Elternbrief
Issue: 173
October 9, 2014
In This Issue
Wanted - Host Families!
After School Activity
Middle School Q&A
National Bullying Prevention Month
St. Martins Day
Boxes for Lanterns
Wanted! Singers of all Ages!
PTO Announcement
GAI Announcement
Volunteer Opportunities!

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Oct 10: PTO Kaffeeklatsch / PTO Auflauf Cook-Off

Oct 13-15: NO After-school Activities

Oct 14: PTO Meeting

Oct 16-17: Professional Learning Day / NO SCHOOL

Oct 23: School Board Meeting

Oct 24: PTO Kaffeeklatsch

Oct 25: GAI Annual Wine Tasting Dinner

 

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
Wanted - Host Families for our Spring Amity Interns!

TCGIS is proud to host an Amity intern for each of our classrooms. Amity interns are teachers in training from German-speaking countries who come to the United States to gain experience in the classroom.

  • The presence of Amity interns at TCGIS nearly halves our student/staff ratio, bringing us to a student-instructor ratio of 12:1.
  • Students have more opportunities for work in small groups or 1-on-1 assistance.
  • The Amity Interns increase the German language exposure at the school but also bring freshness, fun, and an intercultural atmosphere to our community. 

Please consider hosting an Amity intern this Spring, supporting the school and creating an intercultural experience within your own home. 

 

If you're interested in hosting 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 ivollenweider@tcgis.org.



After School Activity Announcements

Thanks for the great start to after school activities! A few notes to keep in mind:
Reminder that there are NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES next week. Please plan accordingly. Classes resume the week of October 20th.

Pick up procedure for classes: Reminder that pick up for all after school classes is in the front foyer of the school. Parents must come in and check their child out from the class instructor. Pick up time is from 4:30pm until 4:45pm. Parents should come to the 1031 Como entrance and be buzzed into the building. Thank you!
Bikers - Please Lock Your Bikes Right!

In respond to a recent bike theft from our school property, we're moving the bike rack from the Como side closer to the front door. Also, we would like to encourage you to use a U-lock type lock!
Middle School Parent Q&A
Tuesday, October 14 at 5:30pm

The Administration and Middle School Coordinators, Tanja Schmitt and Michelle Wallace invite any parents interested to a Middle School Q&A Night on Tuesday, October 14 at 5:30pm. The goal is to answer any questions parents and guardians have about Middle School implementation. We welcome all and look forward to having a positive and collaborative discussion.
School Board Announcement
October is National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month was developed in 2006 by the PACER Center, which is headquartered in Minneapolis as a way to raise awareness about the issue of bullying, the impact of bullying on kids and what communities can do to prevent bullying and support kids who are bullied.

 

The PACER Center offers a wealth of tools and resources for educators, parents and young people to address bullying. http://www.pacer.org/bullying 

 

The school board would appreciate any input from community members to examine the status of the school Bullying policy #514. We want to keep the school a safe and supportive place for students to learn and make progress in fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.

 

Any feedback can be made on the bottom of the DRAFT page or sent directly to mwallace@tcgis.orgGovernance Chair. 

 

We are looking for input & revision ideas by end of October - for approval in November.

Performances and Events
St. Martin's Day at the Landmark Center
November 9th, 4pm - 6pm

As it's getting colder and darker day by day we yearn for more coziness & warm candle lights. It is also time to make little cute lanterns and to gather for singing, dancing and parading after a horseman with a red cape. Yes, it's time to commemorate St. Martin's Day at the Landmark Center!

TCGIS students, families and any extended relatives are cordially invited to this celebration of light, charity & kindness. 

It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase many of the school's talents and to get closer to our vision of global world citizenship. In addition to the already traditional performance by 2nd grade you may see some surprises this year.

Mark your calendars - Sunday, November 9, from 4pm to 6pm at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. This event is open to the public.

More information and song texts can be found at https://sites.google.com/a/germanschool-mn.org/music/stage/st-martin.
180 Boxes for Martinstag Lanterns Still Needed! 

Frau Lenburg is collecting empty cereal and oatmeal boxes for the K-3rd grade Martinstag lantern projects. At the moment, 180 more cereal boxes and 35 oatmeal boxes are still needed, and some classes are scheduled to begin next week!  Please send boxes to the office or the art room. Please contact alenburg@tcgis.org if you are willing to help prepare the boxes for students. This is a great take-home project!
Wanted! Singers of all Ages!
 
Join the "Merry Festival Singers" and perform in school and community events :
  • Martinstag at Landmark Center
  • Christkindlmarkt in Excelsior
  • Nikolaustag at GAI
For Details call Herbert at 651-226-2666 or e-mail hengelmayer@msn.com.
PTO

PTO Announcement

 

Find out what's going on in the PTO. Click here to read more about:

  • PTO New Parent Panel Night 10/14
  • Craft and Bake Sale Prep Time
  • Kaffeeklatsch
  • MEA PTO Meet-Up
  • Maskenball Theme Reveal

Be sure to like the TCGIS PTO page on Facebook!

GAI
GAI Announcement

Fall Culture Series: Malice Toward None: Thursday, October 16, 7pmPerfect for genealogy fans, join us with author Daniel C. Munson for a discussion of his research into a German immigrant family that settled in Minnesota in the 1800s. Free and open to the public.

Winetasting Dinner Soiree: Abend in Wien: Saturday, October 25 at 6pmLeave the kids at home for a glamorous evening of 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:
  • 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!