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.

Health Room

The Health Room of the GISW serves students from preschool through twelfth grade and is open Monday through Friday from 7:45am to 3:15pm.

If a student is injured or feels unwell during school hours, they are required to inform the current teacher or other supervising staff member. The supervising person will make the decision whether the child needs to see the health room staff.

Our GISW health care team includes:

Please click the following link to get to the respective counseling pages:

> Counselor (Elementary School)

> Counselor (Grades 5 through 12)

Calling in Sick:

Please send all absences in the Elementary School and Upper School due to illness to sick@giswashington.org  or call Ms. Kathryn Deschler at 301.767.3828. To call in sick for a preschooler please continue to call the number 301.767.3837. Thank you!

When to keep your child home:
  • Having a fever above 100.4 F or 38C.
  • Vomiting or severe diarrhea.
Child may return to school if symptoms improve and stays fever free without any medication for 24 hours. The same 24 hour rule applies to vomiting and diarrhea.
 
If your child gets diagnosed with an infectious disease (for example strep throat, flu, pink eye or lice) please inform the Health Room at healthroom@giswashington.org or call 301-767-3814.

Important Health Policies and Waivers:

> Maryland: Vaccine Requirements 2025/26

> School Health Form: SR-6.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org) (Grades SEL through 12)

> Allergy Policy

> Allergy Waiver

> Lice Fact Sheet

> Covid policy at GISW (updated September 2024)


Submitting Health Related Forms:

BEFORE ADMISSION:

Please submit the health forms on this page as part of your admissions process: Admissions-related health forms
 

ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN ADMITTED:

Once a student has been admitted to GISW, the parents will receive an invitation to join Magnus, our health portal for medical documents, from service@magnushealhportal.com. Please upload required health documents here.

For Preschool:

For Preschool through Grade 1:

If your child has one of the following conditions:

WHILE YOU ARE AT GISW:

Below are the required vaccinations that are added to the basic immunization during the school years and that we require proof of.

Basic Immunizations:

From the age of 5: 2x MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) in total.

From School Entry level (SEL) on: 2x MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and 2x Varicella (chickenpox) vaccinations (or proof of previous infection) and a new health form upon entry into SEL: SR-6.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

All students entering 5th grade must submit a new health form: SR-6.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

Beginning in 7th grade: 1x Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and 1x MCV4 (meningitis A,C,Y,W) vaccination.

Note: Please check your child's immunization records to see which type of meningococcal vaccination they have received. In Maryland, vaccination against subtypes A, C, W and Y is mandatory. In Germany, vaccination is usually given only against meningococcal type C. Your child must have received the correct vaccine to be allowed to attend 7th grade or higher.

All students:entering 9th grade please submit a new health form: SR-6.pdf (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

What is Magnus Health?

In order to attend school in Maryland, some immunizations and physicals are required and must be submitted by the school to the Maryland Health Department upon request. Additionally, we store the emergency contacts you provide during enrollment so that we can reach you quickly if needed. We maintain all student medical records using the online Magnus Health portal. Please log in using the https://secure.magnushealthportal.com link to upload documents and update your emergency contacts. You can also print your child's records there if needed.
 
In case your initial invitation expires or you need to reset your password, please send a request to healthroom@giswashington.org
 
For help navigating the Magnus system or customer support at Magnus Health, click on the "Need Help?" button in the top left corner of the Magnus Health account front desk or call their support team at (919) 502-7689.