Brief

( pl Briefe )
der

letter

ein blauer Brief

official letter giving notice of dismissal or notice that a pupil may have to repeat a year at school

offener Brief

open letter

blauer Brief

In German schools pupils receive marks ranging from 1 (excellent) to 6 (unsatisfactory). If a pupil's level of achievement slips (e.g. from 4 to 5 or from 5 to 6), the school will send home an official letter three months before the end of the school year to warn parents that the pupil may have to sit the year again. Pupils refer to such a letter as ein blauer Brief .