The school has been restructured with a kitchen, cafeteria, drinking fountains, playground, access ramps and bathrooms with accessibility for people with special needs
About 80 children from Barra Longa (MG) received back the keys of the José de Vasconcelos Lanna Municipal School on Friday, October 20, during a Family Event. Since the collapse of the Fundão dam, the children were studying in a temporary school, adjusted and maintained by the Renova Foundation. The property on 203 Manoel Lino Mol square, downtown Barra Longa (MG), has been completely renovated to meet the needs of the elementary school children.
The property, downtown Barra Longa (MG), has been completely renovated to meet the needs of the elementary school children. | Photo: Renova Foundation / Released
The renovation of the José de Vasconcelos Lanna school followed the guidelines of the Ministry of Education (MEC) and the project was developed jointly by Renova, the Municipal Department of Education, the Regional Board of Education, principals and teachers.
“Today is a new beginning. The school has received important upgrades to its infrastructure and accessibility. Not only the Municipal Department of Education is satisfied, but the entire school community, especially the teachers. The space is developed with the children in mind, completely adjusted, following the parameters that the MEC determines for elementary education,” explains the head of the Municipal Department of Education of Barra Longa, Junia Célia Carolino.
The space is divided into four classrooms for students from 3 to 5 years old. The school has been restructured with a kitchen, cafeteria, drinking fountains, playground, access ramps and bathrooms with accessibility for people with special needs. The municipal community technology center (CTC) that existed at the location has been reequipped and reopened to the community.
For the Renova Foundation, the resumption of school activities in its former property represents a milestone in the recovery of the social, cultural and educational environment. “The school is back where it was, accessible and completely adapted, giving children access to an appropriate infrastructure and teachers’ quality equipment to carry out the activities,” explained Shymena Guedes, leader of the Educational and Cultural actions of Renova.
The re-inauguration ceremony was attended by parents, students and the community of Barra Longa. The students and teachers decorated the school to present it to the community and there was a theatrical performance of the students and local artists. Douglas Nicomedes was looking forward to having his daughter, Emanuelle Nicomedes, go back to the old school. “It’s much closer to home here. Now, my wife can drop her off at school on her way to work,” he said.
The downtown location of the municipal school facilitates the commute of parents and children. Among the children who returned to the classroom in the renovated school is little Kaio Carneiro. He was happy about the move. Together with his mother, Kenia Aparecida Ferreira Carneiro, they checked out the adjustments made in the old building. “The children are happier. My son liked it a lot,” said Kenia.