[Seoul District News] Nowon-gu Collaborates with Samyook University to Host Two 7-Night, 8-Day English Camps from July 24 to August 14, Fostering Interest and Confidence in English through Cooking, Sports, and Games; Recruiting 320 Participants in Grades 3-6 from July 13... Eunpyeong-gu Installs 'Sign Block Yellow Carpet' in School Safety Zones... Dongjak-gu Operates 'Healthy Dongjak Dongdongbanbap Classroom' for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Metabolic Syndrome Patients... Jungnang-gu Doubles Hope for Youth Lives with 'Hope Two' Program...
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is operating the '2022 Nowon Children Native English Camp' to increase students' interest in English and motivate their learning.
The camp aims to provide elementary school students in grades 3 to 6, who start studying English seriously during summer vacation, with opportunities to experience practical English, thereby boosting their interest and confidence in the language.
The district collaborated with Sahmyook University, which has operated English camps for 13 years, to utilize the university's high-quality programs and facilities. The district subsidizes part of the participation fee, enabling students to join the camp at an affordable cost. This program has been popular among parents who were hesitant due to the high tuition fees and safety concerns of private camps, and it is expected to attract much attention again this year.
The camp is divided into two sessions. The first session runs from July 24 to July 31, and the second from August 7 to August 14, each lasting 7 nights and 8 days. Students live and participate in activities in Sahmyook University's classrooms, gymnasium, and dormitories.
Eligible participants are elementary school students in grades 3 to 6 residing in Nowon-gu. A total of 320 students will be recruited, 160 per session. The participation fee for general students is 880,000 KRW, of which the district supports 520,000 KRW, and individuals pay 360,000 KRW. Among them, 38 students from socially disadvantaged families will be selected to receive full support for the participation fee from the district.
Students wishing to participate can apply online through the district office website from June 13 to 27. If applications exceed the quota, participants will be selected by computer lottery, and the final successful applicants will be announced on the district website at 3 p.m. on July 7.
The English camp is a boarding camp operated as an EOZ (English Only Zone), where students live using only English 24 hours a day. For effective education, students are divided into eight classes of 20 each based on a level test. Each class is led by one native English teacher with professional qualifications and experience, assisted by one teaching assistant.
The camp is praised for its advantage of not being a rigid and boring class but allowing students to naturally learn English through conversations with native instructors while living together, and through various special activities such as cooking, sports, and games. Based on long-term experience in running the camp, the curriculum is designed to stimulate interest in English and improve skills in basic phonics, practical conversation, vocabulary, and writing.
Considering the characteristics of the camp for young students, assistant teachers are assigned to the same floor in the dormitory to live and guide the students together. At night, on-duty staff, assistants, and nurses stay on-site to respond to emergencies, and COVID-19 self-test kits will be administered four times a week.
The district will select outstanding students based on their attitude toward education and academic performance during the camp. On July 31 and August 14, 16 outstanding students will receive certificates of commendation from the district mayor to encourage active participation.
Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "Through this camp, students will gain confidence in practical English," and added, "Since this is a great opportunity to receive high-quality classes close to home without going abroad, we hope for much interest and participation."
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) will install sign block-type Yellow Carpets at six school zones within the district to ensure children's safe routes to school.
The 'Yellow Carpet' is a yellow floor surface installed in pedestrian waiting areas to help drivers easily recognize children before they cross the crosswalk. It encourages children to stay within the safe area marked in yellow, preventing traffic accidents.
The sign block-type Yellow Carpet is a functional block made of colored material with vivid colors and no risk of deterioration.
The district has been carrying out the 'Sign Block-type Yellow Carpet Installation' project since last month with a budget of 50 million KRW and plans to complete it within this month.
There are six installation sites in total. One sign block-type Yellow Carpet will be installed near each of Galhyeon, Eoul, Jingwan, and Eunbit Elementary Schools, and two will be installed at Hyorim Kindergarten.
Previously, since 2020, the district completed installing a total of 33 sign block-type Yellow Carpets at 24 elementary schools in the Eunpyeong area.
The existing painted Yellow Carpets have been replaced with sign blocks, which maintain their color over a long time and provide clearer visibility, greatly enhancing safety effects.
The district plans to continue expanding Yellow Carpet installations around schools and implement various projects to improve pedestrian safety for children, such as floor-type pedestrian signals.
Mayor Kim Mi-kyung of Eunpyeong-gu said, "Children's safety is an important value that must be protected," and added, "We will take the lead in creating a pedestrian environment where children can walk safely and comfortably."
Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced on the 7th that it will operate the 'Healthy Dongjak Dong動Ban飯 Classroom,' a chronic disease prevention and management education program for residents of Sadang-dong, including those registered with metabolic syndrome.
The 'Healthy Dongjak Dong動Ban飯 Classroom' is named to signify the Sadang branch of Dongjak-gu Public Health Center's commitment to being a health companion to residents by providing exercise and nutrition education together.
The district established this program to help residents maintain and improve their health by delivering expert knowledge on chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes for effective prevention and management.
The education consists of two fields: nutrition and exercise. A nutritionist will provide specialized nutrition education on proper diets, dietary therapy for diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and low-calorie cooking methods. An exercise instructor will demonstrate correct postures and exercise movements for physical fitness improvement, including stretching and strength training.
Additionally, participants will receive health checkups, professional consultations, and linkage services to exercise class programs.
The education period is divided into two terms: the first from June 7 to August 30, and the second from September 6 to November 29. Classes are held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m., totaling 20 sessions per term, at the Sadang branch health education room.
Those wishing to participate can inquire at the Sadang Health Branch (324-14 Sadang-dong) for guidance.
Health Planning Director Yoo Hee-nam emphasized, "Chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes can lead to myocardial infarction and cerebral hemorrhage if neglected," and added, "Practicing healthy lifestyle habits is crucial for preventing and managing chronic diseases." He also stated, "We will continue to implement various health promotion projects reflecting residents' needs."
Meanwhile, Dongjak-gu Public Health Center was recognized for its significant contribution to community health promotion through active health projects such as customized integrated health management for residents and was awarded the Minister of Health and Welfare Award last year as an excellent institution in the 'Local Government Health Promotion Project Comprehensive Category.'
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is recruiting applicants for the '2022 Hope Double Youth Account,' a program that helps working young people build assets, until the 24th of this month.
The '2022 Hope Double Youth Account' is an asset formation support project designed to help working youth establish stable and concrete future plans and achieve independence.
By saving 100,000 to 150,000 KRW monthly for two or three years, the same amount will be matched, allowing participants to receive double the amount. Saving 150,000 KRW monthly for three years results in a maximum maturity amount of 10.8 million KRW.
Applicants must be working youth aged 18 to 34 residing in Jungnang-gu and meet eligibility criteria. The criteria include: pre-tax monthly earned income of 2.55 million KRW or less; annual income of dependents such as parents and spouses below 100 million KRW; and assets under 900 million KRW. However, applicants who are recipients of livelihood, medical, housing, or education benefits, those who have participated in asset formation support projects including family members, or those currently participating in the Seoul Youth Allowance program as of the announcement date are ineligible.
Eligible applicants can apply by visiting their local community service center or by mail or email. The application period ends on the 24th of this month.
The district will review eligibility and select participants based on a scoring table in order of highest scores. A total of 354 participants, including 20 alternates, will be selected to prepare for cases where selected participants withdraw within the contract period.
The final selection results will be available on October 14 on the Jungnang-gu Office website or the Seoul Welfare Foundation website.
Inquiries about the Hope Double Youth Account can be made through the dedicated call center, Jungnang-gu Welfare Policy Division, or local community service centers.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, "The Hope Double Youth Account is a meaningful project that can greatly help young people when they need a large sum of money for housing or marriage," and added, "We hope local youth show great interest."
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) is lending customized health management kits for hypertension and diabetes free of charge to prevent and manage cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases among residents.
The customized health management kit lending project for hypertension and diabetes, which has been promoted since last year, aims to enable residents to manage their health at home due to difficulties in conducting face-to-face cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease management projects amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
The lent items include a blood pressure monitor, blood glucose meter (including test strips), and salinity meter. Additionally, booklets covering basic theories on hypertension and diabetes, basic nutrition, and basic exercise (six types in total) are provided to enhance understanding and facilitate proper management at home.
In particular, nurses provide personalized health management services through telephone consultations and SMS messages at least twice a month to ensure residents receive adequate health care.
Residents wishing to borrow the kits can make a reservation by phone with the Dongdaemun-gu Public Health Center's Health Policy Division and then visit to borrow the kits. The lending period is one month, with extensions up to two months available for the blood pressure monitor and salinity meter.
Jang Seung-hee, director of Dongdaemun-gu Public Health Center, said, "In the situation where face-to-face health management projects are difficult due to COVID-19, we are promoting the customized health management kit lending project so residents can manage their health independently," and added, "We ask residents with hypertension and diabetes to actively participate to improve their self-health management skills and continuous treatment rates."
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