A Weekly Update for Families
In this issue...
Attention aRtiSTs
TCGIS T-Shirts coming soon
School Tour Season
Upcoming Performances
Cold Weather Brings Chapped Lips and Hands
Don't Miss This German Cultural Event
ElternbriefJanuary 12, 2011
Dear Families,

Upcoming Dates

· January 13th  1:30- Showcase of Afterschool Activities

· January 14th - NO SCHOOL for students.  Report writing for teachers.

·January 17th - Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL

·February 3rd - 6:30 PM State of the School

·February 11th - Carnival of Cultures: Performing Arts program performance

·February 17th and 18th - Parent Teacher Conferences

 

Martin Luther King Day The reason this day is declared a holiday is for school children to be able to take the time to acknowledge the important civil rights that characterize our nation and learn the stories of heroes who worked hard to secure those rights.  I encourage youto use some portion of the time off from school in  a way that honors those heroes.Talk with your children about what is important to you about this day and find some participatory way to model the values Martin Luther King embodied. There are many civic events to commemorate the life and work of Martin Luther King.  A few are highlighted at Martin Luther King Day events.

 

Please be punctual   Teachers are having an unprecedented number of tardy students, which makes it difficult to start the days routine.  Please anticipate winter driving conditions when you leave home with the goal of having children in their classrooms, not just the front door by 8:15.  If you do arrive late, please stop at the front desk and sign in.  Your child will be marked tardy if they come past the front desk later than 8:15. 


We recognize that the glass door by the third grade classrooms does not always lock appropriately.  Nonetheless, we ask that everyone come in past the front desk.  We like to greet and welcome each member of the community each day as much as we're able.


 

Supply Contribution

In October we informed you that The Board requests that families make a $35 per semester or $70 annual contribution per student to cover the cost of disposable materials such as writing and math notebooks. The second portion of this fee is due on February 1st.  Please fill out the attached sheet to indicate your payment arrangements, including a request for scholarship as necessary.  If  you paid the full amount in the fall, you need make no further contribution. 

 

Schultuete  We are proud to distribute a new issue of our school magazine highlighting some of the special projects going on at school.  Click here for a link to a PDF file.  You may want to pass this on to family and friends asa portrait of our school.  A very special thanks to Kelly Huxmann for serving as editor and lay-out person as well as to all contributing writers and photographers. 

 

Thank you!  The technology committee consisting of Aaron Grenz, Peter Clark, Jesse Zibble, Peter Huxmann, Linda Michel, Joel Westacott and Valentin Solakhau have been working over time lately.  We look forward to announcing the fruits of their labors in procuring and maintaining computers and other technology for our school.

 

Another hardworking committee helping us through the season of prospectve Kindergarten families touring the school consists of Julia Elias, Kim Kompel, Lisa Friedmann, Gina Vader, Chris Weimholt, Ursula Hargens and Leslie Watson.  They represent us at school fairs, school tours and information sessions.  Parents' stories about the school are very compelling for prospective parents.  Please let us know if you're able to join this outreach group.
 


Frau Annika Fjelstad
Director
Twin Cities German Immersion School

afjelstad@tcgis.org
Attention aRtiSTs

We would like to invite you to participate in the First Annual TCGIS Family Art Show...to coincide with the First Annual Talent Show (sponsored by the Vienna Community Arts) on Sunday, March 6th at the Germanic American Institute, from 11 to 3 p.m.


 

We will have 3 categories: PAINTING/DRAWING, PHOTOGRAPHY and SCULPTURE.  All 2 dimensional artwork must be either framed OR matted, and sculptural pieces must be free-standing.  All art submissions must be made by no later than February 28th.  (ALL artwork will be returned!)


 

We invite TCGIS community members of ALL ages and abilities to participate!  This art display will not be a "contest" but a celebration of our visual arts talents.  If you are a student, parent, or other family member or even friend, please think about making a masterpiece to submit for the show!  Individual or group works invited.

Contact Mickey Jurewicz-Gruenheid (612.759.2996 or mjs_art@hotmail.com) with any questions!


 
TCGIS T-Shirts coming soon.... 

 
You may have seen new TCGIS t-shirts tacked around the school.  More information on how to order your own t-shirts for the entire family will be available in the next PTO Newsletter, coming out tomorrow!
 
School Tour Season
 
We are in the School Tour season - the time of year when parents are looking at prospective schools for their children. Between now and the middle of February we have scheduled 5 set tour times. All of them are on Tuesday or Friday mornings at 9am. We also have 2 Information Sessions which days and times vary. We like to have 2 guides per tour. Material and training provided. If you are available and interested in helping share our school with interested parents, please contact Julie Elias at: jae_222@yahoo.com.
Upcoming Performances

 

After-school activities showcase

January 13th, Thursday: TOMORROW!
 

We will start at 1:30pm in the cafeteria.

 

We are glad to be able to present you some of after-school activities through this performance.


Here is the schedule of the showcase:

Dance Group

Chor

Drama Studio/Theater AG

Strings Group

Gymnastics

Mime

Neue Deutsche Welle

 

Karneval der Kulturen/Carnival of Cultures

 

February 11th, Friday

We would like to invite all of you to our Carnival of Cultures that will take place at 6:30pm in the school concert hall of St. Thomas More Catholic Community, St. Paul.


Through this performance we would like to unite a Carnival atmosphere with the idea that our world is so beautiful and colorful because it is so different and unique.  Every grade is preparing its part. You are welcome to join our Carnival of Cultures!

Cold Weather Brings Chapped Lips and Hands

As the winter wears on, more and more children are coming to the front desk in search of lotion, lip balm, or anything else they can find to ease the pain and itching caused by chapped lips and hands.

 

Unfortunately, the most the most we can do in the office is encourage students to drink lots of water, wear mittens outside, and avoid licking their lips! 


If you would like your child to have moisturizer at school, consider placing it in a plastic baggie with his/her name on it and giving it to your classroom teacher.


Don't Miss This German Cultural Event!
 
Who: Germanic - American Institute

What: Winterfest mit Euro Dance Party

Where: 301 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

When: January 29, 2011

Time: 3pm - Midnight

Price: Free and open to the public


Come celebrate the St. Paul Winter Carnival German-style. January in Minnesota is the perfect time to bundle up and head outside to enjoy the revelry of Karneval and a mug (or two!) of warm Glühwein

 

3-7pm Winterfest Tent Party

Keep warm under the tent or join your friends around the bonfire outside on the GAI grounds.
Festivities to include:

 

· Live music from the band Dale Dahmen and the Beats

 

· Draft beer, Glühwein, and freshly grilled bratwurst

 

· Performances by the Spielmannzug Tanzguard and Karnveval games

 

· Weiberfastnacht celebration. Ladies come made-up as a hag and enjoy the emasculating tradition of cutting the men's ties. Prizes for the best Altweib (old woman) costume.


7pm-12am Euro Dance Party

The party moves into the Ratskeller for more music and dancing. D.J. Ben will be spinning Retro 70s and 80s Europop and classic Karneval party music.


 

Click here to see the flyer!


Elternbrief Submissions

Please have all articles pertinent to the TCGIS community submitted to the Elternbrief by Monday at 9 am prior to Wednesday publication. Submissions may be sent to aberge@tcgis.org.