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Liebe Eltern und Erziehungsberechtigte,
aufgrund der aktuellen Wetterwarnung in unserer Region und im Interesse der Sicherheit aller Schülerinnen und Schüler sowie Mitarbeitenden beenden wir den Unterricht und das Kindergartenprogramm heute vorzeitig um 12:55 Uhr. Die Schulbusse werden das Schulgelände um 13:05 Uhr verlassen.
Um eine ungefähre Ankunftszeit an Ihrer Haltestelle zu ermitteln, bitten wir Sie, sich an den Zeiten der regulären Busroute zu orientieren.
Wenn Ihr Kind nicht mit dem Bus fährt, holen Sie es bitte um 12:55 Uhr ab.
Sollte sich die Wettersituation so entwickeln, dass es erforderlich ist, werden wir selbstverständlich alle Schülerinnen und Schüler sicher in den Gebäuden behalten und Schutz im Gebäude gewährleisten, bis eine sichere Situation gegeben ist.
Falls Sie aufgrund von Verkehr oder Wetter nicht genau um 12:55 Uhr zur Abholung eintreffen können, werden wir die Kinder weiterhin in den jeweiligen Gebäuden – Preschool, Elementary School und im Hauptgebäude – betreuen und im Gebäude lassen, bis Sie sicher an der Schule angekommen sind, um Ihr Kind abzuholen.
Bitte fahren Sie vorsichtig, versuchen Sie jedoch so zeitnah wie möglich zur Schule zu kommen, da wir bemüht sind, die Gebäude für die Sicherheit aller Beteiligten so bald wie möglich nach 12:55 Uhr zu leeren.
Sollte es zu Verzögerungen bei der Abfahrt der Schulbusse kommen, werden wir Sie selbstverständlich umgehend mit einem weiteren Update informieren.
Wir danken Ihnen für Ihr Verständnis und wünschen Ihnen und Ihrer Familie, dass Sie gut und sicher durch das heutige Wetter kommen.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Die Schulleitung
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Due to the severe weather alert in our region, and in the interest of the safety of all students and staff, classes and the preschool program will end early today at 12:55 pm. School buses will depart campus at 1:05 pm.
To estimate the approximate arrival time at your bus stop, please refer to the times listed on the regular bus route schedule.
If your child does not ride the bus please pick them up at 12:55pm.
If the situation warrants it, we will certainly keep all students safely sheltered inside the buildings and ensure everyone remains safe until conditions allow otherwise.
If you happen to be delayed in traffic or by the weather and cannot arrive exactly at 12:55 pm for pickup, students will remain inside their respective buildings - Preschool, Elementary School, and the Main Building - and will be supervised until you arrive safely to pick up your child.
Please drive carefully and do your best to be on time, as we are for everyone’s safety hoping to have the buildings cleared as soon as possible after 12:55 pm.
If bus departures are delayed, we will certainly provide another update promptly.
Thank you for your understanding. We wish everyone a safe afternoon and hope you stay safe during the weather.
Kind regards,
School Leadership
@MINT-EC, Schulleitungstagung 2025
25 Years of MINT-EC – School Leadership Conference 2025 in Wuppertal, Germany, Sets Strong Impulses for the Future of STEM Education
Six new member schools, over 60 workshops, a new school competition, and intensive exchange on AI in education
To mark the 25th anniversary of the national excellence school network MINT-EC, around 400 principals, STEM coordinators, partners, supporters, and interested guests came together in Wuppertal from November 28 to 29, 2025, for the annual MINT-EC School Leadership Conference. The event offered a diverse program with more than 60 workshops, expert lectures, and a comprehensive education fair – and provided important impetus for the continued development of STEM education in Germany.
A central highlight of the conference was the ceremonial admission of six new member schools. Their addition strengthens the network and expands its nationwide expertise in school-based STEM promotion. The newly certified schools enrich the network with fresh perspectives, best-practice approaches, and new potential for collaboration.
The German International School Washington D.C. received special recognition. A certified member since 2019, it is one of only five international schools worldwide that belong to the MINT-EC network – and the only member school in the United States.
Through its successful certification, students at GISW benefit from:
• participation in MINT-EC camps and academies,
• access to nationwide competitions such as Jugend präsentiert, Jugend forscht, and new AI competition formats,
• intensive exchange with universities, research institutions, and partner schools,
• expanded support and learning opportunities in an international context.
A key thematic focus of the conference was the discussion surrounding artificial intelligence in the classroom. School leaders are increasingly confronted with questions about ethical responsibility, data protection, didactic integration, and the role of AI in learning processes.
In her keynote “School Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Jutta Schneider emphasized the extent to which AI is already shaping learning:
“AI is transforming not only our everyday lives but also learning itself. Schools need orientation, courage, and exchange – and this is exactly what our network provides. The conference once again demonstrates the innovative strength of our member schools.”
Workshops and practical examples from schools showed the many ways AI can be used meaningfully, responsibly, and in ways that support learning – from automated diagnostics to adaptive learning systems and creative projects in computer science and STEM subjects.
With its extensive STEM programs, DISW is clearly on the right path.
Steffi Colopy
STEM coordinator