Dear Friends of the IGS,
The children are at home! Not two days, not two weeks, but now for more than two months. U6 parents experience everyday life as a challenge without break. There is little space in the family for travel plans and family harmony. Primary school parents are forced to get familiar with some of the didactic depths of primary school pedagogy. Most of you have never envisaged doing one thing: teaching!
For many expats, the world seemed secure as long as they had the promise of seeking refuge in their home country. A look at Germany now shows that the old frames of reference no longer seem quite as unassailable as before; the ground under our feet has moved a little. Most of us only know of major natural disasters, revolutions, wars and flight or similar life-changing experiences from history books, newspapers or from our grandparents’ stories.
For many of us, the current situation is new: the coordinates have to be re-evaluated – globally and personally. There is no textbook for this: you re-adjust from day to day. Crises sharpen our eyes for the essentials. Pragmatic solutions are also in demand in Germany. The natural love of the Kafkaesque of some authorities is being put under test. Some have even forgotten the gender * asterisk in their texts. Statements are measured against reality, the theatre of populism has been temporarily abandoned.
The politics of affects is substituted by the concrete measure. Health care, digitalisation, education, infrastructure, (data) security, media, the question of the ability to act in a western democracy or federalism are the focus of a new era. The world after September 11th was no longer the same. It remains to be seen to what extent Covid-19 will have a similarly sustainable effect.
Considering reports of the reaction to this crisis from Europe, the Vietnamese approach of the past few weeks appears to be relatively systematic and consistent. Fast decision-making and a synchronised implementation of policy has saved lives. No new local infections are reported from China.
In these times, we as a school want to be a reliable frame of reference, perhaps a piece of home for you and your families. We are aware of the responsibility for your children in this regard and thank you for your effective cooperation. With online classes, we are able to meet the basic requirements of the curriculum and issue certificates at the end of the school year.
In addition to newsletters and videos, we have offered craft packages for the children any online contact hours in the U6. Seesaw is now available for kindergarten and preschool. (denise.schoechert@igs-hcmc.org) Mr. Hübscher will start a small online literature circle for class 3 from now on. Further offers are planned. The art department has announced a competition in order to find a suitable logo for the library. The online catalogue of the primary library is nearly finished. Secondary school students have already been granted access to the catalogue.
Since last week, Mr. Toan has been creating educational videos in the subject of Vietnamese (Cl. 9). The videos are public. We want to make a contribution to students at national schools who may want to make use of this offer.
We are trying to identify opportunities/ chances to make contributions to our students and to the society at large during this time.
I wish you and your families a pleasant weekend.
Stay healthy,
Yours Dirk Thormann
->Student Song: each student contributed from home.
