Elternbrief
Issue: 307                           
November 30, 2017 
In This Issue
Registration for After School Activities Open
Join us for the 2017 Wintermarkt!
Martinstag Survey - Feedback Requested!
Interested in Hosting?
Spotlight on Typing at TCGIS
PTO Announcements
GAI Announcements

Quick Links
TCGIS Online Calendar

Upcoming Events

Nov. 30: School Board Meeting

Nov. 30: Registration for After School Activities Opens

Dec. 14: Registration for After School Activities Closes

Dec. 15: Session I of After School Activities Closes

Dec. 20: Early Release

Dec. 21 Jan. 2: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

Jan. 8: After School Activities Begin

Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

Jan. 26: Teacher Grading Day - NO SCHOOL


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Administrative Information
Registration for Winter After School Activities Open

Registration for the winter session of after school activities is now open! Please find the attached activity schedule,  descriptions of activities, and registration form. If you are in need of a scholarship, please click here.

All registration forms are due with payment by December 14. Please note that no late registrations will be accepted, nor will registration be accepted without payment (cash or check). Class size is limited and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to winter break ALL registration forms are due BY December 14.
Need Some Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season? 

Then you should join us for our student-run TCGIS  Winter  Market on  Thursday, December 14th, from  2:30-4:00pm (you read that right,  4pm!).  You'll be able to buy amazing arts and crafts, toys, jewelry, enjoy arcade games and a variety of snacks, baked goods, and beverages, etc.  The  market  will be hosted in rooms 314, 315, 316, 318, and 319.  

Our students are in the process of planning their businesses with logos, names,  market  research,  advertisement, products, marketing , pricing, shopping, selling, producing, time management, etc. and it has been a joy to witness both their progress and excitement. Now the only thing they need is customers - you! 

Please bring cash with you. We'll have 3 banks open (one in the foyer and two on the Middle School floor, run by adults) where you'll be able to exchange real money into tickets. You can donate unused tickets or exchange them back into USD afterwards. 

Each class gets to decide what to do with their profit, whether to use it for a fun class activity or donate it.  The money initially invested into the business will be reimbursed to the young  entrepreneurs  afterwards .

We are looking forward to seeing you.
Fabian Liesner (5th grade) & Chris Tabisz (6th grade)
Martinstag Survey - Feedback Requested!

Some faculty, students and families just recently participated in the annual St. Martin's Day celebration. This is a special part of our fall holiday celebration and we are thankful we pause and take time to remember this important cultural event.

However, questions come from many stakeholders as to why TCGIS celebrates in downtown St. Paul in the Landmark Center. This year we are interested in learning more about how families feel about this event, most particularly the place where the celebration happens.

Please take a moment completing this survey.  Feel free to contact Mike Mullins ([email protected]) with any questions.
Interested in Hosting a German Exchange Student?

Felix from Germany is an exchange student at South school in Minneapolis with NorthWest Student Exchange and is in need of a 2nd semester host for him in the South School area.

Felix from German is 16. He describes himself as open-minded, polite, responsible, creative, and organized. His main hobby is socializing with friends, though Felix also loves sports such as bicycling, jogging, and track and field, but above all rowing. He also has an interest in drawing, cooking, reading, watching movies and playing video games. Please contact Marge at  [email protected] if you are interested in hosting Felix!
Spotlight on Typing at TCGIS

New this year: TCGIS is subscribing to Typing Agent. We have generated accounts for 3rd-5th graders, and they have begun their typing lessons. Students in grades 6-8 have accounts at  typing.com and have begun with typing practice during advisory.  1st and 2nd graders continue to use Dance Mat Typing. 

There are no explicit words per minute standards in the Common Core or within Minnesota State Standards. Instead, the standards focus on function (i.e. that students are able to produce a text online with guidance and support from adults). We recognize the importance of being able to type efficiently.

Typing speed and accuracy benchmarks at TCGIS are consistent with other area schools. We put our expectations in a range to show what is normal for the various grades. Please refer to the link  here for more information about our typing benchmarks. 
PTO Announcements
PTO Announcements

Culver's Fundraiser
Monday, December 4 from  5-8pm in Little Canada. Join us for dinner or  volunteer to carry food. We still need 6 more volunteers for this event to happen!

Rummage Sale Drop Off
Tuesday, December 5 at 8:00am and  Thursday, December 7 at 2:30pm by the steps heading into the Aula. 

PTO Meeting
December 12 at 6:45pm. Register  here!

Find more info about PTO events & fundraisers on the  November Newsletter, on  Facebook, or the  PTO Website. 
GAI Announcements
GAI Announcements

Holiday Open Haus -  Saturday Dec. 2 & Sunday Dec. 3, 2017 from 10am to 2pm
The GAI invites you for our annual Holiday Open Haus! Enjoy the feel of a European Holiday market with all the comforts of our Haus! This two-day event features vendors selling hand-crafted items, model trains, and seasonal food and drink including  Glühwein, Lebkuchen, Kartoffelpuffer and more. Bring the kids for a visit with St. Nikolaus on Sunday!