At the end of October Ternium launched in Santa Cruz, Brazil, the Extra Class program at Japão Municipal School, with the participation of Rio de Janeiro City Secretary for Education Renan Ferreirinha. The City delegation was received by Ternium CEO Marcelo Chara, Human Resources Director Ivani Silveira, Community Relations Manager Fernanda Candeias, and members of the 10th CRE, as well as faculty and students.
In the courtyard of the Japão Municipal School, located in front of Ternium, the opening morning was marked by a musical presentation of the students, while the delegation was received and visited the facilities. In all, 72 children enrolled in the 1st and 2nd years of elementary school were selected to participate in the Extra Class program, which takes place daily in the afternoon shift, between Monday and Thursday.
“This is a very special day, Ternium is our great partner to change the city and this school. Today is a day of thanks, we work to ensure that the children have the best education. We very much believe that for Rio to work again, everyone needs to do their part of it,” Ferreirinha said.
During the visit, the delegation met the Extra Class teaching staff and students.
Virna Bemvenuto, Extra Class Teacher of Arts, highlights how well the community received the program, especially the parents and guardians of participating students: “I see that we have a long job ahead of us, but with the partnership that is being built, this work will be possible. I believe that this initiative is very positive for the area. The families themselves have seen it. What a good thing that Extra Class exists. What a good thing that their children are able to integrate this program and build this development.”
For Radassa Galoni, a student in the program, the beginning of classes has been fun. “It’s really cool. I'm getting to know a lot of new, really cool people! The teachers are very nice and informative. The classes happen at the school itself and I have done a lot of things. I did soap bubbles, painting, modeling clay, slime, and a whole bunch of other cool things,” she said. She is a second-grade, 8-year-old student at the Japão School.
As part of planning, students participate in recreational activities.
In order to adapt Japão School to Extra Class methodology, Ternium has invested R$ 1.1 million to renovate the classrooms, buy equipment, hire and train the team of professionals dedicated to the program. “We at Ternium should thank you for the opportunity to contribute and do something for the community to change. Education is what really transforms the lives of people, society, and the country. We are proud to be able to contribute to the community,” said Marcelo Chara.
Ternium Community Relations Specialist Claudio Motta considers that the coming program’s arrival to Santa Cruz is beneficial to the community: “I think that the Extra Class program will have a great impact on the Santa Cruz community, not only because it offers full-time education, but also because it is a beacon of good practice, with activities tested in other countries (of the Techint group), which are prepared by specialists.”
Check out how the beginning of classes was in the video below: