Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 

We are a little more than half-way through our Capstone Exchange program, and we are excited to share some of the highlights TCGIS 8th graders are experiencing in Germany!

Since arriving on Monday, May 22, our 53 students have:

• Adapted to daily life in their host families and tried new foods 
• Biked, bussed, and walked to school and participated in classes with their host partners
• Experienced Motto-Woche (spirit week) for the graduating classes, a Schulfest, and Pause (recess) daily with a few hundred other teens in the Schulhof 
• Visited the big Wochenmarkt (weekly market day) in Münster, learning about the history of the 800-yr old city through guided tours and a scavenger hunt
• Visited local cattle, swine and chicken farms (some owned by host families!) to learn about sustainable farming practices
• Visited Burg Bentheim, the largest medieval hilltop castle in the region
• Attended local cultural events like Schützenfest and other family or neighborhood gatherings.

We are really proud of our students. They have navigated being a guest at home, at school, and in teen social circles; they are patient and respectful international travelers; they say yes to trying new things; they speak German with everyone and ask great questions. They’ve worked through jet lag and homesickness, and have encouraged each other not to shy away from the awkward times. We have great kids at TCGIS and they are making the most of this experience. 

Schöne Grüße aus Deutschland, 

Katharina Schirg, Director of Int’l Programs &

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Principal

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 read the entire Rundbrief. Danke!

As our Spring Campaign comes to a close, it's not too late to make a gift! Support our immersion school’s unique curriculum needs, our intern program and our German language library, all of which are supported through the TCGIS Annual Fund. Add to our Garden of Gratitude by making a tribute gift to the TCGIS Annual Fund today.

We are $95,575 towards our annual goal of $110,000! That means we have already raised $10,315 since the start of May. Together, we can reach our goal!

We warmly invite you to participate in our annual Parent Satisfaction Survey which will be available through June 12. This annual survey is developed collaboratively by the TCGIS Parent Council, Administration, and Board. Your feedback plays a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission of innovative education of the whole child through German immersion. 

The next Middle School Dance is Friday, June 9th. The dance theme is Strandtag (Beach Day). The 5th and 6th grade dance will be from 6:00pm to 7:15pm in the school gym. The 7th and 8th grade dance will follow at 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Tickets are $5.00 and are now available in the Infinite Campus School Store.

Hosting an intern has many short- and long-term benefits. This week three 8th graders were visited by the interns they hosted while in Germany on their Capstone program. The relationships that host families and interns develop can last many years and are a uniquely personal way to connect your students to the language and culture of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. "Meet" our fall interns here! Have questions? Email Katharina Schirg to set up a phone chat. Ready to apply? Fill out the Host Family Application (deadline June 5). Learn more: tcgis.org/host-an-intern

Photos from left to right: Jacob S. w/ Aileen Villwock (Fall '18); Evelyn P. with Alba Lehmbrock (Fall '18); Susanna C. with Julia Weigelt (Fall '22) and Mara Eilert, Capstone Exchange Partner

The board convened for the May business meeting last night and enjoyed a performance from some of Frau Racheli’s middle school students. With Director Christensen on a 2-month leave of absence through the end of June, the board decided to negotiate a contract with Charter Source for an experienced part-time Executive Director to serve the school starting as soon as feasible, and until an interim Executive Director is hired for the 2023-2024 school year. The board approved the job description for the interim Executive Director, and will have School Exec Connect post the opportunity, accept applications, and vet candidates at no cost, in fulfillment of the contractual guarantee from the last search. The pride flag resolution in the board packet was amended and approved to have the Pride flag displayed in the atrium for Pride month (June 2023) through the 2023-2024 school year. The board met in closed session with legal counsel to prepare for the upcoming negotiation with the teacher/educational assistants’ union for the next collective bargaining agreement. The June board meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday, June 27th at 6:30 pm.

All library materials were due back by May 30th (German AND English). Please check with your student(s) that all of their library materials have been returned. Please send questions to mzimmerman@tcgis.org. Thank you! 

The TCGIS library will be open one day a week during summer! Come check out books from 8AM-12:30PM on Mondays, June 26-August 7 (All dates listed below). Students MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Library Summer Dates: June 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7

The Modern Family interest group would like to invite everyone to an afternoon in the park. We'll be meeting at Vivie's Park playground at 3:30pm on Friday June 9th, (335 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102). Everyone is invited - bring your kids, your friends, and even if you're on your own that day, we welcome you to build our community!

We'll be bringing some coffee for refreshments and invite those who are able to bring a potluck snack. Modern Family is a group for everyone whose family doesn't fit the nuclear family of one mother & one father, 2.5 children all attending the same school model. While our kids have fun on the playground, we'll have some time to get to know each other. TCGIS really wants to know what they can do to help out families like ours, so we look forward to seeing you there.

The school year 22/23 is coming to a close and we would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on how we can improve your students' lunch experience. We will be sharing your feedback with our caterer Done Right Foods so they can take this into consideration when they prepare for SY 23/24 over the summer. Thank you for your participation in the lunch program this year and for taking the time to fill out this survey!

We're nearing the end of the year and we know that gifts for our amazing and deserving teachers and staff are on your mind. Some staff have filled out a helpful form to get to know their likes. Check it out here!

This is the last lonely broken couch in the Staff Lounge. The PTO has been hard at work cleaning and refreshing the lounge, but now we are going this week to buy some new couches and dining chairs. If you are able to chip in, anything is appreciated. Please consider donating, in any amount. Thank you! 

We have an opportunity to run a Harry Potter Camp as a second camp for grades TK-2 during week 4 (July 17-24), as Spielen+Spielen that week is fully booked. If you are still looking for a Camp and are interested, please fill out this survey. There are FOUR spots still open!

We are looking for volunteers to help out at the end of year picnic. If you are able to help, please use this document to sign up. Please contact info@tcgis.org if you have any questions. Vielen Dank!

Our 4th Annual TCGIS Community Garden has been planted! We appreciate all of those who have donated plants and items needed to support the garden as well as those who were able to join the planting event this weekend! Once our vegetables are big enough to be harvested they are donated to the Keystone Midway food shelf. 

We are looking for our TCGIS community to help us to keep it watered, weeded, and to harvest when it's time! Everyone in the TCGIS community is welcome and encouraged to sign up to help support- the time needed is minimal and flexible! We have a step-by-step guide for tending the garden so all experience levels are welcome and appreciated!   Sign up HERE to join us this summer! Details on how to jump in will be sent to all who sign up. Please reach out to Terra Erickson or Julie Alkatout with questions!

Finance & Facilities Cmte Tues., June 6 - 6:30PM, Zoom

Communication & Outreach Cmte Meeting, Mon., June 12 - 8:30AM; Zoom

Governance Cmte Meeting Thurs., June 8 - 4:30PM; Google Meet

Fundraising Cmte Meeting Wed., June 7 - 8:30AM; Room 99

Cmte of the Whole Meeting, Wed., June 21 - 6:30PM; Room 100

Board Meeting (DATE CHANGED): Tues., June 27 - 6:30PM - Room 100 & Zoom

Wednesday, June 28 | 7:30 PM

Watch Minnesota United FC versus 1. FC Kaiserslautern with TCGIS!

• When: Wednesday, June 28th at 7:30pm
• Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul

Tickets average $26, 29, 35 (depending on section). Click here to purchase your discounted tickets.

The board’s Diversity & Belonging committee would like to highlight upcoming events in the Twin Cities as opportunities for intercultural engagement- one our school’s core values. Click here to learn about highlighted events!

The Board of Directors is hosting a farewell event on Thursday, June 8th from 3:30 pm-4:30 pm at the cafeteria. Please bring the family for a treat and the opportunity to say Auf Wiedersehen and best wishes to Kirsten.

Access to grades and comments in Infinite Campus will be closed June 6th-13th while teachers finalize second semester grades. Once access to grades and comments reopens, please follow the steps here to access your child(ren)'s report card.

Vegetarian Students Picnic Lunch Option: Vegan/Vegetarian Hot Dog

If your student is a vegetarian and would like to have the vegetarian picnic option, please email us at ordering@tcgis.org so we have an accurate count of how many vegetarian hot dogs we have to order. 

Regular Picnic Option: You do not need to email us if your student/s want the regular picnic option - as usual a beef hot dog on bun.

Year-end picnic, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 5-7 pm @ Midway Peace Park. Let’s meet up for a potluck picnic and playtime. Please bring a dish to share and favorite yard games.

TCGIS has some great job opportunities available for the 2023-2024 school year! If you or someone you know is looking for a job next year within our great community, please take a look at our website! Below are our current openings: 

• Behavior Interventionist
• Special Ed Social Worker
• ​P.E. Teacher (Grades K-4)
• Capstone Exchange Program Support
• ​.2 FTE Elementary School Coordinator

• Special Education Teacher (K-8)
• ​​Full-time Educational Assistant
• ​.5 Educational Assistant
• ​Kindergarten Teacher
• Elementary School Teacher (Grades 1-4)
• Food Service Associate 

Our TCGIS Graduation yard signs have arrived! If you ordered one for your student, please pick yours up in the front office. If you missed the cut-off date, we now have nine extra yard signs for sale! Signs can be purchased in our Infinite Campus School Store!

June 26 | 1PM-2:30PM OR 2:30-4PM

F.C. Kaiserslautern is visiting on Monday, June 26 for two 1.5 hour (free) 'Meet the Team' sessions at McMurray Field! This is for TCGIS students ONLY. Meet the Players, play some soccer, get some autographs! Please fill out this form if your student(s) would like to attend ONE of these times. Parents/guardians are required to stay and supervise their student(s) for the duration of the session! *Students who will be in summer camp aftercare that week are able to go without their parent/guardian, but MUST still fill out the form if they would like to attend!

Questions? Email mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org. 

The Front Office will be open from June 20 to August 11 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We will be closed July 3-7. Have a great summer!

June 8: Farewell event for Director Christensen

June 9: Modern Family Affinity Group meet-up

June 9: Middle School Dance

June 10 & 11: Deutsche Tage

June 11: 8th Grade Graduation

June 13: BIPOC Affinity Group Gathering

June 14: Last day of school (Full school day)



TCGIS Google Calendar