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.
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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.
FuF—Coaching and Challenging
In the academic year 2017/18, the GISW added FuF to the schedule of students at the Upper School. This program is an extension of the previous “Förderprogramms,” which was limited to a few participants and took place in the afternoons. The newly instated FuF is short for German “fördern” und “fordern,” which means on the one hand, students in all courses are supported in their efforts to overcome challenges while, on the other hand, they are given the opportunity for academic growth. Since the beginning of the school year 2017/18, all students from grades 5 -9 have been part of this new program, which is now part of the curriculum and the schedule for those grades.
For these special classes, teachers of the Upper School have designed courses/modules that allow more individualized instruction and attention for each student. Each FuF module runs approximately 8 weeks, after which a new module starts. Altogether, the school year comprises four modules. During FuF lessons (2x 45min/week) students can tackle burning questions and discuss issues in depth. The courses offer topics from a variety of subject areas, e.g. German, English, Math, etc.
FuF courses are not electives in the traditional sense. They are part of the curriculum and class schedules, teachers may recommend students for certain courses based on their pedagogical judgement, particularly in the core subjects. The final content and number of courses vary due to the availability of resources and subject-area demands.
Some examples of modules from previous years are courses like recording newscasts, playing ukulele, and building robots as well as courses providing strategies for giving presentations, writing papers, and solving mathematical problems.
If you have any questions regarding FuF, please contact
Dr. Jackson, Teacher for English and French, FuF Coordinator
Email: sjackson@giswashington.org
FuF Courses in 2022/23
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Grades 5-6 |
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Training/ Coaching |
Reading and spelling (with certificate) Math German Fit English-Fit |
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Advanced/ Challenging |
Geography English Music Sports FuF Nature and science: Experiments
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Grades 7-9
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Training /Coaching |
Reading and Writing (with certificate) German Mathematics English French Spanish
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Advanced/ Challenging |
English Podcast Sports Music Physics Mathematics |