Elternbrief
Issue: 144
March 20, 2014
In This Issue
Volunteer Opportunities
Carpool Buddy Sign Up
2014 - 2015 Re-Enrollment
State of the School Meeting
TCGIS Entrepreneurs' Day
School Board Announcement
School Board Election Announcement
Middle School Curriculum
Registration for After School Activities III
Scholastic Book Fair
Incubator for Hatching Chickens
Capstone Benefit Picknick
Curtains / Blinds for Classroom Windows
Sing and Dance Along at TCGIS Aula
Yearbook Updates
Lost & Found
PTO Announcement
TCGIS Spring Break in Grand Marais
GAI Pork Roast & Sauerkraut Dinner
GAI Summer Camps
Quick Links
 Volunteer Opportunities

Carpool Buddy Sign Up

TCGIS Online Calendar

 March 20: State of the School Meeting

 

March 21: Kaffeeklatsch / DSD I Written Exams

March 23: GAI Annual Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner

March 24 - 26: DSD I Oral Exams

March 25: PTO  Executive Meeting / Maskenball Debriefing

March 26: Davanni's Pizza Party 

March 27: School Board Meeting

 March 28: After School Activities III Registration ends

March 31 - April 4: Spring Break

April 8: PTO Meeting

April 11, 17 & 18: Grade 5 A2 German Exams

April 13: Capstone Benefit Picknick


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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!

 

State of the School Meeting
Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm, TCGIS Cafeteria

Please join TCGIS for our State of the School, Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm. The meeting will open with a construction safety update from Welsh Construction and will be followed by information on the progress of our school as well as goals for the future. Baby sitting services will be provided.

Meeting Agenda:
  • Board Election in May
  • Building and construction update
  • School Accomplishments
  • Acknowledgements
  • Budget
  • Fundraising
Welcome Emmi Cotroneo

TCGIS would like to welcome our new para-professional Emmi Cotroneo. "Emmi has stepped into classrooms at all grade levels and made an immediate impact on student achievement. We are very excited to have her as part of our team," stated Assistant Director, Jeff Horton. If you see Emmi, please stop and introduce yourself to our new community member.
First TCGIS Entrepreneurs' Day was a Huge Success

The very first TCGIS-Entrepreneurs' Day was a huge success thanks to the Grade 5 and 6 students who did an awesome job. 
 
On Tuesday March 18th, the children did their Entrepreuners' Day as a big highlight of our "open up your own business" project. The idea of the Social Studies project was to have kids understand how the business world works. After talking about markets, prices, the American dream, etc. we got to the point where it's time to experiment with our knowledge.

 

For that matter the students decided for a certain product (self-made/ hand-crafted or bought) and a name for their company, did market research, calculations, finally found a good price, produced advertisement, etc. - all step by step and with the help of their teachers, Tanja Schmitt and Thomas Wegener.

 

Thanks to all the parents, staff and classes who stopped by to support this project. All the hard work and excitement "paid" off! The young business men and women collected a profit of 400 USD which will be donated to Como Zoo on our field trip.


School Board Announcement

Thank you Renee Moelders!

Renee Moelders, one of the TCGIS Board of Directors, will be vacating her board position due to her family relocating to Texas. She has been serving on our school Board since 2010. We extend our utmost appreciation to Renee for the multitude of philanthropic accomplishments during her tenure! 

 

Action Plan for filling the positions of Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

The term that Renee is leaving runs through May 2015. She officially vacates the Board Treasure/Finance Committee chair April 15th, 2014. According to the TCGIS bylaws, the Board shall appoint a new board director into a term that has been vacated. With the upcoming elections, the community will be selecting three new board members. After the elections close, the board will then be able to reassess the skills/experiences in preparation for her appointment.

 

Interim Chair of the Finance Committee

Between April 15th and the future appointment, the board plans to assign the Finance Committee Chair position to an "Interim Chair of the Finance Committee". The "Interim Chair of the Finance Committee" assignment will only exist until a current, newly elected, or appointed board member is selected for the Board Treasurer role. The "Interim Chair of the Finance Committee" will be working in an advisory capacity to manage the vacancy at the Finance Committee level left by Renee until the Board Treasurer seat is filled. Immediately upon identification of the next Treasurer the "Interim Chair of the Finance Committee" assignment expires.

 

Application for one year appointment as Board Treasurer

The Governance Committee is actively seeking applicants for the upcoming election until April 7th. At this time we are also asking for any interested applicants who would be interested in a one-year appointment to also please consider completing an application. The one-year appointment is not an exact replacement of Renee's role. The appointment will take place after the May elections. 

School Board Election Announcement
It's Time for School Board Nominations!
 

The Governance Committee is actively seeking applicants for the upcoming election until April 7thWe are still looking for applicants to our board that possess:

  • Finance
  • Board Governance/Leadership
  • Human Resources, Coaching, Ed. Training
  • Operational Management
  • Fundraising
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations 
  • Legal

The Board plays a crucial role in providing direction, vision and continuity for our growing school community. We hope that you will give serious consideration to volunteering for this board position, or will take the time to recommend someone who you think would be willing and able to support the school in this way.

 

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.

School Board Middle School Curriculum Update

Thank you to everyone who attended the February board meeting and shared their comments about the Middle School curriculum. The Executive Committee revisited this topic in our monthly meeting last week and determined that further discussion is needed on how best to solicit feedback from the school community while continuing to engage in pedagogical research to inform our decision. With that in mind, we have decided to hold off on distributing a survey at this time, and instead will address this matter at the March board meeting. We will send out a subsequent announcement to request feedback from the school community on this important topic in anticipation of a final vote at the April board meeting. Administration is comfortable that this timeline works for planning the master schedule.

-The School Board Executive Committee
Registration for After School Activities III is Open!
Forms are due by March 26th

Sign up for session three of after school activities! New classes have been added. All forms are available in the front office and will be posted on the website. Scholarship forms are available upon request. Classes start the week of April 7th.

Scholastic Book Fair
Week of April 7 - School Book Fair
Week of April 14 - Online Book Fair

School Book Fair: Week of April 7, Floor 2 Elevator Lobby 

The Scholastic Book Fair is around the corner! Come and shop books for all levels, picture and chapter books, pencils, rulers, all you need for your child's enhanced learning experience. 

 

Our schedule:

Mon, Apr 7: 3:00-5:30

Tues, Apr 8: 3:00-6:30

Wed, Apr 9: 3:00-6:30

Thurs, Apr 10: 3:00-5:30

Fri, Apr 11: 7:50-8:30

 

Online Book Fair: Week of April 14

If you are out of town or can't make it to our Book Fair, you can also help support our school by shopping online. Shop the online fair if you missed the fair, or, if you want to add to what you already have!!


Click here for more information about the Book Fair.
Wanted: Incubator for Hatching Chickens

Kindergarten B would love to try to hatch chickens in the classroom this Spring. We are having trouble finding an incubator and the appropriate equipment. Please contact Heidi Scholtz for any tips or help around incubators.
 
Let's Ring in Spring - Capstone Benefit Picknick
Bring your picknick blankets and deck chairs and enjoy an open air festival indoors. 

Please join us for the third annual Capstone Benefit Event on Sunday, April 13th from 2:00- 5:00pm in the Aula of TCGIS.
Our fantastic TCGIS teachers, students, their families and other members of the TCGIS community have come together to provide an afternoon of musical entertainment ranging from classic to rock while you and your family can enjoy a cup of coffee, delicious cake and more.

In March of 2013 the first graduating class of TCGIS went to Germany for a two week Capstone Experience. 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. It is the culmination of the education at TCGIS and is planned for all 8th grade classes at TCGIS. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Capstone Fund and support our German Exchange program.

Our program features:
* Dance performance by Blumenkranz
* TCGIS band 
* TCGIS strings students
* GDB (German Dad Band)
* Performances by TCGIS parents, students and their siblings
* Performances by TCGIS teachers Scot Stephenson, Hunter Goetzman, Margaret Sims and Thomas Wegener
* German story time
* Children's games
* "Flohmarkt" with Arts and Crafts 
* Cakes, coffee, kids' drinks ... 

Hope to see you there. Don't miss it!!! 

Please contact Sylvia Oxenham or Gina Vader if you have any questions or are interested in participating in the program.

Thank you,
The Capstone Committee
Curtains / Blinds for Classroom Windows

The windows of the classrooms will be equipped with curtains or blinds this Spring/early Summer. If you have connections to a professional curtains/blinds store or happen to have a talent for curtain sewing, please contact our Facilities Manager Andy Nesset
Sing and Dance Along is Postponed to May
The exact date will follow!

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! 
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.
PTO Announcement

Thank you to Cindy Miller, Sue Westacott, Julie Elias, Cherste Eidman, Ahmisa Cuadros, and Jeff Horton for setting up the pizza dinner for staff during parent/teacher conferences! According to our recent teacher survey, this dinner tops the list of favorite teacher appreciation activities provided by the PTO!

  
PTO Upcoming Events

March 21, 2:30 pm: Kaffeeklatsch at Black Bear Crossings

 

March 25, 3:30 pm: PTO Executive Meeting in PTO Room above Aula

 

March 25, 6:00 to 8:00 pm: You're invited to attend the Maskenball Debriefing at TCGIS (meeting room TBD). We will discuss what worked, what didn't, and the future of Maskenball. Feel free to brown bag your supper. The PTO will provide free childcare. Please register HERE, especially if you need childcare.

 

March 26, 4:00 to 8:00 pm: Join us for the Davanni's Pizza Party at the Roseville location (1905 W Perimeter Dr, Roseville 55113). Place an order anytime between 4:00 and 8:00 pm, and Davanni's will donate a portion of the sale to TCGIS on this designated evening. Be social and join other TCGIS families at the restaurant, or take home for a quiet night in. A "ticket" will be sent home with your child on the day before the event; you may also pick up one at the event. Hand in your "ticket" when ordering, so Davanni's employees are sure to count your purchase as part of the TCGIS PTO fundraiser!


Be sure to follow us on Facebook!

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.
GAI Pork Roast & Sauerkraut Dinner
Sunday, March 23

Seats are still available for the GAI's annual Pork Roast & Secret Recipe Sauerkraut Dinner! Join us this Sunday, March 23 for this quintessential German feast, including pork roast, boiled potatoes, green beans, and family-style sauerkraut. Coffee and cake will be served for dessert. Prepaid reservations will be seated first, so avoid the line and RSVP online or by calling 651.222.7027.
GAI Summer Camps Are Filling Up!

If you haven't already registered your child for the Germanic-American Institute's summer language camps, remember that space is limited! The GAI offers 10 themed camps on topics like art, travel, and history, and run Monday-Friday mornings with afternoon care available until 6pm. TCGIS families can register under the GAI Household Member rate ($100/camp).

Registration is available online or by calling GAI Language Services at 651.222.2979.

Library Book Sales Volunteers  

The library has an annual book sale on Friday, May 16. This is also the day of the PTO Plant Sale and the School Board Elections. Blaine Strobe appreciates help setting up, during, and after the Book Sale. Sign up for helping out with the Library Book Sales.

 

 

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.
 
 
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. Sign up to become a Recycling Volunteer.

 
 
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. 

Sign up for helping out with drop off.

 

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.

Sign up for helping out with pick up.