My child comes to school
What does my child need for starting school?
In addition to a school bag, a child needs writing utensils. Also important are sports clothes and shoes. Furthermore, the child should have a lunchbox for “morning snack”.
Cross-grade learning
Students learn from and with each other. This potential is utilized, and teaching takes place in mixed-age classes. The classes are composed as follows: kindergarten, 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th grade. Naturally, the curriculum is adapted to the respective level (e.g., curriculum “A” for 1st graders and curriculum “B” for 2nd graders).
Cross-grade teaching explained in in 2 minutes (in German).
How are the classes composed?
The school management, together with the teaching and support team, forms the classes according to certain criteria (ratio of boys/girls, special needs of children, balanced classes, etc.).
1st, 3rd, and 5th grades:
The groups of the former 2nd kindergarten children, 2nd and 4th graders are formed into new classes considering the guidelines according to § 25 para. 1 of the Elementary School Ordinance (VSV) as well as friendships between the children. This class formation is done through all involved class teachers and support staff in a collaborative exchange.
The goal is to maintain balanced classes in terms of performance, social and linguistic background, integrative support needs (IF), German support (DaZ), gender of the children, and class size. Where appropriate, younger siblings are assigned to the same class or to the same class teacher as older siblings. Parents can express their wishes to the teacher prior to class allocation. Additionally, a request can be made to the district school authority. However, it is not guaranteed that parental requests will be accommodated.
The class allocation is communicated to the parents of the respective child at the beginning of June. If parents are not satisfied with the class allocation, they can request a transfer from the district school authority.
What are clusters?
Pfingstweid school is organized into so-called clusters:
- Cluster Power Plant/Hardturmpark
- West Park Cluster
- 1st/2nd Cluster
- 3rd/4th Cluster
- 5th/6th Cluster
- Federal Asylum Centre (BAZ) Cluster
Each cluster consists of the associated classes and support. Various activities are carried out within the class or cluster. As a cluster school, it is important to us that our students feel not only part of their class but also belong to and feel comfortable within their cluster.
First parent meeting per cluster
Before the transition to school, a parent meeting is held for the parents of kindergarten children, during which initial information is provided for future 1st graders.
At the beginning of each new school year, another parent meeting is held per cluster, during which the most important information about teaching and support activities is explained. Additionally, part of the parent council introduces themselves.
Parent meetings
For 1st graders, two parent meetings are held per year. From 2nd grade onwards, one parent meeting is held per year. If needed, you can arrange additional parent meetings individually with the class teacher.
What languages will my child learn?
In the first and second grade students learn in German. English is added from the third grade onwards, and French from the fifth grade onwards.
Will my child have music lessons?
Yes. These are offered as part of the musical basic education (MAG). Children who want to learn an instrument can do so through the city’s offering of additional hours.
Swimming lessons
From the first grade onwards, children have swimming lessons once a week. Prior knowledge is not necessary. Swimming is taught from scratch. The children are picked up by bus, taken to swimming lessons, and then returned. Swimming lessons are conducted by a swimming instructor from the Sports Department.
How is the school day structured?
To gain insight into the school day, you can contact the teacher to participate in a lesson. The school day depends on the respective grade level. However, it is important that a school day generally lasts from 8:20 am to 4 pm. The exception is Wednesday, when there is no afternoon classes. Additionally, either Tuesday or Thursday afternoon also has no classes.
Tuesday/Thursday Afternoon Profile
On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, classes for grades 1 through 4 are held in half classes. In the 1st grade, all students are assigned to either a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon profile for afternoon classes.
As parents, you have the opportunity to express a preference for whether you would like your child to be in the Tuesday or Thursday profile.
You can change the profile at the beginning of each school year. Please contact the class teacher early for this.
Siblings are assigned to the same profile. Usually, the assignment remains in place until the end of the 4th grade.
For registered day school children, individual study time follows the afternoon classes until 4 pm. From 4 pm, the school offers supervision until 6 pm (at a cost).
Individual Learning Time (ILZ)
This gives your children the opportunity to deepen their studies as independently and individually as possible after classes.
With ILZ, your child’s sense of responsibility is strengthened, and age-appropriate offers are also provided per cluster.
This is part of the day school and takes place from 3:15 to 4:00 pm.
Withdrawals from ILZ by you are possible after consultation with the class teacher.
Students in grades 3 and 4 have compulsory classes until 4 pm one afternoon (Monday or Friday), and students in grades 5 and 6 have compulsory classes until 4 pm on Monday and Friday.
Additional Courses
Before the start of the school year, children can sign up for additional courses (free of charge). The offerings and registration deadlines are communicated via email. The registration link is provided below:
www.sportsdepartment.ch/yearly-courses
Speech Therapy
In the first and second grades, a speech therapist visits twice a year to assess if any children have learning needs. If so, parents are recommended to visit the speech therapist.