Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft! / Dear TCGIS community,

Most of you know that our 8th graders get to look forward to our capstone trip at the end of their time at TCGIS. But did you also know that the capstone experience first includes welcoming German students to TCGIS? On Wednesday, 36 students and 7 teachers from three schools in Germany arrived at TCGIS and were welcomed by their host students and families. For the next two weeks these students will experience life with their host families, the daily school routine at TCGIS, and lots of wonderful activities around the Twin Cities. When our students go to Germany in June, they will already have established connections with these new friends, who will serve as their host families. 

We are so proud of this program, which is one of largest back-to-back exchanges in the country. It provides a uniquely innovative opportunity for our students to live out our mission of German immersion and our value of intercultural engagement. 

Danke schön to the students, families, and staff who are making this exchange possible!

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 Capstone Exchange is the culminating experience for all TCGIS 8th graders. In the fall TCGIS 8th graders host a German student from one of our partner schools in Nordrhein-Westfalen, and in the spring, they will travel to Germany and live with their partner's family, attend school and explore Berlin. 

After a 2-year delay, we are delighted to welcome to TCGIS 37 students and 7 teachers from our 3 partner schools in Germany: the Fridtjof-Nansen-Realschule in Gronau, the Realschule Ochtrup in Ochtrup, and the Sekundarschule Horstmar-Schöppingen in Schöppingen.

While the German students and teachers are here, they will alternate normal school days with field trips to the MN History Center and State Capitol, downtown Minneapolis, Gibbs Farm, the Mall of America, and the U of M. They will also be immersed in American life while living with their host families. 

On Thursday, Sept. 22, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. the Middle School Curriculum Night and a Winter Sports Preview will be held in Zoom. More information will be sent out via Infinite Campus this week, including the links.

Starting school, being new to school, or starting kindergarten is a big step all kids take each year. For some it is easy, for others it may be hard. Many mixed feelings come up, such as excitement and nervousness. The brain is pattern-seeking. Until the pattern is found, the norm is anxiety. The more we know the calmer and safer we feel. But we cannot control everything. It is normal to be anxious and nervous. It is normal not to know everything. It is normal that sometimes things don’t go as we expected. 

So how do we prepare for all of that? Routines, naming and talking about our feelings, mindfulness, and self-care all help to reduce anxiety. Younger children may still co-regulate their emotions with their parent. It is helpful that you check-in with yourself, that you yourself are in a spot to transfer confidence and positive feelings to your student. 

How can you as a parent/caregiver support your student for a successful school days:

• Encourage healthy sleep routines and nutritious and balanced foods
• Slow down with screen time
• Establish routines (it reduces anxiety because your child can expect what will happen)
• Prepare what is in the “circle of your/their control” ahead of time. 
• For example, prepare your school bag, lunch and snack the night before. 
• Choose your outfit for the next day the night before. 
• Print and look at your student's schedule and show them what is to come. 
• Parents/caregivers can follow the weekly Rundbrief for school information
• For what is not in the “circle of your/their control” and all unanswered questions: take three deep breaths, say something positive and empowering such as, “I have done this before I can do this again”, “I eventually will know”, “It will all work out”, “I am going to be safe”, “There are new opportunities”....(practice these self talk skills together and word it age appropriately). 
• This is a good time for your student to identify what feels helpful to calm themselves when they feel anxious, nervous, frustrated, scared, desperate...
• Identify key people in their lives who they can go to talk to if it all becomes overwhelming and too much. 
• Take time to listen to your student, just talking about it without problem-solving can do wonders. 
• Imagine...that teachers have jitters too ;)
• Lastly, things can be hard; be kind & patient with self and others.

Feel like you need some more support? The following resources from Child Mind Institute may help support your student in school success:

• Talking to kids about back-to-school-worries
• Back to school dos and don'ts
• My teacher hates me!
• Back to school tips for kids who are struggling
• Separation Anxiety

TCGIS Oktoberfest 5K and Fun Run

Saturday, October 1st

11:30 AM Fun Run | 12 PM 5K 

Fall is here and it's time to sign up for the TCGIS PTO Oktoberfest 5K and Fun Run! Sign up and information here. The deadline to order 5K T-shirts is this Friday, Sept. 16th. Be sure to order yours!

Want to be there but don't want to run or walk the 5K? You can help us with registration or be a course marshal. These amazing runners need us to cheer them on!

And our Trick or Treat event is back and it's going to be great. Saturday, October 29 on the playground. Information here.

You can now order a 22/23 Yearbook for only $20. Prices will go up this Friday, September 16th! Order a yearbook now to get the best price of the year and choose free icons to personalize your child's yearbook. You can order a yearbook here.

Please welcome Jesse Whitney as our new Busing Coordinator! Jesse can be reached at jwhitney@tcgis.org when you have busing needs or questions. You can also reach him by calling the front office at 651-492-7106 and asking for Jesse.

To nominate yourself (or someone else with their permission), please fill in your information in the Nomination Form here. Nominations will be collected until September 16th. Interested in reading about nominees for each class? Check out the Parent Council Nominations Google Sheet and click on the tab with the grade you would like to look at. 

Curious about what it's like to serve on the Parent Council? Watch our Welcome Video, visit our webpage, or email parent-council@tcgis.org to be connected with a Parent Council representative to answer your questions. 

Save the Date: Saturday, October 1, 5-8pm will be the first meet up for the year! It will be an outdoor potluck picnic dinner at the epic Shoreview Commons Playground. Bring a blanket or camp chairs and a dish to share! RSVP here please!

Fall session Enrichment Classes (AKA after-school activities) are starting soon! Enrichment Classes are activities offered by staff and members of our school’s community which run after school from 3:30-4:30pm. The Fall session runs from October 3rd to December 2nd; there will not be classes on no-school days (for example, teacher PD days, Fall/Thanksgiving break) and class prices are adjusted to reflect this. The price is $10/week paid in total at registration, and the total subtracts weeks where a class will not meet due to no-school days. We have seven class offerings this session, and each has different student caps depending on the content and number of instructors. Registration is opening tomorrow, Friday, September 16th!

This year, registration will go through our Infinite Campus School Store. You will be able to view dates, locations, prices, and instructors for all classes. When the class is full, it will close automatically. The registration deadline is Wednesday, September 28th. Email amangan@tcgis.org with any questions!

Fall classes include Girl power, Fantasy Role Playing, Basteln, Wood Working, LEGO Club, Chess Club, Länder und Flaggen aus aller Welt, and Basketball Coaching. Read more about the classes here.

Are you interested in playing a winter sport at TCGIS: Nordic ski, indoor track-and-field, and basketball? Are you a returning athlete? Join the coaches for a Winter Sports Preview via Zoom at 8:20-8:35p.m. on Thursday, September 22 (after the MS Curriculum Zoom) to learn more about this season’s winter sports offerings and ask the coaches questions. It is recommended that all athletes, both new and returning, and their families attend. Registration for winter sports will take place from October 1 – 15.

With questions, please contact Athletic Coordinator Tabisz.

As we all re-learn our pick up and drop off routines, please keep the following in mind. Together we can make for safe and efficient student drop-off and pick-up.

Drop off / Pick up on VanSlyke

• Students must exit / enter the car independently. Adults must remain in the car. If your child is unable to enter / exit the car independently, please choose walking pick-up / drop off instead.
• Students may only exit / enter the car within the loading zone, which is marked by sandwich boards
• Enter the drop off / pick up line from Horton eastbound only and take a right onto Van Slyke. 
• Do not block the city bus stop or alleyways
• Close gaps between cars in the (un-)loading zone – pull up if there is space in front of you so that we are using the entire loading zone. 

Pick up-specific reminder on VanSlyke

Place green “PikmyKid” card in passenger window

We need your child’s name, grade, and PikMyKid number so that we can properly call them out to the pick-up line. Adding your child’s section (2B, 4C, etc.) is a helpful bonus. If you need a new card, let us know.

BIPOC affinity group fall picnic & bonfire 2021

The TCGIS Diversity & Belonging committee organizes affinity groups for our school community. If you are interested in being add to the email distribution list for the BIPOC affinity group, LGBTQ+ affinity group, and/or the Modern Families task force, please sign up here.

Thinking about volunteering on a board committee and have questions? Share your contact info and interest here and a board member will contact you!

Committee of the Whole; Sept. 19; 6:30 PM; Room 100

Diversity & Belonging; Sept. 20, 4PM; Contact Chair Eberhard

Governance; Thurs., Sept. 22, 4:30PM: Zoom

Board Meeting Thurs.; Sept. 29, 6:30PM; Room 100

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.

• "Whiteness in Plain View: A History of Racial Exclusion in Minnesota " Author Event, Minnesota History Center, St. Paul; Sat., Sep 17, 2022, 11:00 am - 12:45 pm. Author Chad Montrie and retired Attorney at Law and former Minnesota State Law Librarian and Board Chair of Reconnect Rondo, Marvin Anderson for a discussion of Chad's book. They will discuss numerous historical institutional barriers to full citizen rights and economic opportunities afforded to African Americans throughout the state. Then they will dive into action steps that can lead to repairing the harm that has already been done.
• St. Maron Annual Lebanese Festival; Sat & Sun, Sept 17-18, 2022, 11am-6pm. The whole family is invited to enjoy Lebanese food, music, fun & games, and traditional Debke dance performances. Held outside of St. Maron Church, 612 University Avenue NE Minneapolis. Learn more here. 

Bivalent vaccines are updated booster vaccines that protect against the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variants currently circulating (BA.4 and BA.5). Updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination and provide broader protection against newer variants.

People age 12 and older are now recommended to get an updated bivalent booster dose at least 2 months after their final primary series dose or last booster shot.

• The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for people age 12 and older.
• The updated Moderna booster is authorized for people age 18 and older.
• Everyone who is eligible—including those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised—are recommended to receive one dose of the updated vaccine.

People can get COVID-19 vaccines, including updated boosters, at the same visit as other vaccines, such as flu vaccine.

Use the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map to find vaccine providers near you. Providers will update their information as appointments are available.

Minnesotans can now order additional free COVID-19 rapid at-home tests through the state’s online ordering program. Every home in Minnesota is eligible to order up to 12 tests for free, while supplies last. Order Your Free At-Home Rapid Tests!

The at-home rapid tests available for order:

• Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
• Can be taken anywhere
• Give results within 15 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
• Work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms
• Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines
• Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests

People using the test kits should follow testing instructions from the manufacturer.

TCGIS Families, take note! We'd love to get your preschool-aged children started early on their German immersion experience. We've got a few spots left at both our St. Paul and Minneapolis locations! Contact preschool@gaimn.org for questions or to sign up for a tour of our schools.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Spezialagenten: You have 60 minutes to find and neutralize a poisonous substance planted at the GAI by the notorious Dr. J. Save the city of St. Paul and yourselves—auf Deutsch—und macht schnell!

Each one-hour Escape Room session will have groups of participants working together to solve the puzzle. Register for a start time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For teens ages 13+

This activity is in German—at least an A2 level of German is recommended. More info 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.

September 16: Fall Enrichment Classes registration opens

September 16: Parent Council Nominations Due

September 21: Early Release Day

September 22: Middle School Curriculum Night (via Zoom)

September 22: Winter Sports Preview (via Zoom)

October 1: TCGIS Oktoberfest Fun Run & 5K

October 1: BIPOC Affinity Group Meet-Up



TCGIS Google Calendar