Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School Celebrates Its 100-Day Celebration

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“I did it,” Oliver says proudly, holding up his “special muffin” for everyone to see. He points to another pastry: “I did this, too.”

The children at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School are overjoyed as they recently celebrated their 100-day milestone. They show their excitement with paper crowns they made themselves, bearing the inscription “100 Days as a Schoolchild.”

 

Reading, Building, Crafting

That morning is a time for learning, but also for celebrating. The group led by homeroom teachers Hannah Achenbach and Tobias Leisge goes through several stations. There’s breakfast—consisting of cereal, pastries, fruit, and milk—100 words to read, and 100 building blocks that require imagination and creativity to assemble. A garland was made from 100 paper rings.

Tobias Leisge and his three-person team—made up of interns and a participation assistant—have music playing. “Dance Monkey” is playing on repeat from the speaker, and the kids love it. The last station, “Outdoor Games,” is kept a bit short. The weather is a bit unpredictable.

This day will still remain a cherished memory for the girls and boys. And when those memories have faded a bit, the children will pick up their memory book, which was created especially for the 100-day celebration.

 

Princesses, wizards, and bunnies celebrate Carnival at the Bilingual Elementary School

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It’s still quiet in the classroom, but out in the hall, the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School’s Carnival party is really getting into full swing. Whether they’re dressed as princesses, the Easter Bunny, or magicians—everyone is celebrating together with their teachers, who have also slipped into costumes to mark the occasion.

The students form a circle. “Anyone who has anything red on their clothes, please come to the center,” asks Lori Herrmann, assistant principal of the Bilingual Elementary School. The calls are repeated, naming different colors. And so, everyone gets a turn in the spotlight on this early afternoon.

The Carnival party with you students was great! And we say: See you next time!

Second Place for Our Elementary School Student Aurelia at the 64th Math Olympiad

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It was an exciting day for Aurelia Wild, a fourth-grader at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School: She had registered for the 64th Math Olympiad, and now the Hesse state round was getting underway. After a welcome address at the Mathematikum in Giessen by its director, Prof. Albrecht Beutelspacher, Aurelia and her fellow contestants were shown to their workstations. For two hours, the children worked on interesting math problems before they had the chance to thoroughly explore the experiments at the Mathematikum. During this time, many dedicated teachers graded the submitted assignments.

 

“Silver” in the state competition

At 2:00 p.m., the awards ceremony finally began. First up were the third-graders, and the excitement kept building—even for Aurelia. Then the certificates of participation were awarded to the fourth-graders—and that’s when it became clear that Aurelia was among the winners. She was overjoyed when she was even called up to receive second place!

 

Parents Thank Teachers for Their Motivation

Aurelia proudly accepted her certificate and prize. She’s already certain: “I’ll be back next year!” The teachers led by Lorraine Herrmann from the administration of the Bilingual Elementary School and Steinmühle Principal Björn Gemmer are also proud. Aurelia’s mother, Lydia, is delighted: “We’d like to thank Steinmühle for encouraging its students to participate in competitions like the Math Olympiad.”

Working with heart, energy, and expertise: Goodbye, dear Janine Küster!

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With deep gratitude and many heartfelt words, Steinmühle bids farewell to a valued colleague: Janine Küster, principal of the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. Her dedication and passion for the school have left a lasting impression—on both the students and the faculty.

In the run-up to the official farewell ceremony, the elementary school children said, “Goodbye, Janine!” The girls and boys lined up to form a guard of honor as their teacher walked down the stairs. Many of them reached out toward her, trying to shake her hand; some managed to give her a hug or take a selfie, and a few had tears rolling down their cheeks. Some mothers comforted their children. Man, was that hard! A few parents also expressed their appreciation in person. And it became clear: a very beloved teacher is leaving.

Janine Küster, born in 1992, took on the demanding role of director at a remarkably young age. After completing her teaching internship, she began working at Steinmühle, with only a stint abroad in the U.S. in between, which further improved her already excellent English skills.

 

Shaped and established a bilingual focus

From the very beginning—the 2019–20 school year—she poured her heart and soul into establishing and developing the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. She taught German, math, and music with great enthusiasm and supported the students not only academically but also personally. Her commitment extended far beyond the classroom: She played a key role in shaping and establishing the school’s bilingual program.

Janine Küster also found happiness in her personal life at Steinmühle. She started a family with Fabian Küster, a member of the school’s IT team. About two and a half years ago, she became the mother of her son Lenny, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

 

A difficult step

As someone who sets high standards for herself, Janine Küster found it increasingly difficult to balance both roles—principal of an elementary school and mother. It was therefore with a very heavy heart that she decided to step down from her roles as a teacher and principal. Her colleagues, as well as parents, deeply regret her departure and bid her farewell with warm words, affectionate hugs, and the occasional gift.

 

Thanks and Appreciation

At the farewell party held in the elementary school classrooms, Janine Küster thanked everyone who had helped her over the years with advice and support. She shared examples of particularly funny and memorable moments, explained her decision—which she said she made with mixed feelings—and revealed that the Küsters’ family planning isn’t quite finished yet.

Principal Björn Gemmer, Managing Director Dirk Konnertz, and former principal Bernd Holly, among others, expressed their appreciation for her work in brief remarks. They mentioned that the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School—which had been established thanks to the initiative of school association chairman Egon Vaupel—had been significantly shaped and influenced by Janine Küster. The group then raised their glasses together to toast the future and proceeded to enjoy the buffet.

 

Looking forward to digging up the time capsule

Steinmühle would like to thank Janine Küster for her tireless work, her energy, and her warm personality. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors—both professionally and personally!

Janine Küster is already looking forward to Steinmühle’s high school graduation ceremony in 7 years. That’s when she plans to dig up the time capsule she once buried on the Steinmühle grounds with “her” children.

 

Words that linger:

“An emotional moment. It was a difficult decision for me. It’s not easy for me to say goodbye” (Janine Küster)

“Working with Hannah (Achenbach) and Lori (Lorraine Herrmann) has been a truly enriching experience for me. We planned, ate, and organized” (Janine Küster)

“Things went pretty well for you today” (A student, speaking to Janine Küster shortly after the bilingual elementary school opened)

“We’ve seen it: She’s energetic, she knows her stuff, and she’s not afraid to take on a challenge. You didn’t just combine the Hessian curriculum and the Cambridge curriculum—you also overcame conflicts and challenges” (Björn Gemmer, principal)

“The Bilingual Elementary School is your brainchild. You have played a crucial role in getting us to where we are today” (Dirk Konnertz, Managing Director)

“You left your heart and tears at school” (Bernd Holly, former principal)

“You’ve accomplished a lot here. You’ll always be a part of us” (Lori Herrmann, former assistant principal of the Bilingual Elementary School) Angela Heinemann

Cross-Generational Engagement: 10th-Grade Girls Lead an Upcycling Club for 4th-Grade Elementary Students

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A great example of intergenerational activities on the Steinmühlen campus is the upcycling club run by three 10th-grade girls for 4th-grade elementary school students. Lisa Maria Schreier, Emilia Berger, and Ziya Qu lead the club as part of their project-based learning. “Our goal is to further promote the children’s environmental awareness in a playful and artistic way from a young age. In this club, we teach the girls and boys that not all trash is the same. We want to inspire the children to turn old items into new, useful things or to create something that brightens up their everyday lives,” says Lisa Maria Schreier.

 

“A New Life” for Materials and Objects

The plan is working out impressively well. The elementary school students are turning old canning jars into beautiful containers for spices and other items. Used clothes that have become too small can be turned into pencil cases—and these are just a few examples of how objects are given a “new life” and materials are often put to new uses.

The club began in the second quarter of the first semester. It is optional and relies on regular participants. Tenth-grade girls and elementary school students meet every Thursday from 2:45 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. in an elementary school classroom. It’s still possible to join later, but only after consulting with the organizers.

 

Selection of the Best Project

The teachers in charge, Dr. Rainer Nietzke and Heike Rabben-Martin, are standing behind the tenth-grade girls. Since they were unable to supervise the elementary school students, Lorraine Herrmann, the assistant principal of the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School, is handling that task. She observed: “I’m not really needed here. The tenth-grade girls work with the children like pros.”

To further boost enthusiasm and motivation for the work, at the end of each club meeting, a vote is held to determine which project was the most successful. When the choice falls on one’s own pencil case or the card index box one created, the joy is, of course, especially great.

 

Trunk or Treat: A Spooky and Fun Halloween Eve Celebration in the Steinmühle Schoolyard

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“Trunk or Treat” was the theme on the eve of Halloween in the Steinmühle schoolyard. As an event organized entirely by the elementary school parents, cars were lined up there starting at 5 p.m.—each with its trunk open and filled with lots of surprises. With great attention to detail, the parents of our bilingual elementary school students had decorated their trunks in Halloween style and offered various treats to the children as they came by one after another. But that wasn’t all: Not only the children, but also the moms and dads were in costume, so you often had to take a closer look to see who was hiding behind the mask.

 

A Parent-Led Initiative

For those who were expecting the familiar phrase “Trick or Treat” rather than “Trunk,” here’s a quick explanation of this variation. “For many families, this idea replaces the tradition of children going door-to-door, which is sometimes viewed somewhat critically not only in the U.S. but also here in Germany,” explains Lorraine Herrmann, the deputy director of the Bilingual Elementary School. She expressed great pride in the successful parent-led initiative, which involved crafting, lighting, and decorating—and for which she provided only organizational support. Steinmühle says “Thank you” to all the parents whose dedication made such a wonderful evening possible for our elementary school children!

Click through the photos to get a sense of this fun event:

 

Welcome to our school: We welcome the “first-graders” at our bilingual elementary school

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“Nice to see you all!” With warm words and plenty of music, we welcomed the new students of our bilingual elementary school—along with their parents, grandparents, and relatives—to our school’s lovingly decorated auditorium. It was a big day for the 17 students from diverse international backgrounds! Over the next four years, Janine Küster, Lori Herrmann, and their team will prepare the boys and girls in two languages—English and German—for their secondary school careers, which will ideally lead them to Steinmühle’s rapidly growing International High School program.

The First Stage Performance

The morning’s program consisted of musical performances featuring both instruments and voices. As is tradition, the “older” children at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School gave their younger classmates a warm welcome with songs and poems, and the excitement spread quickly. During Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” the audience—which included Principal Björn Gemmer—actively joined in, clapping, patting their hands, and stomping their feet. It was still a bit nerve-wracking for the youngest children on our campus, however, as they were called up to the stage one by one. But their homeroom teachers, Hannah Achenbach and Tobias Leisge, were already there waiting to welcome them. By the time the audience broke into a huge round of applause, the ice had completely melted.

Photos as a keepsake

To commemorate that morning—which will remain a very special day in the lives of each and every student—numerous photos were taken of the “first graders” themselves, their entire class, and their classmates’ performances on stage. Jasmine Weidenbach, the chairperson of the Steinmühle Support Association, even gave each and every one of them a personal gift.

We hope you all have a great time at the Steinmühle!

 

Open Stage at Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School: An Event Full of Talent and Emotion

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Teacher Lisa Smit opened this year’s Open Stage at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School with the prediction, “It will be amazing.” And she was right: Together with her co-host, student Mara, she charmingly and energetically guided the audience through a program marked by creative performances and emotional moments.

The event featured a variety of poems, songs, skits, and acrobatics, with all grade levels participating. Some students had to overcome their stage fright to present their performances in front of an audience. But they were rewarded with loud applause, as their performances delighted the audience.

The event featured musical accompaniment from instruments such as the piano and violin, which enriched the program. While some performances were simply meant to make people laugh and marvel, others were also educational: for example, one skit addressed the proper safety precautions to take during a thunderstorm.

Saying goodbye was also a topic

The event did not end without a certain sense of melancholy. It was also a time to say goodbye to teacher Lisa Forchheim, who is leaving the Bilingual Elementary School. Another emotional highlight was the farewell to Class 4, whose students were set to move on to middle school the following school year. The third-graders bid them farewell with a lovingly rehearsed song that created a particularly touching atmosphere for everyone present.

The Open Stage event impressively showcased the diversity and talent of the elementary school students and served as a successful conclusion to the school year at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. It was an event that sent the audience home with smiles—and certainly a few moments of reflection as well.

 

Gardening with Brand-New Raised Beds, Thanks to Support

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Thanks to the support of the Steinmühle Friends Association, chaired by Jasmine Weidenbach, and the carpentry firm Holzbau Jasky from Stadtallendorf-Wolferode, the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School received new raised garden beds to continue its gardening project. After the Friends Association had already provided new gardening tools and a garden shed at the beginning of the year to help the elementary school students plant their garden, the new raised garden beds were purchased and professionally installed at various heights. In the process, some of the students proved to be real pros with the cordless screwdriver!

This was preceded by a workshop for the children on designing the raised garden beds. The project was initiated by Katrin Weißenborn. The Friends of the School Association would like to once again thank the Holzbau Jasky carpentry shop for their cooperation!

 

 

Unique wall design by artist Ulrike Krappen

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Turning barren into vibrant: Since February, a cheerful painting has adorned the formerly white wall at the elementary school, spanning a width of about five meters. Ulrike Krappen, the Marburg-based artist, was at work here, using paint and brushstrokes to conjure up a completely different atmosphere. Following a suggestion from Managing Director Dirk Konnertz to add some splashes of color to the interior of the Steinmühle as well, and after consulting with elementary school teachers Janine Küster and Lorraine Herrmann during the creative process, the artwork was completed in three to four days. Ulrike Krappen uses acrylic paints, sometimes wood stain and oil pastels, for her paintings. In the end, the painting depicted many heads at eye level—swimmers, divers, an Eskimo—international figures with whom the individual students could identify. “It was a pleasant experience,” Ulrike Krappen recalls, “a great atmosphere in which I was given free rein—with music and sandwiches.” The artist, who spends about six months each year in the south of France, waived her fee in support of a good cause. She offers most of her paintings for sale on her website.

 
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Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

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