Get Ready

Checklist for New and Returning Families

Find important information about the start of the 2024-2025 school year, including upcoming deadlines, required forms, supply lists, mandatory summer reading, the August back-to-school schedule, and more. Please make sure to scroll all the way down.

If you have any questions, please email info@gisbos.org.

(Last updated: August 9, 2024)

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Academics

Get ready for school! Please find below a list of all items you will need for your child’s first day at GISB.

At the beginning of the school year, grades 4-8 will be going on overnight field trips. Below you find the lists of things your child will need for the trip.

Students entering grades 5-12 are expected to complete their assigned summer reading before the first day of school. The material will be part of the curriculum and discussed in German and English class. Returning students have received a copy of the book(s) at school. New families should purchase the book(s) online or contact info@gisbos.org to see if a copy of the book can be picked up at GISB in August. Happy reading!

The grade level refers to the grade your child will be entering in the 2024-2025 school year.

German Summer Reading List

These books will be part of the German curriculum after the summer break.

Grade 5: Andreas Steinhöfel: Rico, Oskar und die Tieferschatten

Grade 6: Cornelia Funke: Herr der Diebe*

Grade 7: Otfried Preußler: Krabat*

Grade 8: Ursula Poznanski: Erebos

Grade 9: Mirjam Pressler: Nathan und seine Kinder

Grade 10: Auswahl an Kurzgeschichten mit Leseauftrag

Grade 11: Alina Bronsky: Scherbenpark

Grade 12: Olga Grjasnowa: Der Russe ist einer der Birken liebt

* An audio book can be used while reading the book.

English Summer Reading List

All returning students will receive their book before the end of the year. The Admission Office will have extra copies available for new students. These books can also be purchased on Amazon or, preferably, from a local bookseller. It is crucial that all students read the book, as they will discuss and write about it at the beginning of the academic year in September. Students who are not strong in English, or even those who are, are encouraged to listen to the audio version.

Grade 5: The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Grade 6: The International House of Dereliction by Jacqueline Davies

Grade 7:  As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

Grade 8: Ghost by Jason Reynolds  

Grade 9: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 

Grade 10: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Grade 11: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 

Grade 12: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Mid-August you will be able to view your child’s class and teacher assignment. To do so, please log in to your Educate account and click on ‘School’ in the menu on the left, then on ‘Students,’ your child’s name, ‘Schedule,’ and then ‘Courses.’ In Educate you will also have access to the school directory.

Visit the GISB calendar to review upcoming events and the 2024-2025 school calendar.

Here are some resources to keep your child engaged with the German language over the summer (Preschool – Grade 4).

Forms and Household Information

Mid-August, you will receive an email from educate@tads.com with the required school form for your household.

Please complete the form prior to August 22, 2024.

To review and update your household information, please log in to your Educate account. You can access your household information by clicking on your initials in the top right-hand corner. Click on ‘Account’ and make changes as needed under the ‘Household’ (not the ‘User’) tab.

Please make changes by August 22, 2024 to ensure that we have the most accurate contact information on file.

Health

The GISB Health Office uses an electronic health records program called Magnus Health. All documents for school entry (including your student’s immunization record and health form) must be uploaded to the Magnus Health Portal as soon as possible, as the June 1, 2024 deadline has already passed.

German International School Boston must follow Massachusetts health regulations. Since these health requirements are quite detailed, it is important that you fill out all necessary sections within the health portal so that we can review your student’s health profile for completeness.  Students who do not meet Massachusetts health requirements and do not complete and submit all required health documents will not be able to begin the school year. 

If you have any questions, please contact our health office at health@gisbos.org, or at 617-783-2600 ext 15.

The following forms and documents can be downloaded and printed as needed. Please note that a complete list of necessary health forms is available in Magnus Health, and all health information must be submitted via the secure Magnus Health Portal. Please do not email health forms to the health office.

*If your child will have a physical examination in the US, the camp/school form given by the medical provider is sufficient; you do not need to complete a separate Massachusetts School Health Record.

**Instead of using the Certificate of Immunization, you may also upload a copy of your child’s immunization booklet.

Lunch Program

GISB is partnering with Ordo, a national school lunch provider that works with local chefs to provide a variety of lunch options for students and staff. The program is flexible, and no minimum order is required. A new menu is available every Sunday, and orders are due by Friday at midnight for the following week. Open an account to place an order.

Community Events

Please join us to meet old and new friends:

  • Saturday August 10, 9:00 am – 11:00 am: Welcome Team Meet & Greet at Swiss Bakers – RSVP here
  • Saturday, August 24, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Back to School Picnic – RSVP here
  • Sunday, August 25, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Upper Campus Tours – RSVP here

We look forward to seeing you!

First Week of School

Please review the Back to School schedule for preschool and kindergarten here.

Registration for the Meet & Greets will be sent out the week of August 19.

Monday, August 26:

  • First Day of School for grades 2-12 and first day of ASP for grades 2 – 7.
  • No school for grade 1 students — child care available (8:30 – 12:00) – Sign up by August 22.

Tuesday, August 27:

Wednesday, August 28:

  • Einschulungsfeier (first-grade celebration):
    • 1A: 9:30-10:15 am (photos start at 9:00 am)
      1B: 10:45-11:30 am (photos start at 10:15 am)
    • First day of ASP for grade 1

After School Program

Signup for single day ASP (Upper Campus only) and single day extended ASP (both campuses) is now open on the Jumbula website.

The Extracurricular Classes and Sports Program will be published on Jumbula in September and registration will open on a set day and time shortly after publication. The program will start at the end of September.

Stay Connected

Please note that our admission, health, and front offices will only have limited office hours in July. Should you have any urgent questions, please email info@gisbos.org.

Admission Office (email only: admissions@gisbos.org): 

  • July 5, 11, 19 and 26 from 8:00 – 11:00 am ET

International Student Program (email only: isp@gisbos.org): 

  • July 10, 17 and 24 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm ET 

Health Office (email only: health@gisbos.org):

  • July 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7 and 14 from 9:00 to 11:00 am ET

Follow us on social media to see what is happening inside and outside our classrooms:

House for rent? Car for sale? Looking for a babysitter? Offering tutoring services? Find it or post it on the GISB Community Bulletin Board.

Are you headed somewhere exciting this summer? Show off your GISB spirit by sending us your ‘Where in the World is GISB’ photo featuring your GISB T-shirt, hat, sticker, or simply your smile! Email your photos to marketing@gisbos.org, and we’ll feature them on our social platforms!

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