Elternbrief
Issue: 187
February 5, 2015
In This Issue
Grand Opening Celebration
Carnival of Cultures
Maskenball Update!
We Won't Rest-Local Service Group Update
School Board Nominations
Join the TCGIS Advisory Committee!
Round Table Discussion About Standardized Testing
Twin Cities International Festival
Language Immersion Celebration
PTO Announcement
GAI Announcement

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Feb 6: Morning PTO Kaffeklatsch

Feb 13: Professional Learning Day - No School

Feb 16: Presidents' Day - No School

Feb 18: Early Release

Feb 19: Carnival of Cultures

Feb 20: Afternoon PTO Kaffeeklatsch

Feb 28: PTO Maskenball

 

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
Come Celebrate with Us!
Saturday, May 16, 2015

Please join us for our 10-Year Anniversary and Grand Opening Celebration:
 
Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Twin Cities German Immersion School
  • Open House: 10 a.m. to  3 p.m. 
  • Remarks and Ribbon Cutting: noon -1 p.m.
Celebrate with us our wonderful school community and German-American friendship. There will be fun activities throughout the event. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. This is a free event - please bring along family and friends!


 

Carnival of Cultures!
February 19, 2015

It's that time of the year again! The carnival is coming and along with it our annual celebration- the Carnival of Cultures. The Carnival of Cultures 
recalls the ancient German tradition of celebrating Carnival and combines it with the school's mission of "Educating Children for an Active World Citizenship". At the Carnival of Cultures we celebrate our heritage and cultural diversity. This year's theme 
 "Tree of Life" brings us a picture of a tree that embodies a sustainable microsystem, a system that we as a school are striving for.
 
This event takes place on Thursday, February 19 - mark your calendars!
  • 6:30pm: Part I - Kindergarten, 1st grade & 2nd grade
  • 7:10pm: Intermission and artwork show
  • 7:30pm: Part II - 3rd grade thru 8th grade
Important Information:
  • Arrive by 6:15pm for the first half, or by 7:15pm for the second half
  • Parking is limited: extra space available at Como Park or Black Bear Crossing
  • For all performers: please have proper shoes for performing. No required costumes except for 4th grade. Please avoid Halloween attire.
  • Please discuss with families and students to be quiet and respectful during all performances. The Aula has noise panels to dampen the echo, but it is a large space and small noises can be heard throughout.
  • If you arrive late, please wait until there is a break in the performances to enter. There will be someone at the door to assist you.
  • Please remember that the Aula needs to be transformed back into a gym by Friday. We ask you to please fold your chair after the performance and to add it to the pile of chairs by the elevator. Thanks for your help!

Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you there! 

 

 

Maskenball Update

Great Gatherings! I mean, Great Scott! Time is running out to sign up to host a Great Gathering. Final deadline is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 6. A Great Gathering is an event, a class, or a party that you host for the dual purpose of bringing TCGIS community members together and raising money for the PTO. Past events include progressive dinners, game nights, and rock climbing trips, just to name a few. Grab another TCGIS parent and host an event together! Click here to submit your idea now. Contact Karen Arras or Katy Sanchez with questions.

     
Staff Raffle tickets on sale this Friday! Show your kids' teachers just how much you appreciate them! For just $2, you can buy your favorite teacher or TCGIS staff member a chance to win one of two fabulous prizes. The grand-prize winner will receive one paid day off + 2 tickets to the Jungle Theater; the runner-up will receive one paid day off. A big thank-you to Ann Jurewicz and Jeff Horton, who have offered to sub one day each for the lucky winners. Remember: the more tickets you buy, the better your odds! Raffle tickets will be sold at Kaffeeklatsch, the PTO meeting, and the night of the Maskenball party. Cash or check only. Winners will be announced at Maskenball.

Calling all volunteers! The Maskenball committee is looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to help manage the various volunteer needs before, during, and after Maskenball. Please contact Kelly at tcgismaskenball@gmail.com for more information. 
 
Last but not least, don't forget to buy your Maskenball tickets today! Just $25 ($10 for TCGIS staff), now through Feb. 26. Drink tickets also available for $5 a pack. Click here to buy now.
 
We Won't Rest!
Update from the Local Service Learning Group

In 2013, there were over 610,000 people (140,000 of them children) were experiencing homelessness. We don't all see homelessness--it takes place in many forms. If asked to guess the number of homeless people in our country, you probably wouldn't guess that the number was that high. There are so many reasons why people become homeless. Job loss, health deterioration, fleeing domestic violence, or youth runaways.

The service learning group seeks to change that. We are working on coming up with some awesome ideas to help put an end to this heart wrenching problem like this. Please help us spread the word! WE WON"T REST!

 

School Board Nominations

This year's school board elections will take place May 11-15. Three seats are up for election: one teacher member seat and two parent/community member seats.  

If you are interested in nominating someone (self nomination is acceptable), please complete this form and submit it to Michelle Wallace by March 16. 

 

Thanks for your consideration!

 
 

 

Now Taking Applications for the TCGIS Advisory Committee!                                

TCGIS is looking for parents, guardians, teachers and community members to serve on the TCGIS World's Best Workforce Advisory Committee. The Committee will meet at least two times a year to review academic standards and academic goals and measures. The school is looking to build a diverse Committee representing various grade level parents/guardians, teachers and support staff. Please find the application here. If you would like more information on the Advisory Committee, please see the Committee Charter here. Applications are due by Tuesday, February 17 and can be dropped off at the front office.

 

If you have questions or comments, please contact Ann Jurewicz at ajurewicz@tcgis.org or at 651-492-7106 

Round Table Discussion About Standardized Testing at TCGIS
Tuesday, February 10 

There will be a round table community discussion regarding standardized assessment at TCGIS on Tuesday, February 10 from 5:30-6:20. We encourage a variety of community members and knowledge levels to share different perspectives and ask questions regarding academic assessment. The purpose of this round table discussion is to provide a comfortable forum where ideas about assessment can be shared. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Horton at jhorton@tcgis.org.

 

German Community Events 
Twin Cities International Festival
Saturday, February 21, 10am 
 
Join Concordia Language Village's German village, Waldsee, at the Twin Cities International Festival on February 21 for international food, dancing, and to connect with staff members from Waldsee! Learn about the summer camps that CLV has to offer, and experience the magic of Waldsee. The event starts at 10am and will be held at St. Louis Park High School, 6425 West 33rd Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426.

Click here for more information, or check out our Facebook event! Pre-register today for an exciting and fun celebration!
 
Language Immersion Celebration
Saturday, February 7, 9am-12pm
 
The Parent Group of M.A.I.N. (Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network) is hosting a Language Immersion Festival in the Arts Center at the Minnetonka High School (18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55345). Celebrate language learning, expose children to other languages and discover ways to keep them connected to the language outside of school. Performances are scheduled from 9:00 to 10:00 am: it will be a fun morning for all! (A food truck will be on site with coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast items.) For questions, contact main.parents@gmail.com

 

PTO

PTO Announcement

 

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

  • Kaffeeklatsch - Friday, February 6
  • Maskenball 2015 
    • Great Gatherings submissions due Friday, February 6
    • Staff Raffle
    • Tickets on sale NOW!
  • February PTO Meeting - Tuesday, February 10 

For the latest information, be sure to like our Facebook page 

 

 

 

GAI
GAI Announcement

Grüezi! Come celebrate Swiss culture at the GAI and learn the traditional Alpine singing technique of yodeling. The evening will also include a quick Swiss German lesson as well as a variety of Swiss treats.

The GAI is pleased to present the highly-sought traveling exhibit, Die Weiße Rose this February and March at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. The exhibit chronicles the members and activities of the Nazi resistance group of the same name.