Hanby Principal Monica Brown, right, accepts a Schultüte from German first grade teacher Susan Schumaker. When children in Germany set off for their first day in school upon entering first grade, their parents and/or grandparents present them with a big cardboard cone, beautifully decorated and filled with toys, chocolate, candies, school supplies, and various other goodies. It is given to make the anxiously awaited first day of school a little bit sweeter.
While staying with a host family in Westerville, German elementary school Principal Matthias Wagener hoped to visit a school here and speak to students and teachers about the differences and similarities of education in the two countries. His wish came true on October 12, when he and first grade teacher Susan Schumaker lectured in classrooms at Hanby Elementary. The duo presented an interesting slideshow which generated many questions from the curious children who learned, among other things, that the educators teach in Schwelm, north of Cologne, and that elementary pupils start school each day at 7:30 a.m. The visit was arranged by retired teacher Becky Rexroad, who wrote, “Thank you for opening up your school to another part of the world.”