Great Program of Parent Workshops at GAIS 

The GAIS community has been treated this year to an outstanding program of workshops which are of interest to parents.  Following the recent session on internet safety, GAIS is now organizing a talk in collaboration with Parents Place on 'Achieving Balance and Defining Success for Children in Grades K - 8'.  The talk will take place on Thursday April 7, from 7 to 9 PM in the gym.  Our presenter is Susan Stone Belton, BSE, and the workshop will help you define "success" within your family, and also teach you what developmentally appropriate expectations from parents and schools are. Our thanks to Manu Hipkins for organizing this talk. We look forward to a good turnout of parents, friends and community members.

News from the Head of School  

WASC Visit Next Week

The WASC accreditation team will be visiting us next week from Sunday to Wednesday afternoon.  The team is made up of Dr. Barbara Nemko, Superintendent of Schools for Napa County, Mr. Robert Arne, Headmaster of Valley International Academy, Mr. John Muster, Head Teacher at Maybeck High School, and Mrs. Gloria Hassel, Education Manager. The accreditation team will be working in the library and as such the library will be closed next week from Monday to Wednesday.  A three day plan of meetings includes sessions with parents, Board members, Elementary School students, Middle School students, teachers, support staff and daily meetings with the leadership team.  Our visitors will have free reign over the GAIS campus and be invited to visit any part of the school.  They will not visit the Preschool as our accreditation covers Grades K-8.  Our Preschool, on the other hand, is licenced by the State of California.

Over the last 18 months the GAIS staff, together with parent volunteers have prepared a self study document entitled Focus on Learning.  This document is available on our website, once you have logged in, under the Accreditation button. The visiting team will review this document and evaluate the schools programs, facilities, structures, and organization in light on the evidence that is contained in this report.

The accreditation team is in need of some administrative support to help them combine their individual reports into a final draft.  This would require someone with good computer skills especially in working with word documents.  The time frame is Tuesday afternoon from 12-4pm and possibly some hours on Wednesday morning.  Volunteer hours are available for this.  If you could help out please contact the school office.

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MYP Corner by Dominic Liechti

German Certificate 

Last year our school was authorized by the German government to grant the German language certificates at GAIS. The application process for the authorization was an intense yet rewarding experience. As a result our students at the International Middle School are participating currently in different language proficiency tests in German. We provide two German certificates in our school based on the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages", which is divided into six levels.

The lowest level on the framework is A1 and the highest level is C2 (sequence: A1->A2->B1->B2->C1->C2). The C2 level is the "Abitur or Matura" level in Europe. Our students at the International Middle School are taking the test on an A2 level in 6th grade and on a B1 level in 8th grade. The certificate on the B1 level, named "Deutsches Sprachdiplom I" (DSD I), allows for the requirements of German speaking high schools to be met.

The test includes an oral and a written communication part. In the oral communication section the students have to speak in front of an audience about a given topic. In addition they incorporate a self-made poster in their presentation. Afterwards they are required to reflect on certain questions that will be asked by the proctors. In fact, the 8th graders are supposed to make their presentation in front of an official from Germany and a diplomat from the German consulate in San Francisco.

The written part is divided into reading comprehension, listening comprehension and a German essay. Representatives of the German government will correct the "DSD I".

For students who are transitioning out to high schools, GAIS will offer the DSDII " on the C1/C2 Level in future. This certificate allows them to show proficiency in German language at the University level.

I wish all students good luck for their tests!

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PYP Corner by Maike Silver 

In education we call an elevator speech a short summary of something that can be told in the time it takes you to ride up an elevator. So this is my attempt to an elevator speech about the PYP.

The PYP is an international curriculum framework for students¹ ages 3-11, focusing on the development of international minded young people.  Through an inquiry approach that puts the students in the center of their learning the PYP cultivates skills essential for the 21rst century, promotes attitudes necessary for lifelong learning, teaches knowledge that is globally transferable and is connected to real life.  The goal is to prepare students to become global thinkers who raise questions and look for solutions to create a better and more peaceful world.

Welcome to the fourth floor of the IB Americas Office in Bethesda, Maryland and thank you for listening to my speech.

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Creativity and recycling go hand-in hand in the preschool. One of the preschool classes turned their classroom into space. In order to be able to fly into space with their space rocket, the children created their own space suits. Egg cartons turned into the oxygen tank, while surgical tubing that was still sealed but was to be discarded became the oxygen tubing. A helmet out of cardbaord finished the look. All astronauts get ready for take-off...

Annual Fund Up-date - Week 3 

BOOK SALE: Friday, March 25 is postponed!

Due to the weather conditions we have to postpone the Book Sale. We keep you posted on a new date.

Monday, April 18 - Teacher In-Service Day 

Please note that there will be no regular school on Monday, April 18^th due to a staff in-service day.  We will, however, offer the Hort program on this day. Sign-up sheets have already been sent out. The deadline to sign-up is April 1^st.

Spring Break 

We do offer Hort/Day Care during the Spring Break from April 11^th to 15^th. If you need a space in Hort please send in the sign-up form, which which has been sent out. The deadline for signing up for Hort is April 1^st.

Bike Clinic - Get Ready for Spring 

Next Friday, April 1st from 1:30 to 3:30 pm Mike's Bikes from Palo Alto is coming to GAIS for a free bike clinic.  GAIS Students & Families please bring your bikes to school, and 2-3 technicians will be onsite to teach basic bike repair and tune-ups.

Take the 2011 Drive Less Challenge!

April 22 - May 5, 2011 

We all have a role in protecting our climate, especially when it comes to reducing car travel, the largest source of carbon emissions on the Peninsula.  The Drive Less Challenge is a fun way to start by leaving your car behind to take alternative transport to work, school, shopping or your other local destinations. 

Participants use an on-line, game-like trip log to compete with friends, neighbors, and co-workers - or just challenge themselves - by taking a bus, train, carpool, bike or just walking to your destination.   We all win by reducing our community's greenhouse gas footprint so please join us on the Drive Less Challenge 2011, and see how much you and your communities can do to keep the earth cool! 

Volunteers and Sponsors Wanted! This innovative, grassroots event encourages residents and employees to shop locally and provides volunteers and business sponsors an opportunity to contribute and communicate support for climate protection.  Signup to sponsor, volunteer or participate at:  drivelesschallenge@gmail.com.  

We'll see you out there walking, biking, on the bus or train!

Kinder Matinee: Biene Maja 

On Sunday March 27 at 11 am the Goethe Institute, Goethe-Institut Auditorium, 530 Bush Street in San Francisco will show the famous cartoon series "Biene Maja". Come and join Maja and her friends on the red puppy meadow and embark with them upon exciting adventures! There is a suggested donation of $5 per child and parents are free.