Dear Families

The GSB 6th and 7th graders would like to invite you to their production of “Alice in Wonderland”!

Please join us for the magic next weekend, January 24th @ 7pm and January 25th @ 3pm at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Commons Theater.

See all the info on attached flyer and make a reservation at the following link if you’d like to attend:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gsb-middle-school-presents-alice-in-wonderland-tickets-90463441589

Suggested donation of $5-$10 will be collected at the door.

“Alice in Wonderland” is the culmination of rehearsals during the first semester of the middle school performing arts curriculum, Performing Arts Workshop (PAW). In this mandatory weekly course, students explore various aspects of theatrical production with concentration on Drama, Dance and Music.

We hope to see you there!

The GSB Winter Celebrations are always a highlight before everybody parts ways for the holidays. All classes prepare performances around a theme. This year’s theme was “All Our Dreams Can Come True if we Have the Courage to Pursue Them.”

Here a few snippets of the performances as well as an impromptu performance by PA president Jabali Sawicki.

Please join us on April 8th at 7pm for our GSB Info session, with a focus on the International Baccalaureate Programme.

We’ll share an overview of our K-12 program, and the IBO’s Antrina Leeth, Senior Outreach and Development Coordinator, and Marie Vivas, Senior Development Manager, will join us for this event. Both have been supporting GSB and joined us for our last Info Session about the IB. They offer a wealth of experience and knowledge, and we are glad to welcome them back!

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8911715130?pwd=U0lHZEN3SG10aXp1TVZrdzVaQmtZQT09

Meeting ID: 891 171 5130

Passcode: GSB2020

Google Calendar Link

October 21st, 7pm: College Admissions Panel discussion

A panel of College Admissions Officers will share an introduction and overview of the college application process.

The Panelists are:

• Veronica Aguilar Hornig, Senior Associate Director and Director of Engineering Recruitment, Columbia University
• Grace James, Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at UChicago Booth School of Business (was on the undergraduate side until recently)
• Julia Korovikov, Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment, Swarthmore College

Zoom Link

From GSB’s Director of Arts & Performance:

____________

Dear Families,

Friday, December 10th is the big day!!
What a lovely thought that – to a certain degree – we are allowed to gather and share some holiday traditions: The event is from parents for parents and will for one afternoon (3-6PM) inside the school building (Covid precautions will of course remain in effect). It is not too late to contribute to the market: please see what’s already be gathered in this sheet.

This initiative is meant to bring us together, as well as serve as a fundraising event to the school: The date also marks the day for the kick off for the GSB Annual Fund Drive! Note: All proceeds of the winter market will go to GSB.

Here is a list of things to look forward to:
– stands with festive holiday items (baked goods, crafty items, holiday decorations)
– a chance to buy well loved German books, as well as gently used toys and clothes
– a chance to get your hands on some popular GSB sweaters and shirts
– a chance to buy new English books at the Scholastic Book Fair 

We can’t wait to see you and we would like to thank the GSB PA for the inception and organization of the event. Whether you donate goods, shop at the market or do both, you will support the school and have a lovely time doing it!

We were thrilled to start 2023 with our school community gathered in one place and to see our students so eager to explore and learn in their new academic home.

We can’t wait to share what this beautiful location has to offer.

Join us for our first in person Open House at the new location on Jan. 19 at 4 pm.

Click here ot register.

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE!

What does my ticket include?

Access to the feel-good event to kick off the year!

Buffet Meal: Brats, Pretzels, Sides

What can I expect at the event?

Family-friendly fun

Stunning skyline view of NYC

For-purchase ticketed games

For-purchase beverages: German Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks

For-purchase sweets and treats

What else can you do to support? 

Sign up to volunteer and bring a baked good items for the bake sale!

LINK HERE TO SIGN UP

Oktoberfest committee chairs,

Lydia Alvarez and Melanie Smith

Let’s celebrate GSB’s many cultures with a vibrant Winter Bazaar!

Shop, taste, sip, and groove with arts & crafts, food, drinks, games, a reading corner, and music from around the world. And take a shot at our raffle prizes!

Not just a blast, every penny goes towards upgrading our beloved GSB gym with soundproofing and protection. 

Let’s make memories and a difference!

*******

We need your help by December 1st!

• Create or donate some high-quality new arts & craft items (home-made sauces, napkins, jewelry, decoration pieces, frames, pens, linens, baskets, set of spices, cards etc.)
• Give a fun raffle item! (Lessons, artwork, dinner vouchers, theater tickets, special signed sports gear, kitchen tools, museum tickets, etc.).
• Lend or donate pillows and/or rugs for the kids to sit to enjoy the amazing reading corner! (drop at the GSB entrance in the dedicated box)
• Volunteer during the Bazaar! Help sell food, bakeries, set up, manage games etc.
• Pre-purchase tickets for access to food, drinks, raffle sales, games, etc. Link coming! Tickets available at the event, too.

• Bring a baked good! – bring your homemade nut-free goodie individually packed.
• Buy tickets for food, games, drinks, raffle items, and crafts.

Read the whole newsletter here.

GSB hosted a community event on January 27, 2024. We were happy to once again be able to open our doors to the local community and beyond for a free kids concert with highly entertaining band Rolie Polie Guacamole. The concert was perfect for families with young kids, especially on a gray day. We were thrilled with how many families came and stayed after the concert to hang out, have some coffee and cake, tour the school, and hang out on our soccer roof.

Thank you all for coming! We look forward to seeing you again. Given how full our bike racks were, we know we speak the same language!

A big thank you to our 4th, 6th and 7th graders and our head of school Raphael Hillisch for their special guest performance with the band.  Also a big thank you to our wonderful parents who came, kids in tow, to enjoy the concert, work the coffee stand, organize games on the roof, and hand out flyers. #gsbparentsarethebest

“This is a book that trusts white children to feel painful feelings about racism.” GSB is inviting author Anastasia Higginbotham to share the story behind “Not my idea”. Please visit Anastasia’s website to watch the “trailer” for the book https://anastasiahigginbotham.com/not-my-idea/

Anastasia Higginbotham (@AHigginBooks) shares NOT MY IDEA: A BOOK ABOUT WHITENESS. Anastasia’s Ordinary Terrible Things book series has taken on the topics of divorce, death, and sex using straightforward language and respecting the reader with each page. Her most recent entry in the series is called NOT MY IDEA: A BOOK ABOUT WHITENESS and it has been one of my most-talked about books ever since a colleague shared it with me at the beginning of this school year. Anastasia talks at length about the work that went into creating this book, laying the art from found materials, handwriting the text, and crafting the story around her own experience of processing racial injustice and White supremacy. It’s an absolutely exceptional book and one that provides the necessary space and language for confronting Whiteness and working against the historic and ongoing oppression of Black men, women, and children.

What does #BlackHistorymonth look like at GSB? 2nd graders loving Harriet Tubman’s story. Teacher Jane Marie: “Several students commented, as we read about the Underground Railroad, that if they had lived during that time, they would have helped with the Underground Railroad. After we finished the book, we then began brainstorming ways that we can be an activist today.” 

It turned out the 5th Annual Oktoberfest was a record breaker:
The weather report didn’t promise too much – but no forecast could have predicted how wonderful this event would turn out. It was a full 5 hours of sunshine, dancing, mustard dipping, raffling, cheering, Schuhplatt’ling, beer drinking, prize winning, bounce housing, Berni hugging & of course FUND RAISING! We can’t thank you enough for joining us and enjoying what Vinz and the Oktoberfest Committee have put together. We are overwhelmed with the amount of great pictures that were taken and, without further ado, please enjoy impressions of yesterdays “Blocktoberfest”. We are beyond grateful! A big Danke to all of the friends, volunteers & visitors, that made this event possible!
Eure Kathrin & the GSB Oktoberfest Committee

Photographs by http://www.ifilmny.com/blog and chrispolinsky.com

We’re looking forward to seeing some creative work from our young artists, builders, and actors.

3D Art: German instruction, Grade 3-8
Get ready to create recycled 3D designs! Students will construct various structures out of cardboard boxes and found objects. Students will let their creativity shine as they learn about the concept of upcycling while creating furniture, imaginative buildings, and/or abstract art out of recycled materials.

Galli Theater: Grades K-8
At Galli Theater, students take the stage! Our young actors are led through the concepts of speaking clearly, role changes, and rhythmic play, and are able to try out different roles from various fairy tales. Students participate in movement activities and theater games to prepare them for the stage.

Register here:

3D Art (3-8)

Galli Theater (K-8)

Dear GSB Families, Friends & Supporters,

The 7th Annual (virtual) Summer Gala is on May 15th at 7PM on Zoom. That’s only three weeks away!

This year instead of “tickets“, we are offering different packages to enjoy & to be picked up at the school before the event.

We teamed up with German company Lamy (known to make the finest fountain pens) and Eduard Frauneder to create five amazing ticket packages. An exquisite selection of writing tools is paired with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and it’s up to you to decide which one resonates with you most… are you the “travel diary type” or rather the writer of “Liebesbriefe”?

The packages also make great presents! They can be purchased for teachers, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Each pairing comes in a beautiful tote bag and $25 gift certificate for Eduard’s restaurant Schilling. And the best news is – you’re just shopping but you’re already supporting GSB!

Over the next days we will reveal more things to come:
The tote bag design will be revealed. We also will announce the – gasp – gala film, and some other program highlights.

The silent auction is growing steadily. You can submit auction items until May 5th!

Meanwhile, please select your gala packages! Order deadline is next Monday, May 3 at noon, that means you have 5 days!

Looking forward,
Julia Stratmann
————————————————–
Ticket Packages and more info at

www.bidpal.net/gsbgala
————————————————–

Package 1 ($90)

Der Liebesbrief/The Love Letter

Lamy Product: Lamy Lx Fountain Pen in rosegold

Bottle Giosa Prosecco Rose

Schilling $25gift certificate & Schilling’s Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Custom GSB Gala Tote Bag

————————————————–

Package 2 ($90)

Bitte Unterschreiben/Sign Please

Lamy Product: Lamy 2000 Ballpoint Pen the modern classic

Bottle John L Sullivan Irish Whiskey

Schilling $25gift certificate & Schilling’s Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Custom GSB Gala Tote Bag

————————————————–

Package 3 ($60)

Das Gedicht/The Poem

Lamy Product: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen timelessly modern

Bottle Gin Lane London Dry

Schilling $25gift certificate & Schilling’s Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Custom GSB Gala Tote Bag

————————————————–

Package 4 ($35)

Der Zauberspruch/The Spell

Lamy Product: Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen

3 bottles of Bionade naturally fermented Soda

Schilling $25gift certificate & Schilling’s Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Custom GSB Gala Tote Bag

————————————————–

Package 5 ($60)

Das Reisetagebuch/The Travel Journal

Lamy Product: Lamy Pico Ballpoint Pen Surprisingly practical

6-pack Victory Golden Love Summer Ale

Schilling $25gift certificate & Schilling’s Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Custom GSB Gala Tote Bag

We are beyond excited to have our hallways and classrooms filled with laughter, energy, and learning once again. To GSB students, teachers, families, and community – welcome back to school! We’re looking forward to a full year of growth, discovery, and friendships.

Dear GSB Families, Friends & Supporters,

We are excited to announce the 7th (virtual) Annual Summer Gala. It will take place on Saturday May 15th at 7PM. Please mark this important date in your calendars.

The funds we will raise will make five-days-a-week school possible starting in September 2021, even if social distancing guidelines remain in place.

Over the next weeks you will receive more information regarding ticket packages, sponsor announcement, Gala program and all the ways you can contribute to GSB’s largest FUNdraiser of the year.

We cannot wait to celebrate with you.
On behalf of GSB
Kathrin Nagle

A big thank you to all the families and faculty who joined the Steuben Parade Sept. 16, 2023! It was such fun representing our school community and a great success in getting the word out about our school to an entirely new audience. A special shout out to the 8th Graders and Claudia Mandlik for creating the amazing banner, and  to all the kids for their great work handing out materials.

The banner will find a special place in school and will be used for future parades.

What a blast (click here to see full video)!

Dear GSB Families, Dear GSB Community,

What a blast!

I have seen various Oktoberfests at my former German Schools in China and Colombia, but GSB’s 9th annual Oktoberfest was – without a doubt – the most exciting one.

Everyone new to GSB, including myself, could feel the positivity of this community. Events like these take serious dedication, vision, and time from GSB families, and we are incredibly grateful.

The organizers are excited to share that fundraising has exceeded expectations! The GSB PA Board will provide an update on the budget and use of funds at the next PA Board meeting.

BIG SHOUT OUTS TO:

Lydia Alvarez and Melanie Smith! This event was led by these two highly dedicated masterminds. We do not want to imagine how many hours they both spent to ensure that our Oktoberfest was a smashing success.

The Frauneder-Moo Family! Edi gracefully hosted and fed more than 500 people with his incredible team. In addition to his hard work, he donated a significant portion of the food and provided the rest at cost. The food was delicious and the space was magical!

GSB DJs! Thank you to DJ Fatboi Tim and YAH Supreme for their tight sounds, patience, and flexibility throughout the event.

Sebastian Bauer! The Beer Stein Holding Competition was hilarious and hilariously serious. This one is a keeper, for sure.

Schuhplattler Performers! This team of dancers knocked it out of the park with their fancy footwork (yet again).

Alums! We love you for coming back to your roots to support your alma mater.

Ute Zimmermann! Ute helped behind the scenes with communication and graphics, along with troubleshooting the cotton candy machine. We all know how important cotton candy is for the kiddos, since they’ve told us many times.

Volunteers! These amazing people worked non-stop to serve food and baked goods, check in guests, braid hair, paint faces, and jump in wherever more help was needed. We literally cannot have events without volunteers.

Clarke/Mohr Family! For their donation of the made-to-order Lebenkuchenherzen cookies, which flew off the shelves (i.e. bake sale table).

Bakers! Sweets bakers and jam makers brought their home-made creations all the way from home. The bake sale was the MOST profitable activity offered!

GSB Sponsorship Solicitation Team! They hit the streets, mined their networks, and cold-called. We are so grateful that you stepped in early to secure our sponsors.

Eddie Shieh! Thank you so much for shooting and editing the Oktoberfest video.

GSB Sponsors! These are the generous sponsors this year so show your love.

Let’s support the folks that support us:
Black Forest Brooklyn
Brick Arts Store Brooklyn
Robot Foundry
Brooklyn Solar
Camp Half-Blood / Plato Learning
Goethe Institut
Imagine Swimming
KinderBooks
Kinderhaus
The Rahmé Compass Team
vonDALWIG Architecture
Wurzelkinder

With best regards from GSB school leadership, Raphael Hillisch

Dear Friends & Supporters,

It’s the moment we have all been waiting for: The new GSB building is becoming a reality and it will live at 116 Rogers Avenue in Crown Heights.

We are overjoyed to share with you that, just a few days ago we closed on the property.

116 Rogers Avenue is within walking distance to the Union Temple and easily accessible via the Franklin Ave Subway Stop (2,3,4,5 trains). When demolition and construction are complete we expect that grades K-3 will be at Union Temple and grades 4-12 at the 116 Rogers campus.

With this major milestone, we are ringing in a whole new chapter for GSB students, families & staff. We are so excited to continue this journey with you.

Kathrin & Muriel
with the GSB Team

Usually the current 5th grade celebrates their graduation into Middle School at the GSB Gala in May. This year the gala was virtual and we received a special video. Still, we owe you a party!

https://vimeo.com/417440970

More Sendung mit der Maus Videos:

GSB After School Animation Team at work headed by GSB super parent Anna Bergmann. Check out their amazing work!

Read the Update – August 25th 2020

GSB students joined students around the world for a Climate Strike on Friday, September 21, a movement inspired by Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who staged a solo protest outside the Swedish parliament last year.

All students discussed the issues in their classes and painted signs and then assembled in front of the Brooklyn Museum. The older classes let the smaller ones, teachers and parents in chants. The older students then went on into Manhattan to join the many other schools protesting.

The after school class was initiated and taught by parent Susan Dibs. One of the main goals in the class was social responsibility by supporting worthy causes with funds raised. It was also a great opportunity for GSB students of all grades to test their entrepreneurial skills. Kids got to develop a brand, a product or service. They were able hone their sales pitches, set their prices and then sell to the public at the fair.

The class culminated in the inaugural Kidpreneur Business Fair which in invited GSB kids to develop products to sell at the fair. The response was overwhelming and the fair was a huge success with over 60 children selling their wares in the school’s ballroom.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for kids to be inventive & get real life experience at the same time. Many happy shoppers came in to the big ballroom for the 1st Annual KidPreneur Business Fair, that was so full of life, spirit & creativity.

The Kidpreneurs subsequently participated in other school events and had a holiday fair in December 2019.

GSB’s Green Committee invited families to a fall beach clean-up as part of the International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2019 on Sep 21. This was a global volunteer effort to clean up beaches for the marine life, shorebirds, and wildlife. They spent the day outside together as a community and learned about pollution and the environmental impact it has on our precious nature.

The clean up took place at the North Channel Bridge and was coordinated by the NYC Audubon and the American Littoral Society. It was a beautiful fall day and we couldn’t have asked for a better turn out.

We are glad to invite you to our first round of Virtual Open Houses this fall! Please join us for one of these three dates in September:

09/22/20, Tue at 8:30am EST

09/24/20, Thu at 5:30pm EST

09/29/20, Tue at 5:30pm EST

At our Virtual Open House you will learn more about our school’s mission, educational approach, extracurricular opportunities and welcoming international community. Our educational and administrative team will share a brief overview and allow plenty of time for Q&A.

Sign up via our GSB Virtual Open House Registration Form. Your registration confirmation will include the Zoom link and password for the event.

We are still accepting applications for the school year of 2020/21!

We can’t wait to meet you soon!

PARENTS LEAGUE presents: 2020 Middle and High School Virtual Fair and Panel Featuring Independent Schools in the greater New York Metropolitan area

This fair was created to help you learn more about the variety of independent and private preschool options. We invite you to customize your experience by registering for the school sessions you’re interested in learning more about.

GSB session is this Friday 9/25 at 2:40PM, sign up here.

You can download the yearbook instantly through flipsnack and we will send you the hardcopy via your GSB student!

Of course, the Blocktoberfest was reason enough for GSB house cinematographer Thorsten Thielow to make another masterpiece. See the parent’s Schuplattler in front of the iconic bandshell – masks included. Choreography: Nora Stephens. Dancers: the bravest of all GSB parents!

You will hear about GSB on public radio!

It is our great pleasure to inform you that we have partnered with the WNYC to spread the word about GSB to listeners in across the city. We are very excited that GSB is mentioned as a WNYC supporters in different shows: From Brian Lehrer, to All Things considered & BBC Newshour. Please listen to catch us on the radio!

Update: This project was awarded 3rd place in the competition: Logo Schülerwettbewerb.

Congrats to all the 4th graders!

German Teacher Sabine Deinhardt:

“For this project we put the students in charge. They selected and research the topics they wanted to report on.”

—

We vote for more politicians made out of Lego!

Thanks for your hard work, young journalists! We are blown away…

https://vimeo.com/499231258

GSB’s  Gobal Community Committee is proud to invite all families:

Gender/Inclusion 101 with Max Masure (they/them) from Argo Collective

Dear GSB Community,

We have been reflecting on the violent attacks in Atlanta last week, which took the lives of eight people, including six women of Asian descent. We are horrified and saddened by this tragedy, and are alarmed at the increase in xenophobia since the beginning of the pandemic. We know that anti-Asian racism is not new, and we are aware that we need to do our part to fight against bias and injustice.

To our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander students, staff, and families, we would like to express our support and stand with you not only in grief but also in action.

Resources

Here are some resources to help spark discussion with your child(ren) and center the experiences of Asian-Americans:

The Wuhan I Know Interview

with Chinese-American Artist Laura Gao on NPR

The Wuhan I Know by Laura Gao

Comic/Blog/Animation

Social Justice Books: Asian-Americans

The book list includes titles on Asian Americans and Asia for children, young adults, and educators. There are also links to Learning for Justice, the Zinn Education Project and others for further reading.

Min Jee’s Lunch

Short story by Elizabeth Kleinrock about a student’s Korean lunch, her classmates’ response, and how we can stand up against bias and discrimination.

Responding to Anti-Asian Violence and Georgia Shootings

From Learning for Justice: Pause, Check In, Prioritize Care

After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History

By Elizabeth Kleinrock (@teachandtransform)

Here are some options for donating to various organizations:

Ways to Donate in Support of Asian Communities

At school, we work to discuss the hard topics of bias, prejudice, and racism, and will do our best to support and promote a ‘brave space’ for our students. We are committed to constantly learning how to do this work well, and are grateful for your partnership in dispelling hate.

Our very best,

The GSB School Leadership Team

Dear Families,

GSB’s Global Community invites you to join us on Thursday March 25th from 6:30-8pm for:

How Do We Talk About Race as a Family? with Bari Katz

Bari will:

• Lead us through a series of guiding questions and breakout room discussion groups

• Anchor us in this particular moment in history

• Help families explore their relationship to race/racism

Bari’s communication style is warm and inclusive, and she brings deep study, knowledge, and passion to social justice work. We are grateful that she can be with us, so please mark your calendars!

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8911715130?pwd=U0lHZEN3SG10aXp1TVZrdzVaQmtZQT09

Meeting ID: 891 171 5130

Passcode: GSB2020

Google Calendar

In an integrated Social Studies/English unit in Melissa’s class, 8th grade students learned about WWI while reading the Historical Fiction text Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne, which is set in London during the war. 8th graders had a series of projects to choose from to dive deeper into different aspects of the time period, and were encouraged to not only research well but also to put their creative spin on how to relay the information to others. Have a look at what Nika has to teach us about food during WWI through her Sumptuous Cooking Show!

Read the whole letter here.

GSB is proud to share about this sibling duo’s project – their own band! Nika (8th grade) and Luca (6th) grade have been playing music for a long time and finally started a band that you can support now! If you can, please add to the Kickstarter that currently has 16 of the 25K raised to release the debut single “time”.

Dear GSB Families,

Three weeks into the summer break, we are delighted to reach out to you with wonderful news about GSB and the return to school this fall. Thank you all so much for your patience as the School Leadership Team has worked to ensure that 2021-2022 will be a terrific academic year for our families. The spirit and energy of this community has carried us through this challenging period, and all of us at GSB are deeply grateful.

Building News
It’s official! The final interim location before GSB moves into its forever home at 770 Sterling Place is 9 Hanover Place in Downtown Brooklyn. We are excited to move into two floors of 9 Hanover, which offers newer classrooms with more natural light, proximity to Fort Greene Park, and a convenient location close to many subway lines. The building has eligibility for a DOT yellow school bus, and we are doing everything in our power to have the buses running by September.

All school supplies are boxed up and waiting to be moved into our new classrooms, so we can return to full in-person schooling for all students, including the extended day after school program (you can view and book here). While we do not currently anticipate the need to extend the lease at 9 Hanover beyond the 21/22 school year, the lease includes an extension feature should we need it for any reason.

IB News
GSB is now an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate school, which means we are in the final stage before approval to become an official IB World School. From GSB’s inception, the IB Diploma was the goal for our graduates, and we are thrilled that our 9th graders will begin the IB Middle Years Programme, the precursor to the IB Diploma Programme (in grades 11&12). We are proud to be affiliated with an organization that sets the highest education standards worldwide.

Oktoberfest News
After an Emmy-nomination level remote Oktoberfest last year, we are returning to an in-person Blocktoberfest on Sunday September 26th from 11-6PM. Mark your calendars; this is where the GSB community celebrates Bavarian-style and in a true Brooklyn fashion. The event is open to all, kid-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, and a great time to celebrate our special community. The master of Blocktoberfest, Vinz Feller, has already applied for all permits to make this outdoor event possible, including dance, fashion, art, and fundraising on location and remotely (even family members from abroad can participate!).

You will receive specifics shortly about Blocktoberfest 2021, but you can book your ads already (great for businesses, causes and greetings to special people – info attached below). Proceeds will support our new location. We can’t wait to see you – in Tracht or not. We would like to extend a special invitation to our new GSB families that are joining this year – come out and celebrate with us!

Enjoy your summer and wishing you a healthy return.
On behalf of the GSB Team,
Kathrin Nagle

Dear GSB Families & Friends, 

The biggest skill – now than ever – is to turn limitations into opportunities. Alas, we are still dealing with the pandemic and to protect our youngest community members, we have decided that “Blocktoberfest” can’t be happening in its intended format (with bouncy houses, beers and brats, to name a few perks).

Keeping in mind that saying “next year” could – this time – actually mean next year:
For the 2021 edition of our Bavarian-style family fundraiser, we have decided to box it up so you can take it home. Meet the BOXTOBEFEST.

This does not mean you won’t have to dust off your Lederhosen.
We will share with you over the next couple of emails, what exactly you can expect from your box and what the ritual around the box pick up will be. The Blocktoberfest committee is working hard on creating an experience to take home and enjoy (responsibly) and with as much fun and fanfare as you would have in-person.

All proceeds from box sales and donations towards the BOXTOBERFEST FUNDRAISER will benefit GSB. 

Details to follow soon
On behalf of the Blocktoberfest Committee
Vinz Feller 

A special thank you/Danke goes to Nicholas Blechman for continuously re-working the iconic yellow graphic in such a genius way! 

Servus & greetings, good People of GSB

The Blocktoberfest Box is finally on sale and will be for one week:
Last day for orders will be Sunday October 3rd!

What’s inside? 
A variety of German beers, a custom GSB Beer Stein, bottle opener & coaster, an architectural cardboard model of the future GSB building, Oktoberfest photo props for our annual fashion show contest, a 2-month subscription for KinderbooksNYC (value $36.00), GSB Lebkuchenherz, kosher salt & Pretzel recipe, a notebook/pen, as well as wellness items from Now Foods.

What is our goal?
Before we could even announce this year’s fundraising goal we have received a very generous donation by one of our long time supporters: a very generous gift of $10.000 arrived by check from this individual and we can’t say thank you enough! Thank you for believing in GSB and showing us support over the years! We are very confident that with your donation, the GSB community can raise the remainder of $15.000 together, so we can reach our ambitious total goal of $25.000 in BOXTOBERFEST FUNDS!
Together we can get there!

Go to www.bidpal.net/boxtoberfest and select the box (under tickets) or head straight to donations to show your support today.

The school will use the funds for academic and student enrichment materials. Examples are:

• Teacher’s College K-2 phonics program
• Spanish Curriculum (grades 3 and up)
• mirrors for the dance studio
• PE/park gear

Please don’t forget to watch this video recapturing the GSB Oktoberfests past – we promise it will put you in a great mood!

We thank you in advance for supporting GSB! This week you will receive more information around the “box pick up event at DSK” (yes, there might be a DJ & lots of funky music)

On behalf of the Blocktoberfest Committee
Vinz Feller 

https://mailchi.mp/bd16da6b2b4e/upo8sy6clf-4817894?e=d97a91989b

Greetings, Servus & Grüezi,

In this email:
– specifics about the BOXTOBERFEST PICK UP EVENT
– DONOR shoutouts (we LOVE you!)
– GSB PA president rocks!

Only 4 short days are separating you now from your BOX!
– This Sunday, October 17th between 12-4PM you can claim your BOXTOBERRFEST box & you won’t regret going there in-person! DSK (aka Die Stammkneipe) on Fulton will be open for Schnitzel and Co. and infamous DJ Fatboi (aka GSB dad, author and rockstar Tim Mohr) will do us the honor of playing tunes that will inspire dancing, love & – hopefully – even more giving!

GSB parents & supporters, you have shown us your commitment! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your generosity and continued support! We appreciate you so much: Jeff & Frauke Weston, Judith Engleman, Marc Aberle, Milena Wazeck, Monica Zuleta, Nina Kinoti-Metz, Arrow Kleeman, Pascal Schaary, Fritz Dietl, Julia Sommer & Adam Fleming, Jose Alemany, Igor Dumbadze, Vinz & Maya Feller, Dina & Ralph Gonheim, Benjamin & Stephanie Wlichfort, Cindy Rucker, Ralf Scherschmidt, as well as the 111 awesome individuals that bought the BOX! You have raised the bar & we will follow your example and go for the big 30K this Sunday! We are confident that this will be a record breaker!

Let’s talk about GSB’s PA Board for a second. The team consists of President: Marsa Kindl-Omuse (Mother of Sari, Grade 4, & Ville, Grade 6). Vice-President: Ralf Mueller (Father of Layth, Grade 4), Treasurer: Kaeppler Rissmann (Mother of Lena, Grade 2, & Cordt, Grade 5), Class Parent Rep: Deonca Renee (mother of Danica, Grade 3) & Secretary: Jan Bornebusch (Father of Charlotte, Grade 3). We would like to give a special shoutout to them for starting the year with lots of ideas and initiatives (including a lot of BOX-related logistics). DANKE!

With an eye on the possibility to have an “actual” Blocktoberfest again next year, we can’t wait to see you this Sunday for BOXTOBEREFST pick up & the big fundraising countdown. You can give – of course – digitally from anywhere/anytime… but you can also do it “live” at the pick up event and see your name pop up on the scoreboard:)

With gratitude & on behalf of the BOXTOBERFEST COMMITTEE
Vinz Feller & Julia Stratmann

See the clickable letter here

PS: Out of town this weekend? Your box will be at school.

The German School Brooklyn is proud to offer on site camps during most school breaks. We view this as an opportunity for students to explore an area of interest or try something new. We are glad to share that our friends at Galli Theater will offer camp during the Winter Break, as well as our partner Penguin Coding School. Sign up for the 2/21-25 week with the following links

• Galli Camp (K-8)
• Coding/Stem (Grades 3-8) & Upcycled Fashion (Grades 3-8)

Read the NEWSLETTER HERE.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Whether you call it buuz, empanadas, khinkali, mandu, maultaschen, pitha, Xiao long bao, or just plan old dumplings you know that they are little pockets of love! Share your favorite dumplings at our DUMPLING POTLUCK! Sign up here or reach out to Jennifer Frankel at jenfrankel13@gmail.com.

Calling all GSB writers and poets! We are collecting short stories, flash fiction, poems, and even graphic stories for the first ever GSB Literary Journal. Open to all grades! Send submission to Kit von Dalwig at kit@vondalwig.com. Wanna advertise in the journal? Click here for more info!

You think you got what it takes to reign supreme as Ping Pong King or Queen? SIGN UP HERE and show us what you got!

How do we do this? WITH YOUR HELP! Volunteer to run a game, tend the bar, blow up balloons, or just help the kiddies pick prizes with their winnings. We’re all in this together! CLICK HERE to sign up or reach out to Cindy Rucker at cindy.rucker@gmail.com for more info.

We are still looking for auction items and booth ideas! Reach out!

Can’t wait to see you! It really has been too long!

—

Read the full announcement here.

Dear GSB Families, Friends & Supporters,

We did it! Because YOU did it!
$407,436.00

On May 17th 2022, around two hundred guests in party attire came out to Red Hook and made history. A phenomenal $200.000,00 were raised and then … doubled by a matching donor!!!! (which is how we got to that big number above!)

We are so thankful to the individuals and families that made this happen!!
DANKE!!!
We want to thank our wonderful GSB Community!
Not only are all of you fantastic dancers – you also blow us away with your generosity and spirit!

The evening was an unforgettable one and we are happy to show some pictures here: It was our own gala guests, families, friends, partners and remote supporters that used the power of communal giving to set us up for a successful move into the next school year & into our brand new school building!

Read the full article

Dear GSB Families, Friends & Supporters,

It’s time to mark your calendars for the loudest & funnest family event of the year:
THE 8TH ANNUAL BLOCKTOBERFEST
GSB’s very own German-rooted, Brooklyn-inspired Oktoberfest
Sunday October 2nd
12 – 5PM
at Hanson Place and Fulton (DSK)

More music!
Get your socks blown off by our very own Blocktoberfest Band with an incredible line up of special guests. And what’s better than a DJ?
Two DJs! DJ Fatboi and Yah Supreme will help you get your groove on…

Tolle Trachten!
Dust off your dirndl and Lederhosen and be in it to win at our Annual Fashion Show. You can go traditional or avantgarde, the key is presenting with confidence!

Bubbling Beers!
Quench your thirst with a variety of perfectly chilled German beers. Of course there will be Brats & Brezeln too.

Super Supporters!
The 8th Annual Blocktoberfest is a joint venture between the GSB and the GSB Parent Association and all proceeds will be used towards the GSB athletic department.

You don’t need to yodel…
But we need YOUR SUPPORT! Please consider taking out an AD, either digital in an endless loop that will be projected or analogue on one of our banners displayed on the block. ADS can be anything from promoting your business to thanking your teachers to birthday greetings for your kids etc.

But most importantly – SAVE THE DATE –
With thanks – The Blocktoberfest Committee

See the newsletter with ad buying opportunity here.

Dear GSB community,

We are so proud of our graduating 8th graders, and wish them continued joy and academic growth as they pursue their high school careers. We know that they will take what they’ve learned at GSB to their new schools and carry on the practices of inquiry, hard work, and collaboration.

Melissa Bourgeois
Deputy Head of School
(and Humanities Teacher to this impressive class of young people!)

GSB is participating in NYC’s annual German-American Steuben Parade on Saturday Sept. 16! Join us!

Where do we meet? We will assemble at E68th St between Fifth and Madison Avenues at 11:15 am on Sept. 16, 2023. GSB is group #304. The parade ends at 1 pm.

Please RSVP: Please confirm your attendance here so we can have a sense of how many people will join.

What do I bring? Please wear your GSB colors! T-shirts, bags, etc! We will provide a banner, balloons, and many things to hand out. If you need a GSB tote bag, GSB t-shirt (kid size only) or GSB hoodie (kid/adult sizes), you can purchase then through the PA. Please send an email to: parentsassocgsb@gmail.com with your item, size and quantity request.

We look forward to seeing you there! Let’s represent our school with joy and pride.

In the words of Bob Radske, General Chairman of the parade:

“Each September the participants come together to honor their German, Austrian and Swiss-American culture and traditions and to applaud the achievements of the many Germanic immigrants to the United States. The parade also celebrates the enduring friendships between our countries – friendships that have helped end the Cold War, felled the Berlin Wall and created partnerships with far-reaching political, economic and entrepreneurial results.”

Learn more about the parade here: https://germanparadenyc.org

Beginner German – 8 Week Session

Are you curious to learn German? Join Ingrid Ellis for this 8 week beginner’s German course. The focus will be on basic vocabulary and conversation, and the approach will be tailored to the dynamic and goals of the group.. Join to get started on the fundamentals of the language and also have some fun!

Day/Time: Thursday evenings from 6:30-8pm

Location: @ GSB

Dates: January 18th – March 14th

Fee: $275 for the 8 week series 

Minimum number of participants: 6

Maximum number of participants: 12

Register now on Active.com. Please note that this course is open to people outside of the GSB community as well. 

At GSB we aim to give our students the chance to write for an authentic audience. When students have a purpose for their writing, know that it will be read by others – and perhaps even have an impact – their investment deepens and they often lift the level of their own work. Think about it. Don’t you write differently if it’s for a group of people rather than just one person? Or if there is something else on the line, such as landing a grant or a job offer?

Here are a few recent examples of writing for an authentic audience at GSB from Kindergarten to Middle School:

Student Ted Talks

A GSB middle school favorite is a unit on Ted Talks. Students learn how to write a persuasive essay, and then turn their essay into a “Ted Talk.” Parents and other students are invited to hear the talks, which gives the students a chance to have a wider audience for their work. In this case, students practiced writing and speaking persuasively, as well as how to organize their work for maximum impact.

Teaching ABC’s to Stuffed Animals

This year, Ms. Leah’s kindergarten students had an audience of stuffed animals! After they learned all of the letters of the alphabet, students were invited to bring in a stuffed animal from home. Students then held class for their stuffed animals to teach them their ABCs! This type of activity ignites excitement for learning and helps students deepen their understanding of a topic – from the ABC’s to. . . future dissertations?

Writing Wall of Fame

In Ms. Sarah’s 8th Grade class this fall, students vyed to get on the “Writing Wall of Fame.” Various categories of writing were presented including “Best Introduction,” “Best Conclusion,”  “Best Analysis,” and “Best Overall.” Students then voted on which pieces most astutely illustrated the writing skills and strategies that they’ve learned, and Yours Truly as Head of the English Department chose the “Best Overall.” All pieces of writing were submitted without student names attached in order for the voting to be unbiased and based ONLY on the effectiveness of the writing piece.

Students upped their level of effort in their work when they knew that it would be read by their peers as well as other teachers in the school, which increased the quality of their writing.  

Our curriculum evolves each year, and we’re looking forward to continuing to find ways for our students to write for authentic audiences. New York Times Tiny Memoir Contest, anyone?

Board members and school leaders from the German International School in New York visited us for a tour of our new building and discussed future projects to bring students from both schools together. @gisny

International School Brooklyn’s Head of School Joe Santos and his team also came to visit. Melissa and Raphael showed them around and enjoyed discussing opportunities to strengthen our relationship including inviting their students to our 8th grade dance! @internationalschoolofbrooklyn 

And Dr. Alexandra Blank, the process facilitator of the Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) spent three days with us to share best practices for German schools abroad. @paschnet @deutscheauslandsschulen @auslandsschulwesen

Thank you all for visiting! Would you like to come by for a visit as well? We would love to have you!

We were honored to have Michelle Müntefering, Member of the German Bundestag, visit us this week as part of her visit to New York. Ms. Müntefering was able to join our Lunar New Year celebration, visited our Kindergarten classroom, and had an in depth discussion with our 7th graders about democracy. . . .Or what we at GSB call “Monday”.

Thank you, Ms. Müntefering for your visit and your thoughtfulness in engaging with our students.

Learning English differs from learning German in several ways. Here are just a few qualities of each language that come to mind. 

English 

• Has a simpler grammatical structure compared to German, with fewer noun genders and cases to navigate.
• English orthography (spelling) is often inconsistent with its pronunciation. For example, cough, though, bough and through are all pronounced differently even though they are spelled the same way, yet through and threw are pronounced the same way. 
• That being said, pronunciation tends to be more straightforward, with consistent vowel sounds and fewer consonant clusters, which can be easier for beginners to articulate. 
• Vocabulary draws from a variety of linguistic origins, including Latin, French, and Germanic languages, which affects both spelling and pronunciation.
• Check out this article that we love from The Atlantic Magazine about spelling.

German

• Grammar can be more intricate, with its three grammatical genders and four cases.
• Each of the genders and cases can have different endings. 
• German vocabulary often appears more phonetically complex and may require memorization of compound words. 
• German has even been called a “Lego Language” because of its propensity for creating compound words. Check out the work of Dr. Roland Kaehlbrandt here! 

Despite these differences, both languages have similar alphabets, which is reassuring, especially for our youngest learners!

To illustrate some characteristics of each language, here’s a snapshot of language learning at GSB on one Thursday morning a couple of weeks ago. 

In the English classroom, 2nd graders were learning about “silent consonants.” Ms. Erica explained that sometimes consonants silently hide in words, like this animal camouflaged against the tree.

She showed some examples of “silent consonants” and students helped her read and categorize a variety of kn, wr, and gn words.

After that, students worked in partnerships to read, define, and categorize the words.

Class ended with a share of their favorite silent consonant words. The interactive chart will remain in the classroom for students to reference. This is a simple yet sophisticated way to incorporate reading, spelling, and vocabulary building in a visual and hands-on way. The following lesson incorporated writing the words as well. Students need varied, repeated practice, especially when the spelling differs from the pronunciation.  

_________

Down the hall in German math class, Frau Thiermann was teaching about three dimensional shapes. Even in math class, the attention to language learning and hands-on work was evident. 

First students made their own accordion books, highlighting the name of the shape, the shape itself, and the number of corners, edges, and sides. In addition to writing, second graders practiced cutting and folding to enhance their fine motor skills.

As Frau Thiermann guided the kids through the lesson, she ensured that students were speaking in complete sentences. For example, when she asked “Wie viele Ecken hat ein Würfel [How many corners does a cube have]?” if a student responded by saying “acht [eight]” she guided them to try again and answer in a complete sentence “Ein Würfel hat acht Ecken [A cube has eight corners].” This is a purposeful way to practice sentence structure in a fun, age appropriate way.

As a culminating review activity, Frau Theirmann had students cover their eyes while she removed one of the shapes from the board. Students then tried to remember which one was missing. “die Pyramide fehlt [the pyramid is missing]!” Students were then all answering in complete sentences, an intentional practice in Frau Thiermann’s teaching.

Both English and German offer rich linguistic landscapes and open doors to diverse cultures and opportunities, and we enjoy getting there step by step with our students each day.

Kindergarten Forest Days at GSB!

What an incredible week it’s been as our little explorers ventured into the wilderness of imagination and nature!

The kindergarteners were blessed during their Forest Days with both sunny skies and rainy days, making the most of the wet ground to spark fresh ideas and endless adventures. From guarding their fort they built to planting “trees” (aka sticks), making mud pies, climbing trees, jumping in puddles, and embracing the joy of getting dirty, every moment was filled with laughter and wonder.

These Forest Days provided a magical opportunity for our kindergarteners to connect with nature and each other in new and inspiring ways.

Here’s to more adventures and discoveries in the days to come!

Did you know that up to two-thirds of adults around the world speak at least two languages? At GSB, we know the value of being bilingual in this diverse city and global world. In fact, we live it every day.

Our immersive program supports students to become fluent in German and English, even if students are learning one of these languages for the first time. Our teachers work with the “German Language Learners” and “English Language Learners” by joining their classes to support and/or offer targeted lessons in small groups. More and more students are coming to our school for Kindergarten, because families know that starting to learn a language when children are young sets children up to thrive in a variety of ways.

Ms. Leah supports our youngest English Language Learners in small groups on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The benefits of speaking more than one language are well documented, and we see these strengths growing in our young learners:

• Flexibility in Thinking
  Bilingual individuals often exhibit more flexible thinking patterns, as they can navigate different linguistic and cultural contexts more adeptly. This flexibility can lead to better problem-solving and decision-making skills. Our teachers challenge students to think about concepts in a variety of ways across all subject areas.
• Increased Linguistic Awareness
  Being proficient in two languages fosters a deeper understanding of language structure, grammar, and vocabulary. This heightened awareness can facilitate learning additional languages. Kids at GSB start learning Spanish in Grade 3, after they have become proficient in English and German, our two main teaching languages. French and Latin are also offered as electives. 
• Cultural Appreciation and Understanding
  Proficiency in multiple languages enables students to engage more fully with different cultures, fostering empathy, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity. Our school has students from all around the world, and we learn to appreciate and understand each other’s cultures through daily interactions, special celebrations and events, and learning about different traditions and ways of life. 
• Enhanced Communication Skills
  Bilinguals possess strong communication skills, including effective listening, interpreting, and expressing ideas across different linguistic and cultural contexts. It’s remarkable to hear our students switch back and forth from German to English, depending on whom they’re talking to. 
• Greater Job Opportunities and Earning Potential
  In an increasingly globalized world, bilingualism is a valuable asset in the job market. Many employers seek candidates with proficiency in multiple languages, particularly in fields such as translation, international business, diplomacy, and tourism. Germany has a strong economy, so this is a plus for German speakers. It may seem early to start thinking this way, but our eldest alumni are already 17 years old and preparing to apply to college both in the US and abroad!
• Personal Enrichment
  Learning and speaking multiple languages can be personally enriching, providing opportunities for travel, cultural exchange, and self-expression! We see this when our students keep in touch with former classmates who are now living and going to school in other parts of the world.

To sum it up, GSB strives to empower every student to reach their fullest potential as citizens of the world, and being bilingual is an important part of realizing this vision.