Strides Newsletter Archives
- Academy of Teaching Excellence
- Counseling & Assessments
- Early Intervention
- Kaleidoscope Learning Center
- V-Excel Educational Trust
- V-Excel Remedial Center
- Satellite Centers
- Vocational Training / Youth Empowerment Services
Academy of Teaching Excellence
From Meera Suresh's Desk
The First batch of ATE candidates' examinations went off very smoothly. The Egmore Center in-charge Dr. Vetri Selvi (Annamalai University) visited on the first day of the examinations. She graciously accepted to handover the hall tickets to the candidates.
She also guided them in circling the Registration number in the answer sheets which was new to most of them. The four days of conducting of the examinations, taking the printouts of the question papers 10 minutes before the commencement of the exams and packing and sending off the examination papers on the same day were challenging as well as exciting. The seating arrangements were changed everyday much to the irritation and excitement of the candidates.
Simultaneously we were helping and guiding the candidates regarding the Case study presentations.
All the Case Study booklets of the ATE candidates have been collected from the candidates. Waiting for the announcement of the Viva dates. Mobilization work is going on earnestly. Now we are into Mobilization for ATE classes as well as SLD course set to start in the second week of January. Admissions to both the courses are happening simultaneously. In this connection Bhaskar and Harish Kalyan had gone to Dr. M.G.R College of Arts and science to distribute pamphlets.
The program was "Project Puthri" organized by the Avatar Group. The program had a footfall of around 1000 children of class 10 to 12. This was the UDYOG UTSAV conference of 2018 for supporting placement for girl child.
The SLD course Inauguration was done on January 20 by Mr. J.D. Ravi, the District's Differently-Abled Welfare Officer. A very busy month of planning and guiding the First batch of ATE students and planning of the Batch-2 both weekend and weekday batches.
Mr. Jesuraj and Mr. Jegan had visited the center and went through all the ATE documents and Registers. They appreciated the conduct of the examinations.
Bhaskar, Charumathi Sriram and Dr.Santhanam had visited the NGO Anandam Old Age Home at Ambattur. One of the teachers had brought in a few children for counseling. This was done by Dr. Santhanam and follow-up of the same will be taken up next month.
Counseling & Assessments
From Parimal Pandit's Desk
The highlight of January definitely was the Lion King performance at IIT Sarang. Puja our senior Psychologist and music and art therapist was one of the main Director for the show along with Neha. It was amazing to see how the practice sessions proved to be extremely therapeutic for all the children, for some to overcome their fears, for some for expressions, for some to build something within them and for some to be on the stage with all the lights and sound and hold their own. It showed in how they effortlessly dealt with waiting, delays, sensory over loads and the public which would usually be too much for many to handle.
The magic of love, acceptance, hope and achievement
When our counselor Pushpamma started in the Olcott school, teachers came with lots of complaints about a girl who is in the 3rd standard, her classmates complained about how she behaved in the class, even boys were afraid of her, she bullied them, and some time was physically aggressive. Despite the counsellor not knowing the local language that well her care, acceptance made the girl develop trust and slowly she became comfortable in sessions. By end of 3-4 session she could share about her family with Pushpamma . She seemed to be coming from quite difficult family where she had been neglected and witnessed aggression at home a lot. This girl is looked after her mother's sister and aunt has Polio. She was angry with her parents.
Slowly one could her behaviour changed, she became more friendly and her studies showed great improvement, she was not good in the beginning with her academics but with the remedial teachers help and love she really did found her own self. Last year before the final exam she promised the counselor that in academics also she will show improvement and told her she would come under 5 ranks in the class. Last week she came and told Pushpamma she got 4th rank and doing well and told Pushpamma how she kept her promise. All that the children need is loving authority who would believe in them and see them as they are and they can bloom like any other child.
From other departments:
Despite Lion King practice and pongal holidays our work with parents continued. Sushama and I addressed the some of the parents of YES on safety and security aspects after the sad incident of Praveen Kumar of VidyaSagar.
Sushama completed the assessments of the trainees at YES and met a few parents. She also met about 8 parents. Our individual work with children, trainees from VRC, VTU , BLA and KLC continued. Two of the interns from Banyan Academy who are posted here have initiated a parents group in VRC. The parents seemed to be really being benefited from that. The sessions are psychoeducational as well as geared towards making the parents relax and use the group as a support.
Parimal attended a 3 day workshop on "Unraveling the Will" in Theosophical Society. It was mainly facilitated by movement therapist and eurythamist Dilnawaz Bana and Sabine a curative teacher and physical educationist. It was very useful in understanding dealing with some of the issues faced by the children . All of us also attended her talk at Sharada. She did give many small small exercises and tips to work with children with low will.
Its with a little sadness we have to say goodbye to our Senior Psychologist Sushama Sridharan who had been with us for past 9 years. She has a few personal matters she needed to take care of. She had been a great strength to work with our parents and building our Counselling desk and will surely miss her.
Early Intervention
From Lalitha Sridhar's Desk
Importance of foot massage in children with developmental delay:
Children with development delay usually have sleeping disturbances, sensory issues, behaviour problems and alternated rhythm. Foot massage helps to reduce their anxiety and improve sleeping.
Technique of Foot Massage:
1. Position the child in long sitting with back support
2. Cover the resting area
3. Apply oil or cream in hand while doing massage
4. Hold bottom of the foot with one hand and slowly rub the top of the foot with mild pressure using thumb
5. Use your thumbs, making small circles rub the heel of the foot with medium to heavy pressure
6. Use both hands to rub in a circular motion around the ankle on either side and gently rub using fingers
7. Use your thumbs to push up and down on the heel with one thumb pushing up and other pushing down
8. Do it once a day before sleep and maintain the regularity in time
9. Be calm while doing the foot massage
10. The room has to be lit dim and mild clamming music can be played in the background.
Benefits
1. Regulate the sensory issues
2. Improve blood circulation and induce sleeping
3. Bring out deep relaxation
4. Help to reduce anxiety and stress
Kaleidoscope Learning Center
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
School reopened on the 2nd of January. All of us at KLC dived into a panic mode because we were nine days away from the scheduled performance of The Lion King in a huge public forum but the uncertainties of date, time, stars of the show falling sick, some stars having begun their internship at Savera hotel, a last minute trip that New Simba took and many more road blocks just happened! It was a constant crisis management and each day dawned with new developments and the staff and students growing new faculties and capacities to overcome them.
Finally, on the 11th of January with the grace of the Almighty and some cooperation from the IIT Sarang committee, the show went on stage in the large SAC Auditorium with a thronging audience and ended with a standing ovation. The students excelled them selves in their performance. Each person stood out whether he was the tiny ant or the mighty Mufasa. The props made by the VTU students were exceptional and mind-blowing in setting the stage to represent the savannah lands!
What was most important in the show was that it was a first time ever that a forum like this was created by a group of youngsters where public awareness about disability could be enhanced and the community could sit up, and notice that it's all about ability and about teaching students in a way that they can internalise and learn. We place it on record that we are very grateful for this opportunity to Shri Anand, of our Board of Advisors, and to the IIT Saarang organising committee.
On 14th Sunday, Gita and Shashi attended a workshop on "Good Parenting" held during the Hindu Lit Fest 2018 at Lady Andal School. It was a general lecture on parenting.
17th Wednesday we had Pongal celebrations in KLC in the traditional way. Pon Rajam , Nitya and Valarmathi along with the akkas helped in setting up the traditional stove, pot and cooked Pongal in it. Songs of spring and harvest were sung. Vasanthi Aunty made pongal for the whole of Sharada.
Vocational training and life skills training started for the senior school. The Junior school started their regular curriculum. AIMS classes started on Thursday in the morning falling back into their regular schedule.
20th Saturday being a working day, the teachers had a session with TISS Banyan students on a therapy basis. It was nearly a 90 minutes schedule and it brought in smiles, a higher morale and a self satisfaction into the teachers.
Meetings were held on the 22-24th with a core group of teachers: Gita, Neha, Puja, Latha, Parimal and Shashi. Brainstorming about each student and making a road map for them for the coming year was roughly sketched. The future of the students, their transition into other units, internship, vocations were made and a list drawn up. On 24th a heads meeting of the units involved in this future work along with Vasudha and Ajita took place. A clear picture about the student's skills and needs were drawn up.
All curriculum work for all grades started from Monday the 22nd with the new blocks coming into play. KLC was back into its regular groove after nearly 2 months.
On 26th January, Republic Day, the Blue Blue Choir performed at a Fete at PSBB Millinium Gerugambakkam before it's parents and students. It was a different experience for the students. Ajita joined us for this performance. Thank you Ajita.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Assessment Camp at Anandam Old Age Home
V-Excel conducted an assessment camp for students supported by Anandham Old Age Home on January 26, 2018 at Ambattur. Our consultant, Dr. T. Santhanam, and his team assessed 13 students. V-Excel will be the knowledge partner for supporting their students.
Kiosk at Poompuhar
In partnership with Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, V-Excel conducted a 6-month program called "Training the Trainer to train Young Adults with Special Needs". Held between September 2016 to March 2017, the program had 20 participants who learnt to make various handicrafts.
The certificate distribution ceremony of this course was held on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at the "Poompuhar" Showroom at Anna Salai. The events also included the inauguration of a kiosk dedicated to V-Excel at the Poompuhar premises. The kiosk will help showcase the products done by trainees of vocational training unit.
Dr. Santosh Babu, I.A.S, Chairman & Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd., issued the certificates and opened the kiosk. He also transacted the first purchase at the kiosk.
Certificate Program in SLD
Three months Certificate Program on Specific Learning Disabilities, jointly organized by V-Excel Educational Trust and SDS Institute of Behavioural Sciences inaugurated on Saturday January 20, 2018. Mr. Jacob D. Ravi, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer was the Chief Guest. More than 30 professionals enrolled for the program and the contact started on the same day.
The Lion King at Saarang, IIT Madras
The preparations and events leading up to our staging of the Lion King at 'Saarang', IIT Madras's cultural festival, were covered in the New Indian Express.
Link
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Lekshmi Ramesh's Desk
The month of January began with lots of enthusiasm and resolutions of teachers and children. On 30th December, we had a new year party, where children made resolutions and played games with the teachers.
We began the month by conducting in service for teachers. Mrs. Kejal Bakshi spoke about 12 senses and 4 goodness in human being given by Dr. Rudolf Steiner followed by Mrs. Lakshmi Sudhakaran who spoke about occupational therapy and how it helps children with difficulties. Mrs. Vijaya, a counsellor from V-Excel who works with the NEEV schools ended the session with activities related to team work, de-stressing. This entire session was well received by the teachers and helped them to see children in different way.
We also had a parent meeting with children who are coming for group sessions. The parents were involved in circle time conducted by Ms. TamilVani and were then briefed about the curriculum for the month by Mrs. Lekshmi Ramesh. Parents group sessions by counseling team is going on well and parents are asking for more.
Group sessions for the younger children were conducted by Ms. Jananee on phonetics and language, while group sessions for the older children was handled by Ms. Abhinaya on sentence formation. Interns from TISS handled play therapy sessions with few children from VRC and shared their observations with the Unit head and the teachers. The interns also had group sessions with parents from VRC, which involved de-stressing activities and tips for dealing with stress.
News from BLA
School reopened for primary and Pre-NIOS, on January 2nd. The students of NIOS had regular classes, since they are appearing for their exams on March 2018. Assessment Test-2 was conducted for Primary and Pre-NIOS students in the first week of January 2018.
Regular contact practical classes by the NIOS Board had also started for the NIOS students. The students are attending the classes in their respective exam centre schools. Some of the personal pre-vocational skills were started for these children.
These are the set of skills that a person should have prior to entering any career field. This lesson takes a look at personal and interpersonal pre-vocational skills that are important for success in any field.
The first set of skills involves self-discipline. When we are younger, we do what we are so supposed to do because our parents or another authority make us do so. We are expected to be able to take over this duty for ourselves as we develop into adults. This becomes very important as we prepare to go into any vocation.
Another element of self-discipline is to make proper use of your time to be efficient in any vocation, so time management skills are of the utmost importance. This means utilizing time wisely, not wasting time, planning your time, and sticking to the plan. Also, good time management means you are punctual.
In addition to these skills, teaching our child skills that will foster his or her independence on the journey to adulthood is also of utmost importance.
Activities of Daily Living also referred to as Self-Care Skills, play a major role in a child's overall functional growth, confidence and independence. These essential skills include the child's ability to perform toileting, bathing and grooming activities.
Learning new skills takes a lot of effort in the beginning. We learn by practicing, making mistakes and problem solving. Start teaching a new skill when your child shows he or she is ready. If your child understands the purpose of an activity and the steps involved, they will find it easier to learn the skills needed.
From Cathedral School:
Santhosh 7-years old boy, studying in Standard II used to cry whenever he entered the class. Now this crying behavior has stopped and he is eagerly coming to the remedial sessions. Venkat 6-years old boy studying Standard I likes remedials sessions and his social-communication has considerably improved. Now he is friendly with others. Bharat from Std. V is a quiet and shy boy. In the three sessions that has gone by he has become confident and is able to interact well with the counsellor.
From M.P. Anand School:
School reopened on 3rd January 2018 after the half yearly holidays. The school had their 25th anniversary celebrations on that day and the classes started from 8th January. Sessions were taken according to the newly framed time table and new IEP goals. Progress of all the children have been updated in IPP along with the information collected during consultation with their parents. Parents' workshop and discussion of the students progress with their parent has been was scheduled. Parents met the special educator and the counselor and had very fruitful meetings with them. Most of the Students of 1st standard have started to show more interest in group sessions. They are showing great improvement in behaving in a group and following the instructions that we give for the activities during the session. Surya and Gopinath have shown marked progress in their behaviour and turn taking during the group sessions.
From Olcott School:
We conducted teachers' workshop this month, where we emphasized about how movements helps in learning for children and taught circle time brain gym, yoga to teachers. We got feedback from teachers that children are showing remarkable progress in academics and also in behaviour aspects.
Nalandaway Foundation - Velachery Corporation School:
Ashwin, 9 years old studying in Std. II has many health issues because of which he is absent frequently. He is a friendly child and enjoys coming to the resource room.He is a little stiff and needs motivation to relax. Playing with building blocks engages him fruitfully, helps him relax and improves his creativity. He enjoys making and seeing his different buildings. He loves playing with puzzles too. Puzzles are a very important activity which provides great simulation for the brain. Puzzles also are a great resource for hand eye coordination. He displays his creations proudly every time.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath's Desk
The students came back to school, after the Christmas vacation on 4th January 2018. The children's home-visit program for the current academic year commenced in 2018. The respective class-teachers accompanied by the counselor visited the family homes of all the children who have joined our school this year. These organized home visits proved to be a mutually beneficial exercise for both the teachers and the parents.
On 12th January, a socially active NGO called Goonj Foundation in Nashik, organized a fun-day for the special kids of Nashik schools. Our children had loads of excitement while watching the puppet show, magic show and also danced to peppy tunes with the teachers and volunteers of Goonj. They enjoyed popcorn and juices and the sumptuous spread of goodies they were offered for lunch.
A colouring competition was organized for the school children by volunteers from Johnson & Johnson Company. The children enjoyed the colouring activity and some of the students won prizes too. The event concluded with lunch for all the participants and their teachers, which was also sponsored by the volunteers. We are thankful to Mrs. Jayashri Kulkarni of J&J's Medical Equipment Division for organizing this.
After the enjoyable experience in the first fortnight of January, the children prepared for their educational evaluations from the third week. Most of the students performed well in the evaluation, which were done based on their IEPs.
This month, the VTU trainees were taken to a Plastic Industry as part of their monthly field trip program. The trainees watched the process of manufacturing household plastic items like buckets, mugs, water bottles, cans and tiffin boxes.
On 26th January, Republic Day was celebrated at the Center. The flag was hoisted at 9 a.m. by Dr. Dinesh Joshi, a reputed doctor and philanthropist. Thereafter, students sang various patriotic songs and sweets were distributed to all.
From Gopal Jahagirdar in Solapur
On 7th January, at an exhibition held at the Inner Wheel Club's national meet, we put up a stall and exhibited some of the products made by our students. The public response was very good.
On 11th January at our school gathering (sponsored by Inner Wheel Club, Solapur), the Chief Guest was Mrs. Mohini Rathi (5 District Head of Inner Wheel Club). Seven Dances and one play and three songs were performed by our students. All the dances were choreograped by Mrs. Deepali Karkase while the play was directed by Mrs. Rajani Bahirath. All parents and guests were happy at the performance of our students.
On 26th January flag-hoisting was done and Mrs. Amruta Kadadi presided. Students performed drills on drum beats and sang the national anthem. Mrs. Neha Kulkarni (parent & volunteer) distributed sweets to all guests and participants.
From Abhyasa Kendra - Srirangam
Our Srirangam centre has got an opportunity to participate and display our products in SARAS Exhibition which was conducted by Ministry of Rural Development in association with Trichy DDAWO department on 6th Jan -2018. Our trainees were enjoyed being there, they could interact with new faces for selling our product; this event became a new experience for them to learn money & selling concepts.
Vocational Training / Youth Empowerment Services
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
Wishes to you all in the new year 2018. January has been a month with varied experiences at VTU Sreyes. It seemed a very short month with two long weekends but looking back we have had a full month.
The beginning of the month kept the whole group engaged in giving final touches to the props made for our Lion King show. Quite unusually, it was followed by a long weekend combined with festival holiday, for 5 full days. So it was a very refreshed as well as energetic group waiting to engage themselves in work that came back on the 17th.
Having completed the classroom learning on road rules and safe travel, the group visited the Road Transport Corporation Training Grounds for demos, videos and hands-on interactive sessions with the Chief Instructor of the institute on the 23rd. It was not only interesting but it also revealed the extent of learning achieved by our trainees.
A very exciting thing that came our way, was the offer by the CMD of Poompuhar (the State Governments outlet for handicrafts) to give us shelf space at their outlet. The planning for the same was a new experience. It gave great pride to the trainees and staff that their products have been identified to be on par with those in the market. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Santosh Babu for this initiative.
Apart from this, the regular production activities were going on. File folders for Grundfos, gift hampers for pro-show team, sling bags for a boutique, sanitary napkins for Rotary Carnatic's outreach program to name a few.
Suprasanna, a new trainee has joined the VTU in the last week of January. She has chosen to come here to learn craft work notwithstanding the fact that it involves a daily commute of 54 kms.
Trainee Vijay Sravan from YES has joined us full-time post Pongal. With this the strength of the Unit is now 20.
The internship of the KLC students thrice a week has resumed. The volunteer Rama who comes on Friday afternoons takes groups of trainees to the local lending library for a reading and sharing experience. With only one counsellor available, individual sessions with her takes place once a week.
The teachers are getting ready for the second term evaluations and that's news from us at Sreyes.
From Youth Empowerment Services:
From Rama Nagarajan's Desk
This month's activity geared up with the performance of Lion King in IIT Sarang, many hidden talents of the trainees were seen during their performance. After the Lion King Performance and Pongal holidays trainees were back to their vocational training.
In Printing and Documentation unit we received an order for SLD course study material, 45 sets of books were printed, bounded and delivered. 100 letterheads for Swaraangan, certificates were printed for Tamilnadu Arts and Handicraft course and 3,000 Samarth tags were printed and delivered, 30 scribbling pads with each 30 pages were sold. In Screen printing delivery challans and invoice books were printed for laundry unit. All internal photocopying and binding works are done regularly.
In Baking and Confectionery unit trainees along with chocolate practice production, trainees are involved in soap and hand wash liquid production.
In Laundry unit usual production along with practice is going on as a regular routine. Trainees are busy in catering regular internal and external laundry works. In loom as training many trainees are involved in making stoles.
Regular therapy classes are happening weekly twice. Therapist from EI visits regularly on Wednesday and Friday.
On 22nd January, Mrs. Parimal and Mrs. Sushama from Counselling department met the parents of the trainees who have got placed. On 24th January, trainees who got placed were met by Miss. Puja along with Mrs. Charumathi and Mrs. Gayathri in group session to brief about the safety and precautions to handle during various situations.
As a new kitchen activity few of our trainees Pankaj, Karthick Ravichander, Vishal Mehra, Sruthi and Mithran along with Mrs. Charumathi are involved in preparing paanagam, vegetable salad, sandwiches and fruit salad. Therapy classes are going on regularly twice a week.