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.

CONTACT US

German International School Washington D.C.
8617 Chateau Drive
Potomac MD, 20854
ph: 301.767.3800

Admissions: admissions@giswashington.org
General Questions: mail@giswashington.org

The German International School Washington D.C. is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) charitable status (EIN: 54-0740278).

Sick Leave Notifications:

- Preschool: call in sick at 301.767.3837
- Elementary and Upper School: report sick child at sick@giswashington.org or call Mrs. Kathryn Deschler at 301.767.3828.

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Faculty Contact Information:

> Faculty emails are in the password-protected area of this website. If you are a current member, please check the first Wednesday Mails of the current school year for the login or ask at the front desk.

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Directions to GISW:

Public Transportation to GISW: Red Line to Bethesda Metro Center, then 36 Ride-on Bus to bus stop BRADLEY BLV & ALDERSHOT DR then 10 min walk to school https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps/

Hotels in the area: Overnight accommodations close to the GISW

Meet Our Staff

First Contacts
Reception – Main Building /Administration

Martina Uhas

muhas@giswashington.org

301.767.3801

Reception – Elementary School

Birgit Sturm

bsturm@giswashington.org

301.767.3818

Health Room Staff

Regina Lambeck

rlambeck@giswashington.org

301.767.3814

Director of Enrollment Management

Jeannette Dubrey

admissions@giswashington.org

301.767.3807

Bookstore Manager

Jana Sedlmayer

bookstore@giswashington.org

301.767.3822

Transportation Manager

Karen Kinsler

kkinsler@giswashington.org

301.767.3843

Extended Care Coordinator

Anke Meyer-Nitschke

ameyer-nitschke@giswashington.org

301.767.3854

Counselor (Grades SEL-4)

Ulrike Schweitzer

uschweitzer@giswashington.org

301.767.3848

Counselor (Grades 5-12)

Klara Fabina

counselor@giswashington.org

301.767.3805

Pedagogical Leadership
Head of School

Carsten Apsel

schulleitung@giswashington.org

Deputy Head of School

Markus Hagemann

schulleitung@giswashington.org

Assistant to the Head of School

Nancy Korn

schulleitung@giswashington.org

301.767.3808

High School Coordinator

Caroline Klick

cklick@giswashington.org

High School Coordinator

Daniel Maier

dmaier@giswashington.org

Elementary School Principal

Holger Papieß

hpapiess@giswashington.org

Deputy Elementary School Principal

Dörte Hardage

dhardage@giswashington.org

Preschool Principal

Mojdeh Khojasteh

mkhojasteh@giswashington.org

School Entry Level Coordinator

Marlene Kopp-Zojer

mkopp-zojer@giswashington.org

German Language School Principal

Kerstin Hopkins

khopkins@giswashington.org

German Language School Deputy Principal

Monique Illig

millig@giswashington.org

Afternoon Program Coordinator (Grades 1-4)

Andrea Pence

apence@giswashington.org

Afternoon Program Coordinator (Grades 5-12)

Dunja Baker

dbaker@giswashington.org

MINT Coordinator

Steffi Colopy

scolopy@giswashington.org

Business Administration
Business Director

George Deeley

gdeeley@giswashington.org

Assistant Business Director

Timon Fleiter

tfleiter@giswashington.org

HR Director

Ines Kreuz

hr@giswashington.org

Assistant to the Business Director

Dzeneta Grozdanic

jobs@giswashington.org