Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! / Dear TCGIS community,

I’m so proud of last year’s 8th graders, who returned to school on Tuesday with their families to receive recognition for their performance on the DSDI German language exam. See Dean Zehnpfennig’s description below of this rigorous exam, which can open the door to study at German universities. Congratulations to our alumni for their success on the DSD I!

Herzlich

Kirsten

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 see the full email. Danke!

The Class of 2022 returned to TCGIS hallways Tuesday night to receive certificates for the Deutsches Sprachdiplom I (DSD I). This certificate is awarded for achieving B1 levels on the European Framework in all four competencies: reading, listening, writing and speaking. It is quite an achievement and one step closer to the ability to study at a German university. It is a testament to the immersive environment TCGIS graduates receive in their time with us.  

The board meets in Room 100 at 6:30 pm tonight; join in-person or listen via Zoom. The agenda includes a presentation of the results of the annual financial audit by the auditor, an update on academic performance with assessment results, and Executive Director’s report with a discussion of the results from the parent survey. In addition, we will welcome special guest Amy Brendmoen, St. Paul City Council President, who will conduct the oath of office for 2 board members who haven’t had the opportunity to publicly take the oath. All board meetings include updates from the six committee chairs. The board packet is available here and the Zoom link here.

NO SCHOOL on Tues., November 1st

A reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 1st due to a Professional Development Day for TCGIS staff.

We're back to offering our annual 6th grade trip to Waldsee, the German immersion camp near Bemidji, Minnesota.

Our meeting will be on Tuesday, November 1st at 6:30 pm via Zoom. We will provide an overview of the trip. Please bring any and all questions you might have. 6th graders and parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 841 9150 2526

Passcode: 0QvdFp

Fall Conference Dates:

Monday, Nov. 21: 4:00PM-7:30PM

Tuesday, Nov. 22: 8:10AM-3:30PM

Elementary School: 

Monday Conferences will be held in person, Tuesday Conferences will be held virtually via Google Meet

Middle School: 

Monday & Tuesday Conferences will be held virtually via Google Meet

You should have received a Constant Contact email with sign-up information on Wednesday, Oct 26 at 8pm CT (when the window opened).

Sign-up runs through Nov 9, 8pm CT. Please contact info@tcgis.org with questions.

School Photos are Ready! + Retake Day

Good news! JostensPIX was recently at your school for photograph picture day,

and your student's photos are now available for viewing and ordering!

Click here to get started. Find your student(s) using event code FE42022. Further directions here.

Did your student(s) miss School Picture Day?

Retake Day is Nov 3 between 8:45am-12pm. We have the list from Jostens of students who missed picture day, and will be calling these students down for retakes.

Interns are enthusiastic young educators from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who add so much to our school and our community. In January we welcome new interns for whom we need host families! Interested in hosting? Please fill out the Host Family Application by Nov. 7. We begin matching interns with families in November. You can read about our spring intern cohort here. Learn more here: www.tcgis.org/host-an-intern.

Curriculum Advisory Committee: Public Input Session

TCGIS's Curriculum Advisory Committee (CAC) is hosting a public input session on the TCGIS's progress toward Minnesota's statewide achievement goals:

• All children are ready for school.

• All third-graders can read at grade level.

• All racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed.

• All students are ready for career and college.

Please join the CAC to review progress over the past year and plans for the current school year and beyond to drive student achievement and readiness for the next steps in their educational journeys. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, November 7 at 7 pm. As this is a public input session, questions and discussion are welcome and encouraged.

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) meets the first Monday of each month - our next one is coming up! Learn strategies to support your child, ask questions about the special education process, find your support system, and share feedback. We will be meeting on Zoom at 5PM. Join here. Passcode 920995. Please contact Dr. Hendrix with any questions.

Are you or someone you know looking for a flexible, part-time job (that includes a free lunch!)? TCGIS is seeking a part-time (20-25 hours per week) Food Service Associate for the 2022-23 school year. A full job description for this position is available here.

Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a letter of interest and a current resume to Employment@tcgis.org.

Our Trick or Treat event is coming up this Saturday the 29th from 1-4 PM. Dress those kids up and join us in the playground for a great community event. It's free and loads of fun! More information here.

Our meeting and event is coming up next Friday night (11/4) at 6pm. We're planning on a quick meeting, delicious pizza, and we're going to show The Bad Guys! Bring the family, and a blanket to cuddle in and we'll settle in for a great start to the weekend. Please RSVP here so we make sure we have enough pizza.

Camping success!

The group had a fun camping adventure last weekend at St. Croix State Park. We climbed the fire tower and enjoyed the view, hiked along the river, shared meals together, learned about navigating by the stars with a park ranger, and laughed around a bonfire while making s’mores. Thanks to the organizers and those who joined!

Bowling outing - mark your calendars

The next BIPOC affinity group gathering is scheduled for November 12, 1pm-3pm. Join us for bowling at the Goldy’s Gameroom at the U of M. Each game is $3 and shoe rental is $2.

Board Meeting: Thurs., Oct. 27, 6:30PM; Room 100

Governance: Thur., Nov. 3, 4:30PM

Fundraising: Wed., Nov. 9, 8:30AM

Communication & Outreach Committee: Wed., Nov. 9, 12PM (remote)

Diversity & Belonging: Tues., Nov. 15, 4PM

Board Meeting: Thurs., Nov. 30, 6:30PM; Room 100

"In Free Berlin Smith shows vividly what has made dour Berlin twinkle: the offbeat creatives who dared to live out their eccentricities on its streets and in the drafty walkups—not for money but because this is who they had to be, and Berlin was the best place to be it.”—Paul Hockenos

Harvard professor and native Minnesotan Briana Smith will present an overview of her new book, Free Berlin: Art, Urban Politics, and Everyday Life. Learn about the experimental artists who flourished behind the Iron Curtain and beyond the art market in the everyday spaces of late Cold War Berlin and in the reunified city after 1990. Kaffee und home-baked Kuchen reception follows the talk. The book will be for sale—get a signed copy! Buy tickets here.

The GAI is launching the Twin Cities first German Film Festival from Nov 3-6! This year's inaugural festival theme, ""Reel Women,"" highlights German films with women at the center of the narrative—women who use their passions and skills to instigate changes in their own lives and in the lives of those around them.

As part of that theme, we've also included three family-friendly films that include films for kids and teens! Amelie Rennt (2017) for ages 12-17, Mission Ulya Funk (2021) for ages 7-17, and Sputnik! (2013) ages 7-17. Learn more about the film festival and purchase tickets here.

The board’s Diversity & Belonging committee would like to highlight some upcoming events in the Twin Cities as opportunities for intercultural engagement- one our school’s core values.

“We Are Still Here: Stepping into our Power” Indigenous Art Show

When and where? Fri, November 4, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT at Friedli Gallery and Studio 943 7th Street West Saint Paul

A celebration of indigenous life, art and ingenuity! Our 3rd annual Indigenous art show features work from Native artists across Turtle Island! "We Are Still Here: Stepping Into Our Power" celebrates the resurgence of our cultural practices and heritage as we step forth and take the lead in many facets of today's issues and culture. Appetizers and light refreshments. Cocktail Casual Attire. Read more here.

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE BAND: 15th Anniversary Party!

When and where? Saturday, November 5, 2022 / Doors: 7:00 PM CT / Show: 8:00 PM at The Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Avenue South Minneapolis

UVB is a Ukrainian roots and Zabava (event & wedding) band that was founded in 2007. Their repertoire includes traditional and modern Ukrainian music, as well as their own take on popular, international rock and pop tunes. Read more here.

Feast of Nations

When and where? Sat, Nov 5, 2022, 6:00 PM at Coffman Memorial Union, Great Hall 300 Washington Ave SE Minneapolis

Join the Minnesota International Student Association (MISA) and Student Unions & Activities in celebrating the rich multiculturalism and diversity here at the University of Minnesota. A MISA tradition for over a decade, and one of its largest events of the year, Feast of Nations brings together community members and highlights cultures from all over the world. Enjoy an amazing show with performances by fellow community members, sample a wide range of multicultural food catered from local restaurants, learn about traditional clothing around the world with a fabulous multicultural fashion show, and get to know cultural student groups on the U of M campus. Read more here.

TCGIS has built a list of local university/college students interested in virtual private tutoring in German for TCGIS students. We update this Google spreadsheet of tutors regularly. Learn more here.

October 27: School Board Meeting

October 29: PTO Trick-or-Treat

October 29: Free Berlin Book Talk

October 31: K-8 Optional Halloween Dress-up day + Parade

November 1: NO SCHOOL

November 1: 6th Grade Waldsee Info Meeting

November 4: PTO Meeting & Pizza/Movie Night

November 3-6: German Film Fest

November 7: Curriculum Advisory Cmte: Public Input Session

November 21 & 22: Fall conferences



TCGIS Google Calendar