ISSUE 478 / December 2, 2021 |
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Greetings from the Executive Director |
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Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! Dear TCGIS community,
As we communicated on Monday evening, after consultation with officials from the Minnesota Department of Health that afternoon (the soonest we were able to connect with them after the holiday break), we felt confident that we could return to in-person learning on Tuesday. Please look for a more detailed communication later this evening on that decision and on our continued efforts to prioritize in-person learning by prioritizing mitigation efforts. They are directly linked.
I am always grateful for questions, concerns, and messages of support from parents, caregivers, and students, but especially in the past week. Your input guides the questions we ask and the communication we provide. Thank you for your engagement and partnership.
herzlich,
Kirsten Christensen
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Incident Response Team (IRT) |
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The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly. |
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Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at TCGIS |
Thursday, December 9 from 4pm - 8pm (Dose #1 or #2)
We will again be hosting a Cub Pharmacy Covid-19 vaccination clinic. Parents of children who received their first dose on November 18 should have already received an email from Dani Nicholson regarding dose #2. If you believe you should have been notified and were not, please email Dani asap (dnicholson@tcgis.org).
If you would like to schedule a FIRST dose of the Pediatric Covid-19 vaccine, you may register here using TCGIS’ zip code 55103. We have been advised that there will be times available for first doses and Cub Pharmacy will work with you individually to set up the second vaccine. It is helpful to complete this Informed Consent to Receive Vaccines (pdf) prior to arriving at the vaccination clinic.
If changes need to be made to an appointment, it is important to cancel any appointment and reschedule using the Login button on the registration page. This will ensure we can help serve as many families as possible. Scheduling closes 24 hours prior to the vaccine clinic.
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Please enter ONLY through the doors on Van Slyke Avenue. Kinderclub staff will redirect families who arrive at other entrances to the Van Slyke entrance. Consider parking on Van Slyke Avenue for easy and convenient access.
The clinic will be in the lower hallway and we ask that you exit through the east doors onto the playground. Please note: the playground is closed until 6 p.m. when Kinderclub ends.
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Free Weekly COVID Testing at TCGIS |
We continue to offer PCR testing with Zepto Life Technology on Tuesday mornings at TCGIS. If you would like to sign your child up for testing, please complete the Zepto Registration and Consent Form, and TCGIS Consent Form. These can be emailed to dnicholson@tcgis.org or turned in at the front office. To be included in the upcoming week’s testing, forms should ideally be received the preceding Friday at noon.
If you prefer to test on your own, we encourage you to use the Vault at-home tests. They are free of charge, easy to order and use. You do need to have internet access to use the Vault home tests. You may also use the Minnesota Department of Health Testing Location finder to locate PCR testing near to you. Scroll to below the map and add your information using the drop-down menus. Be aware that the “Provider Testing Sites” may have costs associated with testing.
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Return to school after travel out of state/country |
Breaks and holiday travels are coming up, so we would like to remind you of our procedures concerning return to school after traveling:
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Non vaccinated students can return to school after receiving a negative PCR test result. They should remain home till they have the test result.
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Fully vaccinated students (14 days after their second shot) and students that had a positive test result within 90 days prior (after their isolation period) are welcome to return, a PCR test is strongly recommended.
If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC: Travel to help you decide what is best for you and your family.
- CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated and provides testing recommendations for those who are planning to travel.
- Masks are mandatory on public transportation, including buses and airplanes.
If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households and potentially from different parts of the country, you should consider some additional precautions prior to gathering (e.g., lay low before you go, avoid crowded indoor spaces, get tested) to further reduce risk.
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COVID-19 Updates Available on IRT Webpage |
In order to shorten the Rundbrief, we will prioritize new items for this newsletter and link to our Incident Response Team Updates webpage so you can reference past updates more efficiently:
- Updated Quarantine Procedures
- Updated MDH Decision Tree
- Weekly COVID-Testing at TCGIS
- Keep Sick Kids Home this School Year
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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 see the full email. Danke!
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PTO News: Don't Miss Tonight's Meeting! |
For tonight's meeting, we will be joined by the Dean of Academic Support, Esther Neu, who will present about Testing and Assessments. This will be a great overview for new families and a great refresher for seasoned TCGIS families. We will start promptly at 6:30pm.
Meeting ID: 841 5902 6960, Passcode: 644602
Plant and Strudel pick up is today from 3-6PM! We will be in the West Parking Lot Entrance.
Next Wednesday is our big holiday luncheon for staff. We are having the lunch catered but we would love some help providing some desserts and drinks if you can! Snack fund link here.
Our Simpls fundraiser is going through December 18th. Simpls is a local business making fresh soup and pizza using local, organic and sustainable ingredients. Remember to use Promo Code TCGIS2021!
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Kinderclub CLOSED Friday Afternoon, Dec. 3rd |
Kinderclub is CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, December 3rd in the AFTERNOON (not morning) for Staff Training. Please make sure your PikMyKid is updated to the correct dismissal. |
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Dear Kinderclub Parents,
In addition to updating Pikmykid, please send an email to mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org or kinderclub@tcgis.org if your child will be absent from before or after care. Searching for absent children can result in program interruptions for staff and other children, creates chaos and takes staff away from supervising students.
If Staff is not notified about an absence 3 consecutive times, and have to attempt to locate your child, a $10 finders fee will be charged.
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Shop for books in German at our Online Winter Book Fair! |
From December 3-12th, families can shop for books in the German language! To place an order, visit our Online Winter Book Fair page. Each item has the option of donating to our annual fund, which directly supports our library!
Orders are estimated to arrive by March 1st, 2022, (just in time for our Lesemarathon (read-a-thon)!) and will be picked up at TCGIS.
Not sure about your student(s)' reading level? Here is a general guide to the reading levels in our school library. Your teacher may also have a good idea of their level(s). If you have any questions, please email our library coordinator, Frau Zimmerman. |
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TCGIS Calendar Survey for School Year 2022/23 |
Please give us feedback to help inform next year's school calendar by taking this survey. Topics include PD days, early release days, and breaks. Vielen Dank! |
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Student Names in the Yearbook |
It's the time of the year when we are working on the yearbook. On the portrait pages we will print a picture of your child, along with their first and last name. If you want to have a different name than your child's birth name printed, then please fill out this survey by Friday, December 10th. You don’t have to fill it out if you want to have your child’s birth name printed in the yearbook. Thank you!
Want to get a recognition ad for your 8th grader? Get it here!
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Global Minnesota in our Classrooms |
Merengue, Dominican Carnival, and Morir soñando. Not the typical words that describe a German classroom but topics that our 7th graders learned about in the last two weeks. Through the non-profit organization Global Minnesota, the 7th grade German classroom got some Caribbean flair and was able to connect with an exchange student from the U of M. Rosanna, who is from the Dominican Republic, visited our students twice to teach them about her country and culture.
Thank you to Rosanna and Global Minnesota for this unique opportunity to learn more about a foreign country and culture.
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Registration Open for Winter Enrichment Classes |
Registration is now OPEN for the winter session of Enrichment Classes! The winter session will run from January 3rd to March 25th. There will be no classes the week of Midwinter Break (Feb 21-25) or the week of conferences (March 7-11).
Registration is via the online platform Popsicle. If you do not already have a Popsicle account, you will need to make one. All information is on the Enrichment Classes webpage, or feel free to email nkaplan@tcgis.org with any questions.
Through Popsicle, you will be able to register your children for classes and pay for them all online. You will be able to view dates, locations, and instructors for all classes as well as a calendar view of your children's schedule. When the class is full, it will close automatically. The registration deadline is Friday, December 10th at 6:00 pm.
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Due to changes in FCC guidelines, we cannot send you texts without your permission. You can opt-in by going to your Infinite Campus account and changing your communication preferences. We rarely send texts, but they are very useful with the snowy season upon us!
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Retake Photos are Ready to View and Order |
School retake photos are now ready!
Event Code: FE77121
If your photos are not appearing in your gallery, find your student using event code FE77121.
Did you know?
- You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and text
- Photos are shipped directly to your home
- High-res digital downloads are available
- If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay once
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Carpooling Map Opt-in Form is Open |
There are now 54 families who have opted in to using this Google form to participate in the 2021 Carpooling Map.
to / from school? Fill out this Google form. From now until our bus service returns to 4 bus routes, we will share the link to the unlisted Google map with those who have opted in (through the form).
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School Board Announcements |
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The Board of Directors met on Tuesday, November 30th, and recognized some of our amazing volunteers and staff - the presentation summarizing the recognition can be viewed here. The Director of Special Education, Mandy Kasowicz, gave a presentation about How SPED is serving the TCGIS mission and vision. Executive Director Christensen spoke about the recent Incident Response Team evaluation and decision to continue in-person learning. She also provided several administrative updates. The results of the annual financial audit were presented by the auditor. The board voted to approve the creative brief for the TCGIS Brand Refresh. Thank you to everyone who joined us. The recording of the board meeting is available here.
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School Board Information on the TCGIS website |
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Please see the Board’s website for information about how to volunteer on committees, attend monthly board meetings or watch recordings, and be engaged and informed regarding the governance of our public charter school and independent school district. All board meetings and committee meetings are on the online school calendar. |
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Holiday Open House at the GAI this Weekend |
Saturday & Sunday, December 4th and 5th
11 AM to 4 PM both days
The GAI annual Holiday Open Haus returns and everyone is welcome to experience some of the traditional aspects of German Christmas—Lebkuchen cookies baked by the GAI Damenklub, Haus brewed Glühwein (mulled wine), and seasonal goods for sale.
For the kids, there will be craft activities in the Rathskeller and German model trains in the ballroom. The Minnesänger choir will perform German carols on Saturday at noon.
In Weihnachtsmarkt style, RJ’s Meats bratwurst, GAI Glühwein, Paulaner beer, Aki’s pretzels, Black Forest Inn cakes, and more will be sold and enjoyed outside. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Join us for this festive weekend! More information here. |
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Kinderstube German@home Winter Semester
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Kinderstube German@home is an online, self-paced German language program offering fun activities for kids and caregivers to do together. We are enrolling new students for the winter semester starting January 17.
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German Tutors for TCGIS Students |
TCGIS has built a list of local university/college students interested in virtual private tutoring in German for TCGIS students. We update this Google spreadsheet of tutors regularly. Learn more here. |
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December 2: Virtual PTO Meeting, 6:30PM
December 3: Kinderclub closed after school only
December 3-12: Online German Book Fair
December 4 & 5: Holiday Open Haus at the GAI
December 8: Early Release Day
December 20-31: Winter Break
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