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The buzz inside Normal Park had little to do with the end of winter break, and lots to do with the new school, within this school. Principal Jill Levine says "it's a big transition, so we wanted to make sure the kids felt comfortable and welcome, even if they can't understand what we're saying yet."
Hamilton County agreed to open a "German School" for the children of Volkswagen employees from Germany helping with plant start-up. "I will basically teach a German curriculum so they can go back on a German grade level and they're not missing out on any skills that they would have to learn in Germany," says German Teacher Verena Draper.
School leaders crafted a special curriculum after meeting with parents, featuring courses in math, German, sciences... And English as a second language. "Obviously United states history isn't going to be a priority for our German students, they're going to want to learn about local things of German history, from their perspective," says Levine.
During the first day of school in Germany, its tradition for students to receive a Schule Tute, or school cone, filled with supplies. Normal Park students didn't disappoint today, giving their new classmates these gifts.
Right now five students attend the "German school." This classroom serves as its homebase. Pictures from home decorate the walls and these computers feature German language programs.
Draper says "everything here that I teach is taught in German, with German materials."
Students will also attend regular classes, to receive an American experience and provide local students with some cultural diversity.
Two 1st graders, two 3rd graders, and a 4th grader make-up the German school's student body. Additional students are expected this Spring, with another two dozen coming at the start of next school year.
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