Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft, 

Last Spring we saw the power of the grass roots efforts of charter schools’ staff and families. They rallied on our students’ behalf and let our political representatives know how important state aid was to TCGIS’ and all Charter Schools’ finances. Those efforts were fruitful and legislators pulled back some of the cuts that were offered up in the draft Education Budget. Power to the people! I call on that strength again.  

Charter schools get all the same sources of state aid that all public schools receive with the exception of levied funds. We get the same per pupil revenue amount with breakdowns for all things from English Language Learners and Special Education to menstrual products and Read Act curriculum. What sets our finances apart is our inability to levy the community or ask for increases out of property taxes. This means we provide great Immersion Education for about 85 cents to every dollar that Saint Paul Public Schools does. 

Why does TCGIS receive less? We have been talking a lot about school safety lately. All schools want to keep their students safe. The state added an increase in 2024 of $36 dollars of safety aid for each student, but the money has to be levied by taxes. As a result we are not able to leverage the supports that go along with that aid: increasing safety through technology or infrastructure, surveillance equipment, window films, or safety personnel. It would amount to almost $20 thousand dollars extra. In addition, there is a proposed increase in the next session that would extend that amount another $10 per student. All funds that TCGIS can not receive.  

What can I do to help? I am including a template of what you could use to call, write or email your representatives. The personal stories of your children worked last time. They will work again. Tell them that all students deserve to be safe at school. Remind them that all Charter School students ARE public school kids.  

Thanks for all you do to support TCGIS, its students and its staff. 

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig

TCGIS Executive Director

REMINDER: No School Next Week (Oct 13-17)

This is a reminder that there is NO SCHOOL next week, October 13-17. The Front Office will be CLOSED. Kinderclub will be open October 13-15 and closed on October 16-17.

Save the Date! Upcoming Events at TCGIS!

Save the date for these events at TCGIS! More info to come after break.

• October 24 - TCGIS Admin Hosted Kaffeeklatsch 8:00-8:45 AM
• October 30 - Halloween Parade 2:30-3:00 PM
• November 14 - Martinstag Lantern Parade

Message From the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education

We are passing on the message by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE):

“Measles is a serious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the air when someone breathes or coughs. 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 MMR vaccine 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 and other activities for 21 days or longer if they are exposed to measles. If a family member gets measles, or your unvaccinated child is exposed, the school will guide you on how to quarantine (stay home and out of school) and access educational support like homebound instruction to keep everyone safe. More information about the risks of measles disease and the safety and importance of MMR immunization can be found on Measles Basics.”

Kinderclub Nov. Booking Window Opens Tomorrow

The booking window for the month of November opens tomorrow Friday 10/10 and closes next Friday 10/17. After the booking window closes Drop in requests can be made via email to kinderclub@tcgis.org at different prices and upon availability. To start booking for November follow the link.

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.

Jostens School Pictures are Ready!

View and order here!

• TWIN CITIES GERMAN IMMERSION SCHOOL
• Event Code: FE33225
• Also Needed: Infinite Campus Student ID

If you have any questions, please contact Alex Weeding

Registration CLOSING SOON for Winter Sports!

Sign up for our winter sports on October 1-15 on Infinite Campus (school store). There is a $50 late fee for registrations after October 15. Our winter sports will begin just before or after Thanksgiving. 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. If you have any questions, please email Athletic Director Tabisz.

Meet our Educational Assistants

The Special Education Department has compiled bios of all of our educational assistants who are working here this school year. If you would like to know who they are and get to know them a bit you can click here. 

Will you have a NEW student in 2026-2027?

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is now open! If you have a NEW student who will attend TCGIS in the 2026-2027 school year, please submit an application for admission online or by mailing a paper application. The enrollment window is open until the deadline on January 30, 2026. Siblings of currently-attending TCGIS students receive sibling preference for enrollment; for more information about TCGIS' enrollment process, please visit our enrollment webpage. Please direct any questions to enrollment@tcgis.org. Currently-enrolled students do not need to reapply.

Buy a Yearbook and Ad!

Yearbook ads are a great way to show your recognition and pride for your student. To create and purchase your ad, just click here and place your order by 12/20. Time and space is limited, so be sure to place your order today!

If you have not ordered your copy of this year’s book, click here and place your order to guarantee your copy on distribution day in June!

Music Stand Fundraiser

The TCGIS band needs more music stands! Not the folding ones, as they fall over way too easily, and the concert where the entire front row fell over like dominoes, is still fresh in my mind from 10 or so years ago! A box of 6 nice music stands is $299. If you can donate, even just five dollars, I will make up any difference. Those who donate will be listed on the stands they "sponsor." Venmo Krista-johnson-83 with “music stand” in the notes. 

A Message from the TCGIS Firearm Safety Group

The TCGIS Parents for Firearm Safety Group would like to remind you to continue rigorous firearm safety practices in your home and in homes that your children visit (lock away firearms; ideally: unloaded; lock away ammunition separately; do not share lock codes or keys with minors; ask about firearm storage practices in homes that your children visit). The full message can be seen here. Let’s continue to keep our school community safe.

Curriculum Advisory Committee is Seeking New Members

The Curriculum Advisory Committee is seeking 2 community members to provide active community participation and feedback in: 

• TCGIS's Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness goals 
• Instructional and curricular priorities 
• Advising the administration and school board about annual curriculum budget priorities

If this is something you are interested in, please email Esther Neu.

Parent Council Update - And Coffee Meetup!

The TCGIS Parent Council is a dedicated group of parent volunteers who work to represent family perspectives, build a strong and supportive community, and partner with school leadership. It's a fantastic way to connect with other parents, gain insight into how the school functions, and help shape the TCGIS experience for all families. If you want to join the conversation, our meetings are on the first Monday of each month - see this month's meeting minutes here and reach out to parent-council@tcgis.org. 

This month we are gathering for a casual coffee on Thursday, October 23. Come meet other parents and enjoy the last of the best weather in Minnesota at local coffee shop Karol Coffee, just north of Como Park in St. Paul. We will meet there after morning drop-off - hope to see you there!

Fall Auction: Donate by Oct. 20!

Got a cool idea, talent, or item to share? Help make our Oct 23–26 auction unforgettable. Baked goods, handmade gifts, events — all welcome!

• Submit your donation
• Questions? Email us

Join Us for the 6th Annual TCGIS Trick-or-Treat Party!

Our PTO is thrilled to host this beloved community event on Saturday, October 25th, from 4–6 PM at TCGIS.

Two ways to join the fun:

• Trick-or-Treaters: Sign up so we know how much candy to bring. Bring the whole family in costume!
• Table Hosts: Set up a table, decorate it, and hand out candy to our cutest ghouls and goblins.
• Middle School Challenge: Middle schoolers (and friends!) can host a table together—the best-decorated table wins an epic Bluetooth speaker!

Don’t miss this spooky-fun night with the whole TCGIS community.

Strudel is Back – Order Now!

Delicious, frozen & ready-to-bake strudel from Ruhland’s Strudel Haus — sweet or savory! Perfect for gatherings (serves 5–10).

• Order now (Deadline to order is Oct 27)
• 30% goes directly to Teacher Appreciation Week!
• Pickup at school: Friday, Nov. 21 (with strudel)

Holiday Wreaths & Poinsettias

Shop festive plants from Gertens, a local favorite! Beautiful gifts + a portion of sales supports TCGIS teachers.

• Order here (Deadline to order is Oct 27)
• Use Store ID: 550
• Pickup at school: Friday, Nov. 21 (with plants)

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!

Volunteer as an Elternkontakt (EK) this Year

Elternkontakte (parent contacts), or EKs, are parent volunteers who provide an additional communication channel between the teacher(s) and the parents in their child(ren)'s homeroom/grade. Each homeroom and grade-level have 1-3 EKs who work together to support the class or grade-level teachers, connect parents with each other and help strengthen our community. Managing the voluntary grade-level Family Contact List is also an important part of the EKs role. Much of this fun volunteer position can be done remotely since it primarily consists of communicating via email. If you're interested in volunteering as an EK this year, please fill out this brief form.

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Board Retreat, October 18, Room 100 9am-1pm
• Special Board Meeting, October 18, Room 100, 1pm
• Governance Committee Meeting: Mon, Oct. 20th, 4:30-6:00pm

Oktoberfest at the Iron Ranger

Continue your Oktoberfest celebrations this Sunday, October 12 at St. Paul's Iron Ranger restaurant on Grand Avenue from 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. There will be live music, games on the patio and plenty of festive food and drink specials. You won't want to miss it! 

October 13-17 - Fall Break



TCGIS Google Calendar