ISSUE 484 / January 27, 2022 |
|
Greetings from the Executive Director |
|
Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! Dear TCGIS community,
|
|
This week is Paraprofessional Recognition Week, as declared by Governor Tim Walz, and I am happy to highlight the work of TCGIS’s amazingly dedicated team of ten Educational Assistants (EAs). Our EAs work alongside teachers throughout the school to assist students in small-group or one-on-one settings to enhance instruction, support activities, and contribute in many ways to student success. Our EAs’ careful attention to building trusting relationships with students and working collaboratively with teachers contributes every day to making TCGIS a place where students can meet their full academic and social-emotional potential. I am honored to work alongside them.
Let me end on an important historical note: Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly, to mark the date of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 77 years ago. We mourn and honor the six million Jewish and millions of other lives lost to Nazi aggression. This day aims, in particular, to promote education to prevent future genocides. I am grateful for the Holocaust education that is unfolding in TCGIS classrooms currently, and pleased that we will have the opportunity later this spring, in collaboration with the Jewish Community Resource Center, to host the exhibit “Transfer of Memory” to honor Minnesota Holocaust survivors. I will share more as the date approaches.
Herzlich,
Kirsten Christensen
|
|
Incident Response Team (IRT) |
|
The IRT tracks COVID cases in this dashboard which will be shared weekly. |
|
IMPORTANT: Updated Isolation Guidelines |
This more conservative approach acknowledges the fact that students must be unmasked at snack and lunch time, along with other implementation challenges.
Close contacts required to quarantine will continue to follow CDC guidance.
As always, students or staff who feel sick should stay home and get tested before coming to school.
Isolation Period Update for Students
Isolation is used to separate people with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 from others.
The most recent CDC guidance allows for a 5-day isolation period for individuals who test positive, followed by 5 days of strict mask wearing around others. CDC and MDH have indicated that these guidelines do apply to the school setting, while also acknowledging that the realities of the school setting make implementation nearly impossible.
After consultation with our MDH team, we have determined that it is in the best interest of the school community to return to a 10-day isolation period for students who test positive for COVID-19. This more conservative approach acknowledges the fact that students must be unmasked at snack and lunch time, along with other implementation challenges.
Staff who test positive may return to school after a 5-day isolation if they are symptom free. On days 6-10, staff must remain strictly masked throughout the day (as always) and eat away from others.
Quarantine duration (for close contacts) will continue to follow CDC guidelines.
Please refer to the graphic below for an at-a-glance guide to isolation and quarantine.
|
|
Strongly Recommend Weekly Testing at TCGIS |
If your student is not signed up for our weekly testing program at TCGIS, please consider signing them up. Testing is a strong mitigation we have available as the Omicron variant continues to spread in our community. Weekly testing can pick up asymptomatic individuals, limiting the potential spread at TCGIS.
In order for your student to participate in onsite testing we will need a signed parent consent form and a completed Zepto registration form (without these completed forms, your student will not be tested). Please also see this FAQ. If you have any questions about the testing process, please email Dani Nicholson, our Covid-19 Testing Coordinator at dnicholson@tcgis.org.
|
|
Reminder: Please keep your students home if they are not feeling well |
As we return to school after winter break, please remember to keep your students home if they are not feeling well. Not only are we seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases but we are also seeing an increase in other illnesses. We can help to keep our community healthy by staying home when we are not well. |
|
Talk to your students about properly wearing their masks |
Please remind your students of the importance of wearing their masks above their nose all day long. Please send your students to school with well fitting face masks and extras. Many students choose to switch their masks after recess and lunch, send at least two masks a day whenever possible.
|
|
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!
|
|
Winter screening is right around the corner! |
Universal screening for all students will begin on Monday, January 31st and will continue until Friday, February 18th. Universal screening is an important part of our multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) framework at TCGIS. It allows us to identify those students who are on-track to meet grade-level standards in reading and math, and also to identify those students who may need some additional support to meet grade-level goals by the end of the year.
Students in every grade level will participate in at least one assessment so that we can learn more about their current skills and knowledge. Click here for a brief summary by grade level. This year there is a newly added German reading comprehension assessment (ELFE II). We have added this assessment to better guide decision-making for our middle school students around needed German literacy supports. |
|
High School Panel for 8th Grade Families |
Save the date! We will have a High School panel of TCGIS alumni on February 24th at 7pm on Zoom. There will be 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. Students and parents will receive a survey to capture questions ahead of this date.
Meeting ID: 813 8122 1423
Passcode: 388462
|
|
Early release Fridays: enrichment classes moved to 1pm |
With the recent schedule change, Fantasy Role Playing and Space Searching WILL still be happening on the Early Release Fridays (1/28, 2/4, and 2/11). We will be changing the time to accommodate the early release schedule, so Friday Enrichment Classes will be from 1 pm to 2 pm on Early Release days.
This means that you should delegate your child to ""After School Enrichment Class"" in PikMyKid, as usual, and plan to pick up at 2:00 pm in the school lobby (unless your child is going to Kinderclub afterwards). Please contact Natalie Kaplan with any questions. |
|
Join us on Tuesday, February 22nd for our TCGIS Family Ski Day at Trollhaugen - a fun day for the whole family! Ski lessons and rentals available. Sign up here. More information available here. |
|
Registration for Summer Camps opens on February 1st at 8:00am. If you don't have a Popsicle account you can create one here. Please contact Michaela Bromenschenkel if you receive Free/Reduced lunches for your discount code. You can find the weekly schedule and camp descriptions here.
|
|
Coaches wanted for outdoor track-and-field |
TCGIS is looking for 1-2 assistant coaches for Outdoor Track-and-Field, preferably with experience in jumping, sprinting and/or hurdling. The teams are open to all middle school students. Compensation is $1,000 per season.
The season starts at the end of March and runs through early June.
Practices are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with several meets throughout the season.
Coaching duties and requirements:
- coach 2 of 3 practices per week after school (3:30 - 5 PM)
- coach at the meets
- drive self to and from meets at different Twin Cities locations (or carpool with other coaches)
- have knowledge of and/or experience with the rules of track-and-field (preferably jumping, sprinting and/or hurdling)
- attend an end-of-season party and award ceremony at TCGIS
Previous experience in coaching is preferred but not required. If you are interested, please contact Herr Tabisz by FRIDAY, February 4, to set up a time to talk further. Coaching job preference will be given to the most qualified individual. |
|
Ultimate frisbee coach needed |
TCGIS is looking for an ultimate frisbee coach for our Spring intramural team. The season starts in late March and runs through early June. Practices are on Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 - 5PM.
Coaching duties and requirements:
- coach two practices per week after school (Wednesdays & Fridays from 3:30 - 5 PM) at Como Park.
- bring equipment to and from practices
- communicate updates weekly via email with students and parents/guardians
- have knowledge of and/or experience with ultimate frisbee
- attend an end-of-season party and award ceremony at TCGIS
Previous experience in coaching is preferred but not required. If you are interested, please contact Kevin Tocko to set up a time to talk further. |
|
8th Grade Parents: Last chance to get a grad ad! |
Get a grad ad for your 8th grader! Submissions are due by January 29, 2022. Click here for more information and create an ad now. |
|
Family Support Night: "What Boundaries?"
|
Our TCGIS Parent Council is putting on a Family Support Night! Dr. Susan Walker, Associate Professor of Family Social Sciences from the University of Minnesota will be presenting the topic "What Boundaries?" on February 1st at 7:30 p.m.
Join us to explore how we can reclaim some boundaries in our lives, find a little peace and fun, and recharge (not the phone). Along the way, we'll talk about the devices and tech in our lives and in the lives of our children: the good, the bad, and the necessary. Maybe we can find ways to make tech a little more intentional and a lot more positive.
|
Tuesday, February 1st at 7:30PM
Meeting ID: 895 1701 6841
Passcode: 997367
|
|
Will you have a NEW student in 2022-2023? |
Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is now open! If you have a NEW student who will attend TCGIS in the 2022-2023 school year, please submit an application for admission online or by sending a paper application. The enrollment window is open until the deadline on February 16, 2021. Siblings of currently-attending TCGIS students receive sibling preference for enrollment; for more information about TCGIS' enrollment process, please visit our enrollment webpage. Please direct any questions to enrollment@tcgis.org. Currently-enrolled students do not need to reapply.
|
|
School Tours for Prospective Families in Jan./Feb. |
Do you have friends and neighbors who are curious about TCGIS? Encourage them to sign up for a school tour in January or February! We are accepting applications for all grades for 2022/23; the application deadline for our lottery is Feb. 16.
Personal recommendations from TCGIS families are our strongest recruitment tool. Thank you for sharing what you love about TCGIS with friends and neighbors!
|
|
Register for TCGIS Spring Sports! |
Registration for TCGIS Spring Sports will be open on Popsicle from February 1 until February 15. All middle schoolers are welcome to sign up. TCGIS athletic calendars are designed so that students may participate in more than one sport per season.
Interscholastic Sports:
Intramural Sports:
Payment required at time of registration per sport per athlete: $150*
*Finances should not be a factor in deciding to participate in TCGIS athletic teams. If finances are a concern, please contact Coach Tabisz BEFORE registering because payment is required at the time of registration.
|
|
Summer Track and Field Registration opens February 1st |
Payment required at time of registration per sport per athlete: $100*
*Finances should not be a factor in deciding to participate in TCGIS athletic teams. If finances are a concern, please contact Coach Tabisz BEFORE registering because payment is required at the time of registration.
With questions, please contact Athletic Coordinator Chris Tabisz.
|
|
School Board Announcements |
|
School Board Meeting Tonight |
|
The TCGIS Board of Directors will convene tonight at 6:30 pm via Zoom for its regular monthly meeting. The Board will recognize and thank TCGIS union leadership, families hosting TCGIS interns, and the special education advisory committee (SEAC) leadership. The board will hear a report from the Executive Director including updates on math curriculum, proposed school calendar for next year, and more. The board will consider the administration's request for March 14th to be a no-school all-staff compensation day.
|
|
Campus Planning Subcommittee- Volunteer opportunity |
|
Would you love to see TCGIS campus improvements such as new playground features, more durable playground surface, air conditioning and new roof for the original classroom building, updated student restrooms, and new pipes? What about solar panels? From visible and exciting to essential and routine, these projects and so much more are on our radar, and we need to create a thoughtful plan. Help us determine opportunities, priorities, affordability, budget, and timeline. From short term to long term, this group will recommend a campus improvement plan to the board. We’ll meet every 1-2 months by Zoom at a time that works for our volunteers. Add your name to this list if you’re interested, and we’ll contact you!
|
|
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 February 17. 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 family affinity group upcoming events |
|
We have several upcoming BIPOC family affinity group events scheduled, including an outdoor meet-up at the Vulcan Snowpark snow sculptures and maze, a private showing of the movie Hidden Figures at Grandview cinema, and a circle group discussion with Amazeworks facilitators. Read more about the details and RSVP here. We will monitor the public health situation and reschedule indoor events as necessary.
|
|
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.
January Board Meeting: Thurs., Jan. 27, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Fundraising Cmte: Tues., Feb. 1, 8:30 AM; Agenda
Mission & School Culture Cmte: Wed., Feb. 2, 3:45 PM; Agenda
Governance & Leadership Dev. Cmte: Date: TBD; Agenda
Finance Cmte: Tues., Feb. 15, 6:30 PM; Agenda
Cmte of the Whole: Thur., Feb. 17, 6:30 PM; Agenda
February Board Meeting: Thurs., Feb. 24, 6:30 PM;
|
|
Tuesdays beginning February 8 | 6:30–8 PM
Es war einmal…Once upon a time....
Fairy tales are a part of our growing up. In this course, students will read and listen to all sorts of fairy tales and discuss the variety of typical fairy tale characters and tropes. We will dissect why these stories are so important for children and adults alike and talk about our favorite stories. For level B1 and above. Register here. |
|
Samstagsschule at the GAI
|
Online classes begin February 5 | In-person classes are postponed to February 12
Kids are immersed in the German language while participating in activities such as singing, crafts, games, and physical motion, along with age-appropriate language lessons. We offer beginning to advanced levels for all ages and classes are offered online and in person. There's still time to sign up! |
|
Kinoabend at Trylon Cinema
|
Thursday, February 17 | 7 PM
Hello Again— Ein Tag Für Immer, a German rom-com from 2020, has been rescheduled to February 17. Billed as Groundhog Day meets My Best Friend's Wedding, Zazie is trying to keep her best friend from childhood, Philipp, from making the biggest mistake of his life. Tickets can be purchased here and are $10 ($5 for members). gaimn.org/kino.
|
|
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. |
|
January 28: Early Release Day
February 1: Parent Council Family Support Night, "What Boundaries?"
February 1: Summer Camp registration opens
February 4: Early Release Day
February 11: Early Release Day
February 1-15: Spring Sports & Summer Track & Field Registration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
