Elternbrief
Issue: 327                          
May 10, 2018 
In This Issue

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TCGIS Online Calendar

Upcoming Events
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Administrative Information
Early Release Wednesday on 5/16

This is a reminder that next Wednesday, May 16, there is an Early Release Wednesday. School is over at 12:45pm and there are no after school activities. 
Last Chance to Buy Tickets to MN United

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 12, at 1pm! We are having another TCGIS event in collaboration with Minnesota United FC. What's different about this event?  It's also a fundraiser for our big End of the Year Picnic!

For every ticket purchased, TCGIS receives $5 towards funding the picnic on Tuesday, June 12. Enter the promo code TCGIS0512 on this page and buy tickets today! 
The picnic on June 12 is a great way to celebrate the end of the 2017-18 school year, but it's also a great way to meet players from MN United FC! We are so excited to announce that we will have 1-2 players from the team at our picnic who will be ready to sign your jerseys and scarves, and to take photos with fans!
June Order Window for School Lunch/Milk, Bus, Kinderclub and Sommercamp Opens Friday,  May 11!

Calling for your orders one last time in the 2017-18 school year! Please log on to our online store website Boonli starting Friday, 5/11, to place your child(ren)'s Bus, Kinderclub, Sommercamp and School Lunch/Milk order for JuneAll orders must be submitted by midnight on Monday, 05/21.
Buy Food Tickets to the End of the Year Picnic!

We are gearing up for our End of the Year Picnic on Tuesday, June 12! This will be held at the Como Park Pavilions and will be from 11:30am-1:30pm. We invite all parents and non-student siblings to attend! If you plan on eating lunch with us, please be sure to
buy tickets here. If you'd like to read more about what's new at the picnic this year, please click here!
 
To help make this event a success, we need help from parent volunteers. Please  click here  to see what volunteer opportunities are available and to sign up today! Please email Lauren Kalish at  [email protected]  if you have any questions.
Thank You to our Picnic Sponsors

We would like to thank our picnic sponsors: TCGIS PTO, Audi, Larry Mohr, President of the German American Chamber of Commerce, MN Chapter, and Dr. Stefanie Bauer, Life Ripples. 

Thank you for your support!
TCGIS Board Elections

Vote for THREE board members this year to serve three year terms . You may pick up and drop off your ballot packet before and after school in the carpool lines or in the TCGIS office May 14-18.   Read the board candidates bios here.  Watch the candidate forum from May 8.

If your child rides the bus, please feel free to  print your ballot and signature card. You will need to provide one smaller envelope (for your ballot) and one larger envelope (for the smaller SEALED envelope and signature card). We ask you do not send ballots to school with your child.
You may mail your ballot to TCGIS. Put both envelopes into a third, larger envelop for your vote to remain anonymous. Only 1 ballot per envelope.

For voting eligibility, procedures, and instructions, please visit Board Elections FAQ 2018.
All ballots must be dropped off (or postmarked) by 4:45 pm on Friday, May 18.
Early Morning Recess Volunteers Needed!

It's finally time! Early morning recess will start up in May pending enough parent volunteers. Please click here to read more information and sign up today!
GEMs Summer Camp -  Limited Space Available
 


Missy Morrissey (Middle School), Kim Kulhanek and Stephanie Mekacher (Elementary School) are offering a summer MATH camp for girls with support from the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics Student Chapter at the University of Minnesota during the week of  August 13th-17th.

Who: All students entering grades 1-6
What: GEMs Summer Math camp
Where: University of Minnesota, Vincent Hall
When:  August 13th-17th, 2018, from  9am-12pm.
Cost: $150 (daily snack provided)
Registration Deadline: June 12th, 2018
Returning Families: The curriculum will be different than last year's camp if you are interested in attending again! 


Contact Missy Morrissey at  [email protected] if you have any questions.
Only Three More Weeks to Sign Up for Sommercamp!

TCGIS Sommercamp runs from July 16 - August 3 for incoming 3rd - 8th grades. Camps are filling up, so sign your child up today for a fun, week-long day camp with one of the following themes: mystery box, bees, Harry Potter adventures, German cinema, games around the world, or circus!  

Campers speak German all day and receive a T-shirt with the Sommercamp logo.  Click here  for more information. 
Registration window closes on May 31. 
Important Kinderclub Announcement for Early Release Day (5/16)

Kinder is planning on having a field trip during the time of extended care  12:45pm - 3:15pm on  Wednesday, May 16th.

If your child(ren) is/are attending 3rd - 8th grade AND is/are scheduled for early release day care in Kinderclub, please fill out this form.

Please keep in mind that pick up time for participating students will start no earlier that 3:15pm.
Visiting Choir from Neuss, Germany

You're invited to an upcoming visit and concert by the cathedral choir from Saint Paul's sister city of Neuss, Germany. This choir will be performing in downtown Saint Paul on  Sunday May 20th at 3pm as part of a cultural exchange between our cities. 

All  TCGIS students can get free tickets (those under 12 are always free) using the code STUDENT online or over the phone. In addition to free tickets for your students, staff and parents can get 25% off tickets using the code TCGIS. 

After the concert, all are invited to a free reception at Landmark Center to meet the musicians of Capella Quirina Neuss and the mayor of Neuss, Germany.

More information and tickets are available  here.
Understanding Dyslexia
May 21 6:30-8:30pm at TCGIS

Did you know as many as 1 in 5 students has a form of dyslexia?  In this session at TCGIS, John Alexander, MEd, Groves Academy Executive Director, will discuss what the latest research reveals about dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities. He will define dyslexia and examine key variables for instruction including the type, intensity, frequency, and duration of intervention. Please RSVP to this event and let us know if you will need childcare. 
7/8th Grade Play "Der Besuch der alten Dame" 
3-act play by Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt, 90 min.

2 performances at the Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church across the street from TCGIS (1040 Como Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103).

Tues, May 15 at 10:40 AM
Thurs, May 17 at 8:30 AM

All adults are invited!  The play is a tragic comedy, but the main theme is pretty dark and involves corruption to the point of murder.
Faculty Focus
For this week and each week until the end of this school year Herr Mullins will introduce our school community to a new faculty member we have at TCGIS this academic year. We have talented colleagues who have diverse experiences in their lives that assist them each and every day in serving the needs of your sons and daughters. Herr Mullins hopes you find this column inspiring as you read about our TCGIS Educators!

This week: Christopher Tabisz from the Middle School Team.
Board Announcements
***New opportunity to talk about the school facility project***
"Walk the block" with the Facility Chair
May 7th-11th 2:30-3:00pm
Meet on the steps in front of the Aula. (Como Ave side) We'll take a quick walk around the neighborhood and talk about the facility project.  Please review the current facility presentation before joining a "Walk the Block."

Upcoming meetings:
  • The Fundraising and Development Committee meets this Friday, May 4 at 8:15 in Room 99. All are welcome to join and bring their fundraising and development ideas for TCGIS!
  • Facility Committee Meeting - May 8th, 2018 6-7:00pm, Room 99
PTO Announcements
Happy Staff Appreciation Week brought to you by the PTO!
    MondayPamper Day with massages & chocolate
   Tuesday-  Bagels and Gummy Bears 
   Wednesday Ice Cream Bar
    ThursdaySmoothies
    Friday - Happy Hour at Gabe's with a drink ticket & appetizers
Thanks for all you do for TCGIS! 
GAI Announcements
FamilienKino - Join us Saturday, May 19 at 9:00am
  • Bilderbuchkino (picture book movie) for young children up to 8 yrsImages are projected while a book is read to the children; with activity break
  • Spielfilm (feature film) for older kids & teens - Das Fliegende Klassenzimmer ('The Flying Classroom' 2002) Updated film based on the classic story by Erich Kästner - Deutsch with English subtitles
Summer German Language Camps start June 18 - Camps are filling up! Reserve your spot now!
Topics include Geography, Science, Arts & Crafts, Mysteries & Magic, Writing, Baking & Cooking, and more. Teachers and children will speak, hear, sing and create in German.