National holidays and memorial ceremonies, observed by a society, not only create a collective consciousness in people but also find a place in their minds as important activities for the transfer of uniting values from one generation to the other. Our most notable values such as awareness, responsibility, respect, and productivity are acquired through remembrance, analysis and questioning of important events symbolized by memorial and celebration ceremonies. The education program of all our schools incorporates such celebrations for important days, as well as moments of sharing, observed at different periods of time, to support the social, emotional and academic development of our students.
Pre-school
Special days and weeks are important events to enhance our academic program and for students to better understand their world. Some celebrations last 1 day, others may last a week. For example, instead of reading a book or watching a short film on the topic to explain Olympics, the Olympic Games is symbolically materialized by means of each class performing various races and then holding an opening-closing and medal ceremony.
The following examples can be given for the special days and weeks:
The Whole School Reading Hour, Olympic Games, Republic day, School Meeting, Atatürk Commemoration Day, Science and Nature Day, New Year Party, Careers Day, No Toys Day, No Paper Day, 100th Day of the School Party, 23rd April World Children’s Day, Water Games Day, Friendship Week, Sharing Week
The special events that families can attend are as follows:
Generations Day, Açı Family Day, Açı Sports Day, Year-End Presentations, Book Week, Music Week
Primary School
Back-to-School Day, Sports Week,29th October Republic day, 10th November Atatürk Commemoration Ceremony, 24th November Teachers Day, Science Week, Friendship Week, Açı Sports Day, Açı Family Day, Music Week, English Week, Art week, April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, Book Week, May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Daya are some examples of special days that contribute to our programs.
Secondary School
Year-end Presentations
In Secondary School, year-end presentations are made in many fields. Especially, within the “Elective Course 2” category, music and performing arts and also orchestras and school choir share their work practiced throughout the year, with their friends, teachers and families.
5th and 6th grade “theater” students prepare a presentation within their own groups while “dance” and “vocal” students of 5th-7th grades exhibit a common performance.
Instrument training started in the 5th and 6th classes in the “Elective Course 2” category, is presented in small groups in these years, whereas in 7th and 8th grades it turns into a large orchestra and offers students the opportunity to play collectively and enjoy music together as well as presenting it both in and out of the school environment.
Back to School Day
The Back to School Day is organized so that the students can see their classroom before the school opens, meet their teachers and classmates and receive their materials. Our 5th grade students make exchanges with their teachers and friends in their classrooms. This program is supported by our volunteer students from 6th and 7th grades.
Curriculum Presentation Day
The Curriculum Presentation Day is organized to give information about our education and learning programs. The content consists of information on what we teach, how we teach, how we measure and evaluate and how we disseminate information. Following this presentation, information about the general system is shared with the parents in the classrooms by the class teachers. The curriculum presentations are conducted on the days and hours specified in the academic calendar for each grade.
Memorial and Celebration Days
These days are organized by a community to leave a mark on people’s minds , form common consciousness and convey the values that hold people together from generation to generation.
Our most important values such as awareness, responsibility, respect and productivity are acquired and experienced by remembering, scrutinizing and questioning important events that these commemorative and celebration ceremonies symbolize and thus determine our future.
The following memorials and celebrations are held every year at Açı Secondary School:
- October 29th Republic Day
- November 10th Commemoration of Atatürk
- March 18th, the Çanakkale Victory
- April 23th National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
High School
At Açı High School, ceremonies are held on, October 6th Liberation of Istanbul, October 29th Republic Day, November 10th The Commemoration of Atatürk, March 18th the Çanakkale Victory, April 23th National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, May 19th the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. These ceremonies are usually made in the form of presentations that show the significance of the day, prepared by the honor roll students of our school.