Back together at last! Savremena’s primary students returned to their classrooms after two months of online learning from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Their first encounters, hugs and the moment they saw their schoolmates and teachers were so touching and emotional that joy spread around the school throughout the day.

LAUGHTER AND EXCITEMENT ECHOING SAVREMENA’S HALLWAYS AGAIN

The students came one after the other, with a time slot between each class and group, quickly said goodbye to their parents at the gate and ran into the hallway and the classrooms to see their classmates. Everybody was beyond words!

The students agreed that in the previous period they missed their schoolmates and teachers the most, and that they couldn’t wait to give them a hug.

I was glad to see everyone and I couldn’t wait to get together with them! I’m so excited to be back in school – says Mateja from IV-1.

Hajdi from III-1 highlights the emotional first encounter of her “holy III” class:

I couldn’t wait to hug my friends and teacher! True, we saw each other every day over the computer, but it’s not the same; we couldn’t hug each other. I missed that the most.

Their schoolmates couldn’t agree more – Lara, Konstantin, Mila, Vana, Jovana, Tijana, Mihajlo and all other students of Primary School Savremena.

They also missed the study hubs, the schoolyard, robotics class and other interactive subjects, as well as the diverse educational technology at Primary School Savremena. This is why the third-graders hurried to go on a ride on the 9D VR Starship in the school hallway, while the fourth-graders eagerly went to a robotics lesson to greet their mBoot, Sphero Mini, Alpha Pro, MeeBot Kit and other little robots.

I missed the classrooms, robotics and playing with my friends in the schoolyard – admits Filip from I-2.

WE CELEBRATED SCHOOL DAY IN A TRULY DIFFERENT MANNER

On Monday, 1 June, Primary School Savremena celebrated its School Day, in a very symbolic manner by reopening its doors to the students.

It’s a wonderful day today, not just because of the School Day, but also because the students are back in school. We had awaited this day with lots of excitement, planning how we would mark this occasion by awarding the students who had the best results in competitions and giving a performance for the parents. However, as we know, the circumstances were different and the children didn’t go to school for several weeks. So, although this School Day is a bit different, the joy we feel for coming back to school is endless – says the school principal Jasmina Franolić.

In accordance with the decision made by the Ministry of Education, the students will have specially designed shorter activities in the following period, aimed at spending time outdoors. They will have the opportunity to showcase their achievement in different subject areas and participate in different interactive workshops and activities which they missed the most in the previous period.

ONLINE LEARNING IS GREAT, BUT WE’RE THRILLED TO BE BACK IN SCHOOL

Although everyone is glad that the quarantine and home-learning period is behind us, primarily because they are no longer apart, both the students and the parents are very pleased with how the school organised online learning.

I must admit that nobody could have organised online teaching better than you. I don’t know that any kid in my neighbourhood was as happy as my Milica. When you’re with your friends first thing in the morning, even if it’s from your room, overcoming the challenges of learning from home together, you have reasons to be happy each day. Distance learning is fantastic and the children were amazing – says Sanja Trikić.

The students admit that it could be a bit difficult and strange because they couldn’t go out to play with their friends. But they agreed that the most interesting thing was talking to the teacher and schoolmates over Google Meet and hanging out online, often after the lessons had ended.

The children were provided with a truly great platform. They learnt many things and could communicate with their teacher 24/7. We, the parents, had a slightly difficult time during lockdown, but the kids were really great. My son was delighted for being able to get in touch with his teacher and friends each day, but he was so excited when he heard he was going back to school that he couldn’t sleep – says Jelena Marković, Aleksa’s mum.

You could feel this excitement all around Primary School Savremena. The students made new friends and supported each other, proving that their teachers had done a great job. The students are ready to end the school year with flying colours and lots of joy, just as it was at the beginning. We wish them plenty of luck and success!