Project partners:
Croatia-Bulgaria primary schools
Intergenerational solidarity
The first activities in our school related to Aces project . Aces corner.
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ACES CORNER IN OUR SCHOOL
Exibition "Our granparents chilhood"
This project is the result of the competition of the European Academy of schools ACES ( Academy of Central European School ) on a theme "Embracing solidarity: We care, dare and share!". This year there were 263 partner projects registered from 596 schools. An international selection committee awarded 42 partnership projects involving 100 schools from 15 partner countries. Among 10 awarded projects from Croatia is our school's project, the only one from Brodsko-posavska county. Our school has the honor of being the coordinator of the project, so we took over responsibility for its conduct and submission of narrative and financial reports. A key objective of the project is to connect two different generations - students and elderly persons, and to become „School- a friend of the elderly“.
Leader and coordinator of this project in our school is a teacher Slađana Ninković, and for the partner school from Bulgaria is an English teacher Iliyana Stoyanova.
Our aims are:
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connecting different generations - students and elderly people from the community
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creating a tradition of cooperation with elderly people and become a "School - a friend of the elderly"
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encouraging individuals to small signs of love and care to elderly persons (conversation, letter, visit, call)
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providing the opportunity for elderly persons to present their skills, knowledges and creativities
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improving the quality of educational work through international cooperation of schools
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using digital technology in everyday life, both for students and for elderly people
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practice English, get to know the culture, customs, history and language of another country
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making new friends outside of our country
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introduce yourself, school, place, country
The project is going to last from September 2015. until April 2016. On October 4th our student Filip Cindrić will travel, as representative of the students with the project leader Slađana Ninković, to Sarajevo for „Kick-off Meeting“ a great meeting and learning opportunities for the awarded project schools. The meeting will last from 5th until 8th October 2015.
Today on International day of older persons, we opened doors of our school for the elderly people. Headmaster Tihomir Batalo has welcomed guests and briefly presented the main goals of the project. Project coordinator Slađana Ninković thanked for the great contribution to the Association of pensioners representative Milka Perkovic, Danijela Perkovic, a retired teacher Ivan Jelančić, catechist Marina Dedoević and parents and students of our school for setting up the exhibition with the theme " Our grandparents childhood." She welcomed retired headmaster Duško Batalo and a retired school teachers Dragica Penić and Bistra Lazić. The exhibition features various items: paintings, toys, magazines, photographs, kitchen accessories, domestic appliances ... The aim of this exhibition is to acquaint students with objects from the time of their grandparents and to encourage the cultivation and preservation of cultural heritage of their region.
If they listen carefully, children in everyday conversation with grandparents can learn many interesting details about their childhood. That's exactly what Marta Rumenović a 6th grade student did when she read the essay "Childhood of my grandparents" and reminded everyone of the beautiful family memories.
Retired teacher Ivan Jelančić told the students what life was like without a radiator and about the Icehouse, the room in which the locals stored ice from the stream, which the villagers used to preserve food, especially meat. Also the teacher recalled the old bridge on Rešetarica and old games. Retired teacher Dragica Penić told the students about the beginnings of his work at the school.
This exhibition, which will be opened until October 31st 2015. is the first step to awaken a sense of intergenerational solidarity, and with its interesting content takes us back into the past of our region.
Days of bread and gratitude for the fruits
of the earth
(The second activity)
On September 20, we have organized our traditional manifestation - Days of bread and gratitude for the fruits of the earth, but this time in a slightly different manner. This year, the pageant was a part of ACES international project „Intergenerational solidarity.“
On this day, we give thanks to God for all the fruits that have yielded richly. Had it not been for these fruits, our hard working mothers and grandmothers would not have been able to make bread and delicious cakes which graced our festive table. The ceremony was held in the school gymnasium. Our presenters, Marta Rumenović (6.b) and Petra Jurišić (6.b), opened the event by saying a few things about bread and its characteristics. The grandmother of our student Martina Kvaić (7.b) and Matea Majanović (5.a) kneeded bread on stage, along with various shapes of pasta, such as braids, rolls, etc. Throughout the event, the grandmother and our student shaped the dough skillfully, and those less skilled were able to learn some old and new techniques.
Principal Tihomir Batalo greeted the students, teachers, parents and grandparents. He thanked everyone, especially our elderly residents, grandparents of our students, for the great contribution to the ACES project activities.
Religion teacher Zvonimir Zelenika told an interesting legend of how the first bread was made; we found out that it happened by accident.
Our school choir performed the song "Autumn" under the guidance of teacher Sladjana Ninkovic, and our drama group delighted us with their play, performed under the guidance of teacher Mateja Horvat.
Students of ACES Project Team (7th and 8th grades) investigated what is actually found in bread and they came to different conclusions. They found out that some of the ingredients in bread are good and necessary for our body, while some may be harmful, eg. E450. They also did some research on the daily uses of bread and in what ways it is consumed in other countries.
Ms. Marija Kičić, grandmother of our student Iva Kičić (7b), talked about how people themselves kneaded bread when they could not buy it at the supermarket. She presented Christmas customs related to bread in her family and shared her knowledge about bread and a variety of other baked goods.
6th grade students Marta Rumenović and Robert Vidović read their essays on the topic of Childhood of our grandparents.
A fun play Grandma and grandaughter was carried out by our pensioners representative, Milka Perković, and her granddaughter, Žana Perković, second grade student.
At the end of the ceremony, Reverend Ivan Štivičić blessed the gifts that our students offered. Earth – that is always fruitful, fruits and vegetables - that are never scarce, and photos depicting the hard work of our grandparents – that we are never deviod of vitally important ingredients.
At the end of the event, all students, along with their teachers, ate bread with salt and other products from the festive table which was beautifully arranged by religion teacher Marina Dedoević, our cook Marijana Dautović, moms and students.
Teacher Sladjana Ninkovic ,the coordinator of this project, is cooperating diligently with all employees of our school in order to achieve all the goals in strengthening intergenerational solidarity. Students of the ACES Project Team look forward to the upcoming project activities.
Reading night in our school
This year the Croatian Book Month is dedicated to light. Due to that fact, on November 10, Reading night was held in our school library, the topic being THE BOOK OF CHILDHOOD.
Reading night was conceived as one of the project activities within international Aces project "Intergenerational solidarity". At the beginning of the program, at 5 o'clock, teacher of Croatian language, Jasmina Palijan, read the biblical passage Creation - the first day.
Principal Tihomir Batalo greeted the attendees with a few introductory words. Our librarian Daniela Gubić, who organized Reading night, spoke about the Croatian Book Month, and this event, which was held in our school for the third year in a row
In order to respect this year's theme, teacher Irena Ruškan read the song written by Dragutin Tadijanović "Riječi zahvalnosti Suncu“ (The words of gratitude to the Sun) and Petra Jurišić (6b) recited the lyrics of „Krijesnica“ (Firefox), written by Grigor Vitez.
This was followed by a pleasant socializing with our guests pensioners who, among other things, presented the book of their childhood. Ms. Marija Kičić read a passage from HC Andersen's fairy tale „Djevojčica sa žigicama“ (The Little Match Girl) and she spoke about the reading habits of her family. We spoke to retired teachers Emilija Kovre and Dragica Penić, a retired teacher of the Croatian language Ivan Jukić and Ivan Dautović, a retired physics teacher and poet Veronika Devčić, representative of the Association of Pensioners Milka Perković and retired principal of our school, Duško Batalo.
Incited by the domestic atmosphere of the library lit by petroleum lamps and candles, elderly people remembered first books they read in low-light family homes. We learned something about their school days, and some of them read their songs. The teacher of German language Dragana Gorički read the excerpt of her childhood book " Duga " (Rainbow) written by Dinko Simunović, and our librarian joyfully remembered the instructive story " Ježeva kućica " (Hedgehog's House) and the incredible book written by Ivan Kušan "Lažeš, Melita" (You're lying, Melita).
Matija Mađarević (8a) and Lucija Turkalj (8a), members of the project team, presented their childhood books which they relate to their mother's voices reading bedtime stories.
Nora Solić (3a) and Lucija Kolić (8a), were the "brightest readers" and received a symbolic award a small LED lamp so they would be able to read, even in the dark.
At the very end, the students wanted to prolong associating with our guests pensioners so they asked them a number of questions.
It was followed by refreshments for all participants in this year's Reading night. Everybody went home full of impressions.
Visiting nursuring homes
Within the Aces's project "Intergenerational solidarity" in October and November 2015, teachers and students of our school project team visited the elderly in nursing homes of families Majanović, Akmačić, Jug and Rukavina.
Teachers and students of the project team visited the homes in groups. At their arrival, they were welcomed by the owners of homes and committed staff who care for elderly and disabled people. In every home, one could feel the spirit of unity and a family atmosphere because the owners really strive to provide quality living conditions for the older persons
Through these students' visits, their warm words and symbolic gifts, and a few crates of apples, students and teachers managed to elicit smiles and occasional tears on the faces of our eldest. This act showed them that they are not forgotten, and the experience itself was the greatest reward and incentive to schedule the next meeting with the elderly.
Aces team-teachers and students
Filip Cindrić (7.b) like representative pupil, Iva Kičić (7.b), Iva Špoljarić (7.b), Martina Kvaić (7.a), Paulina Plećaš (7.a), Dora Tomašević (7.a), Klara Matijašević (7.a), Lorena Mikanović (7.a), Lovro Čeliković (7.a), Lucija Kolić (8.a), Lucija Turkalj (8.a), Gabrijel Majanović (8.a) i Matija Madžarević (8.a)
Intergenerational socialising
Students ACES team of our school 7th and 7 th grade visited on 21 December 2015, the elderly living alone.
At Christmas time our primary school pupils accompanied by a teacher Slađana Ninković and Zeljka Gospočić visited pensioners Julku Kalem, Anna Biondi and Ana Biondić and they donated gifts and Christmas cards that are created.
Enriched by new experience, went their separate ways expressing mutual congratulations on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas holidays.
GETTING TO KNOW THE STUDENTS FROM BULGARIAN SCHOOL VIA SKYPE
On Thursday, December 10, teacher Slađana Ninković and English teacher from Bulgaria, Iliyana Stoyanova, organized the first students' meeting via Skype, with the aim of better mutual acquainting of the students.
Our students and students from Bulgaria took turns in front of the computer and briefly introduced themselves. They were anxious and nervous because they had to speak English and their hearts were in their mouths when it was their turn to talk. All other students observed this activity on their computers. Communication via Skype was very interesting. Despite the distance of almost 1000 kilometres, Bulgarian and our students were virtually in the same room for 30 minutes.
The students were very happy to participate in this entertaining project activity. Upon completion of the activity, our students have expressed their wish that the school participates in this type of projects more often, because it expands their horizons, develops their communication skills and contributes to the development of a positive image of themselves.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
On December 23, 2015, the students of our school gathered in the gymnasium to see off the first semester in a holiday spirit and to prepare for the arrival of Christmas.
Students Iva Kičić and Lucia Turkalj, the program hostesses, stated that the previous period was very fruitful for students because the school managed to implement several projects that enabled students to participate in various workshops, to develop their skills, socialize with children their own age from other countries, but also with members of the senior citizens who generously shared their experiences and interesting stories of their childhood.
Apposite program, which was prepared by teacher Diana Betlach Sokić and teacher of Croatian language, Irena Ruskan, was opened by a creatively designed dance of the older rhythmic group. The intention was to show how dance can serve as a healthy activity for young people to fight against addiction, using the sound of the song Set fire to the rain.
In the modern world, there is less time for us to feel the needs of our soul for peace and quiet, and to respect the same customs our grandparents taught us. Ms. Mary Kičić, a valuable collaborator in ACES project "Intergenerational solidarity", and our resident Mr. Andrija Jakic, allowed us to briefly be a part of the tradition by portraying a traditional Slavonian Christmas Eve in a dramatic display „Waiting for Christmas" with the help of students Jurica Osovnikar (6a) and Hana Lucic (4a ). The curious children's eyes that stared from the stands, watching events in a neat scenery, served as a proof of a truly amazing performance of our collaborators. In complete silence, the students observed the setting of a festive table and tearing of bread, enriched by special symbols - sun and moon, pen and wheels, which Mrs. Kičić baked for this occasion. Another interesting moment was the arrival of the eldest member of the family who lit a lantern and, with the sound of bells, brought straw into the room. Family members sprinkled corn and wheat and wished for a productive and fruitful year.
Particularly instructive part of the play was the production and burning of „muket“, a Christmas symbol consisting of five small candles: God's, people's, cattle's, field's and a candle symbolizing all the houses of good fortune. Dramatic presentation ended with the scene of actors going to midnight mass.
On behalf of all students, the hostesses wished everyone all the best in the coming year, and then the principle expressed his warm wishes. The program ended with a performance of High five, whose members are Barbara Dautovic and Martina and Matea Škvorčević. They quickly raised the atmosphere, and in the end, they called everyone to chorally sing well known Jingle bells. Enriched by new knowledge about traditional customs and cheerful sounds of Christmas songs, the students went home on well-deserved holidays.
Computer course for the elderly
As a part of the ACES project, which is based on intergenerational exchange of knowledge and international student exchange with the school of St. Kiril and Metodi from Bulgaria, a computer course for the elderly has been taking place in our school since February 15.
The course is led by teachers of our school, with the help of students from the project team. The aim of the course is to acquire basic computer skills. Guided by the saying that school time is the most wonderful time in one's life, sixteen of our elderly locals gladly came back to school, but this time, instead of pencils and notebooks, their main tool is – the computer. The course lasts 20 hours, 2 hours twice a week, it is free, and all participants were given a manual made by teachers and students of the project team.
During the first hours of the course, our teachers and lecturers Ivan Ćalušić, Slađana Ninković, Željka Gospočić and the principal Tihomir Batalo, familiarized the participants with the basic parts of the computer, and with the usage of mouse and keyboard. The greatest challenge was to adapt to people who define the term „mouse“ only as a rodent. Despite the initial difficulties, the participants have quickly understood the basics and some have even been given the computers to practice the material at home.
After acquiring the basic knowledge, the participants have moved on to Microsoft Word and were able to work on writing and editing texts. The most interesting part will take place next week when our participants will learn about Internet and e-mail, and the lecturers will help them to create their own Facebook profiles.
Our teachers and students of ACES team are extremely satisfied with the progress of the participants and their willingness to learn, which was evident during the past two weeks of the course.
The participants of the course have the opportunity to be students once more, and they do not need the constant help of their grandchildren because now they know how to use the computer. Still, a few advice from youngsters cannot do any harm.
Course time...
A lecture for the elderly by Dr. Dragoljub Kocić
On March 2, a lectureon "How tolivea healthyold age?" was organized in ourschool. The topic ofthe lecture is a part oftheACESproject"Intergenerational solidarity", and is particularlyintended for the elderly.
At the beginning ofthe lecture, Dr. Kocić introdiced himself to the audience and gave a lecture full of tips that many people found very helpful. This lecture served as a guide through peaceful and healthie old age, and was abundant with adviceon healthy eating, with special emphasis onthe Mediterranean type.
Dr.Kocic also showed a few exercises that could greatly reduce spinal aches and facilitate their mobility. After the lecture, Dr. Kocić has answered numerous questions related to this topic. Blood pressure and blood sugar measurments were organized. We are grateful to Mrs. Zubovic for borrowing the machines for measuring blood pressure and sugar levels, and to health care workers, and also the mothers of our students Kristina Matanović and Renata Majanović, who conducted the aforementioned measurements.The lecture was attended by the students of our project team.
Although they still do not think about old age, they are aware that they should make decisions about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles while they are still young.
A VISIT TO OUR PARTNER SCHOOL IN BULGARIA
As a part of the planned partnership meetings with elementary school St. Sv. Cyril and Metodii, eleven students of our school, accompanied by the principal Tihomir Batala, project coordinator and teacher Sladjana Ninkovic and English teacher Željka Gospočić, stayed in the city of Kardzhali in Bulgaria from March 9 to March 13, 2016.
The visit was a part of ACES project "Intergenerational solidarity".On Wednesday, March 9, after a long journey which lasted almost 15 hours, we arrived at the school and met with the hosts, director Lilyana Todorova Yankova, project manager and English teacher Iliyana Stoyanova, principal assistant Antoinette Sendova, school psychologist Sulejman Mustafa, teachers, students and their parents. After acquainting, our students left with their host families to their homes. Our partners planned the days that were very meaningful and filled with various activities.
During the five days we have seen a number of cultural and historical sights, we participated in classes and met with older persons.On Thursday, March 10, our students attended classes with theirhost friends. The official reception was held at 10 am in the school hall. We were greeted with bread and a small guard. The principal greeted us and wished us a pleasant stay in their school and town. Bulgarian students have presented their school, which is, according to the student scores in numerous competitions, the largest and best elementary school in the municipality of Kardzhali. School has 500 students. Through presentations, they have shown us their work on the project. Our students have also presented our school, Rešetari municipality, province and country.After lunch in the school cafeteria, we went to Historic regional museum of the city that has one of the largest collections in southern Bulgaria. The permanent exhibition of the museum are the traces of a culture of Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks and Bulgarians, aged about 6000 years.Accompanied by the principal and teachers Iliyana Stoyanova, we were received by Kardzhali governor who greeted us and wished us a warm welcome. He expressed his satisfaction with the project of our schools and mutual cooperation because it emphasized the importance of solidarity, volunteering and working together. With occasional gifts, we presented our school, municipality Rešetari and Brod-Posavina county.The students stayed with their hosts in the evening, exchanging experiences, and representatives of the Bulgarian school and the principalhad dinner with us in a restaurant.
On Friday, March 11, we visited the monastery of St. Ivan the Baptist from the XI. century. It was completely refurbished in 2000, and a new bell tower was erected also. We also saw theatrical performances by children.Accompanied by our hosts, we went to visit a sports-intellectual club where, in addition to the Association of Pensioners, singing takes place, and folk and poetic associations. With a warm reception, the president of the Association of Pensioners, Elena Topalov, send greetings and gifts to our association of pensioners, hoping that the cooperation will continue. They presented their traditional songs that are sung by students of folklore and traditional folk dance that was performed by the pensioners. Our principal thanked them for the warm welcome, and then we also sang two Slavonian songs while student Filip Cindric played the acordian. Our students expressively recited a poem My Croatia. In the end, we have all learned to dance a Bulgarian traditional dance.After lunch we went to the reception to the Deputy Mayor of the city of Kardzhali.
On Saturday, March 12, we attended the opening of a student chess competition. In order to get better acquainted with the area to which we have arrived, the next activity was associated with a tour of the archaeological site of Perperikon with a guide and a couple of school teachers.We used our free afternoon for sightseeing and to buy souvenirs and gifts. The city lies on the eastern slopes of the mountain of Rodopi, on the banks of the river Arda between two artificial lakes. It is the largest city and the administrative center of the field of Kardzhali with 63 000 inhabitants.We spent ourfarewell evening in the ethnic restaurant, enjoying the company of school representatives and parents of the hosts with their children.
On Sunday morning, March 13, we met in front of the school. We thanked the principal, teachers and parents for their hospitality and everything that they provided in those five days. No wonder that the parting was therefore difficult, and for some of our students, full of tears. We went home and briefly stopped in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital.
We watched the inner center of the city, saw the st. Alexander Nevsky cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the National Theatre and other cultural monuments.We visited the famous cultural and historical places of Bulgaria, learned their customs and dances, had a wonderful time and strengthened the friendship beyond the borders of our country.
We are grateful to our hosts for their hospitality and we are eagerly looking forward to a reunion in Rešetari, which is planned for April 24 to April 28, 2016.
We have realized our visit to Bulgaria with the help of initial funding of ACES project, Brod-posavina County, the Municipality of Rešetari and numerous sponsors (Brod-posavina tourist bord, Slavonski Brod tourist bord, Nova Gradiška tourist bord, "Koala", Plin-projekt NG, Boso d.o.o., Trgopromet SB, Pharmacies Zubovic, Školska knjiga, POU AMC, and others).
Representatives Primary School St. St. Kiril I Metodii from Bulgaria came to return visit in Rešetari
Within the ACES project 12 students accompanied by principle Lilyana Todorova Yankova, project leader Iliyana Stoyanova, school psychologist Suleyman Mustafa and biology teacher Ivanka Georiev were in return visit to the Primary School Ante Starčevića in Rešetari .
The basic idea of the project is to develop friendships across borders and actively participate in the dialogue and exchange with their peers from abroad with promoting intercultural learning and raising awareness of global relations. The main objective of the project " Intergenerational solidarity " is aimed at linking the two generations - the elderly and our students with the desire to become a " School - friend of the elderly ".
From 24 to 28 of April 2016 we have prepared an interesting and varied program for our guests. In those five days, the guests visited and met Rešetari, and then the sights of Slavonski Brod, Cernik and Nova Gradiška.
After about 15 hours of travel on April 24, 2016. principal and staff of Primary School Ante Starčevića welcomed the students and their teachers from Bulgaria. After the welcome, our students left with their host families to their homes.
On Monday, April 25, students from Bulgaria, in the early morning hours, attended classes with their hosts. The official reception was held at 10 am in the school hall. Our students, through presentations, presented our school, Rešetari and Croatia, and then with singing, dancing and recitation wished a warm welcome.
The guests were, on behalf of all students and school staff, welcomed by our principal Tihomir Batalo and he wished them a pleasant stay in our school and village and gave them gift packages. Principal Lilyana Todorova Yanko also donated school various gifts, the most valuable gift was a picture made by the grandfather of one of their students.
After the welcoming ceremony we went with the guests to Slavonski Brod where we, with a tour of cultural and tourist destinations of the city, visited the county administration in which we were warmly received by governor Danijel Marušić and vice governor Dunja Magaš. The governor praised efforts of peers from different countries in such projects to create new friendships and have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences.
On Tuesday, April 26, there was a reception at the mayor of Rešetari Zlatko Aga. Mayor wished a warm welcome and a pleasant stay in Rešetari, to create a lot of beautiful memories, to learn and get to know the culture of our region and be enriched for one more pleasant life experience.
Accompanied by the mayor we continued our tour visiting the exhibition of paintings and Gallery Petrović, a local history collections of the Municipality Rešetari, the kindergarten and the parish church of Christ the King.
In the afternoon we visited the franciscan monastery in Cernik. After that guests toured the memorial room of the 121st Brigade of the Croatian Army, and then visited the Tourist Board of Nova Gradiška in which they learned about the history of the city, institutions and events that are marked during the year.
The day ended with a disco party for all students in the school hall.
On Wednesday, April 27, our school held a project day on the topic of "Intergenerational solidarity". There were nine workshops - traditional children's games and dances, Croatian and Bulgarian flags, clothes from the past, items from the past, musical heritage of our region, traditional Slavonian hairstyles, the national flowers of Croatia and Bulgaria and traditional Croatian and Bulgarian dishes.
The ninth workshops, was the computer workshop intended for elderly people, who through February and March attended the computer course that lasted for twenty hours. Sixteen elderly people participated in the mentioned workshop with a goal of taking the final exam. The students of the project team of our school with the help of teachers have designed and printed manual on how to work on the computer and translated it into English. The manual was also handed to our partners from Bulgaria.
After working in workshops the traditional children's games were organized on the lawn next to the school and in the afternoon the carriage ride through Rešetari.
The same day was also a School Day ceremonial program and closing ceremony of ACES project. The celebration was particularly festive because it was celebrated by the students and school staff, guests from Bulgaria, representatives of associations with which the school collaborates and the locals.
As part of the closing ceremony the elderly participants of the IT course were awarded. Milka Perković, the president of the Association of Pensioners from Rešetari, received the gifts sent by the president of the Association of Pensioners in Bulgaria Elena Topalov. In the hope that this cooperation will continue, Mrs. Perković gave framed handmade doily to the Association of the Bulgarian town of Kardzhali.
The singing group "Tkanica" from Nova Gradiska, which for the occasion, sang the song in Bulgarian, opened the program. Bulgarian students presented themselves in national costume and sang two songs and performed folk dances. Through drama, dance, singing and musical abilities all extracurricular groups of our schools showed what they have learned during the year. End of the official program and ACES project was marked by a joint song of the Bulgarian and Croatian project team students with the appropriate title "Goodbye Song".
On Thursday, April 28, our guests went back to their homeland early in the morning, with the desire for new encounter in another project.
