T. G. Masaryk elementary School and Nursery in Písek, Czech Republic

The T. G. Masaryk elementary school is a complete nine-year school with the maximum capacity of 840 pupils. The school is attended by children from Písek and surrounding villages. The school building on the left bank of the Otava river was designed by the Plzeň architect Viktorin Schulz. The school opened its gates to the first pupils on 19 September 1911. For forty years the school was named after Captain Otakar Jaroš, its Czech name T. G. Masaryk elementary school only being returned to it in 1990. In 2005 the school received the Eco-School title, successfully defended again in 2007, even at an international level. In the field of environmental education the school cooperates with the Department of the Environment of the Town Council of Písek and the Makov Animal Rescue Service.

Press release on the school PB at TGM Elementary School in Písek:

The pupils of T. G. Masaryk Elementary School decided for themselves on what the money would go, or our “School PB”.

The pupils of T. G. Masaryk Elementary School in Písek were able to participate in the School PB in late 2017. Thanks to the programme they could try participating in decisions concerning them personally. The main aim was a common decision about the use of the funds provided to the school for this purpose by the Písek Town Council.

"The app is great. I found it well arranged and user-friendly, so I read it, printed or downloaded what I needed, and was happy. Good that you can check the tasks that you have completed. If it were not for the application, the organization of the PB would have been much more difficult."

Martina Smolová, coordinator, TGM elementary school and nursery in Písek

The first step was to put together the schedule for the whole PB. The second step was proposing when individuals or groups of pupils of the 3rd to 9th forms proposed possible projects. The selected projects were presented by their authors at a school meeting in the gym. There the pupils jointly selected the projects for approval. In the course of the approval process a jury of school management representatives chose the feasible projects. Then the project authors were invited to launch a campaign, which was held separately for the lower and the higher elementary level pupils. After that the pupils voted for “their” project. They could choose from ten proposals of their schoolmates. The results of the vote were announced to all pupils via the school radio.  

The last step of the PB was the implementation of the winning projects. After consideration of the financial demand the following decisions were taken: the school canteen would be equipped with a drink dispenser, the school garden would be provided with an outdoor trampoline and the specialized subject classrooms would be furnished with seating bags.

The pupils of our school tried what it was like to propose and then assert their ideas. In addition they obtained what they wanted and what they would use.

"I like the fact that the project is time limited, that I can see its end. I think that it is also good for the children to see the results in real time."

Martina Smolová, coordinator, TGM elementary school and nursery in Písek

Example of rules for the School PB Campaign

Date: 10 – 15 November 2017

• Contributions to the school website can be sent to the e-mail address of the school headmaster by 14 November 2017 (size max. 1 page).
• The size of posters and other promotional materials (hereinafter just “materials”) placed inside the school can be max. A3.
• he materials can be placed on the notice boards in the school corridors, any notice boards in the lower elementary level section, notice boards by the changing rooms in the higher elementary level section, even over the existing displays, such as pictures, and further on the classroom doors fixed by sealing tape or a magnet. The only condition is that the materials of other competitors must not be covered or removed!!!
• Loose leaflet size may be max. A5.
  
• Always specify the assumed project costs.

Remember that:

• Less is sometimes more.
• The project name should be brief, attractive and visible from a distance.
• Lettering should be large and legible.
• Sentences should be short, clear and comprehensible.
• Use pictures and colours.
• Help each other.

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