Laternlein #12: Community Crafts, Parent Connections & Winter Arts Ahead
As we move deeper into the season, the German International School campus is full of hands on creativity, thoughtful conversation, and preparations for our upcoming winter arts celebration. Here’s a look at what’s happening this week and what’s just ahead.
Create With Us: Wreath Crafting on November 19
We invite GIS families to join us Wednesday, November 19, from 3:30–4:30 p.m., for our annual wreath-making afternoon.
GIS will provide the greenery (hand picked by our 5th and 6th graders from Harrison Road Farm!), wire, frames and a few warm beverages to keep things cozy.
It’s a simple, seasonal way to connect with other families and enjoy a little creativity together.
Sibling Applications Now Open for 2026–27
Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year is officially open.
If you have a younger sibling who you’d like to join our bilingual PreK–8 community, now is the time to complete your application.
Questions can be directed to Elizabeth Gillespie in the Admissions Office.
Kindergarten Waldeulen: Call for Building Materials
Our Kindergarten Waldeulen students are beginning a new unit on building and design, and they’re collecting materials for hands-on creation.
They are seeking donations of:
Clean toilet paper tubes
Paper towel rolls
Tissue boxes
Small cardboard boxes (cracker-sized, intact)
Thank you for helping fuel their imaginations.
Parent Gathering: Understanding Experiential Learning Days
All GIS parents are warmly invited to a gathering this Thursday, November 20 from 7:30am to 8:10am, in the Brigadoon Hideout, our newest campus space.
This week’s topic:
Middle School Experiential Learning Days; how they work, what students experience, and why they matter within our inquiry-based curriculum.
Seeking Mentors for the Grade 5 PYP Exhibition
Our Grade 5 students are preparing for their PYP Exhibition on June 2, the culminating project of the Primary Years Programme. We are currently seeking volunteer mentors to support small student groups throughout the spring semester.
What to know:
Expertise not required, mentors simply help students ask strong questions, explore ideas, and stay focused
Time commitment: 30 minutes every other week
Meetings may be in person or online, during the school day
Each group includes three students
Interested? Please contact Nancy Teskey.
Save the Date: Light Up for the Arts: December 6
We’re thrilled to invite families to our upcoming winter celebration, Light Up for the Arts, on Saturday, December 6.
This event will feature student performances and activities across campus, culminating in the first-ever lighting of our school and Pretzel sculpture for the season.
More details (including performance times, activities, and campus map) will be shared soon.
Family & Friends Vendor Opportunity
As part of Light Up for the Arts, we’re inviting GIS family members and friends who create handmade goods or run small businesses to host a vendor table.
There is no vendor fee this year.
Email Michelle Bahr for info!
Mark Your Calendars for a Coffee Treat!
On the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, December 3, our neighbors at Baristopia will be on campus serving complimentary coffee as a way to introduce themselves to our community and celebrate their local barista just across the street.
They’ll be set up in the Murray lobby starting at 7:40 am. Stop in during drop-off, say hello, and enjoy a cup on them! We’ll also have runners bringing coffee out to parents who prefer to stay curbside.
