Summary of the Parents' Council meeting of November 4, 2025

1/ Integration of the Special Education School (HPS)

Since the start of this school year, the special education school (HPS) has been located on the Sihlfeld school grounds. The HPS students have separate classes and lessons, but interact regularly with the children in the regular classes during breaks and in the after-school care program. This fosters a positive and natural integration into the shared school day. Additional suitable rooms are being planned for the program.

2/ Day school

Planning for the introduction of the all-day school program is ongoing. The school administration is in close contact with the district school authority. The parents' council supports the process and will inform parents as soon as new details are available.

3/ Schoolyard Gate

The large gate will remain closed on weekends to prevent bicycles from crossing the playground and to increase safety. Some parents have requested that it be opened; the matter will be monitored.

4/ Noise protection for the after-school care center building at Hardplatz

An expert report concluded that the noise level at the new daycare center is acceptable. Due to its limited effectiveness and high cost, a noise barrier will not be built. Measurements indicate that the local air quality is safe.

5/ Folding App Support

Some parents are still having difficulties with the Klapp app. Parent representatives from the kindergartens are happy to help with any questions. Joy Jellamo, the school social worker, is also available to answer any concerns.

6/ Storytelling Night

All volunteers have been assigned. Many thanks to everyone who participated!

7/ Parent education

On November 5th, a parent education event on the topic of "Prevention of Sexualized Violence" took place with Agota Lavoyer. Many thanks to all the parents who attended!

8/ Traffic & Safety

The parents' council continues to advocate for safe routes to school – especially for the footpath via Bullingerplatz and for the traffic management at Hardplatz.

Furthermore, it was discussed whether it would be possible to ask the city to shorten the off-leash time for dogs on the Bullingerwiese (currently 10 pm to 10 am) so that children can go to school or kindergarten more safely in the morning.

9/ Leisure activities: Minifit, Polysport

Free sports activities for children from kindergarten to 3rd grade in the school gymnasium. Flyers are available from the school.

Information from the Parent Council Meeting – September 18, 2025

1. Changes to school bell times

The following new times apply with immediate effect:

• 8:15 a.m. – First bell (school entrance) – At this time, all children should already be in front of the school building.

• 8:20 a.m. – Second gong (start of class)

• 11:55 a.m. – Gong (morning close)

• 1:40 p.m. – Admission to the school building in the afternoon – Here, too, all children should already be waiting in front of the school building.

• 1:45 p.m. – Gong (afternoon start)

2nd Storytelling Night – November 14, 2025

• For all lower and upper secondary school classes

• Theme: “Time Travel”

• Two reading times: 7:10 pm and 7:45 pm (30 minutes each)

3rd Visiting Morning with Parents' Café – October 29, 2025

• All parents are invited to attend classes

• Parents' café on the lower ground floor (coffee & cake)

• Further information on how to help (e.g. bringing cake) will follow via Klapp

4. Road safety & school route

• Reference to the “Pedibus” initiative: Parents can join forces to accompany children safely to school or daycare

• 🔗 https://pedibus.ch/de/

• Inquiry regarding the noise protection situation at the Hard day care center is being examined by the school management

• The opening of the school gate on weekends is also being reviewed – currently, some children avoid the zebra crossing when only the side gate is open.

5. Transfer to secondary school

• Parents should find out about the transfer early.

• There are official preparatory courses at school.

• A parent evening will take place for the 5th grade

• A minimum grade of 5 is required in mathematics and German

6. Grading

• The school management confirms that grades are given according to the official cantonal school regulations

7. Healthy morning snack

• A school-wide offer for a healthy snack is not currently planned

✅ Questions or concerns?

Please contact your parent council representative or visit the website:

🌐 www.elternrat-sihlfeld.ch

Parent Council meeting on Mai 14th, 2025

Dear parents,

Here are the most important points from the last Parents' Council meeting:

1) School Psychological Service (SPD)

At the beginning of the meeting, the School Psychological Service (SPD) visited and presented its work. The SPD offers free counseling for children, parents and teachers in the event of school and personal challenges.

• Typical topics are

• Learning problems

• Difficulties in social interaction (e.g. bullying, conflicts between children or with teachers)

• Emotional stress and behavioral problems

• Questions about the school situation

• Need for school-indicated psychotherapy

• Clarification of a possible need for special education

The SPD can also be consulted in the event of disagreement between parents and the school.

The Limmattal branch is responsible for our school.

Info & contact: www.stadt-zuerich.ch/schulpsychologie

2) Leisure activities in the Bullingerhaus

The Bullingerhaus of the evangel. Kirchgemeinde (near the city parliament) offers free activities for children and families from the neighborhood:

Homework help (in a supportive atmosphere - older young people help younger ones with tasks and give tips on everyday school life)

• Parent-child singing & handicrafts

• Vacation activities

• School garden

The Bullingerhaus is in cooperation with the Familientreff Hard, the OJA, the Johanniskirche, the ZHDK

Info: www.reformiert-zuerich.ch/bullingerhaus

Published in the children's cultural calendar, also open to after-school children.

3) New Hardplatz school building School route & library relocation:

The renovated Hardplatz school building is now part of the Sihlfeld school building and is used for the library, music lessons, middle school after-school care and open classrooms.

Many parents express great concern about the route to school there - particularly because of the confusing streetcar tracks and the dark, dirty underpass.

The planned relocation of the school library there is clearly rejected by many parents, as it will make access more difficult for children, e.g. during the break, and usage is likely to decrease significantly.

The Parents' Council is therefore requesting a revision of this decision

How the route to school will be organized for younger children in the future is still open and will continue to be examined.

4) Bullingerplatz traffic situation

The traffic situation on Bullingerplatz and in front of the city parliament is very challenging and difficult for kindergarten children to assess and negotiate.

The question arises as to possible solutions or interventions to make the journey to school safer and easier for the children.

5) Holiday after-school care & Q-days

The kindergarten asked questions about after-school care planning:

Can info about excursions be communicated earlier?

Are there alternatives for children who do not want to take part in excursions?

Feedback will follow at the next meeting.

Best regards

Your Parents' Council