Gloucester High School and its German language students have been honored by the country of Germany.
German consul, Friedrich Loehr visited the school Friday and named Gloucester High an official Partner School of Germany.
In 2008, the German Federal Foreign Office launched the initiative, "Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH)," to create a worldwide network of partner schools with a special relationship to Germany. PASCH is also a cultural relations initiative intended to arouse long-term interest in modern Germany and the German language amongst young people
The German Bundestag made available 54 million euro for the program in 2009. By 2010, the network is to take in 1,500 schools.
German teacher Colleen Moceri said Gloucester High applied for the program in May 2008, received notification that the school was accepted in June 2008, and received about $5,700 in grant money after that. The partnership will last at least three years.
"We spent that money on new textbooks," she said. "Along with the textbooks, we also got CDs, and other ancillary materials, as well as a new overhead projector."
During Friday's event, students William Sean Dixon, Evan Kidder and Hailey Howell, who were awarded an all-expense paid educational trip to Germany by PASCH for three weeks this past summer, made PowerPoints presentations about their experiences in Bielefeld, Germany.
"They had to submit applications," Moceri said, adding, "only three applied, and all three were chosen. They've already asked when our vacation is this summer, so the trips will be available this summer."
All the German language students performed the German songs "Guten Tag Lied (Hello Song)," "Deutschvergnuegen (German Pleasure)" and "Kuessen Verboten (Kissing Forbidden)" with choreography.
Several student produced DVDs, in German of course, which were also shown. Students worked in groups and prepared their scripts using classroom materials that were provided by the PASCH program. ¬
Following the presentations, Christine Moeller-Sahling, the language director of the Goethe Institut in Boston, spoke to the students.
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