It is important to seek a conversation with teachers, counselor teachers (Vertrauenslehrer) or the school authorities first. They can monitor the children’s behaviour more closely and act if they see any kind of bullying. Sometimes it is also advisable to contact the bullies’ parents themselves to talk about the situation.
Disabilities/Special Needs
You and your child can choose between the inclusion into a regular class and the attendance of special schools, called Sonderschule or Förderschule. This decision should be based on your child’s type of disability or special needs as well as the structure of the system for special needs children in your Federal state. The offer and availability of certain options might be very restricted in some states.
Some parent-teacher meetings are specifically catered towards working parents, for example parent evenings (Elternabende). If you cannot make it to school very often, prioritize other lines of communication with teachers, like online portals, e-mails or phone conversations.
If you would like to get involved in school activities such as fundraisers or festivals, you might be able to participate through small volunteering opportunities that do not interfere with your working hours, such as baking cakes or the preparation for events.
There are language and integration courses offered for a variety of people. For example, there are special integration courses for parents to improve your German language skills, connect you to local schools and teachers and teach you about the education system in Germany .
The easiest way to get in contact with other parents is through school activities, the local playground or through playgroups. Playgroups for example can be organized through social media or can be organized by your neighbourhood centre (Stadtteilzentrum). If you also wish to get in contact with parents open to conversations in English or another language, you can turn to international parent organizations or expat/migrant communities, for example:
You can get help for your child’s homework (Hausaufgabenhilfe) from private tutoring classes (Nachhilfe) or at the school itself. Often times the local library might offer further homework support free of charge.
