Dear Parents,

We regret to inform you that there has been virtually no progress in solving the pressing infrastructure problems of the European School Frankfurt. The only positive development – just for the immediate future though – has been the move of the Pre-Primary school across the road to the PA village, where they will stay until February 2015. The new containers where the Pre-Primary classes are hosted were installed thanks to the support from the ECB.

During the past year we have had several meetings with the German authorities and other stakeholders to find a permanent solution to our problems. The modular building behind the current premises where the Pre-Primary and a part of the Primary are expected to stay for the next couple of years (that was supposed to be in place as of September 2014) will only be ready at the end of February 2015 at the earliest. Regarding a permanent solution, however, there is no light in the tunnel. The German authorities launched a feasibility study in June 2014 to which both the school and the PA have provided the requested input. Since then we have not received any feedback hence we do not have any  idea what options are being considered and indeed if anything is being considered at all.

On top of the existing problems, the European Commission has slashed the ESF budget for 2015 by €1.43 million. In view of  all the issues our school – and our children – have to cope with, i.e. the lack of classrooms, lack of basic facilities, shortage of qualified & experienced teachers, hundreds new students that need support, etc., this reduction is extremely unfair. On top of all budget cuts that have already been applied to the whole European Schools system over the past few years, this cut to the ESF budget is unacceptable to us!

There will be another very important meeting on these matters – the School Administrative Board – held in our school on 17 October 2014. It will be attended by representatives of the German Ministry of Education and Science, the Secretary General of the European Schools, representatives of the European Commission, ECB and EIOPA, the school directors as well as representatives of teachers, students, staff and – last but not least – the parents.

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.

We encourage you to come to the school on the morning of the 17 October 2014 (like many of you did for the previous meeting on 22 January 2014) to receive the various delegates as they arrive and to show our frustration! There should be as many parents as possible there!

Since some of these stakeholders will arrive at the school very early, we suggest that after dropping off your children you join us in front of the Secondary school building from 8:30 am on 17 October 2014. Coffee and pretzels will be provided by the Parents' Association!

You should make time for this! This is about the education and futures of your children! If only a handful of parents show up, the message will not be so strong.

Mark the date in your calendars and be there on 17 October!

The Board of the Parents' Association

This message is addressed to all parents who have children at the ESF, not just members of the Parents' Association. We take this opportunity to encourage you to join the Association. The PA Board is a group of dedicated people who work very hard to ensure the best possible care and education for all our children, in and outside school.
Join now and can take part in the Annual General Meeting on 11 November 2014, to learn more about our activities in the last year and elect new Board members.