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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
One Day
February 14th began like any other day.
"I love you" said Alyssa's mom once she dropped her daughter off at school.
And Nicholas, Meadow, Helena and Carmen were studying diligently to pass their finals.
Like in many high schools, the music from the marching band and orchestra filled the halls with joy
Especially with the musical talents of Gina and Alex.
Alaina spent her days volunteering at hurricane relief shelters, while Peter was in the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Jaime, Luke, Cara and Joaquin colored the world with their smiles, art and joy.
Martin joked with his older brother as usual, generating a wave of joyful chuckles.
Mr. Hixon and Mr. Feis, devoted athletic teachers, couldn't wait to coach the next game.
And Mr. Beigl wanted nothing more but to teach his young students about the beautiful world we live in.
All of a sudden,
Not even a moment,
Before the world,
Their world,
Was destroyed.
The deafening shots will resound in their ears forever.
Hate consumed the world in that moment.
In a blink of an eye,
17 people were killed senselessly.
All that potential, joy, impact that they still had yet to bring,
Was taken.
Robbed.
Not only were 17 families destroyed.
Not only were 17 wonderful people robbed of the gift that is life,
But the world lost 17 brilliant and loving souls.
We lost students that did and could've continued to change lives.
We lost teachers that remained heroic and selfless till the very end.
When will it end?
When will we have suffered enough?
How many souls must we lose, hearts must be broken, families torn apart?
When will the day come, when love and hope conquer death?
That day wasn't February 14th.
But maybe one day, someday.
Written by Victoria v.C., March 14th2018, German International School Washington D.C. on the occasion of the National School Walk-Out day honoring the victims of the Florida shooting of February 14th, 2018.
Photos: Dr. Peter Dreher (Retired GISW Teacher)
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