Is Goethe International Charter School
Right for your Child?

We are delighted that you are considering enrolling your child in Goethe International Charter School. We consider it a compliment that you would take time to evaluate our educational programs to determine if they will best meet the needs of your child. Making a decision about your child’s education is a critical one in that it has long-term consequences that will impact your child’s future success. To assist you in that decision we would like to define our vision, outline our educational programs and delineate our expectations.

Charter Schools

A charter school is a public school which exchanges increased autonomy for academic accountability. Charter schools are solely dependent on tax dollars for support and do not charge tuition. They are permitted to implement innovative programs that are beyond district mandates. A local Governance Board has decision making power and responsibility for the implementation of the charter.

Mission

The mission of Goethe International School of Los Angeles (GICS) is to prepare children in grades K-5 for the global society in an educational environment that is small, academically rigorous and accountable. The school encourages its students to become knowledgeable, self-motivated, critically thinking people who respect, understand and can communicate with people from cultures different from their own.

Language Immersion Model

Research supports Language Immersion as an approach to second language instruction in which the usual curricular activities are conducted in a second language. It has been proven that cognitive development and higher level processing skills are enhanced when a child learns a second language at a very young age. This means that the new language is the medium of instruction as well as the object of instruction. Immersion students acquire the necessary language skills to understand and communicate about the subject matter set out in the state mandated standards. We provide foreign language instruction through the dual immersion model. With children beginning in kindergarten, 50% of their daily instruction is given in the German language. In addition we begin teaching Spanish in the third grade. Beyond 3rd grade occasional adjustments in the English/German ratio are made to accommodate the demands of the curriculum.

If you understand the value of your child learning a second language and are willing to support the process, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Cultural Tolerance

Goethe International Charter School is founded on the premise that all children should take pride in their cultural and linguistic heritage. Therefore, each Goethe International Charter School family needs to nurture in their children acceptance and tolerance of cultural differences. You can develop this attribute of tolerance by:

• Supporting your child’s interest in, study of, and respect for other cultures, religions and value systems.

• Providing opportunities for your child to socialize outside of school with children who come from other backgrounds.

• Encouraging your child to share his or her own cultural values with other students.

• Model to your child the school’s values of mutual respect and understanding.

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program

We are in the process of becoming accredited as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) school. IBPYP is an internationally recognized model that incorporates the best educational practices from schools throughout the world. Its premise is based on thematic, inquiry based units of instruction which focus on structured questioning methods that promote higher-level questioning and global mindedness that encourages and enhances that child’s natural curiosity. The IBPYP provides an opportunity for learners to construct meaning, principally through concept-driven inquiry. Traditional academic subjects are part of the program, but there is an emphasis in the interrelatedness of knowledge and skills through a trans-disciplinary program of inquiry. The IBPYP focuses on the heart, as well as the mind, and addresses social, physical, emotional and cultural needs as well as academic ones.

If you can support the need for research at home to enhance this inquiry-based method of instruction, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Academic Demands

Though we understand that parents have the responsibility for educational decisions for their children, we have also come to know that there must be an intense curiosity and innate motivation to learn built within your child in order for them to find academic success at Goethe International Charter School. Especially in students who enter our school beyond first grade, they need to want the challenge of learning a new language and display consistent responsibility for their own learning. Carefully review the following expectations:

Students should consistently demonstrate:

• Attentive, active listening skills with a desire to engage the language rather than “tune it out”.

• Self-management skills.

• Strong personal work ethic, taking pride in the accomplishments.

• Responsibility to complete and return homework and projects on time.

• Ability to take risks, constantly striving to find answers to their questions.

• Concise communication skills both in written and oral language.

• Tolerance and patience for differences.

• Creative problem solving abilities, willing to think “outside of the box”.

Parents should be responsible to:

• Ensure that your child has ample scheduled time and quiet surroundings for home study, and to encourage and insist upon use of homework planners and encourage development of organizational skills.

• Limit and appropriately supervise time your child spends watching television or in front of a computer. We strongly recommend that the television and/or the computer are not in the child’s bedroom.

• Encourage your child’s participation in worthwhile enrichment activities and after school programs to prepare for learning and the demands of our changing world.

• Talk to your child often about school work, demonstrating interest in varied units of study and help the school equip your child with the ability to inquire, interact and explore new ideas.

• Help your child learn from mistakes and profit from suggestions for improvement.

If you can envision your child embracing the academic demands of the IBPYB program, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Behavioral Expectations/ Discipline Policy

Goethe International Charter School Pledge

As a Goethe International Charter School student, I will choose to be...

Caring, Respectful, Honest and Responsible.

These are the foundational character traits we strive to build into the children of Goethe International Charter School. These characteristics are explicit elements of the IBPYB program and promote socially responsible actions as a result of the learning experience. We promote the value of socialization skills that lead to productive and responsible participation in society. Our discipline policy stresses personal responsibility for appropriate behaviors in order to provide a safe learning environment and a quality educational experience for every student. Students are held accountable for their behavior and our discipline policies are consistently enforced. As with other district schools we have implemented the Zero Tolerance rule for violent behaviors.

If you are willing to support the school as we implement our discipline policies, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Consistent Attendance

Charter schools are a wonderful choice for parents, however, no transportation will be provided. You are responsible for your child's transportation and consistent attendance. Parents must enable their child to maintain regular school attendance by scheduling family trips only during school holidays.

Excessive tardiness is very disruptive to the classroom learning environment as well as your child’s academic success. Your child may be excused for personal reasons if you make a request prior to the absence and your child completes an Independent Study Contract.

You are responsible to assist your child in making up schoolwork that was missed. Excessive absences have great impact on your student’s success; therefore children who miss more than 14 days or have excessive tardiness may be retained. Also keep in mind that our entire revenue is based on student attendance, not only does your child miss out on instructional time, but your child’s absence affects our bottom line.

If you can overcome transportation issues and guarantee consistent attendance, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

School Uniform Requirements

Every student is required to wear a school uniform. We believe that the wearing of uniforms improves behavior, builds inclusion and encourages unity. Our students will feel part of something special when they will wear their uniforms. Our basic uniform includes navy blue, pants, shorts, shirts or jumpers and red or white collared shirts. Jackets or cardigan sweaters must be solid navy blue or red. Logos must be attached to the left front of all shirts or jackets. Black, closed-toed shoes are also required. Uniforms must be clean and in good repair.

If you are willing to have your child wear uniforms daily, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Effective Communication

Regular and respectful communication between students, parents and staff are essential to the student’s academic success. Parents must make every effort to:

• Inform your child’s teacher first regarding any matters that would affect school performance.

• Consult with your student’s teacher by phone, email or personal conference on a regular basis.

• Read all letters, newsletters, notices and other information sent by Goethe International Charter School staff and review informational updates on the school’s website.

• If problems arise, initiate dialogue and support teacher consequences to improve student’s accountability for behavior.

• Attend events, assemblies and productions and interact with teachers and administrator whenever the opportunity arises.

• Accept the advice of the school staff in recommended evaluations or interventions if learning difficulties arise.

If you are willing to engage in respectful, regular communication between home and school,
then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Parental Involvement

Knowing that “learning best occurs when parents participate in the educational program…” (Goethe International Charter School) and that parents can best support the academic success of their child by being an active participant in the educational process, we recommend that parents (or a parent representative) volunteer at least 1 hour of service to Goethe International Charter School per week.

Research supports a direct correlation between the number of hours a parent volunteers at or for their child’s school and the level of academic success the child achieves. Service can be rendered in a variety of ways---everything from gardening to copying or cleanup, to teaching after school enrichment classes. We even accept “in-kind” donations of school supplies towards service hour requirements.

If you are willing to enrich your child’s learning by volunteering at the Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.

Financial Support

Though charter schools are public schools that are supported by state and federal tax dollars, we only receive about 80% of the revenue that district schools are granted. We do not charge tuition, and are able to provide basic educational programs, but we do depend on donations of parents to support the “extras”.

Friends of Goethe International Charter School was organized as a separate 501c3 foundation to accept your tax-deductible contributions, with the sole purpose of supporting Goethe International Charter School special needs. Our unique educational programs that require two teachers for every student, extensive staff development to implement IBPYP and low student-teacher ratio make our operating costs higher than most. We are sensitive to the fact that parents have diverse income levels and ability to donate, but ask that you donate what you can.

If you are aware of the financial demands of a high quality charter school and will donate when you can, then Goethe International Charter School is right for your child.