- Adult trip to Athens, 25-27 April 2016
On 25-27 April 2016, the adult students of the Greek language classes, that are taking place at the KESPEMs, made an educational trip to Athens. In the excursion, took part 30 women and 3 men. They visited the Greek Parliament, the Museum of Islamic art and the Acropolis Museum.
- Admission to Universities and Technical Colleges for the KESPEM students (2015)
For one more year the Project supported the effort of the minority children to enroll in the University and in the technical educational institutes (TEI). During the school year 2014-2015 at the KESPEMs of Xanthi, Komotini and Iasmos were organized courses for high school seniors who are going to take the nationwide entry exams for higher education.
The preparation for the National exams has been successfully accomplished: 43 students out of 68 that attended regularly the classes at the KESPEMs enrolled in Universities (AEI) and Technical educational institutes (TEI). The results of the National exams made all the teachers and the associates of the Project very pleased and satisfied.
- Summer Classes for Re-sit pupils (2015)
From 18 August to 1st September 2015, the KESPEMs of Xanthi, Iasmos and Komotini organized tutorial classes for re-sit pupils in the courses that they failed in June in order to prepare them for the September exams. The success rate was very high: the classes were attended by 191 students and 89% of them passed to the next grade.
- A visit of the Ambassador of Australia to the KESPEM of Komotini (June 2015)
On June 2, 2015, Australia's Ambassador to Greece, Mr John Griffin, visited the KESPEM of Komotini. The administrative staff of the KESPEMs informed In detail the Ambassador and his colleagues for the activities and the goals of the Project and especially the KESPEMs. In the conversation that followed, they exchanged views for bilingualism and the identities of the minorities, the meaning of integration of the minorities and the characteristics of Thrace and the role of the Project at the area.
The Ambassador also had a conversation with primary school students. The kids showed to the Ambassador some of their work and the Ambassador gave them small gifts.
When the Ambassador returned to Athens sent to the KESPEM information material about the educational practices in isolated villages and sent a letter of congratulation to Mrs Dragona, Special Scientific Advisor of the Program.
- From the KEPSEM of Drosero to the "library world" (2015)
On Friday 10 July 2015, the students of the summer classes at the KESPEM of Drosero village took part in the summer campaign of reading and creativity that was organized by Future Library in collaboration to the Public Library of Xanthi.
- Adult trip to Kavala (April 2015)
On April 25, 2015, 92 students (89 women and 3 men), students of the Greek language classes at the KESPEMs of the villages of Iasmos, Kentavros, Komotini, Megalo Orfano and Xanthi took part in the excursion to Kavala. The students visited Kavala, enjoyed the attractions of the city and visited the two museums: the Tobacco Museum and the Wax Museum.
- Career guidance and counseling seminar on study choices for KESPEMs' pupils (2015)
On 6 May 2015, 40 students of the 6th grade of high school that are going to take part in the National exams for their entrance in the university, attended at the KEPSEM of Xanthi, a career guidance seminar on study choices from the head of the
ΚΕ.ΣΥ.Π of Xanthi (Guidance and Counseling Center), mr Bakalidis. At the same time, at the Guidance and Counselling Center of Komotini took place relevant meetings between the Head of the Guidance and Councelling Center of Komotini and 15 students.
- A visit to the archaeolological museum of Avdira (2015)
On Sunday 8 March 2015, some sections of the KESPEMs of the village of Evlalo and of the town of Xanthi visited the archaeological museum of Avdira. This visit concludes the educational project that the teachers and children of the KESPEMs of Xanthi and Evlalo, were working on, during their lessons. The teachers Konstantina Bourdouni and Dimitra Taxidou were the tour guides of the children inside the museum. Children enjoyed their visit through educational activities.
- "Young archaeologists" at the KESPEM of Evlalo
On 8 and 20 December 2014, at the peripheral KESPEM of Evlalo took place a special educational project "The young archaeologists". This project is part of a larger one that is held by the two teachers of the KESPEM within the greek language classes for primary school students. Both sections that are held at the KESPEM collaborated for the implementation of the project.
- Party in the new KESPEM "house" in the village of Drosero (2014)
Since the beginning of October 2014 the KESPEM in the village of Drosero is housed in a new building, suitable for the classes and all kind of activities that are held inside, and fully equipped. Inside the KESPEM of Drosero, are provided classes and activities for 150 children.
On Monday 22 December 20 there was a big party at the KESPEM in order to present the new building to everybody. During the celebration the students of the KESPEM welcomed the new year with songs and participated in different sorts of activities.
- Classes for Re-sit pupils at the KESPEMs
On 17 August 2014, started at the KESPEMs the classes that aim at preparing re-sit pupils for success in their September exam. In Xanthi, until now are held 28 sections, in Komotini, 17 and in the village of Iasmos, 8. The classes are attended regularly by 222 students.
- Classes are continuing through summer (Summer 2014)
The classes at the KESPEMs are continuing without interruption until 20 of July 2014. Until then, students will continue attending the classes of greek language and mathematics, as they did through winter. In Greek language classes, the teachers will emphasize on literature books in order to enhance love of reading and will encourage discussion and activities based on them. Pupils of the 6th grade of primary school studied S. Zarabouka's book "Odyssey", an activity that aimed to help them in their transition to secondary (middle) school.
- "Open Days" at the KESPEMs June 12-22, 2014
As the school year now comes to an end, the KESPEMs open doors to parents, pupils, and friends, and present the educational work that has been done throughout the previous months. In all the KESPEMs the visitors will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers, to see the work accomplished by these centers and to have a look at the exhibitions of works created by the pupils. The "open days" will take place from June 12 to 22, 2014
Click here to see the detailed programme
- "The World belongs to Us": Α Celebration at the KESPEM of Drosero
On May 30, 2014 the KESPEM of Drosero organized with great success a celebration with the theme "the world belongs to us". In this celebration, the children, together with their teachers, presented to their parents and to all the guests the activities they have carried out and the works they have created in their classes throughout the school year which is about to end/
The invitation to the celebration
"A celebration at the KESPEM of Drosero", The news story of the even on Channel 6
"Drosero bids farewell to winter", Embros (a local newspaper in Xanthi)
- Counseling Pupils about the Greek University Entrance Exams
On Saturday, May 17, 2014 an information session about study choices in higher education was conducted at the KESPEM of Xanthi, by the head of the Counseling and Orientation Center (KESYP) of the city, Mr. Georgios Bakalidis, for the 12th grade pupils who are going to take the university entrance exams. Twenty pupils who attended the classes of all concentrations/directions at the KESPEM since the start of the school year, together with their teachers who were also present at the session, received answers to their queries for the university departments which they considered to choose, the scientific fields of study, and also on how to complete their computerized forms where they list the departments to which they wish to be admitted. A month before, the pupils had themselves drafted a list of the departments they were interested in, and written down the points they wished this information session to concentrate on.
- A small Celebration at the KESPEM of Ehinos! (March 2014)
On March 9, 2014, the class sections of the KESPEM of Ehinos, in cooperation with the Minority Primary School of Ehinos, organized a small celebration. Parents and children packed the hall of the school where the celebration took place. Male and female pupils of the KESPEM staged small theatrical plays, presented recipes for sweets, danced, had fun, and renewed their commitment to participate in the KESPEMs' educational activities that continue
- Farewell Party at the Avlea
The curtains fell for a final time at the Avlea hall of the KESPEM of Komotini with a celebration--a party-- organized for the young pupils attending the KESPEM classes and activities. The party took place on February 28, as part of the (carnival related) general festive atmosphere, and upon the wish of the children themselves. With the guidance of the young workers of the Creative Workshops for the Youngsters and the KESPEM staff, the children made masks and decorations, danced and had fun. Many parents, who accompanied their children and were visibly proud of them, attended the party as observers.
- “The Other Town” at the Avlea
A special viewing of the documentary entitled "The Other Town," produced by Hercules Millas and Nefin Dinç, took place on Friday, February 21, 2014, at the "Avlea" hall of KESPEM of Komotini. The audience comprised of Project staff members, many viewers from the Minority and the Majority, and there was a strong attendance of students from the Democritus University of Thrace. Hercules Millas, who was present at the event, moderated a lively and interesting post-viewing discussion and answered the questions of the audience.
- We Form Teams- We Build Friendships: A Screening at "Avlaia" (February 2014)
The film "We Form Teams-We Build Friendships", which was created within the framework of a European Union project entitled "Prosociality Sport Club- Prosociality for Intergration and Multiculturalism", and by pupils from the middle school of Sminthi and the high school of Glafki, under the coordination of Ms. Alexandra Kitsou, a physics teacher, was screened on February 6th at the Avlaia hall of the KESPEM of Komotini.
The film presents the common experiential, educational, and sports activities that were carried out by the participating schools, as well as the experiences of pupils throughout the duration the European project "Prosociality Sport Club".
The methodology of the project is based on the development of positive attitudes and initiatives among various social groups, and of the sense of personal responsibility for the common good. Its goal is the promotion of universal human values and processes, such as socialization, interaction, cooperation, empathy, acceptance of differences, unity and respect.
During the screening at Avlaia, the coordinator of the project, Ms Alexandra Kitsou, and pupils from the middle school of Sminthi and the high school of Glafki shared with the audience their enthusiasm for this rich and fruitful experience.
Coverage of the event by the local press:
http://www.newsbeast.gr
http://www.xronos.gr
- Screening of a Movie for Children at Avlaia (January 2014)
On January 30, 2014, the KESPEM of Komotini organized a special screening for children of the animated movie "Ratatouille" at the "Avlaia" hall. The audience comprised of 50 male and female pupils of pre-school age, and 20 mothers who were accompanying them. The children watched the movie with great attention and seemed to be enjoying it.
- KESPEMs of Xanthi: Counseling for Safe Use of the Internet
In January 2014, the KESPEMs of Xanthi, in cooperation with the "Centers for the Prevention of Addicions and the Promotion of Phycosocial Health" of OKANA ("Organization against Drugs"), organized four counselling meetings with male and female middle school pupils who attend the classes at the KESPEMs of Xanthi. The meetings were held with the help of the staff from "Ekfrasi" ("Expression") a prevention center in Xanthi, on 01/14, 01/18, 01/22 and 01/24. Their purpose was to empower the youngsters by informing them on how to use the Internet safely and on how to avoid the development of addictive behaviours related to Internet use.
- Surprise-Party at the KESPEM of Ehinos (December 2013)
On 21 December 2013, the 6th grade pupils attending the classes and activities of the KESPEM of Ehinos organized a festive surprise party for their teacher. They took the initiative to throw a small party with a cake, music and dance. They all wished, to their teacher and to themselves, creative and happy new year.
- A celebration to welcome 2014 at the "Avlaia" (December 2013)
On Friday, December 20, at the "Avlaia", the children of the KESPEM of Komotini celebrated the end of 2013 and the coming of 2014.
The children, the teachers, and the DEN staff created a very warm jolly atmosphere. More than 80 pre-school-age, primary- and secondary-school children came together, prepared festive decorations, danced, tasted pies and kurabiyes (sugared buns) -- and had a lot of fun. They shared their joy with about 60 adults, mainly mothers, who celebrated together while enjoying their coffee.
At the end of their celebration they all wished that this fun and the same optimism accompany them throughout the year 2014.
- The Deputy Minister of Education Mr Symeon Kedikoglou visits the KESPEM of Xanthi (October 2013)
On Saturday, October 26, 2013, the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr Symeon Kedikoglou accompanied by the Regional Director of Education, Mr Savvas Melissopoulos, paid a visit to the KESPEM of Xanthi. People in charge of various actions conducted by the Project in Thrace briefed the Deputy Minister about the results and the progress achieved so far by the Project, about the work of the KESPEMs, and about the activities that are going to take place this year. He was shown around the offices and classrooms of the KESPEM, where he had the chance to see first-hand the classes taking place and to talk to teachers and pupils. In a statement he made to reporters afterwards, Mr Kedikoglou characterized the Project for the Education of Minority Children as particularly important, for it reinforced, and contributed to, Minority children's effort to learn the Greek language, and supported their integration into the school environment. He also emphasized on the success of the Project, on the basis of measurable results. He also emphasized that the Project had now been proven, on the basis of measurable results, successful in practice.
For more on this visit, see also: xanthipress.gr
- The Classes at the KESPEMs have started (October 2013)
On October 7, 2013, started, for the school year 2013-2014, all the activities at the KESPEMs in the prefectures of Xanthi and Rhodope, while those interested in taking part in these activities are still continuing to register. After the recess for the Muslim religious holiday of Kurban Bayrami, in the middle of October, the activities which include classes for secondary and high school children, and Greek language classes for adults, restarted and resumed their regular schedule. In the meantime, the first groups of secondary and high school pupils for career guidance and counselling are being formed.
The mobile KESPEMs began their classes right after Bayram holidays, on Monday October 21, 2013. Four vans, five drivers-intermediaries, and eleven educators-play workers visit 45 villages-26 of which in Rhodope, 15 in Xanthi and 4 in Evros prefectures.
- Classes at KESPEMs for Re-Sit Pupils marked by great success (2013)
The classes included Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography), Humanities/philological subjects (Modern Greek, Modern Greek Literature, History, Ancient Greek from original texts and from translated texts) and Mathematics. The pupils who attended were from public secondary schools, from the two minority secondary schools and from the Islamic religious school of Komotini.
The number of pupils who passed their exams and moved to the next grade was 195, in other words, 93,3 of those who attended the classes.
- Summer classes at the KESPEMs (2013)
From 26 June to 30 July 2013 lasted the summer classes for primary school pupils and adults at the central and peripheral KESPEMs. At the end of August re-sit pupils of secondary schools had the chance to attend tutorial classes for the exams of September.
The main objective of the summer classes for the primary school pupils was to strengthen these childrens' command in Greek and to instill in them a love for reading and borrowing books, through reading motivation activities. The classes for the children of the upper grades included some Physics and Mathematics while 6th grade pupils studied S. Zarabouka's book "Odyssey"- an activity that aimed to help them in their transition to secondary (middle) school.
In total, 1.039 primary school pupils and 45 adults attended the classes that were organized at the central KESPEMs of Xanthi and Rodopi and at the peripherals of Drosero, Evlalo, Ehinos, Selero, Iasmos, Sapes and Avantos. Classes for adults were organized also at the villages of Kentavros and Iliopetra under the supervision of the central KESPEMs
- Success of Pupils from the Xanthi KESPEMs in the Greek University Entry Exams (May 2013)
This year, the KESPEMs of the Xanthi prefecture (in addition to all other classes) also offered preparatory classes for high school seniors who were going to take the nationwide entry exams for higher education. It was with great joy and excitement that we learned the good news from the 9 pupils who managed to secure a spot at universities (AEI) and technical educational institutes (TEI). For some of them the spot they won was among their first choices. Heartfelt congratulations to Mehdi, Fatma, to Hakan, to Safiye, to Gülistan, to Ergül, and to Hüseyin! We wish them every success in their future studies.
- Trip to Thessaloniki (2013)
On 20 April 2013, the students of the "Greek language classes for adults" at the KESPEMs made a trip to Thessaloniki for sightseeing. They participated 108 adults (4 men and 104 women), mainly mothers of the students that attend classes at the KESPEMs of Selero, Evlalo, Iliopetra, Xanthi, Kentavros, Komotini, Iasmos and Kehros.
- Screening of the movie "A touch of spice" at "Avlaia" hall of KESPEM of Komotini (2013)
On Tuesday 26 March 2013, at "Avlea" hall of the KESPEM of Komotini, was screened Tasos Boulmetis' film "A touch of spice" for the students of the Greek classes of Komotini. The teachers took advantage of some movie scenes during educational process.
Watch pictures of the screening
- "Experiment, Camera... Go!" event at Progressive Union of Xanthi (April 2012)
On Sunday, April 14, 2013, all the groups of the KESPEMs of Xanthi, Selero, Evlalo and Ehinos took part in the event that was organized at the Progressive Union of Xanthi in which presented the results of their work during the series of classes with experiments in the field of Natural Sciences. The students were rewarded for their effort.
- Career guidance and counseling groups (2012)
The groups of career counseling are preparing a magazine based on a common project. The preparation of the magazine consists of taking interviews from professionals, looking online about the potentials before and after finishing school and regular meetings for its layout. The project coordinator is Avraam Intzevidis, associate of the Program.
- "Avlea", hall of KESPEM of Komotini, is re-opening its doors (2012)
Since winter 2012 regularly, at Avlaia, the KESPEMs and the Creative Youth Workshop are organizing activities and events.
Following up the "Drop the Curtain of a Dream" event, on January 2012, in which took part 150 both minority and majority kids, the associates of the Program, organized, once more, activities for all the citizens of Komotini. The events included screening of films- for kids and adults documentaries and animation-, fine art workshops, concerts and also different kind of activities on the roads and in the neighborhoods. Most of the activities are organized in collaboration with artists and men of letters and other entities, like an educational project for Thracian diet using traditional tableware and recipes from the Ethnological Museum of Thrace. The first of these activities "the mystery of the Magic Flute" took place on 9 and 10 March 2013.
- Meeting the parents at the KESPEMs (November 2012)
The last weeks of November 2012 the associates of the KESPEMs organized meetings between the teachers and the parents of the students.
a. Meeting with parents of primary school pupils
This year, 250 parents of primary school pupils visited the KESPEMs and had small conversations with their teachers. In most of the classes the kids made themselves the invitation for their parents, and they waited for them at the meeting to show them their work.
In most of the meetings parents described the strong desire of their kids to attend the classes at the KESPEMs. The teachers, from their part, explained the activities that are organized and the objectives they serve. They emphasized that the classes are done in a playful way in order to take part as many kids as possible. Parents seemed very pleased when the meeting finished and some of them stated their satisfaction at the learning by their kids of basic mathematical terminology. In general, these meeting were useful for parents and for teachers.
b. Meetings with parents of student of Secondary Education
At the same time they were organized meetings with the parents of the students of secondary education. Approximately, 80 parents visited the KESPEMs and expressed their great satisfaction for the classes that are held there. A lot of them focused on the importance of the support given in their school courses, especially now, in the years of the economical crisis. They showed their happiness for visiting the KESPEMs and they mentioned also the positive comments of their kids about the quality of the classes. From their part, teachers were very pleased with the meeting and they realized the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers for the school progress of the students.
- The new Greek Language Classes for Adults (May 2012)
On 14 May 2012, began two new adult classes. These classes started after the demand of some mothers that their kids are taking part in the classes of mobile KESPEMs in Iliopetra (prefecture of Xanthi) and Kehros (prefecture of Rodopi). So the Program organized classes in these two villages that are held at the same time with the mobile KESPEMs classes. Mothers seem very satisfied and other women from nearby villages seem that they want to imitate them.
- On the occasion of November 17 (2012)
In the classes that took place on Saturday, November 17, 2012, the day of the anniversary of the Polytechnic school uprising in Greece, a lot of teachers referred to the struggles for freedom, human rights and children's rights and they made interesting conversation and worked on special projects on the above topics with their students.
