With the enthusiastic participation of students, parents, teachers, volunteers, and representatives of the local community, a school improvement initiative took place at the 1st Gymnasium of Alexandroupoli – “Leontarideio” as part of the pilot program “The School We Dream Of – By US, for Us.” The initiative was supported by the “Eirini” Social Welfare Association, with a total budget of €100,000.
The event marked the culmination of the educational component of the program, through which students had the opportunity to identify their school’s needs, develop their own proposals, and actively participate in planning the improvements. The philosophy of the program is built on the active involvement of students, demonstrating that the best ideas for creating a better school often come from those who experience it every day.
During the event, students worked in teams alongside parents, teachers, volunteers, and the Mayor of Alexandroupoli, Giannis Zampoukis, carrying out a range of meaningful improvements to the school grounds. New benches were installed, outdoor surfaces were repainted, the volleyball and basketball courts were refurbished with freshly painted lines, colorful murals were created on the walls, flower beds were planted, and numerous additional improvements were completed, significantly enhancing both the appearance and functionality of the school.
The day’s festive atmosphere was enriched with music, food, prize raffles, and an award ceremony recognizing the class with the highest level of participation, highlighting the spirit of teamwork, volunteerism, and community engagement that defined the entire initiative.
This initiative marks only the beginning, as more extensive renovation and improvement works will continue throughout the summer. These projects will bring the students’ ideas to life, contributing to the creation of a more modern, functional, and welcoming learning environment.
The initiative demonstrated that when students, the school community, volunteers, and local stakeholders work together toward a shared vision, they can create a school that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of its students.
