Elternbrief
Issue: 370                         
May 22, 2019 
In This Issue

Quick Links
Buy TCGIS Spiritwear from our new online store!
TCGIS Online Calendar

Upcoming Events
Like us on Facebook

Administrative Information
Office Closed Tomorrow and Monday 

Due to the upcoming long weekend, the Front Office will be closed Friday, May 24, and Monday, May 27. 
Parent Access to Grades and Comments Closed 

Parent Portal access to student grades and comments is temporarily closed until June 11th. This enables teachers time to post final grades and comments for spring semester.
City Council Delays Historic Designation Vote 

On May 22 the City Council was set to vote on the historic designation of the former St Andrews church.  TCGIS was informed on the 22nd prior to the City Council meeting by City Council President and Ward 5 Representative Amy Brendmoen that she would request a vote to lay over the vote so as to give TCGIS and the SHSA group a chance to meet and discuss our respective issues one more time prior to a vote.   The vote to lay over passed 6-0 with Representative Jane Prince recusing herself upon advice by the City Attorney.  President Brendmoen recommended we employ ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) for this purpose.  We will attempt in good faith one more time to discuss with SHSA a proposal that meets TCGIS's needs of a regulation gym, large cafeteria, 6 classrooms and small space meeting rooms for private Special Education meetings.  The vote will then come to City Council on June 5, which is also the date when the school's site plan and variance requests will be voted on by City Council.  Events are quickly evolving so please be patient and stay tuned for more information as we receive it.  
Join us for the End of the Year Picnic!

We hope you can join us for the End of the Year Picnic on Wednesday, June 12. Please click here to read about the event. There is an opportunity to make a small donation if you wish to have lunch with us (students eat for free), as well as an opportunity to sign up as a volunteer!

Reminder: dismissal on June 12 will take place from 12:30-12:45pm. Please remember to change PikMyKid to "Picnic Pick Up" if you wish to take your child/ren home directly from the picnic. Please contact Lauren Kalish at lkalish@tcgis.org if you have any questions.
Show Your School Spirit at End Of Year Picnic!

Again this year we will be selling our cool and distinctive TCGIS car magnets for a minimum donation of $10 as well as the "All are Welcome Here" school signs for $20. Cash, check or credit accepted.  

Wear your TCGIS spirit wear and show your support of the school.  Don't have any spirit wear?  Need more?  Order yours online

Hertha Berlin Team Visit a Smashing Success!

On May 22 Bundesliga Team Hertha Berlin visited TCGIS and spent 4 hours at our school!  Players visited classrooms, spoke with the kids, ate lunch in the cafeteria and then joined the school at McMurray fields for soccer fun.  

Hertha was in the Twin Cities for a friendly game against Minnesota United, and in the United States on their "Berlin Tears Down Walls" Tour commemorating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Hertha was accompanied by their PR agency who put together this amazing video and story on their team homepage. 

It was a magical day for all the students, staff and the parents who could attend.  The media (Channels 5 & 9 as well as the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press) covered this event liberally, including the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper


Reminder to Pick Up Medication

This is a reminder that all medication at school must be picked up at the end of the year.

These are the options of when you can pick up your child's medication:
  1. June 12th at the End of the Year Picnic (10:00am-12:00pm) when you sign your child out at the info table.
  2. June 12th  from the Kinderclub staff member at a table in the foyer
  3. June 13th  from 8am- 12pm in the Health Office.
Any medications not picked up by 12pm on June 13 will be discarded.
Board Election Results

With 58 ballots cast, the board election results are in! This year we had three candidates for three open seats. In no particular order, the three board members elect are:
  • Richard Heid (parent)
  • Richard Iwen (parent)
  • Lisa Linnell (parent)
Each candidate has great qualifications and will bring different strengths to the Board's work. We are grateful for their efforts and commitment to the school and our students.

TCGIS and the school board members extend their deepest thanks to Kelly Laudon and Sam Walling for their many years of service on the TCGIS school board. Each held multiple roles, provided leadership, and gave countless hours toward our school's success and our children's learning. The Board also thanks Mike Campbell, community member and TCGIS grandparent, for his time and commitment to the Board and school this past year. As they roll off the board, we know they will continue to contribute in meaningful ways. Danke!
Pick Up/Drop Off Reminders

As we near the end of the school year, please continue to be mindful of our pick up and drop off procedures.
  • Drive slowly and stop for pedestrians AT ALL TIMES.
  • Do not park on Van Slyke or Como Avenue on either side of the street between 7am and 5pm. This causes traffic congestion and dangerous conditions, especially in the winter.
  • Pull all the way up in the drop off/pick up lane; staff will assist students in locating their vehicles.
  • Please do not get out of your car unless absolutely necessary when dropping students off in the vehicle lines.
  • To avoid traffic and idling, we ask that you do not arrive excessively early for pick up. You can park in the neighborhood if you arrive early.
  • Avoid using cell phones in the pick up line.
  • By law, cars must remain 5 feet clear of all driveways and alleys.
  • Avoid parking in carriage walks and in front of fire hydrants.
Thank you for keeping our kids safe!
Information for 4th Graders Interested in Band

For all 4th graders interested in band, please click here
GEMs Summer Camp Registration - NOW OPEN!


Missy Morrissey (Middle School) and Kim Kulhanek (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 12th-16th. 

Registration Form  - Please complete for each child registered.

Who: All students entering grades 1-6
What:  GEMs Summer Math camp
Where: University of Minnesota, Vincent Hall
When: August 12th-16th, 2018, from 9am-12pm.
Cost: $150 (daily snack provided)

Contact Missy Morrissey at  gemsummercamp@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Congratulations to this Week's  Mausmünzen Winners

The selected students have shown exemplary behavior at TCGIS during the school day, and are representing their class and grade level. Meistermäuse have demonstrated to staff one or more of the following praised traits:  Sicherheit  (safety),  Verantwortung  (responsibility), and  Respekt  (respect). 

Congratulations to  Mia (KA), Hanna (2C), Jacob (4C), William (6C), Lydia (7A) and Frau Schecker!

Thank you to our special guest announcers Fabian Lustenberger, Marius Gersbeck from Hertha BSC!
Board Announcements
Upcoming meetings:

May Board Meeting: May 30, 6:30pm, room 100
PTO Announcements
Join us for our last PTO meeting of the year! 
When: Sunday, June 2nd 3pm
Where: Urban Forage (snacks provided by PTO). 

We want to hear from you!! 
As we consider our meeting times and meeting topics for next year, it would be helpful to know your thoughts!! The anonymous survey is only 4 questions and c an be finished in two minutes. Thank you in advance!! 

Summer play dates!! 
See this list of all our parent -planned summer play dates. Always a good time has by all!


GAI Announcements
W eekly camps from June 17 to August 23 on site at the GAI
Most camps are for children 7-9 yrs   - REGISTER NOW, CAMPS ARE FILLING UP!  NEW THIS YEAR: Intro to German for 5-9 yrs and German & Science for 10-13 yrs

Deutsche Tage
Save the date for our annual Deutsche Tage celebration June 8 & 9. 
Deutsche Tage (German Days) is one of the GAIs longest-standing traditions and the oldest heritage festival in St. Paul.  

Advanced German for TCGIS Alumni
  • ADVANCED GERMAN  - TEENS INTENSIV B1+: For advanced students who want to continue building language ability and skills. 'Blended' Course format with 90 min. of classroom instruction per week and online / independent study.
  • ADVANCED GERMAN - TEEN TREFF: For students with a high level of proficiency & fluency. Course is designed to maintain language ability. Limited assignments & homework - Class meets bi-weekly