Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
PRESENTED BY AIS VIENNA

One big family: the Vienna school where parent power is key

When you’re a family that lives abroad or moves from place to place, it can feel as if your children's learning may suffer. While many schools can offer a rigorous academic environment, it can be hard to find – or help build – the kind of school 'family' needed for a truly rounded and inspiring education.

Published: 26 November 2020 08:00 CET
One big family: the Vienna school where parent power is key
Photos: AIS Vienna

This is a familiar concern for international families everywhere. But in the Austrian capital, the American International School of Vienna aims to tackle this issue head-on. The Local spoke with a member of staff and a parent about how the school helps everyone feel at home.

Find out the top 10 reasons that families choose AIS Vienna for their children

A unique school for a unique city

As a truly historical centre of politics, economics and culture, Vienna has been attracting prodigious talents for centuries – Sigmund Freud and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for example. To this day, it proves a huge draw – the Mercer Quality of Life Survey has awarded Vienna the coveted title of ‘World’s Most Livable City’ ten years running.

Such a city needs a first-class educational institution for English-speaking students. Located by the beautiful Vienna Woods, and with excellent public transport connections, AIS Vienna has been educating English-speaking students from Kindergarten to age 18 for over sixty years. Today, it has 800 students representing more than 60 nationalities.

Igniting kid power: helping kids learn for themselves 

As the International Baccalaureate school with the highest results in Vienna, the school has had considerable success in encouraging students to learn for themselves. Its curriculum challenges students to question the world around them, as well as following their own passions. 

Extracurricular programs, such as drama and the performing arts, not only complement a curriculum designed to encourage curiosity, but draw on some of the city’s top talents to provide real-world connections. In this sense, this self-empowerment, or ‘kid power’ is a hallmark of the school. 

“AIS Vienna embodies its four core values – nurture, include, challenge, and respect – with its students and teachers every day,” says Molly Berwager, one of the schools academic support staff. “Through its unique learning experiences, opportunities to stretch knowledge while also meeting the diverse needs of students, and through providing a warm and welcoming environment, AISV delivers on its ideals.”

Photo: AIS Vienna

The pandemic hasn’t slowed things down either, as far as learning goes. Using a mixture of stringent in-classroom teaching and online learning via video and content sharing platforms, students remain connected during a truly disruptive period.  So far as the school is concerned, computer labs are out, integrated technology is in.

Berwager says strong communication, preparation, and “flexibility in dealing with the unknown” has made sure students still have the same learning opportunities whether in school or virtually. “It has been amazing to see our colleagues and students adapt to such strange times in education and life in general,” she says.

Igniting ‘kid power’ in a family environment: find out more about AIS Vienna

Engaging parent power – and the ‘AIS hug’ 

Learning at school is more valuable when it’s reinforced at home by parents who want to play a role in their child’s education. Alongside teachers encouraging students to share what they learn with their parents, AIS Vienna also actively engages families through a variety of means. 

At the classroom level, parents are kept in close contact with teachers via learning platforms that not only display student grades, but also work and feedback. Regular meetings throughout the year further help parents to obtain a holistic overview of their child’s achievement.Photos: Molly Berwager/AIS Vienna

Constantin Carmine, a parent and former alumni of the school, says: “It was always clear to me that if I was in Vienna when my kids were growing up, they would go to AIS. The warmth, friendliness and great atmosphere is second to none. I call it the AIS hug! You can see it everywhere. The students, the teachers, the staff. Some don’t ‘live it’ at first – but then get used to it with time and cherish it as well.”

Photos: Molly Berwager/AIS Vienna

Parents also receive frequent emails that give them a clear picture of what is going on at the school on a day-to-day basis, alongside the school’s social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, where pictures and updates are posted.

It’s one thing to educate a child, another thing to inspire them to use their knowledge to build a better future for themselves and others. To this end, the school places great emphasis on working with parents to create a warm, welcoming community that supports both existing students and new arrivals. 

“With our small community, families have so many opportunities to be involved in the school,” adds Berwager. “Be it hosting a massive foods festival, serving burgers at their child’s sporting event, decorating the hallways for their child’s grade level, or providing the faculty with a lovely faculty appreciation lunch, families take the chance to show their love and appreciation for AIS Vienna. I’m grateful for these moments as it helps to build stronger relationships between the students, teacher, and families.”

Carmine considers himself an embodiment of this community ethos. “So many kids from so many different countries and cultures, all getting along well. I’m still in contact with so many of my friends from back then. Some were only at the school for a year and say it was their best year ever.”

Want to learn more about how the American International School of Vienna encourages students to find their inner ‘kid power’, and builds a family community? Find out more on their website 

 
For members

LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

SHOW COMMENTS