On the 22nd - 23rd of February there was a hiking camp meant for home daughters in which our girls also participated. The home daughters hiked from Kohtla-Nõmme to a place of an ancient Alulinna stronghold in Aa village. Alulinn used to be a fortress in a swamp or wetland on the parish border of Askäla and Alutaguse. It is believed that the name Alutaguse originates from the name of Alulinna.  The purpose of the hike was to challenge oneself and to pay attention to nature.

Our school celebrated the Estonian Independence Day on the 21st of February (the important national holiday is on the 24th of February).

Nuputa is a math competition organised by the Estonian Mathematics Association and Tartu University’s Science School where teams of students compete in solving various math problems. (The word nuputa in Estonian means to figure out and solve a complicated problem.)

Mäetaguse Basic School was represented by two teams - four students from years 5 and 6 (Romet, Egert, Karol and Riko), and two students from year 7 (Ilja and Allan).

The board meeting was held on the 28th of January. The principal introduced the school’s current situation, and the board issued its opinion on the draft budget. On the 2nd of February the board members took part in a training course in Illuka meant for the boards of educational establishments of Alutaguse organised by Alutaguse municipality.

Math week started on the third of February with calculating in head (not using calculators or paper) – there was a competition for all the students. On the second day students drew, cut out and clued together a geometric rat- to mark the start of a new lunar year.

On Wednesday there were integrated math, Estonian and art lessons. Students wrote stories and drew pictures with numbers. On Thursday students from grades 1 to 3 put together tangrams.  Friday was a day for conclusions and awards.

On Thursday, 30th of January we had visitors from the US Embassy in Tallinn. Students had a chance to meet embassy workers Clare E. Dowdle from politics department, Ed Dunn and Filipp Mustonen from public affairs Office. The guests talked about their jobs and described different aspects of the embassy work. As a welcome to Mäetaguse Basic School our second and third year students sang two songs in English. Second year student Kewen talked to the Americans in fluent English how he learns English and he was very excited to meet his first people from America.

This year’s English Week followed the same format as last year’s; therefore, we called it “Learning a language through songs vol 2”. As last year, we started the preparation for the final concert early - during the first school week after the New Year. Each class chose and then practised their songs in the English as well as in their music lessons, not to mention the rehearsals in the auditorium during the subject week.  

On January 15th there was a Sportland 3x3 basketball competition in Jõhvi sports building. Three boys from Mäetaguse Basic School got the second place. Congratulations!

From 20-24 January we have yet another subject week- the year 2020 starts with English week. Prior and during the week, each class learns and practises one song in English and on 24th January, there is going to be a concert where all the students perform their songs.

During the first four days there is going to be a quiz in the school foyer, students can answer to different questions about English speaking countries and bring their answers to their English teachers.

The Worldday of Snowman represents both aspects: On one side the snowman as a symbol for dangers impending him and us, especially by climate changes. On the other side the snowman as a leitmotif for friendliness and sympathy.

The snowman is the beloved symbol for the winter. He is one of the most popular figures worldwide. Wherever people know snow they know also snow formed figures and figurines. The snowman is apolitical and has no religious background. Two of many reasons to enjoy high sympathies everywhere.