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| Elternbrief |
Weekly Newsletter for TCGIS Families April 26, 2012 | |
 | | Annika Fjelstad, TCGIS Director |
Dear Families, The school and the PTO are proud to co-sponsor a session on internet safety for children entitled "Protecting your Online Footprint." The session will be held on May 10th at 6:30 PM. Childcare will be provided. The speaker, Alison Feigh, works for the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. See below for more information on this presentation. In an era when pre-teens and teens have access to many forms of communication, it is vital that we as teachers and parents work with children to help them structure and understand their online exposure. We invite all parents to join us and we highly encourage middle-schoolers to attend with their parents. In order for us to predict how many chairs to set up, please click here to RSVP. Yesterday a small group of our middle-schoolers proudly represented the school at a presentation called "College in the Schools" at the University of Minnesota. They presented to high school students and university professors. One of the coordinators of the event wrote to us to congratulate our students: "Several teachers told me that their students considered these presentations the highlight of the day. The high-schoolers (and we university teachers as well) were in awe of their language skills and their great presentation skills!" We're happy to be hosting our new Kindergarten families at an Open House on Wednesday, May 2nd at 3 PM. Thanks for all you do to support our school and the community. 
Annika Fjelstad
Director, TCGIS
651-492-7106, ext. 103
afjelstad@tcgis.org
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 Upcoming Dates
Save the Date 
APRIL 26 - 6:30 PM, Board meeting 27 - 8 AM, Kaffeeklatsch 27 - 5:30 PM, PTO Pump It Up Fundraiser 28 - 9 AM - 2 PM, PTO Retreat 29 - 3 PM, Crocodiles Strike Back at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival 30 - 3 PM - 6 PM, Band Parent Info "Open House" MAY 1 - 6:30 PM, PTO meeting 2 - 3 PM, Open House for Kindergarten families 8-9 - MCA Science 10 - 6:30 PM, Internet safety training 11 - 8 AM, Kaffeeklatsch 18 - School Board election 18 - 2 - 5:30 PM, Used Book Sale 18 - 3:45 PM, Beginning violin class information session 22 - 6:30 PM, Board meeting 25 - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL 28 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL For the complete school calendar, click here. |
Swimming Reminder for 6th and 7th Grade Parents
Bring suits and towels on May 1
Just a reminder for 6th and 7th grade students and families that swimming in Sport class begins next week, so make sure your student brings a swimsuit and towel to school on Tuesday, May 1st. The 7th grade will have swimming class from 10:30-11:20, and the 6th grade class will be held from 11:25- 12:15.
All students who will be participating in swimming activities must fill out a permission slip, available here. Grades 2-5 will begin swimming the week of May 7th during their Sport class. Classroom teachers will send you information about the specific dates your students will be swimming. |
TCGIS Band: Parent Open House
Information for parents about the TCGIS Band
Schmitt Music be at TCGIS on Monday, April 30, 3-6 PM to talk with interested parents about renting instruments. In order to get an idea as to how many students may be interested in the band, please fill out this short survey. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail Krista Johnson at 612-209-3396 or monk2miles@comcast.net. |
Protecting Your Online Footprint
Internet safety training for students (grades 5-8) and their parents
TCGIS and the TCGIS PTO are pleased to sponsor "Protecting Your Online Footprint," a presentation by the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. This presentation is s uggested for grades 5-12 with parents and caregivers. Teens will learn about the importance of making healthy choices both online and with cell phones. Online risks and dangers will be discussed so that youth are aware of behaviors that should trigger warning flags. Risky behaviors, including sexting and cyberbullying, will also be covered.
The presentation also addresses positive ways students can use the Internet to advocate for each other. This training is designed to help initiate conversations at home about using technology in a positive way while giving families tools to make healthy decisions online.
The presentation will take place at TCGIS on May 10 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. While the presentation is aimed at 5th graders and up with their parents, parents of children in younger grades are also welcome to attend. The PTO will provide free babysitting for kids younger than 5th grade. In order to help us plan for adequate seating and to sign up for babysitting, please click here to register.
The presentation will be conducted by Alison Feigh.
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Recycling Program in TCGIS Lunchroom
Recycling glass, plastic, and metal
 Thank you to Ina Elliot and Kordula Coleman for setting up a recycling display in our lunchroom! There are now bins available to recycle metal cans, bottles, and glass during lunch. All of these materials will be gathered in the same bin. Thank you to the TCGIS Sustainability Committee for making recycling a reality at TCGIS!
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PTO Spring Strudel Sale
Order your strudel by May 2
The TCGIS PTO will offer Ruhland's Strudel again this spring. Download your order form here, or pick one up at the front desk. Choose from 5 sweet strudels and 5 savory strudels. Place your order by Wednesday, May 2. Strudel will be available for pick-up at TCGIS on Thursday, May 17, between 3:00 and 5:30 pm. Please contact Marilee Tuite at tuite003@umn.edu with any questions.
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Math MCA Score Reports Available
Pick up your child's report at the front office
Grades 3-7 successfully completed the MCA Math testing this week. Score reports are available at the front desk, and can be picked up by a parent or legal guardian. If score reports are not picked up by Friday, May 4, they will be mailed home.
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Order Gifts With Your Child's Artwork!
Order TCGIS art from Artsonia
Looking for something special for Mother's Day? Order mugs, aprons, note cards, and more with your child's artwork on it from the school's online gallery. You'll have a gift Mom will love, and 15% of your purchase benefits the school's art program! Order by May 2nd for delivery by Mother's Day.
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Sign Up Now for Summer Kinderclub
Registration deadline on May 1
 For those families interested in Summer Kinderclub care: with the May 1st registration deadline quickly approaching, we ask that you please take a moment to finalize your family's summer plans and complete the Summer Kinderclub Registration form. All necessary forms can be found below. Registration forms can be dropped off at the TCGIS front desk Kinderclub drop-box, or you can scan your form and email it to Babett Larimer at blarimer@gai-mn.org. Please note that by providing us with an accurate head count for the summer you will help us to staff correctly and to plan supplies for special activities!
We have planned a fun and affordable theme-based summer program with lots of arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, sports and contests, rewards, water days and other special days, all with an enthusiastic German-speaking staff! Vacation week requests can be sent in later if you are unsure about your schedule at this time. Daily, weekly, monthly and drop-in options are available for ultimate flexibility! If you have any questions, please e-mail the Kinderclub Director Babett Larimer: blarimer@gai-mn.org. |
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TCGIS Spirit Wear Sale Ends Soon!
Ordering deadline extended to Wednesday, May 2
TCGIS is holding a spring Spirit Wear Sale! We have added a few items, including polo shirts and fleeces, and we have expanded our color selection. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and zip-up hoodies are all still available! A complete product list, with pictures, is available here, and samples will be available in the front office starting tomorrow. Each piece will be printed or embroidered with the TCGIS logo. Please fill out an order form, available by clicking here or at the front desk, and return your form to the front office with payment by Wednesday, May 2.
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Beginning Violin Class Information Session
Friday, May 18th at 3:45 PM, KG - 1st Grade
 On Friday, May 18th at 3:45pm we will have an information session regarding an after-school beginning strings class to be offered next fall for Kindergarten and 1st grade students. Leif Petersen, the strings group instructor, will talk briefly about the philosophy and curriculum of the class as well as more practical considerations such as instrument rental and time commitments.
This meeting is for students AND parents. Please attend if you have ever considered starting your child on the violin! The presentation will be followed by music from the TCGIS string ensemble and some Q&A time. Leif Petersen will also be available afterward to answer questions one-on-one. Please contact Leif Petersen with any questions: leifhp@gmail.com, (206) 719-1372. |
TCGIS PTO Spring Plant Sale
Orders due Friday, April 27
Spring is here and so is the TCGIS PTO spring plant sale fundraiser! The plants are from Gertens and a portion of all sales benefits the PTO.
Sale Details:
- Orders are due by Friday, April 27. Place your order form and check in the PTO box at the front desk. Make checks out to the TCGIS PTO.
- Plant Cards are a great option if you don't quite know what you want to plant yet!
- Plant pick-up will be at the school on May 18 after 3:00 PM.
- Questions? Contact Lisa Antony-Thomas at lizabella16@gmail.com.
- Interested in volunteering? Contact Lisa to help sort and distribute plants on May 18, 2012.
Order Form - Please be sure to total quantities and dollar amounts on the last page of the order form. Please be sure to include all pages. Photos of plants/flowers available here. Get more information on the Gertens fundraiser here.
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PTO Retreat
Join us on Saturday, April 28th
Each year the PTO holds a retreat to reflect on what went well, to think about what we should do differently, and to plan for the following year. This year's retreat is Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the school (with a lunch break). TCGIS Board President Lisa Friedman will facilitate the conversation. Everyone is welcome! Even if you can just join us for a portion of the day, we want to hear what you have to say. Sign up here to attend.
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2012 TCGIS Board Election
Friday, May 18
On Friday, May 18 we will be electing three new members to the TCGIS Board. We are excited to announce that we have three well-qualified candidates running this year. Please read through the candidates' statements, available here and on the TCGIS website. All parents or legal guardians and staff members are eligible to vote in the election. On May 18th, the ballot box will be open at the school during the following times: - At drop off - 7:45am to 9:00am
- At pick up - 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Won't be here on election day or can't make it to the school while the ballot box is open? No problem. You can go to the TCGIS website to fill out a proxy form. The proxy form allows you to authorize someone else to cast your ballot for you. Your proxy must bring the completed form to the ballot box to be able to cast a ballot for you. Ballots will be available soon on the TCGIS website and at the school. Ballots will also be available on voting day. If you are unsure whether you are an eligible voter, please check with the front office (info@tcgis.org or 651-492-7106), where we have a list of all eligible voters. If you have questions about the use of the proxy form or the election in general, please contact Board Vice Chair Kimberly Koempel at kkompel@tcgis.org or 651-414-0304. |
Used Book Sale
Collecting donations May 7th - 11th
 Our annual Used Book Sale will be held on Friday, May 18th, 2:00 - 5:30 PM. We are looking for donations of gently used children's books, games, CD's and DVD's (English or German), as well as newer books for adults. Drop-off will be during the week of May 7th - 11th in the front office. All proceeds of the Book Sale will go to the Library Fund to help buy new books for the Library. If you are interested in helping out during the sale on May 18th, please contact Alexandra Weeding at kirschohr@yahoo.com, or Heidi Zimmermann at hzimmermann22@yahoo.com.
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Kaffeeklatsch this Friday
April 27th at 8:05 AM
It is time for our next Kaffeeklatsch! It will be held this Friday, April 27th in the front lobby entrance. We start serving coffee by 8:05 AM. A cup of coffee or tea is $1.00 if you bring your own cup, or $1.25 if we provide you with a cup. All proceeds go to the PTO. |
Pre-Order Your Yearbook Today!
TCGIS yearbook coming soon
The yearbooks will be coming soon! Stop by the office and pre-order your copy today. Cost is $15 and all proceeds go towards the 8th grade Capstone Experience. Yearbooks will be distributed to the classroom teachers on May 17th. Additional yearbooks will be available for sale after school on May 17th.
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TCGIS April Art News
Update from Frau Lenburg
Click here for an update on all of the TCGIS Art classes! And remember to find TCGIS at artsonia.com and buy products printed with your child's artwork! |
Summer at Kinderstube German Immersion Preschool
Register for summer preschool program
Kinderstube German Immersion Preschool is now accepting registrations for the summer program that runs from June 11th to August 24th. Kinderstube is a fully licensed program for children ages 33 months to Kindergarten. Kinderstube is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Full-time and part-time options are available. Please contact Kinderstube with any questions or to schedule a tour: 651-353-5147, or preschool@gai-mn.org. |
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Educating Children for Informed and Active World Citizenship
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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.
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