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Children of parents with a lower income or level of education already start primary school with a disadvantage, and they do not catch up during their school careers. This is shown by the CPB study ‘Inequality in Early Childhood’, published on 17 December. The study also shows that the parents’ socioeconomic background says more about a child’s academic success than any migration background.
What is the state of school lunches in primary education in Europe? This was investigated by Geertje van Bergen, Monique Vingerhoeds, Coosje Dijkstra and Ellen van Kleef. The research was carried out by Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (WFBR), part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University (WUR) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). of Wageningen University.
Conducting a safe conversation in the classroom can be done in several ways. One of those ways is using a ‘talking stick’. In a blog post, Sylvia van Bragt, citizenship adviser at Stichting School & Veiligheid, explains its use. Van Bragt is working with Fleur Nollet on the ‘Citizenship in Primary Schools’ project.
No fewer than 264 school locations in primary education, special education, secondary education and vocational education can take part in round 3 of the Healthy Relationships & Sexuality Incentive Scheme. Interest was high: nearly 400 school locations registered their interest in this round of the scheme. They had until 16 November to do so. Due to the high level of interest, grants under the incentive scheme are awarded to school locations based on criteria. In March 2021, registration of interest for round 4 will open.
How can we make it easier to talk about psychological vulnerability among young people? MIND, a movement by and for everyone dealing with mental health problems, and the Brain Foundation, a partner of Glos Educatief, have launched a special initiative called Songs of Life, which can also be used very effectively in education. In each episode, young people and artists talk about mental health problems. In the first episode, released on 2 December, Maud and singer Delany talk about anxiety and panic attacks.
As of 1 December 2020, students are required to wear a face mask outside lessons at all schools providing secondary (special) education. Face masks are not necessary in primary education and special (primary) education. The current situation naturally raises many questions among parents. Ouders en Onderwijs has collected the answers to frequently asked questions.
The Journal for Health Sciences (TSG) has published a special issue on Healthy School. One of the articles describes the research design of the Healthy School evaluation study funded by ZonMw.
Children with disabilities are included in national population surveys, but data on the sports and physical activity of this target group are not published because of the small numbers. This is evident from an exploration by the Mulier Institute into the sports and physical activity behavior of children with disabilities in the Netherlands.
Despite two system changes, the number of pupils in special education has barely changed in twenty years. To find explanations for this, better insight is needed into the relationship with the use of youth care. This is evident from a contribution by the Netherlands Youth Institute (NJi) to the Youth Monitor of Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Glos Educatief has entered into a partnership with the Alliance Against Child Poverty, a network of public and private organisations that aims to put an end to child poverty in the Netherlands. This is also important in schools, because children still feel a great deal of shame about discussing the subject, according to Tilly de Jong of Glos Educatief.
Now that the coronavirus infection figures are falling less than hoped, calls to close the schools are being heard again. But what about the infectiousness of children and young people? And what are the consequences of school closures for their development? The Netherlands Youth Institute weighs up the arguments and advocates keeping at least the essential functions of schools in the areas of qualification, socialisation and personal development going.
OBS De Tweemaster from Goes is the winner of the ‘Together we get your class moving’ Earn-and-Learn Challenge organized by Presikhaaf School Furniture, JOGG and Wieblie. The winning entry was about the math obstacle course in the activity room at De Tweemaster.
Since 1 August, a smoking ban has been in force on school grounds, which must be completely smoke-free. From 1 January, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will supervise compliance with the smoking ban. In this information sheet, the NVWA addresses frequently asked questions about enforcing the smoking ban.
Sexual violence still occurs far too often. It is time for a new generation to grow up with respect for each other’s boundaries and wishes, so that fewer people become victims of sexual violence. That is why Rutgers, the knowledge centre for sexuality, is launching the #TotHier petition campaign on 24 November. Schools can play an important role in this, as can the government.
In recent weeks, the debate in politics and society has focused on how schools can deal with the tension between freedom of expression and the right to hold one's own beliefs. Pupils and students feel that their religious identity is being affected (as in the case of a cartoon) or their sexual identity (as became clear from stories told by former Christian Orthodox pupils). More than often, these identities clash with one another.
In the Netherlands, one in seven children has suffered hearing damage as a result of loud noise. This hearing damage is irreversible and has a negative impact on, among other things, (academic) performance and well-being. VeiligheidNL therefore wants to establish hearing damage prevention in schools. That is why they are asking teachers in upper primary and lower secondary education, as well as internal support coordinators, to complete a survey.
To achieve the healthiest and happiest possible childhood, we need to strengthen young people through prevention. Because starting early brings great benefits. Based on this shared conviction, the Netherlands Center for Youth Health and GLOS Educatief are joining forces. Both parties also believe in a strong environment as a buffer and an ingredient for growing up healthy, safely and with opportunities, and in connecting with the target group itself. An interview with Ellen-Joan Wessels (pictured on the right), adviser and changemaker at the NCJ, and Tilly de Jong, director of GLOS Educatief.
Children move naturally. They do not need to be told to do so. However, Yolanda van Hoorn of Wieblie would like to encourage teachers to participate in the ‘Together we get your class moving’ fundraising campaign by Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen, JOGG and Wieblie: “Take part in this great campaign and get a chance to win an Active Learning workshop for your team!”
Presikhaaf School Furniture, JOGG and Wieblie are jointly promoting the ‘Together we get your class moving’ Rewards Campaign this year. According to Ronald Burgers, Marketing Manager at Presikhaaf School Furniture, the Rewards Campaign fits perfectly with the company’s philosophy: “We do not only sell school furniture, but are also always looking for initiatives to get children moving. Our motto is not without reason: ‘Furnishing with space and flexibility for movement.’”
Being active and moving brings a great deal of joy to the classroom. For Peter Legters of JOGG, this is one of the main reasons why schools should take part in JOGG, Wieblie and Presikhaaf Schoolmeubelen’s Reward Campaign, ‘Together we get your class moving’.
On Thursday, 5 November, State Secretary Paul Blokhuis sent the House of Representatives the report ‘Healthier at primary school: school lunches and more physical activity; An exploration of support, feasibility, affordability and impact’, prepared by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The study shows, among other things, that introducing a school lunch combined with more physical activity at school could reduce the percentage of children aged 4 to 18 who are overweight from 13.5% to 10.2% by 2040, and the percentage of children with obesity from 2.8% to 2.3% by 2040.
Physically active learning – ever heard of it? Or have you even applied it in the classroom? Then the Mulier Institute needs your help!
Especially at a time when fake news can sometimes be difficult to recognize and people seem to be losing their trust in the media, it is important to talk to students about their media use and inform them about the importance of press freedom. That is why Samsam is publishing a special issue on Media on 12 November.
How can a school work towards the national Healthy School Certificate step by step? The Dordrecht project Doe ff Gezond has developed a new star-based rating system for healthy policies at schools and childcare locations. Schools receive three, four or five stars on their door or window. This allows them to work towards expanding their efforts and ultimately obtaining the Healthy School Certificate. On Wednesday, 28 October, the stars were awarded for the first time to more than 60 schools and childcare locations in Dordrecht.
This school year marks the tenth edition of MediaMasters. MediaMasters is a unique serious game about the opportunities and dangers of digital media, specially designed for pupils in years 6 and 7 of primary education. From 5 to 13 November, the classes will compete for the coveted title: ‘Most Media-Literate Class in the Netherlands’. On Monday 16 November at 1:00 p.m., the most media-literate class of 2020 will be announced.
Every child in 2040 following a healthy diet. That is the ambition of the Alliance for a Healthy Generation. The Alliance was established by the Diabetes Fund, Heart Foundation, Dutch Digestive Foundation and Kidney Foundation, in cooperation with the Municipality of Amsterdam, JOGG and UNICEF Netherlands.
Preventing hearing damage in children and young people is an important issue and a growing problem in the Netherlands: 1 in 7 children have suffered hearing damage as a result of loud noise. This hearing damage is irreversible and has a negative impact on, among other things, (academic) performance and well-being. Preventing hearing damage is therefore of great importance, especially at a young age. Schools can play an important role in this. That is why VeiligheidNL is now calling on schools for help.
Dutch children feel less healthy and are more often affected by anxiety and depression as a result of the COVID-19 measures. This is shown by research among approximately 1,000 children aged 8 to 18 conducted by the Emma Children's Hospital at Amsterdam UMC during the first lockdown.
What are the consequences of the coronavirus for professionals who work with children, young people and their parents? The Netherlands Youth Institute created a series of podcasts in which various professionals from the youth sector talk about their experiences and new insights. In episode 8, a conversation with school principal Jan Willem Heemstra, student Toby and paediatrician Brita de Jong-van Kempen.
Lianne van der Kruk is conducting a survey of school gardens at all Dutch primary schools. The aim is to create more school gardens, with the ultimate mission that every child in primary school has their own garden.