Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 

I hope this message finds you well. As we conclude the first week of the new school year, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support and enthusiasm. Witnessing the hallways, playground, lunchroom and classrooms brimming with energy and eager faces of young learners has been a heartwarming experience. Our dedicated TCGIS team has been hard at work, ensuring a smooth transition for your children. We’ve focused not only on establishing routines and fostering relationships and a positive classroom environment, but also on nurturing each child’s unique self. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education. We’re excited about the growth, discoveries and German language development that the coming weeks will bring.

Here's to a year filled with learning, friendship and achievement!

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Principal

The TCGIS board of directors convenes tonight in Room 100 at TCGIS. All are welcome to attend this public meeting. Please RSVP to help in planning space and agenda timing.

This evening we have the honor of State Representative Athena Hollins conducting the oath of office ceremony. Rep. Hollins is the representative for TCGIS’s district 66B and we are excited to foster this relationship. Also on the agenda is the special recognition of nominated volunteers and staff. The board will hear reports from the Principal and the Executive Director. Several policies are on the agenda for approval and the board committee chairs and liaisons for this school year will be established. 

Opt-In Family Contact List

In order to facilitate communication between families such as playdates or birthdays we offer an opt-in family contact list by grade level. Elternkontakte (parent contacts, or EK's) for each grade maintain their lists and parents are welcome to add or edit their information throughout the school year.

Parents are not obliged to share contact information at all, and if you choose to share your contact information, you may freely decide which details to include. Please enter only those contact details that you would like to share with other parents in your student's GRADE.

Parents with more than one child at TCGIS: please complete this form one time for EACH child of yours at TCGIS. This will ensure that each of your children appear on their respective grade list.

Students will start coming into the library to check out books the week of September 18th. Your student's classroom teacher will know on what day of the week your student will come into the library. Please make sure your student returns all books that were checked out during the summer or last school year. It is a good idea to dedicate a space in your home for books from the school library. This makes it easier for you to find books when it is time to return them. 

Frau Walz and Frau Stegmann are looking forward to seeing students in the library again! Questions? Email library@tcgis.org

We're noticing lost items already without student names. Please label all student clothing that can be removed (shoes, jackets, long-sleeve shirts) as well as lunchboxes, snackboxes, water bottles and backpacks with student first AND last name. When items are labeled our staff can help return them to your child and together we can significantly reduce our Lost & Found. Danke!

The Minnesota State Fair’s coolest math-themed installation will have a TCGIS connection this year as Math On-A-Stick hosts TCGIS teacher Luc Janssen as a Visiting Mathematician. He will be doing demonstrations of his fully mechanical calculator made out of K’nex on Saturday, September 2 from 10am to 2pm. Come say hi and learn how his contraption works!

It is time for another round of Enrichment Classes! We are looking for instructors who are interested in leading an activity. Click here for more info.

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!

Elternkontakte (parent contacts), or EKs, are parent volunteers who provide an additional communication channel between the teacher(s) and the parents in their child(ren)'s homeroom/grade. 

Each homeroom and grade-level have 1-3 EKs who work together to support the class or grade-level teachers, connect parents with each other and help strengthen our community. Managing the voluntary grade-level Family Contact List is also an important part of the EKs role. 

Much of this fun volunteer position can be done remotely since it primarily consists of communicating via email. If you're interested in volunteering as an EK this year, please fill out this brief form. Vielen Dank!

We are looking for people who are interested in participating in the LGBTQIA+ affinity group to share experiences, give advice, and build community. We are trying to establish regular meetings including a get-back-to-school event for families to connect. Please reach out to Kris Cramer if you are interested or have any questions.

TCGIS is a thriving school community whose mission is enhanced by many dedicated volunteers, including our Board of Directors. Please consider contributing your talents and expertise to the Board by serving on one of our subcommittees. While the time commitment is minimal (1-3 hours monthly), the impact on our school is significant! Click here for more info.

We are excited to kick off the school year with a potluck gathering on Saturday, September 30, from 5:00-8:00pm at the Como Park Firepits. This is an opportunity to build community among BIPOC families and we especially want to welcome new BIPOC families to the TCGIS community. Please RSVP here and indicate what category of food you’d like to bring. Weather permitting, we’ll have a bonfire, yardgames, and the playground is just up the hill.

Board Meeting: Thurs., Aug. 31 - 6:30PM - Room 100 & Zoom

Finance Meeting: TBD

Cmte of the Whole: Thurs., Sept. 14 - 6:30PM

Governance Meeting: Mon., Sept. 18 - 4:30PM - Google Meet

Diversity & Belonging Meeting: Tues., Sept. 19 - 6:00PM Google Meet

Girl Scout Troop #57317 at TCGIS is getting ready for its ninth year. We are a multi-level troop of students in K-8, as well as a group of 9th-and 10th-grade TCGIS alums. We have fun, learn new things, and serve our communities. If you have a child who is interested, please contact the leader team at tcgisgirlscouts@gmail.com. Any age or grade can join at any time. We are also always interested in having volunteers and people who can share a special skill or activity with one or more of our program levels. Let us know if you can help!

Celebrate German food, drink, and culture at our two-day festival on the beautiful grounds of the Germanic-American Institute. Enjoy non-stop entertainment for all ages! Try Burbach’s potato pancakes or Schnitzel sandwiches, visit Gerhard’s Würstelstand or try the Currywurst and more from German Brat Haus. For a snack, KCM egg rolls or Aki’s pretzels go perfectly with beer! For dessert, the GAI Damenklub will be serving Kaffee und Kuchen.

St. Paul Oktoberfest is the GAI’s largest fundraiser—by attending, you’ll be supporting our cultural events and language classes throughout the year. Learn more at gaimn.org/oktoberfest

NEW! Kick-off event for registered students on September 16 - Classes start on September 23. 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. Learn more at https://www.gaimn.org/kids/

Hosted by the Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies and Global Minnesota, this special program will feature the work of German experts, each with decades of study and service in confronting extremism. They will explore approaches to strengthening civil society, building resilient communities, creating alternatives for at-risk youth, countering extremist narratives, protecting minorities, and helping partners around the world build their capacity to do the same. This free event is being held in-person and is open to everyone. Click here for tickets and more info.

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

TCGIS is looking for members of our community who currently have or would be willing to obtain a Short Call Sub License through the State of Minnesota. The minimum requirements for a sub license are a Bachelor's Degree in any field. There is also an application fee of $90.00. Please direct any interest to employment@tcgis.org

Kinderclub is looking for multiple additional Staff members. If you are interested or know anyone looking for a part time job, please email Michaela Bromenschenkel (mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org).

We are looking for 1-2 basketball coaches for the winter season (December - February) for our 5th & 6th grade and 7th & 8th grade teams. For more information, check out our website and the job description. Email Athletic Director Tabisz (ctabisz@tcgis.org) with any questions you might have.

Students grades 3-8 are invited to join our choir for another year of happy singing and performing in German, Thursdays 3:15-4:30pm. First practice is Sept. 7. For more info call Herbert at 612-505-2892 or email at vcaherbert@gmail.com

Vienna Community Arts provides lessons in piano, violin, ukulele, and classical guitar. Lessons are onsite at TCGIS during afterschool hours. Contact Nancy at 612-505-2883 or Herbert at 612-505-2892 or email infoviennarts@gmail.com. Visit our website at www.artsvienna.org

The TCGIS Math team offers regular practices and opportunities for students to compete against other schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The team is open to all 6-8th grade TCGIS middle school students of all abilities. Click here for more info.

September 4: Labor Day (No School)

September 8 & 9: Oktoberfest at the GAI

September 25: PD Day (No School)



TCGIS Google Calendar