News – Page 49 – Steinmühle

New Exhibition at the Steinmühle: Reflecting on Human Rights and Their Foundations

Art, Music & Theater, Ecology and Sustainability, News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

A new exhibition at the Steinmühle, featuring works in the atrium, the Centrum, and the main building, is themed “Human Rights.” It was created by Thomas Gebauer, an artist and activist whose previous exhibition, “People, Diversity, Future,” was very well received.

“The exhibition should be seen as a tool of the ‘Future Workshop: Democracy and Education,'” says art teacher Ines Vielhaben. Students in her 10th-grade elective course (WU) “Kulturallee” were actively involved in the arrangement and installation of the exhibition.

The Human Rights exhibition consists of 28 large-format photographs that visually incorporate human rights concepts in both English and Arabic. They depict scenes and situations related to the democracy movement (2011–12) during the Arab Spring in Sfax, Marburg’s sister city in Tunisia, and address the Tunisian people’s call for freedom, democracy, and justice during that time. The photographs by Thomas Gebauer are complemented by posters from Basic Rights – Survival Goods poster exhibition, which presents the theme of democracy as the foundation, perspective, and prerequisite for a dignified participation in life based on freedom and justice, and illustrates access to essential resources for survival in a global context.

Can be incorporated into lessons

The exhibition focuses on the 30 fundamental human rights enshrined by the UN in 1948 in the context of resources essential for life and survival, such as water, food, education, health, and justice. The entire human rights exhibition was produced by its initiator, Thomas Gebauer, as a high-quality, portable exhibition module printed on truck tarps, so that it can be borrowed by schools and educational institutions throughout the Marburg-Biedenkopf district along with accompanying teaching materials.

“The exhibition,” says Steinmühlen art teacher Ines Vielhaben, “can be incorporated into subject-specific instruction in various ways.” Possible options include project days, themed visits, and block-schedule visits for all grade levels, as well as an evening event as a cultural program featuring a slide presentation followed by a discussion. If you are interested, Thomas Gebauer is available as the direct contact (agent21 Zukunftswerkstatt, email: thomas.a.gebauer@gmail.com).

19. November 2021

The Future of Education After the Pandemic

Collaborations & Partnerships, Digitalization & AI, Events & Celebrations, News

The Boarding School Association (DIV) held its meeting at the Steinmühle with 135 participants

The Steinmühle School and Boarding School are linked in more ways than just their shared logo. The two institutions are financially separate but closely linked in their missions. Given this, it was only natural for Steinmühle School Principal Björn Gemmer—after a period of membership in “Die Internate Vereinigung” (DIV)—to take over as chair of the association this year. The “2021 Major Staff Conference of the Boarding Schools Association,” attended by representatives from all 16 member schools across Germany, was therefore held this year at Steinmühlenweg in Marburg.

Asking questions about our own daily lives, discussing them with speakers, and learning about our colleagues’ perspectives—the annual meetings aren’t just about patting each other on the back. Reflecting on the present, staying true to oneself, and gaining new inspiration—that was the goal of the 135 attendees this time, most of whom were educators. “We’re not competitors; either everyone is doing well or everyone is doing poorly,” was the sentiment expressed in summarizing past events. This time, the message was clear: All boarding schools are full.

The Importance of a Real Mentor

Whether on the North Sea coast or in the Alpine foothills, boarding schools have long struggled with image problems. They were seen as a “way out” for families—a place you end up if you’re not a good student or a well-behaved daughter. This image—unknown in England—has largely been overcome in Germany. The conference participants at the Steinmühle focused on solving other problems and addressing issues arising in the present: digitalization in schools, learning during and after the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of a real-life mentor, and the question of what asynchronous learning can or must look like.

The three-day conference featured presentations by experts and a panel discussion that, naturally, could not avoid addressing the interrelated topic of teacher education. Speaking as a local representative was Prof. Dr. Jürgen Handke, the “guru of digitalization” from Marburg, who, among other things, expressed the fear that after the pandemic, teaching would “fall back into the old rut” in which people had “made do with emergency solutions”: “We have neglected asynchronous knowledge transfer”; the way content is delivered must change, because simply providing assignments digitally is not enough in schools.

Prof. Dr. Martin Korte of the Technical University of Hannover focuses his research on the cellular basis of learning and memory. According to him, effective learning requires a school environment as well as a real mentor—even if, in the future, that mentor might find himself in the role of an advisor or learning coach.

Questioning Teacher Education

Another participant in the expert discussion was University Vice President Prof. Dr. Evelyn Korn, who is responsible for teacher education at Philipps University of Marburg. In her view, there is no single “right” way to conduct digital instruction, and so it is not part of teacher training to “hand out recipes” for it. Korn acknowledged that there is a difference between students’ physical presence and their digital presence: “For the first time, students knew more than their instructors. It undoubtedly changes the learning process.”

Prof. Dr. Klaus Zierer of the University of Augsburg, a full professor of school pedagogy, emphasized yet another approach. He called for a reevaluation of teacher training: “We need to address this differently; a lot is going wrong here.” Unlike in some other countries, he noted, the public perception of the teaching profession in Germany is not favorable, which in turn is one of the causes of a glaring shortage of teachers. “We need to find a way to inspire students to pursue a career in teaching again.”

Shortly after the event, Björn Gemmer, the conference director and organizer, received feedback on how the individual participants had personally benefited from attending the DIV conference in Marburg:

“Having just arrived home, I would like to once again express my sincere thanks for the invitation to the lecture. I thoroughly enjoyed it—it’s rare to experience so much educational ethos all in one place. Great!” (Prof. Dr. Klaus Zierer, Full Professor of School Pedagogy, University of Augsburg)

“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent organization of my presentation and the panel discussion featuring myself and the other speakers. In my view, it was a truly successful event, and listening to Mr. Zierer was an experience in itself! I am deeply impressed by what the Boarding School Association has put together here!” (Prof. Dr. Martin Korte, Technical University of Braunschweig)

“On behalf of my wife as well, thank you once again for the opportunity to be part of your wonderful conference and to enjoy the various additional amenities. I am glad that my ideas and initiatives have fallen on such fertile ground, and you can be sure that I will hold up the high schools and boarding schools that were present at the DIV conference as exemplary and mention them in the future. A first workshop has already been scheduled at Louisenlund (with Dr. Rösner), where I would like to prepare students, teachers, and parent representatives for digital teaching through several hands-on workshops. I can well imagine that other schools and boarding schools would also like to take advantage of this offer, and I am open to establishing such contacts. In any case, we should stay in touch to continue strengthening the pioneering path your schools and boarding schools are taking.” (Prof. Dr. Juergen Handke, University of Marburg & 3M Solutions, RoboPraX – Robotikum)

“Now that we’ve returned safely to the Ammersee, I’d like to take a moment to once again express my heartfelt thanks for the excellent planning and execution of the conference. Our staff were absolutely thrilled and have already shared this with the rest of the faculty during our Monday meeting today. That’s exactly how it should be. An outstanding start for future events. I can well understand what it takes to organize such an event at the beginning of the school year. So, hats off to you! By the way, I’ll soon be meeting with colleagues from Neubeuern and Stein for one of our tried-and-true (Bavarian) exchange meetings. If desired, I’d be happy to beat the DIV drum once again there.” (Rüdiger Häusler, Foundation Director, Landheim Ammersee)

“Thank you so much for this absolutely wonderful conference, your fabulous organization, the fascinating topics, the delicious food, and especially for your comforting words right at the start: I took that literally and actually took a little ‘vacation’—I was able to unwind, even found time to explore the wonderful old town a bit, light a candle for my grandpa at St. Elizabeth’s Church, and just pause for a moment amid the constant hustle and bustle—which I actually really enjoy! The gathering and conference were so important—and how wonderful that we were finally able to see each other again and exchange ideas. And thank you for making Marburg a permanent fixture on my mental map from now on: a great city, but above all, a fantastic, innovative, and incredibly well-equipped school—thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for your energy and time, for your perseverance and resilience in complicated times: that was exactly what was needed, and I’m very much looking forward to our continued collaboration and all the upcoming events and activities.” (Katja Maike Braun, Principal, Executive Board of the Ecole d’Humanité)

“After a tiring but incredibly varied, informative, and superbly organized weekend, I would like to express my sincere thanks—also on behalf of my colleagues—for the warm welcome we received at the Steinmühle Boarding School. The impressions we gained of the DIV, its member boarding schools, and especially Steinmühle Boarding School were so consistently positive and rewarding that we know it is definitely worth further strengthening our collaboration, and the three of us, as ambassadors in Roßleben, will always be happy to share the spirit of the DIV. We look forward to the invitations to the working groups and hope you’ll find some time to relax after what were surely exciting days for you as well.” (Yvonne Sonnenfeld, Roßleben Foundation Administration)

“I really enjoyed the weekend at Steinmühle! Delicious food, interesting presentations, a great atmosphere, nice people, and excellent organization—thank you so much to you and your team!!!” (Maik Lüdemann, Business Director at Marienau School)

18. November 2021

Steinmühle Cycles Successfully for the Climate

Ecology and Sustainability, News, Sports & Health

After participating for the first time in the “School and City Cycling” competition , all active cyclists—including parents, students, and teachers—can celebrate an outstanding result: Over the course of three weeks of competition ,137 active cyclists rode a total of 24,884 km! As a result, Steinmühle took first place in the “Most Active Cycling Team” category in both the City Cycling and School Cycling competitions in the Marburg-Biedenkopf district.
A heartfelt thank you to all the cyclists for every kilometer they rode.
On October 29, school sports director Michael Neirich, as team captain and representative of Steinmühle, was honored at the awards ceremony at the Marburg District Office for winning first place in the School Cycling Challenge, a cash prize of 500,-€ and a cash prize of 150,-€ for the school library for taking first place in the “City Cycling” competition .
This great result, which contributes to greater climate neutrality, should motivate the entire school community to to participate in the “Schulradeln” campaign again next year and, for the sake of climate protection.

Photo: Marburg-Biedenkopf District

10. November 2021

Steinmühle Explores Northern Germany — “Welthaus” on the Road During Fall Break

Class Trips, Field Trips, and School Outings, Life at Boarding School, News, Steinmühle on the Road

At Steinmühle Boarding School, there are always some students who cannot go home during the short breaks. This is especially true for our international students, who are primarily from China. For these students, there is a separate team of educators known as “Welthaus,” which works with the students to plan not only the weekends when the boarding school is closed but also the fall and Easter breaks. The two educators employed for this purpose plan and organize special outings every weekend and during each break.

Normally, they explore mainly the area around Marburg with their “Welthaus” tour group, but during the fall break, they ventured all the way to the far north of Germany.

First Stop: The House by the Sea

For the first week of vacation, a house right on the beach in Stein near Kiel had been rented for the students. “I really enjoyed being able to drink my coffee by the sea every morning,” says teacher Lena Schneider enthusiastically. And so the group spent their first week close to the sea, spending nights under the vast starry sky or relaxing at the house while watching the many sailboats go by.

And, of course, a traditional boat tour and a visit to the aquarium in Kiel were a must. With perfect Baltic Sea weather, the students and teachers were able to relax and enjoy the scenery and the vastness of the sea.

From the Sea to the Edge of the Forest in Hamburg

In the second week, the “Welthaus” tour group moved on to a rented house near Hamburg, located right on the edge of the forest, with its own basketball court, table tennis table, and plenty of nature.

Along with the visit to Heidepark and the trip to the wax museum after a guided tour of Hamburg, the highlight was definitely the visit to the Chokoversum. Here, the students were able to experience firsthand the entire process—from the cacao plant and its precious beans all the way to chocolate production—and, of course, taste it too!

“The best part was that at the end, we each got to design our own chocolate bar and take it home!” says educator Philipp Rumpel happily.

Get out together, experience it together

On Sunday, at the end of the vacation, the Welthäusler group also traveled together from Hamburg back to Marburg. They had happily celebrated their last evening together in Hamburg over a hot pot dinner.

“It really did us all a world of good to get away for a while,” says educator Lena Schneider. The two Chinese students standing next to her nod in agreement. They are thrilled to keep discovering new parts of Germany.

What everyone will remember, I’m sure, are the many shared experiences: the big ones, but also the little things!

27. October 2021

Steinmühle Boarding School Rolls Up Its Sleeves: Helping Hands in the Ahr Valley

News, Social Engagement

Six students, accompanied by two teachers, traveled to the Ahr Valley—which remains severely devastated—on the Saturday before the fall break with the help of the organization “Helfer Shuttle” to provide volunteer assistance there.

Get to work with a jackhammer, a mask, and work boots

Our eight-member delegation was commissioned by a resident of Bad Neuenahr in Ahrweiler, whose house and garden had been ravaged and largely destroyed by the summer floods.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done here,” says our educator Phillip Rumpel, “but at least we’ve been able to bring some order to things, and that gives us hope.”

Working together, the students scraped the plaster off the wall and helped clear away the piles of debris in front of the house. There was also plenty to do in the resident’s yard: a tree had to be cut down, the flower beds were cleared of mud, and the paving stones, which had been scattered haphazardly, were stacked on a pallet.

“Even though there were only eight of us, we got a lot done!”

The students, in particular, showed great compassion and enthusiasm. “What made it special for me was being able to really help the local people repair their own homes!” student Felix reports proudly.

Experiencing the full range of emotions—all in a single day

After the mission, student Julian reacted with emotion: “It’s shocking to see what it still looks like there. But at the same time, it was so great to see how many people came to help—and we were able to be a part of it.”

The students of legal age experienced a wide range of emotions that day. Out of respect for the suffering of the residents, we will not disclose any personal details here, but for the students, it was a particularly moving moment to be able to share in the experience.

“It’s completely different from watching it on TV,” says student Jan. “That was really intense. But we helped as much as we could. And it was actually kind of fun, too!”

Experience Community in a Whole New Way

All the students involved were particularly moved by one feeling: a sense of community. Emilia, a student who just transferred to Steinmühle Boarding School this school year, was especially enthusiastic: “It was as if we’d known each other for a long time. The solidarity and sense of community among the volunteers—but also among us as a group—were impressive.”

Everyone would come along again if there were another event

The project was organized by Nils Schwandt, the head of the Steinmühle boarding school. “Unfortunately, only students of legal age were able to participate this time, so we were only able to provide support with eight students.”

In total, just under 40 students and teachers from the Steinmühle boarding school volunteered to help. However, for insurance reasons, only those of legal age were able to participate in the event.

“Maybe it’ll work out again with more people at a different location,” says Nils Schwandt. “In any case, there’s definitely a willingness to help within the boarding school community here.”

In any case, the entire Steinmühle boarding school community is sending its best wishes and strength to all residents of the Ahr Valley, and we hope that our eight-person team of volunteers was able to bring some peace of mind and optimism for the future.

25. October 2021

A Very Special Visit – “Techtastisch” on Set at the Steinmühle

Collaborations & Partnerships, Contests & Awards, News, STEM, Talent Development

For some time now, the well-known YouTuber Techtastisch (Marcel Häfele) has been a supporter of the +MINT talent development program, which Steinmühle will join starting in the 2022–23 school year as the only boarding school in Hesse to do so.
With the participation of students from various research courses, he recently visited Steinmühle for a day of filming. In the run-up to the visit, the students worked with their teacher, Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, to plan experiments that are usually not feasible to conduct in a typical classroom setting.
Everyone involved was thrilled, as the experiments were spectacular. The reaction of sodium with water—on a slightly larger scale than is usual in the classroom—as well as with chlorine and ice, generated a great deal of interest.
The experiments in the schoolyard also drew the attention of numerous other students, who were able to observe the spectacle from a safe distance. Afterward, the elementary school students in particular had so many questions that it became very clear just how great even the youngest children’s thirst for knowledge is when it comes to scientific phenomena.

Techtastisch itself was also thrilled—by the beautiful school grounds, the fantastic opportunities for experimentation, the power plant, and the many curious students.

You can watch the video of Techtastisch’s visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeFfHtvVoL4

7. October 2021

Engaging Biology Lessons on the Steinmühle Grounds

News, STEM

What is our vision for biology classes at Steinmühle?

Direct experiences with nature not only increase students’ motivation to learn but also foster a caring attitude toward living things and the environment.

Biodiversity plays a central role, especially in the debate on climate change. It is precisely this diversity of habitats, animals, and plants that we now need to document and integrate even more deeply into biology classes. That is why we set out to assess and map the potential of the Steinmühle site.

Who are we?

We are the BiologyDepartment, which currently consists of ten faculty members. These include Carmen Bastian, Tim Elmshäuser, Hanna Herzog, Marcel Kalb, Malte Klimczak, Yvonne Nehl, Heike Rabben-Martin, Mirko Radatz, Siiri Wienbeck, and Aylin Yüzguelen.

What did we do?

The BiologyStudent Council met at the Steinmühle grounds before summer break, discussed the general plan, and then we were off. We explored the orchard meadow, whose variety of fruit tree species sparked our interest in old apple varieties. The pond, with its inhabitants, invited us to observe and linger. The vegetation-rich area along the Lahn River fascinated and inspired us with its diversity of shapes and colors. In addition to the stream, the Steinmühle school garden, and the greenhouse, the Steinmühle grounds impress with their large number of different trees.

How can you bring nature into the classroom?

In addition to the many ideas that have already been implemented to incorporate the diversity of habitats into biology classes, Marcel Kalb describes a successful project below:

Thanks to the EU LIFE project “Living Lahn – One River, Many Demands,” a significant stretch of the Lahn at the far end of the Steinmühle site was also extensively restored to its natural state.

That’s why a “field trip just around the corner” for the Q2 biology class was the perfect opportunity. Armed with ecological background knowledge and equipped with outdated maps and photographs, the students were tasked with analyzing which structures had changed as a result of the intervention and what ecological impacts this intervention had on the organisms living there. The fact that the students were able to leave the classroom and experience the subject matter with all their senses reflects Steinmühle’s guiding principle of sustainable and hands-on learning. In the concluding reflection session, the class agreed: “This is what makes cramming fun!”

Yvonne Nehl

5. October 2021

Career Guidance in the Maze of Options: Overcoming the Fear of Making Mistakes

News, Politics, Business & Responsibility

40 percent of all students drop out of college—with over 20,000 degree programs in Germany, this isn’t a sign of a lack of opportunities, but rather an indication of poor choices. “Finding the right career is a matter of analyzing your own abilities and, above all, a matter of self-confidence”—that’s the view of the 15-member team at the young company “Mein Mutiger Weg.” It visits schools to show how things could work out—and what young people should do.

Over 20,000 degree programs, over 320 vocational training programs. Would you like a little more? Probably not. Most young people study business administration. The field promises security, much like law, or meets a need, like psychology. Together with medicine, computer science, mechanical engineering, and economics, these are the “top choices.” In the worst-case scenario, young people are pushed into certain careers by those around them. A bigger problem, however, is the fear of making mistakes, according to what was said that morning at the Steinmühle. Career guidance for 11th graders, who often don’t yet know where their journey will take them after graduation.

Identifying Your Own Strengths

High school graduation—what’s next? It’s a question that’s always been around. But navigating the maze of options, identifying one’s own strengths, and choosing the right path seems harder than ever. Brothers Pascal and Frederic Keller have launched a startup to improve the situation for young people: “…we’ve been there ourselves.” Now the two brothers from the Palatinate are touring the entire country with their team to tell high school students how career guidance can be effective. Their mission: “Mein Mutiger Weg” (My Courageous Path).

Using a workbook and an engaging presentation that puts them on the same level as the students and speaks their language, Pascal and Frederic Keller guide the students through the morning with numerous real-life examples. A list of professions—in no particular order—gives them a glimpse of the wide range of possibilities.

The young people on the organizing team—all under 30 themselves—admit: “Some people already know what they want to be by the eighth grade.” If that’s not the case, the goal is to identify one’s own strengths. “Why not ask classmates and friends who know you well what you’re good at?” is one suggestion.

Gaining Experience Through Internships

Internships can also be a great way to identify your own strengths. There are as many as 53,000 open internship positions in Germany. If you find one that interests you, it’s time to start applying—another step, another hurdle. What does the hiring manager want to hear?

When asked about their strengths during job interviews, many applicants gave standard answers. “I’m reliable,” “I’m creative”—these kinds of responses hardly impress anyone anymore. Instead, it’s about sharing what you’ve already accomplished on your own, what you’ve actually done—even outside of school—even if it’s unusual. “Have the confidence to talk about what you’re capable of.” A story, an example. That’s how hiring managers can see which direction you’re headed. Your career choice is a success when you can apply your strengths as often as possible in your day-to-day work—when you can make a reality of what’s important to you in life.”

Digital Help

Along the way, participants can also take advantage of digital resources for career guidance. These include simulated job interviews and help navigating the maze of available opportunities. The organizing team invites followers to check out its Instagram channel @meinmutigerweg and also recommends the platforms www.traumjob-campus.de and www.berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de.

The Federal Employment Agency’s career counseling service was specifically recommended by the “Mutmacher-Crew” as one of several key components. For students at Steinmühle, Annerose Glöckner is the designated career counselor at the Federal Employment Agency in Marburg. She was also present at the Steinmühle event; among other things, she can help students find internships and offers individual counseling for students in the E-phase. Contact: annerose.gloeckner@arbeitsagentur.de. The contact person for career guidance at Steinmühle is Dr. Claudia Röder.

4. October 2021

Read Better, Learn Better: Local Mentor Association Founded at Steinmühle

Collaborations & Partnerships, Events & Celebrations, News

The Steinmühle recently served as the founding location for the association “Mentor—the Marburg-Biedenkopf Reading Tutors.” This initiative aims to provide support to children in the region who struggle with reading as they learn to read. And this support is more necessary than is often realized: Studies show that nearly 20 percent of all children still cannot read fluently by the end of fourth grade.

To help bring about change, Steinmühle has joined the association’s efforts. The Mentor Federal Association, founded in 2008, is supported by 12,500 people in 100 clubs across the country. Its members are dedicated to helping socially disadvantaged boys and girls learn to read.

After all, being able to read well and quickly grasp text and numbers is an important part of a student’s academic journey and the key to further education.

Currently, the reading mentors from the local area are working with six elementary schools in the Marburg-Biedenkopf region, one of which is the Steinmühle Bilingual School. Twenty mentors have already signed up to support the project on a volunteer basis. Courage and patience are the most important qualities for those who want to help as mentors. Janine Neckenich, director of the bilingual elementary school program at Steinmühle, serves on the board of the Marburg-Biedenkopf Reading Mentors. The board also includes Inge Maisch (chair), Dr. Michaele Künzel, and Inge Kachel-Moosdorf.

The Steinmühle’s involvement with the local reading tutors had paved the way for the founding celebration to take place at the Steinmühle. The Steinmühle jazz band, led by Frank Wemme, provided the event with a fitting musical backdrop. Host Inge Maisch and Steinmühle School Principal Björn Gemmer welcomed entrepreneur Karin Ahrens, as well as Biedenkopf-based children’s book author Andreas Steinhöfel and TV host Hülya Deyneli—both of whom had agreed to serve as patrons—to the event.

The fact that various donations came in from several different sources served as a source of motivation for all those who were currently working hard to launch the Reading Tutors Initiative in Marburg-Biedenkopf as well.

Anyone interested in taking on the role of a mentor to support children who struggle with reading is welcome to contact us here: inge.maisch@perspektivenundberatung.de.

4. October 2021

A Joyful First Day of School at the Bilingual Elementary School

Bilingual Elementary School, Events & Celebrations, News

Plenty of music, lovingly prepared performances, and lots of joy marked the first-day-of-school celebration for the youngest students at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. Maria Gloerfeld, homeroom teacher for third grade, opened the ceremony in the Forum with the piano piece “L’Apés Midi.” The program then continued in English. Janine Küster, head of the elementary school division, welcomed the students and their parents before Marcel Kalb took the floor in German. He serves as the coordinator between the high school and the Bilingual Elementary School.

“The Sparrow and the Schoolyard Children” was the title of a poetry recital performed by children from third grade and the Flexible Entry Level (Flex) program. These age groups also put on a musical performance using sandwich wrappers, since singing indoors was still not permitted due to the pandemic.

This was followed by welcoming remarks to the audience, who listened to the words in high spirits yet with a touch of excitement—understandable on this day, as it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the youngest children. Together with two children from each class, Janine Küster then provided a glimpse into school life at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School to make their upcoming daily routine a little more tangible.

The program continued in a really cool way—with a rap in English performed by Class 3 and students from Flex, under the direction of Katrin Weißenborn.

Video art, accompanied by music, once again depicted scenes from everyday life in elementary school before the first-graders were divided into their classes. Maria Bick will serve as homeroom teacher for Flex A, and Dr. Sebastian Verbeek will serve as homeroom teacher for Flex B.

And with that, the official “program” for the exciting first day of school for Steinmühlen’s youngest students was already over. Their first short class was waiting!

Janine Küster, the head of the school division, bid farewell to the parents and extended special thanks to those who helped organize this first day of school: These were Maria Gloerfeld and Katrin Weißenborn, who are primarily teaching third grade this year but who nonetheless organized the orientation with great care and dedication, as well as Friends of the School Association Chair Jasmine Weidenbach, who had prepared small welcome gifts for the first-graders and provided decorations.

Everything indicated that the small back-to-school celebration had been a hit not only with the girls and boys, but also with their parents. Janine Küster: “We had a wonderful, positive atmosphere, and photographer Till Buurman was kind enough to capture many of the moments on camera.”

30. September 2021