Elternbrief
Issue: 130
November 14, 2013 
In This Issue
Letter from the Director
Give to the Max Day 2013
PTO Announcements
December Lunch Menu
Boy Scouts of America
Library Volunteers Needed
GAI Update
Parent Portal Access
Quick Links
Dear TCGIS Parents and Community: 

Today is TCGIS Give to the Max Day. It is only with your support that TCGIS is able to have an intern in every classroom. Please consider giving.

In the spirit of giving, the wonderful teachers, Caro Bindert and Cagla Kazek, led third graders on a field trip to Feed My Starving Children. I was lucky enough to tag along and watch the enthusiasm of the students as they bagged meals for children in Jamaica. We talked about the needs of people around the world, and thought especially about those in the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan. We talked about how thankful we are for eating well every day, having such loving and supportive families and having such a great school to go to. It was very special and I thank Frau Bindert and Frau Kazek for letting me come along.

I also enjoyed meeting with parents at the PTO meeting Tuesday evening to talk about school updates and introduce our new Assistant Principal, Jeff Horton. Jeff will continue attending PTO meetings to hear parent feedback and give regular updates of happenings at the school. Jeff will be swimming with the sharks today at the Mall of America as part of TCGIS Give to the Max Day, so I guess you can say he is jumping in with both feet!

Thank you again for your support of our school. It truly means the world to us!

Vielen Dank!

Ann Jurewicz, Executive Director
Give to the Max Day 2013

Help us Give to the Max for our Interns! 

Today is the day to make your donation in support of our Amity Intern program. Our goal is to raise $30,000 in support of this program. We will get a long way toward this goal when the first $10,000 of gifts will be matched 1:1 thanks to the Board and leadership gifts. 

~ Give today and double your impact. 

~ Give today to support your intern and keep new interns coming year after year. 

~ Give today in support of the TCGIS students. 

~ Give today in support of the TCGIS teachers who work with the interns every day! 

~ Give today and make a difference in hundreds of students' lives. 

~ Give to the Max and feel great! 

To learn more, visit our TCGIS Give to the Max Day 2013

PTO Announcements
Click here to read more about the latest PTO news, including:
  • Last Chance for the Craft & Bake Sale   
  • Winter Strudel Sale Now Open  
  • Kaffeeklatsch Reminder  
  • Meet-Up at the Pizza Arcade  
  • PTO Website Now Updated  
  • Speaking of Thank You...   
If you haven't already, be sure to "like" the PTO's Facebook page!
December Lunch Menu

Please click here to access the December Lunch Menu. Orders are due on November 20 by 3:00 pm.
Boy Scouts of America, Northern Star Council

Friday, November 22 at Black Bear Crossing from 2:30-3:15, representatives from the Boy Scouts of America will be present to speak with parents about starting a scouting program at TCGIS! They will be there to answer questions, take input, and help facilitate the launch of a great new scouting program that students can be involved in. During and following the informational meeting, they will be available to sign new families up for the scouting program that will be starting at the school. The Northern Star Council has an open stance on diversity of all types in their troops. Please read this article for more on how the Northern Star Council's policies are different from the BSA at large. Here is your opportunity to have a hand in instituting a great new educational program at TCGIS that will give children and families alike wonderful new experiences and opportunities to help them grow and learn. So mark it on your calendar and we will see you there!
Library Volunteers Needed
Help Students Access German Language Materials

childrens-bookshelf.jpg The library has settled into its final location for this school year. We are looking for volunteers to supervise library visits, as well as to assist students and teachers with book checkout. Volunteers generally serve for at least an hour on a specific day during the week. Classes are scheduled for 30-minute visits once a week. The volunteer uses the computerized card catalog system to help students and teachers find the books they are interested in checking out, and then assists the patrons in checking out the materials. No experience is necessary. Please contact Blaine Strobe at [email protected] if you are interesting in volunteering.
GAI Update

The GAI is presenting a Fall Culture Series. For more information about this and other GAI-sponsored events, go to www.gai-mn.org/events.

PowerSchool Parent Portal Access 

Thank you for your continued support as we roll out our PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you have any problems gaining access to the site, please check the instructions on how to log in, then contact Stefanie Berres with any further questions or problems as they arise.