Osnovna škola Bartola Kašića Vinkovci Erasmus+ Young Enterprising Europeans PREVENTION PROGRAM November 2016

Alcoholism, drug abuse and violence are a big problem in the modern world. Children and teenagers are exposed to dangers every day. In order to help them stay healthy Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Health, the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Environment and Energy and schools in Croatia decided to start a project “Zdrav za 5” (In Excellent Health). Target group are pupils in the eighth form of primary school and in the first and second form of secondary school. The program has four components: - elimination of violence - preventing addiction (alcohol, drugs, smoking, games) - preventing obesity - developing environmental awareness Our school is active in all parts of the project. Younger students are also included in it. t

In 1999 the United Nations General Assembley designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem. Violence against women is a human rights violation. Violence continues to be a global pandemic, but it is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential.

On 25 November 2016 Mrs Mirna Marić, from the Ministry of the Interior, conducted a lecture about preventing violence and dealing with it for the 7th graders (43 students). Students had the opportunity to learn how to ask for help and who to turn to if they become victims of violence.

Students who are in the 8th grade (48 students) were informed about the dangers of drinking. Children are experimenting with alcohol at earlier ages than ever before. Underage drinking is a problem which can lead to - binge drinking - impaired brain development - drink driving - injury or death - involvement in violent behaviours

Parents cannot prevent their teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, but they can encourage responsible behaviour. Suggestions include: - offer good role modelling - offer them a loving, supportive home life - start teaching a child about alcohol from an early age - explain the downside of heavy drinking - educate your child on the links between drinking and dangerous behaviour - encourage your teenager to talk with their friends about the dangers of alcohol Governments can: - help schools to implement educational programs on the use and misuse of alcohol - restrict alcohol advertising

Preventing Obesity in Children and Adolescents Obesity has also become a probelm. Young people don’t get enough physical activity and lots of them have poor eating habits. Obesity can lead to serious health problems: - high blood pressure - sleep apnea diabetes - heart disease - some forms of cancer On 28 September 2016 doctors from the Department of Public Health came to our school and explained the students in the 8th grade the importance of healthy lifestyle for their future schooling and life. They also talked about the dangers of being overweight or even obese.

Doctors and nurses measured students’ weight and height, calculated their body mass index (BMI) and told them if they were overweight or not. There are a number of steps to prevent obesity: - parents should be a role model and eat healthy foods - encourage physical activity - reduce time in front of the TV and computer - serve at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily - encourage children to drink water instead of soft drinks with added sugar - encourage children to eat only when hungry and to eat slowly

Environmental Education We try to teach our students how to live sustainably, prevent pollution and make recycling a habit. On 14 October 2016 more than 50 students and 6 teachers attended a presentation about the remediation of a landfill in the part of Vinkovci called Papuk. The area of former landfill is being turned into a nice park and recreational area. The logo of the project is “Papuk – pluća Vinkovaca”.

Our fourth graders took part in a quiz about recycling, separating the rubbish and other activities important for keeping the environment clean. They took the competition very seriously and had prepared for it with the help of their teachers.

The city of Vinkovci has a mobile recycling yard which is put in a different part of the town every day and we can get rid of plastic, batteries, glass, old shoes and clothes, oil, etc.

After the quiz students went in front of the hotel and got some items which had to be put in the right container of the mobile recycling yard. They competed in groups, but all groups were awarded for their effort.

Students learned by doing and it was fun.