2010

CŪKMENS SETS OUT FOR SCHOOLS

Stimulated by the onset of spring Cūkmens, the popular protagonist of AS “Latvijas valsts meži” and fighter against littering of forests, is roused into activity.  Vigorously preparing for the Big Clean-up Day, which takes place already this week (24 April), the pink-coloured Super Hero has undertaken another important mission: visiting of 10 schools in Latvia which have distinguished themselves in the Forest Contest 2010.  

Within this tour, Cūkmens will pay his compliments to teachers having got the thumbs up in the Forest Contest; through attractive role-playing he will introduce both, students and teachers to the latest information on hazards posed by waste and its adverse impact on forests as well as, following an already established tradition, will join the students in the cleaning campaign of the area around the school to assess the cleanliness situation in the particular town or parish.

The participants of the Forest Contest were 119 teachers from 72 schools of Latvia who submitted the profiles of lessons they had conducted on the subject “English Language in the Forest”.  This year, the competition was especially high therefore the jury had to invest considerable efforts assessing the submitted materials, moreover because the contest was run in two stages: 6 semi-finalists were identified on the first stage who would continue to fight for the finals while 10 participants merited praise and were awarded the visit of Cūkmens to their school.

Organizing the Forest Contest, LVM aimed at motivating teachers to include themes and measures in their classes of general education subjects related to acquiring skills and experiences through a direct contact with the forest and outdoor environment. The Forest Contest is organized within the environment education program “Get to the back of Forest” and Mammadaba Masterclass of AS “Latvijas valsts meži”.