Tomorrow we will have come to the end of a very busy four months of school. The holiday season is at our doorstep and the GAIS staff, students and parents will soon have time to rest, relax and renew their energies for the upcoming year. I would like to congratulate the teachers and staff of the GAIS on a very productive, positive and exciting first four months of school. We have had a rich academic program, many extra-curricular activities and some very successful events that have involved parents and friends. We have worked hard to provide an outstanding world-class educational program that has resulted in an increase in our student enrollment numbers over last year. GAIS is constantly evolving and in the past year we have made important additions to the school's program and facilities to support our objectives. A new portable for Grade 5, a new Music room and program, a coherent Physical Education program and the introduction of various language options in the International Middle School are some of the highlights this year. Through our continued evolution as a PYP World School, and with specific attention to academic rigor in the Middle School, we have established a dynamic educational program which has seen the school fully implement the IB-MYP this year. Last March we hosted an accreditation team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Their final report commended our excellent academic standards and practices supported by a strong and cohesive community based on the values of international understanding and respect.

I would like to thank all of you for your help and collaboration in our common goal of educating your children. The positive interaction between family and school is necessary to help us reach our objectives and give our students a rich and nourishing learning experience. Towards this end, I thank the members of the School Board, the Parent Representatives and the various school committees that are actively and productively working to assist the staff and school in the many ways they do. Indeed, all parents play an important role at GAIS and whether you help in classroom, organize events or are generous in your donations to the school, your participation is greatly appreciated.

I would like to conclude by commending the outstanding GAIS staff. We are fortunate to have such a competent, caring and dedicated team of staff and faculty at our school. Have a Happy Holiday and a great start to the New Year.

After the summer break we kicked off with the arena check-in days - with a growth rate of 30% more students - and a well attended potluck. We also unveiled a new multiple language option curriculum, a new assessment system and a web-based communication structure for the International Middle School (IMS).

Shortly after the beginning of the school year, my team started to work diligently with the students on the Middle Years Program (MYP), which includes approaches to learning (ATL) and different significant concepts and areas of interaction that put content into a more meaningful context. This holistic assessment system embraces different summative criteria and incorporates formative summative assessments. The goal of this process is to measure the students' learning progress against calibrated criteria, which are not only based on knowledge but also enhance 21st-century skills such as presentation, reflection, investigation, application and creation. The students are measured against the criterion and not against other students, which supports us in promoting a nurturing learning environment with specific and timely feedback. In addition, we continue to be attentive to the high school transition and supporting our students for the rigorous private school entrance tests.

Another highlight was the Science Camp in Santa Cruz for our sixth graders. The Science Camp was a great experience for them and enhanced their team-building process in the beginning of the new school year. Another improvement was the new web-based communication tool ManageBac, which allows us to connect with the students and parents in a more transparent and informative way. ManageBac provides a platform to see the curriculum, assignments, and events and to communicate with each teacher. In addition, it helps the students to be more independent about their own learning process.

I would like also to mention that we organized for our IMS students a series of workshops to enrich their ATL in time management, study skills and organizational skills and we provided for the community two very well attended band performances.

To give you a look ahead, our new MYP report cards are coming up and right after that we'll be heading up to Sugar Bowl for our yearly Ski Weekend, which is a part of our holistic program in the IMS. We are looking forward to this fun event

I would like to thank my team for their tremendous effort every day at school, on the fieldtrips, during their preparation, and in after-school meetings. Moreover, I would like to thank the parents and students for their confidence in us.

The last Board Meeting of this year is tonight at 7:30 pm.

All Members of the GAIS Corporation, as well as all parents and community members are invited to attend our next Members Meeting and Board election. At this meeting, as usual, the Board and Administration will review the status and progress at the school. In addition, we will hold elections for four board seats that will come open on the expiration of the terms of four current Board Members. If you are interested in running for the Board of Directors, this is the time to make your intention know to us. Please advise either Susi Lindley or Kristen Hughes of your interest in the Board. More detailed information will be sent out in the first days of January.

Most families don't know that we have an association in Germany that is dedicated to the development and support of our school, the "GAIS Foerderverein". Its president is Holger Fiedler with the GAIS alumni parent Ute Dorsel acting as treasurer and her husband Andreas Dorsel acting as secretary.  

You might want to let your friends and family know that they can support our school also from Germany, Austria and Switzerland by becoming a member in the "GAIS Foerderverein" or with a donation that is tax deductible in Germany. This might be just the meaningful holiday present people are looking for!

To learn more about the Foerderverein and for membership applications or donations please contact AndreasDorsel@t-online.de.

Here is the bank transfer data for Germany:

Kontoinhaber: Förderverein d. Deutsch-Amerik. Intern. Schule e.V.

Kreditinstitut: Kreissparkasse Ostalb

Bankleitzahl: 614 500 50

Kontonummer: 805472280

IBAN: DE48 6145 0050 0805 4722 80

Please include the address so you can receive a donation receipt!