ISSUE 606/January 30, 2025

Message from the Executive Director

Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 


As we continue to embrace the vibrant and diverse community at the Twin Cities German Immersion School, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our core values: intercultural engagement, curiosity, challenge and support, kindness, and community. 


Please know that our school stands firmly committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all our students and families. We believe that diversity enriches our learning experiences and strengthens our community. Our values guide us in fostering a culture where every child feels welcomed, respected, and valued, regardless of their background or identity.


Intercultural engagement is at the heart of what we do. We encourage our students to explore different perspectives and learn from one another, fostering a deep respect for diverse cultures and experiences, not just the targeted culture of our mission statement, but those represented in our building and larger community. We welcome staff from different cultures and backgrounds to add to our school’s community. 


Curiosity and critical thinking are essential elements of our educational philosophy. We believe in nurturing the inquisitive minds of our students, encouraging them to ask questions and seek knowledge. We will remain committed to challenging them academically while providing the support and critical thinking skills they need to succeed and stay aware in an ever-changing world. 


Kindness is a cornerstone of our community. We actively teach and model kindness, reminding our students that their words and actions can make a significant impact. In these times of uncertainty for some, we encourage everyone to practice kindness, offering support to those who may be feeling vulnerable.


Lastly, our sense of community is our greatest strength. We are here for one another, and we will continue to work collaboratively to support each other. Our community is a place where all students, faculty and families are treated with respect and care. Gemeinsam sind wir stark. Together we are strong. 

We are continuing to monitor the dynamic political climate in the US and seeking to understand the implications of any changes on our school or students. As of right now, no laws have been changed and we remain with the same school-board approved policies and strategic plan that has made equity work a priority. We are staying abreast of the changes that the new administration is making, especially changes directly affecting public schools and our students. We have debriefed our front office team about our protocols and what is required of anyone to enter our school. We do not share student data without your permission and do not keep citizenship in our Student Information Systems online.


 We are committed to maintaining the values that make our school a nurturing and enriching place for every child. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Please reach out if you have any questions. 


Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Executive Director

School News & Updates

Reminder: No School Tomorrow - Front Office Closed

The front office will be closed for the Teacher Grading Day on Friday, January 31. Kinderclub will still be available at 651-999-3707. Any messages for the office can be sent to info@tcgis.org. Thank you for your flexibility!

The 2025-2026 Enrollment Application Closes Tomorrow!

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will close on January 31, 2025! If you have a NEW student who will attend TCGIS in the 2025-2026 school year, please submit an application for admission online or by mailing a paper application. Currently-enrolled students do not need to reapply. You can check whether or not you’ve already submitted an application by emailing enrollment@tcgis.org. Please also share the application with any families who may be looking for schools for next year!

Send Record Requests to Enrollment@tcgis.org

At this time of year, TCGIS starts to receive requests for records of 8th graders and other students who may be considering transferring. If you are applying to a new school for next year, please let the registrar know to send their records requests to enrollment@tcgis.org to ensure timely processing of the request.

Infinite Campus Grades and Comments Closed

Access to grades and comments in Infinite Campus will be closed January 24th-Feb 5th while teachers finalize first semester grades. Once access to grades and comments reopens, please follow the steps here to access your child(ren)'s report card.

TCGIS Family Ski Day Sign Up

Please join us for the annual TCGIS Family Ski Day at Trollhaugen on Sunday, February 2nd, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM! Whether you’re an experienced skier or want to learn, this is the perfect chance to hit the slopes with your kids and fellow TCGIS families.Lift tickets are $26, and equipment rentals are available for $25. Plus, there’s a free "Learn to Ski" lesson. Please sign up for lift tickets and rental equipment here. To pay for your lift tickets and rentals (if applicable), please go to the Infinite Campus School Store and look under field trips for the Family Ski Trip to Trollhaugen. Please make your payments as soon as possible.

Central High School Open House February 12th

Central High School in the Saint Paul School district, where our immersion track continues for 9-12, is having their open house on February 12th from 5:30-7:30 pm. They historically have an extra 30 minutes before that for TCGIS families. Our students can automatically enroll in SPPS regardless of where the student lives. Enrollment is currently open and will close February 14th. Enrollment can only be guaranteed if you apply before this deadline. Email Catherine Radecki or Elizabeth Zehnpfennig with questions.

Register for Spring & Summer Sports

Sign up for our spring & summer sports on February 1-15 on Infinite Campus (school store). Please be respectful of the time and efforts our coaches and athletic director put into the sports program by signing up during the registration window. There is a $50 late fee for registrations after February 15. 4th graders are welcome to register for summer track-and-field 2025. Click for full message.

Save the Date! Valentine's Kaffeeklatsch Feb 21!

We love our school! Come and celebrate our TCGIS community by enjoying coffee and treats with fellow families and then head to your child(ren)’s classroom to join in some LOVEly Morgenkreis activities! 8-9 am in the TCGIS Foyer!

PTO News

CatStronauts and Pizza!

On Tuesday, February 11th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in the TCGIS Cafeteria, local author Drew Brockington (Catstronauts, Waffles & Pancake) will teach us how a graphic novel is created, how doodles can inspire stories, and how to make our own graphic novels. He will teach us how to draw a character, and we get to ask questions and get our books signed! He will sell books on site after the event. Bring drawing paper and pencils and prepare for fun. Our PTO will provide pizza. Learn more and sign-up for the event. 

Save the Date!

  • Feb. 22, 5 - 7 pm - PTO Meeting with Pizza & Bingo
  • Mar 22, 7 pm - Maskenball

Volunteer Opportunities

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!

Are You Spring Cleaning?

If you are cleaning out old clothes you can drop them in the green bin located near the Como entrance of our building! It's an easy way to support our fundraising initiatives and sustainability goals. TCGIS receives funds for every pound of textiles you recycle! Drop off your old clothes, shoes, and linens in the bin and help support our school and the planet!

School Board (Schulvorstand) Announcements

Join the TCGIS Board for our first meeting of the new year this Thursday, January 30th from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Room 100 or via Zoom. Attending Board meetings is a wonderful way to gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of our school; we hope you will join us!

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

  • Board Meeting: Thurs, Jan 30 at 6:30pm in Room 100 and on Zoom
  • Finance Committee Meeting: Tues, Feb 4 at 6:30 pm on Zoom
  • Governance Committee Meeting: Mon, Feb 10 at 4:30 pm on Google Meet
  • Fundraising Committee Meeting: Tues, Feb 11 at 12:30pm on Google Meet
  • Committee of the Whole Meeting: Thurs, Feb 13 at 6:30pm in person at TCGIS

Community News

Register for Fastpitch Softball!

Register today for Roseville Area Fastpitch!


We offer fastpitch programs for ages 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and 18U.


Practices (2-3x per week) are held at the various fields across Roseville, MN.

Resources & Calendar

CALENDAR

Feb 2 - TCGIS Family Ski Day


Feb 11 - CatStronauts and Pizza!


Feb 12 - History Day


Feb 15 - Last Day to Register for Spring and Summer Sports











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