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4vuurwerkveilig school campaign launched

4vuurwerkveilig school campaign launched

The end of the year is approaching once again. This also means setting off fireworks, which is part of our New Year's Eve tradition. During the New Year's celebrations, fireworks cause many serious injuries in a short period of time. To raise children's awareness of the dangers of fireworks and encourage safe behavior, VeiligheidNL has offered the free 4vuurwerkveilig educational package since 2015. The educational package for years 7–8 of primary school has been updated this year and is now available to request free of charge.

Make school lunches healthy and educational

Make school lunches healthy and educational

Now that a significant number of schools in the Netherlands have the opportunity, through the government (schoolmaaltijden.nl), to organize a breakfast or lunch for their pupils, there is a clear opportunity to make real progress in the area of a healthy lifestyle as well. The school lunch can be offered to children in a healthy way while also providing an educational exchange. Onderwijsgezond is a foundation that provides healthy school lunches at schools by cooking them together with upper-grade pupils.

Online etiquette: how to make it discussable in the classroom

Online etiquette: how to make it discussable in the classroom

From cyberbullying and hate comments to shame sexting and other unwanted online behavior. It is important for pupils and students to be aware of the risks that messaging and social media can entail. Awareness can prevent a great deal of trouble. That is why it is important to encourage the online resilience of all pupils and students. In this article from Gezonde School, Freek Zwanenberg of Bureau Jeugd & Media explains the importance of good online etiquette and offers tips for the classroom. Elsbeth Reitzema of Rutgers also explains what you can do regarding online boundary-crossing behavior in relationships and sexuality.

EU School Fruit starts again

EU School Fruit starts again

On 13 November, EU School Fruit started again. EU School Fruit encourages primary school children to eat fruit and vegetables together in the classroom. Participating schools receive 3 portions of vegetables and fruit every week for 20 weeks for all pupils. And it is completely free, thanks to funding from the European Union. This year, the project is extra fun because three games are available for social interaction during fruit time: vegetable and fruit dominoes (Years 1, 2 and 3), vegetable and fruit board game (Years 4 and 5), vegetable and fruit quartet (Years 6, 7 and 8).

Election for the most sports-oriented primary school in the Netherlands

Election for the most sports-oriented primary school in the Netherlands

Sports-oriented primary schools in the Netherlands, pay attention! Would you like to show that your school excels in providing good and sufficient opportunities for exercise and sports? And does your school deserve a place in the spotlight? Then register your school for the election of the Most Sports-Oriented Primary School/Special (Primary) Education School in the Netherlands 2024. Registration is open until 1 December.

Webinar on sensory processing and stress in primary school-aged children

Webinar on sensory processing and stress in primary school-aged children

With the holiday season approaching, primary school-aged children experience more stimuli and their stress levels can rise. How does that actually work? And what is the relationship with sleep? What about understimulation and overstimulation? On 1 November, Melissa den Ouden, Linda Kerkmans and Tilly de Jong shared knowledge and tips in a webinar for parents, ‘Sensory processing and stress in primary school-aged children’. This webinar may also provide professionals with interesting insights.

Implementation of Healthy School more successful at some schools than at others

Implementation of Healthy School more successful at some schools than at others

There are major regional differences between schools working according to the Healthy School approach, both in its practical implementation and in the support a school receives. When the support and implementation of the programme are stronger, the Healthy School programme can contribute to promoting young people’s health. This is evident from an evaluation of the programme by scientists from Maastricht University, which was presented on Friday 3 November during a meeting in Utrecht.

Implementation of the statutory requirement of two physical education lessons at primary schools remains challenging

Implementation of the statutory requirement of two physical education lessons at primary schools remains challenging

As of the 2023–2024 school year, primary schools must provide all pupils with at least two physical education lessons. Recent research by the Mulier Institute and a KVLO survey examined the extent to which primary schools are able to meet the statutory requirement. Both studies show that the shortage of suitable accommodation for physical education is a matter of concern and requires attention.

Food Forest Gardens looking for a place in Utrecht East

Food Forest Gardens looking for a place in Utrecht East

Could your play and learning environment use a little more greenery? Would you like to teach children how food grows in a challenging and innovative way? Then a Food Forest Garden might be just the thing for you too! IVN is looking for schools and out-of-school care centres in Utrecht East where a Food Forest Garden can take root and flourish from the 2023–2024 school year onwards. Sign up and perhaps you too will receive a special little forest that produces a larger harvest every year.

Fourth Week of Motor Skills

Fourth Week of Motor Skills

From 6 to 9 November, the fourth edition of the Week of Motor Skills will take place. This year's theme is: Encourage a lifetime of sports and physical activity. This year's kick-off is the Week of Motor Skills: Live! At this event on 6 November at HAL22 in Utrecht, policymakers and policy advisers—whether working for a municipality, childcare, education or the healthcare sector—will be given practical tools to make sports and physical activity a permanent part of policy.

High level of interest among schools in incentive for healthy and sustainable food

High level of interest among schools in incentive for healthy and sustainable food

Schools have shown great interest in the Lekker naar buiten! incentive offered by the Jong Leren Eten programme. Over a period of three years, 2,273 schools applied for the grant through Gezonde School for activities such as gardening, cooking or visiting a farm. Schools say that the grant helps pupils and students gain practical experience with healthy and sustainable food. This is shown by an evaluation conducted by the RIVM on behalf of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).

Impact of the situation in Israel and Gaza on schools

Impact of the situation in Israel and Gaza on schools

On Saturday, 7 October, the Palestinian organization Hamas carried out attacks on Israel from Gaza. The shocking images are being broadcast around the world. The unrest this causes also enters the school and the classroom. It is therefore difficult not to address it. But how do you do this with a conflict that can provoke strong reactions? Such a sensitive subject can be challenging. Stichting School & Veiligheid provides guidance in the article below.

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