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
GISW officially recognized as a MINT-EC School
The German International School Washington D.C. (GISW) has been officially recognized as a MINT-EC School, joining a prestigious network of 316 secondary schools (Grades 5-12) in Germany that are noted for their superior STEM offerings and achievements. GISW is the first school in the U.S., and the first school outside of Europe, to be awarded the MINT-EC School designation.
MINT (Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik) is the German equivalent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and, in Germany, educational institutions must receive official approval to be considered a MINT school. Gaining membership to the MINT-EC network takes this process one step further, requiring a competitive application process and ongoing evidence of a high-quality STEM program.
“We are thrilled to be recognized as a MINT-EC School,” said Mrs. Petra Palenzatis, Head of School. “Students that come to GISW have always benefitted from our outstanding STEM curricula across all divisions, from preschool through Grade 12. Our participation in all that the MINT-EC network has to offer will benefit students and teachers in new and exciting ways.”
Membership allows for students to attend coveted MINT-EC camps at universities and research facilities across Germany. The camp participation fees are covered by the MINT-EC network, providing opportunities for students in Grades 9-12 to gain additional knowledge, collaborate with students from other MINT-EC schools, and discover all that STEM careers have to offer.
In addition, students can qualify to receive a MINT-EC Certificate upon graduation. Beginning in fifth grade, by participating in MINT-EC camps, challenging themselves in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics competitions, joining extracurricular courses and activities, and completing optional research papers, students track their participation and activities and can apply for the MINT-EC Certificate in Grade 12. The MINT-EC Certificate is highly regarded by universities and colleges during the admission process.
“The MINT-EC Network opportunities are tremendous and offer our students the chance to really explore all that STEM subjects have to offer,” added Dr. Guido Mueller, faculty member and MINT-EC Coordinator. “It also provides a wealth of teaching resources, collaboration possibilities and professional development programs for our faculty. We are extremely excited about the possibilities this creates to continue to enhance STEM teaching and learning at GISW.”
The German International School Washington D.C. is one of 140 official German Schools abroad. The school is accredited by the German Ministry of Education and approved by the Maryland Department of Education. GISW graduates receive the German International Abitur as well as a US High School Diploma.
