ISSUE 487 / February 17, 2022 |
|
Greetings from the Executive Director |
|
Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! Dear TCGIS community,
|
|
Our eighth graders have served as teachers and mentors to our elementary students this week in continued celebration of Black History Month. Throughout the week, eighth-grade students have gone in small groups to K-4 classrooms to present in German on the contributions of Black Americans from past and present. Students also recorded information about their subjects in German that students can hear by scanning a QR code on images posted around the school. |
|
This is a wonderful example of the innovative education that is happening at TCGIS. Celebrating Black History Month in age-appropriate ways is part of the Minnesota State educational standards. Our teachers have found ways to do it that also support German language acquisition and that give our youngest students a chance to interact with our most advanced students and see what awaits them in higher grades.
Herzlich
Kirsten Christensen
|
|
Incident Response Team (IRT) |
|
The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly. |
|
Yesterday’s Weekly Zepto Testing |
We are pleased to report yesterday's weekly testing resulted in zero covid-positive results for the first time. Our weekly positive cases have steadily decreased since the return from winter break. Thank you to everyone who has opted into testing, it has helped us quickly and effectively isolate positive cases and quarantine close contacts. |
|
Test-to-Stay for Unvaccinated Students |
Last week the IRT decided to move to a test to stay for unvaccinated students who are deemed close contacts. Going forward, close contacts who are unvaccinated will not need to quarantine if they test twice after being notified as a close contact. TCGIS will distribute rapid antigen tests to the students to use, though we do strongly recommend testing with a PCR/Molecular test as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to Director of Operations Ashley Weston Miller (awestonmiller@tcgis.org).
|
|
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
|
|
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!
|
|
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders: Safety first, please |
We are noticing an increase in dangerous and inconsiderate behaviors by drivers during drop-off and pick-up times. We will send a more detailed email next Wednesday and we ask that every family read that email before driving students to/from school on Thursday. Until then, please remember:
-
the end of the Van Slyke car pick-up line is on Lexington. Do not enter the car pickup line from Churchill or Horton Streets - there are intentional spaces left to keep the city bus stop, cross-streets, and driveways free - these spaces are not invitations to merge.
-
there are no u-turns on Van Slyke or Como.
-
Please watch out for and respect crossing guards and pedestrians at both crosswalks: on Van Slyke (past the car line) and on Como at Oxford Street.
-
Do not idle, drop-off or park your car anywhere on Como Ave between 7:50-8:15 a.m. and from 3:00-3:30 p.m.. This street should be clear of extra cars to make room for the school buses, crossing pedestrians, and passing cars on Como.
-
Instead, please idle or park on any of the streets perpendicular to Como: Lexington, Churchill, Oxford, Argyle, and Chatsworth (in orange below).
|
|
Kindness and Community are two of our school's values, and Respect and Safety are two of our PBIS expectations, of which all students are aware. Together, we adults can model these important behaviors and keep our kids and families safe during the busy arrival and dismissal periods. |
|
Spring Conferences: Sign-up times now open! |
Spring Conference Dates:
Thursday, March 10 4:30-7:00 PM
Friday, March 11: 8:10 AM-3:30 PM
Conferences this year will be held virtually via Zoom for ALL families. You should have received a Constant Contact email with sign-up information on Wednesday, Feb 16 at 8pm CT (when the window opened).
Sign-up runs through March 2, 8pm CT. Please contact the front office if you did not receive the sign-up email. |
|
The Parent Council (PC) met on Monday, February 15th via Zoom. Highlights include meeting with Middle School Dean Elizabeth Zehnpfennig to discuss items such as:
- alternative Capstone plans
- recess and bringing field trips back
- Behavior Preventative Measures implementation with 5th & 6th graders
Board Liaison Silke Moeller also attended and encouraged parents to volunteer for the School Board.
Click here to read the full recap. If you have any questions or anything you’d like the Parent Council to address, please email your class representative or the full PC at parent-council@tcgis.org.
|
|
Order your Immer Sports Gear on Boonli!
|
We have TCGIS Sports gear for our teams and families!
The sweatshirts and water bottles are now in production and will take a few weeks to arrive. Sweatshirt orders made before February 28 are guaranteed correct sizes. The beanies, masks and buff are already at TCGIS and will be handed out soon after ordering. Order all of your TCGIS sports gear on Boonli!
For those families who qualified for free/reduced lunch benefits for school year 2021-2022, there is an automatic discount in Boonli.
|
|
Please log into your Popsicle account and click on Receipts. You can conveniently print your tax receipts directly from there. Please contact mbromenschenkel@tcgis.org if a signature is needed. Thank you! |
|
We will be playing Virtual Bingo on Saturday, February 26th 10am-11:30am for our Game Day. There will be prizes! Look here for the link next week. |
|
Call for Nominations & Applications for the School Board |
By serving on the School Board, YOU can help our school, strengthen connections within our community, and make important decisions that affect the future. The work of the Board ensures that TCGIS provides a meaningful education and experience for all students. The Board represents the entire TCGIS community, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQ, and families with neuro-diversity are especially encouraged to apply.
This year, the community will elect four parent board members to each serve a three year term. We seek any interested persons, especially those with experience in financial compliance, education, board governance, legal matters, management and leadership, and marketing and development.
If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate someone to serve, all details and forms are available on this document. You do not need to be nominated to apply.
|
|
TCGIS Day at Trollhaugen: Last day to register! |
What: The annual family ski event is back, join us over mid-winter break for a fun day of skiing! Meet at the ski resort around 9:30 to pick up your lift tickets and rentals. The ski hill opens at 10:00. Lessons are included with paid lift tickets, but are only offered in the morning. We will have an area in the lower level of the chalet roped off for our group.
When: Tuesday, February 22nd 9:30-3:00
Where: Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area - 2232 100th Ave, Dresser, WI 54009
Cost:
- Lift tickets for ages 7+ (lessons included) = $19
- Lift ticket for ages 6 and under (no lesson) = Free
- Beginner group lesson for ages 6 and under = $10
- Youth Equipment Rental = $10
- Adult Equipment Rental = $22
Must register by 2/17/2022 at 8:00 pm in Cheddar Up, be sure to answer the questions for each person you are registering. If you wish to participate but the fees are a barrier, please contact Jacquie who can get you signed up. |
|
Support the 8th Grade class trip & the GACC! |
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 20 from 2-5 pm! Join us for a joint TCGIS and German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) fundraising event at Yoerg Brewing Company to benefit the TCGIS 8th grade class trip. Come for great food, beer and socializing with fellow TCGIS families and members of the GACC. Special thanks to Yoerg’s—named for the Bavarian immigrant who established the first commercial brewery in the state of Minnesota—for supporting this effort! More details to come. |
|
Kinderclub is looking for additional staff to hire, mainly for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00pm-6:00pm. German knowledge is preferred, but not needed!
|
|
Summer Camp 2022 Registration now open |
Summer Camp Registration is now open! You can find all information including Summer Camp Lead Bio's, the link to our Summer Camp Handbook, Summer Camp descriptions and more on our TCGIS website. |
|
High School Panel: Submit your Questions! |
Please add any questions to this form that you may have for our TCGIS alums on our High School Panel Night on Thursday, February 24th at 7pm.
A High School panel of TCGIS alumni will be presenting with representation from Central in St. Paul, St. Louis Park and Edison in Minneapolis. The panel will provide insight into the transition from TCGIS to high school, as well as inform families about a few of the high schools that our students plan to attend next fall. Parents and students are invited.
Meeting ID: 813 8122 1423
Passcode: 388462
|
|
You still have time to buy a grad ad for your 8th grader! Our ads sales got extended to February 17th. Create and buy your ad here.
|
|
School Board Announcements |
|
The School Board is publicly recognizing and celebrating TCGIS colleagues with milestone years of service at the February 24 board meeting. To celebrate the contributions and dedication of TCGIS educators and staff, the Board will present awards to commemorate milestones of 3, 5, and 10 years of service!
All honorees, all staff, parents and students are invited to attend the beginning of the Board meeting for this recognition of TCGIS colleagues.
We also invite you to congratulate the honorees with a personal written message and pictures on this form by tonight midnight. All well wishes from colleagues and families will be shared with honorees at the February 24 Board meeting. Please feel free to sign one, several, or all! And please sign your name at the end of your comments. Thank you for helping us celebrate these incredible milestones!
|
|
BIPOC affinity group: Hidden Figures Movie @ Grandview Cinema, Feb. 26 at 10:00 a.m. |
|
To celebrate Black History Month, the BIPOC family affinity group is gathering for a private showing of the movie Hidden Figures (PG) at Grandview Cinema on Saturday, February 26 at 10 am. The event is sponsored by TCGIS and is FREE to attend. Please RSVP by the 18th here. We also have BIPOC affinity group circle discussions for both adults and kids scheduled for March 24 at 6pm, led by Amazeworks facilitators. Read more about the details and RSVP here.
|
|
The proposed 22-23 calendar was reviewed at the last board meeting and will be considered for approval at the Feb 24 board meeting. Calendar changes include a reduction of early release days from 9 to 3, the addition of Yom Kippur, Eid Al-Fitr and the day after Halloween as no-school/professional development days, and no school the week of Thanksgiving with professional development and conferences scheduled that Monday and Tuesday. Please email public comment regarding the calendar to the school board. |
|
Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings |
|
The board of directors meets twice a month at the Committee of the Whole and the Regular Board meetings, both public meetings. All are invited to attend school board and board committee meetings. It’s a great way to stay engaged and informed regarding the governance of our public charter school and independent school district. Upcoming meetings and their agendas are listed below. Zoom links are available on the agendas and on the online school calendar.
February Board Meeting: Thurs., Feb. 24, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Communication & Outreach Cmte: Wed., Mar. 9, 8:30 AM; Agenda
Governance & Leadership Dev. Cmte: Mon., Mar. 14, 4:30 PM; Agenda
Diversity & Belonging Cmte: Tue., Mar. 15, 3:45 PM; Agenda
Cmte of the Whole: Wed., Mar. 23, 6:30 PM; Agenda
March Board Meeting: Thurs., Mar. 31, 6:30 PM
|
|
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. |
|
February 21-23: Midwinter Break
February 24: Annual Service Awards Recognition
February 24: HS Panel for 8th grade families
February 26: PTO Virtual Bingo
March 10 & 11: Spring conferences
March 14: No School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
