Calendar
For the school year 2010/2011, the BAKS preschool program is in session from Tuesday, August 24, 2010 through Friday, August 5, 2011. For school breaks, holidays, and special events please view the pdf-version of our calendar.
BAKS observes a wide variety of American and German holidays, including Fasching (carnival), Thanksgiving, St. Martin, Nikolaus and Advent. In addition, the birthday of each student and teacher is celebrated with a special ritual. Here a few highlights of our school year:
Halloween Party
October 29, 2010
Children that would like to dress up for Halloween are welcome to come to school in costume. This year's theme: "The Ghost Castle" (Das Gespensterschloss). Be creative with your costume, use what you have - just some simple dress-up items or accessories can make a great costume. Weapons of any kind are not allowed in school, so we repectfully ask parents to plan the costume accordingly.
Laternenfest
November 14, 2010
This is a magical yearly event that transforms out school yard with music and lights. The children sing songs and perform a play about the life of Satint Martin, that culminates in a lantern-procession around the neighborhood. We serve great German refreshments from "Bratwurst" to "Glühwein", and hold a raffle with great prizes.
Thanksgiving Soup
November....
The week before Thanksgiving break, the children bring vegetables to school, and work together cooking Thanksgiving soup - a meal they greatly enjoy together.
Saint Nikolaus
December 6, 2010
We celebrate Saint Nikolaus, an essential figure in German pre-christmas traditions. The children learn Nikolaus songs, do fall crafts, and sometimes are even visited by Saint Nikolaus himself (he never forgets to bring his big jute sack that is full of little presents.
Advent
December
During the month of December, we observe the German tradition of an Advent-Calendar, beginning on December 1st, and counting down the days until Christmas eve. Each child gets their turn to open one surprise-present on a day of Advent.
Winter Play with Coffee & Cake
December 10, 2010
We cordially invite our BAKS parents to join us in a pre-Chrismas celebration, enjoying treats (the children bake and decorate Christmas cookies for this special day).
Fasching
February 18, 2011
What kind of German school would we be if we didn't celebrate Fasching (also known as Karmeval)! In Germany, the last days preceding the beginning of Lent are celebrated by dressing up in costumes and dancing in the Streets, watching the brightly decorated floats of the Fasching Parade go by. The children get to dress up for this special day.
Mother's Day Celebration
May 6, 2011
In the week just before mother's day, we invite all BAKS moms to our special mother's day breakfast. The children perform songs and a little play. They are saying "thank you" to their moms, having prepared a special handmade card and a surprise gift in the preceding weeks.
Yard Sale
May 14, 2011
Every summer we organize a huge yard sale that is part of our fundraising efforts to benefit our program. It is always a very sought-after event, and we draw a big crowd from all over the neighborhood.
"Füchse" Graduation Ceremony
June 10, 2011
We celebrate this big milestone with our "Füchse"' every year, with songs and a special performance. Each graduating "Fuchs" is also presented with a certificate, highlighting the ways each particular child is so special to us and their friends, as well as a "Schultüte", the traditional gift that marks the first day of elementary school in Germany.
Father's Day Celebration
June 17, 2011
On this day BAKS invites our Kinderstube dads for an early father's day breakfast. The children perform songs and have prepared wonderful handmade gifts and cards for their dads.
School Picnic
July 24, 2011
Just before the beginning of the new school year, BAKS celebrates an annual off-site picknick, usually at a neighborhood park, to welcome and introduce all new students and their parents to the BAKS family. We spend the afternoon with good food and fun games, so that our new families will have an opportunity to meet.