Thank you for your courageous persistence regardless of what the media or some law created by people who haven't seen the lack of resources you have, don't have the guts to do anything about it, and don't have a true understanding of the challenges your students really face has to say about the job you do.

Thank you providing the safest place some kids will ever know.

Thank you for being willing to make and stand behind tough decisions.

Thank you for molding, shaping, and weaving the very fabric of our society by the work you do with children every day. Our way of life and future depends on you.

Thank you for being a provider of hope. Hope for those who thirst for it. Hope that uplifts. Hope that encourages. Hope that helps the hopeless make it for just one more day.

There is little doubt that you have one of the hardest jobs anywhere. But always remember, it is the hard that makes the job great, worthwhile, and meaningful. If it were easy, anyone could do it.

Here's to you and leadership worth appreciating!

-The Illinois Principal Association

Thanks for a Wonderful Carnival of Cultures

This year's Carnival of Cultures in our own TCGIS Aula was a great success! Many people were involved in this project, and therefore thanks are in order!

First of all, thank you to the little artists, the TCGIS students, for the splendid performance!

Thank you to the entire TCGIS staff for your support in organizing, supervision and all little details!

Special thanks go to:
Musicians:

Herbert Engelmeyer
Scot Stephenson
Sam Heckel
Michalina Solakhava
Anna Weimholt
Penelope & Ava Hansen
Andrew Lehnen
Grace Philippon
Noa Winikoff
Aneesah Sands
Einar Crego

Dancers from Blumenkranz Jr. & Blumenkranz Sr.

Pia Ramer & Sabrina Fay - for the help with Blumenkranz
Anna Weimholt & Tia Ruh - for moderating the event

Middle School (+Tanja Schmitt) - for setting up the chairs in the Aula

Amy Lenburg - for the artwork show

Andy Nesset, Heidi Lauer, Isabel Vollenweider - for facility, planning, and logistics

Jesse Zibble, Stefanie Berres, and Karin Lynn Photography - for filming & photography

Antje Heckel, Karen Lushine, Alexandra Weeding - for helping out in the Cafeteria
Gina Christ and the Black Forest Inn - for the delicious Brats, Sauerkraut & Brezels

7th & 8th graders - for organizing a bake sale.

As always, the best part of any Carnival of Cultures was seeing the smiling and engaged children. We are all so glad that everyone was able to enjoy such a great cultural event at school. Thank you for a wonderful evening,

Valentin Solakhau

School Board Election Announcement

It's Time for School Board Nominations!

This year's school board elections will take place on Friday, May 16th. We will be electing three new members to our nine-member board of directors. Please click here for the full School Board Election Announcement.

Board nominations and all application paperwork are due on Monday, April 7. The application forms can be found here, can be downloaded from the TCGIS website or picked up from the school office.

If you have any questions or have suggestions for potential candidates, please contact Michelle Wallace, Governance Committee Chair or any other member of the current board.

Thank you for your consideration.

Audit Results for the 2012 - 2013 School Year

The school achieved a clean audit report with no concerns about how the school handles financial and human resources data. Click here for the summary.

The full audit report is available in paper form at the school office or electronically on the school's website in the Finance Committee section.

Thank you,

Renee Moelders, Board Treasurer

2014 - 2015 School Calendar Release

The 2014 - 2015 school calendar has been approved by the School Board. Please click here to see the calendar.

Snow/Cold Days Make Up - Early Release Update

The Board voted that two of the three remaining "early release" days will become full days of instruction to "recapture" lost learning minutes for canceled school this past winter.

Early Release Update:

3/19 early release - stays in place as planned

4/16 and 5/14 early releases - cancelled and turned into full school days

Re-Enrollment Form for 2014 - 2015 School Year

Please take a moment to fill out our re-enrollment form for the 2014-2015 school year. Please fill out the form once for every child returning. Click here for the form. Thank you!

Charter School Day @ the Capitol on March 5

TCGIS Administrators visited the Capitol and represented the school with personal meetings with Senator John Marty and Representative John Lesch.

Every year, the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools sponsors and coordinates a charter school day at the Minnesota Capitol during the legislative session.

Herr Horton, Senator John Marty, and Frau Jurewicz

Herr Horton, Frau Jurewicz, and Representative John Lesch

Instructors Needed!

Teach an After School Activity

It's that time of year again! If you would like to offer a class please fill out this form and hand it in to the office. Session three of After School Activities will be starting the week of April 7. If you have any questions about teaching a class, please email Molly at [email protected].

Thanks!

Middle School Information Night

Thursday, March 6 in the TCGIS Cafeteria

Twin Cities German Immersion School is looking forward to meeting with future and current middle school parents to discuss the excellent education we offer in our middle school program.

Thursday, March 6

5:30-6:30 pm = 4th Grade Parents and Students are invited to learn about how the middle school is structured and some of the exciting learning opportunities middle school students have at TCGIS

6:30-8 pm = All future Parents and Students in Grades 5-8 will have a chance to hear a presentation on the full middle school program, ask questions and engage in future plans/brainstorming for ongoing school improvement at TCGIS.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Join the First Sing and Dance Along at the TCGIS Aula

March 27 at 6:30pm, TCGIS Aula

Herbert & Nancy from the Vienna Community Arts and Valentin Solakhau with Blumenkranz invite family and friends to greet the spring with song and dance. Proceeds will support Herr Solakhau's programs and projects at Vienna Community Arts.

For more details, please call Herbert & Nancy at 651-773-9525.

Yearbook Update

Help! Pictures Needed!

We are still in need of pictures for our school yearbook. Any photos are greatly appreciated. Help us make this the best book yet! Photos can be emailed to [email protected].

Support the 8th Grade Capstone Trip!

Want to promote your business? Want to honor your 2014 TCGIS graduate? Want to recognize your favorite teacher? The possibilities are endless!

If you are interested, please contact yearbook editor, Mason Helmel, or click here for the form. Checks can be made payable to TCGIS and dropped off at the main office.

Ad rates:

1 Page: $125

1/2 Page: $70

1/4 Page: $40

All profits go to the 8th Grade Capstone Fund!

Stop Collecting Kemps and Land-o-Lakes Lids

TCGIS participates in the Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education program. In the past, we have participated in the Kemps and Land-o-Lakes programs, but these programs have been discontinued. While we appreciate all donations of Box Tops and Labels, we will no longer be accepting donations of Kemps or Land-o-Lakes milk carton lids. Thank you to everyone who participates in the Box Tops and Labels for Education programs, which have raised over $500 for the school so far this year.

Lost & Found

Check out Lost & Found by March 27

Please check Lost & Found for lost caps, gloves, shoes etc. by March 27. On March 28 everything left will be removed and donated. The Lost & Found is located on the first floor at the Van Slyke Ave entrance.

Voice Your Input at the PTO Annual Retreat

Saturday, March 8, 1:00 to 4:30 pm at TCGIS (Room TBD)

Here is your chance to have input into the future of the PTO! At the Retreat, we will take the opportunity to evaluate the year in order to assess whether we are meeting the needs of the TCGIS community.

One lucky attendee at the Retreat will win a 2014 Chinook Book as a door prize!

Click HERE to register for the Retreat! Questions? Email [email protected].

Join Us for the March PTO Meeting

Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the TCGIS Cafeteria

TCGIS staff member Blaine Strobe and a representative from Lancer will be attending the March 11 PTO meeting. Blaine will discuss what went into the process of switching lunch providers. Lancer will supply nutrition information and entertain questions about their current service. You are welcome to submit questions in advance to [email protected]. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.

You will have the opportunity to also meet and hear from newly elected Teachers' Union Officers.

One lucky attendee at Tuesday's meeting will win 4 tickets to Circus Juventas as a door prize!

In order to help us plan for setup, please RSVP your attendance. If you would like free, PTO-sponsored childcare provided by TCGIS Interns, then you must RSVP.

Meeting Documents:

7th Annual TCGIS Spring Break in Grand Marais

March 28 - April 6

Stay at EastBaySuites right on Lake Superior in your own condo with a kitchen for just $99/night for a 1 or 2 BR and $129/night for a 3 BR. The suites are starting to fill up, so call soon and ask for the TCGIS discount.

Lutsen Ski is 25 minutes away and there are many trails for Nordic, snowshoeing, or hiking depending on the weather. TCGIS families often gather for a spontaneous potluck dinner in the common space.

Questions? Contact Chris Weimholt.

Drop Off / Pick Up Help

Morning: 7:45 - 8:15: for/with Michelle Wallace on VanSlyke

Duty includes: greeting students, and supervising their entrance from the cars to the door.

Afternoon: 3:10 - 3:30: for/with Michelle Wallace on VanSlyke

Duty includes: watching for carpool(s) and/or family pick up. Collecting the student(s) from the class line and delivering the student(s) to the carpool.

Recycling Volunteers

The TCGIS Green Team has started a more comprehensive recycling program. Our crew collects recyclable items from the school and cafeteria every Monday after school. The work is far from glamorous, but we're working hard to live our mission of global citizenship.

How you can help: We have some recyclable materials that cannot be recycled in St. Paul. If anyone has some room in their trunk and room in their Minneapolis recycling bins, we have bags of milk cartons and yogurt containers that could easily be picked up and placed in their household recycling bins. All items are in tied plastic bags and are currently frozen :)

Book Fair Volunteers

Michelle Wallace is looking for volunteers helping out with the Book Fair coming up in April (Monday, April 7 to Friday, April 11). Sign up for helping out with the Book Fair.