School democracy at Näsi school About the student board activity in Näsi school in Finland

At Näsi School we have a student body. In it there are two members from every class except from the first class. That means we have 12 students at our student body. Their ages are between eight and twelve. The student body gathers about once a week and two teachers guide its work.

We have a tradition of 30 years of the student body activity. Lately the student body activity has spread to all the elementary schools in Porvoo and we collaborate with the student bodies of all the other schools, too.

Our closest partner in co-operation is our neighbour school called Tulliportti School. Tulliportti School has handicapped students from ages 6 to 16. We have common meetings and all the activities we have are shared.muuta It is very educational and fun to both healthy and handicapped children to work and play together.

The leader of the student body at the moment is a girl from the sixth grade. The members of the Student board voted her for the chairman. She chairs discussion and works with common matters very actively.

Activity in the school This fall the student board organized a campaign to promote good manners. The campaign was called “huippu tyyppi” which means “top character” in Finnish. The students could earn “top character” signs by showing very good manners (such as helping others willingly, complimenting their others etc). Every class had a board where they collected the signs. In the end of the week the class with most signs was awarded.

Fun in school One of the most popular activities at out school is when the student government lets it hair down and organizes a disco about once in a school year. It is an event the pupils always wish for when the members of the board ask their classes what kind of events the students want to have during the school year. This November we organized a Halloween day with a costume party and a disco! The student board of one of our neighbour school’s (Peippo school) was also invited.

Finnish traditional national dresses. This picture was taken in Finlands 90th independence day

We have also done many other things like a workshop day. There students chose which workshop they would like to participate. There were workshops like baking, singing, first aid, arts and grafts etc.

Education and favourite lunches On April 2008 we will familiarize ourselves with media. Younger students will visit a local newspaper and students from the fifth and sixth grades will visit out national television called Yleisradio in Helsinki. Very popular at out school is a week when students may eat their favourite lunches. The student government organizes an election about most popular foods. Our kitchen will then cook the children’s favourite foods in one week’s time. Those foods have usually been spaghetti Bolognese, porridge, pizza etc.

We have had sport days every year and will have one again this spring.

Education and favourite lunches On April 2008 we will familiarize ourselves with media. Younger students will visit a local newspaper and students from the fifth and sixth grades will visit out national television called Yleisradio in Helsinki. Very popular at out school is a week when students may eat their favourite lunches. The student government organizes an election about most popular foods. Our kitchen will then cook the children’s favourite foods in one week’s time. Those foods have usually been spaghetti Bolognese, porridge, pizza etc.

Democracy in school Democracy haves many different faces in the classrooms. In some classes the pupils can make suggestions about the sitting arrangements and then vote the one they like best. It is a way to make the children commit themselves to maintain a peaceful working environment. When it is local election in Porvoo or election of the parliament or the President of Finland, the student board arrange school polls. It is an opportunity for all the children to practice how to participate in an election.

This year we have had a polish student teacher, Dorota. She studies to be an german teacher but she speaks excellent english also and has learned good finnish. Dorota is in the middle of our 6th grade teachers Sannaleena and Päivi.