Special education in Wolgast and in schools throughout the Vorpommern-Greifswald district
Gateway to the island of Usedom
The Hanseatic town of Wolgast is known as the gateway to Usedom, Germany's second largest island. Surrounded by natural landscapes and miles of beautiful sandy beaches, this is where the Janusz-Korczak School for young people with special educational needs is located. The teachers here work with young pupils, often on a project basis, and pay close attention to the strengths and interests of each individual child. They also use their unique pedagogical skills in group lessons, in the school workshop, and in support of special education diagnostics at other schools in the region. But despite the dedicated efforts of the teachers and parents, the Janusz-Korczak School is in need of funding. This is clearly apparent in the condition of the school building as well as in the lack of basic equipment and programs for children with special needs. But these children, who often come from dysfunctional families, are the ones who need good conditions that inspire them to learn.
A ray of hope in education
Social responsibility is an integral part of the Biochem corporate culture and values. We have been working since 1998 in cooperation with the Janusz-Korczak School in Wolgast to provide support and improve learning conditions for young people.
We launched a transition management program in 2011 to provide ongoing support to the Greifswald district and all its special schools with the goal of preparing students for a vocational career.
In order to implement the program as effectively as possible, we maintain close contact with representatives of the Vorpommern-Greifswald district. We are actively supported by the district administrator Mr. Michael Sack as well as by the coordinators responsible for managing the transition between school and working life. This has resulted in outstanding teamwork over the years with constructive cooperation and frequent on-site visits.
Biochem supports the district each year by providing funds dedicated to supporting community projects. This money is distributed among the ten special schools in the district to promote vocational orientation and creative school projects.
Working together to enhance everyday life
Creative and basic support projects along with themes and technical details aimed at attracting the interest of young students are what makes the curriculum special. This includes everything from building a parkour space, to providing breaktime refreshments and arranging training programs. One of our top priorities is to ensure everyone has a chance to develop their skills and talents.
- Projects
2000 + 2001
Reconstruction of the schoolyard from a concreted area into a lovely fun and game landscape
2002
Setting up a snoezelen room
2003
Supplying the crockery cabinet with a new kiln
2004
Purchase of various tools for the crockery cabinet as well as further set-up of the reading room with beanbags and other didactic learning tools
2005
- Reconstruction of the crafting room
- Purchase of tool cupboards
2006 + 2007
Equipping the crafting room with new multifunctional tables as well as various tools and machines
2008
Reconstruction of the in-house driving school
- Providing new tables and chairs
2009
Cooperation with the district of Ostvorpommern to build a school park for the pupils
2010
Transition management: from school to the workplace; supported by cross-school social workers
2011
- Re-design of a dining area
- Preliminary draft for the planning of the school park
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure for the pupils of the 8th grade at BIG Greifswald
- Acquisition of workwear for the students internships
2012
- Purchase of basic technical equipment for the work of pupils and supervisors
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Close cooperation with the integration supervisor
- Begin of the 1st construction phase of the school park
- First company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2013
- Purchase of further basic technical equipment
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Close cooperation with the integration supervisor
- Completion of the school park
- Second company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2014
- Purchase of further basic technical equipment
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Close cooperation with the integration supervisor
- Application training
- Third company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2015
- Purchase of further basic technical equipment
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Close cooperation with the integration supervisor
- Application training
- Fourth company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2016
- Purchase of further basic technical equipment
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Support for career-oriented projects
- Close cooperation with the integration supervisor
- Application training
- Behavioural course for classes 9 and 10
- Fith company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2017
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Support for career-oriented projects
- Behavioural course for classes 9 and 10
- Receiving a health certificate
- Purchase of work clothes
- Purchase of presentation and consumables
- Executing an internship at the hotel "Seeklause"
- Sixth company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2018
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Support for career-oriented projects
- Purchase of work clothes
- Receiving a health certificate
- Purchase of presentation and consumables
- Executing an internship at the hotel "Seeklause"
- Seventh company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
2019
- Executing the competency ascertainment procedure
- Purchase of work clothes
- Receiving a health certificate
- Purchase of presentation and consumables
- Executing an internship at the hotel "Seeklause"
- Eighth company exploration of the special school‘s pupils in Lohne
But we're not doing this alone. Over the years we have learned that we work best when we work together – with our employees, with other companies, and of course with the students and teachers. The entire Biochem workforce wholeheartedly supports the projects. Our partnership with the special education school in Wolgast is based on a longstanding tradition.
In this context, Biochem was awarded honorary citizenship by the city of Wolgast in 2013.
- Biochem as an honorary citizen
Biochem has its own entry in the “Golden Book” – a privilege that is often only extended to celebrities and important politicians. Not so for our employees – all of the company’s employees immortalized their signatures in the town of Wolgast’s Golden Book in an official ceremony. Biochem was also made an honorary citizen of the town of Wolgast on the same day. The extraordinary honour was awarded for Biochem’s sponsorship of the Janusz Korczak Special School in Wolgast since 1998. The company’s unique and long-standing social commitment was recognized in a ceremony attended by the town’s mayor, school leaders, teachers and students. CEO Eckhard Thölke and his wife Angelika brought 80 employees to Wolgast to accept the thank-you from the town. The school was also expanded to include a green play area, which was officially opened by the Biochem CEO. To the delight of the students, the new area includes an orchard, a sports field, a climbing wall and a “climate forest”.