Water Main Break / Wasserrohrbruch
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025
Our school has experienced water damage due to a water main break in the neighborhood. Preschool, SEL, and grades 5–12 are operating as usual.
IMPORTANT: The elementary school building is currently being restored to a usable condition; therefore, we are unfortunately unable to offer regular classes or supervision for grades 1–4.
Please keep your children in grades 1 to 4 at home on Friday, December 5.
The Newbees canceled the Newbees Breakfast.
We are closely monitoring the MCPS decision for Friday in case they announce a delayed start due to the weather.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
...
Aufgrund eines Wasserrohrbruchs in der Nachbarschaft ist es zu einem Wasserschaden an unserer Schule gekommen ist. Der Kidnergarten, SES sowie die Klassen 5–12 haben regulären Unterricht.
WICHTIG: Das Grundschulgebäude wird derzeit in einen nutzbaren Zustand gebracht, daher können wir für die Klassen 1–4 leider keinen regulären Unterricht und auch keine Betreuung anbieten.
Bitte behalten Sie Ihre Kinder der Klassen 1 bis 4 am Freitag, den 5. Dezember zu Hause.
Die NewBees haben das Newbees-Frühstück abgesagt.
Wir behalten die Entscheidung von MCPS für Freitag im Blick, falls aufgrund des Wetters ein verspäteter Schulbeginn angekündigt wird.
Vielen Dank für Ihr Verständnis und Ihre Unterstützung.
Kangaroo of Mathematics
Where does the contest come from? / Why a kangaroo? / History of a kangaroo?
The idea for this contest originated in Australia in 1978 and was brought to France by two French math teachers. It was named "Kangourou des Mathématiques" (Kangaroo of Mathematics) in honor of the Australian inventors. More and more European countries started to participate, and in 1994 the international association "Kangourou sans frontieres" (Kangaroo without Borders) was founded, having its headquarters in Paris. The German association "Mathematikwettbewerb Känguru e.V." is based at the Humboldt University in Berlin. The mathematical problems students have to solve are essentially the same in all participating countries and are worked on simultaneously every year. International Kangaroo Day is held annually on the 3rd Thursday in March. In Germany, the number of participants increased from 200 students in 1995 to 845,000 last year!
What is the goal of the competition?
The competition is designed to make mathematics more accessible to students by using a humorous approach. Students are encouraged to ponder, puzzle, calculate and estimate in order to solve a wide range of mathematical problems. Questions are structured in a way that for some of the solutions, basic knowledge gained from school lessons is sufficient. Another part of the total of about 30 tasks requires a deeper understanding and creative use of what has been learned. Some problems can be solved with a bit of cleverness and common sense and therefore are well suited for teaching mathematical methods in an entertaining way.
The fact that the solutions are presented in multiple choice, i.e. without exact written explanations, is also attractive to many students.
All participants in this competition will be winners; all receive a certificate with their scores and a souvenir prize. The best mathematicians can also win books, games, puzzles, T-shirts and trips to an international math camp.
The Kangaroo at GISW
For many years, GISW has participated in the Kangaroo competition in both elementary and upper schools. Participation is mandatory for grades 5 and 6.