Liebe TCGIS Gemeinschaft, 

We are so excited for the weekend. We are kicking off our celebration with popsicles in the park for our middles and on the playground for our littles. In the evening we are welcoming honored guest Fabrice Liesegang and Hon. Consulate Barbara Mueller for our DSD I award ceremony for the class of 2025 followed by a cocktail reception at the GAI.  

I hope to see you all in addition to many alumni and their families at our huge TCGIS birthday celebration this Saturday. Come for the fun, stay for the cake!  We kick off at 11 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30. Round out the day by watching our middle schoolers take on the adults in our Fun Run.  

We know the weather is not looking great.  We have a rain plan and will make a call sometime Friday evening. We will simply move the party inside.  

Happy Birthday, TCGIS. Here’s to 20 more!

Elizabeth Zehnpfennig

TCGIS Executive Director

Our 20th Anniversary Celebration is Almost Here!

Join us on Saturday, September 20 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for an afternoon full of community, great food, and plenty of fun. From engaging activities to delicious food trucks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Be sure to RSVP today and let us know you’ll be part of the celebration.

Are You Faster Than a Middle Schooler?

on Saturday, September 20, at 4-5 PM

at the Streetcar Museum (1224 Lexington Pkwy N, St Paul, MN 55117) In this 1-mile race, you have the chance to race against the faster middle schoolers and your own middle schoolers. You can choose any middle school to compete against. At the finish, we will see who is faster - the middle schooler of your choosing or you!

To register:

• Fill out this form.
• Pay the entry fee on Infinite Campus. This is a fundraiser for the school. Middle schoolers are free. Elementary students are $5, and adults pay $10.

If you have any questions about the event, please email Athletic Director Tabisz.

Enrichment Classes Fall 2025 Extended Until 9/23

Enrichment Classes Fall 2025 is still open. The registration window is now extended until 9/23 so visit our school store in INFINITE CAMPUS and let your student have the opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment classes.

Fall Universal Screening Is Nearly Complete!

This week, we are wrapping up our fall universal school-wide screening. Students completed assessments specific to their grade level in reading and math. In the next 2 weeks, please keep a close eye on your email for your child's fall screening assessment scores. Following thorough review of all data, our team will reach out to you if your child would benefit from additional more intensive support at this time. If you still have questions or concerns after reviewing the results, we encourage you to review the following resource.

Donations Needed: Cereal Boxes, Gallon Jugs and Headphones!

We are currently collecting several items to support upcoming school projects and student needs! Frau Lenburg is gathering empty cereal boxes and round oatmeal containers for K–3 lantern-making in art class, and volunteers are welcome to help with at-home cutting in October. Reach out to Frau Lenburg if you are interested in helping.

We’re also seeking donations of noise-cancelling headphones to support students with varying sensory needs in classrooms and the lunchroom. Bring them to the front office or have them sent to TCGIS at 1031 Como Ave!

In addition, for the annual GAPP exchange Tie Dye, we need empty, washed plastic gallon-size containers with lids—please bring them to the front office or science room 313 by September 26. Thank you for your support!

Running on TC Marathon Weekend?

If you are racing and would like to share your bib number with the school community, please send your name and bib number to Coach Tabisz.

It would be great to see our TCGIS community out cheering along this very exciting race. We have TCGIS staff, parents, guardians and friends racing this weekend. Check out our list and cheer them on!

Parent Council Update September 2025

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.

We are looking for volunteers for the 2025-26 school year. Curious about how you can help? Sign up here or email parent-council@tcgis.org to let us know.  It's never too late to join and we always welcome additional members. Here is a link to the overview of the most recent meeting.

Help Us Bring SCIENCE to Life at TCGIS!

We're raising funds for hands-on science kits that support our amazing MCA test scores with even more engaging science learning.

• Age-specific & teacher-friendly
• Reusable materials
• Just $10 per student

We've raised over $2800 so far for the science kits, which is one kit for each grade :) Let's finish filling up these classrooms with awesome bonus science materials so we can give our kids (and teachers) an amazing gift.

Donate to cover one student, five, or a whole classroom

Thanks to our amazing classroom level sponsors! You sponsored science for a whole class at TCGIS, and that is amazing :)

• Rae Johnson
• Anonymous donor family
• The Barnes Family
• The Gardner Family
• The Patel Family
• Ann and Al Dohm
• Anonymous donor family

Help Us Make the TCGIS Fall Auction a Success!

The TCGIS Fall Auction is just around the corner (Oct 23–26), and we’re looking for amazing donations from YOU — our awesome community! Whether it’s a handmade item, a delicious baked good, or a fun event like a movie night or pizza party, your generosity helps fund PTO programs all year long.

• Deadline to donate: Monday, October 20
• Have a great idea? We’d love to feature it! Check out our web form for more details and to donate :)

Questions? Email us at auctionTCGISPTO@gmail.com

Let’s make this year’s auction unforgettable!

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 Lunch/Breakfast Volunteers

Do you (or maybe a grandparent or family member) have a little time to share with our students?

• Breakfast Volunteer (1–2 people): Welcome students as they arrive and help them pick up breakfast. Just 20–25 minutes (7:50–8:15am), flexible days.
• Lunchroom Volunteer (2–3 people): Spend time with students at lunch! Help younger ones, assist with clean-up, and provide a little kitchen support. About 2 hours (11am–1pm), flexible days.

If you’re interested, please reach out to Alex Weeding, TCGIS Food Service Coordinator.

Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings

• Special Education Advisory Committee: Mon, Sept. 22nd, 6:30-7:30pm, Cafeteria
• Board Meeting: Wed, Sept. 24th, 6:30pm, Room 100
• Finance Committee Meeting: Tue, Oct. 7th, 6:30-8pm
• Fundraising Committee Meeting: Tue, Oct 14th, 6:30-7:30pm

Discover. Create. Lead. Girl Scouts at TCGIS!

Looking for a place where you can lead, create, and make a difference—while having fun? In Girl Scouts, you’ll explore the outdoors, dive into cool projects, build skills, and make a difference in your community—all while having fun with friends from TCGIS. From crafts and STEM to service projects and camping, there’s something for everyone!

• Girl Scouts at TCGIS is open to all girls in grades K–8. We meet once a month on the last Tuesday from 6:00–7:15 PM right here at school.
• For more information or to sign up, email us.

Sing, Read, and Play – auf Deutsch!

In "Preschool: German Music & Storytime," you and your child (ages 2–4) will explore German through joyful songs, engaging stories, and creative play — no prior knowledge of German needed!

Led by native speaker and local educator Birte Fretwell, this four-week class runs Wednesdays, Oct 1–22, 9:30–10:15 AM at the JJ Hill Community Education Center (998 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55104).

Space is limited, so don't delay! Enroll together under your child’s name here or call Saint Paul Community Education at 651-767-8179. Deadline to register is 12 PM on Sept 30.

Sept 20 - TCGIS 20th Anniversary Party



TCGIS Google Calendar