A Weekly Update for Families
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| Elternbrief | January 19, 2011
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 Dear Families,
Relationship of charter schools to districts Several people have asked me in the last week how the changes in St. Paul Public Schools strategic plan will impact us. Although we are located in St. Paul, we have no formal relationship to St. Paul Public Schools. We are our own independent school district. Therefore there will be no direct impact on us. Tax Deductible Expenses Fees collected by teachers to cover field trips or other special projects are tax deductible education expenses. The $70 annual supply contribution is also tax deductible. For 2011 we recommend that you keep copies of class letters or field trip permission slips that indicate a certain amount of money due. Keep these along with cancelled copies of checks, or printouts from your bank accounts indicating that you have paid these amounts to the school for your tax records. If you have kept track of the amounts in 2010 that you have paid for classroom expenses, you may print up a total of those amounts and have the front desk stamp that these amounts have been received. The school cannot recreate a record of amounts paid in individual classrooms. Supply contribution If you have not yet fully paid or otherwise made a payment plan with the school for the $70, please drop a check at the front desk OR download this payment plan here. Conference Registration Information about conference registration will follow soon in a separate e-mail.
Frau Annika Fjelstad
Director
Twin Cities German Immersion School
afjelstad@tcgis.org |
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State of the School
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February 3rd
TCGIS
1745 University Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
6:30 PM
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Carnival of Cultures
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February 11th
St. Thomas More Catholic Community
6:30 PM
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Parent Teacher Conferences
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February 17th and 18th
TCGIS
1745 University Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
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Follow the Yellow Brick Road
To the cafeteria at TCGIS where Vienna Community Arts will offer a unique production of "OZ!".
This musical theatre workshop will be held during Spring Break, from Monday, March 21 to Thursday, March 24, 2011, with a final showcase for parents and friends. The workshop is from 9:00am to 1:00 and is open to K through 6th graders. Enrollment is limited to 15 students.
No experience necessary! VCA takes an educational approach to theatre using this as a way to build confidence, acquire new skills, and build relationships. No auditions. Every student has a role.
Tuition is $125.00 for the week. Call Nancy or Herbert at 651-773-9525 for more info. Watch for our flyer!
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TCGIS Clothing Sale is Here
The 2011 TCGIS Clothing Sale is now open online! Check it out to see the selection of colors and styles on student, staff, and parent models. There are also some samples hanging just outside the school lobby in the hallway by the front desk.
Through the online TCGIS PTO store, you may pay one of three ways:
- Order online and then pay by cash or check at school in the PTO Drop Box (write clothing sale on memo line)
- Pay using your PayPal account,
- Pay with your regular credit card through the PayPal website (no PayPal account required).
If you prefer not to order online, just pick up an order form from the front desk; fill out the form and put it and your payment into the PTO Drop Box.
Orders must be submitted by Friday, January 28th. If you have any questions regarding the clothing sale please contact Gina Vader (or call 763-432-2274).
 
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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!
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German Heritage Night with the Timberwolves
First Annual German Heritage Night with the Minnesota Timberwolves
This special evening will be a chance to cheer for former NBA MVP and Germany's own Dirk Nowitzki!
It will be a fun and exciting evening of Timberwolves basketball and German culture.
A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Twin Cities German Immersion School.
WHEN: Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:00pm
WHERE: Target Center
PRICE: $36 lower level seats ($40 regular) or $12 upper level seats ($15 regular)
German Heritage Night includes:
- Early entry into the arena to watch the Mavericks warm-up
- A possible meet and greet with Dirk Nowitzki after the game (not guaranteed and subject to the approval and discretion of the Dallas Mavericks
- A post-game photo for the entire group
- Also, the first 40 kids to sign up get to high-five the players as they run onto the court before the game!
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Twin Cities German Immersion School
Click here for a certificate and order form!
For more information contact Jacob Widerschein, widerschein(at)timberwolves.com, 612.673.1282
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Kaffeeklatsch January 21st
We are starting at 8:10am this Friday in the lobby. For a little bit of "Gemuetlichkeit", we will resume Kaffeklatsch downstairs in the Music Room or Cafeteria, where you can also can get updates on Maskenball and other upcoming school events from your PTO members.
We would also like to invite all parents who are interested in helping to organize the Kaffeklatsch event to our meeting on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 9:30am. We'll be planning the schedule and staffing for the remainder of the school year. The meeting is held in the Music Room downstairs right after Kaffeeklatsch.
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Fund Raising: Group Events
This year as part of Maskenball Silent Auction, gatherings and community events are a crucial part of our fundraising effort. For those of you new to TCGIS, these donated events offer a means of both raising money for our school and strengthening our community. Simply, they're organized get-togethers donated by families at the school. They can be as simple as a dinner party or a game night, or they can be more involved. Some ideas are listed below: We need people who are willing to host events. Host as a family or talk with other parents in your child's class or friends from other grades to plan an events togethers. These events can be large or small, elaborate or simple. They can be geared toward children, adults, or families. You get to choose. The donor family provides everything needed for the gathering to take place such as materials, supplies and venue. The expenses associated with the gathering are a charitable tax deductible. Please consider supporting our school by sponsoring a group event. To organize an event, just complete the Group Events Form. Forms will also be available at the front desk at school. Turn in forms directly to Molly Foster or leave in the PTO box at the front desk. Your help in making group events and all aspects of the Maskenball Silent auction a success is great appreciated! If you have any questions, please contact Molly Foster at (651) or mollykfoster@msn.com.
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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.
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Upcoming Performances
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! |
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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.
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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!
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