Kalevanpuiston koulu - Kalevanpuisto School

School:
Kalevanpuiston koulu
Address:
Lemminkäisenkatu 14
FI-33540 Tampere
FINLAND
Mobile +358 40 571 1465 Headmaster Mrs. Tuila Saarentaus
Fax +358 3 5654 2897
E-mail: Tuila.Saarentaus @ tampere.fi

Teaching full of life

Kalevanpuisto school provides special education in a normal school setting. Our students have extensive problems in learning and understanding, autistic symptoms, and mental retardation. Our teaching ranges from pre-school teaching (2 years) to the 9th grade. According to Finnish law children in schools such as ours are obliged to attend school for 11 years. (School starting age is six years.)

In Kalevanpuisto school we follow a modified curriculum (modified from normal basic school curriculum), and a curriculum based on activities (for the severely mentally challenged students). Each student has a curriculum of his own. It´s called HOJKS = an individualized education plan, where specific aims and goals are set and followed. The HOJKS is made by the student´s teacher (the classroom assistants and parents are also involved). It is also a  tool to evaluate the student´s studies.

There are 15 classes. Two of them are TEACCH classes (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Comminucation Handicapped Children) for students who especially need structure-based teaching and have autism or autistic symptoms. In each class there is one special education teacher and at least two classroom assistants in order to provide the specific professional expertise that our students need.

Our aim and vision is to teach and educate our students to be youngsters who can live with themselves and other people as independent as possible in an environment that is important for them. We try to modify the teaching and support students growth and learning in ways that are especially and individually planned for them.

In our teaching and rehabilitation we work in cooperation with parents and other teaching staff. We are also able to consult speech therapists, physical therapists, psychologists and health care staff. There is also a special pastoral care group that can meet when needed.

Kalevanpuisto school is concerned not only for the present needs of special education but is looking ahead to the future as well. There are many projects going on that develop collaboration between the normal basic school system and the special education system. Small steps have already been taken in order to develop the core curriculum for that colaberation. It is also very important to develop more vocational opportunities for students who are finishing their studies and looking for their place in the community.

Everyday life around us

Kalevanpuisto school provides different opportunities to learn. We have models of integrated teaching which are based on the idea of inclusive learning. We collaborate in this regard with our neighbouring Sampo basic school. Three of our classes are situated in Sampo school. They are specially formed integrated classgroups, where both normal and special children are mixed together. Altogether there are about 40 pupils in this class plus two teachers and two classroom assistants. It is important for our children to interact with their peers, who serve as role models and provide the opportunity to learn social skills. This interaction also offers normal children a more experienced way of learning values such as tolerance and friendship. Additional staff members are provided to support this experience.

Pre-school teaching values basic everyday skills, security and motivation for learning. It is a challenge to create a warm and supporting athmosphere from the beginning. The first two years provide time for evaluation, exploration and cooperation. Pre-school classes from Kalevanpuisto have collaboration time with Sampo Kindergarten about two days a week.

In grades 7-9 it is important to provide support in adjusting to society and in planning continuing education. Students are given the opportunity to spend time in different vocational programs, special adult vocational education organizations, and in work centers. A decision can then be made as to whether a student should continue his studies or work as a skilled, supported worker.

Students who are involved in education based on activities are integrated to classroom teaching within our school as much as possible, individually, or as a group.

We cooperate especially with the schools in our neighbourhood. Our aim is to give our students opportunities to get acquainted with students from other schools and to see normal ways of teaching as well as other specialialized teaching.

Mega energy on our behalf

* We have classes studying together (music, literature, gymnastics).
* We form groups ”over class boundaries” to serve students’ interests and skills 
(English, literature, sports, music, biology, art, health education, drama, information technology).
* We organize parties, happenings and workshops.
* We implement groups that are guided by speech therapists, physical therapists and other experts.
* All persons who are involved in teaching are included in our planning sessions.
* We give and share information from our knowledge and experience in special education.

The doors of Kalevanpuisto School are always opens to people and ideas!

© Tampereen kaupunki | Kalevanpuiston koulu | Pekka Lehtonen
Päivitetty 8.8.2012