"Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and enriching New Year 2011 .."
V-Excel News
To mark the World Disability Day on 3rd December 2010, V-Excel Educational Trust and Lions Club of Beach City co-hosted a Drawing and
Colouring competition for children with special needs at YMCA Indoor Stadium in Adyar. We are extremely happy to report an overwhelming
participation from about 240 challenged children across 17 special schools in Chennai. The expert judges for the competition, Mr. Steve Borgia,
Chairman & MD of Indeco and Artist Mr. Jayaraj were extremely impressed with the children's work. We would like to convey our sincere thanks
to all the schools, teachers and children who made this event a grand success.
Our team of senior professionals visited Tirunelveli, a district place in Tamil Nadu, for evaluating functioning of regular school and
exploring the possibility of setting up services for children with special needs. With active involvement and backing of Shringeri Sharada
Peetham for this project, we hope to further extend our reach to many more children in mofussil towns.
Eleven of our staff members from teaching and counseling streams were away at the IPMT conference in Bangalore for a week. The conference
focused on anthroposophical concepts and its applications in the fields of teaching and healing. It was an intensely educative and reflective
week for them and we are sure that the effects of those learnings will benefit the children and the school community at large!
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
'Open days' for each class were organized and an interactive group discussion between parents and teachers of each class was held in
the first week of December.
Christmas carols wafted in from every corner of the school while teachers and children sang and practiced their lines and heralded the
Christmas spirit in. Every class room wore a festive look and each teacher painstakingly decorated the premises.
Christmas gifts made by the prevocational class by the children, using their newly acquired skill of carpentry, were greatly appreciated.
Wooden cots for dolls and other toys were designed by the teachers and made by the children. Kindergartners got patchwork quilts, grade two made
pillows and grade four made beautiful bags to carry home the gifts. This way the whole Christmas spirit took on a new meaning where not only
were the gifts really exciting but making thoughtful gifts was the highlight. On December 21st and 22nd we had a party and a concert. A very
big 'thank you' to our very special Santa (Michael) whose spirit touched every boy and girl in the school.
John Miller completed one lecture on the twelve senses as a part of the in-service training this month. One of our other trainers, Michael
Kokinos facilitated an extremely thought-provoking day on 23rd discussing the question of Autism in context of the seven life processes,
giving new insights into the learning style of children with Autism.
Academy for Teacher Excellence
The month was a memorable one for the students of the 'Short-term Learning Disabilities' course as they were felicitated and awarded
the certificates on 4th December. Trainees were proud to display all the teaching-learning aids, assessment tools and remedial kits that t
hey had painstakingly prepared. An information exchange program took place where trainees of the Diploma in Special Education course as well
as those of the Learning Disability course presented posters explaining the condition of Autism and Specific Learning Disabilities respectively.
The Diploma trainees experienced a hectic month as they started their first teaching session as part of the Practicum. The month was utilized
in writing lesson plans, implementing them and making improvements according to the feedback given. Trainees also answered their first internal
theory examination before leaving for a much deserved Christmas break.
Early Intervention Unit
A series of review meetings were conducted with all the parents and new home programs were given. Some of the children are getting ready to
start schooling from this academic year and we actively looked for appropriate schools for them.
We have met success with children's toilet training program. Also, to promote their functional independence, we are offering parental
guidance and encouraging learning.
Emphasis on facilitation of play to promote speech and language has been addressed with staff and parents. Therapists have been given
orientation on the important goals to work with for the present term.
Bridges Learning Academy
The children of BLA put up a skit called 'Jungle Pathshala' under the guidance of one of our teachers, Kejal. Props and animal masks were
made by the children. The skit was performed beautifully and was well received by everyone.
December means Christmas and with it comes joy of receiving and giving. The class rooms and surrounding open areas were creatively decorated
by the BLA students. A Christmas tree and a crib was put up in the corridor. Children played Chris mom and Chris child game. They were surprised
to see gifts in their bags or seats, wondering who has kept them. The term came to an end with Santa coming, distributing gifts and children
giving cards to him.
Term examinations ran parallel with fun and frolic. All the children performed well in their tests. A Parents-Teachers meeting was organized
for discussing their progress and handing out reports.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
This time the in-service program was about the four bodies of human being - physical, etheric, astral and ego. John gave a detail explanation
of each of these and also stated the importance and significance of understanding the four bodies of children and its influence in a teacher-student
relationship.
Christmas celebration was the most looked forward to and joyous event of this month. Remedial students enjoyed this season by seeing the movie
Polar Express. They also had fun playing some games on that day. Few students took part in the Christmas celebration organized by KLC; they enjoyed
Santa's visit.
Planned curriculum was followed this month. Many of the remedial students who attend regular school had their half early exams and had to
focus on their immediate academic requirements. Teachers helped out in all the possible areas of their work.
Rural Outreach Program
Sports events marked the World Disability Day in the different blocks of Villipuram this year. Over 4000 special children under our care,
who are mobile and could participate, enthusiastically ran the races and won prizes. A million thanks to Mr. Amiya Chowdhury and his team from the
ITC Stationery Division for giving us notebooks and pens for ensuring beautiful smiles on the children's lips. Thanks again!
As a part of our Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan project with the Government of India, we distributed 1300 spectacles across 10 blocks of Villipuram.
These were given to children who were identified as having visual impairment and hence a correction with glasses. The number identified necessitated
further support than offered by the government. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Rajesh Chhachhoria, MPA Financial Services, who donated
Rs. 56,000/- towards the purchase of spectacles for 200 children at Villupuram.
Vocational Training Unit
The international day for persons with disabilities was celebrated in VTU on 3rd Dec. '10 with families, friends and well-wishers.
Trainees performed a 'Ramp Walk' choreographed by Mr. Ram. Young ladies were dressed in traditional sarees of various states and boys as
different professionals. Ms. Nidhi, a guest artist from Kalakshetra, performed Bharatnatyam which was followed by distribution of Medical
Insurance cards to trainees. The celebrations were attended by the parents, Mrs. Sundari and her sister, Dr. Vasudha, Ajita, Sarah from
Mandaveli and a special guest Mrs. Pratima from ITC.
Ms. Sangeetha Iswaran, a trained dancer and therapist, visited us and accepted our proposal to provide movement therapy to our trainees
three days a week.
Counseling sessions for trainees and parents were held by our psychologists. These sessions have proven to be very useful and effective.
All trainees and staff visited Periyar Science Museum. We are thankful to the management of Museum for their cooperation and special discount.
Everybody enjoyed the 3-D movie and 'Astro -Show' in planetarium
Christmas was celebrated on 22nd December. A play by trainees, performances on movement therapy and Bharatnatyam were the highlights. Santa
Claus distributed gifts to trainees of VTU, children of EI , staff, parents and guests. Every one participated in 'Fun Games' conducted by Mr.
Ram. SAMARTH was the other attraction with various products and cookies displayed and put up for sale. The response was overwhelming!
Counseling and Assessment Unit
December was a short month due to Christmas holidays. The school was alive with Christmas decorations and celebrations! Most of the sessions
with BLA were spent in doing Christmas work like decorating their classrooms, making Christmas Cards. Through all of these children bonded and
learnt a great deal of social skills!
Two of us from our department attended the International Post Graduate Medical Training held in Bangalore for a week. It is organized for doctors,
therapists, teachers and psychologists. One attended the psychologist group and other counselor attended the grade teachers group. This training
is from the Anthroposophical Medical Branch, an approach we follow in school in some sections. The Psychologist group gained knowledge about
how trauma in early life can result in psychological problems in adulthood and what different modalities or therapies can be used as an adjunct
to counseling. The teachers group, along with learning about the grade curriculum, also experienced the techniques of speech and drama, and how
to use it with children.
Our corporate counseling continued this month too. Parent counseling with various departments within V-Excel continued despite holiday season!
One of our plans for the next term is to concentrate on writing a research article on our play therapy sessions with autistic children and
document our observations and findings.
Contact Information
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 - 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
V-Excel Center for Research and Rehabilitation
(In assocation with S.V. Sarada Foundation)
50 Sreyes, M.G. Road
Shastri Nagar, Chennai 600 041
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24522061
91 - 44 - 24521986 E-mail us
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison New Jersey 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
