Overberg from A-Z
A
Current Addresses/Phone Numbers
Your current addresses and phone numbers are very important to us—especially in case of emergencies. Please notify the school immediately of any changes.
“Traffic Light System”
All classes use a “traffic light system.” If children do not follow the class and/or school rules, they are moved down one level on the traffic light system. This makes it clear to the children why, if they repeatedly disrupt the school day, they may occasionally have to leave the classroom to study in another room.
Stopping/Parking in Front of the School Entrance
Please observe the no-stopping zone. Stopping or parking in front of the school gates and the entrance near the bike racks poses a serious danger to our students. Why? Every car blocks the children’s clear view of the street. In addition, cars maneuvering in the area endanger the students. Please do not block residents’ driveways. Please make sure to let the children get out of the car on the sidewalk side.
Anton
“Anton” is a learning app with a wide range of resources for various subjects that children can use both at school and at home. The homeroom teacher registers the students and provides them with their login information.
Antolin
“Antolin” is an online resource (www.antolin.de) where students are asked to answer questions about a book they’ve read or about texts from their reading textbook. The homeroom teacher registers the students and provides them with login information. The program can then also be used at home.
Extracurricular Clubs
Extracurricular clubs are established with financial support from the Friends of the School Association to foster our students’ inclinations, interests, and special talents.
Auditorium
Ourauditorium is located on the upper floor of our older building. This is where key events in our school life take place: information evenings, student theater performances, church services, events for students, teachers, and parents, and similar activities.
B
Accompanying first graders to school
Accompanying first graders to school in the first few weeks of school makes a lot of sense. You should explain the route to school to your child in detail (if possible before they start school), take the same, safe route again and again, point out danger spots and practice the correct behavior in traffic together with your child. The guidance usually ends at the school gate.
Guidance at our school
Guidance at our school takes place in various ways. Pupils are given help and tips during lessons and receive feedback for further work after learning target assessments. Parents can obtain information as required during the teachers' weekly consultation hours or on parents' consultation days. We can also establish contact with the Caritas counseling center and the regional school counseling center for the Borken district.
Supervision outside school hours
Our pupils are supervised when the school buses arrive (from around 7.30 a.m.). For the time after school, supervision is offered in the OGS and ÜMI (see OGS, see ÜMI).
Leave of absence / release from lessons during school hours
Leave of absence during school hours is possible, e.g. for weddings, anniversaries, birth, death, serious illness, religious holidays and similar. Please submit a request to the class teacher or head teacher as early as possible or arrange an appointment.
Movement-friendly school
Our school has been recognized as a "movement-friendly school". We know that movement and learning are connected. That is why we attach great importance to movement breaks during lessons and play opportunities during breaks and in the afternoon. Our schoolyard is equipped with many exercise areas, climbing facilities and play areas. This allows us to accommodate our pupils' urge to move.
C
Computer
Pupils should learn how to use computers sensibly and apply the skills they have acquired sensibly and responsibly. Pupils use learning programs to train in various learning areas. Internet-enabled computers are available in our computer room. Our school's media concept shows what the children should have learned on the computer by the end of primary school.
D
Dyscalculia / dyscalculia
There are pupils who have particular difficulties in the area of mathematics. If the learning difficulties cannot be remedied by general support measures (directly in class or in remedial lessons), additional support will be organized in consultation with the parents if possible. Extracurricular specialists may also be called in (school psychological counseling center, therapists, etc.). Information can be obtained from the school management.
E
School enrollment
Our new pupils should not arrive at school unprepared. That's why we organize events (partly in consultation with the local daycare centres) long before the start of school to provide information and get to know them, e.g: School registration and "school enrolment course" contacts and exchange of information with the daycare centers, visits to our school by the kindergarten groups, get-to-know-you afternoon before the summer vacations for the upcoming first graders.
Parent information
A lot of information is provided via "SchoolFox". Our homepage also provides an overview of our school's activities and dates. Parents receive an overview of dates at the beginning of each semester.
Parent-teacher conferences
Parent-teacher conferences take place twice a year (in the fall and spring). Parents must inform the school by 7.50 a.m. if their child is unable to attend lessons.
F
Remedial teaching
Remedial teaching should benefit all pupils. It helps to ensure that all children receive the best possible support at their performance level, even if they have learning difficulties. It is held in small groups or in class.
Förderverein
The "Förderverein der Bernhard-Overberg-Schule zu Gronau- Epe e.V." was founded in 1987 on the initiative of parents. Its aim is to promote our school's educational work through activities and financial support. Since the 2008/2009 school year, the association has also taken over the sponsorship of the open all-day school (OGS). The minimum annual membership fee is €12, with no upper limit. Donations can also be made to the association independently of membership. If you would like to join the association, please contact the school management.
Free work
In free work phases, pupils should learn to choose their own tasks and be responsible for completing them themselves. In recent years, school festival proceeds and donations from the Förderverein have repeatedly enabled us to purchase new materials for free work.
Lost property
All lost property is handed in to the staff room or the janitor. If we are unable to identify them, they are stored in the "lost property box" (in the lower corridor). Twice a school year, all lost property is put on display. We then donate the leftover clothing to a charitable cause.
H
Homework
Homework supplements the work at school and is regularly assigned and written down. The amount of homework and the level of difficulty can vary from class to class. Children are not given homework on Fridays. If your child is unable to complete the homework independently, please write a note to this effect in your child's school planner. In the OGS, homework is done under supervision; in the ÜMI, children are given the opportunity to do their homework under supervision. Parents are still responsible for checking that homework is correct and complete.
Homepage of the Bernhard-Overberg-Schule
Our school has its own homepage where we can provide up-to-date information about our school. In addition to information about the school, photos and schedules can be accessed here. We would be very pleased to receive suggestions for improvement.
I
Inclusion
We aspire to be a school where everyone is important, everyone is welcome and the diversity of the teaching staff, educational staff, parents and children is seen as an opportunity. Children with special educational needs are also taught in joint lessons.
Integration staff
Integration staff/school assistants support individual children in coping with their everyday school life.
K
Class excursions/class trips
Our pupils go on an excursion at least once a year. Destinations include the zoo in Rheine, Bentheim Castle or the Borken district. Some of the 4th grade classes also go on trips lasting several days.
Class teachers
The class teachers are important reference persons for our pupils. Each class also has a deputy class teacher who stands in for the class teacher in the event of illness and ensures that lessons continue.
Class council
At the beginning of each school semester, the parents of the class meet for a class council meeting. This is where the content of the lessons is presented and class activities are discussed (excursions, class parties, etc.). Good cooperation between home and school is an important prerequisite for optimal learning for every child.
L
Teaching and Learning Materials
Most teaching and learning materials are provided by the school. They are intended to ensure that students can learn and understand in a variety of ways. Parents are required by law to pay for some of the textbooks. Currently, the parental contribution is 12 € per year. All books must be covered with a dust jacket and treated with care.
Assessment
Students at our school are gradually prepared for the assessment of their academic performance. In the first and second school years, students’ performance is described without the use of grades. Performance is assessed not only based on results but also on effort and learning progress. In grades 3 and 4, assessments of learning objectives in mathematics and German are graded. We align performance requirements at the grade level based on our school program and in accordance with the “competency expectations” outlined in the North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) curricula for the individual subjects.
Learning Workshop
Our Learning Workshop, which began its work at the Bernhard-Overberg-Schule in February 1995, serves as an educational resource for teachers at our school and other elementary schools in the Gronau and Epe area. You can find the current professional development offerings on our school website.
Reading
Even in the “media age,” we want to encourage our students to read. We believe that reading is a cultural skill that will remain indispensable in the future. Volunteers continue to provide us with invaluable assistance. In recent years, we have established a school library specifically designed around the “Antolin” online program, which is accessible to every student. With the help of the Friends of the School Association, we have been able to acquire a wide range of resources, such as thematic boxes with non-fiction books and reading boxes. At regular intervals, our school hosts the “Teachers Read Aloud” event. Book boxes—which we were able to purchase thanks to financial support from the Friends of the School Association—are available for classes to borrow and are organized by reading level. The school’s efforts can be significantly supported if reading is also encouraged at home. Mandatory reading time is implemented in every class through a variety of activities such as tandem reading, “mountain climber” reading, and reading with the “I-You-We” cube.
Reading and Spelling Difficulties (LRS)
There are students who exhibit particular difficulties in learning to read and spell. If these learning difficulties cannot be resolved through general support measures (either directly in class or in remedial instruction), additional support will be organized in consultation with the parents whenever possible. In some cases, outside specialists may also be consulted (school psychology counseling service, therapists, etc.). The school administration can provide further information.
O
OGS (open all-day school)
Our school has been an "open all-day school" since 2008. The support association took over the sponsorship of the open all-day school. Special rooms have been set up for this group. A team is available to accompany our pupils after school until 4 p.m. (until 3 p.m. on Fridays), supervise homework, organize lunch and offer various activities. Parents must register their child or children for this group for one year at a time. Further information can be found on our homepage or can be obtained from the school management or the OGS staff.
P
Break times
During the breaks, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a variety of play and sports activities. Our school playground is equipped for children. Children can borrow play and sports equipment during the breaks. This allows the break to be used in an educationally meaningful way. Our school playground offers many opportunities to move and play.
Recess helpers
The children in Year 3 can train to become "recess helpers". After social training and practising various methods, they can be deployed as mediators during the breaks.
Partner classes
Years 1 and 3 and Years 2 and 4 form partner classes. In the first few days of school, for example, the new pupils get to know the school building and school procedures together with a mentor. Further joint activities follow in the course of the school year.
R
Cycling education
Cycling education starts at an early age so that children can become safe road users. From the first school year onwards, our pupils take part in the "Youth Traffic School" lessons several times a year. A truck with a wide range of practice materials is parked in our schoolyard and a traffic educator trains them in roadworthy behavior. In subject lessons, children are prepared for the cycling test, which concludes with a practical road traffic test in year 4. This training takes place in the school playground and in traffic. Parental support is essential for this. Bicycles are checked once a year in cooperation with the police.
Withdrawal to the next lower class
Withdrawal to the next lower class sometimes makes sense and can be requested by parents if pupils are unable to participate successfully in lessons. If parents and school work together for the benefit of the child, no child needs to "stay behind"!
S
SchoolFox
SchoolFox is an app for smartphones and computers that allows parents and teachers to share messages, photos, and documents with our school. Parents can report their children as sick and share emergency contact information. When children are new to our school, parents receive login credentials for SchoolFox.
School District
The school districts for elementary schools have been abolished. Parents are free to choose any elementary school. Students have the right to attend the elementary school closest to their place of residence.
School Library
The school has a library (“Reading Island”). Every student can borrow a book based on their interests and academic level. In recent years, we have increasingly added books that are compatible with the “Antolin” online program, which the children can use in the computer lab.
School Bus/Taxi
Students who must walk more than 2 km to the nearest school are transported free of charge by school bus or taxi. Eligibility cards are available at the beginning of each school year through the homeroom teacher.
School Entry Phase
According to the School Act, the School Entry Phase covers grades 1 and 2. It is designed to provide the greatest possible individual support for each child. The duration of the school entry phase is 1–3 years. Decisions regarding the individual learning period are made during the entry phase. School Festival Every four years, parents, teachers, students, and the staff of the OGS and ÜMI jointly organize a school festival. Ideally, every student at our school should have the opportunity to experience a school festival during their elementary school years.
School Services
Twice a year, an ecumenical service is held for our students in our auditorium. New students celebrate the start of the school year with a service in the Catholic church. At the beginning and end of the school year, a service is held for all students at the Catholic church. We celebrate the graduation services for our fourth-graders at the Protestant church.
School Conference
At our school, the School Conference consists of six parent representatives and six teacher representatives. Chaired by the school administration, the School Conference deliberates and makes decisions on key matters concerning the school and school life. Student Parliament The class representatives from all classes and the representatives of the OGS Student Council meet regularly with the school administration for the Student Parliament. Here, concerns from the individual classes are discussed, and students’ wishes and suggestions are taken into account.
Class Parent Council
Twice a year (or more often if necessary), the class parent council chairs from all classes meet to discuss matters concerning the school and school life and are informed by the school administration about current school conditions.
School Planner
Starting in the 2019–2020 school year, a mandatory school-specific planner was introduced for the first time for all students. This planner summarizes important information and guidelines from our school. Students regularly write down their homework in this planner. The cost is covered by the parents.
School Program
Our school has further developed its school program in recent years. Our school program describes the fundamental educational goals of our school, the paths that lead to them, and the procedures used to monitor and evaluate the achievement of these goals. Above all, we aim to use this tool for internal school communication and collaboration to ensure the quality of our educational and instructional work.
School Crossing Guards
A few volunteer parents take turns standing at the street in front of the school gate to help the children cross the street safely at this location.
School Office
Our secretary is Ms. Birgit Perrevort. Our office is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Sports Day
Every year, our school hosts aSports Day. Among other things, events from the Bundesjugendspiele are offered, and students can complete individual challenges to earn the Sports Badge.
Physical Education / Swimming
Physical education classes take place in our attached gym or on our sports grounds. Sportswear is required. Up to three hours of physical education are taught per week. Our students are transported by bus to swimming lessons. Classes take turns (in the 2nd and 4th school years) participating in swimming lessons. Swimming badges can also be earned here.
Teacher Office Hours
All teachers offer office hours. Individual appointments can be scheduled at any time.
Class Schedule
7:55 a.m.: Start of the school day
1st Period: 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
2nd Period: 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by a 15-minute long break and a 10-minute breakfast break
3rd Period: 9:55 to 10:40, followed by a 10-minute break
4th period: 10:50 to 11:35, followed by a 10-minute break
5th period: 11:45 to 12:30
6th period: 12:30 to 1:15
U
Transition guidance (for secondary schools)
After completing primary school, every pupil should attend the secondary school for which they are suited according to their learning ability. For this decision, we offer our advisory service, which provides the following offer for parents of fourth year pupils: Information evening for parents in the first half of the year, individual advice on the transition before Christmas, opportunity to discuss the half-year report and the recommendation for secondary school contained therein.
Übermittagsbetreuung
The parents' association "Schülerbetreuung an der Overbergschule Epe e. V." was founded for working parents who need childcare for their children. This association offers childcare for your child at the Bernhard-Overberg-Schule Epe. The ÜMI is open on all school days from Monday to Friday from 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and also from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. during the vacations. During this time, the children have the opportunity to do their homework in quiet rooms under the supervision of our experienced supervisors, as well as to do handicrafts, paint, play, ... Further information can be found on our homepage or can be obtained from the school management or the ÜMI staff.
Accidents on school mornings
In the event of accidents, first aid measures are initiated immediately if necessary. There is first aid material, a rescue box for dental accidents and a stretcher in the janitor's room. In an emergency, the ambulance will be called; parents will be informed immediately. If the parents cannot be reached, the pupil will be accompanied by a teacher to the hospital or dentist. If a child has to go home early due to nausea or similar, he/she must be picked up. They may not go home alone.
Subjects
Lessons include German, general studies, mathematics, English, sport, music, art/textile design, religious education and remedial lessons.
V
Comparative tests
In addition to the learning target assessments, we carry out mandatory "comparative tests" in the subjects German and mathematics in year 3 on the basis of a nationwide concept (VERA). The results are presented to the co-determination committees.
Promotion
The class/promotion conference, which is chaired by the head teacher and includes the teachers of the class, decides on promotion. Every child who is expected to be able to successfully participate in lessons in the next class is also promoted (see withdrawal).
Insurance
All children are insured by Unfallkasse NRW on the (direct) way to school and at school. There is also insurance cover for damage to property and loss of belongings at school (checkroom). In the event of damage, parents can obtain information from the school office or the school management.
Z
Report cards
Pupils in Years 1 and 2 receive their report cards without grades at the end of the school year. Pupils in Years 3 and 4 receive reports at the end of the school semester and at the end of the school year. The report cards for grades 1 to 3 contain information in the form of a grid report on the development in work and social behavior as well as on the learning development and the performance level in the subjects. In addition to the grades, the report cards for year 4 also contain a reasoned recommendation for secondary school in the first semester. The report at the end of primary school is a pure grade report.
Circus project
Every four years, our school holds a project week on the subject of "circus". A pedagogically trained circus family sets up a large circus tent and the children learn all kinds of tricks. The week ends with a big performance.
Cooperation with parents
We strive for positive and trusting cooperation with parents for the benefit of every child entrusted to us. Parental involvement can enrich school life in particular and should not be limited to parents' evenings. Class and school activities offer many opportunities for parental involvement.