Elternbrief
Issue: 122
September 19th, 2013 
In This Issue
After School Activities Update
Featured Article
Give with Target
International Day of Peace
School Board Monthly Meeting
School Board Governance Meeting
Art Class Supplies Needed
Auflauf Cook-Off
PTO Meetups
Maskenball 2014
Dramatic Arts Update
Substitute Teachers Wanted
GAI Annual Gala Fundraiser

After School Activities Update

violin-playing.jpg
 
DUE SEPT. 25th

School Lunch Menu
 
Orders due 
Monday September 23rd
by 9:00 AM


Your Vote Makes a Difference to our School

 

Our school is in third place within the Twin Cities Area! Vote in the next two days to help our school. This year, Target will give money to schools all over the country for one simple act: a vote. Our school needs just 25 votes to earn a $25 donation from Target. But that's only the beginning. For each additional vote, our school will get $1 more. So please remember that, although the gesture is small, the rewards are potentially huge. Go to  this site to vote for Twin Cities German Immersion Charter School once a week through September 21 or until Target has given away all $5 million. 
Quick Links
Dear TCGIS Parents and Community, 

 

We continue to settle into our new building with new routines. Thank you for your collaboration in making drop off and pick up and the overall start to the school year smooth for all involved.

 

We would like to bring to your attention the important upcoming event of Curriculum Night!  New this year is that all parents will come to Curriculum Night on the same evening.

 

1st through 4th grade parents: Please come to school Thursday, October 3rd from 5:30-6:45 pm.  You will meet in your child's classroom and hear the overview of the school year from the homeroom teacher, including the curriculum plan.

 

5th through 8th grade parents: Please come to school Thursday, October 3rd from 7:00-8:15 pm.  You will meet in your child's homeroom classroom and then hear from the various subject teachers for your child, including curriculum.

 

We hope this evening will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the school and make connections with others in the TCGIS community.

 

Danke Sch�n Alle!

 

Ann Jurewicz

Executive Director

TCGIS Celebrates International Day of Peace
null
TCGIS elementary school students are preparing to celebrate the International Day of Peace tomorrow with a morning assembly and art installation.  We are taking part in an activity called "Pinwheels for Peace." Each student has made a pinwheel expressing their feelings about peace, cooperation, harmony and tolerance through drawing and writing.  

Tomorrow morning we will gather for a brief celebration, and then install all 300 or so pinwheels in front of the school.  Towards the end of the school day, some middle school art students will assist Frau Lenburg in "spreading the peace" by distributing the pinwheels to some of our neighbors.  There have been some very thoughtful discussions of peace in classrooms this week, and we are all looking forward to celebrating Peace Day tomorrow!

School Board Monthly Meeting

Please see the link for a detailed agenda for the September School Board Meeting
School Board Governance Committee Meeting
When: Tuesday September 24th, 2013
Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
Location: 732 Holly Ave. St. Paul

Agenda:
1.  Approve the governance charter
2.  Develop a work plan for the year
3.  Policy Work.  Set reviews & updates based on work plan.
4.  Board Training discussion

Questions? Please contact: [email protected]
Art Class Supplies Needed for St. Martinstag
10-6 Martinstag
Please start saving and bringing in your cereal boxes and round oatmeal boxes!  Frau Lenburg will be needing them in October to make lanterns with the Kindergarten through third graders for the annual Martinstag celebration.  Empty boxes can be brought to the office or sent to the classroom with your student.  Danke! 

 

Auflauf Cook-Off Last Week to Register!

The TCGIS PTO would like to invite you to the 5th annual PTO Auflauf Cook-Off and Community Dinner on Friday, October 11, 6:00-8:00 pm. (Auflauf is German for hotdish or casserole.) Don't miss this festive evening of fun, food, and friendly competition.

 

There are many ways to participate: compete with your favorite Auflauf in any of three categories: German, American, or Rest of the World (don't be shy - show off your family favorite!); volunteer to help set up, serve, or clean up; or just come and enjoy the great food and fun!

 

This event sells out due to the venue's limited capacity, so reserve your spot without delay!  Click here for more details and to register and sign up to volunteer. 

PTO Meetups

The TCGIS PTO is offering a myriad of Meet-Ups, so TCGIS families (new and old) can get to know each other. We hope there is one to fit your schedule! Questions? Contact Kami Blackwell Kinney at [email protected].

 

Potluck/BBQ Dinner at Como Playground

Sunday, Sept 29 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Bring your own meat to grill and a side to share. (PTO volunteers will be staffing the grills; PTO will supply dinnerware, utensils, napkins, cups, beverages.) Feel free to bring any outdoor activities (soccer balls, croquet, bag toss) to share. Sign up here to let us know how many are coming and what you'll bring: http://tinyurl.com/m6y35jw.

 

*This event is weather-permitting, as we are not reserving the shelters. If we need to cancel, notification will be posted on the Twin Cities German Immersion School PTO facebook page, so be sure to "like" us.

 

The Como Playground is off Midway Parkway across from Como Town.

  • From school, head west on Van Slyke toward Horton Ave
  • Left on Horton Ave
  • Right on Midway Pkwy
  • Playground will be on the left

   

Parents' Night Out at O'Gara's Bar & Grill

Monday, September 30 at 7 pm

Come to O'Gara's in St Paul (http://www.ogaras.com) for an evening of socializing with other TCGIS parents. We have reserved a private room for this event. Please RSVP by Friday, September 27 to Krista Ostrom ([email protected]), if you plan to attend.

 

Kaffeeklatsch: Friday, September 20, 2:30 pm at Black Bear Crossings (upstairs loft area)

Walk around Lake Como: Tuesdays at 2:30 pm, Wednesdays at 8:30 am, Thursdays at 2:30 pm. Meet at entrance to Black Bear Crossings.

Como Playground: Playtime following afternoon pick up on Friday, September 27; Wednesday, October 2; Monday, October 7; Tuesday, October 15. The Como Playground is off Midway Parkway across from Como Town (see map for Potluck/BBQ).

 

*Outdoor Meet-Ups are weather-permitting. Cancellation notification will be posted on the Twin Cities German Immersion School PTO facebook page, so be sure to "like" us.

Maskenball 2014

Save the Date and Pick the Theme

null

 

We want YOU to help pick this year's theme. The Maskenball Committee has narrowed the field to three party ideas:

 

Black & White - Think all things B&W like pandas, dominoes, and Oreos

Tropical Vacation - Think palm trees, luaus, and sandy beaches

Happy Days - Think 1950's, The Fonz, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis

 

Click here to vote now! Voting open until Thursday, September 26. We will announce the winning theme at Auflauf, on October 11th. Maskenball is a chance for the grown-ups to mingle, dance and be merry! Follow the Maskenball 2014 Event facebook page as details emerge.

Dramatic Arts Update
German Dancers A message from Herr Solakhav

Blumenkranz at the MN RenFest
Our Blumenkranz Dance Troupe is invited to perform at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22 Oktoberfest weekend. You can find us at the Pavilion Stage at the RenFest Grounds in Shakopee. Performance times are 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, and 3:00.

Substitute Teachers Wanted! studen-teacher-sm.jpg

Interested in helping out at school? Why not try substitute teaching! German fluency is preferred, but not required. Those interested must have a four-year degree. If you are interested, please contact Molly at [email protected] for more information. Thank you!

 

Five-Course Winetasting at the GAI

Who: Germanic-American Institute

What: Five-Course Wine Tasting Dinner

Where: 301 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

When: October 26, 2013

Time: 6:00pm

Price: $85 for GAI members,
$100 for non-members

 

Join us October 26 for the Five-Course Winetasting Dinner, the GAI's annual gala-style fundraiser. This year's proceeds will go toward the Haus renovation project, which helps us maintain our historic Summit Avenue mansion.

 

Katrin Erdmann, the GAI's Director of Event Services, has put together a delectable menu, featuring herb-crusted pork tenderloin and pan-fried semolina dumplings. Wine expert Jennifer Chou, of The Savvy Grape, will educate guests about each of the five European wines accompanying the meal. Ambient music will be provided by classical guitarist Jim Falbo

throughout the event.  

 

NEW THIS YEAR: Guests are invited to participate in the optional cigars and cognac available for purchase following the dinner.

Reservations can be made online from our website:  www.gai-mn.org.

Prepayment by check or credit card by Monday, October 21

is required. Parties of six or more may reserve a private table by contacting the office at 651.222.7027. Once the office has received your payment, we will send your tickets via postal mail, or we may hold them at the door. Please provide us with your mailing address upon reservation.