Help TCGIS Close the Gap!

Starting next week, we will be highlighting some of the ways that every gift to the Annual Fund makes a difference at TCGIS. Our vital and unique library, our robust intern program, and enriching intercultural experiences are made possible by your generosity.

We're about $35,000 shy of our annual goal. Now's the time to see if your employer will match your donation, or if supportive grandparents and loved ones can help us reach our goal of $110,000 by June 30th.

Thank you for considering ways you can help us close the gap! Ready to make your gift? Click here. Herzlichen Dank!

2024 School Board Election Starts on Monday. Please VOTE!

On Monday our annual school board election will begin. The voting deadline is Tuesday, May 28 at 3:30. As previously announced, Jens Lindner (parent) and Anna Miller (teacher) are running for the School Board. The candidates’ applications and additional information from the PTO and Parent Council are available here. 

Now we ask for your participation in the school board election - cast a vote for the candidates who have stepped up to help lead our school as directors on the school board! On Monday, eligible voters will receive an email with a link to an electronic ballot. We are using the online voting platform Election Buddy again this year. The ballot will include voting instructions. All parents/legal guardians of children enrolled in the school, paid staff members, and Board members are eligible to vote. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive your ballot, and contact the front office if you have any questions or need a paper ballot. 

School Board Searching for Community Board Member

TCGIS is required to have at least one community member on the Board, and with no community member candidates in the election, one seat will be vacant until a candidate is recruited and appointed by the Board. If you know of a community member who might be interested in serving on the TCGIS board, please let us know! A “community member” is someone who is a Minnesota resident who is not employed at TCGIS, is not the parent/guardian of any child enrolled at TCGIS, is not an immediate family member of a TCGIS employee or board member, and is not involved in evaluating the school on behalf of our authorizer, the University of St. Thomas. Please email Director Hartman with any suggestions.

Last call! We need 2-3 more Host Families for Fall Interns

Now is the time to apply to host an intern for the fall semester! We're seeking 2-3 more families to host interns from late-August to mid-January. Click here to see who is coming!

Ready to commit? Please complete the Host Family Application by Sunday, May 19th. Questions? Email Katharina Schirg for more info! She will match interns with host families in mid-May.

Get Ready to Return Your Library Books

Starting on May 20th we expect students to return all their books. Please let the library team know if you can no longer find a TCGIS library book. 

Thank you for helping to keep our library a space with many books to choose from.

Get your TCGIS Swag Before Summer!

We will be selling TCGIS Swag at walking pick up from 3:15 - 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 23rd. We will be selling t-shirts, car magnets, coffee tumblers, window clings, our NEW yard signs, and the remaining "Alle sind herzlich willkommen" yard signs!

Required Annual Update in Infinite Campus

To prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, all families are required to fill out the Annual Update in Infinite Campus by Friday, May 24. You will be asked to verify your contact details and your child(ren)’s health information. If this form is not received, your child(ren) will not be allowed to participate in classroom neighborhood walks in the fall, and your middle school student(s) will not be issued a Chromebook. Click here for instructionsto complete the Annual Update. Emailinfo@tcgis.orgwith any questions.

Last Middle School Dance of the Year

Let's celebrate the Class of 2024 and summer with the last middle school dance of the year on May 31st! DJ Erwin will bring his show once again! Theme to be determined! Tickets will go on sale in May online in the school store. 

• 5th/6th Dance is 6:00-7:15 p.m. 
• 7th/8th Dance is 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Valley Fair for Middle School Students!

Who: Students in grades 5-8 

What: Valley Fair field trip 

Why: Celebrating the end of the school

When: Tuesday June 11th, all day

Look for a permission form and behavior agreement coming out next week. (if you think your child will NOT participate, please email Dean Catherine Radecki as soon as possible. Danke!)

Kinderclub Returning Family Survey (2024-25)

Please fill out this survey if you are planning to use Kinderclub AGAIN during the 2024-25 school year. This is for RETURNING Kinderclub families only! Thank you!

Band info for 4th grade (and new 5-8) students

In 5th grade your children will have an introduction to the TCGIS Band. Being part of a band requires a time commitment (lessons and home practice) and a financial commitment (instrument purchase and repair, music purchase, and lesson fees).

I encourage you to read my introduction letter and visit my website. On the website there is also a link to a youtube playlist featuring former TCGIS kids talking about their instruments and why they play! If you have any questions, contact me, Krista Johnson, via email or phone.

Registration for TCGIS Fall Sports is OPEN!

Sign up for our fall sports on May 15-31 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 May 31.

Cross-Country will start on Monday, August 5 and go through early November. Soccer will begin the first week of school at the end of August and continue through early November. Math Team will begin in mid-September and go until February 2025.

Weekly update emails from the coaches will start up 1-2 weeks before the start of the season. For more information, please check out our fall sports slideshow.

With questions, please contact Athletic Director Tabisz.

BIPOC Affinity Group Potluck Picnic Sign Up

Our 10th and final event of the 23-24 school year is on June 8, 11am -1 at the Como playground. Please sign up to bring a dish! Not familiar with this affinity group? This group organizes fun gatherings to foster community and positive relationships among TCGIS BIPOC community members, make connections and increase a sense of belonging for BIPOC students, families, and staff. We hope you will join the fun!

Girl Scouts Need Your Old Linens

The Bronze Award team (grades 4 & 5) of Troop #57317 thank you for supporting their aluminum drive. They have collected almost 130 pounds of cans! The money will be used to purchase materials for the Wildlife Intensive and Critical Care Unit. They could now use your assistance to further help animals. They are collecting used towels, blankets, and sheets. Holes and stains are just fine! Please drop them off in the bin in the east entry.

Our meeting on 5/17 has been postponed. 

The end of the school year is coming and many people like to show their appreciation with a gift of sorts for staff. You can use this list. Not every staff member has filled it out, but hopefully this will help somewhat. 

We're still looking for some people to fill out the Executive Team next year. Roles are small, low commitment, and super fun. We work as a team to make the magic happen. If the roles aren't filled we are unable to commit to our normal fun events and support. We need you to help us out! The more on the Board, the easier and more fun it is for all of us. 

We are currently looking for Fundraising, Communications, and Staff Appreciation chairs. Please email us with any questions. We'd love to hear from you.  

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!

Seeking Volunteers for New Family Welcome Night

Our annual New Family Welcome Night is coming up on Wednesday, May 22 from 6:00-7:00 PM. We are looking for some volunteers to help make the event as smooth as possible for our incoming families: 1-3 volunteers to provide childcare in a classroom during the event. We anticipate about 15 children aged 5-14 and will use a Kindergarten classroom with plenty of toys. This role is needed for the entire event from 6:00-7:00, plus a few minutes on either end.

Please email Nicole Crashell if you are interested or if you have questions. Thank you!

Volunteer at the TCGIS Table at Deutsche Tage

TCGIS is looking for staff, parents, and community members to help represent us at the GAI's Deutsche Tage on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. Anyone is welcome to volunteer at our tent! Invite a friend to volunteer with you or use this opportunity to meet someone new in our community! Click here to volunteer.

Update on Safety Aid for Charter School

Last week we shared a call to action to contact your state legislator to advocate for school safety aid for our students. The Minnesota Association of Charter Schools shared an update this morning. It’s disappointing to learn that while the provision made it into the Senate Education Finance Omnibus bill, it was not included in the final conference committee report. This isn’t an action alert, but if you’re looking to continue to advocate, there are two steps you could take. Please see the MACS message with action details. 

Governance Meeting: Mon., May 20 - 4:30PM; Google Meet 

Communications Meeting: Tues., May 21 - 6PM; Google Meet 

May Board Meeting: Thurs., April 25 - 6:30PM; Room 100/Zoom

Special Board Meeting: Wed., May 29 - 6:30PM; Room 100/Zoom

Cmte of the Whole Meeting: Thurs., June 13 - 6:30PM; Room 310

June Board Meeting: Thurs., June 27 - 6:30PM; Room 100/Zoom

Children’s Story Walk - This Sunday!

Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with MACMH’s Annual Story Walk! Practice mindfulness, spend time together and get moving outside at Como Lake!

This free event is on May 19, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Como Lakeside Pavilion.

Featuring the children’s book Watch Me Grow by local author Josalyn Thomas, take a stroll around the lake and follow a story of growth, patience, and plant life. Stop and read each page that will be stationed along the path. Learn more and sign up here!

Work for Concordia Language Villages!

We are hiring transportation staff in the Twin Cities for summer 2024. Staff assist the campers from all over the country during travel through MSP and at St. Kate's for overnights. 

We also offer discounts for our staff's children attending any of the Concordia Language Villages, including Waldsee! Interested? Fill out your application here!

German Summer Camps

Weekly camps for ages 5–16, July 8–August 9

Add a GAI German camp to your child’s summer fun. Our half-day week long camps (with optional extended care) immerse campers in themes such as In der Märchenwelt (into the world of fairy tales), Musiktheater (musical theater), All Things Bauen (engineering), Küchenexperimente (Kitchen Science) and more! German beginners to bilingual children are welcome. Click here to learn more!

The board’s Diversity & Belonging committee would like to highlight upcoming events in the Twin Cities as opportunities for intercultural engagement- one of our school’s core values. Click here to learn about highlighted events!

There are no reminders at this time.

May 13 - 16 - 6th Grade Waldsee Trip

May 23 - TCGIS Spiritwear for purchase at Walking Pick-up

May 24 - No Schoool / PD Day

May 27 - No School / Memorial Day

May 28 - Board Meeting

May 29 - Special Board Meeting

May 31 - Middle School Dance



TCGIS Google Calendar