Dear accadis ISB Community,
In times of Corona, when events and news are changing daily, we draw a first resume and say thank you. True to the motto of the hashtag #flattenthecurve, a school community faces unprecedented challenges. The members of the school’s management team continuously follow the latest news, evaluate the current situation and make appropriate decisions, with the entire school community in mind.
Since Monday, 16 March 2020, our Online Learning plan has therefore been put into action. All teachers and administrative staff work tirelessly to make the learning experience for our students a positive one. As a Google School that has been using the Google Suite for Education to manage the entire school experience for many years, we did not need to practise and set up, but we were extremely well prepared. In addition to Google, we use a wide range of learning programs such as Antolin, MyiMaths, Maths Workout to name a few, to suit each grade level. We are in daily contact with our students, parents and teachers to further improve usage and incorporate feedback.
Our Preschool staff prepare for the return of the children: Concept work, getting the flower bed ready for Spring, decorating the rooms and much more. Dear parents, thank you very much for the many lovely messages from your children - our educators miss the children as much as the children miss their educators. Dear children, you can look forward to seeing a series of video clips next week which your carers have prepared for you.
Our Elementary School students receive weekly work schedules. In addition to the provision of teaching material, it is important to us that parents have flexibility in arranging for the care of their children and that these arrangements are compatible with the school tasks.
We teach our Grade 4 and Secondary School students via the respective Google Classrooms of each subject. During normal school hours, the teachers are in close contact with the students via video or audio or provide written feedback.
The upcoming iGCSE and IB examinations require a special focus and the close exchange with the International Baccalaureate Organisation and Cambridge International gives us hope. We will inform affected students and families as soon as we receive new information about examination arrangements or assessment procedures.
Last but not least we say thank you.
We send our best regards to all our students. A school is not half as much fun without your laughter, joint play and your thirst for knowledge. We miss you here at accadis ISB ever so much.
Dear Parents, we appreciate what it means to take care of your children in these times. It is probably not easy to explain why 'meeting friends' or 'going to the playground' is not a good idea or 'going to the cinema and swimming pool' is not possible. Therefore, a big thanks to you for providing so much extra care and attention.
Thank you to our school leadership team, all teachers, the pedagogical staff and educators and every member of the administration. We greatly appreciate their remarkable commitment to prepare teaching and learning material 'differently', to rethink lesson planning and preparation and to answer questions via the various channels.
Computers and digital development are taking on a very special significance in these times. Without our IT infrastructure, no online lessons can take place; without a digital device, no virtual meetings and communication with students or, parents could take place. Therefore, also a big thanks to our IT team, which is tirelessly supporting everyone with their queries and who keep our systems running.
At the moment everyone wants to get back to normal life, but for now we have to adjust to this situation and stick together. We would like to thank all service providers and external partners who have adapted so quickly to the changed circumstances and who are supporting the school in restoring normal everyday life soon.
The I in accadis stands for the value of Integrity. Thank you all for thinking of the community in your actions – because this is the only way the world after Corona can look back on 2020 as the year in which we all moved a little closer together.
Solidarity (or in other words #togetherwearestrong) will help us through these times. Thank you for your trust. May you and your families stay healthy.
Yours - Gerda Meinl-Kexel and Christoph Kexel