Have you heard about the phrase:“Jemand hat sich wie ein Pfingstochse geschmückt.“ (Someone is dressed like an Ochs- it is too much and too colorful)?
Traditionally farmers in the Alp regions bring the cows to the higher areas of the Alps where they remain all summer, as the weather gets better. The cows are beautifully decorated like you see on the picture.
Like a parade they will be guided through the villages.
Why do we celebrate Pentecost?
It is a Christian fest.
Germany has a “Pfingstsonntag” and “Pfingsmontag”, as official Holiday.
Businesses and stores are most likely closed.
It is the 50th day after Easter.
It is always in Spring. Trees get green leaves, flowers are blooming.
The so called “Pfingstrosen” bloom only in this time of the year.
Livia Wielath from Music to Grow has a program with dances for all age groups
The Donauschwäbische Volkstanzgruppe Los Angeles (Danube Swabian Folk Dance Group of LA) performs the “Maibaum Tanz” with the Jugendgruppe under the leadership of Isabell Kerins
Claudia Tichy Austrian therapist and author, will read in German from her new book (Tesha Discovers the World – Healing Stories for Children) and will sign copies
Cyndie Kasko from Old World Restaurant will spoil us with German Delicatessen
Eva Tran PROaupair childcare-from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will have crafts for kids
Was gibt es denn schöneres, als einer alten Tradition zu folgen und Ostereier zu färben.
Unsere A1 Klasse hatte sehr viel Spaß dabei.
Es wurden auch Osterkarten bemalt und für die gute Arbeit gab es einen kleinen Schokoladenhasen.
Am Samstag feiert die Schule das Osterfest mit vielen traditionellen Osterspielen.
Das Osterei als Symbol
Eier waren in der Fastenzeit nicht zugelassen. Die Eier, die während dieser Zeit gelegt wurden, wurden meist hartgekocht und somit haltbar gemacht. Nach vierzig Tagen konnten am Ostersonntag dann erstmals wieder Eier gegessen werden – was liegt da näher, das Ei zu etwas Besonderem an diesem Tag zu machen.
Ostereier färben & dekorieren – Woher kommt dieser Brauch?
Eine besondere Form der Ostereier-Dekorierung sind sorbische Ostereier. Dies ist eine jahrhundertealte Tradition, die größtenteils im Spreewald, eine Region südlich von Berlin, gepflegt wird. Hierbei werden die Eier mit Wachs verziert, gefärbt und abgeschmolzen. Dieser Vorgang wird, je nach Muster und Bedarf, mehrere Male wiederholt. Das Ergebnis sind einzigartig dekorierte Ostereier, die in Mustervielfalt und Farbenpracht kaum zu überbieten sind.
Ostereier
Ostereier schmecken besser –
klar, das weiß doch jedes Kind.
Sie sind ganz besonders lecker,
weil sie so schön farbig sind.
Was das Huhn nicht will begreifen,
weiß schon längst der Osterhas´ –
färbt das Ei, malt Punkte, Streifen
und versteckt es dann im Gras.
Ostersonntag in der Frühe
kommt er auch bei dir vorbei,
gibst du dir dann etwas Mühe –
findest du dein Osterei.
The value contributions of the German schools abroad
Eight social value contributions make clear what the German schools abroad do. These value contributions together make up the public value of the schools.
Education “Made in Germany”
High-quality education is one of the core values of German schools abroad. Schools around the world stand for sound knowledge transfer and excellent pedagogical support. Her trademark is the internationally recognized German school qualifications, such as the Abitur. The federal and state governments work together to ensure uniform quality standards; experienced teaching and management staff from Germany ensure their compliance. This enables education “Made in Germany” at a consistently high level.
Encounter of cultures and international understanding
German schools abroad strengthen intercultural exchange. The majority of schools are “encounter schools”. There children and young people from different countries and cultures learn together. Classes are usually multilingual. The schools teach and live cosmopolitanism and thus make an important contribution to international understanding. They raise awareness of study and work opportunities around the world. At the same time they create a close bond with Germany, where many foreign students study after graduation and enter the profession.
Partner of the economy
Many German companies are world leaders in their industries. The German Schools Abroad are an important part of this success story. Whether in industrialized or emerging countries: company employees posted abroad can count on their German children being educated in Germany. The graduates of the schools also have access to highly qualified specialists familiar with the German language and culture. Thus, the German schools abroad can help to solve the shortage of skilled workers in Germany.
Reliable charitable status
The German schools abroad are not profit-oriented schools. As a rule, they are carried by non-profit school associations or foundations. The public-private partnership provides schools with a high degree of economic autonomy, but can charge lower school fees than other international schools. They also offer various scholarship programs. Thus, the German schools abroad are an educational elite that is open to gifted students from all social classes.
Business card for Germany
The German schools abroad teach what Germany stands for. In Germany, they make it possible to experience what Germany is all about: strong education and strong values, such as democracy, equal opportunity and performance orientation. The German schools abroad traditionally support Germany’s foreign cultural and educational policy. In this way, they contribute to sustainable success in competition with other nations (“nation branding”).
Impulse generator and innovator
The German Schools Abroad offer great potential for initiating innovation in the education system – in Germany as well as in the respective home country. Teachers can contribute their experience abroad after returning to Germany, for example when teaching pupils from different cultures. Also in terms of full-day care, multilingualism and integration, the foreign schools can provide valuable impulses.
Reference point for the German community abroad
For Germans living abroad, the German schools abroad are often not only the first address for the education of their children. The schools also provide a place of community to cultivate their own cultural roots. They enable Germans abroad to maintain a bond with Germany and to maintain a German identity. The schools also create networks that ensure rapid access.
German educational ideals
The German Schools Abroad teach more than school knowledge. They make an important contribution worldwide to promote the German language and culture. Children of Germans living abroad speak their language, children from the home country learn it and use it in everyday life. The German schools abroad teach values and knowledge. They promote a sympathetic Germany with convincing educational ideals.
Film screening with the support of the Goethe-Institut
GERMANSCHOOL campus
1931 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach CA 92663 Saturday March 17th, 5:00pm – 7:00 pm
Germany (2017), 97 min. DIGITAL
German with English Subtitles FSK (no age restriction) Director: Christian Theede Screenplay: Dirk Ahner Cinematography: The Chau Ngo Cast: Marleen Quentin, Ruben Storck, Emilia Flint, Luke Matt Röntgen, Leo Gapp, Devdi Striesow, Katharina Wackernagel Producers: Michael Lehmann, Kerstin Ramcke, Holger Ellermann Production Company: Letterbox Filmproduktion, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Senator Film Produktion
Young amateur detectives Mia (Marleen Quentin), Benny (Ruben Storck), and Alice (Emilia Flint) solve crimes in their big-city hometown of Hamburg, Germany. Because they are small, fiery, tough, and as a group, pack a powerful punch, they are known as The Peppercorns. Before their summer class trip to the Gruber family’s mountain ranch, Mia’s young friend Luca Gruber (Leo Gapp) warns them not to come. Luca fears that his search for the fabled treasure of the Black King has cursed the ranch. When the class arrives, a series of mysterious events seem to confirm Luca’s fears. What is behind the curse? Where will the clues lead them? Is the ranch really under the spell of an evil mountain spirit, or is someone trying to put the Grubers out of business? This is a case for the Peppercorns. With the assistance of their new classmate Johannes (Luke Matt Röntgen), the young sleuths use their combined skills to unravel this mountain mystery and hope to save the Gruber’s ranch. Full of suspense, action, and adventure, Christian Theede’s film brings the beloved German television series to the big screen.
GermanSchool campus celebrates its third Carnival Season at the School this year. Join us!
We invite you to our very own Karneval with fun games, music and of course lots of traditional ‘Berliners’, a donut-like pastry that is filled with delicious apricot or raspberry jam.
It’s been a very special tradition here at our school and this year will be the third time that we celebrate this fun event right here at our school on the Newport Bay!
Come by and party with us! Dance along famous German Fasching tunes, or partake in typical Karneval games; but you especially don’t want to leave without indulging in our deliciously scrumptious ‘Krapfen’. They have been made to order for this particular occasion!
Mark – YourCalendar – for – Saturday, February10th from 4 pm to 6 pm
Carnival Excitement is spreading through Germany!
Europe and here in particular German-speaking countries in Europe have been in ‘Karneval-Fieber’ (carnival mood) since November. To be precise, since the 11th day of November. That’s when Carnival started at exactly 11:11 am! A strange time, wouldn’t you admit? But that’s when the Narrenzeit (Time of the fools) officially begins.
Since around that time everyone is usually getting ready for Christmas, the crazy signs of Carnival are not yet as visible. Carnival during that time commonly concentrates on the “Ball” season (elaborate dancing events), which culminates in beautiful events in January and February. You most likely have heard of the Vienna Opera Ball, a most illustrious example.
Fasching, Karneval, Fastnacht and more
‘Fasching’ has its origins in the medieval times. It’s connected to the liturgical calendar starting in the Pre-Lenten season, also known as Shrovetide, and ending on Shrove Tuesday. The following Ash Wednesday starts the 40-day fasting season (Lent) until Easter. However, one may also consider Carnival as a rite of passage, when taking into account pagan customs that wanted to make way for spring and summer. Here, dressing up in fantastical costumes was often the ritual to drive away the winter spirits.
Carnival has been known historically as the time where breaking the rules was okay and when an excessive lifestyle was accepted, even expected! Today ‘Karneval’ in Germany entails not only elaborate costume parties but also political parades, where the people make fun of the ones in charge of the country and beyond. The largest political Carnival Parade happens every year in Cologne.
Depending on where you are in Germany around Carnival time, you will experience Fasching quite a bit differently. Many States have even different names for the same seasonal event: While Carnival is known as ‘Karneval’ in Cologne and the Rhineland, in Bavaria they call it ‘Fasching’. In Franconia, one knows Carnival as ‘Fosnat’ and in Swabia as ‘Fasnet’, or ‘Fastnacht’ in Mainz.
Not everyone is out and about on Carnival, some people, called a ‘Faschingsmuffel’ (a Carnival grouch), dread this time of partying and rather stay at home. But there is one part of the German population that is looking forward to the Carnival season all year long. These are the children!
Before Halloween was celebrated in Germany, Fasching was the only time for kids to dress up as their favorite character. But they are not only looking forward to dressing up as princesses, ninjas, transformers and Co., but also to special Carnival foods like ‘Krapfen’, the donut-like pastry with jam in the center. They are also called ‘Berliner’ or Kreppel.
Carnival at GermanSchool Campus – It’s only happening Once A Year!
Get into Carnival mood with us and come by to celebrate with GermanSchool campus on Saturday February 10th from 4 pm to 6 pm. It’s a fun event where we join forces with Ute’s Kinderschule. Don’t miss it! A special batch of yummy ‘Berliners’ is waiting just for you!
Please let us know if you are coming by! Send us an Email or Call
is the third largest university in Bavaria. It was founded in Erlangen in the 18th century and offers 79 Bachelor’s and 89 Master’s degrees to more than 40,000 students. The faculties are distributed all over the city and cooperate with many organizations. The cooperation with a lot of hospitals in Erlangen makes the Friedrich Alexander University to one of the ten largest universities in Germany. The palace garden in the center of the city offers a great atmosphere. Right next to the faculty of the university is the Orangerie of the palace with direct access to the university street. The park has many beautiful places that are used for sports, reading and relaxing and makes the students’ lunch time especially in summer. The palace garden is also a popular place for graduation parties and festivals. A beautiful place to study.
ist die drittgrößte Universität in Bayern. Sie wurde im 18. Jahrhundert in Erlangen gegründet und bietet mehr als 40.000 Studenten 79 Bachelor und 89 Master Studiengänge an. Die Fakultäten sind in der ganzen Stadt verteilt und kooperieren mit vielen Organisationen. Besonders die Kooperationen mit den Kliniken in Erlangen macht die Friedrich-Alexander-Universität zu einer der zehn größten Universitäten in Deutschland. Eine tolle Atmosphäre bietet vor allem der Schlosspark im Zentrum der Stadt. Direkt neben der Verwaltung der Universität liegt die Schloss Orangerie mit direktem Zugang zu der Universitätsstraße. Der Park besitzt viele Wiesen für Sport, Lesen und Entspannen und versüßt den Studenten die Mittagspause. Der Schlosspark ist unter anderem ein beliebter Ort für Abschlussfeiern und Stadtfeste. Ein wunderschöner Ort um zu studieren.
In this way the May began in Germany at the Northern Sea. In the north of Germany the summer feeling began early this year. Just in time for school holidays, families enjoyed the warm sand, the warm water and good food. A perfect place if you need time to relax! Even from the south of Germany people travel to the north. Not only the coast is an attractive holiday destination for many people, also the islands around the mainland. All public ferries are also easy to reach. The most relaxing place is in “beach baskets”, which shelters from the sun and the wind, but also invite you to dream. The Northern Sea is an unique landscape with tall grasses and sand hills called “Dünen”. A visit to German beaches is worthwhile for everyone!
So hat der Mai in Deutschland an der Nordsee angefangen. Im Norden von Deutschland fing das Sommer Gefühl früh an dieses Jahr. Rechtzeitig zu den Schulferien genossen Familien den warmen Sand, das warme Wasser und gutes Essen. Wer Zeit zum Entspannen braucht ist hier genau richtig! Sogar aus dem Süden Deutschlands reisen die Menschen in den Norden an. Nicht nur die Küste ist für viele ein attraktives Urlaubsziel, sondern auch die darum liegenden Inseln. Mit den Fähren sind alle ganz einfach zu erreichen. Am schönsten ist es in den Strandkörben, die nicht nur Schutz vor der Sonne und dem Wind bieten, sondern auch zum Träumen einladen. Die Nordsee ist eine einmalige Landschaft mit hohen Gräsern und Sandhügeln, die „Dünen“ genannt werden. Ein Besuch an deutschen Stränden lohnt sich für jeden!
