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
..........................................
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
FuF - Forensics
During the 2nd teachingmodule “Field Biology” of FuF (Förder (coach) and Forder (challenge) lessons) 5th and 6th graders learned about forensics and how to analyze data. An appropriate headline could read:
International junior forensics team solves mysterious case
On November 27th, 2017 at 11:40 am, students of the 5th and 6th grade made a strange discovery in the multipurpose room of the science building of the German International School Washington D.C.: A mysterious skull was found positioned on top of a few dollar bills and next to a handwritten note.
A soggy shoe print was discovered nearby. After securing the property and analyzing the situation, the experts of the “forensics team” began their work. Traces of evidence were secured, all items were carefully documented (see photo) and individually packed in evidence bags. Step by step the international team of experts examined the evidence and came to the following conclusions:
Based on its size and teeth structure the mysterious skull was identified as that of a muskrat. Examining the scull further they found a blood trace* (human blood type 0), some fabric fibers (identified as cotton) and hair samples not belonging to a muskrat and identified as cat hair. The analysis of the fingerprints on the banknote led nowhere. The case became really complicated at this point, but our team never lost their confidence.
Using chromatography they tested the ink type of the written note and concluded that it was written with a BIC ballpoint pen.
The shoe print clearly matched a specific model of casual footware: brand Converse, size 7, black, patent-leather.
Despite all these facts the case remained mysterious. Had there really been a crime or just a combination of unfortunate circumstances?
A group of five scientists (alumni of the GISW) finally shone a light on the case. Further investigation revealed that the “Friends of Nature” meet monthly to discuss interesting species. Their last topic was the muskrat. All of them prefer cotton clothes and leisure or sports footware. Four of the women have blood type 0 and three have cats as pets at home. Although the writing utensil used for the note was a standard ballpoint pen, three of the scientists said that BIC is their favorite brand. The remaining question was how the blood got on the skull.
One of the scientists remembered that she injured her hand while examining the skull and that after tying her shoelace, she became dizzy. She simply forgot to clean up before going home. CASE SOLVED!
* simulated blood sample
Anja Ellenrieder
(Course Instructor)
