Elternbrief
Issue: 218    
October 15, 2015
In This Issue
Sign Up for Conferences Monday
Martinstag - We Need Your Help
Join the TCGIS Basketball Team
Parent Community Conversation Invite
Picture Retake Day
Scholastic Book Fair in November
Literary Specialist Announcement
PTO Announcement

Quick Links
TCGIS Online Calendar

Oct 12-16: NO After School Activities

Oct 15-16: No School

Oct 22: School Board Meeting

Oct 30: Halloween Parade

Nov 5-6: Parent Teacher Conferences

Nov 8: Martinstag at the Landmark Center

Nov 10: Picture Retake Day

Nov 12: Give to the Max Day

 Volunteer at TCGIS!
Take a look at current volunteer opportunities! If you are not yet a volunteer, but are interested in becoming one - please fill out an application here. Vielen Dank!
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Administrative Information
Parent Teacher Conferences Sign-Up Opens Monday, October 19 at 8:00am

The online parent portal for parent teacher conferences will open Monday, October 19 at 8:00am. The portal will remain open until Monday, November 2 at 5:00pm. Conferences this fall are November 5 & 6. If you have used our system before, your password and login information should be the same. If you are knew to this system, you will be asked to create a username and a password. To enter the system, you will need the master password.

Master password: fall2k15

**Please note, even with this master password you will NOT be able to enter the system and schedule conferences until Monday, October 19 at 8:00am. If you try before this date and time, you will be locked out.

Before you log in, we suggest that you have the following information:
        1. A list of all the teachers you would like to see. The online conference system will not tell you the names of your children's teachers.
        2. The times you would like to have conferences. The system will tell you the available slots for all teachers. If the teachers you wish to see are not available, contact them to schedule an alternative time for a conference.

For further information, please find the attached parent letter, parent overview, and user guide.
Martinstag Lanterns Update - We Need YOUR Help!

Thank you for all of your cereal and oatmeal box contributions!  We have collected enough boxes for all 275 students in K-3 to create their lanterns for Martinstag.

Frau Lenburg could still use some help in the next few weeks, both preparing all of those boxes and later assembling the Kindergarten lanterns.

If you are interested in helping in this way, please email Frau Lenburg at [email protected]. Vielen Dank! 
Join the First Co-Ed TCGIS Basketball Team!

This winter TCGIS will be putting together its first co-ed basketball teams for middle school. Players of all skill levels are encouraged to sign-up and join Herr Prater for an awesome season! Practices and games will be held after school. Stay tuned for more information but mark your calendars--the season will run from December 2 - February 12! As soon as game days are decided, a practice schedule will be created and shared with the community. Herr Prater is really excited to bring basketball to TCGIS, and is looking forward to coaching our middle school students!
You're Invited to a Parent Community Conversation
Wednesday, October 21, 4:00-6:00 pm at Rhondo Community Library

Parents come share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions with others in the TCGIS community and the School Board Parent Liaison, Christine VeLure Roholt. Children are welcome to be in the space and a few art activities and board games will be available.
 
This is the first in a series of 6 parent gatherings that will happen around the Twin Cities in the coming months.

Interested in attending, would like to be part of a future conversation, or have questions? 
Please contact Christine VeLure Roholt.  
Picture Retake Day - November 10

In the next few weeks students who ordered pictures from picture day will receive their orders, and all other students will receive a proof of their picture. Didn't place an order before picture day? Don't worry! Included with each proof is additional information on how to place an order. If you'd like to retake your picture, picture retake day will be Tuesday, November 10.  
Scholastic Book Fair Coming in November

Be on the lookout for the Scholastic Book Fair! This year's fair will be from November 2-6. More detailed information will come in later Elternbriefs. Did you know the book fair supports our school? We earn more books for TCGIS through the books that are purchased at the book fair!
 
Tip From Our Literary Specialist, Gesa Zinn
Looking for some German practice at home? Check out www.kika.de! It has reading and listening materials (and much more!) for various age groups. Find materials from "Das Sandm�nnchen" to "Die Biene Maja", and "L�wenzahn", to "Die Abenteuer von Jacob und Josefine in Hong Kong" and "Wissen macht Ah"! There are both archived materials and live programs. Enjoy!
PTO
PTO Community Auction - Just One Week Left to Register Your Event
Have a great idea for an event or something special to donate to the PTO Community Auction? There is just one week left to register (deadline Oct. 23). The PTO Community Auction is a great way to support the school and build community among TCGIS families. Please consider hosting a Great Gathering, Teacher Treasure, or Admin Adventure, or donating something for Personal Pieces. Learn more and register your event here!
Please note: the fall strudel sale will be part of the November auction - click here for more information!