Elternbrief, April 4th, 2013

Plans continue to move forward on the new school, including work on the exterior play scape. Thank you to Matt McKinney and Hunter Goetzman for their grant writing to support sustainable landscaping. The design team has moved forward to interior spaces with an eye to linking old buildings with new and draw on German inspirations for color and style. Thanks also goes to all who came to the PTO meeting to support the design process with insightful feedback on the wishes and needs of the parent community.

Last week Standards & Poor (S&P) visited our school in preparation for our financial rating as we move to Como. The presentation team did a tremendous job explaining our quality program and successful growth. Thank you to all who were present: School Board Chair Matt Schneider, Authorizer Jeana Anderson, (Director of the Germanic-American Institute), School Board Secretary Anita Ratwik, Business Manager Alexander Roth, Facilities Team member Rob Hennelly, School Board member and teacher Hunter Goetzman and Assistant Director Jane Hall-Dayle. Great work!

Homes for Interns 2013-2014

We are still looking for TCGIS families to consider hosting interns for either one semester or the whole year. Please contact Nicole Grenz at nicole_grenz@hotmail.com or Darcy DeBoer at darcydeboer@hotmail.com for more information.

School Board Elections

The School Board has three seats open for spring elections and thank those who have already submitted their names for candidacy. We are still hoping to build capacity in financial experience. If you have interest in running for School Board, please contact Molly Kalda at info@tcgis.org

Vielen Dank!

Ann Jurewicz

Director

TCGIS

MCA Testing Dates

Reading: April 22 & 23 (Paper Version)

Math: Week of April 29 (Online Version)

3rd grade---April 29

4th grade--April 30

5th grade--May 2

6th grade-May 1

7th grade-May 1

8th grade- May 2

Science: (GRADES 5 & 8 ONLY)

May 6 (Online Version)

Make Up Dates: Weeks of May 6 and May 13

Advertise in the TCGIS Yearbook

Proceeds go to Capstone Trip 2014!

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 TCGIS yearbook! Here's the deal: $100 for a whole page (8 1/2'' by 11''), $50 for half of a page and $25 for one fourth of a page. What a bargain! If you're interested, please fill out a this form and turn it in to the front desk. The deadline for submissions is April 19th. If you have any questions please contact Molly Kalda at mkalda@tcgis.org.

All proceeds from advertisement sales will directly benefit next year's Capstone trip.

New German Grammar App
App Authored by UMD students and faculty

The University of Minnesota Duluth has authored an app for the iTunes/Mac Marketplace. The app helps both beginning and advanced German language learners to cover key concepts of grammar. The UMD German Grammar Guide was released in late February and has been presented at national conferences. To find out more about the app and UMD's Mobile Language Learning Group, who developed the app, read this article.

Kaffeeklatsch
Next week!

Our next Kaffeeklatsch is Friday, April 12th! We usually start serving coffee by 8:05am in the Front Lobby entrance. A suggested donation for a cup of coffee is $1.00 if you bring your own cup, or $1.25 if we provide you with a cup. We are also serving tea! Now also selling Coffee Cards for your convenience: $8 (with cup), $10 (w/o cup)!! No more searching for dollar bills necessary!

It is time for School Board Nominations!!!!!

This year's school board elections will take place on Friday, May 17th. We will be electing three new members to our nine-member board of directors. Application materials are due Friday April 5th.

Please consider forwarding on this information to people you know who might be interested in volunteering for the school in this capacity.

For more information, click here.

For the application, click here.

Intern Host Families Wanted

Fall 2013

TCGIS is searching for families who would like to host interns next fall. We need lots of families to ensure that all of our interns have homes, so write to Nicole Grenz or Darcy Deboer to find out more information if you are interested.

Game Night
Fun for the whole family

The TCGIS annual Game Night is coming up on Friday, April 12th 2013, 6:30-8:30pm! All TCGIS families are invited! We will have games for all ages and across all genres, snacks and beverages for refreshment and prizes for the winners of our game raffle! So, mark your calendars and bring your family to school to play some old and new games!

Concert Band

Instrument Petting Zoo April 12

Interested in joining the TCGIS Concert Band?

An instrument "petting zoo" is being planned for Friday, April 12, where 4th graders can see and play different instruments, sponsored by Schmitt Music.

In conjunction with this, we can schedule an afterschool session with a Schmitt Music representative where parents can speak one on one about renting an instrument. (You do not have to rent or buy from them. There may be other stores near you that are more convenient, but Schmitt Music gives us the most options)

Current 5th through 7th graders are also invited by appointment only; please contact Krista to arrange a time.

If you are interested in your child participating in band next year, please fill out this survey. Any questions regarding the concert band program can be directed to Krista Johnson.

(612) 209-3396

monk2miles@comcast.net

A
Capstone Benefit Event

Sunday April 21st 2-5pm at the Germanic-American Institute,
301 Summit Ave, St. Paul.

In March the first graduating class of TCGIS went to Germany for a two week Capstone Experience Trip. The Capstone provided students with the opportunity to integrate and apply what they've learned during their time at TCGIS and experience Germany first hand. The trip is the culmination of a TCGIS education and is planned for all 8th grade classes at TCGIS. We are continuing our efforts to raise money for teacher expenses and needs-based scholarships, so come and join TCGIS teachers, students and their families for an afternoon of Kaffee und Kuchen, music, dance, and more. Performers from the entire TCGIS community will come together to entertain you and your family at this 2nd Annual Capstone Benefit Event.

The program includes

* A presentation by 8th graders about their experiences on the first Capstone trip to Germany with a special tribute to Marcy Zachmeier-Ruh, whose vision laid the foundations for this trip.

*Music and dance performances by TCGIS students, parents, and TCGIS celebrities such as Hunter Goetzman, Scot Stevenson, Margaret Sims, and Valentin Solakhau

*German story time with Frau Grimm

*Children's games

*German movie**

*Cakes, coffee, kid's drinks and more!

All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Capstone Fund.

We hope to see you all there!

**This program was made possible by the Goethe-Institut Chicago

2nd Gr. Mother/Daughter Book Club

The book club will meet Sunday, April 7th from 2-4pm, at Elsa Johnson's home. The book is "Peter and the Starcatchers," by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Krista at monk2miles@comcast.net.

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.