Visit of the U.S. Consul General Pauline Kao at ISR
Visit of the U.S. Consul General Pauline Kao at ISR
Monday, 31 January 2022

We had the honor of welcoming the new U.S. Consul General for NRW in Düsseldorf to ISR last Friday. Ms. Pauline Kao assumed her duty as Consul General in the summer of 2021.
After a warm welcome from our management team, members of the ISR Advisory Board, and some kindergarteners, the Consul General was given an extensive school tour. The tour was led by our two ISR Upper School students Philipp and Marc, who will both be studying in America next year. The tour was also joined by Head of Kindergarten – Ms. Alex Vrem-Ydstie, as well as the Academic Head Gr. 10 & 11 – Ms. Samantha McGee, who are both native US citizens.
The school tour was followed by an interesting keynote speech by the Consul General, in which she shared her personal and professional experiences with the students and invited guests. Besides about 30 students present, some former students joined the lecture via Zoom. In addition, we were pleased that some interested parents also attended the lecture.
During her talk, the U.S. Consul General emphasized that she particularly enjoys working with young people in schools, and so she took a lot of time afterwards to answer various questions from the students. Among the topics addressed were her professional career, climate change, and the protection of democracy.
At the end of the exchange, one student asked her what the profession of a diplomat was all about and what requirements one had to meet in order to be successful in this career field. In her inspiring answer, Consul General Kao highlighted three essential requirements for her: backbone, empathy, and, above all, the ability and willingness to truly listen to one’s counterpart.
Our students as well as staff members and participants of the visit were impressed by her confidence as well as her warm demeanor and her inspiring answers.
We would like to thank Consul General Kao for her visit to ISR and the time she took to share with our students. A motivating and very open lecture, which will remain among the best memories for all participants for a long time.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Jasper

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Jasper
Friday, 28 January 2022
This week, we spotlight our second-grader Jasper, who joined ISR in Grade 1. Jasper is a gentle, kind, and smart student, who contributes great ideas to class. He is characterized mainly by his friendly and positive character. He has already developed a lot during his time at ISR and is making great strides in academics as well.
“Jasper is a kind, honest, and an extreme conscious member of 2C. He is always willing to help his classmates. During class time, Jasper works sensibly and is always on task. Since joining ISR, Jasper’s English has improved tremendously. I am so proud to be his teacher.” as his teacher Ms. du Plessis adds. Jasper is also convincing in sports lessons and his teacher Mr. Tokul is enthusiastic about his ambition, “Jasper is always polite and participates in the class excellently.”
We are very proud to spotlight Jasper, one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020
Our 100th ISR Student Spotlight!
Mit mehr als 1.500 Impfungen schützt die ISR Neuss ihre Familien vor schweren Corona-Verläufen
Mit mehr als 1.500 Impfungen schützt die ISR Neuss ihre Familien vor schweren Corona-Verläufen – 180 Grundschulkinder nach den Ferien bereits zum zweiten Mal geimpft – PCR-Tests sorgen vor Schulbeginn für zusätzliche Sicherheit
Friday, January 21, 2021
Die ISR International School on the Rhine in Neuss und Düsseldorf hat mit weiteren Impfungen direkt in der ersten Schulwoche des neuen Jahres die Impfkampagne für die Schülerinnen und Schüler fortgesetzt. Insgesamt rund 180 Zweitimpfungen wurden in der ersten Woche in der Grundschule der ISR für alle Fünf- bis Elfjährigen durchgeführt.
Alle Kinder ab fünf Jahren können gemäß den Vorgaben der Experten-Kommissionen seit einigen Wochen geimpft werden. „Wir waren immer unter den ersten, die jede Möglichkeit genutzt haben; sowohl zum Beginn der Impfkampagne als auch seit einigen Wochen mit den Zweitimpfungen“, erläutert Emil Cete, stellvertretender Schuldirektor der ISR. Dem Angebot in der ersten Schulwoche nach den Ferien vorangegangen waren bereits im Jahr 2021 zahlreiche von der ISR-Gemeinschaft organisierte Angebote für Familien, durch welche mehr als 1.500 Impfungen durchgeführt werden konnten.
„Für uns haben die Impfaktionen einen doppelten Nutzen. Zum einen wollen wir effektiv mithelfen, die Verbreitung des Virus zu verlangsamen, den Anstieg der Zahl der Infizierten zu begrenzen und damit das Gesundheitssystem zu entlasten. Zum anderen schaffen wir es, durch die Impfkampagne die Schulgemeinschaft zu schützen und unseren Unterricht möglichst unbeeinträchtigt durchzuführen“, erläutert Emil Cete: „Wichtig ist uns auch, dass die Krankheitsverläufe, sollte ein Mitglied unserer ISR-Gemeinschaft an Covid-19 erkranken, nicht so gravierend sind wie ohne eine Impfung.“
Nach dem jüngsten Beschluss der Ständigen Impfkommission (STIKO) sind nun auch Kinder und Jugendliche im Alter von über 12 Jahren berechtigt, eine Auffrischungsimpfung zu erhalten. Die ISR richtet sich daher nach dem Bedarf der Familien, welcher nun anhand einer internen Umfrage bis Ende dieser Woche ermittelt wird. Sollten sich Familien für eine Booster-Impfung für ihr Kind entscheiden, wird die ISR ein zusätzliches Angebot zur Drittimpfung vor Ort organisieren.
Zum Corona-Schutz-Programm der ISR gehören neben dem Impfangebot auch regelmäßige COVID-19-Tests. „Am Wochenende vor dem ersten Schultag nach den Weihnachtsferien haben wir beispielsweise allen Schülerinnen und Schülern angeboten, einen PCR-Test auf dem Campus zu absolvieren. Ohne einen solchen war der Zutritt zum Gebäude nicht möglich. Dadurch haben wir es geschafft, die Situation nach den Feiertagen und eventuellen Reisen von ISR-Familien zu beherrschen und größere Ausbrüche zum Schulstart zu verhindern. Wir sind sehr froh, dass die gesamte Gemeinschaft hier mitgearbeitet und das Vorhaben unterstützt hat“, betont Peter Soliman, geschäftsführender Gesellschafter der ISR.
Schon seit September 2021 sind zudem jeden Montag-, Mittwoch- und Freitagmorgen Schnelltests – in der Grundschule sogar zweimal pro Woche PCR-Pool-Tests – beim Betreten der Schule obligatorisch. „Die Sicherheit unserer Schulgemeinschaft hat für uns die oberste Priorität. Wo immer wir zu dieser beitragen können, sind wir gewillt, dies zu tun. Auch, wenn diese Maßnahmen für alle Beteiligten natürlich organisatorische Herausforderungen mit sich bringen, meistert unser Team diese jedoch mit Bravour, gemeinsam mit der gesamten Schulgemeinschaft“, so Peter Soliman.
Zum Vorsorgepaket in Corona-Zeiten gehört auch, dass die ISR Hybrid-Unterricht anbietet. Das bedeutet, dass die Schülerinnen und Schüler Schulstunden entweder vor Ort am Konrad-Adenauer-Ring oder von zu Hause aus absolvieren können – ohne Einschränkungen. „Somit kann jede Schülerin und jeder Schüler mit Krankheitssymptomen, in Quarantäne oder noch nicht geklärten Kontaktpersonen trotzdem den Unterricht mit verfolgen. Das ist für die akademische, aber auch die soziale Entwicklung der Schülerinnen und Schüler von großer Bedeutung“, erklärt Emil Cete. „Uns war es wichtig, dass jede Familie für sich das eigene Risikoprofil abschätzen und entsprechend entscheiden konnte, ohne dass dem Kind dadurch ein Nachteil entsteht. Durch den virtuellen Unterricht konnten wir von Beginn an die nahtlose Fortführung des Unterrichts vom Kindergarten bis zur Oberstufe gewährleisten. Kein einziger Schultag ist an der ISR ausgefallen. Die seither mehr als 1.500 Impfungen sind ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt für uns, um die Pandemie zu bekämpfen“, betont Peter Soliman.
Die ISR versteht sich seit Beginn der Pandemie als Vorreiter bei allen Corona-Maßnahmen. So wurden bereits im Januar 2020 erste Maßnahmen ergriffen und der Hybridunterricht umgehend eingeführt – noch vor den coronabedingten und vorgegebenen Kindergarten- und Schulschließungen. Soliman: „Es bleibt bei unserem seit dem Beginn der Pandemie verfolgten Ansatz, dass keine einzige Schulstunde – außer einem Teil der Sportstunden – wegen der Pandemie ausfällt. Diese Maßgabe konnten wir bisher zum Glück voll erfüllen und die Kinder optimal unterrichten“. Daneben werden regelmäßig UV-Lampen in den Klassenräumen über Nacht installiert, es gelten verschärfte Hygienekonzepte und das ISR-Team prüft zudem aktuell die Möglichkeit, auf eigene Kosten für alle am Schulleben Beteiligten PCR-Tests anzubieten, um eine noch größere Sicherheit gewährleisten zu können.
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Samara

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Samara
Friday, 21 January 2022
This week, we spotlight our seven-grader Samara, who joined ISR this academic year. Samara excelled in her academics in Term 1 and received the Subject Awards for Social Studies & Computing as the top student in her grade. She is a hard-working student with a positive attitude towards learning and is a wonderful addition to her classroom dynamic. Although Samara has not been part of the ISR community for very long, she has already shown her remarkable character and academic achievements. Her homeroom teacher Mr. Hladki says about her, “Samara has settled into the school routine very quickly, and not only has she made new friends, but she has become a popular member of the group. She is a well-mannered and helpful member of the class who can always be relied on to carry out any task conscientiously. In advising, she often makes meaningful contributions to class discussions. Samara demonstrates a sensible and mature attitude to school life and, as her homeroom teacher, I am certain that this momentum will continue in the future!”
In the academic field, Samara is making great progress as well as in her English classes, where she enjoys reading. “She endeavors to extend and challenge herself with more complex readings. She can frequently be seen consumed by a book whose complexity is beyond that which is ordinarily expected from anyone her age. From F. Scott Fitzgerald to Jane Austen, nothing is beyond the reach of a reader as talented as she,” her English teacher Mr. Lysewycz adds. Samara also impressed her math teacher, Mr. Nisic, who considers her an inspiration in her ability to solve mathematical problems and share her approach with the class afterward. Samara is also very inquisitive and is always kind and ready to accept new ideas and suggestions. Ms. McLeod, the Head of Middle School, says in conclusion, “We are thrilled to have Samara as a student at ISR!”.
We are very proud to spotlight Samara one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020
Our 100th ISR Student Spotlight!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Elis Su

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Elis Su
Friday, 14 January 2022
This week, we spotlight our fourth-grader Elis Su, who joined ISR in Kindergarten. Elis Su radiates positivity and is characterized by her friendly and helpful nature. “Elis Su is pure sunshine. She radiates positivity, is kind to her teachers and classmates, and is up to any challenge. I’m so grateful to have Elis Su in my class!”, says her music teacher, Ms. Bucher.
Elis Su is caring and her enthusiasm and motivation are thrilling. She loves to learn and actively participates in every subject. She is always very focused and committed to doing her best. She is an excellent student and her willingness to learn is paying off – for the past three years Elis Su has additionally been learning Chinese as an SLOⓇ activity and achieved great success. Because of her outstanding hard-working, she not only passed the YCT (Youth Chinese Test), which is internationally acknowledged but also received high-level results. Her Chinese teacher, Ms. Wang-Schütze, and the whole ISR family are so proud of her extraordinary performance and the reflection of our school motto: It’s cool to be good!
We are very proud to spotlight Elis Su one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020
Our 100th ISR Student Spotlight!
Ded Moroz Celebration at ISR
Ded Moroz Celebration at ISR
Monday, 10 January 2022
Before the winter break, our Russian community surprised us with a wonderful video on the story of Ded Moroz (Father Frost).
With great attention to detail, the parents recorded a video to share with the whole ISR Family afterwards. Not only was the video an absolute highlight at the end of the year, but also the accompanying surprise – all students received a small bag of Russian sweets – matching the story of “Father Frost.”
We thank our Russian community for their time, their commitment and especially for this great surprise. See it for yourself here:
ISR Season´s Greetings
ISR Season’s Greetings
Tuesday, 21 December 2021
Today marks the end of another very special year for us, with the last day of school for this year. We look back on a very eventful year in which we were able to reunite at events on campus and also to physically see each other again in class – and we are very grateful for that. Our entire ISR Team sends our heartfelt Season’s Greetings to you and your family.
We wish to sincerely thank you for your support, loyalty, and trust, and wish you a wonderful festive season and a Happy New Year 2022 ahead!
ISR Season's Greetings Kindergarten Düsseldorf
ISR Season's Greetings Kindergarten Meerbusch
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
Friday, 17 December 2021
This week, we spotlight our twelve grader Tom, who joined ISR in 2014. Academically, Tom performs great and is a hardworking and focused student. “Tom is very determined to get things done, polite and reliable, and it has always been a pleasure to have him in class and homeroom. In CAS he is part of the Big Brother / Big Sister project and is a brilliant reliable big “brother” and supports a younger student at ISR,” as his CAS teacher Mr. Urban states. In addition, for the last two years, he has been involved in the KG STEM project. Together with another student, they show little experiments to the kindergarten students and the children love these experiments.
After his graduation next year, Tom is planning to study computer science and is already showing much interest in this area as his teacher Mr. Ellis confirms, “Tom is an able and conscientious student who always displays a keen interest in the subject material. During lessons, Tom listens carefully and puts full effort into the work set. Academically, Tom`s examination results are always very good which is due to his hard work and diligence.”
We are very proud to spotlight Tom one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020
Our 100th ISR Student Spotlight!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Charles

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Charles
Friday, 10 December 2021
This week, we spotlight our second-grader Charles, who joined ISR last year in Grade 1. Since then, he has become an integral member of the ISR community and is a determined student who always works hard during lessons. His academic head, Ms. Morris, adds “he is incredibly kind and caring and is a friend to all. It is a joy to have Charles at ISR!” Charles is very ambitious, and this trait is reflected in his classes. Only recently, he achieved great success in English classes: “Charly has recently moved up into English regular and is progressing well. We enjoy having Charly in our class!”, his teacher, Ms. Duenas, adds.
Besides Charles’s academic achievements, he is also very creative. He enjoys drawing and creating characters on paper. He stands out not only for his creativity but especially for his loving and friendly character.
We are very proud to spotlight Charles one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020
Our 100th ISR Student Spotlight!
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Malik

Student Spotlight: Spotlight On Our Student Malik
Friday, 3 December 2021
This week, we spotlight our twelve-grader Malik, who joined ISR in 2017. Malik is an extremely motivated student who always contributes to class discussions with interesting anecdotes. He is friendly and polite and has developed a lot in the past years. Malik is a very reliable and engaged student and always up for a chat in a wide range from sports to current affairs. “ It is an absolute pleasure to teach such a bright, enthusiastic student with clear and well-thought-out opinions” his teacher, Ms. Brentnall adds.
Malik actively participates in the school day and has been part of various projects. He led a SLOⓇ activity called “Sport Games” for younger students and also has been part of the Big Brother mentoring program where he supported a Grade 4 student in his daily routine at ISR. Malik is also interested in topics around the world and is an active member of the Model United Nations simulations at ISR, in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN involves and teaches researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. At ISR we have our own executive team who organize internal MUN conferences and Malik actively participates in this. After his graduation at ISR, he is planning to study Business at the Rotterdam School of Management, and we are all sure, that he will make his way.
We are very proud to spotlight Malik one of ISR’s many outstanding students!
Every Friday, our Student Spotlight Project aims to highlight one of our outstanding students who represent our school motto, “we enable great minds and strong characters”. No matter if it is academic success, special commitment, or outstanding character traits – we look forward to sharing each of these success stories.
Our Student Spotlights
December 18, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Natsumi
December 11, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Radin
December 4, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Arush
November 27, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Anna-Maria
November 20, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Yuki
November 13, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student David
November 6, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tess
October 30, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Tom
October 23, 2020
Student Spotlights: Spotlight On Our Student Mulan
October 16, 2020















