ISSUE 593/October 3, 2024

Message from the Executive Director

Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft / Dear TCGIS Community, 


​​We look forward to connecting with parents, especially those new to our community, at next Monday’s Parent Social & Orientation Night. This Parent Council-sponsored event grew out of a need seen by our council of parent representatives, similar to a student council, of our veteran parents connecting with our newest parents. Our goal is to bring parents together to get to know one another, learn more about how to become involved in our school and to share strategies for parent success at TCGIS. There will be a food truck and childcare. 


Our team of administrators will be on-site to meet with parents and hear feedback about the first 6 weeks of school. We value parent feedback and know there are always things to improve upon.  


See you Monday, October 7th from 5:30-7:30 at TCGIS


Elizabeth Zehnpfennig, Executive Director

School News & Updates

MDH Advises of Measles Outbreak in the Twin Cities

We would like to pass on this information by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH):


"Minnesota is currently experiencing a measles outbreak. Measles is a serious disease caused by a virus that spreads through coughing, breathing, and sneezing. Measles can spread easily, especially in schools, so it’s important to know how to prevent it and what to do if someone in your home gets sick."


The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect against measles. If your child has obtained an exemption for the MMR vaccine, they could be asked to remain home from school for 21 days or longer if they are exposed to measles. Click here for resources.

School Pictures are Ready to Order!

School Pictures are Ready to Order!

Click here to view and order

  • TWIN CITIES GERMAN IMMERSION SCHOOL
  • Event Code: FE117024
  • Images are secured using the email address(es) provided to us by the school.

Did your student(s) miss School Picture Day?

Retake Day is Thursday, October 24, 2024

New TCGIS Swag has ARRIVED!

If you ordered something from our online store, here are your options for pickup:

  • Walking pickup on Monday, October 7th from 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
  • A table will be set up on the TCGIS playground for order pickups, and a staff member will be on hand to assist you.
  • Sent home with your student on Tuesday, October 8th
  • If your order is not picked up on Monday, it will be sent home with your student on Tuesday, October 8th. 

If you have a split or multiple households, or have other questions concerning picking up swag orders, please feel free to reach out to Paige Yurczyk, Comm and Outreach Manager.


We encourage you to wear TCGIS Swag for school spirit day on October 11th!

Parent Orientation Night & Extended Nominations Deadline

1. Save the Date: Monday, October 7, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Parent Council is once again hosting in cooperation with the TCGIS administration: Parent Social & Orientation Night! The purpose of this event is to bring parents together to get to know one another, learn more about the school and ways to get involved, share strategies for parent success at TCGIS and connect with Director Zehnpfennig, Assistant Principal Radecki and Dean Maslofski and representatives.


2. The nominations window for the Parent Council nominations has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 9th! If you are interested in representing your child’s classroom on this advisory council, please click here to find the form! (Not sure? Visit us at our table on 10/7 to learn more about PC!)

Host an Intern!

This fall, 10 wonderful interns joined TCGIS, enriching our classrooms and community in countless ways. Thank you for everything you do, liebe Interns! We’re excited to welcome new interns in the spring! Now is the time to apply to host an intern for the spring semester! Interested? Please complete the Host Family Application! Questions? Email Claudia Müller for more info! 

Communication Flow: How Do I Solve a Problem?

Here is the link to our communication flow for problem solving student concerns whether they are academic or behavior related. We encourage parents to reach out to the classroom teacher first when addressing any concerns. We understand that, with middle school students, it may not always be clear whom to contact. You can find your child's advisory teacher in Infinite Campus and send them an email for assistance.


If it is a behavior question about something outside of the classroom, Nina Maslofski is our Dean of Student Support. If it is an academic question, after teachers, Catherine Radecki, our Assistant Principal is next in line for support. Parents of special education can reach out to Andrew Haugen after teachers. If the concern can not be handled, by these three adminstrators, please reach out to our Principal/Director, Elizabeth Zehnpfennig

TCGIS Athletics Leaf-Raking Fundraiser

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 at 12 noon until 3 pm (actual raking at 12:30-2:30 pm).


For the first Saturday, November 2, it will only be the cross-country team so that AD Tabisz can troubleshoot with a smaller group. (Funds collected on November 2 will be used for all athletic teams.) But the second Saturday, November 9, will be open to all TCGIS athletic teams.


Athletes, parents and guardians: please sign up to volunteer.

For more information, check out our slideshow, and email Coach Tabisz with any questions.


Please spread the word to Como Park Neighbors who might like their yards raked this fall. They can sign up here

TCGISers at TC Marathon Weekend

Every year, we have several TCGIS staff and parents / guardians running in the Twin Cities 10-Milers, Half-Marathon and Marathon. Let's cheer them on!!


If you are running and would like TCGIS folks to cheer you on, please email Athletic Director Tabisz to get added to this list. We will add bib numbers later so that you can track our TCGISers on the course.

TCGIS Winter Sports Registration

Sign up for our winter sports on October 1-15 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 October 15.


Our winter sports will begin the week after Thanksgiving. Basketball will go until mid/late February, and Nordic Ski and Indoor Track-and-Field will have practices and competitions through early March.


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 winter sports slideshow.


NEW FOR BASKETBALL 2024-2025

Families will be assigned to cover shifts as scorekeepers, hallway monitors, and cleanup supervisors at all home games. Families may of course switch among themselves. We need these shifts to be covered in order to have home games. With questions, please contact Athletic Director Tabisz.

PTO News

PTO Autumn Treats 

No tricks here - just a lot of great treats happening with the TCGIS PTO!

See more information and all of this week’s PTO News

Volunteer Opportunities

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!

Represent TCGIS at the Twin Cities Book Festival

Books

Join us in representing TCGIS at the Twin Cities Book Festival! Come to Tilden Park on October 19th for a day filled with readers, writers, publishers, and purveyors of all things literary! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Paige Yurczyk.

School Board (Schulvorstand) Announcements

Say Hi at the Parent Social and Orientation Night

Join the TCGIS Board at Parent Orientation night on Monday, October 7th! Stop by the board table to learn more about how the board supports our school and how you can be involved through committee participation.

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

Finance Committee Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 at 6:30 pm on Zoom


Fundraising Committee Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 at 12:30 pm on Meets


Committee of the Whole Meeting: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at 6:30 pm Room 100

Community News

Become a Daisy Girl Scout Today!

A Girl Scout Daisy is in kindergarten or first grade, the perfect time to become a Girl Scout! Everything Daisies do—from planting a garden to making a circle of friends—sparkles with that "first time ever" newness. Along the way, Daisies gain important social skills, learn how to be a good friend, and discover the world around them. Every Daisy meeting is an adventure filled with sisterhood, giggles, learning, and fun! 


The TCGIS Troop #57317 (for grades K through 5th grade) meet locally once a month on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:15PM. For more questions, information, or to find out how to join the TCGIS troop, contact Kate Durbin

Liederkranz Youth Choir at TCGIS with Herbert!

New season and new program for 3rd to 8th graders! Our choir enters its 3rd year with exciting news! We will add choreography to our song repertoire to become a Youth Show Choir! Frau Emma Theis, the new assistant to Herbert with students to create stage moves. This will add new experience to the children while enhancing our performances. Choir practices will be Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30 pm. Contact Herbert by email or phone.

Resources & Calendar

CALENDAR

Oct 6 - PTO Cookies and Canvases


Oct 7 - Parent Social & Orientation Night (Parent Council Event)











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