ISSUE 637/October 30, 2025

Message from the Executive Director

Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft,

Although our school year is only in week 9, our recruitment team is already planning for next year. Our enrollment window, filled with school tours and open houses, has opened. We know from family surveys and past experience that word of mouth is our best advertisement. I ask that you consider mentioning TCGIS to any friends or family in your circles with kindergarteners next year or with students that are unhappy with their current school. Kids want to experience success and feel that they belong. That is our mission here at TCGIS! We’d love to see them next year.

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig

TCGIS Executive Director

School News & Updates

Reminder: No School Tomorrow

This is a reminder that there is no school on October 31 for a PD Day. The Front Office will be closed but Kinderclub will be open. Please email info@tcgis.org with any questions.

Middle School Dance Tonight!

Wear your Halloween costume to our first MS Dance of the year! No weapons or masks allowed

Thursday October 30th

Grades 5 and 6: 6-7:15pm
Grades 7 and 8: 7:30-9:00pm

Purchase tickets in Infinite Campus or at the doors for $5! Remember to bring cash for snacks!

Fall Conference Sign-Ups Now Open

The Spring conference sign-ups opened Wednesday, October 29 and will run through Wednesday, November 12. Click here to read more about the conferences. Contact info@tcgis.org with questions.

Conference Dates:

Monday, November 24, 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Tuesday, November 25, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

TCGIS Food Drive - November 3rd-7th

TCGIS is hosting a Food Drive to support families in need, and we need your help! Please consider donating non-perishable food items next week November 3rd-7th. You can bring your donations to the front office. In addition, we’re collecting extra snacks for classrooms.

These snacks must meet the Smart Snack guidelines — examples: raisins, Gogo Squeeze, Dole fruit cups, fruit bars, individual snack packages of goldfish, pretzels.
Please label your donation “Food Drive” or “Extra Snacks” to help us sort the donations.

We will be giving families access to donated food on Thursday, November 13, 3:15-3:45 PM. While we don't require RSVP to get food in-person, it is helpful to have an idea of how much food we may need to serve our community. If any families need food and are unable to come pick it up in person, they can sign up here for food to be sent home with their child(ren). Thank you for your generosity and support!

Food and Clothing Needs

If you are in need of food assistance, here is a list of local resources.

The weather will start to get colder! If your child is in need of winter gear - coat, hat, gloves, or boots - you can connect with your classroom teacher or Assistant Principal Catherine Radecki.

Opt-In Family Contact List

In order to facilitate communication between families such as playdates or birthdays we offer an opt-in family contact list by grade level. Eltern Kontakte (parent contacts, or EK's) for each grade maintain their lists and parents are welcome to add or edit their information throughout the school year. Parents are not obliged to share contact information at all, and if you choose to share your contact information, you may freely decide which details to include. Please enter only those contact details that you would like to share with other parents in your student's GRADE. Please complete this form one time for EACH child of yours at TCGIS. This will ensure that each of your children appear on their respective grade list.

TCGIS Coat and Coin Drive Coming Soon!!

Münzen Matter at TCGIS! Last year, TCGIS students collected nearly $2,000 in coins to support our school during our Week of Generosity! We are excited to hold this FUNdrasier again this year in addition to our winter clothing collection and hygiene item drive to support Joseph’s Coat. The fun kicks off on November 10, so make plans to start gathering coins and items! More details coming soon.

Frau Maslofski is now Frau Azo

You might have seen this new name on an Email or in the front office. Our Dean of Student Support Frau Maslofski got married before fall break and changed her name to Frau Azo and also has a new email address nazo@tcgis.org. New name - same role and responsibilities.

PTO News

Join Us!

We chose a language immersion school so our children could grow up with tolerance, compassion, and a global worldview. We live those values by building a warm, connected community and volunteering our time to make our school thrive.

Through the PTO, we show our teachers how deeply we value them—by funding their professional development, classroom projects, and continuing education. We celebrate their incredible work with gratitude, meals, and support as they give our children an outstanding education—both academically and socially.

Our PTO raises funds to thank our amazing team at TCGIS and to host joyful community events that strengthen our culture of kindness and connection.

Get involved—lend your voice, your energy, and your heart. When you volunteer with the PTO, you’re not just helping your child’s school—you’re modeling the power of community and showing your kids that gratitude and service make a difference. Together, we create something truly beautiful.

Next year, we want new voices on our PTO board. Watch this quick video to see what the roles look like, and email us to meet up over coffee! Join us this year to pitch in, learn the ropes, and get ready to be part of the PTO board in 2026. PTO roles linked here!

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!

Seeking Nomination Subcommittee Volunteers

We are looking for a parent or two to help the Nomination Subcommittee this school year. We meet a few times based on availability to recruit nominations for the School Board, which includes talking to interested parties and/or thinking of people who would be great nominees. If you’re interested in helping the Board or have questions, please email Emily Albers. Thanks!