to conducting universal screening!). 

Please also check out our universal screening resource: Screening FAQ

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessie Kember (jkember@tcgis.org) with any questions or concerns. We appreciate your flexibility and patience as we work together to systematically support our students to reach their full potential. 
Seeking 8 more Host Families for Next Year's Interns!
It's that time of year already: we are looking for host families for next year's interns! Click here to "meet" the interns who will arrive next fall.

Curious about hosting an intern? Learn all about it here or watch this recorded presentation about hosting.

Ready to apply to host? Skip right ahead to the Host Family Application.

Without the generosity of our wonderful volunteer host families, the TCGIS Intern Program could not exist. Herzlichen Dank!
Coaches Wanted for Cross-Country Fall 2022!
The Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS) is looking for 1-2 assistant coaches for Cross-Country.
 
The season starts at the beginning of August and runs through early November.
Practices are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with several meets throughout the season. Compensation is $1,000 per season.
 
Coaching duties and requirements:
  • coach 2 of 3 practices per week after school (3:30 - 5 PM)
  • coach at the meets
  • drive self to and from meets at different Twin Cities locations (or carpool with other coaches)
  • have knowledge of and/or experience with the rules of cross-country and distance running
  • attend an end-of-season party and award ceremony at TCGIS
 
Previous experience in coaching is preferred but not required. If you are interested, please contact (ctabisz@tcgis.org) by FRIDAY, June 10, to set up a time to talk further. Coaching job preference will be given to the most qualified individual.
Register for TCGIS Fall Sports!
Registration for TCGIS Fall Sports will be open on Popsicle from May 15 until May 31. All middle schoolers (current 4th-7th graders) are welcome to sign up. TCGIS athletic calendars are designed so that students may participate in more than one sport per season.

Interscholastic Sports:
Payment required at time of registration per sport per athlete: $200*

*Finances should not be a factor in deciding to participate in TCGIS athletic teams. If finances are a concern, please contact Athletic Coordinator Tabisz BEFORE registering because payment is required at the time of registration.
With questions, please contact Athletic Coordinator Chris Tabisz.
The 3rd Annual TCGIS Community Garden
The TCGIS Community Garden is a 14.5’ by 17.5’ plot at the D10 Como Community Garden near the State Fairgrounds. TCGIS community members sign up for slots throughout the summer to do light gardening like pulling weeds, watering plants, and harvesting and donating the vegetables to the Keystone Midway food shelf. Everyone in the TCGIS community is welcome and encouraged to sign up for gardening!

Sign up to join us this summer! The time commitment is very minimal and flexible to your schedule, it's great for gardeners of all levels, and kids are welcome and encouraged to participate (they are great at watering and harvesting!). Sign up HERE. Details will be sent to all who sign up.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Linnell.
TCGIS Band Concert and Open Haus!
Any new students interested in Band (current 4th graders and up) are free to stop by room 97 on Thursday, June 9, 3:15-4:15pm to get information!

A reminder that the Spring Band Concert will take place TOMORROW, May 20, 5-5:30pm. We will be on the playground, unless weather keeps us inside. Please bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on!

4th grade families, this is a great way to check out the band if you and your child are interested! Frau Johnson has a YouTube playlist with current and former band members talking about their instruments. It's a great way to see the different instruments she teaches.

Because of Covid we are not having an actual instrument tryout. If students are interested in trying instruments, please email Krista Johnson and we can arrange it!

There is more information on Krista's website. Click on the "TCGIS" link.
PTO News
Join us for our last meeting of the year - and finally in person! Sunday, May 22nd, we'll be in the cafeteria at 2pm.
We'll have snacks and some good conversation about this year and what's to come for next year.
Kids are welcome!
Can't wait to see you there!
Reminders
Survey for Returning Kinderclub Families
Please fill out this survey if you intend to use Kinderclub during the 2022-23 school year. You will be put on the Kinderclub email list and receive updates about registration. This will also help us with staffing and scheduling needs. Thank you!
End-of-Year Picnic: Lunch Options
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.
Tell your friends and neighbors: Apply to TCGIS!
Did you know TCGIS still has room for more students in grades 5, 7, and 8 for next school year? Do your friends and neighbors know what your family loves about TCGIS?
If you're on social media, please share this Instagram post and/or this post on our Facebook page within your networks or parenting groups, and share what you love about this school and community.
Your genuine recommendation is the best marketing of all and helps grow our community and keep our school strong. Vielen Dank!
Required Annual Update in Infinite Campus
To prepare for the 2022-2023 school year, all families are required to fill out the Annual Update in Infinite Campus by Tuesday, May 31. You will be asked to verify your contact details and your child(ren)’s health information. If this form is not received, your child(ren) will not be allowed to participate in classroom neighborhood walks in the fall, and your middle school student(s) will not be issued a Chromebook.

Follow the instructions below:
  1. Log in to your Campus Portal account
  2. Select “more” in the left-hand menu
  3. Click “Online Registration”
  4. Select “2022-2023 Existing Student Registration”
  5. When you reach the “Student Information” section, you will be able to add your new student(s) (if any) to your household. You will also be able to verify the details of your returning student(s).
Please fill out this form as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, May 31. Email info@tcgis.org with any questions.
Health Office Update: Return of Medication (over-the-counter and emergency)
If your student had medication in his/her health file during this school year, Mariah Schoonover and Monika Avery will have the medication available for pick up on the last day of school, Wednesday, June 15th from 12pm to 2 pm at the West entrance by the parking lot.
  • If the student’s medication is not picked up it will be disposed of appropriately. 
  • If your student is unlikely to need the medication for the rest of the year please consider to pick up at an earlier time during school hours
  • If you have any questions or need a different pick up time, please contact Monika at mavery@tcgis.org 
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
School Board Election Results
Congratulations to our four elected school board members, Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, Richard Heid, Kersten Reich, and Wondi Tesfayesus! They will be seated at the June 30th board meeting.
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.

May Board Meeting: Thurs., May 26, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Mission & School Culture Committee: Thurs., June 1, 3:45 PM; Agenda
Fundraising Committee: Tues., June 7, 8:30 AM; Agenda
Cmte of the Whole: Wed., June 15, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Governance Committee: Mon., June 20, 4:30 PM; Agenda
Finance Committee: Tues., June 21, 6:30 PM; Agenda
June Board Meeting: Thurs., June 30, 6:30 PM
Community News
Free Family Activity Walk
Celebrate Mental Health Acceptance Month at Lake Como this Saturday, May 22 from 3-5 PM! Fun for all ages, the event will include:

  • a story walk, mural activity and read-aloud, each featuring a different children’s book
  • a special appearance by Fidgety Fairy Tales
  • yoga/meditation activity
  • coloring activity books
  • mental health resources from community organizations

For more information, click here.
Employment Opportunities at TCGIS
Please consider applying or forwarding to the following open positions at Twin Cities German Immersion School:

Staff:

Teacher:

You can apply for the positions by submitting your resume, cover letter, one letter of recommendation, and contact information for three additional verbal recommendations to employment@tcgis.org. Job openings can always be found on our website: tcgis.org/career.html
The GAI is hiring!
The GAI is currently hiring for a Director of Development. This full-time position entails creating and leading all donor-based fundraising initiatives of the GAI, in a
strong partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to GAI Executive Director Jeana Anderson. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews could begin prior to the position closing date of July 20, 2022. Click here to read more about the position.
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.
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
May 16-20: 20K by 20th May! Spring Fundraiser
May 20: Middle School Dance
May 20: Spring Band Concert
May 22: Last PTO Meeting & PTO Retreat
May 26: All library books due back
May 31: Deadline for Annual Update in Infinite Campus
June 9: Band Open Haus
June 15: Last Day of School