Good afternoon members of the Futuraskolan community,
The national center for public health has recommended that all upper secondary schools in the greater Stockholm region switch to distance and digital education for the duration of the term. The purpose of the recommendation is to allow more people to stay at home to reduce the spread of infection. Effective Monday December 14, 2020 all grade 7-9 students will follow their regular lesson schedule via Google Classroom.
Primary school students are not covered by the recommendations and can therefore continue to have normal lessons on campus.
Please check Admentum this weekend for updated information from your schools leadership team.
We wish you all a safe and healthy, family orientated winter holiday.
Sincerely,
Tom Callahan
CEO – Futuraskolan AB
Think global, act local!More fantastic work from Futuraskolan International Bergtorp, please take the time to read this article on the actions the students are performing locally to help in the community, whilst having a larger, global picture in mind.
Think global, act local: the Swedish schoolchildren inspired by Greta
Bergtorp Virtual Open HouseTime to apply – Take a virtual look at Futuraskolan International Bergtorp.
https://sites.google.com/futuraskolan.se/bergtorp/home
At Futuraskolan International Gåshaga preschool we make sure that our children feel that their voice is both important as well as heard.
Through child influence, children learn in a concrete way how democratic decision-making works. Child influence also strengthens the relationship between teachers and students and leads to greater acceptance of the decisions made. It can contribute towards useful knowledge to take responsibility, communicate, lead and listen to others. A child should have the opportunity to express his or her views freely on all matters concerning him or her. It is stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in the Skollagen that the child’s opinions must be given importance in relation to the child’s age and maturity.
Gåshaga documentation – Tap HERE
Ministry of Education Moscow invite.
After this article Language Learning was featured in The Local and subsequently posted to the University of Cambridge Language Center Facebook page, Principal Adriana Marx Norén and our Futuraskolan Preschools have had interested parties far and wide looking at how we work.
Most recently the Ministry of Education in Moscow invited Adriana and Ferdie Sevilla to explore the education system in Russia by visiting a preschool, school, mentor school and high school. They then participated in a discussion with delegates from Finland, Spain, Italy, Estonia, South Korea, Russia and ourselves Sweden.
The discussion was based around what unique aspects each of their respective schools bring to education and Adriana and Ferdie focused on International mindedness and our work with the Global Citizenship project
The Moscow Education minister demonstrated how they worked with large 6500 pupil school size and their structure and development from principals to teachers. A very informative and insightful trip, sharing education practices internationally.
As the 2nd group adds to the numbers already in Legazpi City a special guest joins us on the trip. The Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Harald Fries was invited along to see the work and connections that have been made after 4 years of the Global Citizenship Project. This TV spot shows one of our sponsored schools Banquerohan National High School receiving us all with open arms. https://www.facebook.com/makrngbicol/videos/2777246855688939/
This is progression, energy and respect for all to see.
Digital education in the communityCoronavirus Information Letter – Futuraskolan March 2, 2020Peacocks and Flamingos from Näsby Park went to Elderly Homie. The elderly residents and children did various activities together, such as making Valentine’s Day cards, telling stories, singing and playing games.This time we also introduced some ICT (digital education) activities to them.They used some apps like Gravitarium, Garage band etc. They had so much fun with those interactive apps and said that was something new to them, never did it before! These apps really excited and stimulated them.We are sharing a small clip.Enjoy !!Update – An article on the visit was also featured on Täbydirekt HERE
Good afternoon members of the Futuraskolan community,
We hope this mail finds you all warm and relaxed after your family orientated holiday break.
Given the international nature of our community and the return of our students from the February Sports Break, Futuraskolan feels the need to inform the community of our working status for the coming weeks. We have taken these decisions in consultation with guiding medical authorities.
The risk of being infected with the coronavirus in Sweden is low, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndighet). However, Futuraskolan pays close attention to any updated advice given by the Public Health Agency of Sweden. At this time they do not recommend any quarantine procedures. This includes procedures for families returning from overseas holidays.
Yesterday on March 1, Folkhälsomyndegheten addressed the issue of quarantine and school children directly. You can read the report (sadly only in Swedish) here:
As well, the Public Health Agency of Sweden has collected frequently asked questions about symptoms of the virus and how it is spreading from one person to the next. You can read the guidelines to their frequently asked questions by following this link:
Questions from parents and caretakers
We currently receive questions from caretakers of children in pre-schools and schools – in regards to the coronavirus. Futuraskolan schools and pre-schools will stay open as usual and follow the advice of The Public Health Agency of Sweden. This is the status of all Stockholm schools and many of our free school colleagues as well. You can read the updated recommendations from Stockholm Stad here:
You have travelled to a country where the coronavirus has spread, and you or your child shows symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing or fever, please call 1177 for guidance. We can all help by following the recommendations of frequently washing hands, cover our mouths with the sleeve when coughing and sneezing, and staying at home if we feel ill.
Lastly, we at Futuraskolan appreciate that this is a very emotional issue for the families in our community. Should you wish to make the personal decision to keep your child home over the next two weeks Futuraskolan will not consider that an ‘unexplained absence’ and will take no disciplinary action. Please ensure that you contact your students’ subject teachers and mentor to receive the assignments that your student is responsible for during this period.
Futuraskolan will continue to be diligent in providing updated information and will make adjustments as recommended by the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndighet). Please be attentive to your mailbox and our community communication platforms for updated information.
Thank you for your time and we wish you all a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Tom Callahan
CEO – Futuraskolan AB
Covid – 19 updateGood day members of the Futuraskolan community,
Tuesday at 16:30 Folkhälsomyndigheten released an updated set of recommendations.
The Public Health Authority sees signs of community dissemination in the Stockholm region and in the Västra Götaland region. The authority does not see public dissemination across the country, but the level of risk is now raised to the very high. Everyone with symptoms of respiratory infection, even mild ones, are now urged to forgo social contacts that risk spreading infections.
This situation means that it is important that everyone with symptoms, even mild ones, limit social contacts where there is a risk of infections being transmitted. This applies both to working life and private life and will help to reduce the extent of the dissemination.
Particularly important is that those who work in the area of elderly care do not go to work if they get symptoms of respiratory infection. Relatives should also avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals and elderly homes, and never make a visit if you have respiratory symptoms. Avoiding unnecessary visits protects the most vulnerable.
Additionally, according to the Public Health Authority’s assessment, from an infection prevention perspective, there is currently no reason for healthy students returning from a trip to stay home from school.
The same goes for members of staff. Students and staff who have travelled in areas where the corona virus spreads do not need to stay at home, but should pay attention to symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing or fever. In the event of such symptoms, the student or staff should be at home and call 1177. Most pupils attending compulsory school and the equivalent have a compulsory schooling and are therefore expected to attend school. A valid reason for not going to school is if a student has become ill or if the pupil is assessed to be at risk of infection after contact with an infected individual and therefore receives instruction on home quarantine directly from Folkhälsomyndigheten or their personal medical provider.
This risk assessment is based on the current situation in Sweden and the world. It is not a forecast for the future but an assessment of the current situation.
Thank you for your understanding in this difficult situation. Futuraskolan is in consistent contact with national authorities and will send updated information from Folkhälsomyndigheten as they update their recommendations.
Have a nice evening,
Tom Callahan
CEO – Futuraskolan AB
Community Development Agenda – Futuraskolan – March 13, 2020Good afternoon amazing students of Futuraskolan,
I hope you are all doing well and are ready for your hard earned, relaxing weekend 🙂
I am writing to you today just to reach out and check on you guys and to ask for your help. This whole Corona virus thing has me and many of you confused and a little bit nervous. There are a lot of emotions and concerns going around these days.
I know we are all a little bit unsure of what is going on with our school, with our parents work and stress and with our grandparents and how they are feeling. Some of us have family that lives far away. If you are like me, you’re excited for the chance to see them again soon.
One of the things I think is important for a leader is to find the experts in the world and have them lead the things they are good at. That’s why I’m writing this letter to all you guys. I think in certain areas of school development you are the experts and I would like you to be the leaders in the next few school days.
My aim is to put some specific goals to you guys so that together we can help our community in this really strange time.
Grade 1 to 3 students, I think you are the most important people in this whole process. Your parents and teachers tell me all the time how proud you make them. You all work hard every day, you are all kind and supportive of each other in your lessons, and you all help others when they are having a tough day. I am so grateful for having you here and I want your help in making Futuraskolan a more welcoming place for everyone in Sweden.
The task I would like you to work on next Monday to Wednesday is to create a ‘’Futuraskolan Handshake’’. I know that for me a handshake means ”I am happy to see you, I recognize you, and I want you to know that I care about you.’’
One of the weird things about when we have a cold is if we hug someone or shake their hand we can give them a cold too. And we don’t want to give anyone else a cold. We care about the people we meet and want to be a healthy friend to them.
Next Monday to Wednesday, please talk to your class teacher, your parents and your friends and create for us a healthy and happy ‘’Futuraskolan Handshake’’.
Maybe you want to touch elbows like me and my friend Mr Ferdie. Maybe you want to wiggle your toes at each other like my friends Ms Nicole and Mr Kevin do (they are silly). Maybe you want to create a dance and a little song.
When you’re done your teacher will help you get connected to Google Hangout so you can stream your handshake to all the other grade 1 to 3 kids in Futuraskolan. These handshakes will also go on our website and social media pages, so you will be showing the whole world what an amazing group of students you are.
Thank you for being the experts in this challenge. I really look forward to seeing what cool and crazy handshakes you create for us.
Grade 4-5 students, your challenge is a bit more complex.
All of the great scientists in history have done their most innovative thinking when they were young. Albert Einstein, Marie Curry, Sir Isaac Newton all came up with their genius ideas when they were young people.
Your challenge is to think of creative and innovative ways that you can do assignments for art, music, crafts, home economics and technology that you can then video from home and send to your teachers so they can grade them.
Maybe you want to do something like the following example:
‘’For my Home Economics and Chemistry assignment I would like to make a chocolate cake. I will use chocolate, flour, butter, milk and loads of sugar. With my parents help, I will measure each ingredient and put them into a baking pan. My parents will help me set the oven to 200 degrees and I will take my phone and time it for 12 minutes. I will video the whole process and save it on my phone so I can send it to my teacher and they can give me an awesome gradeJ.’’
Please use your most radical ideas guys and bring them to your teacher next Monday to Wednesday. They will then write your ideas down and all the teachers in Futuraskolan can share them, so that you are being the leader of the learning process.
I am super grateful for your efforts guys. Your ideas will be used by your teachers across all of Futuraskolan, so thank you for leading us through this process.
Grade 6 to 9 students, ok. Now we are getting to the nuts and bolts of this development process.
The Swedish Government has told me that all students have to be in school, or be learning on a school based platform, for 178 days each year. We are currently set to finish school June 11. Other schools may close which means their students will have to go to school maybe on weekends and through the July summer break.
I think that this is a very bad ideaJ
SO, what I need from you is to train your teachers how to use the Google Hangout function.
Next Monday to Wednesday your teachers and you will be going over our User Guides so you can create classrooms and lessons so that you can sit at home on your sofa and receive a video conference math lesson.
There’s one big problem with this plan. The big problem is that you know 1000 times more about computer usage than your teachers (or your schools CEO for that matter). So what we need you to do next week is pound this system, and be very vocal to your teachers on how they should set it up, how do you find your lesson plan requirements, and how you can submit your work for grading.
Theoretically, if Sweden decides to shut down schools we will still be able to do teacher to class teaching, by the national curriculum, so that we can all get out of here before Midsummer and enjoy our summer holidays as planned.
So students, we have to all roll up our sleeves and focus from next Monday to Wednesday. When we work together we can all help make Futuraskolan and Sweden a more healthy and welcoming place where students can grow and learn together as a community.
Thank you so much for your help everyone. I am grateful to be in a world where we have so many experts like you who can help us put together a process where we can grow and learn together.
I wish you all a warm and sunny weekend and can’t wait to see what you create next week in your lessons.
Have a super weekend everyone.
Your biggest fan,
Tom Callahan
