UPDATE: Earlier Release
<Please scroll down for English version>
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
Exploration through the MINT Program: Embracing Change, Innovation, and AI
Since the second semester the MINT series was opened to all 9th graders and above, offering a unique opportunity to explore a range of MINT (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, and Technology) topics. The program meets on the first day of each month, inviting students to engage in stimulating discussions with experts in various fields.
The program kicked off with a thought-provoking presentation from Hassi Norlen, a speaker from Sweden who shared his remarkable personal journey of embracing change and demonstrating the value of having diverse experiences. He encouraged students to be open to new opportunities and always to be ready to adapt to change. Through a series of anecdotes, Hassi highlighted how experiences, though seemingly unrelated at the time, shaped his future in unexpected ways.
Mr. Norlen’s journey, from helping his father build a garage to serving in the navy as a radio operator and even learning Irish folk music, showed how each step provided him with a new perspective. "Make sure to do something completely different," he advised, suggesting that exploring new hobbies and interests can refresh your mind, leading to creative breakthroughs in work and life.
He also shared an insight that Rui N. (9b) was especially Impressed by, on the importance of asking questions and taking risks. One memorable quote was, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Hassi urged students to ask the questions in class that no one else dares to, and even to approach the CEO of a company and explain why they would be an asset. His message: If you never ask, nothing will happen. This advice is a powerful reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone is often the key to success.
A particularly timely topic that Mr. Norlen touched upon was Artificial Intelligence (AI). Reflecting on how his own life might have been different if AI had been available when he started his career, he expressed concerns about the potential for AI to make learning too easy. He warned that while AI can be an excellent tool, it should not replace the process of learning itself. "AI should be used to teach a person something," he said, rather than doing everything for them. Hassi’s comments urged students to balance the convenience of technology with the importance of developing their own skills and critical thinking.
As the MINT program continues to grow, events like Hassi Norlen’s presentation provide students the opportunity to reflect on their own paths, consider the role of AI in their future, and embrace the idea of continuous learning and intellectual growth.
Through participation in the MINT program, students are encouraged to think beyond the classroom, explore new ideas, and prepare for the rapidly evolving world of technology and innovation. It’s a chance to challenge oneself, ask important questions, and ultimately become a part of the next generation of thinkers and problem solvers.
Lora V. and Rui N. (both class 9b) contributed to this article.
Steffi Colopy
(MINT coordinator)
