Zelva sanatorium school is the best among sanatorium schools of the region

Conditions here are close to home, and the learning process is combined with rehabilitation. Our today’s report is from the Zelva sanatorium school, the best in the Grodno region among institutions of this type. Moreover, this status is not the first time the institution has been awarded by the regional competition.

New school year here begins every quarter. As pupils — children from all regions of the Grodno region. 120 4-9-grade children with diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine systems, respiratory organs, from a risk group for tuberculosis, are simultaneously being healed at school.

A large, well-groomed area, several buildings, modern equipment — everything here works for the comfort and good mood of the students.
Starting a conversation with the director of the institution Zhanna Slizh, I ask you to convince me as a mother to make a choice between the children’s sanatorium and the sanatorium school in favor of the latter. Zhanna Nikolaevna, having been in office for more than 13 years, named ten advantages. About all in order.

“Children are in a sanatorium school for a longer time, which allows them to successfully adapt to the new environment and get the necessary health services in full in accordance with the diagnosis,” – notes Zhanna Nikolaevna.

The specialists of the social-psychological service and the special program “Adaptation” help the children to pass the adaptation period without pain. As in a regular secondary school, there is a social teacher, a teacher-psychologist, and a teacher-organizer who work with students from the first day of their arrival, engaging in school life.

The first half of the day — time lessons. In the schedule, in addition to general subjects, there are lessons in physical therapy and physical rehabilitation — the recovery system includes compulsory physical rehabilitation of schoolchildren. Excellent conditions have been created for this: there is a large gym and two small ones. Graduated specialists work with children.

After classes, the children improve their health already in the medical building, where they receive physiotherapy, inhalations, take therapeutic baths, undergo speleotherapy and phytotherapy, so that two or three months later they can get home stronger.

“We don’t have any problems with staffing,” – notes Zhanna Slizh. — The guys come with pleasure. Every year we heal about 500 people.
Angelina from Volkovysk in a sanatorium school for the sixth time. The girl says she really likes it here. Conditions are close to home.

But Lera from Slonim arrived for the first time, on the advice of a friend. She got used to the new conditions without any problems and regrets that time flies so fast — in a month you will have to go home:I not only improved my health, but also increased my average score. So in their school will have to keep this level.

As the school principal said, many children really improve their knowledge. And not because it is easier to study here (the program is the same). Simply, self-training here is included in the mode of the day and takes place under the supervision of teachers. In difficult situations, you can also ask for help from a caregiver. And if one of the subjects is difficult, register for extra classes.

As for the daily routine, it is completely focused on health: there is a mandatory daytime sleep, three walks in the fresh air during the day, as well as time to attend electives and for a hobby. Pupils live an active school life, enjoy doing decorative, applied and artistic creativity.
“Sometimes we reveal talents in the guys who didn’t have time to notice in their schools,” says the director. “The best proof of this is the victories that the pupils add to our piggy bank.

In confirmation, Zhanna Nikolaevna demonstrated a three-page (!) List of contests, where only last year her pupils won prizes.
At one of the tables in the dining room she noticed a magazine, all pages of which are written in the gratitude of children for delicious food. Noticing my interest, the director did not miss the opportunity to note that meals at school are five meals a day. Dietary and balanced, all dishes are fortified.

“This alone works on the health of children,” – notes Jeanne Slig. – Someone comes to us with excess weight and sets a goal to lose weight, but someone needs to get better. As a result, both are satisfied.
By the way, the school is 55 years old this year. But you cannot tell by light corridors, cozy recreation, rooms.

“In recent years, the dormitories have been renovated, some classrooms have improved the territory,” – the director shares his experience. — It is not the first year that we have an ecological excursion agency, a “green” route has been developed. Many of the ideas managed to be realized thanks to international grants and sponsors’ help.

To the question, what is the main secret of success, Zhanna Slizh responds as follows:There are no random people at school. Our team has always been very united and diligent. And the love for children unites us.

Teresa KOVALEVICH