Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 

We welcomed a great new group of new teachers this week. We have a new social worker, Angelina Gasparov, who was a Kinderklub employee a few years ago is returning with her social worker degree to provide services to our students and staff. Lauren McHugh will be joining us for the school year as a Pysch intern working under Dr. Carol Mecklenburg. Adel Morey is in a newly created position in the Special Ed team. He will be a teacher leader and the SpEd Behavioral Support whose function is much like that of a Dean of Students. Anja Kapllani is one of our two new international staff. She will be joining us in Middle School Drama and help us fill in a few spots in Middle School German. Larissa Gollas is the other international hire and is joining the Special Education team as a case manager and teacher. 

We had two unexpected departures last week and are currently working to hire for Elementary Sport and for Spanish. I will keep you updated on those hires as they happen. 

Back to School night is Thursday, August 21st. Look to the Rundbrief for more information about that night. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Principal

Front Office Summer Hours

If you need the front office staff at all for the rest of summer break we will be open from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Monday through Thursday. We are CLOSED on August 21 and 22 for All Staff Training. If you have a question or concern you can reach us at info@tcgis.org.

August/September '25 Lunch/Breakfast/Milk Order Window: Closes this Sunday, August 17th at 10:00 p.m.

Remember to place your orders for August/September 2025! Please log on to our online store website Boonli to place your child's School Lunch/Breakfast and Milk order. Please make sure to check out your cart to successfully place an order and to check your order for completeness. All orders must be submitted by 10pm on Sunday, August 17th. Orders received after the 18th will have a one-week delayed start date. 

We are still collecting Applications for Educational Benefits: Please email Alex Weeding your completed application. Families who officially qualify for Free/Reduced meals may also qualify for reduced fees at Kinderclub, afterschool enrichment classes, field trips, and athletics programs.

Kinderclub Booking Is Now Open For Aug. & Sept 

Kinderclub booking is now open for the months of August & September until Sunday, August 17th. Please remember that booking is open every 10th to the 17th of each month for the booking of the following month.

Back to School Night - August 21

Back to School Night is on Thursday, August 21.

• 5:00-5:30 New Families and Kindergartner Families and Sensory Sensitive Time for Families
• 5:30-7:30 All Families of K-8 students

This is when you can bring school supplies, chat with administrators and staff, and explore around the building.

School Supply Lists

You can find the school supply lists for the 2025-2026 school year by clicking here. You can bring your child(ren)'s supplies to Back to School Night on Thursday, August 21.

If you are unable to attend Back to School Night, please bring the supplies on the first day of school. Grades 1-8 will have their first day of school on Monday, August 25, and Kindergarten's first day will be Wednesday, August 27.

Health Office: Medication for 2025-26 School Year

We want to make sure your student is receiving proper health care at school. If your child will need medication during the school day in the 2024-25 school year, please be sure to:

• Review the Medication information on page 22 of the Family Handbook and Policy 516 - Student 
• In order to administer medication to a student during the school day, we require the Medical Authorization Form, signed by both the health care provider and the parent/guardian. 
• All medication must be in its original package with a valid expiration date and labeled with the student's name.
• Medication drop off including completed paperwork:
• Back to School night, Thursday, August 21st from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
• Our Health Office Associate, Monika Avery, and Mariah Schoonover (consultant nurse) will be available to receive your child(ren)'s medication together with the completed authorization form. 
• For questions or alternative drop off options please email Monika Avery, Health Service Associate.
• Lunch: Please inform our Food Service Coordinator Alexandra Weeding if you would like your student to be placed at the “nut free table.” Otherwise students sit with their class cohort.

Forms you may find helpful

- Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan

- Asthma Action plan by the CDC 

Save the Date - TCGIS 20th Anniversary Party

The biggest celebration in TCGIS history is coming soon! Save the date: September 20, 2025 from 11 AM to 4 PM, as we gather to celebrate 20 years of TCGIS. Want to be part of the fun? Whether you're interested in helping plan, volunteer, or provide sponsorship (monetary or in-kind), please reach out to Paige Yurczyk. Ready for the fun? RSVP Here.

Preferred Language Survey

Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey to share your preferred language of communication. The form is intended to help TCGIS identify community members who would benefit from language access services such as translations or interpreters in accordance with Minnesota Statute 123B.32 

Por favor, tómese un momento para rellenar esta encuesta rápida y compartir su idioma preferido de comunicación. El formulario tiene por objeto ayudar a TCGIS a identificar a los miembros de la comunidad que se beneficiarían de los servicios de acceso lingüístico, tales como traducciones o intérpretes, de conformidad con el Estatuto 123B.32 de Minnesota.

Do You Know Someone Still Looking for a Great School?

Did you know that over 70% of our families discover TCGIS through word of mouth? Our current parents play a vital role in helping other families find our community! If you know someone who is still looking for a great school, let them know that we are still accepting applications and hosting tours. Email enrollment@tcgis.org to set up a tour or with any enrollment questions.

New and Returning Student Playdate - Aug 22

Help us welcome our new families at our New Family Playdate on Friday, August 22nd, from 4-6 PM at the TCGIS Playground. All are welcome to attend this event. Bring a friend or bring a neighbor! RSVP here.

Parent Council Welcome Back Chalk Decorating

The Parent Council is excited to welcome back students and we would love you to join us! Sunday, August 24 from 1-3 pm we will be chalking the sidewalks and east wall for a cheerful and exciting first day back. Bring your artistic talents (and chalk if you have it) and stay for as long as you can. Everyone is welcome!

We are also starting the search for interested parents from all grade levels to join the council for the 2025/2026 school year. See here for more information. 

We have a year packed with fun and huge support for our school!

• Our first meeting is on Thursday, September 11th at 6pm in the cafeteria. We'll provide Pizza and play Bingo - with plenty of prizes to win. We would love to see you there! We do ask that you RSVP so we know how much pizza to bring. Thanks!
• We want to focus on raising money for Science Kits for all grades this year. These are kits for each kid to use for experiments and engagement. We all love science - learn more here.
• And of course, we are always looking for your help! You don't have to sign up to be an officer to join the PTO. We can use help with Staff Appreciation, Fundraising, Communications, and bookkeeping! The more on the team, the easier and faster it all goes. 

Come to our first meeting with questions or stop us on the school grounds if you see us. You can always email us at tcgispto@gmail.com 

Watch this video to learn more about the PTO.

Note: If you don't see the calendar at the end of your Rundbrief, the message has been clipped and you must click "View entire message" to read the entire Rundbrief. Danke!

Getting Rid of Your Play Kitchen? Donate it to TCGIS!

TCGIS Kindergarten Classrooms are looking for play kitchen sets. If you have one that you are ready to donate please send a photo to info@tcgis.org. Thank you!!

Represent TCGIS at the Columbia Heights Pride!

On September 13th, TCGIS will have a table at the Columbia Heights Pride and are looking for volunteers to sit at our booth! If you are interested click here to sign up!

• First time tabling? No problem! Come talk about TCGIS, help booth visitors with coloring sheets and other activities!

Represent TCGIS at Oktoberfest!

On September 12th and 13th, TCGIS will have a table at the GAI Oktoberfest and are looking for volunteers to sit at our booth! If you are interested click here to sign up!

• First time tabling? No problem! Come talk about TCGIS, help booth visitors with coloring sheets and other activities!

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Committee of the Whole on Aug 14
• Board Meeting on Aug 28

Liederkranz Youth Choir

Join the Liederkranz Youth Choir!

• Students 3-8th Grade

We will prepare two performances at TCGIS. The TCGIS 20th Anniversary Celebration and the Martinstag Celebration. Your student will learn stage presence, vocal techniques, choreography and German repertoire.

• Tuition: $165, includes materials, rehearsals, performances and class sessions
• Meets Thursdays 3:30 to 4:30 in Room 100
• Contact Vienna Community Arts at vcaherbert@gmail.com

GAI Oktoberfest

• September 12 | 4 to 10 PM
• September 13 | 10 AM to 10 PM

Every fall, the Germanic-American Institute transforms into a lively hub of German celebration, hosting St. Paul Oktoberfest on its picturesque grounds. Inspired by the legendary Munich festival — and timed perfectly for Minnesota’s beautiful September weather — it’s two days packed with music, dancing, and mouthwatering German fare.

August 21 - Back to School Night

August 22 - New Family Playdate at TCGIS

August 25 - First Day of School for Grades 1-8

August 27 - First Day of School for Kindergarten



TCGIS Google Calendar