💡 The Sekretariat is the school office; ask there about hours, the timetable (Stundenplan) and documents. Lessons usually start at eight.
💡 Typical things: Schulranzen (satchel), Federmappe (pencil case), Hefte (exercise books), Turnbeutel (gym bag), Hausschuhe (indoor shoes).
💡 School lunch often must be ordered and paid for in advance (online or through the school system); you can apply for a discount or help from the Teilhabepaket.
💡 To register at a school you need the birth certificate, proof of registration and a vaccination record, including measles (Masernschutz); the school holds a talk to decide the class.
💡 The Stundenplan is the timetable; the Materialliste is the list of what to buy: exercise books, pens, paints; the school often lends the textbooks.
💡 Swimming (Schwimmunterricht) is part of the school curriculum: you need swimming trunks or a swimsuit, a towel, often a cap; the children are divided into groups by ability.
💡 Children who live far from school often get a school travel pass (Schülerfahrkarte): you apply at the secretary's office; you need a photo of the child.
💡 Illness is reported to the Sekretariat in the morning before lessons; afterwards a written Entschuldigung (excuse note) from the parents is needed.
💡 The written Entschuldigung is written by the parents: name, class, dates of absence, reason, signature. A doctor's note is only required from a few days on or if the school asks.
💡 If the child has to see a doctor during lessons, parents write a note or message to the class teacher in advance: Er muss früher gehen.
💡 To attend school in Germany you need proof of measles vaccination (Masernschutz): two doses; a Ukrainian vaccination record will do if the vaccinations are entered in it.
💡 The Elternsprechtag is a day of conversations with teachers (once or twice a year); the school has a sign-up list and a few minutes are allotted per talk.
💡 Useful words: fleißig (diligent), aufmerksam (attentive), Schwierigkeiten (difficulties), Fortschritte (progress), Unterstützung (support).
💡 At a parents' evening (Elternabend) you may ask the teacher to speak more slowly or find parents who translate; teachers are mostly glad to help.
💡 If your child is bullied talk to the form teacher; many schools have Schulsozialarbeit (a school social worker) whom you can contact free of charge.
💡 In Germany grades run from eins (1, excellent) to sechs (6, unsatisfactory); the Zeugnis is the report card, issued at the end of the half-year and the year.
💡 Klassenarbeit is a written class test, Test a short check, Note the grade; the teacher communicates results through the notebook or an app.
💡 After primary school children go to a Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium or Gesamtschule; the teacher gives a recommendation (Empfehlung) and the rules depend on the federal state; visit the open days.
💡 Marks in Germany go from 1 to 6: 1 is the best (sehr gut), 6 the worst (ungenügend); 4 is still adequate; this scale is the reverse of the Ukrainian one.
💡 Homework (Hausaufgaben) is written in a Hausaufgabenheft; you can ask how long it should take: Wie lange soll mein Kind daran arbeiten?
💡 Hausaufgabenbetreuung is supervised homework at school; Nachhilfe is tutoring; school options are often free or cheap.
💡 Many schools have free homework help (Hausaufgabenhilfe); paid tutors (Nachhilfe) are separate; ask at the secretary's office about the schedule and registration.
💡 Schools often send messages and homework through a Schul-App or Elternportal; the school issues the access code; messages can be translated on your phone.
💡 Families on low incomes can receive help for the trip through the Bildungs- und Teilhabepaket; you apply at the city and the school will advise.
💡 For excursions and trips the school asks for an Einverständniserklärung (written permission) from parents; read what you are signing and ask if anything is unclear.
💡 A Wandertag is a hiking day for the whole class: the child takes a rucksack, food, water, sturdy shoes and a rain jacket; it is usually free.
💡 Hort, Ganztag, OGS (open all-day school) is care after lessons until the evening; an application and fee are needed; ask the school about places.
💡 In the holidays schools and cities offer Ferienbetreuung (holiday care) with meals; there are discounts for low-income families through the Bildungspaket.
💡 Deutsch als Zweitsprache (DaZ) is German as a second language; new pupils often have Sprachförderung (language support) or a Willkommensklasse (preparatory class).
💡 A Willkommensklasse is a preparatory class for children learning German; gradually the child joins regular lessons (Regelklasse), starting with sport and art.