Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft, 

This year our week of giving has extra meaning as we see out nation struggling with food insecurity. TCGIS’ community has been so generous for so many years and this year was no exception. Thanks to all who donated food shelf items, hygiene products, and coats. Your donations of items for those who need them will be put to good use!

I also want to thank those of you who made financial contributions. To the families who wrangled piggy banks or made one time, recurring or matched donations, I say Herzlichen Dank. These donations, no matter how small, allow TCGIS to keep up with our quality intern program, our incredible German library, and enriching professional development for teachers. 

If you are wondering about what our donations are used for or why we ask for them, be sure to read the brochure that went home with students on Wednesday. 

In the month of giving thanks, I am thankful for this amazing community.

Mit Dankbarkeit,

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig

TCGIS Swag Store is CLOSING TONIGHT!

Items will arrive in early December just in time for gifting season! Click here to view our school store which is open until November 13 at 11:59 PM.

TCGIS Coat and Coin Drive Ends TOMORROW!

The TCGIS Coat and Coin Drive ends tomorrow, November 14th. The coins donated will support the TCGIS Annual Fund. Students should pour their donation into a jar in their homeroom, advisory, or the front office.

Tomorrow night, at our Martinstag Celebration, we will be hosting a Coat Drive where families are encouraged to bring in gently used coats and hygiene products to donate to Joseph's Coat. Click to learn more!

TCGIS Martinstag Lantern Parade TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Friday November 14th is our annual Martinstag celebration and Laternenumzug. Your child brought home the crafted Lanterne this week. Join us for the indoor program starting at 5:30PM in the gym and the Laternenumzug afterwards. Doors on Como Ave will open for you at 5:15PM.

• If your child is in Kinderclub, please pick them up and check out before joining the event.
• Please bring the Lantern and/or other lights to make the parade look colorful. There will be electric lights and glow sticks available for purchase from Frau Lenburg in the gym before the program starts. 
• The 8th grade families invite you to stay for donuts and apple cider in the Cafeteria or Gerhard’s Brats after the parade. Don’t miss out on the fun and see you there.

Used Book Sale TOMORROW!

Stop by the Used Book & Game Sale at Martin’s Tag Celebration on Friday, Nov. 14! Find treasures and support reading! 

Although TCGIS didn’t qualify for the virtual "LibraryGo" partnership with SPPL, any student can still apply for a membership at their county library and get access to amazing online and print library resources. Here are the membership links: Hennepin County membership , St. Paul, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Anoka County

Kinderclub - Dec. Booking Is NOW OPEN Until 11/17

December booking has started and goes from 11/10 until 11/17. Please remember that after 11/17 you can request Drop In bookings, but these dates will be added to your cart at an extra cost and upon availability via kinderclub@tcgis.org. To start booking use this link.

5/6 Basketball Coach Wanted

We are looking for one more 5th & 6th grade basketball coach for our winter season (November - February). For more information, check out our website and our Athletics Handbook. We will begin reviewing candidates immediately. Deadline to apply is Friday, November 14, 2025. With questions, email Athletic Director Tabisz.

Athletics Leaf-Raking Fundraiser - THIS WEEKEND

Our athletic teams will head out in groups of 4-6 students along with 1-2 chaperones around Como Park to rake leaves in our neighbors’ yards on two Saturdays in November (11/8 and 11/15) from noon until 3 pm (actual raking at 12:30-2:30 pm). Athletes, parents and guardians, please sign up to volunteer. Email Coach Tabisz with any questions.

Parent Council Coffee Meetup - Nov 20

November's meet-up will be on November 20th at Karol Coffee, just north of Como Park in St. Paul. We will meet there after morning drop-off! Send us a message to get future coffee on your calendar. 

The parent council is a resource for parents and families to share information. Did you know you can add the school's public calendar to your google calendar? Click here and hit the ‘add to calendar’ button at the bottom. In your own google calendar, find the PUBLIC Twin Cities German Immersion School calendar in the Other Calendar section. You can toggle it on and off as needed!

Public Academic Progress and Feedback - Nov 20

All are welcome to join us virtually for a public report and opportunity for feedback on TCGIS’s progress toward Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) goals. The meeting will take place on Thursday, November 20 · 5:45 – 6:30pm. Video call link can be found here.

TCGIS has goals in the following areas: 

• All children are ready for school.
• All racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.
• All students are ready for career and college.
• Prepare students to be lifelong learners.

Coffee With the Principal for K-2 Families - Nov 21

K-2 families are invited to join Coffee with the Director on November 21st from 8-8:45 am in the TCGIS Foyer! Director Zehnpfennig looks forward to meeting with families of Kindergarten through 2nd 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 next 6-8 years will look like for your child. We will meet in the TCGIS foyer! To help reduce our environmental impact, please bring your own cup. Coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there! Space is limited - RSVP today!

TCGIS Students at MPLS Christkindlmarkt - Nov 21

TCGIS students and their families are invited to to parade with their lanterns for the Opening of the MPLS Christkindlmarkt on 11/21 at 6 pm. We meet in front of the stage at 6 pm, sing the lantern song accompanied by a musician and walk around the perimeter. After the walk the children can pick up a German treat at the stage and color some wooden ornaments to take home. RSVP Here!

TCGIS Literacy Presentation - Nov 24

Monday November 24th at 6pm, at TCGIS in Room 100. You are invited to come learn about TCGIS's implementation of the Minnesota READ Act. As an immersion school, there are unique strengths and challenges that we face. We will share our approach to literacy, screening, and how we support struggling students. 

Front Office Closures For Conferences & Thanksgiving

For the week of November 24-28, the TCGIS office will follow the schedule below:

• Monday 11/24 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: open
• Monday 11/24 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: CLOSED
• Monday 11/24 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM: open
• Tuesday 11/25 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM: open
• Wednesday 11/26 - Friday 11/28: CLOSED

You are still welcome to email info@tcgis.org during any off-hours and we will respond upon our return. We will be back full-time on Monday, December 1.

Cozy up for a Good Cause!

Support TCGIS and stay cozy this winter with our exclusive PTO fleece blankets Made in the USA, super soft, and perfectly sized at 50 x 60 inches for snuggles, games, or gifts.

• EARLY BIRD price of $30 until Thanksgiving break — after that, they’re $35 each!
• Each blanket gives $10 directly to our PTO to fund Teacher Appreciation Week, coffee, and lunches for our amazing TCGIS team.
• We only have 75 of each design, and they’re being made right now for December delivery — so don’t wait!
• Order yours today!

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!

Festival of Cultures Planning Committee

We are looking to build a planning committee for this year's Festival of Cultures. This group will meet in December and January to plan and prepare for February's Festival of Cultures. Reach out to Assistant Principal Catherine Radecki if you are interested!  

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Committee of the Whole on Thur Nov. 13 at 6:30pm in Room 310
• Governance Committee on Mon, Nov 17th at 4:30pm Meet Link
• Board Meeting on Thur, Nov 20th, Room 100, Zoom Link
• Finance Committee on Tue Dec. 2nd at 6:30 pm Meet Link
• Fundraising Committee on Tue Dec 9th at 6:30 pm Meet Link

Minneapolis Christkindl Market

November 21 – December 21, 2025 - Step into the magic of the holidays at the second annual Minneapolis Christkindl Market — an authentic German-style Christmas market in the heart of Minneapolis! Stroll through a sparkling outdoor wonderland of twinkling lights, alpine-style wooden huts, and the cozy aroma of mulled wine.

Nov 10 - 14 - Coat and Coin Drive

Nov 14 - Martinstag Celebration



TCGIS Google Calendar