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

Carpooling!

Are you interested in finding other families to carpool with? We've got answers! The first way to find carpool opportunities is to search the directory. By now you should all have access to the draft and should have received the password information. When you open the directory, search by zipcode to see who is near you. Email info@tcgis.org if you experience problems accessing the directory.

Another tool to find carpooling is with a Facebook group called TCGIS Carpool 2014-2015. Click on the link here and request to join. Once you've been approved, feel free to start conversations with other families about carpooling! It is a closed group, meaning everyone needs approval to join. This will keep your information private and only be visible to TCGIS families that are in the group. See who is in your area and get your carpool on!

Support the School and Host an TCGIS Amity Intern!

We're looking for 5 host-families for our 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!

Please consider hosting an intern for the upcoming spring semester. We still need 5 spring host-families and two back-up families.

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 twice the 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.

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.

The deadline for spring applications is October 31, 2014 - Halloween day! Thank you!

November Lunch Menu

The November Lunch Menu is out. Please be sure to check your lunch account monthly for a balance through your child's Power School account.

Raise Money for the School with Earn with Target!

How it works: Every time you make a online purchase through "Earn with Target", you help TCGIS earn 5% of your purchase.

Just find our school's page by searching for Twin Cities German Immersion School at "Earn with Target" or click the following direct link:

http://www.target.com/earnwith/#/school/twin_cities_german_immersion_school.

Pick a project to support, then shop like you normally would. Once you check out, TCGIS will receive 5% of the purchase total. Thank you!

Boxtops & Labels for Education

TCGIS is collecting "Labels for Education" and "Boxtops for Education" again this year! Please clip your boxtops and turn them in to the front office. Every clipping helps raise money for our school.

Enterovirus D68 Update

An unusually harsh strain of enterovirus has been detected in Minnesota and linked to a buildup of school-aged children suffering breathing problems.

Although our school has no confirmed cases of virus infections, we'd like to ask you to stay alert and watch out for the following early signs of the virus: fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body and muscle aches. Basic measures such as washing hands frequently with warm water and soap, and wiping surfaces to reduce the risk of spreading the virus are the best prevention methods.

Please see the following article for more information: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/08/midwest-enterovirus-hospitalizations/15277115/

Stay healthy!

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.org, Governance 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.

St. Martinstag Band

Our Band instructor, Krista Johnson, is looking for parents who would be interested in playing with our students on two songs for the St. Martinstag performance at Landmark Center on November 9, 2014. We would have a short run-through of the music before the performance. If interested, please contact Krista Johnson at monk2miles@comcast.net for more information and copies of the music.

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.

Recap and Impressions

Middle School Parliament Election Week

This year's highlight of the Middle School Parliament President election week was the exciting TV-debate between the two candidates.

The 8th graders together with Herr Wegener did a great job organizing a thrilling public debate where students were able to ask lots of questions about the ideas of the two candidates Erik Rauer and Olivia Bruhn.

Please watch out for invitations to the big Inauguration Party on Friday, October 24 at 3pm.

PTO

PTO Announcement

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

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, 7pm: Perfect 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 6pm: Leave 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.org. Thank you!