JI Gil Eanes

JI Gil Eanes Preschool and Daycare

Location: Rua Cidade de Alcobaça 1675-253 Pontinha
Contact Number: 219 814 735
Email: ebvalegrande@aebf.pt
Year Established: 1990
Current Enrollment: 134 students

Overview

JI Gil Eanes is a vibrant preschool and 1st cycle of basic education that focuses on environmental awareness and sustainability. As an Eco-school, it engages students in various activities that promote ecological education and community involvement.

Facilities

The school is structured over two floors and includes:

• Four classrooms
• Two kindergarten rooms
• One library
• One audiovisual room
• One teachers' office
• One educators' office
• One auxiliary room
• One dining room
• Two plastic education rooms
• One support office
• One storage room for cleaning materials
• Seven bathrooms (including two for disabled individuals)

Play Area

The school features an enclosed outdoor play area with:

• Covered sections
• Two play zones with safe flooring
• Additional cemented areas for various activities

Programs and Activities

JI Gil Eanes offers a range of programs and activities that focus on environmental education, including:

• Eco-Escolas program
• Celebrations for environmental awareness such as:
  • World Environment Day
  • World Water Day (March 22)
  • World Tree Day
  • World Food Day
• Various challenges and workshops focused on sustainability:
  • UHU Challenge: "What does sustainability mean to you?"
  • Creative challenge: Native Species in Fabric
  • Workshop with cork stoppers
• Initiatives for waste management and recycling:
  • "Separa e Ganha" competition
  • Construction of battery collection containers
  • Collection points for plastic caps, cork stoppers, and coffee capsules
• Biological garden (Horta Biológica)
• Environmental audits
• Raising the Green Flag

Recent Activities

In the 2023/24 school year, students participated in various projects, including:

• Animals in Gardens Project:
  • 5th graders researched beneficial and harmful animals, creating visual projects and organizing texts in Portuguese.
  • 6th graders developed multimedia presentations about the advantages of different species in gardens, using photographs and illustrations from the school garden.
• Battery Collection Activity:
  • On May 9th, students created a battery collection container using waste materials, led by teacher Suzana Loureiro. This activity aimed to raise awareness about battery disposal and promote creativity.
• Biodiversity Celebrations:
  • Students in classes 6º I and J participated in outdoor classes, observing local flora and collecting waste. They created a wooden herbarium, learning about biodiversity through hands-on activities.

Conclusion

JI Gil Eanes is dedicated to fostering a love for the environment and sustainability among its students. Through engaging programs and activities, the school prepares young learners to be responsible and informed citizens.