Program for the Education of Roma Children Regions of Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace 21.09.2010 – 31.12.2013 Newsletter August 2011 – December 2011 Beginning of classes addressed Literacy courses for to students who had been grade adolescents retained in Dendropotamos, In the settlements of Agia Sofia Alexandria and Kymina- and Peraia, literacy courses for Malgara. illiterate Roma adolescents begin. A direct positive outcome of Three philologists and a support classes was that sixteen mathematician teach in these 3rd grade students of the Junior courses and 56 adolescents High School of Menemeni, in participate (Agia Sofia: 39 Dendropotamos passed to the 1st students, Peraia: 17 students). grade of Senior High School. The support for children in this transitory phase of their education is estimated to contribute to its continuation and completion. Thus, upon the children’s request and given the fact that support teaching is no longer offered to Junior and Senior High Schools, support classes are scheduled and take place during the whole academic year 2011-2012 in Junior and Senior High Schools in Menemeni, Alexandria, Kymina- Malgara and Kouloura October 2011 October 3 Introductory training for teachers in the primary schools and the kindergarten of Menemeni, in Dendropotamos. October 4 Introductory in-service training for teachers in the primary schools of Peraia and the cross-cultural primary school of Neoi Epivates. October 6 In-service training for philologists and mathematicians of the Program, regarding teaching approaches in mathematics and language. October 7 Introductory training in the primary and kindergarten schools of Veroia, Kouloura and Xehasmeni. October 9 Vaccination of Roma children of the settlement of Peraia was delivered at the Regional Clinic of Peraia. The vaccines were offered by EOSPE members, i.e., the Scientific Team of Coordination and Supervision of the Program “Education for Roma Children in the Regions of Cen tral Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace”. The vaccination was delivered by doctors and assistant nursing staff-members of the Association of Social Pediatrics, with pediatricians, Ms. S. Karagiannopoulou and Ms. E. Farini in charge. 40 children were vaccinated. The program collaborators (social workers and psychologists) who assisted in the vaccination were A. Gimpiriti, A. Kalaitzaki, P. Karasahinidis, and K. Mirvali. EOSPE member S. Mitakidou also assisted in the process. October 11 General training for administrators of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in Xanthi. Program collaborators (social workers, psychologists, mediators) in the region also intervened and presented the effective interventions and approaches related to the education of Roma children. October 12 Introductory training in the primary schools and kindergartens of Alexandria, Kapsohora, Lianovergi, Palaiohora and Korifi. October 13 Introductory in-service training in the primary schools of Evosmos and Kordelio and in the kindergarten of the settlement of Agia Sofia. October 23-25 Participation of EOSPE members, E. Tressou and S. Mitakidou, in the 3rd International Conference of Roma Women, in Granada (1) (2) October 26 Meeting of EOSPE members, E. Tressou and S. Mitakidou, with representatives of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality, as well as with representatives of Social Programs and the Program of Roma Development Unit, in Madrid. The aim of the meeting was the briefing of EOSPE members by experts of the Ministries and bodies regarding the intervention programs for Roma that have been implemented in Spain. Meeting with representatives of Fundación Secretariado Gitano (www.gitanos.org). Briefing regarding the action plan on Roma issues, in Spain. Visit to the offices of Fundación. The mediator of the Program, Ms. A. Magga, participated in the Conference and meetings, as a guest of the Council of Europe. November 2011 November 10-11 Visit of EOSPE members, E. Tressou and S. Mitakidou, in regions of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace of the Program. Meeting with the Mayor of Chrysoupolis, Mr. Savvas Michailidis. Agreement for cooperation in regions of the Municipality of Chrysoupolis. Contacts with school principals and teachers in the regions of Chrysoupolis, Didimotiho and Orestiada, as well as with school advisors and administrators in the same regions. Coordination-programming with the staff of the Medical-Social Centre of Orestiada for the operation of C.A.S.P.E.R. (Centre of Auto- organization and Coordination of Roma Education Program) in its facilities. November 24 In-service training seminar for philologists of the support teaching program regarding the teaching of language. November 25 Participation of 12 Roma adolescents of the 2nd Senior High School of Menemeni in an event at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki regarding intra-family violence1 at the ground floor of the Administration Building of the University. The students were accompanied by their philologist, Ms. Dafni Glava, and the Program collaborators, Dora Paloumpa, social worker, Martha Galatopoulou, philologist, and Alexis Mantzios, mathematician. The children met and talked to the Vice-rector, Ms. Despoina Lialiou, the Dean of the School of Education, Ms. Dimitra Kogidou, and the actress, Ms. Anna Vagena. Ms. Vagena invited the children and their professor to the theatrical play “Affection Relationships” that focuses on issues of intra-family violence. Finally, the children visited the Tower of the School of Education and discussed with DEP members of the Faculty of Primary Education regarding their future prospects and plans. 1 Students of the 2nd Senior High School of Menemeni recorded their visit in the presentation that appears in the “link” November 25-29 The training seminar entitled Roma Mediators’ Education (ROMED), organized by the Council of Europe – European Committee European Program was hosted by the Faculty of Primary Education of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. November 26 In-service training of the newly-hired teachers for the action of collaborative team teaching support in the schools of central intervention of the Program. December 2011 December 5 Introductory in-service training in primary and kindergarten schools of Evosmos and Kordelio. December 6 Introductory in-service training in primary schools of Sindos, Kalohori and Diavata. December 8 Introductory in-service training in the 2nd primary school of Serres and the 4th kindergarten of Serres. December 9 Introductory in-service training in the primary and kindergarten schools of Alexandria, Kapsohora, Lianovergi, Palaiohora and Korifi. December 11 EOSPE members, E. Tressou and S. Mitakidou, attended and assisted in the vaccination of Roma children that was delivered by doctors of the Association of Social Pediatrics at the church of Agios Nektarios in Dendropotamos. December 14 Introductory in-service training in primary and kindergarten schools of Menemeni. November 16 Celebration of the anniversary of Polytechnio at Ptolemaida, within the framework of the support classes. December 19 Introductory training in primary and kindergarten schools of Kymina, Nea Malgara and Halastra. Christmas Christmas celebrations within the framework of the support classes in Alexandria and Ptolemaida. .