The Newsletter - July Edition 2014 - 2015 From the Principal
Dear members of our school community, We wrapped up the school year on Friday the 26th with a great End of Year Party. Due to rain, we could not use our playground for the festivities, but we did what we could, creating a stage and seating in our hallway. With the expanded space of our new middle school building, we hope to accommodate events like this even better in the future. The graduation ceremony this year was different from those in previous years. For the first time, we did not have to say farewell to all of those graduates-- 6 of the 9 will continue in our own Middle School program. However, there were other goodbyes. We said bittersweet farewells to some students, and to two wonderful members of our teaching staff: Ms. Fukae and Mr. Dörrer, who will be returning to their native countries. The new teachers who will replace Mrs. Fukae and Mr. Dörrer are excited to come to Kobe and work for DESK next school year. Since Mr. O’Neill will be our Middle School coordinator, our new teacher for Grade 5 will be Ms. Robinson. As you know, there will be no more combined classes in Primary School. As a result of this situation, Ms. Onishi will change to teach Grade 3 and Mr. Hurst will be responsible for Grade 4. Ms. Straube will be the new Art teacher and homeroom teacher for the German students of Grade 3-5. Ms. Esguerra will replace Ms. Fukae and Ms. Michelotti will teach in Pre School. We would like to say “Thank you!” to our volunteers this past year: Ms. Mayuko Hasegawa, Ms. Laura Thrän, and Lennart Gutsche. Because of their influence, the Board made a decision to have three volunteers for the next school year too. They will be Ms. Beste Bedir, Ms. Emine Cancaya, and Mr. Teimori Pejman. Mr. Brabant decided to focus stronger on teaching in Early Years and give up his responsibility as coordinator. Mrs. Nakajima will take the responsibility for coordinating Early Years.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
The first day of school will be on August 31st. With the new year, there will be a few new additions to our school. To start, there will be the opening of the Middle School! We will also start programs to support mother tongue European languages; for example, on Wednesdays we will have a Language Afternoon Program, beginning with French. In the future, we would like to offer this opportunity to other languages’ native speakers as well. Since we are a European school, we would like to sharpen our European profile. On September 5th, we will have our Parent Night, during which you will receive all relevant information for the new school year from presentations and homeroom teachers. We will combine Parent Night with a Movie Night for our students. In addition, we have come to understand the circumstances of relocation for some of our families. We have had many instances of children having to withdraw from our school due to parental occupation obligations. Our previous policy on withdrawal was rather strict, notification needed on one of two fixed days(April 30th and October 31st). It was unforgiving of extenuating circumstances and stressful for many. After reconsideration, The Board and I created a new clear and fair policy: ‘Policy for student withdrawal due to relocation’ In the case of an unexpected and necessary change of work that results in leaving the country or the area, parents are able to apply for withdrawal outside of normal regulations. The reason for withdrawal must be documented through an official document. Tuition will be refunded on a quarterly base. The students will only be charged tuition for the quarter in which they leave. Now, summer break! Children and parents have two months to enjoy the summer at home, traveling, or visiting friends far away. Whatever your plans are, I wish you an enjoyable time! I am looking forward with you to a new and challenging school year 2015/16.
Best wishes Gerhard Lebherz, Principal and Schulleiter
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
New Teachers
Forum Doshi Assistant Teacher Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology & Psychology – Mithibai College, Mumbai India Teaching experience of more than 6 years in education in pre-K to high school levels, with competence in teaching Art and Crafts. Previous work experience in Fashion Designing. Worked with a renowned designer for the Indian Film industry to create fine works of ethnic wear. Pre-KG Assistant
Nationality: Indian Hobbies: Fashion, Traveling, Photography, Painting, and Everything Art Related.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
New Teachers
My name is Sabina Michelotti and I will be joining DESK in August. I am extremely excited to have the privilege to live in Japan and get to know and work more closely with your children as part of my journey as a teacher. I am Italian and Swiss by nationality but lived and was educated in an international, multicultural environment, attending schools in China, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. I graduated from university in the UK where I studied Biochemistry. After completing my Bachelors I spent a year working in a small school before starting my studies in International Primary Education. Pre School Teacher
When I am not thinking about teaching I am outside running (training for my next marathon) or busy studying a world map, adding new countries to my travel list. I cannot wait to share my enthusiasm with your children and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
New Teachers
I am Barbara Esguerra from Manila, Philippines. I earned my Bachelor's degree at Centro Escolar University and a Master's degree in Educational ! at Ateneo de Manila Administration
University, Philippines. I have been teaching for eleven years in both national and international schools and am immensely thrilled at the prospect of moving to Japan and being part of the community at Deutsche Schule European School in Kobe. Outside of the Grade 1 Teacher
classroom I like to keep busy and take pleasure in baking, keeping Git and listening to music.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
New Teachers
Dear Students and Parents, I am very much looking forward to teaching Art, German and German as a foreign language at Deutsche Schule Kobe from the next school year. After having a great internship last year at this school, I am very glad to be a teacher now at this school. The school and its concepts is special to me. I always wanted to teach at a programme school after finishing my Master of Education in Germany. I have different experiences at schools in Germany and abroad and I was very
! attracted by the Primary Years Programme and the way it is taught at DS Kobe. So I am very motivated to start my career at DS Kobe. I would especially like to develop the performing arts in the Arts and integrate theatrical educational methods in the language lessons. As I explored during my two year training in teaching theatre, it promotes the development of the learner Art Teacher
profiles that are centred in the PYP.
& German Homeroom
In my free time I enjoy traveling through Japan and
Teacher Grade 3-5
learning Japanese language and culture; I love visiting theatre performances, dancing and reading lyrics. Anne Maria Straube from Germany
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
New Teachers
Hi everyone, I'm Meredith Robinson from America! I've been teaching and traveling around Asia for the last six years and am really excited to continue my journey in Japan. In my free time I love to dive, read, and play sports. I look forward to joining the DESK family and meeting you all soon!
Grade 5 Teacher
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
End of Year Party
It was a great party to finish the current school year. A good mix of different performances and of course a lot of emotions made this party special. We want to say thank you to all students and their families for a successful school year 2014/15. Enjoy the break!
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Early Years During a few of the Open Kindergarten periods over the last month or two, the Early Years and Pre-K students have been working together to create a Waterwall on the fence outside of the Early Years playground. This was a good chance for the children to put their fine motor skills and creativity to work.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Pre School
プレの国語の時間に、ひこぼしとおりひめさまの一年に一回の出会えるお話の劇をしました。これが七夕さまのお 話です。子どもたちは、ひこぼしとおりひめが出会えて、とても幸せな場面を自分たちのことのように、幸せそう に手をつなぎ合って、満足そうでした。 In the Kokugo class, We performed a play of the Tanabata story, which is about lovers who can see each other only once a year on July 7th. Children were performing the scene of Orihime and Hikoboshi meeting, by holding hands happily with each other as if they were the characters of the story.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Grade 1 The Grade 1 class is inquiring about the weather and have had questions about clouds, rain and snow. We are scientists and learning about the water cycle and have created our own water cycles. Many of us do not know what this means yet or what is going to happen. As scientists, we are recording our data and have each created a HYPOTHESIS of what we think is going to happen with our individual water cycles. Do you know?
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Grade 2
The grade two class has been exploring the concept of multiplication! Check out http://missdamours.blogspot.jp
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Grade 3 & 4 Mia "I think that this presentation was good
The students learned about
because we all ( Mina and I ) participated in the group
some different specialized systems that we can use to help us
and we finished 1 period before so we practiced how to say
communicate with others. The
them and but I think we should practice a little more I changed the
students formed groups and did a
colors, and also made it creative and I was having fun presenting my
Jigsaw to divide up the different
braille document! I hope we could do it again because I was really
specialized systems and share the
really happy to do this presentation.
information with each other
I reflected on Makaton and it was good! Other groups were really good and trying to do their best!!! I am really
afterwards.
really excited to look at all the videos that everyone presented!!!"
Jacob "I did a presentation in a
David "The semaphores group's presentation was
Sanu "ln this time we
group about
quite interesting! One thing that makes this work
researched about some
semaphores. I think I did
attractive is participating in the ABC song with
specialized system
not use loud and clear
semaphores. I think this presentation is
communication and
voice. I liked the group
Shuto
making their intro names in
"We did specialised
Morse Code. I learned
system of communication
about them just a little bit.
presentation and this was
I think they needed clear
class presentation this is the rule
and loud voice like me. I
you have to do that is eye contact
think I can improve by practicing my presentation more and
and and body have to face
present. l was very
my favorite."
nervous in the binning because we had to present about mores code in front of the class."
Ryusei "WE did an presentation about specialized
audience and the Paula did
system of communication. Our group was about sign
something good that is audience
language. We explained how sign language was
can look but not covering board
made why, or more. My group was Shuto, Momoe,
also using my time
and I think that manner was
management. "
good I think so too."
Lidia and me. They worked very hard for the presentation."
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org
EUISMOD ELEMENTUM
Grade 5 & 6
The JFL students are reflecting on the Exhibition with the learner profile. They are reflecting on not only themselves but also other students and teachers. They are sharing their opinions and expressing them in Japanese.
Deutsche Schule Kobe – European School 3-2-8 Koyochonaka Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032 Japan Tel.: 078-857-9777・Fax: 078 857- 9775・http://www.dskobe.org/・mail@dskobe.org