Der Elternbrief
ISSUE 431 / OCTOBER 22, 2020
Direktorgruß
Director's Fun Links: Minnesota meets Germany! If there are any Wild fans out there, you might get a kick out of seeing German prospect Nico Sturm visit his hometown team FC Augsburg and meet a Bundesliga star! (watch in German or in English)
School News & Updates
November Model: Hybrid & Distance with Connection
COVID
In Director Ted Anderson's email on Tuesday, he confirmed the learning model schedule for November (see image at right).

Please note:
  • Middle School does have a Connection Week Nov. 2-6
  • There is no school for students the week of November 23-27.
Oct. Special School Board Meeting: Calendar Approved
The TCGIS School Board convened the Thursday before break, October 8, in a special meeting. The main purpose of the meeting was to consider calendar changes to maximize the number of 5-day weeks by rearranging professional development, grading days, and conferences. The Board approved the changes, and the new calendar can be found here. You can view Director Ted Anderson's video explaining the changes to the calendar, and the reasons behind the changes, here.
Parent Council: Family Support in Distance Learning
This year’s Parent Council has formed a “Family Support” subcommittee in an effort to lend extra help to families in our community beyond the scope of what TCGIS Admin, teachers, and staff already provide. Our first mission is to organize help FOR non-German-speaking families BY German-speaking families within our community. We also want to offer timely help for anyone needing help regarding hybrid and/or distance learning.

Grade-level Groups on Facebook
While we work on a more robust plan to support families, we encourage everyone to please make use of the “Friends of TCGIS” Facebook group and/or your child's grade-level group Facebook group to post questions about assignments, tech issues, questions about German, or anything else community members might be able to help with. Parent Council will identify individuals within each group who are willing to answer questions quickly and accurately.

To find a child’s grade-level Facebook group, search the appropriate title from the following list in “Groups” in Facebook: 
  • Kindergarten: TCGIS Class of 2029
  • 1st: TCGIS Class of 2028
  • 2nd: TCGIS Class of 2027
  • 3rd: TCGIS Class of 2026
  • 4th: TCGIS Class of 2025
  • 5th: TCGIS Class of 2024
  • 6th: TCGIS Class of 2023
  • 7th: TCGIS Class of 2022
  • 8th: TCGIS Class of 2021

Also, please spread the word about these groups to your TCGIS friends! We look forward to gathering volunteers, ideas, and areas of need in forthcoming surveys soon.

NEW: Distance Learning Family Support Meetings (Zoom)
Parent Council invites you to join us for a distance learning support discussion and meet up. We want to hear your joys and challenges, share tips and tricks for distance learning, and have another chance to meet TCGIS families! There are two opportunities to join; Zoom links are below and also on the school calendar.

Saturday, Oct. 24, 10-11am: Click here to Join Zoom Meeting
(Meeting ID: 857 0281 6073 / Passcode: TCGIS)
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:30-8:40pm: Click here to Join Zoom Meeting
(Meeting ID: 872 2156 7646 / Passcode: TCGIS)

All parents, caregivers, etc. are welcome to attend. Registering in advance helps us to plan, but you're welcome to join as you are able. Please RSVP here and let us know anything specific you would like to discuss.

Bis bald! See you soon!
-Family Support Subcommittee of the TCGIS Parent Council
Claudia Campo-Soria, Bryn Hennessy, Rachel Kampling, Emily Ruggles Johnson, and Angela Schneider
Printed Materials Pickup: Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm
If your child's teacher has indicated there are materials to pick up this week, you can pick up printed materials and other resources for distance learners from 2:00-3:00 PM on Friday afternoons at the Westeingang (west entrance) near the new parking lot. Weather permitting, pickup will take place outside; otherwise inside the large entrance space at the Westeingang.
Fall Conferences: Sign-up opens Tuesday, Nov. 3
Conference Dates
Thursday, Nov. 19: 4:30-7pm 
Monday, Nov. 23: 8:10am-3:30pm

Conferences this year will be held virtually via Zoom for ALL families.  We will email a Constant Contact email with sign-up information on Tuesday, Nov 3 at 8pm CT (when the window opens); sign-up runs through Nov. 17, 8pm CT. 

Prior to conference scheduling, make a list of all of the teachers you would like to meet with (the scheduler does not provide this) as well as a list of times that you would like to attend. Questions? Please email Nicole Sveen at [email protected]
2020-21 Student Photos
We've all been wondering what Student Photos will look like this year! Since we are unable to have in-person photo sessions, but want to be sure we have your students' photos for the yearbook, Jostens has provided us with a way to submit photos for the yearbook. Use this link to upload a photo of your child that will be added to the TCGIS 2020-21 Yearbook! 

PHOTO TIPS
  • Choose an outfit that your child feels comfortable wearing
  • No filters, please!
  • Solid backgrounds other than black or white are best
  • Long sleeves usually look better than short sleeves
  • Have your child wear their glasses if they prefer
  • Avoid hats & excessive accessories
Another German receives The Nobel Prize
German scientist Reinhard Genzel, together with two colleagues, was awarded The Nobel Prize in Physics for "the discovery of a supermassive compact object at the centre of our galaxy."
Did you know? Scientists from the three major German-speaking countries have won dozens of Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, and medicine. And German is the 2nd most commonly used scientific language!
Library Updates
kids_reading_book.jpg
Current due dates for library books
All HYBRID elementary and middle school books are due back the first week of November during connection week. DISTANCE LEARNING students' books are due back the week before WINTER break.

Reserving library books
From now on, in order to receive library books throughout the year you will need to fill out this form. Keep in mind that whenever you fill out the form, the materials will be scheduled for pick-up/delivery for the FOLLOWING WEEK. In order to receive library materials for the next week your "order" must be placed each week by Wednesday night. All books, magazines, and CDs are due four weeks from their check-out date. If you'd like to learn more about what's in our library, stay tuned for our TCGIS Library Guide, which will be posted soon on our Facebook page!

Our next LIVE storytime will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 2:45 pm. Follow this link to tune in! (Zoom passcode: E1m1L0)

OCTOBER'S SURPRISE GUEST! Each month we will be having a surprise guest from our school read a book! Our first surprise guest will be revealed on October 30th on our library's Facebook page. Be on the lookout next week on our Facebook page for clues as to who it could be!
PTO News: The Auction & Strudel Sale, Halloween
The 2020 Fall Auction and Strudel sale is open!
We have an amazing selection of items for you to bid on. In such a strange year, we had a great group of families who contributed to make this a great event. A huge thank you to all that were able to contribute. We have seen an amazing amount of generosity and creativity this year. Visit the Auction here.

Don't forget the Strudel!
It's a great treat to stock up on for an easy at-home meal or dessert. Sweet or savory, you can't go wrong! Check out the delicious options here.

Please click here to take a look at the strudel and auction items. The Auction & Strudel Sale runs until Thursday, October 29th at 9pm. Happy bidding!
Halloween Event Sign-up
The PTO is hosting a safe and physically distanced Halloween event. The event will be held outside on the TCGIS playground. Masking and physical distancing will be required. We hope you can join us! Learn more and sign up here!
Reminders
PSA: In-Person Voting Open in Minnesota
voting_people.jpg
Election day is November 3, just 11 days from now. In Minnesota we can vote in 3 ways: early by mail; early in-person at county election offices; and in-person on Election Day.
Election resources from the MN Secretary of State:
  • Click here to register to vote
  • Click here for in-person early voting locations
  • Find your election-day polling place here
Health Office Reminders: Halloween and the Holidays
Halloween and the holidays are coming up and there is new guidance from the CDC and the MDH how to celebrate in a safe way. Please consider lower risk activities during distance learning and the holidays to keep our school, community and state safe. Thank you for your continued support in reducing transmission of Covid-19. Mask up, TCGIS!
COVID-19: Prevention and Screening
Thank you for preparing your child(ren) to wear masks and keep physical distance here at school. Students have been doing a fantastic job following these measures. Here are a few more resources for families:
Parent Engagement Opportunities
TCGIS is still enrolling for 20/21
Do you have friends who are curious about TCGIS? We have space for new students in most grades right now. This is a unique opportunity to apply to TCGIS without having to go through the lottery.
Did you know that we offer language support to students who don't speak German yet? We do! Please spread the word! tcgis.org/prospective-parents
More information to help answer the question:
Yard Sign Front
Student Enrichment
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.
Enrich your family life with more German at home
Check out the updated German Enrichment Page for excellent resources for kids of all ages. There really is something for everyone, so please take some time to visit the enrichment site with your kids!
School Board Announcements
Upcoming Meetings
Please email the committee email addresses listed below for each meeting’s login details. You can find links to the new committee charters here. All are welcome to join committee meetings!

October Board Meeting: Wed. Oct. 28, 6:30 PM; Zoom link on the calendar
Fundraising & Development Cmte: Wed. Nov. 4, 8:30 AM; [email protected]
Mission & School Culture Cmte: Wed. Nov. 4, 3:45 PM; [email protected]
Governance & Leadership Development Cmte: Mon. Nov. 9, 3:45 PM; [email protected]
Communication & Outreach Cmte: Tues. Nov. 10, 8:15 AM; [email protected]
Cmte. of the Whole: Wed. Nov. 11, 6:30 PM; [email protected]
Diversity & Belonging Cmte: Tues. Nov. 17, 3:45 PM; [email protected]
Finance Cmte: Tues. Nov. 17, 6:30 PM; [email protected]
November Board Meeting: Wed. Nov. 18, 6:30 PM; Zoom link on the calendar
Community Events
A New Class Offered by the GAI
Now online: Samstagsschule Fun with German for ages 4 to 6
Looking for a fun and safe weekend activity this fall for your young ones? This is a great way to introduce our youngest learners to German. Now online via Zoom, the focus of the class is on games, playtime, and music.
New Yard Signs are Here!
We've updated our yard signs for 2020 with the message: Gemeinsam sind wir stark! on the back.
When you purchase a yard sign or car magnet, you support the Annual Fund at TCGIS and share your school spirit with the community.
Order your sign online in our Square shop and/or pick one up Friday afternoons at Materials Pick-up (2:00-3:00pm).
Vielen Dank for your support!
CALENDAR
Oct. 20-29: PTO Auction & Strudel Sale
Oct. 20-30: Distance Learning - All Grades
Oct. 31: PTO Halloween Walk-through at TCGIS
Nov. 2-6: Hybrid Learning & Connection Week
Nov. 3: Election Day
Nov. 3-17: Conferences Sign-up
Nov. 19: Fall Conferences (evening)
Nov. 23: Fall Conferences (daytime)
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