Elternbrief
Issue: 352                          
January 10, 2019 
In This Issue

Quick Links
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
Parent Access to Grades and Comments Closed

Parent Portal access to student grades and comments will be closed from January 11th until January 23rd. This enables teachers time to post final grades and comments for fall semester.
Governance Committee on Monday, January 14

Please join the Governance Committee on Monday, January 14, at 6:30 in Room 99. Policies up for review include Internet Acceptable Use, religious accommodation, and mandatory reporting. The full agenda can be viewed here.  
The Middle School is Going Skifoan!!!

We are going on our skiing field trip on Tuesday, February 12.  If your info sheet got lost somewhere on the way home, you can review all information in this document .   Please make sure to send all necessary forms back with your student to their advisory teacher no later than January 31. The staff at Afton Alps needs the information for their staffing!

Speaking of grown-ups and chaperones: if you would like to join us on our field trip, please read the following  document and  sign up here .

If your child is unable to attend the field trip, please get in touch with Herrn Tabisz via email.
Facility Committee News - Upcoming Meetings

1/14/19 Heritage Preservation Committee (HPC) at 3:30 PM, 15 Kellogg Blvd W, Room 300 of City Hall. (Public meeting  with testimony allowed)
Please send letters to George Gause:  george.gause@ci.stpaul.mn.us

1/17/19 Zoning Committee 3:30 PM, 15 Kellogg Blvd W, 300 City Hall
(public meeting,  no testimony allowed). Please send letters which only talk about the new building and variances support. Send letters to   PED-ZoningCommitteeSecretary@ci.stpaul.mn.usTia.Anderson@ci.stpaul.mn.us, and  josh.williams@ci.stpaul.mn.us


Thank you to everyone who has shared words of encouragement. It means a lot hearing your support. Thank you for taking the time to send letters and attending important meetings. We have a great school community! And board members are proud to serve on the school board.
Judges Needed for History Day

We are looking for judges for TCGIS History Day Competition on February 28! 
Judging is a fantastic way to connect with students, support TCGIS, and learn about history.  Full day and half day judging shifts available. Interested in helping out OR want more information?  Please email Catie Jacobs at cjacobs@tcgis.org
Message from the Sport Teachers

This message is a clarification from the sport teachers in regards to what is expected for the students here to wear during sport classes.
  • Students should have appropriate gym shoes (shoes that they do not wear outdoors)
  • It is not required, however it is preferable, on days that your child has sport, that they wear clothing that allows them to participate actively in class (they should be able to move freely; for Middle School dresses are not advised for sport classes)
  • Students with hair that is longer than shoulder-length are asked to tie up their hair
With these safety reminders, we hope to live up to one of the school's PBIS expectations and philosophies of Sicherheit (safety). 

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Mullins at mmullins@tcgis.org.
Volleyball Season is Coming!

Click here for the 2019 Volleyball Letter, which includes details about practice and game times. Please read before registering. The registration link can be found  hereRegistration closes Friday, February 1st at 5:00pm. 

If you have further questions after reading the letter, please contact Coach Kulhanek at  kkulhanek@tcgis.org.
Mark Your Calendars for Morgenkreis & Kaffeeklatsch

Joins us on February 8 and May 3 for Morgenkreis and Kaffeeklatsch. From 8:15-8:30 please join your children during their daily Morgenkreis or first hour.   

Afterwards at 8:30 there will be a  Kaffeeklatsch in the atrium outside the office. Come mingle with other parents and take advantage of this opportunity to also chat with Board members and Administrators. 
Kinderkarneval This Weekend

Are you looking for something to do with your family this weekend? This Sunday from 2-5pm head on over to the Klub Haus for a costume party put on by the Spielmannzug Minnesota. More information is here. This event is free!
Seeking Intern Host Families for 2019-2020 School Year

The Intern Program brings enthusiastic and engaging native German-speakers into our classrooms. Our students reap great benefits from these additional caring adults who support their learning in so many ways. Next year we hope to have between 20-25 Interns spread across the fall and spring semesters -  but we can only invite as many Interns as we have host families! 

So far we have only  three families who have expressed interest in hosting in the fall semester, and  six who are interested in hosting in spring semester. We begin making final decisions about Interns for next year in February, so the time to act is now. 

If you've ever considered hosting an Intern, but still have questions and would like to learn more about it, please connect with  Katharina Schirg as soon as possible. She can answer questions and also connect you with current and past host families who can share their experiences with you. You can also read these  FAQs about hosting, and learn more about our Intern Program  here. We hope you'll consider volunteering as a host family next school year! 
GAI Announcements
SAMSTAGSSCHULE classes begin this Saturday, Jan. 12 and end May 18, 2019
NEW for 2019 - BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED classes now available for kids, preteen and teen!  Call the office or register online here

KAFFEESTUBE IS BACK! 
Join us for our popular Kaffeestube european breakfast buffet on Saturday morning. 

This series will provide educational experiences focusing on Germany's approach and success in areas including culture and society.  SATURDAY, Jan. 12, 11am to noon:  Yearning for Freedom: Community and Individualism in Germany.  A Kaffeestube talk by Dr. Heino Beckmann; GAI Ballroom, FREE
PTO Announcements
Upcoming PTO Meetings: 
TONIGHT'S Meeting  -- Thursday January 10th, 6:30pm at school. Lots of chit chat about Maskenball! Childcare will be available. 
Next Meeting: Sunday, February 3rd at 3pm

Maskenball Update: We are looking for sponsors! Do you own a small business? Consider making a financial donation. Email  annegret_Theis@ultimatesoftware.com for all the details about the levels of sponsorship. 

3rd Grade FamiliesSign up to bring food to our staff on Wednesday January 16 at the 1/2 day potluck!! We are still in need of Main Dishes, Appetizers, and Set Up help! 

7th Grade Families: Lots of spots yet to fill!! Sign up to provide a yummy breakfast for our interns on THIS Monday January 14th!