Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 

The school year is rapidly coming to an end. We want to see all students have a strong academic finish. It’s a good time to talk to your kids about staying strong until the end. We want to take advantage of every opportunity to advance the learning.  

Plans for our last day picnic are underway. The bouncy house has been ordered! And it was so kindly paid for by our amazing PTO. Danke, PTO, and all who supported their fundraising efforts this year.  

Here’s to a strong finish!

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Executive Director

Reminder: No School on Fri, May 23 or Mon, May 26

This is a reminder that there is no school next Friday, May 23 or Monday, May 26. The front office will also be closed. If you have any questions for the office, feel free to email us at info@tcgis.org and we will get back to you when we return.

Help us with Excessive Noise in the Cafeteria

Our school cafeteria has become an increasingly noisy place during lunch periods, and it’s reached a level that is disruptive not only to students trying to enjoy a well-earned break but also to the incredible lunchroom staff working hard to serve our students every day. We’re asking all families to take a few minutes this week to have a conversation at home about the importance of keeping noise levels down in the cafeteria. While we want lunchtime to be a fun and social part of the day, we also need it to be a space where everyone feels comfortable, heard, and respected.

Why It Matters:

• Respect for Lunchroom Staff: Our cafeteria team works in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. Excessive noise makes it difficult for them to communicate, serve food safely, and enjoy their workday. Let's show them the respect they deserve not just through our words, but through our volume too.
• Student Well-Being: Some students find the loud atmosphere overwhelming or stressful. A calmer lunchroom benefits everyone by creating a more pleasant, inclusive environment.

How You Can Help:

• Talk About It: Ask your student what lunchtime is like. Discuss how loud noise might affect others, and why it’s important to be mindful of their own volume.
• Practice “Indoor Voice”: Remind your student of the difference between playground volume and indoor volume. Role-playing scenarios can help younger students grasp this more clearly.
• Encourage Kindness and Respect: We want our students and staff to be heard and comfortable. Talking at a quiet volume in the cafeteria is one way of showing kindness and respect to those around you!

MS Dance

Our final Middle School dance will be on Friday June 6th! Tickets are $5 and on sale now in the Infinite Campus school store. 

• 5th and 6th graders - 6:00pm-7:15pm
• 7th and 8th graders - 7:30-9pm

Spring Screening Results

We are doing our best to wrap-up spring screening with students this week. Students completed assessments specific to their grade level in reading, math, or both of these areas. In the next week, please keep a close eye on your email for your child's spring screening assessment scores. 

If you still have questions or concerns after reviewing the results, we encourage you to review the following resource.

Fill Out the 2025-2026 Bus Route Planning Survey!

If you are interested or if you think you might be interested in busing for this fall, please complete the bus planning survey by Friday, June 13th. We plan to basically use the four routes that we had this year, and now is the opportunity to change them based on the needs of the community. Fill out this form EVEN IF you do not want to change your stop. We may delete stops if no families have expressed interest. See here for additional details.

Celebrating TCGIS Volunteers!

Our school community is strengthened by the time and talents of our many volunteers. In 2024, the TCGIS Board established the Herzblut Preis – the Heart and Soul Award – as a way to publicly recognize the efforts of an outstanding volunteer in our community. If you know someone who should be considered for this year’s award, please nominate them here by May 30. 

TCGIS Board Appointing 2 New Members

TCGIS parents Lisa Holter Ankel and Wondi Tesfayesus are running for the TCGIS Board of Directors this spring. They will be running for a 3-year term, beginning in June 2025. Here are their bios for your viewing! On May 26th, you should receive an email with a link to voting for our candidates. If you don’t get that email, please email ealbers@tcgis.org. Thank you, Lisa and Wondi, for your willingness to support our school through board service!

Because the TCGIS Board only received applications from two candidates for four open seats by the posted deadline for School Board elections, the Board will be appointing two additional board members in June. If you would like to be considered for appointment, please submit your application by Sunday, May 24 to ealbers@tcgis.org. 

Time to Return Library Books!

Library Books are due at the end of May. Please look for any school library books at home or in backpacks. If a book is lost or damaged, email us to arrange a replacement and get it off your child's record. Many beloved books are wearing out. The library is unable to pay families for books, but it is always accepting donations. 

Here is a List of TCGIS Favorite Books/series. These books are readily available in Europe. Gently used books and magazines from German cousins and flea markets are what keep this library stocked! A running list of student requests is on our Amazon Library Wish List.

BIPOC Affinity Group Events

Save the Date(s)

• Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25, Camping Weekend
• Friday, June 6, 5-7 pm BIPOC affinity group potluck picnic at the Como Playground and Firepits

The BIPOC Family Affinity Group at TCGIS is a supportive space where students, families, and staff who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color can come together to build meaningful connections. Our group hosts fun, family-friendly gatherings that celebrate our diverse cultures and experiences, strengthen relationships, and help create a strong sense of belonging within the school community. All are welcome to join in fostering a warm, inclusive environment where every voice is valued.

Band Concerts and Potlucks

The TCGIS band concert and potluck will be on Friday, May 30, beginning at 5:15pm, instead of the original 5pm. There is a potluck following!

There is still space for current 4th-7th graders to join band for next year! Please email Krista for info.

The end of the school year is right around the corner and it's time to thank your kid's teachers and our fantastic staff. Notes of appreciation are always welcome! If you'd like to get them anything, some staff have filled out this form of Favorite Things. Check it out 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!

Get Free Drink Wristbands at Deutsche Tage! (21+)

Did you know? If you volunteer for TCGIS at Deutsche Tage, you'll receive a free drink wristband. These wristbands, which usually cost $10, are required just to be able to purchase and consume alcohol in the beer tent. (They do not include any drinks and you must be 21+.) If you're planning to attend Deutsche Tage, start your weekend by volunteering and enjoy the perk all weekend long. Click here to sign up and reach out to Paige Yurczyk with any questions!

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Governance Committee Meeting: Mon, May 19 at 4:30 p.m. via Meets
• School Board Meeting: Thurs, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 100/ Zoom
• Mission Alignment Cmte Meeting: Mon, June 2 at 7:30pm 
• Finance Cmte Meeting: Tues, June 3 at 6:30pm via Zoom

Looking for Affordable and Reliable Childcare From a TCGIS Alumni?

My name is Claire Nelson. I attended TCGIS K-8 as a part of the original founding class! 

• 6 years babysitting experience 
• Au Pair to a family in Köln, Germany in 2018 
• Kinderclub caretaker through 2019
• Received a C1 level certificate of the Deutsches Sprachdiplom
• I have a passion for speaking German but am also proficient in Spanish
• More than willing to do light housework, chores, errands and transportation for the kids during work hours

I’m ideally looking for a full time opportunity 30-40 hrs a week at a $22/hr rate, however I can be flexible to adjust depending on your family’s needs. I’m available from June 1st through the middle of August when I will be starting classes in the fall, with possibility of continuing child care throughout the year.

I live in Uptown Minneapolis, and am able to commute to wherever you are within the Twin Cities radius.

Text or Call my cell number: 651-900-2833  

Email: claireann1214@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you! Bis bald!

May 23 - No School

May 26 - No School

May 28 - Capstone Returns



TCGIS Google Calendar