German School of South Florida, Inc., also known as the The German International Parent Association (GIPA) is the non-profit parent association for the German international language programs at Sunset Elementary, G.W. Carver Middle and Coral Reef Senior High.  Established back in January of 1986, GIPA is unlike most parent associations, since it works directly with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the German government, and administrators of all three schools – oftentimes as liaison -- to ensure the German programs’ high academic standing and future growth.  GIPA also provides direct support to the three schools in the form of instructional materials, classroom resources, continuing education for teachers, supplemental instruction, scholarships, and the sponsoring of cultural and special events for students – including student exchanges to Germany, and the first-grade welcome picnic.  The organization also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter to keep parents and local community members informed.
     
Among GIPA's Accomplishments:

• Miami-Dade County Commitment and Funds from Germany - After years of persistent effort, GIPA negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Germany and M-DCPS in June of 2001, whereby both state their commitment to the International Studies program and Germany agrees to provide funding toward an additional German teacher.
• Supplemental Teachers - Using the German government’s funds and those raised by GIPA, the association provides an additional full-time German teacher to the program.  GIPA also arranges for teacher interns to come from Germany and assist the programs’ teaching staff in the classroom. 
• Internet Support - GIPA host it’s own website, where you’ll find information about the German international language programs, the schools which house them, and the faculty which supports them.  You’’ll also find weekly German homework assignments for Sunset, as well as other informative and fund German links.
• Cultural Activities - GIPA holds an Oktoberfest for families and friends every year, provides the traditional German Schultüten for new first graders on their first day of classes, as well as treats for St. Nikolaus’ Sunset visit in December and the classroom Karneval celebration in March.
• Exchange Trips to Germany - M-DCPS permitting, GIPA sponsors two student exchanges with public schools in Germany.  One exchange is for Sunset’s fifth graders, and the other is for Carver Middle’s seventh and eighth graders.
• Extensive Classroom Resources - GIPA arranged for the donation and installation of high-speed telecommunications lines and hardware at Sunset Elementary and Carver Middle, including about a dozen personal computers for Sunset.  This would have otherwise cost the schools more than $100,000.  This technology enables students to do faster on-line research, as well as watch television broadcasts from Germany.  GIPA also provided all three schools with PAL-compatible VCRs, so videotapes from Germany can be used in the classroom.