GAIS - News That Matters NTM

The GAIS campus is leased from the Menlo Park School District ("MPSD"). MPSD recently notified GAIS, as required under the lease, that it is reviewing how to accommodate its own growing student population, and that one of many possibilities is to return our campus for use as a public school in 2014/2015. MPSD is not terminating our lease. We do not expect MPSD to conclude our campus meets their needs for various reasons: the distance to a public Middle School is too far, it would be a big infrastcuture investment for MPSD and they would loose significant rent income. Moreover, since a public school would involve more cars and traffic than GAIS, and would be outside the oversight of the City of Menlo Park, we doubt most of our neighbors would welcome the idea. Nonetheless, MPSD is looking at it among other options.

You can help GAIS by being a good neighbor to residents of the Willows community. Carpool if you can. Do NOT park on Elliott Drive. Enter and exit the campus at LOW speed (15mph). And, generally, be courteous to our neighbors.

Meanwhile, the GAIS Board of Directors and our Managing Director, Dominic Liechti, continue to work to secure additional space for our own growing student population. We have made significant progress towards securing space appropriate to our middle school students, and potentially for expansion to upper grades. Expect to hear more about this in the next few months.

Campus space is one of the most challenging issues for schools - public and private - on the crowded San Francisco Peninsula. Please know that GAIS is doing everything possible to give our students a great place to learn and to develop in a 21st century environment. Know too that we will keep you posted on the developments.

2. Chicken Pox - update

There were two other reported cases of chicken pox - one in Grade 8 and one in Grade 3. Please inform us immediately if your child/children should show symptoms of chicken pox. For more information regarding the chicken pox please see our last NTM 10/23/2012 and the e-mail that was sent out on October 18, 2012.

3. Media Galleries at GAIS

Photo Gallery

We have set up a new secure system on our website to share GAIS pictures. Not only can you see pictures but also you can easily upload your pictures directly into the respective class or gallery you like to. As we want to provide maximum security you will need a password in order to upload and/or see pictures - please do upload high resolution and labeled (e.g. Unit 1, Field Trip etc.) pictures only. To access our media gallery go to http://www.gais.org/media-galleries/. Right now there are not yet many pictures available. But please check back regularly for updates.

4. Parent Talk: November 1, 2012 and November 12, 2012

The next parent talks are coming up soon! Please join us for these events. More information on our website 'Parent Talks' or 'Parent Talk Flyer'.

Sleep, Mood and School Performance

November 1, 2012, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

For parents, Grades 5 - 8

21st Century Learner

November 12, 2012, 9:00 am - 10:00 am AND

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

For parents, Grades 5 - 8

5. IMS Concert: November 5, 2012

This is a friendly reminder that the IMS Concert takes places next Monday, November 5, 2012 from 6:00pm until 7:00pm. Please join us for this special event. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

6. St. Martin's Day: November 9, 2012 (PreK - VS/K)

martinslantern

On November 9, 2012, our traditional lantern parade celebrating the legend of St. Martin will take place. Every year on November 11, German children celebrate St Martin's Day. Martinstag is all about giving to others and shedding light in the darkness. In many regions children walk through the streets holding lanterns and singing special songs. At GAIS we will start the event at 6:00pm and will light the lanterns to walk around the neighborhood. Afterwards, parents will be able to purchase 'Weckmaenner' (pastry shaped like a person) and hot cider. Please dress warm and bring a long lighter for the lantern and extra candles. Having a flash light on hand is also helpful, as it is dark in the school yard. Please make sure to stay with your children at all times.

7. Parent Workday: November 10, 2012

Custodian

Parent Workday on November 10, 2012, 10:00am - 4:00pm, is coming up fast. Please sign up with Tim Farris, our custodian, at tfarris@gais.org. Deadline for signing up is Thursday, November 8, 2012.

8. Open Classrooms: November 12, 2012 - all day

Original GAIS Logo Come join us and get a real taste of the GAIS learning experience by visiting classrooms in action. A number of parent volunteers will be on hand to show guests around our campus and to provide them with information and snacks. All of our classrooms will be open for current parents and as well as prospective parents. You will be able to visit many Grade levels and see what makes GAIS an outstanding IB World School. Please help us to spread the word - everybody is welcome! For more information please click here.

9. GAIS Website & Downloads Section

This is a friendly reminder to check our Downloads Section frequently on www.gais.org/downloads.

New websites:

GAIS Media Galleries

10. More GAIS Information and News

For more information please go to our website: http://www.gais.org/news/

Yours sincerely,

Roman Bruegger

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Roman Bruegger

Communications Manager

German American International School

275 Elliott Drive

Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Phone: +1 650 324 8617

rbruegger@gais.org