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March 31 - April 4: Spring Break
April 7-11: Scholastic School Fair
April 7-21: Spring Strudel Sale
April 8: PTO Meeting
April 11: PTO Kaffeeklatsch
April 11, 17 & 18: Grade 5 A2 German Exams
April 14/15: MCA Reading
April 13: Capstone Benefit Picnic |
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Interested in Hosting a TCGIS Amity Intern?
We're looking for host families for our Fall '14 and Spring '15 Interns!
Create an intercultural experience within your own home by hosting a German Amity intern. Enjoy typical German dishes, music, and personal conversations with your intern. Let your children benefit socially and academically from a native German speaker in your home!
"Our intern has been great! She helps out with homework, teaches us how to cook German dishes, and helps watch the kids. But most importantly, she hangs out with us, laughs at our jokes, and has become a part of the family. We wish she could stay much longer!" says a current host-family.
If you're interested in either hosting or supporting an Amity intern, please fill out the online form HERE. This is only an expression of interest at this time, and not an absolute commitment or promise. For more information about our Amity program and hosting an intern, please go to the TCGIS website or contact Isabel Vollenweider. |
Last Call for School Board Candidates for the Election!
It's time to get on Board!!! Application due date is Monday, April 7! 
We only have 3 applicants for 3 seats being vacated on our school board.
All application paperwork is due on Monday, April 7. The application form can be found here, or picked up from the school office.
On Friday, May 16th, we will be electing three new members to our nine-member board of directors. Shortly after the election we'll appoint a Board Treasurer for the duration of one year.
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.
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Your Input about German Instruction in Middle School
Dear TCGIS families,
Over the last few months, the philosophy of German-language instruction in the Middle School has been discussed by the Board and the community. The amount of instruction in German will always be an important value as TCGIS carefully considers future options of learning opportunities. TCGIS is currently re-examining the level and percentage of German, English, and Spanish instruction in the Middle School. It is important to gather input from families. The Board intends to make a decision that is based on the needs of our students and remains true to the mission of our school.
To gather input, the Board welcomes email directed to [email protected] and is scheduling a listening session on April 10th at 7pm. Board members will be available to hear the perspectives of any who are able to stop by. Board members will then be making a final decision at the next scheduled Board meeting to inform the school administration for the scheduling of the 2014-2015 year. The Board hopes to hear from many families and we thank you for any time you can give to sending us a message or stopping by and sharing your perspective with us in person.
Sincerely, Matt Schneider, Board Chair |
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Congratulations to the Winners of the Gold Passes and Free Tickets for MSP International Film Festival
Condor Airlines is donating their two Gold Passes to the MSP International Film Festival, April 3-19
On Wednesday, we raffled off two Gold Passes and an additional three pairs of free tickets for the MSP International Film Festival.
The winners of the Gold Passes are:
Andrea Winkler
Louise Livesay
The winners of the pairs of free tickets are:
Molly Kalda
Lisa Linnell
Monte Swann
Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to Lisa Erickson, a MSP Film Festival Board Member and TCGIS parent, for creating this great opportunity!
The two Gold Passes were donated by Condor Airlines, a main sponsor of the MSP International Film Festival. Condor Airlines, a German discount airline based in Frankfurt, will be servicing the Twin Cities market for the summer season, June 26-Sept 11.
The MSP International Film Festival runs April 3-19 and features over 250 incredible films and documentaries from around the world! You'll find many German language films at the Festival including the kids' film Windstorm.
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TCGIS MCA Schedule 2013-2014
MCA Reading: Grades 3-8 (Paper Test)
April 14/15: Grades 3-8
Make up testing:
April 16/17/18
MCA Math: Grades 3-8 (Online Test)
April 28/29: Grades 5,7,8
April 30/May 1: Grades 3,4
May 2/5: Grade 6
Make up testing:
May 2, and May 5-9
MCA Science: Grades 5&8 (Online Test)
May 6: Grade 8
May 8: Grade 5
Make up testing:
May 8/9
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Scholastic Book Fair
Week of April 7 - School Book Fair
Week of April 14 - Online Book Fair
School Book Fair: Week of April 7, Second Floor 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. |
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Let's Ring in Spring - Capstone Benefit Event
Bring your blankets and deck chairs and enjoy an indoor festival!
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
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Join Us for the April PTO Meeting
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30-8:00 pm in the TCGIS Cafeteria
 In addition to our regular PTO, board, and administration reports, the April meeting will also feature two special presentations and Q&A sessions. First, members of the TCGIS Teachers' Union will share where they are in the unionization process and entertain questions from the community. Then we'll hear about the benefits and realities of hosting an Amity Intern. We will also learn about high school foreign exchange options, both hosting and sending. You are welcome to submit questions in advance to [email protected]. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.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. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to help settle your child(ren) in before the meeting begins. Meeting Documents: If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact PTO President Kami Blackwell Kinney. |
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GAI Spring Culture Series
 Divine Decadence? Modernist Art, Film, and Politics in Germany's Weimar Republic
On Wednesday, April 9, from 7-8:30pm Dr. Rick Mc Cormick will discuss German cinema and culture during Germany's Weimar Republic (1918-1933). Germany's equivalent of the "Roaring 20s," the Weimar era was a vibrant period for the arts, culture, and modernism, with strong progressive and feminist gains. This event is free and open to the public. More details are at the GAI website.
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GAI Easter Egg Hunt
 Saturday, April 19
Join us Saturday, April 19 at 10am for an Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 10 and under. After finding candy and coin-filled eggs, families can purchase fun items at our Osterladen (Easter store). The event will be conducted in English and German and is a great opportunity for kids to use their language skills, while helping us raise the $8,000 needed for new playground equipment at the GAI! Cost: $10/child. No pre-registration is necessary and more details are available on our website.
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Intern Hosting Volunteers
We are looking for families to host Amity interns for the coming school year. The Amity intern program is a cornerstone of our school. It not only enriches our classrooms and community culturally, but keeps our adult to student ratio low and quality of learning high. Hosting a German intern is an unforgettable intercultural experience for the whole family. Enjoy typical German dishes, music, and personal conversations with your intern. Let your children benefit socially and academically from a native German speaker in your home.
If you're interested in hosting an Amity Intern, please sign up here. This is only an expression of interest at this time, and not an absolute commitment or promise. For more information about our Amity program and hosting an intern, please go to the TCGIS website or contact Isabel Vollenweider.
Can't Host? Support an Intern as an Uncle or Aunt!
For those of you who would love to host an intern, but your living situation or family life does not make that possible, we are also asking you to help with host family support. You would be able to provide meals or extra food for interns, or take interns out for evenings and weekends, much like an "Onkel" (Uncle) or "Tante" (Aunt).
If you're interested in supporting an Amity Intern, please sign up here. This is only an expression of interest at this time, and not an absolute commitment or promise. For more information about our Amity program and hosting an intern, please go to the TCGIS website or contact Isabel Vollenweider.
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.
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