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| Elternbrief |
Weekly Newsletter for TCGIS Families May 24, 2012 | |
 | | Annika Fjelstad, TCGIS Director |
Dear Families,
This week I am writing to put forward a proposal for a revision to our Early Release Wednesday schedule for the upcoming school year.
The proposed new schedule: The class schedule for the 2012-2013 school year no longer includes a 45 minute early release every Wednesday. Instead we are planing a longer early release day for the third Wednesday of each month starting at 12:45. Students would be released after the next-to-last lunch period. The oldest students would have a supervised lunch during their recess period.
Options for childcare: Kinderclub will provide affordable childcare for the one Wednesday of each month when the school has an early release day. This option will end up being cheaper per month than the current early release option. Click here for details.
The context for change: Early release Wednesday was initiated to provide staff members with a common time for personal learning communities and staff development. It has been very valuable time for TCGIS teachers. As a school we recognize that the early release time provided to teachers is vital to creating a culture of continuous improvement.
We have explored several variations of the schedule, and it has proven extremely difficult to create a manageable schedule with the budgeted staffing levels for next year while maintaining the current early release schedule. Having early release days every week creates complicated scheduling issues at the middle school level (for example, which subject should be taught only four days/week instead of five), as well as in third and fourth grade, where students need both English and specialists each day. For students, this change in the schedule creates a more consistent school day (8:15-3:15) as well as a more predictable schedule within the school day.
After exploring several options it appears that the best method to maintain a practical schedule and to allow time for appropriate staff professional development and joint planning times is to consolidate this time onto a single early release Wednesday each month.
The process for moving forward: The Board will discuss the impact of this schedule change on families at the June Board meeting. Questions, concerns and ideas can be directed to Frau Fjelstad at afjelstad@tcgis.org, to Board Chair Lisa Friedman at lfriedman@uuma.org, or to Board Parent Liaison Marcus Sheire at marcussheire@comcast.net.
Thanks for all that you do to assist your children and the school,
Annika Fjelstad
Director, TCGIS
651-492-7106, ext. 103
afjelstad@tcgis.org
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 Upcoming Dates
Save the Date 
MAY 25 - Teacher Work Day - NO SCHOOL 28 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL JUNE 5 - 6 - 7:30 PM, Volunteer Appreciation Night 5 - 6:30 PM, PTO meeting 7 - End-of-the-Year Picnic and last day of school! For the complete school calendar, click here. |
TCGIS Volunteer Appreciation Event
Save the date!
 It's time for us to say THANK YOU to our wonderful volunteers! If you have helped out at TCGIS in any way over the course of the year, please join us for our volunteer appreciation event in conjunction with the PTO meeting on June 5th. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30pm at the Germanic-American Institute (301 Summit Avenue, St. Paul). There will be appetizers and beverages for everyone!
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TCGIS Summer School
Session runs June 16 to August 16
 Hunter Goetzman, 4th grade teacher, is offering a summer school immersion program this summer. The classes are designed around speaking, writing and reading important vocabulary for the upcoming year. The program will consist of weekly vocabulary lists, writing assignments and reading groups, and is ideal for students entering 1st through 5th grades. This will not be operated as a school-aged day care, but rather as a way to support students academically who have little or no exposure to German through the summer months.
Sessions will run June 16 to August 16, and will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There will be morning (9-11:45) and afternoon (12:15-3) sessions, and students can attend one or both. Cost is $20 per session, but there is a 5% discount for enrolling for three days in a week. For more detailed information, send an email to hgoetzman@germanschool-mn.org, and visit Herr Goetzman's website by clicking here.
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Yearbooks are in!
Available for purchase at the front desk
The yearbooks are here! If you have not picked one up yet, there is still time! Swing by the office and pick up your copy before they are gone. Cost is $15 and all proceeds go towards the 8th grade Capstone experience. Only a few remain- get yours today!
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Please Check the Lost and Found
See if your children have lost any of their belongings
The end of the school year is coming soon, and our lost and found is overflowing! Please check for your child's jackets, clothes, shoes, lunchboxes, etc. The lost and found is located in the front office, and will be moved outside on Fridays at pick-up if weather permits. All items still at the school on June 14th will be donated.
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End-of-the-Year Picnic
We still need volunteers!
 We are still looking for volunteers for the picnic. We are in urgent need of volunteers to help with grilling, especially those who can bring their own grills to the picnic. We also need help with security and games. Please let us know if you are able to help out and tell us which shift you would prefer (10 - 11:30 or 11:30 - 1). Please contact Amy Davis at adavis@germanschool-mn.org if you would like to volunteer.
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No School This Friday or Monday
May 25th and May 28th
Just a reminder that there will be no school this Friday, May 25 or Monday, May 28. Friday is a teacher work day, and Monday we will all have a holiday for Memorial Day. Enjoy the long weekend! |
Lunch Orders Due May 29
June menus available now
Just a reminder that June lunch orders are due on Tuesday, May 29. Menus are available for pick-up at the front desk, or you can download your copy here. Note: the order form includes June 2, but in fact June 2nd is a Saturday. Please disregard this space on your order form, and if you have already paid for a lunch on June 2, that payment will be credited to your account. Thank you.
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Introducing Next Year's Amity Interns!
Meet Franziska Jung, Lena Soltendieck and Anna Wire
 Franziska Jung is studying to become an English and Sport secondary teacher at the University of Wϋrzburg. She is from Hausen am Bach, which is close to Stuttgart. She enjoys traveling and meeting new people from other cultures. Franziska also enjoys playing the piano, tennis, volleyball and soccer. She loves the ocean and water sports!
 Lena Soltendieck is studying English and History in the Masters of Education Program at Leibniz University of Hanover. She lives in a small village near Hanover with her mom and grandparents. She loves to travel, read and knit. Lena has been to the US previously as a high school foreign exchange student and as an au pair.
 Anna Wire is studying to be a math teacher and psychologist at the University of Eichstätt. Her hometown is Baden-Wϋrttemberg. She enjoys playing the flute. Anna also enjoys running, going to the gym, traveling, biking, reading and spending time with friends.
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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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