Szkoła Podstawowa Dmuchawiec

The Democratic Education Foundation "Dmuchawiec" is a place where we realize the idea of democratic education based on relationships, sustainability, civic engagement and community building. We organize workshops on subjects included in the curriculum suitable for students from the first to the seventh grade of primary school and for pre-school children, however, the most important for us are those workshops and activities where children have a chance to develop their social skills and interests, understand the world around them and be able to find their way in it. Therefore the children have the opportunity to participate in: ceramic, music, psychoeducational and many other classes; some of the classes take place in parks and forests in and around Łódź city. As tutors we are teachers for them, but also emotional support and helpers in this incredible adventure of discovering themselves and the world around. In practical terms, we function as a school where there are classes, there is a place to develop interests, have fun and time with friends, but there is also a time and place for expressing emotions, discussions, to see and hear each other. As the Foundation operates as a community where children, parents and tutors are in regular and relation. We are jointly involved in organizing events integrating our community (beginning, end of the year, holidays), as well as extracurricular activities (trips to museums, theatres, nature trips, workshops). Children and adults co-create the educational space, function in respect and understanding of mutual needs, and the learning process is based on the natural curiosity of the world and the children's internal motivation. They decide whether and with whom they want to learn. There are no traditional classes, bells or grades. The essence of our activities is to create conditions for building a community in which everyone, regardless of age, has the right to vote and co-decide on many aspects of its functioning. The Foundation has its seat in the centre of Łódź, in a large city in central Poland. Such a location provides access to the full urban infrastructure and is a good starting point for exploring other parts of the country. Classes are held in the YMCA building in Lodz, located at Moniuszki Street, which is a departure from one of the city's main attractions, Piotrkowska Street, and in the building at Kościelny Square. Our activities mainly concern children from working middle class families, educated, often connected with artistic, cultural or social activities. Currently, there are about 110 children under our care, 50 in early school education and 60 children at primary school level. Activities are held in classes I to VII. Individual classes are from a few pupils to dozen people, which provides great comfort during classes for both, children and tutors/mentors.