Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020 - wishing you from Ptuj

Dear Partners and followers!

Students, teachers and parents of primary school dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj, Slovenia wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Santa Claus visited students from dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj school

On December 23, students, teachers, and parents hung out at class workshops where we made ornaments and decorated a New Year's class tree, wrote our New Year wishes, and had some Christmas cookies. We have also prepared short programs for Santa, his wife and his hardworking dwarves. They visited us at the school gym. Each of students also received a gift. Look how much fun we had.

Impressions from Croatia by Metin Sabancı Special Education Schools

The 4th visit of the Erasmus + I.D.E.A Together We Can Project was held in Zagreb-Croatia between 10.11.2019 and 16.11.2019.

On the first day of the program 11.11.2019 Monday,  we have visited the school OS Otona Ivekovica. After the little students of the school welcomed us, they have performed plays and choir shows with different contents. The dolls representing each country were exchanged among the project partners. While leaving Basia behind, we have brought Francesco, Italy's doll, to our country with us. A presentation was made about the special education system and mainstreaming practices for students with special needs. Classroom visits were made to the First and Second graders. We had the opportunity to get information about the three practices  in regular education schools,: inclusion practices involving students with mild special needs with shadow teachers, special education classes for those with moderate special needs, and special education schools where special curricula were applied and compared with the system in our country. It was stated that the education curriculum was gathered under four different headings. (Individualized general program, systematic program with individualization and content change, individualized special curriculum, special program including learning skills and competences for daily life)

The educational environment; general and special education classes in general schools, special classes in special education schools and special education schools. In the assessment of students with special needs; health documents, tests and family consents were taken into consideration by the committee. Shadow teachers are assigned to schools and non-governmental organizations (with fixed-term work, student and voluntary agreement) and they continue their duties during the education period. Teachers who are university graduates in different branches of four years can work as shadow teachers with 2-day or approximately 6-month courses. The summer holiday is a disadvantage for them because of the obligatory gap in their payment period.

While us teachers participated in informational activities related to the education system, students with special needs participated in different workshops with their peers. We had the opportunity to see and learn the historical sites of Zagreb's old town. Then we visited the Illusion Museum. We experienced the illusions within the assumptions about the world we perceive in the museum with examples such as proximity, similarity, integrity, magnitude invariance in perception, observing the areas where depth perception and selectivity are used in perception and having fun with the whole project team.

On 12.11.2019 the program started in the same school on Tuesday. We attended the presentation of the school doctor about the working system. Similar to the school health program in our country. Parents are informed about the general health status of the students in certain periods and they are followed up from pre-school to the end of school period. It was stated that the families were directed to the students who needed follow-up for different reasons to continue out-of-school monitoring. Guidance service; learning difficulties, risky behaviors, mental health, reproductive health and chronic diseases.

Besides the teacher who guided the Brain Gym workshop, the students helped their teachers during the activities and guided us. In the Brain Gym activity, they mentioned that it helps coordination between right and left brain and body in learning, that these previously unreachable parts of the brain are reached with these exercises, and that new neuron connections connect the back and front parts of the brain. They showed physical exercises to improve their reading, writing, thinking and learning skills. We have enriched our repertoire of activities in our school, especially for those with mild mentally handicapped students.

Then we participated in the Tolerance Day event with students and teachers. We divided the groups into a series of joint painting activities including tolerance and acceptance messages. In the structured part of the study, the matched couples (teacher-student) harmonized with each other and experienced acting together to achieve a common message. It was also an empathic activity that showed areas where they could stretch and tolerate ideas, wishes, tendencies of others outside of yourself.

On the same day we went to the Typhlological museum which was about visually impaired people. While the Croatian group told us about the country's historical sites, education system and activities, they also presented a rich program of special education from past to present. We had the opportunity to see the tools used and sculptures created by visually impaired people

After the visit to the museum, we visited the OS Dugava school which had special education classes. They explained how they used different sensory stimuli (such as various aromatic oils) for health purposes. (Headache, depressive mood, concentration, etc.) We have learned that students who are included in special education classes continue with an inclusion model with their peers in some applications. We noticed that the classes were among the classes of their peers, who had grown up in an accessible space.

We started on Wednesday, 13.11.2019 with a visit to OS Nad Lipom, one of the oldest schools in Croatia. It was a school for students with mild, moderate, severe mental retardation and other needs (such as autism, motor disorders, social and emotional domains, speech and language disorders, etc.). Studies focusing on developing skills for daily life, student interests and needs, and developing positive self-perception of students are carried out. In the school program; Individualized private curriculum between 7-14 years, curricula with individualized methods that provide competence in daily living activities between 7-17 years and 17-21 years, programs including free time activities and creative workshops, speech therapy, sensory integration and extracurricular activities programs (school) sports club, dance and music groups). The classroom environments in the school were arranged for the needs of the students. The visual art products made by the students added a different color to the school corridors.

Later on, we visited Suvag, which conducts studies on hearing impaired people. Rehabilitation center working in the field of hearing and speech; conducting studies on counseling, hearing and speech training, research according to the verbotonal system, training for the application of the method, teaching foreign languages ​​to children and adults. There are 35 employees in the center where the diagnosis and hearing therapy is applied and there are doctors, physiotherapists, phonetic professors, nurses and technicians. Between 2007 and 2017, it was learned that 5984 teachers and educators in Croatia organized trainings by mobile teams. We had the opportunity to see some parts of the rehabilitation center and kindergarten.

When we returned to OS Otona Ivekovica school, all teachers and students involved in the project played the game Labyrinth with the guidance of the school students. Focusing on the senses, the game was a fun activity that brought students and adults together and raised awareness.

As the last event of the day, all teachers attended the Mindfulness event. This awareness that directs individuals to present time awareness during the event; It was emphasized that the stimuli coming from the environment, the person's own feelings and thoughts with a non-judgmental gentle focus to meet the situation. We can say that this activity can improve one's competencies against stress and emotion management throughout life and it is a different experience in terms of individual awareness.

On Thursday, 14.11.2019 we went to Split, Croatia. We were visiting the Museum of Senses. There were separate sensory activities in the spaces structured for different senses, but also in areas requiring coordination. After seeing the historical sites of Split, we returned to Zagreb.

On Friday, 15.11.2019, a visit was made at Zagreb's Town Hall. We talked about the general and special education system topics that we had the opportunity to observe during the week. Then Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences was visited. There are approximately 900 students in undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. educational rehabilitation, social pedagogy and speech and language pathology. They stated that the students studying at the faculty work in coordination with a center within their own bodies where they can do their applications.

As a result,

The special education model of Croatia, in the special education class applications in special education schools and general education schools; It is seen that it shows parallelism with the practices in our country. It has been observed that shadow teachers apply the working system in a functional way in the mainstreaming programs in general and general education schools in which students with medium and heavy special needs attend. In the general education schools of students with mild developmental retardation and those in need of special education, medium and heavy students with special needs should continue their education in classes or schools where special curriculum is applied.

Slovenian team impression from LTTA in partners school Oton Iveković Zagreb, Croatia

We were very excited and eager to gain new knowledge as we were traveling towards Otona Ivekovića Zagreb Primary School on November 11, 2019. Pupils awaited us with song and cheer. They were thrilled to show us what they can, and they transferred the excitement to us as well. All the activities were well planned and organized. 

We were introduced to the Croatian school system, in particular, how they integrate students with special needs. Moreover, we met with representatives of City Municipality. They told us about the inclusion of special needs children in regular classrooms. Positive aspects of this inclusion were highlighted; for example, how children can attend school and other activities with their peers. 

Special care is dedicated to health care. During the planned regular medical checkups, the school's doctor is paying particular attention to physical and mental development and deviations. 

We would also like to see the inclusion of persons with mental disabilities being included in society. A good practice example was shown to us at the Dugava Primary School. In one building, children with disabilities are being schooled and children attending regular school. Pupils are being taught in smaller groups by a special educator while respecting their individual needs.  

At the Nad lipom Primary School, their philosophy is to follow individual needs and to develop skills that will help pupils further in life. 

At the Suvag center for children with hearing difficulties, they follow a holistic approach in diagnostics and treatment of hearing impairment. Medical specialists, speech therapists, and other professionals are employed, and the latest technology is at hand. 

Further, we visited a faculty, where students are learning to deal with special needs children. We found it very positive that students can learn by observing specialists at work and are in contact from the beginning. 

During our field trip, we also visited the Zagreb Museum of Illusion and the typological museum, and the Museum of Senses in Split. Several workshops and other activities were organized, such as Brain Gym and relaxation workshop, where we actively participated and gained new experiences and knowledge.  

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Our students also actively participated in under the guidance of their escort Vesna. We chose very carefully suitable activities for them. The most comfortable they were at crafts, while activities that demanded exposure and active verbal participation were not putting them in a comfortable position, also due to language barriers. They befriended students from Poland. 

An individual is being shaped through culture and language. We had a glimpse at life in Zagreb, discovered its culture, food, and daily routine. It is without a doubt that we returned enriched for valuable experience, through which we can grow as professionals as well. We want to thank the primary school  Otona Ivekovića Zagreb for their hospitality and an invaluable experience. 

Members of the Erasmus+ team Slovenia: Damjana,  Lidija, Marija, Tanja, Vesna

TOLERANCE DAY IN METIN SABANCI SCHOOL , ISTANBUL, TURKEY

We made a picture of how we can be happy by talking about the differences

 In this picture, we explained that children in wheelchairs and non-wheelchairs play and have fun in support of each other, just like in our school.

Sometimes we may need help walking, eating, writing or doing activities, and we can get help from friends or teachers.

Our differences enrich us.

Project song written by Recep Bağcı, a Turkish LTTA participant in Zagreb

During the LTTA in partner school Oton Iveković in Zagreb, was created a song dedicated to the partner meeting.  At a farewell dinner, we discovered that we have a very talented poet from Turkey who has published a collection of poems.

Thank you dear Recep Bağcı for this wonderful gift.

ZAGREB'TE  BAZEN

Bazen  sessizlik yakışır,

Bazen şamata, eğlence,

Yağmurlar Zagreb’imize damla damla inince,

Bazen umutla gülümser,

Bazen asar yüzünü Zagreb.

Sensizlik bu kentte bekleyince.

Bazen sokaklarında saklıdır.

Bazen tünellerine de

Aşka sahip çıkar Zagreb

Bazen sana ait çığlıklar yankılanır

Bazen benim isyanlarım

Sağır olur duymaz Zagreb

Bazen hatırlanır yıllar sonra

Bazen bir daha dönülmez asla

Ama kin tutmaz Zagreb unutanlara

Bazen ben olur Zagreb;

Soğuk ama samimi.

Bazen sen olur Zagreb;

Çılgın ve sevimli.

Yolunun her düştüğünde

Senden bir selam bekler Zagreb

Ağlama sakın, gülümse 😄

Zagreb de yaşadıkların rüyalarına gelince.

TRANSLATION 

SOMETIMES IN ZAGREB

Sometimes silence fits,

 Sometimes joy, sometimes fun

 When the rains come down

 to our Zagreb,

 Sometimes she smiles with hope

 Sometimes Zagreb has a sad face

 Loneliness while waiting for you in this city

 Sometimes hidden in its streets

 And sometimes in its tunnels

 Zagreb takes care of love

 Sometimes your screams echo

And sometimes my rebellions

 Zagreb becomes deaf can not hear any of us

 Sometimes it is remembered years later

 Sometimes you can never turn back

 But Zagreb does not get offended to those who forget

 Sometimes Zagreb happens to be me;

Serious but sincere.

 Sometimes Zagreb happens to be you;

 Crazy and lovely .

 Every time you happen to be in Zagreb

 She expects a hello from you

 Don't cry but smile

 When the memories of Zagreb visit you in your dreams.

Recep Bağcı ( aka Secret Man )

Live interview for radio Sljeme Zagreb, Croatia

Live interview for radio Sljeme Zagreb, Croatia performed by LTTA at partner school Oton Iveković Zagreb. Participants in the interview are Tanja Nikolovski, the main coordinator of the international Erasmus + project "I.D.E.A! Together we can!" and main School Coordinator of the Oton Iveković Parent School, Vlasta Kovačević Herzog.

Interview for journal SCHOOL PORTAL, CROATIA giving by Tanja,  Marta, Lana and Vlasta.

ŠKOLSKI PORTAL-Inclusion is impossible without teacher education

                     ( klik on the link )

November 16-International Day for Tolerance in Primary school dr. Ljudevita Pivka Ptuj, Slovenia

The stories that our lives write are a painful experience for many. We want to minimize the painful experience. Can I, and how do I influence it?

Accepting other peoples, religion, culture, skin color, language ... should be the cornerstone of any democratic society. We must be aware that we can change many things with our tolerant attitude and actions.

People are often focused on flaws and mistakes, but too often we notice and highlight in the individual what he or she is good at or what we like about it.

In the day of tolerance we wanted to encourage each of us to find something beautiful in our fellow man. What seemed important to us was the fact that beautiful thoughts circulate with which we worshiped the souls of children and us.

Through various stories, viewing pictures, students learned about intolerance, reduced tolerance, and discussed a good attitude towards people. We also thought critically about how we respond to ourselves, what and how we could do better. They artfully created and drew fractals of friendship. 

We also prepared a letter  which each individual wrote a beautiful thought about his or her neighbor and delivered it to him/her.

The smiling faces, the hugs, reflected that they felt beautiful, they were happy and that our goal was achieved: to pacify the soul of each of them and to stimulate beautiful feelings.

Students and teachers of the Erasmus + team

4th SHORT TERM JOINT STAFF LEARNING, TEACHING AND TRAINING EVENT in ZAGREB, CROATIA

“There’s a miracle my friend

And it happens every day

Hold out your hand

Don’t let it slip away”

[abridged My Friend, Jacques Houdeck]

The 4th short term joint staff training event of the project I.D.E.A.! Together We Can! - Individuals with Disabilities Education Aim - took place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 10th to 16st november.

There were 28 participants - pupils, teachers, coordinators and education staff – in the meeting at OS Otona Ivekovica school to attend several training sessions and workshops concerning Croatian Educational System with focus on pupils with special needs. 

The aim? To exchange ideas and experiences of professionals working with these children. Joining classes in small groups to observe teachers working with SEN pupils and forward discussion to perceive strengths and weak points of Croatian inclusive system. Participants had the opportunity to make comparisons to their own systems and also acquire knowledge through different workshops, outdoor events and plenary sessions.There was also time to learn about local heritage and national culture, therefore enhancing European citizenship and lifelong bonds among participants. 

The Croatian team was tireless throughout the mobility, planned and organized all activities carefully, following the project’s agenda, gave support to partners in all moments; they were always present, escorting the group, providing immediate translation, consequently, communication being facilitated, and ensuring that everybody felt welcomed, satisfied and cherished. A team that managed to spread understanding and tolerance while improving teaching knowhow.

SUNDAY 10-11-2019

Partners arrival at different moments of the day.

MONDAY 11-11-2019

Everyday at 8:30 a.m. the group was transported to school by bus.

Once in school, in the front outdoor entrance, younger students welcomed visitors with songs, immediately, we all  tuned in: pride, friendship, innocence, happiness filled the hearts of travelers and hosts - “Inclusion of Senses” masterfully performed by groups of students.

Afterwards, it was with great emotion that each partner  was surprised by angelic voices singing songs in their native languages, like the portuguese "Amar sozinho" by Salvador Sobral. The perfect awakening of senses and emotions. The foretelling of a pleasant week to come.

Around 10:00 a.m.: time for a meeting with teachers and parents in the teachers room. The first opportunity to fraternize both with project friends, croatian teachers and parents who showed interest and curiosity in knowing about us, about our countries and educational systems, as well as were willing to tell about them, about Croatia. An excellent opportunity to mingle informally and discuss their point of view on the social inclusion of their children.

Then it was time for a session on croatian system of education for pupils with disabilities

In this session it was possible to understand how the national system regulates inclusion; how teachers, assistants, pedagogists and psychologists must respond to the needs of students with learning disabilities. 

Therefore, there are three types of schools in Croatia. A school that welcomes students with light difficulties, to which the Ministry may assign an assistant to accompany students in classes / activities; schools with regular classes and special classes (in small groups) for students with more moderate difficulties; thus integrating them in some regular classes, namely in the area of expressions; and finally a type of school that receives only the most serious cases and comprises only specialized education. 

In our host school there were only light cases , so we were curious to know how other schools worked out. 

Meanwhile, students were participating in warm up activities like meeting new friends game.

OS Otona Ivekovica School, though not a new building, had a functional and welcoming structure that we could perceive along the school visit to working classrooms.

Lunch was served in school. There wasn’t a canteen but a multipurpose space.

In the afternoon, time for sightseeing in Zagreb’s Old Town. Indeed a very beautiful city that deserved much more time to be really appreciated. We leave our thanks to our guide, teacher Ivana Mijatovic Juric who gave us the most excellent, enlightening explanations about the history of the old part of the city, highlighting some striking symbols (statues, monuments, …) and traditions in Zagreb.

At 4:00 p.m. we walked to the Museum of Illusions / Zagreb (multi senses).

A world of illusions and an unimaginable experience because whatever you see is not what it appears to be. The right spot to defy gravity, grow or shrink in a wink of an eye, get lost in a maze of mirrors or climb up to the ceiling in the Rotate Room. This was an opportunity to enjoy the biggest holographic exhibitions in this part of Europe, not to forget the optical illusions that entertain but also remind us that our perception of the world is sometimes just a perception. Amusing and awesome tricks which teach about vision, perception, the human brain and science, making it easier to perceive why your eyes things which your brain cannot understand.

Here the experiences shared together between teachers and students gave us an opportunity to observe the reactions and behaviors of students with difficulties when they face similar situations.

TUESDAY 12-11-2019

Tuesday morning at 9:00 there was a meeting with the school doctor Ljiljana Tiric Cihoratic; Brain Gym workshop for pupils

It was noticed that in the Croatian system there are teams consisting of a doctor and nurse who are given the responsibility of accompanying all students in a given number of schools in the city. The monitoring varies according to the age range of students, from preschool (focusing on the child's overall development) to the end of schooling. Upon entry into primary school, debriefing sessions are organized annually on various topics. When more serious cases are detected, parents and students are invited to attend the doctor's office for more specialized follow-up. The vaccination plan is made in the school.

There is a serious commitment, right from Preschool Education, in what concerns cognitive and academic education, medical and family accompaniment / clarification to respond to students’ needs in time and setting the most appropriate programs.

Afterwards, at 10:00 a.m. it was time for both Brain Gym for teachers and Day in class for pupils.

Thinking and learning does not happen only in the head. Our movements actually induce the growth of the brain. For these reasons, the Brain Gym Method was developed. The Brain Gym exercises coordination of all regions of the brain, body and mind, resulting in improvements of motor coordination, concentration, memory and reading, writing, language and mathematical skills, organization skills, logical thinking and comprehension, emotional balance, as well as a reduction of hyperactivity and tension. In this workshop, the group was able to learn and practice the ground rules of Brain Gym: learning to bring joy and make it last the whole life, cope with stress and uncertainty in facing new tasks, in sum, learn how to “unblock”.

By learning how to coordinate the left and right side of the body (laterality), the movement that coordinate the front and back part of the body (focusing), and the movements that coordinate the upper and lower part of the body (centering) , teachers will make a serious attempt to make learning a more natural and fun process for students.

A pleasant session that aroused great curiosity and willingness to implement it with our students; a unique opportunity presented by Senija Horvat,  and well assisted by a proficient group of students that willingly helped the group to fulfill the assigned tasks. 

At 11:00 a.m. it was time for coordinators meeting while the rest of the group attended “Day of Tolerance” workshop.

Coordinators met to work out several organizational procedures of the project: briefing of the actions that have already taken place; solving of some emerging questions; assessing  goal achievements of the project; updating on follow up activities, mobilities and planning. After these meeting a report was written and sent to all coordinators and post on project’s Twinspace.

Meanwhile, in “Day of Tolerance” workshop, the goal was to write tolerance messages, a shared activity developed between students and teachers: teamwork (pairs), illustration according to a theme (House); same pencil and two hand drawing (two-handed coordination, ability to understand the aim through shared efforts, being tolerant to each other).This activity warns that in everything there is always one that dominates and another that is dominated while having value on both sides. because only with the desire to do things (in this case the work of designing a house) and respecting everyone's ideas can the goals be achieved. Applying to inclusion this idea shows that sometimes, students with difficulties are the ones who can give solutions (dominate) and in other cases they need help to reach the goal (they are dominated by their peers or adults). Finally, the group build up a totem with the works/words achieved, to be exhibited in the school entrance hall as dissemination of the final messages.

After lunch, the group visited the Typhlological Museum. 

A museum that includes objects from the field of education, rehabilitation and everyday life of disabled persons, especially of the visually impaired: books in Braille, teaching aids, writing aids, including tablets for manual writing, machines and modern tools for writing in Braille as well as objects of everyday use. Besides, we were able to observe paintings and sculptures made by self-educated blind sculptors among other; ophthalmological and optic devices and aids for diagnostics from late 19th and early 20th centuries; an insight into photographs from everyday life of visually impaired people and a collection of publications in relief alphabets.

Lastly, we visited OS Dugave School to observe small groups of pupils with disabilities being included in regular school.

We were greeted with a very pleasant Christmas performance by students of various difficulties.

They told us about a project which they develop using oils  for aesthetic and medicinal purposes. Another very interesting project was being developed by a visually impaired history teacher who invites all students to play chess - a game in which, according to him, some differences between students fade away, as his own example.

This is a school that, as mentioned earlier, has regular classes and small special classes for developing more functional tasks. Sometimes students are integrated in the regular classes and in many  internal, municipal and even national projects, all working in an inclusive manner.

A school concerned about tolerance, the ideal working atmosphere, collaboration and teamwork; that fosters the acquisition of skills and competences for lifelong learning, giving individual opportunities to each student; a school where inclusion could be felt.

In the end, a meal with a snack was provided, giving us the opportunity to talk to each other informally and clarify some issues.

Dinner was served in “Public”, a nice restaurant to eat some local delicacies.

WEDNESDAY 13-11-2019

After a good night’s rest in the comfortable and fancy hotel Jägerhorn, day 3 starts with a visit to OS Nad Lipom - a regular school for pupils with disabilities - includes primary education for students with minor and severe intellectual and other associated developmental disabilities, vocational training, extended professional procedure, rehabilitation programs, preventative health care, extracurricular activities - cultural and public. When visiting the school, one couldn’t miss the impact of the artwork on the walls and its humanitarian value. It had several facilities and equipment that allow students with intellectual and other disabilities to be taught using modern methods.

Then, we went to visit Suvag - a center for pupils with hearing disabilities

The reception meeting was held by the Director of the SUVAG Polyclinic Pavic Dokoza, doc.dr.sc., who introduced us to the clinic's work, including diagnostics and rehabilitation centers and sections.  After that, there was a visit to SUVAG's kindergarten, medical rehabilitation sections for children of preschool and school age patients, motion and music stimulation, individual rehabilitation, and, the possibility to attend for brief moments, rehabilitation-educational activities in groups of children with hearing impairment, mathematics and english classes.

After lunch in school, time for Labyrinth Game for pupils and teachers. Monitoring of presentation and game led by senior pupils for students and staff in mobility had focus on the possibility of having pupils as mentors to other pupils.

Again, another example of this mobility’s special focus on senses and sensorial thinking.

At 4:00 p.m., DIS Association introduced a mindfulness workshop (for teachers); at the same time pupils enjoyed a music workshop.

Mindfulness and the five senses: mindful attention helps us to consciously switch off the autopilot and connect with our immediate experience, our bodily sensations and our five senses.In addition to our senses being the support for working with attention, they are also the gateway to what we could call the “being mode” - meaning, an open door to notice more, be more flexible, have more choices that we would not notice when we are in the narrow “doing mode” (always thinking, planning, performing, solving, evaluating, judging, anticipating …). This workshop represented an opportunity to experience an alternative technique to find stress reduction, regulation of emotions, self-awareness and healthier relationship to self and others. It’s up to each of us to decide to mindful or not!

It was a really interesting experience. We have all heard of this technique, but experiencing it was indeed a very intense moment. Our daily life, full of tasks, noise and interactions is a stressor, making our interpersonal relationships difficult. The session was very well presented, in a very calm tone and in a very serene mood.

THURSDAY 14-11-2019

Sunrise at 5:00 a.m and on the road to SPLIT! 

Split is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia, with about 250,000 people living in its urban area. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings.

After arrival, a visit to the Museum of Senses. Once more a museum dedicated to exploring our main senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and balance. Created by young Croatian artists, designers and architects, a unique moment to experience sensations, solve puzzles and mysteries by using the five senses. 

At 2:00 p.m.sightseeing in Split’s Old Town: again a guided tour and time travel  into history, an opportunity to learn about the country’s heritage and be delighted by the charm, secretness and timelessness of Split. Unfortunately, there was very little time to stroll in the old part of this beautiful city.

At 6:00 p.m. dinner at Ballet School Kastela restaurant. A moment to regale upon croatian cuisine: delicious fresh fish and seafood! Absolutely delicious!!

FRIDAY 15-11-2019

Last [day] but not the least.

At 10:00 a.m. meeting with local authorities in Zagreb’s Town Hall. Representatives welcomed the group and portrayed the main council actions and programmes on education and inclusion of SEN students. A very concise amount of information which completed, or somehow step up to the one given previously in schools.

The meeting ended with the exchange of souvenirs given by partners in representation of their countries and Zagreb’s council representative. Pleasant smiles to end up a meaningful moment in project’s dissemination and recognition.

By 11:30 a.m. the meeting and visit to ERF - Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences - a space of higher education with the particularity of promoting theoretical teaching in conjunction with regular pedagogical practice, in the country's rehabilitation centers, regular schools and in its own clinical valence. A well equipped faculty that blends teaching and learning with practice and direct contact with inclusiveness.

Meanwhile, pupils visited the oldest ZOO in Croatia, it consists of more than 370 animal species and more than 8000 individuals from almost all continents. They walked along the Zoo on a guided tour that allowed them to learn, or review, Science Syllabus. The aim of the educational program in Zoos is to introduce, in person, pupils to the rich and diverse world of animals. At the same time, an opportunity for pupils and teachers to wander within Maksimir Park in Autumn - yellow, brown and reddish leaves all around, cold breaths, warm clothes, happy smiles and loud giggles! Spending time learning in nature, in contact with

animals and plants highlights the terapeutical side of outdoor learning.

Maksimir Park, which surrounds the Zoo area, is simply wonderful. The woods and lakes in Zagreb must be visited as they should, for sure… but perhaps at a later time.

From 3:00 p.m. onwards sightseeing in Zagreb’s DownTown: a moment to relax on one’s own, have some free time to buy souvenirs or just enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, or a beer, in one of the many terraces scattered around Zagreb. 

Sadly we had to say goodbye. So, around 7:00 p.m. the farewell dinner took place at “Purger” Restaurant.

A very pleasant dinner, in a cosy traditional restaurant, moment to share impressions, to laugh, to sing and dance at the rhythm of songs from each participating country, once again, emotions, sensations and senses were crying out for more time together!

SATURDAY 16-11-2019

At different schedules every single group went home.It was raining but as a coordinator wisely said ... Zagreb is crying for us! Crying joyfully, of course, drops that blessed this stay and forthcome Portugal in March!

“I pray you’ll see

The light and find your way

La forza del destino che è in te

Do your best, take a chance

Dare to dream and make it real

Segui la verità via della libertà

My friend, my friend

My friend, my friend

[abridged My Friend, Jacques Houdeck]