Message from the Principal | |
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Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community,
The 8th Grade Capstone exchange celebrated der 1. Mai/May Day in Germany yesterday with a day off of school and work. Below is a picture of a traditional Maibaum, or Maypole, from our travels to the Northsea coast yesterday. They can be seen around the many small towns in our area and over all of Germany at this time of year.
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The tree symbolizes the fruitfulness of Spring. There are different regional traditions here in Münsterland, the community began the celebration with a dance to bring in the spring. Many Germans spent the day hiking, biking, traveling and being with friends. Our kindergartners at TCGIS made May baskets to also welcome this beautiful month in Minnesota. Check out this link to learn more about this tradition and what other regions do to celebrate. Happy Spring!
Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Principal
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Fill out by tomorrow! - Elective Course Offerings Survey | |
Please provide your feedback for elective programming priorities by filling out this survey by May 3rd. | |
BIPOC affinity group- disc golfing this Saturday! | |
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May 4, 2024, 1-2:30 pm we’ll meet at Hillcrest Knoll Disc Golf course. The Murtha family will demonstrate how to play and provide our group with the discs! Please let us know if you plan to attend.
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Seeking Host Families for Fall Interns (August-Jan.) | |
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Now is the time to apply to host an intern for the fall semester! In mid-August, 11 interns arrive from German and Austria; we're seeking 8 host families. Click here to see who is coming!
Ready to commit? Please complete the Host Family Application by May 10th. Questions? Email Katharina Schirg for more info! She will match interns with host families in mid-May.
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The Board scheduled a special board meeting for Thursday, May 16, 6:30-8:30pm. The purpose of the meeting is to determine the succession plan for the Executive Director position. The meeting is in Room 100 and viewable via Zoom. | |
Required Annual Update in Infinite Campus | |
To prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, all families are required to fill out the Annual Update in Infinite Campus by Friday, May 24. 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. Click here for instructions to complete the Annual Update. Email info@tcgis.org with any questions. | |
2024 School Board Election | |
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As announced in last week’s Rundbrief, two candidates are running for the School Board. The candidates are Jens Lindner (parent) and Anna Miller (teacher). Additional information about the candidates is available here. The Parent Council and PTO will be hosting a Meet the Candidates forum prior to the election.
The annual election will be held from May 20-28, 2024 to fill two of the three open board seats. TCGIS is required to have at least one community member on the Board, so with no community member candidates in the election, the third open seat will remain vacant until a candidate is recruited and appointed by the Board.
If you know of a community member who might be interested in serving on the TCGIS board, please let us know! To be eligible to serve as a community member, the individual must be a Minnesota resident who is not employed at TCGIS, is not the parent/guardian of any child enrolled at TCGIS, and is not an immediate family member of a TCGIS employee or board member. The individual also cannot be someone involved in evaluating the school on behalf of our authorizer, the University of St. Thomas. Please email your ideas for potential applicants and their contact information to Director Hartman.
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Multiple Summer Camps still have openings and need a minimum number of students to be able to take place. Please check HERE for our openings.
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Alphabetisches Rückwärtszählen (Alphabetic Countdown) | |
As we approach the end of our school year, kindergarten is preparing for the final days with an alphabetic countdown to the last day! Starting Monday (5/6) we have a different theme day for each letter of the alphabet. All this excitement need not be contained to the kindergarten rooms, please feel free to join us for all, some or maybe only a few of the days and celebrate making it to the end of our time together this year! You can access our plans here! | |
Save the Date: Welcome To Middle School Night | On May 15th at 6:30, we will host an online session for parents of TCGIS 4th graders to learn more about the programming of our Middle School with a focus on 5th grade. An official invitation will be sent out closer to the date. You can find the calendar invite in the TCGIS public calendar. | |
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8th grade graduates: If you are interested in a graduation yard sign (pictured here) please fill out this form. Take note that this form is a commitment to buying a yard sign.
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Graduation Slideshow Photos | |
The 8th Grade Graduation Volunteer Committee needs your 8th graders photos to create posters and a slideshow for graduation.
Here is what we need by May 15:
Individual Graduate's Photos to this Folder:
Please label your photos with your 8th graders first and last name
Add 1 photo for each category
Kindergarten
Between Kindergarten and 8th Grade
Present Day
Submit K-8 Class Photos to this Folder
Field trips, Class activities, St Martin's day, Carnival of Cultures, etc.
Save photos in the subfolder by year.
If you have any questions, please contact Joyce.
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Last Middle School Dance of the Year | |
Let's celebrate the Class of 2024 and summer with the last middle school dance of the year on May 31st! DJ Erwin will bring his show once again! Theme to be determined! Tickets will go on sale in May online in the school store.
- 5th/6th Dance is 6:00-7:15 p.m.
- 7th/8th Dance is 7:30-9:00 p.m.
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Girl Scouts Need Your Old Linens | |
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The Bronze Award team (grades 4 & 5) of Troop #57317 thank you for supporting their aluminum drive. They have collected almost 130 pounds of cans! The money will be used to purchase materials for the Wildlife Intensive and Critical Care Unit. They could now use your assistance to further help animals. They are collecting used towels, blankets, and sheets. Holes and stains are just fine! Please drop them off in the bin in the east entry.
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Band info for 4th grade (and new 5-8) students | |
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In 5th grade your children will have an introduction to the TCGIS Band. Being part of a band requires a time commitment (lessons and home practice) and a financial commitment (instrument purchase and repair, music purchase, and lesson fees).
I encourage you to read my introduction letter and visit my website. On the website there is also a link to a youtube playlist featuring former TCGIS kids talking about their instruments and why they play!
If you have any questions, contact me, Krista Johnson, via email or phone at 612-209-3396.
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We are seeing an uptick in group chats and group chat conflict among middle schoolers. As our children interact in these virtual spaces, it's crucial for parents and guardians to stay vigilant and actively monitor their online activities.
We encourage parents and guardians to set clear boundaries and guidelines for online behavior, take advantage of parental controls on social media platforms, and regularly monitor your child's online conversations. Look out for any signs of cyberbullying or inappropriate content. By monitoring online conversations, we can help ensure that our children are engaging in healthy and positive interactions online. Together, we can empower them to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Reach out to Dean of Students with any questions.
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The PTO is looking for some new members! Roles are small, low commitment, and super fun. We work as a team to make the magic happen. We are currently looking for Treasurer, Fundraising, Communications, and Staff Appreciation chairs. Please email us with any questions. We'd love to hear from you. | |
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Our last meeting is coming up on Friday, May 17th at 6:30 in the cafeteria. We're having pizza and playing Bingo - there will be prizes! Bring the whole family!
Sign up here!
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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 read the entire Rundbrief. Danke! | |
There are no volunteer needs at this time. | |
School Board (Schulvorstand) Announcements
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings | |
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Finance Committee Meeting: Tues., May 7 - 6:30PM/Zoom
Governance Meeting: Mon., May 20 - 4:30PM; Google Meet
Communications Meeting: Tues., May 21 - 6PM; Google Meet
Cmte of the Whole Meeting: Thurs., May 9 - 6:30PM; Room 310
Special Board Meeting: Thurs., May 16 - 6:30PM; Room 100/Zoom
May Board Meeting: Thurs., April 25 - 6:30PM; Room 100/Zoom
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Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day | |
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Sunday, May 5, 2024
Bet Shalom Congregation
Register via Eventbrite
The Yom HaShoah Commemoration is co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, Children of Holocaust Survivors Association in Minnesota (CHAIM), Bet Shalom Congregation, the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, the Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul, Generations After MN, and the Micki and Mort Naiman Holocaust Education Fund.
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Work for Concordia Language Villages! | |
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We are hiring transportation staff in the Twin Cities for summer 2024. Staff assist the campers from all over the country during travel through MSP and at St. Kate's for overnights.
We also offer discounts for our staff's children attending any of the Concordia Language Villages, including Waldsee! Interested? Fill out your application here!
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Weekly camps for ages 5–16, July 8–August 9
Add a GAI German camp to your child’s summer fun. Our half-day week long camps (with optional extended care) immerse campers in themes such as In der Märchenwelt (into the world of fairy tales), Musiktheater (musical theater), All Things Bauen (engineering), Küchenexperimente (Kitchen Science) and more! German beginners to bilingual children are welcome. Click here to learn more!
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Intercultural Engagement Opportunities | |
The board’s Diversity & Belonging committee would like to highlight upcoming events in the Twin Cities as opportunities for intercultural engagement- one of our school’s core values. Click here to learn about highlighted events! | |
There are no reminders at this time. | |
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May 13
Capstone returns
May 14 - 16
6th Grade Waldsee Trip
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