Elternbrief
Issue: 170
September 18, 2014
In This Issue
Curriculum Night
School Grand Opening Announcement
Enterovirus D68 Update
Supply Donation 2014-2015
School Picture Day
7th Grade Autumn Dance
Peace Day
Boxes for Lanterns
Blumenkranz
Social Life & German Culture
Thank You Sabrina Fay
PTO Announcement
GAI Announcement
Volunteer Opportunities!

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Sept 17-19: 4th Grade Fieldtrip

Sept 19: PTO Kaffeeklatsch

Sept 22: Peace Day

Sept 23: Curriculum Night

Sept 24: Registration CLOSES for Session 1 After-school Activities

Sept 25: School Board Meeting

Sept 29: Session 1 After-school Activities BEGIN

Sept 30: PTO Davanni's Pizza Night

 

If you are a current volunteer or would like to become one, please visit our volunteer page, read the instructions and fill out the online application.
Click HERE!

Administrative Information
Curriculum Night
Tuesday, September 23

Parents and Guardians are invited to Curriculum Night, September 23!
Curriculum night is an evening for families to hear about the educational program offered students at TCGIS. Teachers will give an overview of the school year and provide information about learning at specific grade levels and/or in a variety of subjects.

To accommodate parents with multiple students at our school, we have developed the following plan.

Elementary Curriculum Night 6:30-7:30pm
6:30-6:50 pm Elementary School with student last names A-L
6:50-7:20 pm Elementary School with student last names M-Z

***Elementary Art, Drama and Sport teachers, as well as the elementary special education teachers will send messages on their programs in advanced and be available in the halls from 6:50-7:00pm and again from 7:20-7:30pm for meet and greet.

BREAK

Middle School Curriculum Night 7:30-8:45pm
Middle School parents will follow their child's schedule through the day (see below):

7:25 - 7:32 Homeroom
7:36 - 7:43 1st hour
7:47 - 7:54 2nd Hour
7:58 - 8:06 3rd Hour
LUNCH-skip
8:10 - 8:17 5th Hour
8:21 - 8:28 6th Hour
8:32 - 8:39 7th Hour

***Middle School special education teachers will be available in the subject classes (ex. Math, German or English) where they are supporting TCGIS students.

We look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday, September 23!

 

Due to the delay of construction and staff workload TCGIS is planning to move the School Grand Opening from October 3rd to a later date. The final decision will be made by the School Board at the September 25 meeting. Thank you for your understanding.

Enterovirus D68 Update


As an update to the bad flu virus hospitalizing children in the USA, the virus has now been documented in Minnesota. Please watch for the following early signs of the virus: fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body and muscle aches. Basic measures such as washing hands and covering coughs are the best prevention methods.

Please see the following article here about the case in Minnesota: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/275496721.html
Supply Donation 2014-2015

Each year TCGIS asks for a supply donation from our families to help cover the extra costs of our German curriculum, including disposable "Heft" or workbooks purchased each year. The suggested donation is $75 per child. For all families that have already made a donation, thank you! This donation makes it possible for TCGIS to provide our students with the best German materials available. If you would like to make a donation, please do so in the front office. We appreciate your support!
School Picture Day

This year's School Picture Day is scheduled for October 7, the retake date is November 11. More information will follow. 
Performances and Events
7th Grade Autumn Dance  

Dear 7th graders and parents,

We'll have a Dance Party in the Aula. Here are the main facts:

  • When: Friday, September 19, 5:30-8:45 p.m.
  • Where: The Aula
  • What: Pizza, Music, Dancing & Fun!
  • Who: Seventh Grade
  • Tickets: $3 or $3.25 at the door
  • Pizza will be provided (tickets are for pizza money)
  • There will be chaperones

We'll see you there!

Kayla Morrissey and Madeleine Phillips, Grade 7
Peace Day
Monday, September 22, 8:35am

On Monday morning, the elementary students and staff will be celebrating Peace Day with a brief assembly, starting on the playground at about 8:35. Students have made "Pinwheels for Peace" in art class, and will plant them on the Van Slyke side of the building at the end of the assembly. There they will spin all day, later to be placed in the yards of people in the neighborhood- "sharing the peace." Parents and community members are welcome to join in the celebration.
Boxes to Make Lanterns for Martinstag

It is that time again!  Please start saving your cereal boxes and round oatmeal boxes. The K-3rd grade students will be using them in October to make lanterns for Martinstag.  Starting next week, boxes can be brought to the office or to Frau Lenburg in the art room.
TCGIS Blumenkranz Dance Troupe

Blumenkranz at the MN Renaissance Festival - September 20 & 21
The Blumenkranz Dance Troupe is invited for the 3rd year in a row to perform at the MN Renaissance Festival on September 20 & 21 (Oktoberfest Weekend).
If you are interested or just happen to be there stop by and enjoy our performances at the Pavilion stage both days at 10:30am, 1:30pm & 3:00pm.

Blumenkranz Dance Troupe - 5th Season Starts
I would like to announce that new dancers are welcome to the coming 2014-2015 season. As always, previous dance experience is not required, but positive energy & commitment are desired. Regular rehearsals will start on September 30 for the Senior Group (grades 5-8) and on October 2 for the Junior Group (grades 2-4). If you are interested in joining Blumenkranz, please register in the office. You'll find Blumenkranz amongst other After-school Activities. 
As a heads-up for all performance-hungry artists: we already have lots of events scheduled for this year such as Martin's Day Celebration at the Landmark Center and Festival of Nations. Check for our performance on the Blumenkranz website

WANTED!!! MALE dancers! We need muscles for some athletic dances, lifting, and special tricks!
Social Life & German Culture

For those who would like to enrich their social life with German culture related theater events:

Strumply Peter, a Toy Opera, is the latest original creation from Open Eye Figure Theatre, inspired by the cautionary poems 19th century German physician Heinrich Hoffman composed to entertain his children. More information and the performance schedule can be found at http://openeyetheatre.org/stage/strumply-peter. Children tickets are as low as $10.

H�nsel & Gretel by Minnesota Opera. Based on the Brothers Grimm classic, this beloved fairy tale whips together frothy folk tunes with sumptuous orchestration into a deceptively sweet, deliciously dark confection that has delighted families for generations. Minnesota Opera's new production of Engelbert Humperdinck's enduring masterpiece is appropriate for grown ups and children who aren't afraid of the dark. More information can be found at http://www.mnopera.org/season/2014-2015/hansel-and-gretel/If we could find at least 10 interested people we could get a 50% educational discount for one of the performances. Interested families please contact Herr Solakhau at vsolakhau@tcgis.org.
Recap and Impressions
Thank You for the Appreciation Boat Ride, Sabrina Fay!

Sabrina Fay, TCGIS parent and Thrivent Financials representative invited all TCGIS faculty, administration and board members to an appreciation boat cruise on the St. Croix river. Thank you! We sure enjoyed the free refreshments and the wonderful scenery!

 
PTO

PTO Announcement

 

Family Craft Day - Saturday, Sept 20th 1:00 in the TCGIS Cafeteria

Join Heidi Zimmermann and Kristi Johnson to make crafts for this year's Craft and Bake Sale in November. This event will be a family project and include at least 5 craft projects. Snacks and all craft supplies will be provided. Please RSVP to kristirjohnson@gmail.com by Sept 17th to ensure we have enough supplies for your kids. 

 

Kaffeeklatsch - Friday, September 19, 2:30pm in the TCGIS foyerJoin other TCGIS parents before pick-up for coffee and conversation. Suggested donation: $1 with your own mug or $1.50 without. 

 

Join your TCGIS friends for an afternoon of apple picking and fun at Afton Apple Orchard! Sunday, September 28 from 1-3pm. Cost is $3-5 per person. Afton apple has a huge playground and petting zoo, tractor rides to the orchards and lots of pick-your-own apples. We will trap a few picnic tables and label them for TCGIS as a home base. For directions and more information, check out their website: aftonapple.com. If you can, please RSVP to BekiCooksCakes@gmail.com so we know how many tables to claim. 

 

Davanni's Pizza Night: Tuesday, September 30, 4-8 pm at Davanni's on Cleveland & Grand, St. Paul. Davanni's donates a portion of its sales to TCGIS on this designated evening. Be social and join other TCGIS families at the restaurant, or take home for a quiet night in. More information will be sent home with your child just prior to this event.

 

Get out the casserole dishes...it's time to compete in the 6th annual PTO Auflauf Cook-Off! The hotdish to beat is Kordula Coleman's Tamale Pot Pie, which was awarded top honors by our judges last year. The event sells out due to the venue's limited capacity, so reserve your spot without delay! Tickets on sale now until midnight on October 3, or until sold out. Ticket prices: $8 for adults; $5 for adults competing in the Cook-Off; $5 for kids ages 5 and up; free for kids under age 5. Get all the details you need to attend, volunteer, and/or compete here.

 

Be sure to like the TCGIS PTO page on Facebook!

GAI
GAI Announcement

GAI Annual Meeting: Friday, September 19, 5pm - 6pm
Join us inside the Haus before the Herbstfest Heuriger to celebrate the unveiling of the GAI's new logo, hear a report on the GAI's fiscal performance in FY2013-14, and get a sneak peek at special projects planned for the coming year.

Kaffeestube European Breakfast Cafe: Saturdays, beginning September 20, 8:30am - 11am
Kaffeestube returns to the GAI this fall! Join us Saturday mornings for a Fr�hst�ck buffet of German rolls, cheeses, cold cuts, eggs, spreads, and more. Visit the second floor gallery or the library and catch up on your German news over breakfast. Both members and non-members are welcome. Please note the new price: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Traffic note: Saturday, September 20, Summit Avenue will be closed, so take Selby Avenue to Farrington Street to get to the GAI.

H�nsel and Gretel: Puppets & Performances: Sunday, October 12 at 2pm
Bring the kids or grandkids to an afternoon of storytelling, songs, and puppet-making with artists from the Minnesota Opera. Recommend for kids 12 and under (and their grown-up of choice), the afternoon will begin with the musical telling of the fairy tale, followed by a puppet-making workshop for the kids to make their own H�nsel, Gretel, or Witch puppets. Register today! 

Winetasting Dinner Soiree: Abend in Wien: Saturday, October 25 at 6pm
Join us for an evening of glamor and grandeur. Enjoy five courses, expertly paired with five wines, live entertainment, and more -- all in support of continuing the restoration of our historic Haus. Attendance is capped at just 100 guests, so register early.
Volunteering
Volunteer Opportunities!

Every week, TCGIS offers divers opportunities to volunteer. Right now we have the following openings:
  • Volunteers for Peace Day - Monday Sept 22
  • Performing Arts Volunteers
  • Classroom Volunteer for Herr Stephenson's Class
  • Library Volunteers
  • Green Team Volunteers
Please check out our Volunteer Opportunity Directory here

If you are a current volunteer or would like to become one, please visit our volunteer page on the website, read the instructions and fill out the online application. 

If you need assistance with the application or have any questions, please contact Isabel at ivollenweider@tcgis.orgThank you!