Click below to watch Director Zehnpfennig's message for the week!

In memory of our beloved staff member, Maya Davies

We have received additional details about the memorial services for Maya Davies and would like to share them with our community.

There will be a memorial service for Diana Davies and Maya Davies on September 7, at 3 pm, at picnic shelter 1 at Long Lake Regional Park; 1500 Old Hwy 8, New Brighton. This is near the beach and the main parking area. Please email Kerry Davies if you plan to attend.

TONIGHT: Back to School Night!

Who: ALL families, new and returning!

What: A chance to meet teachers and classmates, find classrooms and lockers, drop off school supplies, and get any last questions answered!

When: Thursday, August 22. Our Sensory Sensitive time will be from 5:00-5:30 for students who are overwhelmed by large crowds and loud noise; we will welcome all other families between 5:30-7:30.

Informational tables will be available for questions throughout the evening, where you’ll also be able to pick up a scavenger hunt activity. We can’t wait to see you there!

School Supply Lists

It's time to get ready for the new school year! Elementary and Middle School Supply lists are located here and on our TCGIS website. TCGIS practices sustainable supply practices and encourages students to reuse old supplies. We are adding an optional supply fee this year to help us cover the costs for German specific supplies we order from Germany.

Used Book Sale - Aug. 22!

Kinderbücher Flohmarkt - Do you need more German books to support your kids' at-home reading? Check out the TCGIS Used Book Sale at Back to School Night on Thurs, Aug. 22 from 5:30-7:30pm in the school atrium. All items are sold on a donation basis. 

Office Closed Tomorrow, August 23

The TCGIS office will be closed Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23 to enable support staff to prepare for the new school year and to participate in all-staff meetings. You are still welcome to email info@tcgis.org.

TOMORROW: Help Us Build our Gaga Ball Pit!

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us assemble the Gaga Ball pit. Here’s what you can expect:

Assist Hausmeister Andy Nesset who will provide guidance, materials, and tools. We will be assembling the pit by putting together the wooden panels and securing them into place with brackets. Wear comfortable clothing and consider bringing work gloves and a water bottle. Click here to sign up!

Update on Fall Enrichment Classes

After-school Enrichment Classes will start again this October! We've got several classes confirmed already, and are looking to add more! If you or someone you know has a hobby or skill they'd like to share, email Hr. Mangan for more information. We are especially looking for parents or community members who can lead groups on the following topics: Chess, Yoga, Arts & Crafts, and Coding.

We have three enrichment classes and more coming soon; currently, we are expecting to be able to hold LEGO Club, Woodworking, and Fantasy Role Playing. Enrichment classes will run one afternoon (3:30-4:30) each week from October 21st to December 20th. 

Registration will begin September 10th and run through September 30th. Expect more information about how to register in this space!

Playground Update and Reminder!

We’re excited to share that our playground revamp is successfully underway, however, there will be a slight delay this week. To ensure the safety of our students, the playground will remain closed until August 30th. During this time, our blacktop will still be available, so dismissal modes, including walking pickups, will continue as usual.

Please note that recess will be a bit different. Instead of using the playground, students will enjoy their recess at Chatsworth Park. This temporary change allows us to ensure that the playground’s new woodchips, arriving on the 30th, are properly installed and ready for safe play.

Thank you for your patience and support during this exciting upgrade. As a reminder, please avoid playing on the playground equipment, including the dome, until the new wood chips are fully in place. Let’s work together to make sure our students stay safe and have a fantastic start to the school year!

Classroom Novels Request!

The 7th & 8th grade English library is looking for more copies of the following novels for book clubs this year - would appreciate any donations of these books. Books do not have to be new - we welcome well-loved, used books! Finally, if you would like to donate other books not on this list, please feel free to reach out to Frau Melk. Vielen Dank!  

Salt to the Sea - by Ruta Septys

To Kill a Mockingbird - by Harper Lee

The Bitter Side of Sweet - by Tara Sullivan

The Hunger Games - by Suzanne Collins

Harbor Me - by Jacqueline Woodson

Dress Codes - by Carrie Firestone

The Outsiders - by S.E. Hinton

The MazeRunner - by James Dashner

Lord of the Flies - by William Golding

Dear Martin - by Nic Stone

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - by Sherman Alexie

Upstander - by James Preller

The Queens of New York - by E.L. Shen

Cuba in my Pocket - by Adrianna Cuevas

Red, White and Whole - by Rajani LaRocca

What About Will - by Ellen Hopkins

Just Mercy - Bryan Stevenson

Band begins Sept. 5!

Band for 6th-8th graders kicks off on September 5th! We’ll be rocking out after school only, with no daytime lessons. But don’t worry, all band students, including our awesome 5th graders, will start their lessons on September 19th.

There's still time to join in the fun! If you're in 5th-8th grade and want to participate, just email Krista for more details.

I’ll also be at Back to School Night on August 22nd from 5-7pm in Room 97. Come by and say hello!

Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Affinity Group SY24-25 Kickoff

Please mark your calendar for the BIPOC affinity group’s fall kickoff event. We will be meeting at the Minneapolis Monarch Festival – Festival de la Monarca on Saturday, September 7th at 1 pm. Meet in front of the performance stage. Please wear TCGIS gear if you have it. More festival information can be found at Minneapolis Monarch Festival.

Get to know other TCGIS community members! TCGIS family/affinity groups are groups for students, parents/caregivers and staff, aimed at bringing together individuals with a common identity to build relationships within a supportive community. These groups support the school’s goal that all members of the TCGIS community feel supported, seen and heard. Find more information on the TCGIS family groups’ webpage.

TCGIS Community Garden - Volunteer Gardeners 

Our TCGIS Community Garden is fully underway! We've had some amazing volunteers keeping it alive and well this summer! We are looking for additional volunteers as we continue the season! We're in the harvesting season so our tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and basil are coming up fast and ready for donation!  This is a great family activity that is quick and can be on your own schedule! Please check out the sign up for more information or contact Terra Erickson!

First PTO Meeting of the Year!

Add our first meeting to your calendar! Saturday, September 21st we are hosting a PIZZA PARTY with BINGO at the school cafeteria at 5pm. It's free. Bring your whole family. We will bring dinner and the fun!

Come Join Our Team!

Are you looking for an awesome way to volunteer, make some new friends and make a big difference at TCGIS? Join us on the PTO! We are still looking for a secretary, and we love for our crew to be huge so you can also join our fundraising team or volunteer to update our website if you have computer skills. Email us and join the party!

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!

Represent TCGIS at the GAI Oktoberfest

TCGIS will be tabling at the Germanic-American Institute’s Oktoberfest on Friday, September 13th and 14th where we will sell school swag, connect with the community, and share our school with interested families. We are looking for volunteers to be at this table for short shifts on Friday or Saturday. Sign up to volunteer here and email Paige Yurczyk with any questions.

Represent TCGIS at Columbia Heights PRIDE

TCGIS will be tabling at the Columbia Heights PRIDE event on September 21st. We are excited to have a booth at this fun event where we will showcase TCGIS' GSA artwork, LGBTQ+ books in German, and a fun craft! Sign up to volunteer here and reach out to Paige Yurczyk with any questions.

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

TCGIS Board Meeting – Thursday, August 29 at 6:30 p.m.; Room 100 

Committee of the Whole – Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m.; Room 100

Governance Meeting – Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 at 4:30 on Google Meets

Join a TCGIS Board Committee!

Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact at TCGIS? Then consider joining a TCGIS Board committee! Board committees are a great way to share your expertise and get to know others at TCGIS. Time commitment is 1-2 hours a month. Learn more by visiting the Board’s table at Back to School night or our website. 

Vienna Community Arts

Fall music lessons begin August 26, 2024. We have openings for piano and classical guitar. Registration for lessons and for Performance Choir is open now.

Choir begins on Thursday, August 29, 3:30 to 4:30. Contact Herbert or Nancy for more details. VCA rents keyboards and string instruments. You don't need to be a student at our studio.

Liederkranz Youth Choir at TCGIS with Herbert!

New season and new program for 3rd to 8th graders! Our choir enters its 3rd year with exciting news! We will add choreography to our song repertoire to become a Youth Show Choir! Frau Emma Theis, the new assistant to Herbert with students to create stage moves. This will add new experience to the children while enhancing our performances. Choir practices will be Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30 pm. Contact Herbert by email or phone.

Fall Samstagsschule for Kids and Teens

Saturday classes start on September 21! Samstagsschule classes incorporate singing, crafts, games, and physical motion along with lessons at an age-appropriate level. For ages 4 to 16, beginners, intermediate, advanced learners and native/heritage speakers. Click here to learn more.

German Heritage Night at the Minnesota Twins

Experience “German Heritage Night” at Target Field on Friday, September 27 when the Twins take on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:10 p.m.

This special “German Heritage Night” ticket package includes your ticket to the game plus an exclusive German Night Twins hat! The night will also include an honorary first pitch by former Twins player and three-time All-Star player Terry Steinbach and New Ulm’s ‘Hermann The German,” and more!

The board’s Diversity & Belonging committee would like to highlight upcoming events in the Twin Cities as opportunities for intercultural engagement- one of our school’s core values. Click here to learn about highlighted events!

Aug 22 - Back to School Night

Aug 26 - First Day of School

Aug 28 - First Day of School for Kindergarten

Aug 29 - TCGIS Board Meeting



TCGIS Google Calendar