Compiled by Sarah CR Clark
Twin Cities German Immersion School
New executive director
TCGIS announced Elizabeth Zehnpfennig is its new executive director.
Zehnpfennig joined TCGIS in 2020 as middle school dean and principal and will transition into executive director for the 2024-25 school year.
Zehnpfennig earned her teaching degree from Winona State University and taught at Bonn International School before returning to the U.S. In her 25-year career, she has led exchanges with German schools and traveled with more than 400 students.
Paige Yurczyk, school communications and community outreach manager, said, “In 2023, Zehnpfennig briefly served as interim executive director and is now set to fully step into the role, eager to share her enthusiasm for German language and culture with the TCGIS community.”
Playground improvements
TCGIS is undertaking playground improvements this fall. Site preparation began on Aug. 5 with the goal of finishing by mid-October. The playground improvements will include a new play structure, new soccer and basketball goals and the installation of new sidewalks, curbs, netting and landscaping.
In a note to the school’s neighbors, Yurczyk said, “We kindly ask for your understanding and patience during this period. There will be some noise and heavy equipment on-site. But these improvements will significantly enhance the playground experience for our students and the community.” For more information, visit tcgis.org/playground.
St. Anthony Park Elementary School
Fall Festival!
St. Anthony Park Elementary School’s annual Fall Festival is scheduled from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and is open to the community.
The festival, organized by the St. Anthony Park School Association (SAPSA), will feature games, snacks, pumpkin runs, a haunted house and more. All proceeds from this decades-long tradition support programs and supplies for SAP Elementary students.
“We recruit over 100 volunteers for this event and community participation is welcome,” said SAPSA president Lisa Troutman.
To sign up for a volunteer shift and for more event details, visit sapsamn.org.
Meet interim principal
Bobbie Evangelist is filling in this fall as interim principal at St. Anthony Park Elementary School.
Evangelist is a retired St. Paul School District principal who served Como Park Elementary at the time of her retirement. She is filling in for Karen Duke, who currently is on a medical leave.
A St. Paul Public Schools media representative said, “Bobbie has enjoyed starting the year with the SAP staff, students and families and looks forward to what is sure to be an amazing fall!”
Sarah CR Clark lives in St. Anthony Park and is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle.
