Elternbrief
Issue: 356                          
February 7, 2019 
In This Issue

Quick Links
Buy TCGIS Spiritwear from our new online store!
Submit Yearbook Photos

Have photos for
the yearbook? Submit them directly to the Josten's Yearbook website! We will be taking photo submissions all year long. If prompted, lease enter the following code for a USER ID: 411163676
TCGIS Online Calendar

Upcoming Events
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Administrative Information
Planning Commission Re-Vote is TOMORROW, February 8

On Friday, February 8th, 8:30 a.m. in Room 40 (basement) of City Hall at 15 Kellogg Blvd West, the St Paul Planning Commission will be holding a re-vote of TCGIS's variance request and site plan, which had been previously voted on and approved at the the January 25th Planning Commission meeting. Here is the agenda.

This is a public meeting, but not a public hearing; thus, no testimony will be allowed. However, the Planning Commission is voting to amend their bylaws, which will make this an important meeting to attend. If you are available to attend, please wear TCGIS attire, bring your Alle Sind Hier Herzlich Willkommen signs, etc. We welcome your presence and support, but only if your schedule permits.
TCGIS in the Pioneer Press

Former and Current Board Chairs Kelly Laudon and Sam Walling penned an OpEd which appeared in the Pioneer Press on Wednesday, February 6. This editorial outlines the school's official position regarding the upcoming Planning Commission vote on our variances and site plan for our campus improvement plan as well as the City Council hearing end of March on historic designation. 
Letter Templates Opposing Historic Designation for City Council Members Now Available

On March 20th, TCGIS will be on the City Council agenda for a public hearing on the historic designation application.  Public testimony will be allowed at this meeting.  Before this hearing it will be critical that we get as many letters of support for TCGIS and AGAINST historic designation as possible from all parents, family members, neighbors and supporters.  Please consider writing a letter for each parent/adult in your household, and engaging your family members and friends to help as well. The volume of letters for and against Historic Designation is an important part of the record.  Letters are being accepted now, so please start writing to your city council members and the mayor today!  If you're not sure which Ward you live in, visit this site: 
St. Paul CIty Council Member Look UpBelow are the City Council Members by Ward, with their email addresses:

[email protected] Dai Thao
[email protected] Rebecca Noecker
[email protected] Chris Tolbert
[email protected] Mitra Jalali Nelson
[email protected] Amy Brendmoen, also City Council President
[email protected] Kassim Busuri (replaced retired Dan Bostrom)
[email protected] Jane Prince

To help you with letter writing, we have a variety of  letter templates ,   each with a slightly different theme, available for you to use as is or to tailor to your own needs. You can access the letters here, and tailor to your own needs.
Please Ensure Your Contact Information is Up to Date!


Have you recently moved to a new address or changed your telephone number? Do you need to update the emergency contact information for your student? Please remember to email  [email protected]  with all important changes throughout the school year. 
Vienna Event: String Demo

VCA's new string teacher will give a Demo along with Herbert Engelmayer on February 11 at 3:30 at TCGIS.  Janelle works with the Minnesota Orchestra and will be teaching group and private lessons at TCGIS through  Vienna Community Arts.

Kinderclub students will be invited; other students can attend with parents.  Event is free but sign-up is required.  Call Herbert or Nancy at 651-773-9525 or email [email protected].
Thank You for Your Donations to the TCGIS School Bus Program

We asked, you listened! We would like to thank our bus families for supporting our bus program with a donation in January. Please continue your support with a monthly donation via Boonli or if you'd like to set up a recurring payment, please use this form and submit it to the school office. If you have any questions, please email Maja Reyes ([email protected]).
Seeking 8-12 more host families for the 2019-2020 Intern Program

We're getting there, but right now we only have enough families to host half the number of Interns we'd like to bring to TCGIS next year. We plan to have about 14 Interns each semester - but we can only invite as many Interns as we have host families! We need to make final decisions about next year's Interns this month, so the time to act is now. We are especially seeking families who could host in the fall semester. 

Ready to sign up? Have questions about hosting? Katharina Schirg can answer questions and connect you with current and past host families who can share their experiences with you, or check out these FAQs about hosting. We hope you'll consider hosting an Intern next school year!
Yearbook Updates

Announcing the winners of 2018-2019 yearbook cover contest! The winner of this year's cover is Cecilia Palombo (6), an the winners of this year's back cover collage are Lula Eian,  Annie Strom (6), Leonie Crane (6), Carmen Koch (4), Mia Visnjic (4), and Sophia Nieters (4).  Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all students who participated in the contest for the yearbook this year.

LAST CHANCE to buy an 8th grade student recognition ad or a business ad! These are both due February 8th. Click here

Yearbook price bracket and deadlines:
Now - February 22: $17.50
February 23 - May 11: $20.00 (on May 11 online ordering closes)
February 28: last day to order personalized books
May 12 - end of school year: $25.00 cash only payments at front office

Please place your order here. The yearbooks should arrive at the school in May 2019. Yearbook pick-up location is the front office.
TCGIS Track-and-Field: First Official Season!

Registration is now OPEN and filling up fast !
Here is our 2019 Track-and-Field Letter with all the details about our upcoming season.   Register  early to guarantee a spot on the team! Registration closes Friday, February 15th, at 5:00 PM!

Further questions, please contact Coach Tabisz ( [email protected] ).
TCGIS Press - New Issue!

Wind, ice, snow? Yes, but not only Minnesota has to deal with winter weather - Germany has also had tons of snow this year!  Suggestions for keeping warm? What do our students think about the new building plans?  This and much more you'll find in the third issue of TCGIS Press
Family Ski Day at Trollhaugen

Friday, February 15, 2019

J oin fellow TCGIS families next Friday for a fun day of skiing (or snowboarding) at  Trollhaugen  in nearby Dresser, WI!

Cost
Age 6 thru adult - $15 lift ticket
Age 5 & under - FREE lift ticket
Ski or snowboard rental - $15 (includes helmet)

Special student packages
Grades 5 & 6 - $18 (includes lift ticket/rental/lesson)
Grades K-4 - $28 (includes lift ticket/rental/lesson)

Click  HERE for full details. There's still time to register. Due to last week's snow days, we're extending the deadline. Sign up in person in the school lobby this Friday (2/8) or next Monday (2/11), before or after school.  NEW registration deadline is 4 pm, Monday, February 11. No late registrations will be accepted. Please contact  Manuela Thames or  Kelly Huxmann with any questions.
Board Announcements
Reminder: Kaffeeklatsch and Parent Morgenkreis has been re-scheduled from Friday, February 8 to Friday, February 22 due to the conflict with the St Paul Planning Commission meeting on February 8.

February facility committee is meeting Wednesday, February 13th at 6:00 pm, Room 99. Agenda items:
- Planning commission vote from 2/8/19
- Gabion wall info update
- School building windows/HVAC quotes
GAI Announcements
German Summer Camps run from June 17 to August 23; Camps are offered for kids and youth 5-13 yrs. Topics include German Language Sessions, Arts & Crafts, Science, Cooking & Baking, German Fairy Tales, Nature & Science, Robotics and STEM (MINT) for the older kids. Half day and full day programs available. 

KARNEVAL TANZPARTY February 16
A night of revelry German Karneval style. 
Featuring the return of Elektra Cute, "The Most Shocking Woman in Burlesque", and Mistress Victoria DeVille. It's the naughtiest night of the year at the GAI Haus. 
PTO Announcements
Join Us for Game Day!
Sunday February 10th from 1-3pm at TCIG cafeteria.  Another fun way to meet new families and connect with friends (not in your house!).  Bring a game to share!  All grade levels welcome!

Maskenball Update:
Save the Date!  This year's theme is 90s Prom! Join us on  Saturday March 23rd at  6:30pm at the  University Club, St. Paul, for a great time!
Tickets will be available soon.

We are looking for sponsors! Do you own a small business? Consider making a financial donation. Learn about sponsorship opportunities here. Contact  annegret_Theis@ultimatesoftware.com  for all the details about the levels and perks of sponsorship!  

Staff Appreciation Update: 
2nd Grade Families: Please Sign up for our Monday, February 11th intern breakfast here: 

1st Grade Families: Please Sign up for the early release lunch on Wednesday February 13th here:  http://signup.com/go/ZhYykUT

You can message the PTO if you have any questions or email  [email protected].