Elternbrief
Issue: 188
February 12, 2015
In This Issue

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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
No School and Upcoming Early Release

This is a friendly reminder that there is no school Friday, February 13 or Monday, February 16. Additionally, there is an early release next Wednesday, February 18. 
 
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. 
 
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

Click here for more details--we look forward to seeing you there! 

Me to We Rafiki Fundraiser
Elementary Service Learning Group

In Swahili Rafiki means friend. Rafiki sales provide giving opportunities 
for the Elementary Service Learning Group. The 4th grade service 
learning group is raising money for a global and local cause. The "Me to We Rafiki" fundraiser is directly tied to We Day, which student mentors took part in this fall. The elementary service learners have selected areas of Africa to support and are selling Rafikis at the Carnival the Cultures next Thursday, February 19, 2015.

 

A Rafiki is a beaded bracelet that is lovingly crafted by a mama in Kenya. When you buy a Rafiki, you can "track your impact" to information about how they money helps the mamas, their families, and their community.

 

The Rafiki sales will also provide an opportunity for the elementary service learners to support "Hold Your Horses" in Minnesota. Hold Your Horses provides hippotherapy at a local farm where children with disabilities will ride horses to assist in therapy.
TCGIS Vision and Mission Statement
 
A draft of the TCGIS Vision and Mission Statement was created in March 2013.  
 
Before the TCGIS school board approves this, we are looking for input from students, staff, teachers and parents, around what the words mean to us.
 
You can respond in three different ways:  
1. Use the attached document for a written response. Return forms to Hunter Goetzman or to the office.
2. Use this online form. All responses are anonymous.
3. Join the meeting to be scheduled in late February/early March.
 
As we gather input from each of these groups, the plan is to put together a panel discussion, to take place in late March/early April to present different viewpoints to a larger audience. Ideally, this panel would include 2 students, 2 teachers, 2 parents, 1 staff member and 1 board member.

 

Ski Day at Trollhaugen 
February 16, 2015

Where:Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area  
2232 100th Avenue   
Dresser, Wisconsin 54009
          
When: February 16 2015,  9.30 am Arrival

 

Because this is on a holiday, the group rate (for 20+ people) will be slightly higher than last year (unfortunately we could not book it on a Friday this year): 
Lift tickets: $16
Ski rentals: $18

 

There are complementary ski lessons for children 10 and older. 
Children under 10 may take a two hour ski lesson from 10 - 12 am for $27 per child. 

 

If you are interested or have questions, please email Manuela Thames and provide the following information: 
  • Name of each person (adults and children)
  • Age
  • Height 
  • Weight
  • Shoe Size

 

Kinderstube German Immersion Preschool

Kinderstube
We are currently accepting new registrations at our two Kinderstube German Immersion Preschool locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year for children ages 3-5 years old!

We are excited to see some of our current families return for the next school year, and look forward to meeting new friends that will join our class in the Fall! 


Enrollment Eligibility:
 
All students enrolling must be 3 years old on or before September 1, 2015 and should be fully potty-trained (unless the child has a medically documented disability). Students that turn 3 years old after September 1st, 2015 may inquire to be placed on a waiting list until they have reached their eligible age of 3 years. Placement for all siblings and new students will be confirmed 2 months prior to the desired start date, depending on availability. Families who have a child whose sibling is already enrolled at Kinderstube will have priority placement on the waiting list.
 
Open enrollment for new incoming families begins on April 1, 2015You will receive an Enrollment Confirmation letter in June, informing you if your child is accepted and space is available for your desired schedule.
Please return all completed forms via email (scanned) or mail (301 Summit Ave, St Paul MN 55102) or during your next visit. 

For questions and inquiries please contact
Babett Larimer/Director at blarimer@gai-mn.org or call 651-353-5147.

Enrollment forms are available on our website at: 
 
German University Presentation
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 6-8pm

Thinking about possibly attending German university? Please join us at TCGIS in Room 100 for a presentation by Emily Westhoven of the Baden-W�rttemberg International and Anka Fehling for the Zentralstelle f�r das
Auslandsschulwesen (ZfA). The presentation will cover the various pathways and criteria for American students to enter the German university system.  

If you can't make the meeting at TCGIS but are still interested in hearing this presentation, the GAI is offering an additional presentation at the GAI on Wednesday, March 18 at 7pm.

 

Middle School Information Session
March 5, 2015
 
TCGIS Administration and middle school coordinators invite future students and families for next year's TCGIS Middle School to an information session presenting our curriculum and program for the 2016-2017 school year. Please join us!
  • 5:30-6:30pm = Grade 4 entering Grade 5 for 2016-2017
  • 6:30-7:30pm = Grade 5-7 continuing in Grades 6-8 for 2016-2017
We Create Change Update
Update from Middle School Service Learning Group

Thanks to your generosity, so far the "We Create Change" campaign has created $77.75! $50 provides one goat for a family overseas!  Keep bringing in the coins!

 

 

Valentine's Day at TCGIS

Today was a day filled with hearts, friendship, and lots and lots of sugar. Classes celebrated with dancing, exchanging valentines, and even an ice cream party!



 
 
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: Everything Maskenball!

Volunteer Signup - Available now
* Maskenball Auction - Opens Wednesday, February 18
* Staff Raffle Tickets - On sale at next week's Kaffeeklatsch, Friday, February 20
Tickets on sale NOW!

Visit the Maskenball website for all the details.

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

 

 

 

GAI
GAI Announcement

The Germanic-American Institute will award one $500 scholarship to a GAI-member family so that their child may attend a German immersion language camp at Concordia Language Village in 2015. The completed application is due back to the GAI by April 1, 2015.

The GAI is pleased to present the highly-sought traveling exhibit, Die Wei�e 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.