Elternbrief, February 23, 2012

Security: You may notice some new doors locked and stricter instructions about where and when to exit and enter the school. It is with sadness that I let you know that several recent incidents have reminded us of the need to be extra cautious. Within the past ten days a purse has been stolen from a parent's car at TCGIS and a computer was stolen from within the school.

We ask for your cooperation in ensuring that the only entrance to the school is through the front office. We are asking families not to use the glass doors next to the third grade for entering or exiting. Unfortunately these doors do not always latch correctly when used and it is through these doors that the computer thieves entered. Please take the extra moment to walk around in order to help keep our space secure. In addition, basement doors will now be locked during Kinderclub pick-up. We have installed a doorbell to alert Kinderclub staff that you are there. Even though you are likely well-known to us as a parent or volunteer, you may be asked to wear a visitor badge to clearly identify who is supposed to be in the building.

Staff Changes: It is with sadness that I announce that Frau Hollenbeck in first grade has resigned her position. We are extremely grateful that Frau Regina Brenner, an experienced elementary teacher, was available. She began on February 21st. Please welcome her to our community.

MCA testing dates: As mentioned in an earlier Elternbrief, the dates on which standardized tests will be given are different than those publicized earlier in the year. See below for an up-to-date testing schedule.

Board Meeting: The Board Meeting will be held on February 29th at 6:30 PM. The agenda is available here. All Board Meetings are open to the public.

After-school Pick-up: Pick-up is a tricky time of day. Children become the responsibility of their parents, but the school rules still need to apply. Please help us stay safe by keeping children off the snow hill - for more details see below. We know it looks super fun, but it is too close to the parking lot for us to allow children to enjoy it.

Thank you for your support,

Annika Fjelstad

Director, TCGIS

651-492-7106, ext. 103

afjelstad@tcgis.org

Upcoming Dates
Save the Date Calendar

FEBRUARY

24 - 8 AM, Kaffeeklatsch

27 - 6:30 PM, PTO Maskenball meeting

29 - Charter School Day at the Capitol

29 - 6:30 PM, Board meeting

MARCH

1 - 8:15 AM, Tour for prospective families

6 - 6 PM, PTO Meeting

7 - 6:30 PM, State of the School

8 - 8:15 AM, Tour for prospective families

9 - 8 AM, Kaffeeklatsch

15 - 8:15 AM, Tour for prospective families

15 - Parent Teacher Conferences - PM ONLY (SCHOOL OPEN)

16 - Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL

22 - 8:15 AM, Tour for prospective families

22 - 6:30 PM, Board Meeting

23 - 8 AM, Kaffeeklatsch

23 - 6:30 PM, PTO Game Night

29 - 8:15 AM, Tour for prospective families

For the complete school calendar, click here.

Remember to Register for Parent/Teacher Conferences!
Registration open until March 15

Parent/teacher conferences will be held on the evening of Thursday, March 15 and during the day on Friday, March 16. Registration instructions and log-in information was sent to parents via e-mail earlier this week and is available upon request at the front desk. Please see the Registration Guidelines for more information.

After-school Pick-up
Help keep our students safe

Although we have not had Snowman

much snow this winter, there is and will continue to be some build-up from the snow plow beyond the barrier between the playground and the parking lot. This area is off-limits to students during recess and after school, in order to keep everyone safe and away from the parking lot.

We would also like to remind everyone that the TCGIS community doesn't throw snowballs on our playground at any time. Rolling huge snowballs and making snowmen, snowwomen, and snow children, however, is always encouraged!

Financial Assistance for Minnesota Kids to Learn German at Waldsee 2012
Concordia Language Villages summer programs

As you may know, Waldsee German Language Village, based in Minnesota, offers youth and family immersion programs in German language and culture. Hundreds of Minnesotans participate each year in these programs.

Concordia Language Villages and the State of Minnesota have partnered together to provide financial assistance for those Waldsee families who qualify for the state's free or reduced lunch program. This is a great opportunity to keep the German language and language-learning as a part of your child's life. Families who apply in time will receive $1,000 towards the cost of any Concordia Language Villages programs in the summer of 2012. That is more than 50% of the cost for the 2-week program and enough to cover all of the costs for a 1-week program at Waldsee!

To be a part of this program, please click here to read a detailed description of who is eligible and how to apply. Complete the application forms and send them to:

Cheryl Marvig
Concordia Language Villages
901 8th Street S.
Moorhead MN, 56562

If you have any questions, contact Cheryl Marvig at 1-800-222-4750 ext. 3472.

Kinderstube German Immersion Preschools
Open houses held in April

Kinderstube Minneapolis Open Haus: Thursday, April 5, 4-6pm

Kinderstube Saint Paul Open Haus: Thursday, April 12, 4-6pm

These open houses are an opportunity for German-speaking and non-German-speaking children and families to meet Kinderstube's dynamic teachers, visit our engaging classrooms, tour the buildings, speak with the Kinderstube Director, and experience "a day at Kinderstube" with video presentations, samples of weekly curriculum, children's work, and family newsletters. Open house participants will have the opportunity to learn simple German phrases and enjoy tasty treats.

As the open houses approach, more information will be available here.

Construction Update - University Ave.
Construction beginning in March

Though there will not be further construction in front of the school, construction on University from Hamline to Robert Street will begin as early as March 1st. Expect one through lane of traffic in each direction in areas with construction, except from Rice to Robert, where there will be a full road closure after the regular legislative session. Click here for further information about construction on University.

Kinderclub Care on School Release Day
Care offered on March 16

Kinderclub will be offering 8am-6pm care during the school release day for conferences (Friday, March 16). The cost is $35.00/per student. The deadline for sign-up is Thursday, March 8, in order to ensure adequate staffing and supplies, and to allow time for advance notice in the event that Kinderclub will not operate. Minimum enrollment is required. For more info, contact Babett Larimer, blarimer@gai-mn.org.

Elternbrief Submissions Deadline
Submissions due on Tuesdays

This is a reminder that Elternbrief submissions are due on Tuesdays by 3:00. Next week (Feb. 27 - Mar. 2) this deadline will be particularly strict because we will be putting the Elternbrief together on Wednesday. Thank you!

Scrip Update
Orders Due March 6th

Our next Scrip order is due March 6th, and will be ready for pickup by March 14th.

Perhaps you've never participated in the school's Scrip program, and are ready to take a peek now that all the craziness of the holidays is done...check out the Scrip website for all the info! It's easy to sign up for a family account, and hundreds of retailers are donating a portion of sales back to TCGIS. You pay only the face value of the gift cards you purchase, and they are the same gift cards you would purchase from the retailer. Just make sure you use TCGIS's enrollment code when you sign up so we get credit for your purchases - our code is 4CA2AE9714L14.

Place your order online, and bring a check (made out to TCGIS) to the office by March 6th - simple! We are closing in on $1,000 in Scrip proceeds for the school year - your purchase can help us get there! Feel free to contact the Scrip Coordinator, 6th-grade parent Deb Helmel, with any questions at debh@siewertcabinet.com.

March Lunch Menus Available Now!
Orders due February 27th

It's time to order lunches for March! Click here for the menu and order form. Please turn your orders in by Monday, February 27 for March lunches. As always, feel free to email your orders to lyork@tcgis.org.

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
Testing Schedule

With the move to online testing for our Math MCAs, we have changed our testing dates in order to use the opportunities for retesting strategically. There will be three available testing windows for the math test. The first testing session will be used as a practice version to help students become more comfortable with the testing system. This also gives us the opportunity to see what instructional areas to focus on before the second testing window, when all students will take the test. The third testing window is available for specific situations where we can document that students have received instruction and show reasonable chances of succeeding in areas in which they did not succeed during the first two sessions.

Upcoming Testing Schedule:

March: Sprachdiplom - Grade 5

March 19-22: MCA Math Testing Window #1 - Grades 3, 4, 6, 7 (Practice Test)

April 17-18: MCA Reading Test - Grades 3 - 7

April 23-26: MCA Math Testing Window #2 - Grades 3 - 7

May 8-9: MCA Science Test - Grade 5

May 14-15: MCA Math Testing Window #3 - Grades 3-7 (by referral only)

PTO News
Upcoming events and opportunities to get involved

The TCGIS PTO has two upcoming opportunities that we would like to invite you to participate in:

Become a part of the audit team: Per the TCGIS PTO's bylaws, we are required to do an annual audit of our finances. We would like to invite anyone who is interested, whether you are an active PTO member or not, to be a part of the audit team. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact PTO president Kari Swedberg at karilswedberg@gmail.com by March 1, 2012.

Maskenball follow-up meeting: On Monday, February 27th at 6:30 PM, we will meet at the school to discuss the Maskenball fundraiser. This is the PTO's biggest fundraiser, so we want to take the time to reflect on the successes and what we could do differently. Again, you are welcome to attend whether you have gone to all of the past Maskenballs or if you have never attended, but are interested. If you have any questions or if you plan on attending, please contact Michelle Sheire at msheire@comcast.net.

Advertise in the TCGIS Yearbook
Proceeds go to 8th grade trip

Looking for a great way to make your business known? Parents, want to send a greeting to your favorite students? Well, here's your chance! You can buy space for advertising in the first ever TCGIS yearbook! Here's the deal: $50 for a whole page (8'' by 13''), $25 for half of a page, $13 for one fourth of a page, and $8 for one eighth of a page. What a bargain! If you're interested, please fill out a this form and turn it in to the front desk. If you have any questions please contact Molly Kalda at mkalda@tcgis.org.

All proceeds from advertisement sales will directly benefit the 8th grade trip to Germany next year.

TCGIS 5th Annual Trip to Grand Marais
March 16th-18th
Grand Marias

Looking for a fun family getaway this spring? Explore the great outdoors with your kids, tour Grand Marais, and spend time with other TCGIS families in a beautiful setting. Join us at East Bay Suites in downtown Grand Marais on Lake Superior's North Shore over the long weekend on March 16-18. East Bay Suites has Studio, 1, 2, & 3 bedroom beachfront condominiums with spectacular lake and village views. Each unit is fully furnished and most have full kitchens. Click here for more information on how to reserve rooms at a reduced TCGIS rate!

Educating Children for Informed and Active World Citizenship

The Elternbrief is published electronically Thursdays throughout the school-year and on an as-needed basis at other times. Submissions are due by 3 PM on Tuesdays. Content printed at the discretion of the TCGIS administration.