UPDATE: Earlier Release

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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

..........................................

 

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

A Passion for Presenting: GISW Students Succeed in the “Jugend präsentiert” Competition

A Passion for Presenting: GISW Students Succeed in the “Jugend präsentiert” Competition

The German International School Washington D.C. (GISW) is proud to participate once again in the renowned “Jugend präsentiert” competition this school year — a program that highlights not only subject knowledge but also the art of effective and engaging presentations.

This nationwide competition is aimed at students enrolled in German schools both in Germany and abroad, and its goal is to inspire young people to communicate topics in science and mathematics vividly and clearly. With approximately 9,000 entries each year, it is one of the most significant presentation competitions in the German-speaking world.

 

A Strong Team from GISW Steps Up

On February 14, 2025, nine students from grades 7 to 11 at GISW submitted their self-produced presentation videos — the result of intense preparation during the previous school year as part of the school’s internal “Jugend präsentiert” competition. The topics ranged from physical phenomena to complex biological concepts — always creative, clear, and scientifically sound.

 

Congratulations on Reaching the Regional Finals!

At the end of February came the exciting news: Four GISW students impressed the jury and qualified for the regional finals!
Warm congratulations go to:

Video: How big is the universe?

  • Saniya N. (8b)
  • Anna R. (8b)

Video: The Five-Second-Rule

  • Hashim E. (7a)
  • Johannes L. (7b)

This is a remarkable achievement as only a few hundred of the approximately 9,000 entries make it to the regional finals.

 

Regional Finals: Where Science Meets Rhetoric

The regional finals are more than just the next stage in the competition; serve as a platform for rhetorical talent. In this round, the selected students once again submit a presentation video which is then evaluated by a panel of expert judges. For students at German schools abroad, such as GISW, the regional finals are held digitally.

Additionally, all finalists are invited to participate in professional presentation training. These are led by the Seminar for General Rhetoric at the University of Tübingen and provide structured coaching, valuable feedback, and practical exercises to further enhance their presentation skills.

Next Stop: Presentation Academy and National Finals

Those who advance from the regional finals will receive an exclusive invitation to the Presentation Academy, a multi-day training camp where participants deepen their presentation techniques and are individually coached to strengthen their personal skills. It is also the final step before the national finals, which will take place in Berlin in fall 2025.

There, the finalists will present their talks on a given scientific topic in front of a large audience. In addition to the exciting challenge, attractive prizes await, including a city trip to Berlin with exclusive insights into the world of research and media.

 

A Big Thank You to Everyone Involved

GISW is proud of all its participants and extends sincere thanks to the dedicated students and to the supportive parents, teachers, and coaches.

We wish the qualified teams continued success in the upcoming competition rounds.

Because: Those who can explain clearly, make knowledge accessible to everyone — and that’s exactly what “Jugend präsentiert” is all about.

For more information, visit: www.jugend-praesentiert.de

Nicole Bankert (Project Manager of "Jugend präsentiert")
and Steffi Colopy (MINT Coordinator)

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