You are cordially invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Deutsche Samstagsschule Houston (German Saturday School Houston) on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Students of the school will offer a musical delight along with other festivities. The German Consul General Roland Herrmann will present a congratulatory address. Dignitaries and honored guests, as well as alumni, parents, and the many people who have made the GSH a vibrant place for all ages for German language study will add to the celebration. Houston-Leipzig and the German community add their heartfelt congratulations.
Dr. Ute Eisele, the founder and principal of the school, provides an important place in the Houston educational scene by assuring a place for children of expats, Americans, and language enthusiasts alike to learn the German language, German culture, and customs. Starting with six teachers 25 years ago, the school now has more than doubled its teaching staff. Not all teachers are native German speakers, but all excel in their mastery of the language. The rich German heritage of music and poetry plays an important part in the curriculum, as does language instruction. Throughout the school year the students celebrate important events and holidays in the German culture, including German Unification Day, St. Martin’s Day, Christmas and the Christmas Market, Karneval, Easter, and an end-of-year party in the Spring. In addition, adult classes take place on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Dr. Eisele’s dedication and enthusiasm for the school assured its survival in an era where many high schools have abandoned German language instruction in their curriculum in favor of other languages. Graduates of the school have successfully completed advanced placements tests, including the German National Exam offered by the American Association of German Teachers, and the Goethe Certificate B2, an examination that corresponds to level four (B2) on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Dr. Eisele is currently a board member of Houston-Leipzig, was its President in 2007, and will hold that post again in 2013.
Christ the King Lutheran Church is located at 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005. Parking in front of the church is limited, and the church asks that you please park at one of the available offsite parking areas — on Hungry’s new lot across the street or on the Rice University stadium lot on Greenbriar.