Swiss Parents' Association

Grüezi and welcome to the Swiss Parents Association (SPA) at German International School New York!  
  
The mission of the SPA is to take care of the interests and concerns of all Swiss students and their parents while at GISNY.  The Swiss element at GISNY is the Swiss after school program, to which Swiss students can sign up voluntarily and at no cost.  For all student from ES through Grade 5, there is an offering of a weekly program of two lessons covering topics like Swiss geography and history. For students in Grades 6 through 12, there is one event each semester with a Swiss theme.  Both groups are led by the a Swiss teacher.  This gives Swiss students the opportunity to talk “Schwyzerdütsch” and to embrace their unique Swiss heritage.
As an informal institution organized according to American law, we meet on an annual basis in a friendly get-together and talk about relevant topics, exchange experiences, and define future steps.  As a Swiss family at GISNY you become a member of the SPA automatically and you pay a small contribution, which is defined annually. GIS is an ‘Auslandschule’ supported by the Swiss government and gets subsidies according to the ‘Bundesgesetz über die Förderung der Ausbildung junger Auslandschweizer’.  Each year, SPA organizes and supports events at GISNY. The ‘Raclette Stube’ at the annual Weihnachtsbasar is a well-known event and we are very proud to be able to give its proceeds as a contribution to the school.

If you wish to have a "buddy" for your child who can help with the transition during the first few weeks, please let us know.  And for any questions regarding the school or the SPA, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Rolf Waeber
Swiss Parents Association

e-Mail: swissparents@gisny.org