Der Elternbrief
ISSUE 430 / OCTOBER 8, 2020
Direktorgruß
School News & Updates
Special Board Meeting this Evening
The School Board will convene remotely for a special meeting today at 6:30 PM to discuss and vote on calendar changes proposed by the administration, including moving the remaining staff Professional Development days to before or after breaks or other no-school days. View the agenda here. Public attendance and comment is welcome! Please submit any comments to board@tcgis.org  and join via Zoom. Click to join the Zoom meeting (Meeting ID: 859 5965 5087, Passcode: 61cFc5)
October Schedule: Fall Break & Distance Learning
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Fall Break/No School: Oct. 12-16
At TCGIS, Fall Break - for staff and for students - is a crucial time to disconnect from school, take a break and recharge. We encourage staff to fully embrace this pause and set the expectation that we allow our kids to do the same. While we understand that so much has been asked from parents during this COVID year, we hope that parents also benefit from time without the demands of school. We wish you all a great week. Schöne Ferien!
Distance Learning: All Grades
Mon., Oct. 19: No School/Professional Development Day
Tue., Oct. 20-Fri., Oct. 30: Distance Learning - All Grades

This evening we will send all parents of K-4 students an email with the distance learning schedules for Gelb and Grün cohorts in October, and videos for each grade level about how to read the schedule. (The schedules for students in Blau cohorts currently doing 100% distance learning remain the same.) If you are a K-4 family who does not receive this email tonight, please email info@tcgis.org and we will re-send it to you.
Celebrating Woche der TCGIS Einheit
We hope you've enjoyed hearing about the German-language music, books, shows, and foods that we love during this Week of TCGIS Unity. If you missed any of the emails we sent this week, you can find them all here.
Tomorrow is Pyjama Day for students and staff!
Printed Materials Pickup: Fridays from 2:00-3:00pm
Parents 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 in the large entrance space there. (Note: the end-time has changed to 3:00 p.m.)
Health Office Update: 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 fall break 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!
Library Updates
Our next live story time is on Thursday, October 15! Click here to join us LIVE on Zoom at 2:45 pm. Frau Silke will be reading a PIXI book each week!  (Zoom passcode: E1m1L0) Storytimes will rotate each week between Thursdays and Mondays. Check out our Library Facebook page for more information and library updates!  

Due dates for current library books
Grades K-4 hybrid: New books were distributed this week to hybrid students and will be due back the first week of November. If they didn't finish books that were checked out to them in September, these are also due the first week of November.  
Grades 5-8 hybrid: books will be due the first week of November. 
All distance students: Books are due back the week before winter break.  

If your child finishes their books before the due date and would like another book to read, please email mzimmerman@tcgis.org to return their books and get new ones.

Reminders for overdue books from last school year were emailed this week. K-4 hybrid students with overdue books received paper reminders this week. There are bins outside the library and a drop-off bin every Friday at materials pick-up. 
Increase your Impact: Employer Donation Programs
Recurring donations through payroll deductions and employer-matching programs are highly effective ways to both support TCGIS and increase the impact of your gift. TCGIS parents who work at 3M, Allina, Apple, Best Buy, Boston Scientific, Cargill, Ecolab, Estee Lauder, General Mills, Land O Lakes, Medtronic, Service Now, Target, Thomson Reuters, and Wells Fargo, currently take advantage of these programs. Herzlichen Dank!

The University of Minnesota Community Fund Drive going on right now allows U of M employees to donate their contribution fully or in part to their kids' school. (When selecting the organization, simply click "Add your own non-profit organization" and enter "Twin Cities German Immersion School" and "Saint Paul.") Dankeschön!
Parent Council Update for October 2020
The new 2020/2021 Parent Council met on Monday, Oct. 5, via Zoom. We welcomed both new and returning members and sent a heartfelt thank you to all who were with us last year. Your new Parent Council is ready and excited to serve our school community during this challenging time. Read the full Parent Council Update here.
Reminders
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!
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:
PSA: In-Person Voting Now Open in Minnesota
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Election day is November 3, just 26 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
  • Request an absentee ballot online here
  • Find your election-day polling place here
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
Parent Engagement Opportunities
PTO Updates: Fall Plant Sale & Halloween
Fall Plant Sale-Last Call!
Click here to order your beautiful winter greens by Friday! Your purchase beautifies your home and raises PTO funds that support our school. Plant pick-up is Monday, Nov. 30. 
 
Halloween 
Think that Halloween is canceled this year? We can't let that happen! We're working on a safe celebration but we need your help! The plan is for parents and families to host a table to decorate and provide treats, and then families will sign up for a spot to come through and pick up treats. We think it will be a great way to safely have a little bit of community right now, and hopefully provide some happiness to our kids who are missing out on so much right now. Please check it out HERE if you are interested in hosting a table. Stay tuned - information for the kids sign up coming soon!
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 address listed for meeting login details. Committee charters were approved at the last meeting and can be found hereAll are welcome to join committees!
 
Special Board Meeting, Thu. Oct. 8, 6:30 pm, Zoom Link on Google Calendar
Communication & Outreach Committee: Tue, Oct 20, 8:15am, communication@tcgis.org
Diversity & Belonging Committee: Tue, Oct 20, 3:45pm, diversity@tcgis.org
Finance & Facilities Committee: Tues, Oct 20, 6:30pm, contact finance-committee@tcgis.org
Committee of the Whole: Wed, Oct 21, 6:30pm, Zoom Link on Google Calendar
October School Board Meeting: CHANGED to Wed, Oct 28, 6:30pm. Zoom Link on Google 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.
CALENDAR
Oct. 9: Pyjama Day!
Oct. 12-16: Fall Break (no school; Kinderclub open)
Oct. 19: No School / Professional Development Day
Oct. 20-23: Distance Learning - All Grades
Oct. 26-30: Distance Learning - All Grades
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