HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST DECADES
1960 to Present
John F. Kennedy School Berlin
First day of School at the German-American Community School, housed initially in rooms of the Mühlenau-Schule with two preparatory classes consisting of 15 American and 15 German 6-year-old students and two 3rd Grade classes.
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The Society of Parents and Friends of the German-American-Community School In Berlin (The Verein) is founded.
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The School moves from the Mühlenau-Schule to its own provisional buildings on Teltower Damm in Zehlendorf with 360 students and 13 teachers.
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After the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November, the school is renamed John F. Kennedy School, German-American Community School.
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The Berlin State Law applying to the John F. Kennedy School is adopted
The new school buildings are dedicated. Architect: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Harald Deilmann
First High School Graduation
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First Abitur Graduation
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John F. Kennedy Friendship Center
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The John F. Kennedy School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
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The renovation and expansion of the school’s buildings begins, taking eight years to complete; Architect: Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Harald Deilmann
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The new gymnasium is dedicated.
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Fall of the Berlin Wall
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German Reunification
End of Allied Occupation Laws in Berlin
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The new buildings for Elementary and High School are dedicated.
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The JFKS program and goals are reevaluated due to the changed political situation.
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The first Berlin Model United Nations (BERMUN) conference is held.
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The school bus service hitherto sponsored and provided by the U.S. military ends. Privately contracted bus service begins.
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The role of JFKS as a bicultural German-American school is reaffirmed by the faculty; the new school philosophy is published.
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Ms. Hilary Rodham Clinton and Frau Hannelore Kohl speak at the JFKS graduation ceremonies and present the diplomas to the graduates.
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US forces officially leave Berlin. The first school year without students from US military families begins.
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First JFKS Information Fair for the Berlin German-American community
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The Senate of Berlin and the American Embassy begin negotiations concerning the future support of the JFKS.
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The JFKS network is created and the school’s first website goes online.
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Renewal of the Accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
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Col. Gail Halvorsen and fellow US Airlift Veterans visit JFKS in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
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US Ambassador Philip D. Murphy visits JFKS to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall; a segment of the Berlin Wall is unveiled.
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The school’s 39th Abitur class honors JFKS with the school’s best results ever.
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Official Ceremony celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the John F. Kennedy School.
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BERMUN celebrates its 25th anniversary with the conference theme “Ending Human Suffering: Reassessing the United Nation’s Role in a Globalized World”.
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Installation of the Britto Bear – a donation to Berlin by JFK’s sister, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver.
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Col. Gail Halvorsen visits JFKS in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
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Celebrating 60 years of JFKS with a small group of guests due to Covid-19 regulations. Special speakers include HS Principals, Fr. Dr. Franziska Giffey (Bundesministerin für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend) and Ms. Robin Quinville (US Embassy Chargée d’Affaires).
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BERMUN celebrates its 30th anniversary with the conference theme “Pursuing Peace in a World of War and Conflict” with over 800 participants attending the third online conference.
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JFKS is awarded the title “‘School without Racism/School with Courage’” in a ceremony on campus. Lorna Hartling is the Schule mit Courage mentor.