Click to view Director Zehnpfennig's message for the week!

MCA Season is Beginning

The MCAs (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) are administered state-wide each spring in grades 3-12. Assessments begin in March and go through the beginning of May. You can learn more about MCAs by reading this information from the Minnesota Department of Education. 

We will start in March with Reading MCAs for grades 5-8th on March 13th and grade 3-4th on March 18th and 19th. Make-ups: are on March 24th and 25th.

You can view more schedule details on TCGIS’s MCA Assessment Calendar. 

On the day students take their MCAs, they should bring: 

• Their fully charged school Chromebook (7th- & 8th-graders)
• A snack and water bottle
• Comfortable headphones (bluetooth headphones are not permitted for this exam)
• 1-2 sharpened pencils
• A book or drawing/coloring materials in case they finish early (note that it must be a paper book, not a Kindle or other electronic device)

The data we glean from the MCAs is helpful in informing instructional and curricular decisions. Parents and guardians have the right to refuse participation in MCA testing by filling out this form, which can be submitted in hard copy in the office or by email to Esther Neu. Please submit this form at least 3 days before your child(ren)’s first assessment so we have time to process it. 

Due Tomorrow: Re-Enrollment Survey for All Current TCGIS Families

Help us prepare for the 2025-2026 school year by completing our re-enrollment survey! Please click here to fill out the survey by March 14th. If you have more than one student at TCGIS, please submit the form individually for each child in your family who is currently in grades K-7.

Filling out this form is not required in order to attend TCGIS next year but it is extremely helpful for the school. We gather information about returning and withdrawing students to plan our class compositions for the next year. We appreciate your participation; thank you in advance! 

All School Pulse Survey and Admin Office Hours

We appreciate your involvement in our Twin Cities German Immersion School community! To help us improve the educational experience for our students, we invite you to participate in this survey regarding the 24/25 school year. Your feedback is invaluable.

Director Elizabeth Zehnpfennig will host open office hours to talk with families about this survey on 3/27 from 5-7 pm.

Coffee with the Director: 3-5th Grade TOMORROW

3-5th grade families are invited to join Coffee with the Director on March 13th from 8-9 am in the TCGIS Foyer! Director Zehnpfennig looks forward to meeting with families of 3rd-5th grade students to hear about your experiences at TCGIS. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about what the coming years will look like for your child.

To help reduce our environmental impact, please bring your own cup. Coffee will be provided. RSVP today!

Graduation Yard Signs

8th grade graduates: If you are interested in a graduation yard sign (pictured here) please fill out this form.Take note that this form is a commitment to buying a yard sign. The deadline to order a graduation yard sign is this Friday, March 28.

Food Service Team is Looking for Substitute Helpers

Our Food Service team is looking for substitute workers that can help out when team members are out sick, or on PTO. The job duties include participating in lunch preparation, service and clean-up and would require a time commitment of ca. 4-5 hours (9-1 or 2pm) each time. If you know someone (neighbor, family member), please have them reach out to Alex Weeding, Food Service Coordinator.

Employer Giving, Matching Programs help TCGIS

Did you know that approx. 20%-25% of our Annual Fund goal is reached with gifts via employer-giving and matching programs. In the last school year (23/24), that amounted to $28,230! 

Does your employer have a giving program or match gifts made - or volunteer hours served - by its employees? It’s an easy way to amplify the gifts you make to the Annual Fund. TCGIS family members and supporters currently take advantage of employer-matching and payroll deduction programs at these corporations and organizations:

Summer Camp Registration Open Until May 1st

TCGIS Summer Camps 2025 registration is open until May 1st. For information and registration go to our website. If you need any assistance with your booking, please reach out to Deysi Gerding-Futagaki before making any payments. 

Buy A Yearbook!

Looking for photos and memories of your child's school year? Yearbooks are on sale now—don’t miss out! Here is the link.

Viewing the Entire Rundbrief

Did you know that when you receive the Rundbrief you need to click "View entire message" at the bottom of the email in order to view the Rundbrief in its entirety? Make sure you're able to see the "School Resources & Calendar" section when you reach the bottom of the Rundbrief so you're not missing out on any important information!

The Gerten's Spring plant sale is happening. Get your mind in the garden with some beautiful flowers, veggies, and more! Use this login and ID 550

Maskenball is coming up next weekend at the GAI! New this year, we'll have a quieter space in the Ratskeller with games for space to take a breather, play games and have some conversation. And of course, we'll have a photobooth, snacks, desserts, drinks (you have to pre-purchase alcoholic beverages when you buy your tickets,) music, and the Kid's Art Auction display. It's gonna be a great time - join us!

Finally, our Spring painting event is coming soon! Suitable for the whole family, though younger ones will probably need your help. We'll provide the cookies, you bring your creativity! Sign up here!

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!

Food Service Team is Looking for Substitute Helpers

Our Food Service team is looking for substitute workers that can help out when team members are out sick, or on PTO. The job duties include participating in lunch preparation, service and clean-up and would require a time commitment of ca. 4-5 hours (9-1 or 2pm) each time. If you know someone (neighbor, family member), please have them reach out to Alex Weeding, Food Service Coordinator.

Regular and Closed Session Board Meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025

Due to conferences, TCGIS’s March Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Room 100 at TCGIS. This month’s meeting will include a closed session from 9:00-9:30 p.m. which will be held in accordance with Minn. Stat. 13D.05; 13D.05, subd. 3. The Board will use the time to discuss the collective bargaining agreement process currently underway at TCGIS.  

Apply to Join the TCGIS School Board!

Are you a big-picture thinker? Do you enjoy creative collaborations? Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact in your community? Then consider serving on the TCGIS Board! The TCGIS Board is accepting applications or nominations for an appointment of a new parent, teacher or community member to serve the remainder of SY24-25 through SY26-27. The TCGIS Board is a nine-member volunteer body that works collaboratively with school leaders to provide strategic oversight of our school’s operations, finances, policies and more. Visit our website or email Board Chair Kersten Reich to learn more. 

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Governance Committee Meeting: Monday, March 17 at 4:30pm on Google Meet.
• School Board Meeting: Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm in Room 100 and on Zoom.

Wheelchair Accessible Housing Needed for GAI Exchange Student!

A group of college students from St. Paul's sister city, Neuss, Germany will be visiting the Germanic American Institute for about two weeks in early October 2025! One student, Eduarda, is in a wheelchair and can only join the trip if housing can be found for her and her assistant. One to two steps into the house are okay as long as her bedroom and a bathroom are on the first floor. There are no special requirements for the bathroom, shower or tub would be fine. Her assistant needs a room as well, but it doesn't need to be on the same floor as Eduarda. The host family would not need to drive Eduarda around (though you could if you are able). We are also hoping to find a volunteer for transportation. A wheelchair accessible vehicle is not necessary as Eduarda can get out of her wheelchair to get into a car. The wheelchair is foldable. The host family is welcome to participate in events during the students' stay, but it is not expected or necessary. This is a great opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of German cultures and customs. Please email Mari if you are available or interested in learning more.

Useful Minnesota Revenue Resources for Families

The income tax filing season is officially open. The Minnesota Department of Revenue is informing families that they can qualify for valuable tax benefits on their 2024 income tax returns.

• Child Tax Credit: Families may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child with no limit on the number of children claimed. They can receive a refund even if they do not owe tax. For more information visit our Child Tax Credit webpage or watch our video on the Child Tax Credit.

• K-12 Credit and Subtraction: Minnesota has two tax relief programs for families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade: the K-12 Education Subtraction and K-12 Education Credit. Both programs help lower taxes and may provide a larger refund For more information visit our K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit webpage or watch our video on the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction.

• Free Tax Preparation: Families may qualify for free tax preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide. These programs prepare federal and state income tax and property tax refund returns. To find a free tax site near you visit our free tax preparation webpage.

Watch Holstein Kiel play Minnesota United with your TCGIS friends!

Join Twin Cities German Immersion School at Allianz Field when Minnesota United FC takes on Holstein Kiel, from the German Bundesliga! Discounted tickets are available while supplies last, and they cannot be resold online. All sales are final. We’re excited to organize this again for our community! Tickets average $33, 36, 44 (after fees). Click here to purchase your discounted tickets.

What: Minnesota United FC versus Holstein Kiel

When: Monday, July 7th at 7:00pm

Where: Allianz Field, St. Paul

March 20 - Board Meeting

March 27-28 - Parent Teacher Conferences

March 31-April 4 - Spring Break



TCGIS Google Calendar