Hosted by , contributed by Kyriaki_Vakkou on 15 September 2023
The main challenge faced was how to support innovative changes, not only in the school but also in the local community, as well as how to connect the school with the local community and involve as many stakeholders as possible in the various initiatives carried out. Developing this collaboration with the community could refocus the teaching practice in developing students’ 21st century skills with the use of indispensable digital technology and diversity compared to former traditional teaching.
The school send invitations to various stakeholders that unanimously accepted to participate in different school initiatives. The school focused on providing the necessary resources, infrastructure and time for supporting the development of relevant partnerships. The participants proposed some activities to choose from after mutual agreement. Below, some of these activities developed in collaboration with different stakeholders to support the growth of a connection between the school and the community are described.
The students, together with the head of the cooperative, participated in a fair where they presented and exhibited their works, which they were made partly by hand, and partly using a digital cutter, which is precise when cutting small, tiny details. Members of the local community could purchase these products for a symbolic price, while the students use this money to purchase the necessary equipment for carrying out other activities. The purchased equipment will be available for the local community to try out during Open Days. During these events, teachers and students will prepare workshops for all active participants and it is planned that there will be a walk through the school using VR glasses. The students and teachers also plan to host kindergarteners in order to present them with modern equipment and the way of working in the school. In this way, they would show future students that teaching is not repulsive, but that it can be interesting and fun at the same time.
During the celebration of Earth Day, students hosted members of the Women's Society Amalija Kranjec. The students prepared an interactive presentation for them and presented various problems that the ecosystem faces. In return, the women donated flowers to the school and decided to teach them about planting plants.
Also, since the Little Journalists of the school collected interesting and entertaining materials throughout the year and edited them for publication in the school newspaper, the local community was informed about all school events.
Making the school an educational institution available to the local community and vice versa, facilitated cooperation between them and thus, encouraged the development of relations between different stakeholders. The approach is primarily aimed at educating and guiding students. The wider and local community provided students with various opportunities for cooperation and mutual support in the organization of various activities that were important for the local and wider community. The motivation to organize such activities and the desire to cooperate and change the community was evident among the students. The students, together with their mentors, decided that there will be more such joint activities in the upcoming years, and that will be included in the school curriculum along the usual, established lessons.
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Already implemented by the following schools
Osnovna škola Sveta Marija
This practice was implemented by our school!