Open day at the BBS Alice Salomon
LINZ AM RHEIN – Under the motto “Diversity united – our school, our future”, the second open day in presence after the corona crisis took place at BBS Alice Salomon on Saturday, 27.01.2024. Interested parents, fellow citizens and potential new students from neighboring schools were able to find out all about the educational opportunities offered by the vocational school.
The students of BBS Alice Salomon presented products from their courses of study in the classrooms throughout the school building and provided the interested guests with specific information about the course content. Alongside the teachers, they were available to answer questions, providing a multi-perspective and authentic insight into the types of school and the teaching and learning opportunities.
Despite the rail strike, the day was very well received by the public. Principal Doris Schulte-Schwering was particularly pleased to welcome the guests of honor. The school authority, represented by Mr. Michael Mahlert, Michael Devesa from the ADD Koblenz, the city and the municipality of Linz, represented by the first alderman, Helmut Muthers, were impressed and enthusiastic about what they were able to experience.
In her welcoming address, the principal pointed out that BBS Alice Salomon is proud to be a diverse, colorful and heterogeneous school in line with its motto. “We love the fact that the most diverse cultures and people come together here, and we are always surprised at how much we can learn with and from each other.” The principal also recalled today’s Holocaust Remembrance Day – the day of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism – and made a statement in favor of democracy and humanity: “We at Alice Salomon School want to do our utmost to ensure that we can continue to live in peace and democracy in this country.”
The vocational preparation year presented various workpieces from the metal and wood workshop. The lavender bags with lavender from the school garden were particularly popular. There was also an impressive demonstration of how different nations learn German together, as well as teaching each other and the guests the basics and tongue twisters from their native language in a playful way.
The vocational schools are increasingly committed to the physical well-being of society. The pupils The safety pins are used to show that each and every one of us can be a rescuer – whether in the school’s medical service, which was presented at the open day, or through a DKMS typing campaign. The Fachschule für Generalistik also set an example that anyone can be a rescuer and informed guests about the use of safety pins at its “Crisis intervention – I’ll help you!” information stand. The aim of this project is to act as a contact person to become visible to those affected by violence. This project is actively supported by the school’s social work department. In addition, the generalist nursing training was presented in all its facets as well as various kinaesthetic transfer options from nursing. This year, a home economics class also took up the topic of dealing with people in need of care under the motto “Immersing yourself in the world of dementia sufferers – experiencing “the other world” for care and support”.
The social education professions offered numerous hands-on activities. For example, the social assistants offered insights into education for sustainable development by means of games they had designed themselves. They also invited the guests to experience mathematics through the eyes of children with self-designed activity trays according to Maria Montessori. Visitors were invited to play along and try out the materials. At another station, musical instruments could be built using various everyday materials. The art installation under the motto “Color spaces – color dreams” was particularly interesting.
Guests were also able to gain an insight into the socio-educational work of the educators through various hands-on activities. In addition to working with hand puppets and story boxes, there was a picture book cinema and STEM stations to promote mathematical skills. One highlight was trying out creativity techniques. In addition, the specialist school offered theoretical insights into the various reform pedagogical approaches, dealing with conspicuous behavior in children and the image of people with disabilities.
Guests were also able to enjoy various entertainment options for young and old. Above all, the music and singing interludes, including the little night music, created a special atmosphere in the house.
In curative education nursing, theatrical pedagogical work was presented and tested. An actress, Jennifer Blath, was invited to perform three scenes about the everyday work of a curative education nurse with the students. The scenes were performed in front of an interested audience.
The Erasmus PLUS team’s stand was a popular point of contact for students in particular. Here, teachers and students who have already gained experience with Erasmus PLUS explained how an internship abroad can be realized with the help of Erasmus PLUS, a program of the European Union.
Due to the positive response from last year, this year’s guests were once again delighted to welcome representatives from the field. In addition to the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, potential employers from the fields of curative education, home economics and a kindergarten also introduced themselves to interested parties.
With a large selection of cakes, sandwiches and hot dishes such as various pizzas and pasta dishes as well as drinks, the guests’ physical well-being was catered for in the “Cucina italiana da Alice” and Alice’s Café. The guests, the alumni regulars’ table and the school community gathered here, sat together comfortably and chatted about the many impressions they had gathered and the great gastronomic offerings, which also gave them the opportunity to talk about careers in home economics.
Finally, visitors were able to get to know the school’s educational work better through various interactive activities. The guests were able to experience that active participation and co-design were not only practiced at the open day, but are also expressed in daily interaction.