Educational curriculum presentation for the new Vasilios S. and Aphrodite B. Haseotes Middle School of the American Farm School
Preparations for the new Middle School at the American Farm School are continuing at an accelerated pace. Construction of the brand new building is progressing steadily and remains on schedule to be completed in the Summer and welcome the first incoming class in September 2019. Funded in part through a generous gift from the Haseotes Family Foundation, the “Vasilios S. and Aphrodite B. Haseotes” Middle School is designed by the award-winning Thessaloniki-based architectural firm 406 architects. The school will serve up to 200 students in grades 7-9 and, in addition to classrooms, will include multiple science laboratories and STEM Maker spaces.
In parallel with the construction, the school’s educational program has been developed under the direction of the school’s new principal, Mr. Dimitris Slavoudis, and was presented to primary school parents. The event was held November 7, at the amphitheater of the brand new "Aliki Perroti" Educational Center. Multiple meetings with primary school parents have given them an opportunity to voice their views and articulate their needs and expectations, a dialog that the school intends to continue as it seeks to set yet another new benchmark for education excellence in Thessaloniki.
The President of the American Farm School, Dr. Panos Kanellis, referred to one of the unique elements of the philosophy and academic approach of the Haseotes Middle School, the Career and Learning Academy. "Students are involved in cross-subject projects related to real situations/problems occurring in the workplace. The activities are coordinated by teachers in collaboration with professionals and business executives and aim to expose students to current societal and workplace issues. Topics are drawn from the fields of health, technology, engineering, art, communication, law and entrepreneurship.”
Principal Dimitris Slavoudis emphasized the need to smoothly transition primary school students to the Haseotes Middle School. Parents were informed about the structure and philosophy of the school and the planned curriculum and had the opportunity to meet with teachers.
The main goals of the Haseotes Middle School are to provide the necessary academic support and prepare students for High School, embed and enhance practical life skills, and support students (and parents) as they choose their longer term direction of studies. The school’s curriculum builds on the standard curriculum (required by the Ministry of Education in Greece) with enhanced teaching in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and English Language and provides Environmental Education and Vocational Guidance in addition. The program is further enriched with activities and course work geared toward enhancing leadership skills, digital literacy, personal development and also ensuring a deeper appreciation of culture. And students will also be able to participate in experiential activities, with academic and entertainment content.
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