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
School Dog at GISW
Dear Parents,
in a few days the teaching team in grades 1 through 4 will receive four-legged reinforcement: from January 23rd "Buddy", a six-year-old Cocker Spaniel, will accompany the lessons after consultation with the class teachers. Buddy will be used in the classroom to support educational processes. Buddy belongs to Mr. Papieß, who has years of experience with dogs and has been involved in animal-assisted pedagogy for a long time.
Throughout Germany, dogs are no longer a rarity in everyday school life. At the GGS Burgaltendorf in Essen, Buddy has been part of the team of educators since 2016.
It's no coincidence: numerous studies in Germany and abroad have been able to prove the positive effect of dogs in the classroom. Children in classes with a school dog work in a more concentrated, disciplined, and quiet manner. Overall, they are less susceptible to stress and show more consideration for each other. A welcome side effect is that the noise level in such classes decreases noticeably, and the children willingly do their part to keep the classrooms clean.
Very important: It has been shown that the presence of a dog (apart from the very first sniffing) does not distract the children, but on the contrary can noticeably increase their concentration and memory.
Buddy has already been working at a German elementary school for six years and was gradually familiarized with the teaching situation there. The dog received a classical dog training at a dog school. Here he was confirmed in writing that he has the qualification as a school dog and can work there as an "emotional support dog".
In the long run, it is planned that I will also offer special "dog lessons" with Buddy in other classes. The extended school management and the elementary school teachers are interested in the school dog project and support this new pedagogical approach. Everyone is looking forward to seeing Buddy at work.
We hope that you and your children are looking forward to the new "colleague" with us. Should you have any questions or perhaps want to meet Buddy in person, please feel free to contact me.
With kind regards
Holger Papieß
Principal of the Elementary School
