This is the first of what will become a regular update from the School Board that we will include in the Elternbrief after our monthly meetings. The detailed board minutes can be found on the TCGIS website, but the intent of this is to highlight any major discussions or decisions with broader impacts to our school community. This month we'd like to highlight a decision on our new home. 

School Construction Project:

A decision was made to delay the completion of the new addition until the spring of 2014. We have negotiated with the builder to resume construction on March 1 with a completion date of no later than July 15.    

The decision was not made lightly as it represents some challenges for parents, administration, staff, and the surrounding Como community. The primary factor that went into the decision was incremental costs associated with winter construction that were not in the budget and would have required compromises to the construction that we just weren't willing to make. 

We are still hopeful that we will be able to complete the staff parking lot this year but there are some dependencies on getting some additional grant funding and then Mother Nature would need to be on our side to allow us to complete the work. 

Facilities Committee Volunteers:

The Facilities Committee is reconvening and looking for volunteers! If you have an interest in the construction project, the long-Term plan for the school facilities, and would like to make a significant contribution to the school, please contact Jennifer Buck ([email protected]), the chair of this committee. We welcome the help and support from all parents and are looking for people with a background in construction, project management, or finance, but will welcome anyone to the committee who has a passion for the school.

If you have any questions about any of this, please send an email to Marcus Sheire at [email protected].

Are you ready for Give to the Max Day? Next Thursday, November 14 is Give to the Max Day. This year, gifts to TCGIS will count twice. Thanks to the support of board and leadership gifts, the first $15,000 of donations will be matched 1:1. This will go a long way in helping us reach our goal of $30,000 donations and 10,000 in donor matching in support of the Amity Intern Program. 

Your support will help ensure that there are two German-speaking teachers in every classroom -all day long! What a gift you will give the students at TCGIS.

In addition, every gift made on November 14 helps our chances of winning grant prize dollars.  For example, Golden Tickets are given every hour. Each hour, one donation will be randomly selected to add $1,000 to the amount (TCGIS has won these in the past!).

Fancy Finances? Sweet on Spreadsheets?

The TCGIS Finance Committee needs you! The committee is responsible for the financial oversight of the school. While financial experience is highly valued, the most important thing is your interest and commitment to the school's financial future. The committee meets monthly on the second or third Monday at 6:30 pm, and meetings last between one and 2� hours. Your responsibilities outside the meeting are minimal. If interested, contact Board Treasurer Renee Moelders at 651-332-0495 or [email protected].