Tomorrow will be the first day back at school… While teachers can focus on their lessons and students prepare their books and satchels, a powerful articulated machine is preparing the logistical conditions so that the young learners find the necessary welcome starting tomorrow morning.
This year, 35 additional classes have been opened, including a bilingual Nissart-French class at the Orangers school and a class for autistic children at the Orchidées school (opening on All Saints’ Day – 7 children will be accommodated).
The Mayor of Nice has confirmed that the differentiated meals, which are in effect today, will be maintained. Christian Estrosi, very wisely, does not indulge in the community-based drift of some of his colleagues who take children hostage for dark political calculations.
Given the scale of the logistical interventions, the situation is excellent: the schoolchildren of Nice can focus on the sole reason for their presence: to learn!
Last year, attention was monopolized by the implementation of the school rhythm reform to which the Nice municipality strongly opposed before complying with the law.
The mainly political motivations had created disruptions in various schools with students being held hostage by the minor conveniences of their parents and discontented teachers… When you see children marching with signs, you clearly understand what is happening!
This year, the reform seems to have been assimilated and it has even produced an interesting result that should be highlighted: a citizenship book designed by the City services and the Academic Inspection, distributed to all schoolchildren in Nice from CP to CM2 which, after a test period, will be distributed to all students as part of civic education workshops during TAE* activities.
Additionally, the municipal services will once again ensure morning reception and evening study sessions so that families do not encounter difficulties (1,500 children in the morning and 4,000 in the evening).
Schools are also work sites since significant maintenance and safety work is necessary. The recent episodes of vandalism are proof of this.
Besides the schools Nikaïa, Corniche fleurie, Saint Isidore, and du Port, which have received targeted interventions, the summer has allowed for continued improvement of reception conditions at 63 sites (waterproofing work, interior renovations, refurbishment of yards and dining areas, expansion of premises, security work, arrangements for the opening of new classes…). As a continuation, within two years all schools will be connected to Fiber Optic.
And, as children eat heartily, the catering service must keep up: the new central kitchen (route de Grenoble) will be operational for the 2018 school year, covering 2,500m2 at a cost of 26 million euros.
In terms of security, firm measures are or will be adopted: all schools will be equipped with anti-intrusion alarms by 2017 (50% will be so by the end of the year)
A Multi-Year Investment Program is planned for the deployment of surveillance cameras in school access areas, to detect any intrusions; magnetic badges for the access of various external contributors to schools, to know the identity and entry time into the school; an anti-intrusion alarm connected to the Security Office.
