ISSUE 598/November 14, 2024 | |
Message from the Executive Director | |
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Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community,
November is the month of assurances in Charters and public education. Our audit for fiscal year ‘24 has been completed and our accountants and auditors have confirmed that our financials are solid. If you tuned in to the last board meeting, you would have heard that the audit did not show any financial concerns, and TCGIS, despite having a lower revenue for the year, managed to end with only a small negative balance and stayed within all of the bond covenants that we are required to. The systems that former Director Klinzing and our Director of Operations Kim Hackett have put into place are holding through this year and we are financially stable into fiscal year 2025.
Our authorizer, the University of St. Thomas, visited us last Monday to complete our annual authorizer visit. Charter schools are accountable to metrics that other traditional public schools do not have to follow. UST holds us accountable for managing our finances, high academic standards, following our mission, and a variety of other variables that add up to a high-performing charter school. Danielle Miller, our authorizer manager, will attend the next board meeting on the 21st of November to check off the last part of our authorizer visit. A report detailing our achievements and challenges will follow. Stay tuned for a summary of that report.
Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Executive Director
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TCGIS Martinstag Laternenumzug TOMORROW | |
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November 15th, 5:30 - 7:30PM
Tomorrow is the day of our annual Martinstag celebration and Laternenumzug. Join us for the indoor program starting at 5:30PM in the gym and the Laternenumzug afterwards. Please enter through the Como Ave entrance and bring the Lantern your child brought home this week 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. Click here for the 2024 Laternenumzug route, event agenda, and song lyrics. The 8th grade families invite you to stay for a baked good, hot dog or Bratwurst in the cafeteria after the parade. Don’t miss out on the fun and see you there.
| Don’t Forget: Bring Coats and Hygiene Products to Martinstag Parade | |
Martinstag reminds us that a little kindness can go a long way. During our Week of Generosity, we are showing kindness to our neighbors by collecting needed winter gear and hygiene items for Joseph’s Coat, a local nonprofit. Please consider participating if you are able! There will be drop-off bins at the St. Martinstag event.
| TCGIS Coin Drive Ends Tomorrow! | |
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All students are invited to join TCGIS’s Week of Generosity by participating in our Münzen Matter coin drive. Funds raised will support our Intern Program and the TCGIS Bücherei. Last year, TCGIS students collected nearly $2,000 in coins to support our school! New this year—the ES and MS class who brings in the most coins by weight will win a playground party AND the new Münzen Matters golden pig award for their classroom! Click for more info.
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Food Truck at Martinstag! Support TCGIS Capstone! | |
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Looking for a Friday night dinner idea? Join us at Gerhard’s Brats Food Truck right after the Martinstag event! Gerhard, a former TCGIS parent, is generously donating 100% of the proceeds to our Capstone fundraiser. Enjoy a tasty brat, some German potato salad, or warm Käsespätzle and help support our students’ trip to Germany! Plus, our bake sale will have dessert covered, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth too. See you there!
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All band students, grades 5-8, are invited to rehearsal Thursday, Nov. 14 3:30-4:30 pm and all band students are invited to play for the TCGIS Martinstag celebration Nov. 15.
Nov. 15 timeline:
- 3:30-4:30 rehearsal after school in band room (optional) SEND SNACKS WITH KIDS
- 4:30 set up in Sporthalle
- 5:15 tune in band room
- 5:30 program starts/band plays first. Student may leave when we are done playing.
| Connection Issue in Pikmykid | |
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Some parents have reported seeing an error message about a “connection issue” in the Pikmykid app. This seems to be due to using an outdated version of the app. Please click here for instructions to install the new version. Please email info@tcgis.org if you have any further issues/questions about using PMK.
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December Kinderclub Booking Services Closing on 12/17 | |
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Kinderclub booking window is currently open until 12/17. Kinderclub will be closed during winter break 12/23-1/3 so please plan accordingly.
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Winter Enrichment Classes: Coming Soon! | |
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Consider leading an after school enrichment class! Staff and parents have led classes and clubs of all sorts- there’s room for playful, thoughtful, academic, and silly activities. If you have an idea for a new after school activity or have questions about what leading one might involve, please email Mangan!
Here are the details for the upcoming Winter session of enrichment classes:
- Each class will run from 3:30-4:30pm afterschool on your chosen day of the week.
- The Winter session of Enrichment Classes will run from January 6th (the week immediately after Winter Break) through March 26th (the last week before Spring Break) for a total of 12 weeks (PD days and holidays, etc. notwithstanding).
- Classes do not meet on no-school days (e.g, PD days, school holidays).
- Registration for students/families will open on December 10th, aligned with Kinderclub's registration period.
- If you have any questions about TCGIS Enrichment Classes, or if you would like to inquire about leading a class, email Mangan!
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Check for Lost Items Before Conferences, We Will Donate Them After the Break | |
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Our lost and found is well stocked, please come and look for your student’s items if you are missing anything: Jackets, sweaters, water bottles, lunch boxes.
Our main goal is to return them to the students. Kids are overwhelmed with finding their lost things among all the other similar items: Please label everything! White marker works well on black boots or jackets.
Here for the conferences?
A great time to check the ”Lost & Found” for items of your student. We would be happy if those are returned to their owner rather than donated. Last day before donation: November 26th.
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BIPOC Affinity Group November Gathering--Greater TCGIS Community is Welcome! | |
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Please join us to celebrate "Friendsgiving" with the BIPOC group! We will meet in the school cafeteria from 5-7 pm on Saturday, November 16th. Please bring something to share--it can be as simple as a bag of chips, or as fancy as a roasted turkey. In keeping with our school's zero waste policy, please bring plates and silverware for your group. Click here to RSVP!
If you would like to be added to our group's email list, please contact Christine Chitambar.
| Support the Capstone Trip – Dine Out at The LowBrow! | |
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Join us on Monday, November 18th, for a fun night out at The LowBrow in South Minneapolis (4244 Nicollet Ave, 55409). Enjoy a great meal with family and friends, and 10% of all sales will go directly to support the Capstone Trip! Check out their menu here and mark your calendar! Thank you for supporting our students!
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Coffee with the Director - K-2 Next Friday! | |
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K-2 families are invited to join Coffee with the Director on November 22nd from 8-9 am! 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!
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Swag Store is OPEN until Nov. 22! | |
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The TCGIS Swag store will close on November 22 and the items will arrive BEFORE winter break. Click here to order your TCGIS swag!
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TCGIS prides itself on being an inclusive, caring space for kiddos and parents in the queer, trans, and gender expansive community, where representation matters and our authentic selves are celebrated!
The LGBTQ2IA+ Affinity Group will be organizing social opportunities for parents and students to meet up and be a source of support for one another! We would love to have you join us!
If you are interested in being involved, please contact Jenn Kelly-Bauer.
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Did you order plants, wreaths, or gift cards from our Gertens fundraiser this fall? Don’t forget to pick up your order on Friday, November 22nd after school.
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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! | |
Come and join the Mission Alignment Committee! | |
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A new board committee is gearing up this school year and
is looking for motivated individuals to join us - everyone is an asset!
The committee’s work will be focused on how our mission tenets are at work throughout our school. We’ll meet every other month, during which we’ll hear from school leaders, explore areas of opportunity and gather stakeholder feedback in support of our amazing school. If this opportunity piques your interest, mark your calendar for our first meeting on Nov. 18 in room 99 at 6:30 p.m. and reach out to Anna Miller for more info.
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Represent TCGIS at MPLS School Finder Fair | |
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The Comm and Outreach Team is looking for volunteers to go with them and represent TCGIS at the MPLS School Finder Fair at MPLS College. Folks that speak languages such as Spanish and Somali are especially helpful! Jan. 11 from 10-2 Click here to sign up if you can help.
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School Board (Schulvorstand) Announcements
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings | |
Nov. Board Meeting: Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 100/Zoom | |
Christmas in Germany at the GAI | |
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Experience the warmth and magic of a German Christmas at the GAI! Join us for Christmas in Germany, a festive event designed to capture the charm and joy of the holiday season.
Timed Entry
To ensure a cozy and comfortable experience for all, tickets have a timed entrance. Once inside, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the festivities for as long as you like! Click here to learn more and buy tickets!
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