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 Unit
- Youth Empowerment Services
Academy of Teaching Excellence
From Meera Suresh's Desk
ATE classes for P.G in Multiple disabilities and Inclusive Education are going on smoothly. Attendance is almost full on most days. Full attendance can be seen on Soft Skill Training classes also. We have started the weekend classes for Inclusive Education and 11 candidates have been admitted for the same. The target of 10 candidates suggested by TMF has been achieved. We have admitted 4 candidates who are out station, in the Distance Education Mode for the weekend batch.
The answer paper for the Soft Skills test on the topic "Empathy" and a movie "Children of Heaven" was distributed and all the candidates had scored good marks. Lots of fun and Laughter with paper checking, total checking and comparison of answers. They have shared the usefulness of the test and have given the feedback which are very much positive. We had a full attendance for the same.
The next session has been taken on "Critical Thinking". Test will follow next month. Annamalai University has informed us that the Mark sheets of Batch-2 are ready. We will be planning the Valedictory function soon for the Batch 2 candidates after collecting the mark sheets from the University.
On a special request we have sent 4 Boxes of adult and children diapers to a special school, Nirmal Jyoti, at Wayanad on the request of Mr. Sunil who was in Kerala. Our ATE candidate Abhisekh Panikkar took the onus to hand it over to them in person on my request because we wanted it to reach the right hands.
Teacher's Day was celebrated by the ATE students to honour the faculty members handling their classes. It was a lovely day with many games and activities followed by snacks. They handed over a memento and a chart with their feeling for the Faculty Member written by the candidates and also read in the class.
Internal Assessment Tests for the Batch 3 and Batch 4 was conducted on 4 days starting 25th September to 28th September. Seating Arrangements were made in three different rooms on the third floor. We had a turnout of 40 candidates out of the expected 55 candidates, who could not attend due to various reasons. It was a bit tedious to organize question papers for Batch 3 (50 marks) on three courses and Batch-4 (30 marks) for two courses. But thankfully all the examinations went off smoothly.
We have started guiding the Candidates who will be giving their examinations in the month of December 2018 on OJT and Case Study preparation.
Counseling & Assessments
From Parimal Pandit's Desk
Greetings of the day. we had a few new counselling cases and all the old follow up. Two monthly desks at a corporate company.
This month the Department did significant work with meeting parents, teachers along with regular individual and group play and art therapy sessions in KLC, VRC and BLA. The trainees , parents and teachers of VTU and YES were met by our counsellors and there was immense improvement in some of the trainees who were having anxiety and anger issues.
Here's one such a beautiful story of healing.....
It is always a wonder to watch the magic of music with human beings, particularly those special ones in the autism spectrum. It is no surprise that little David, a young shepherd, gifted in playing the harp, was once chosen to soothe the temper of the vile King Saul and every evil and every pain vanished when he heard the music and he felt peace and could become a better person in David's presence.
This story from the Old Testament has always intrigued me as a therapist working with music; for this is a story of everyday. A young fourteen year old boy with innumerable sensory issues, delicate health, in the autism spectrum was in pain and agony, violent, screaming, biting, crying and was having a meltdown. He was sent to the sandpit where he could be left alone and calm down, but the agony did not subside and could be heard throughout the school.
Watching him from the window, I began to sing a soft song and the shouting stopped. I could enter the space of violence and he began to hold himself together. The stress, pain, torment on his face was soon replaced within a few minutes by peace, calm and a look of being safe. It was almost like watching the stormy sea slowly subside to a peaceful lake. He began to swing and at the end of two songs, looked at me and smiled deeply and let out a big sigh. I could leave him alone at the end of a few songs and he was calm the rest of the afternoon.
This is not one exceptional story. It happens day after day with music and children- obsessions subside, peace reigns, incoherent and repetitive speech stops, violence subsides and harmony prevails in the space of music. I was often left wondering what magic music has! Thus when Grade Three of KLC was studying this story of David, I gravitated to their class to bring them music, the lyre and show them David's harp; but what I carried back instead in my case was hearts of joy, hope and love...
This is not one exceptional story. It happens day after day with music and children- obsessions subside, peace reigns, incoherent and repetitive speech stops, violence subsides and harmony prevails in the space of music. I was often left wondering what magic music has! Thus when Grade Three of KLC was studying this story of David, I gravitated to their class to bring them music, the lyre and show them David's harp; but what I carried back instead in my case was hearts of joy, hope and love...
Early Intervention
From Lalitha Sridhar's Desk
Strategies to Regulate Auditory – Over- & under-responsiveness:
For auditory over-responsiveness:
- Seat the child away from auditory distractions, such as fans, windows, doors etc…
- Seat the child away from classmates who tend to be chatty and noisy.
- A quiet, calm area may be an empty room in school or a quiet class room.
- If a quiet room is not available, the child may benefit from wearing ear defenders, head phones or ear plugs.
- The teacher could use a visual cue to control the noise in the class room E.g., a volume control icon or a traffic light system.
- Use a visual support to aid understanding of instructions E.g., visual work system typed notes on a handout, pictures, keeping instructions on board etc…
- Minimize verbal instructions and provide support with visual strategies.
- Prepare the child before entering a noisy environment by placing it on the visual schedule.
- Allow the child to listen to music through head phones.
- Provide a visual prompt card, help card so the child can request to leave the room when feeling overwhelmed by the noise.
- Teach the child a more appropriate way to respond to an unexpected noise: -
- Teach the child to cover ears or put ear defenders, earphones on when unexpected noise occurs.
- Teach the child calming strategies to use, when there is an unexpected noise E.g., breathing exercise, deep pressure exercise
For auditiry under-responsiveness:
- Stand beside the child when giving instructions.
- Use a visual cue (E.g., placing a colored card on the child’s desk, holding up a visual cue) to gain the child’s attention before giving new work, instructions or directions.
- Use a visual cue (E.g., placing a colored card on the child’s desk, holding up a visual cue) to gain the child’s attention before giving new work, instructions or directions.
- Use a visual support to aid registration of instructions.
- Provide the child with alternative sensory input to increase alertness and concentration. Examples may include holding a fidget toy (or) sitting on cushion.
- Allow the child to listen to music at appropriate times.
Kaleidoscope Learning Center
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
September has been a month of coming together, celebrating and working hard.
Fifth of September , Teachers Day saw all the teachers of KLC having 'a day out of time' They all came together to watch a movie together and then bonded over lunch. These special moments though few in a year are really the bond that keeps the team together and brings a spring in the step of weary feet! It was good to see the teachers as people other than the caring avatar that they are most frequently seen in.
In a special program initiated by the Pathshala school, students of Class 11, visited our school twice in two weeks. It was a coming together of students from different backgrounds, different etheric constitutions, different abilities, agendas, and definitely different destinies! But it was a meeting of minds, where the students from the regular school watched, participated and appreciated the challenges so intrinsic in the lives of our students and the simplicity of their interactions. They came on two days and have invited the senior school for a overnight visit to their school soon. We look forward to an enriching friendship between these two schools and pioneering an inclusion chapter of a different kind.
There have also been students from colleges like Stella Maris, WCC, SIET college and different departments who have been completing internships, working on case studies and generally working and spending time with our students.
We welcome two more volunteers from Germany through the kind offices of VIA.ev. We hope that Louise and Micheala settle well and have an enriching experience with us. We are really grateful to the organisation as well as the volunteers who have chosen their destinations for a year with us.
The celebrations included Ganesh Chaturthi, where all the students and teachers made their own clay Ganeshas . Worship, songs, prasaadam, and then three days later he was submerged next in water. Each teacher takes charge of one festival, chooses her team mates and thus on rotation each festival is brought to the students with different flavours.
24th September Monday, Blue Blue Sky Choir performed at Kolaperumal Vaishnav Secondary School, Arumbakkam in the morning. The students of that school enjoyed and joined our students in some of the songs.
25th September Tuesday, Grade 2 and Grade 3 students and teachers visited Sreyes Farm at Redhills,for a day trip. They were away from morning 9.45 am to 3.30 pm, travelling, looking around, having lunch at the farm, meeting the people there, watching and interacting with the cows there and all through these, they were calm and enjoyed the outing.We sincerely thank the Essvee Shardha foundation and especially Mr. and Mrs. Rajgopal for their terrific involvement and generosity in providing this experience for our students. We look forward to a number of visits and overnight trips for our students.
Grade 4 have been working on animal studies and observation of dogs was their topic. They have been going out to the neighbourhood to observe dogs. They had a beagle visitor them in school, which they observed and replicated it in their clay work.
29th September Saturday, some teachers from KLC went to the land purchased by CLAPS, a parent initiative, for community living, in Thiruvallur. Elango and family and Venkat and family arranged for conveyance and all other facilities for the group for this trip. The parent's initiative for their children is taking shape on this land and it will grow in the coming years.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar Award to Shri Gopal Jahagirdar
We are very happy and proud that our Center Head for Solapur, Shri Gopal Jahagirdar, has been awarded the "Adarsh Shikshak Puraskar" by Siddh Sung Pratishthan. He was one of the eight chosen awardees who were bestowed this honour on the occasion of Teacher's Day.
Gopal is pivotal in running V-Excel Satellite Center at Solapur that offers Early Intervention, Special School, Remedial Services, and Vocational Programs for children with special needs. A committed and sincere human being, Gopal is a pillar of support for many parents and teachers in Solapur. A well-deserved award indeed! Congratulations Gopal.
The Tarang on September 27, 2018 with soothing music overflowing by Shri Unnikrishnan, captured the hearts of all present with his enthralling performance and meditative melodies. Pibare Ramarasam, Bho Sambho and Brahamam Okate were mesmerising numbers and his final film song "Uyire uyire"...was a special treat.
A hall packed with employees of Hexaware, all getting ready to enjoy the chocolates and cupcakes made by the trainees of Youth Empowerment Services, under the supervision of our trainer Mrs. Divya Venkatesh. Many thanks to Hexaware Technologies for organizing this Bakery workshop at their premises. Trainees got this wonderful opportunity not only to demonstrate their baking skills but also enhance their social behavior skills and self confidence.
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Lekshmi Ramesh's Desk
Remedial Unit
Term-end progress reports, creating the IEPs, kept teachers on their toes. Celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishna Jayanthi, songs, prasadam, decorations made the rooms bright and children were engrossed at work.
During Ganesh Chaturthi, children made idols with clay and set up the mandapam. Every day we would sing Ganesh Aarti and on the seventh day, we did the visarjan by putting the idols in the tub filled with water and kept humming Ganapati Bappa Morya.. The children were also told stories and eco friendly way of visarjan.
Harshitha, ten year old girl with ADHD and behaviour issues have shown considerable improvement. The parents narrated their experiences and the positive changes they have seen. Her behaviours like hitting, pinching, running around have all decreased. She is now ready to listen to instructions and sit in one place.
Movements, animal walk, bean bag exercises, handwork, sand play, sand walk, free play were few of the activities done during the term.
Bridges Learning Academcy:
Flying objects always fascinate children and it is a great opportunity to see the airport facilities, from where people fly out. It was an enthralling experience for the children to see the various sections of the airport.
We are proud to state that V-Excel was the first institute to take such children for a one day educational tour to the airport, overcoming many hurdles and successfully meeting the requirements for securing access to different areas in the airport.
Term 1 is going to be completed. All the students of BLA are taking the revision tests. Master Hari from NIOS 12th is going to write the exams on October 2018. We have also commenced occupational therapy services effectively from august 2018 for our Primary group children.
This improves their coordination and attention skills and developing their Academic skills. All Teachers of BLA have undergone in-service training in teaching methodology which has improved their teaching strategy taking into account the needs of the children.
From Cathedral School:
Danunsh is a very friendly, cooperative student who has shown considerable improvement in a short period of time. He joined Cathedral school this academic year. He was referred for remedial teaching as he was poor in basic language and mathematics skills. His areas of concern were oral, reading and writing. Danunsh being a friendly child could get along well with the special educator. He began to explore the various method of learning with the help of the special educator. His keen interest to learn and individualised training has helped him to move forward at a fast pace.
He is a audio visual learner. The teaching aids helped him to recognise the alphabets and numerals. Since his memory is good he was able to recall well with repitition. Danunsh has weak limbs. He has muscular problem in right limbs. He has been referred to play therapy and Occupational therapy. Play therapy has helped him to mingle well with peers, follow instructions, learn to take turns, following instructions. Occupation al therapy has helped him to improve his handwriting. The overall outcome of a consolidated individualised teaching program has been that he is now performing well academically in his classroom.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath's Desk
The festivities and celebrations continued in September too. This year the Teacher's Day was celebrated with a difference.A group of 6 parents organized the Celebration in a very special way. They felicitated all the teachers, therapists and care-givers in the school. They shared their experiences with the team and gifted a diary and pen to all the teachers. All the teachers enjoyed this new experience and felt revered and cherished the special moments of the day.
The day following Janmashtami Festival, the children came dressed as little Krishnas and Radha and 'Dahi Handi' or Krishna breaking the curd pot was done amidst the chorus of 'Makkan Chor' and other songs sung by the teachers and the students. With the Ganesh festival round the corner, the teachers and children made small idols of Ganesh with clay and coloured and embellished the idols with decorative stones and beads. On 13th, the most important festival of the year, Ganesh Chathurthi was celebrated when the little Ganesha's were adorned with flowers and Arthi was performed and sweets distributed to all.
The children from the school were taken around the city in the school van to visit the various Ganesha Pandals around the city. It was a new experience for the kids and they thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The children from BLA were taken to a Science exhibition to help them understand and appreciate the various basic Scientific concepts.
The Vocational trainees visited the Sheltered Workshop of Prabodhini Center for Mentally Challenged Adults in Satpur. They watched several Vocations being carried out in that center like file making, papad production and assembling work. The Vocational trainees were trained to draw Rangoli as part of their skill training program, relevant to the Festival season.
In the last week of the month, our Regional Director Mrs. Jayanthi Vishwanath attended a National Conference on disabilities at Jaipur.
From Gopal Jahagirdar in Solapur
1. On 3rd September we celebrated Dahihandi in our center. Children came in Radha and Krishna costumes and painted handis and burst crackers. They danced to peppy music and broke the handis.
2. On 5th September we celebrated Teachers Day. Our patron Shri Dilip Kulkarni visited Solapur. He felicitated all the teachers. Some parents also visited and honoured the teachers.
3. Our Center coordinator Shri Gopal Jahagirdar was presented with 'Best Teacher's Award' by Siddasang Pratisthan, Solapur. He was felicitated by Vice Chancellor Mrs. Fadanvis of Solapur University.
4. On 18th September we celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi. Our vocational group students made an eco-friendly Ganesh idol. Some children made garlands and some children decorated the place. Lions club president Mrs. Pachkawade visited our center and distributed Prasad to all children and staff on account of the 10 days Ganesh Festival.
5. Integrated Sports Competition. On 22nd September we organized Sports event for children bellow 8 years of age. Special Olympic Bharat and Eikya Foundation organized a training program for teachers this month.Our teacher Suresh Yemul participated in that program. Eikya Foundation provided a sports kit. The theme of the training program is sports skill building and integration with normal children bellow 8 years. We invited 7 different normal schools children and teachers. 30 children participated in sports event 15 from different normal schools and 15 from our center. Shri.Prashant Pawar guided to all for taking these activities. 10 parents participated as volunteers.. The event was appreciated by all the parents..From the following Saturday these Sport activities with children were begun in our center.
6. Mr.Raghavendra Patil and Mrs. Sunita Vaidya completed 10 Days ABA therapy training program in Samarth Early Intervention Center Pune. This training program which was organized by Mrs. Komala Anantpur -Behaviour Therapist.
From Abhyasa Kendra - Srirangam
We are happy to inform you that our Srirangam trainees have produced more products this month for the sale at Tiruppur Upanyasam - Discourses by Sri. U.Ve. Velukkudi krishnan Swami, we had a stall for 5 days from 19th Sep to 23rd Sep. Our products were displayed for sale. The following products were sold for Rs. 12,000 - angaya podi, arisi upma mix, idly melagai podi, Kanchipuram idly mix, kootu podi, paruppu podi and rasa podi.
Sri. Ramanujam from Mumbai who is a Volunteer of Kinchitkaram Trust who is been a supporter of Abhyasa Kendra since we started our production unit, He visited our centre on 14th Sep along with his family and given his feed back as - "Very enthustiastic trainees and very dedicated staff at Abhyasa Kendra I wish more good work will happen in future".
From Outreach Centre - Pollachi
In the month of September 2018, our children in OUTREACH REMEDIAL CENTER, was given Mudra Therapy. Mudras are for everyone. But, we taught Mudras for our children as they awaken COSMIC ENERGIES, PURIFY MIND, BODY AND SOUL. Mudras are finger postures performed by pressing two finger tips together, by flexing and stretching the other fingers in a particular manner.Mudras stimulate electromagnetic energies, activate dormant nerves, correct imbalances and heal many ailments. Hence, it was an initiative by our team to teach Mudra postures to our children as a part of our therapy to conceal and channelize the positive energy for creating readiness and interest in learning. Each Mudra Posture was given for duration of 5 to 15 minutes for our students.
Apana Mudra:
Apana Mudra is the descending energy seal, it detoxifies the body and revitalizes all the systems.
Gyana Mudra
Gyana Mudra is the knowledge seal. It transcends ego, calms the mind and promotes wisdom. It stimulates brain and pituitary gland, improves memory and sleep. It also helps in changing negative into positive emotions.
Vayu Mudra
Vayu Mudra istheWind Seal. It helps to strengthen bones, muscles, joints, relieves pain and helps to balances air within, clears nasal blocks and removes flatulence.
Sunya Mudra
Sunya Mudra is the Zero Seal. It helps in relieving ear infections and deafness, as it helps in balancing the cochlear fluids in the ear.
Surya Mudra
Surya Mudra is the Sun Seal. It raises inner heat, removes lethargy, increases balance. Relieves stress, common cold, reduces cholesterol. Improves digestion, overall strength and stability.
Vocational Training Unit
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
Come September, it is celebrations and planning for Navaratri. The month began with the Teacher's Day on the 5th, when the team of teachers had a day of fun and group activity followed by lunch at restaurant. Post Ganesh Chaturthi the trainees narrated their experience of the Pooja and the interactive communication was a new learning.
The interns from BALM, have consistently worked with the group and the teachers.BALM interns assisted the trainees to make paper bags. Also, they prepared an activity on traffic signals to teach the trainees road rules with the traffic signal rule placards available at VTU Sreyes.
Discussions with Ms. Lalitha Sridhar with respect to the ongoing therapy sessions for a trainee , beginning of 1/2 hour sessions for all trainees whose assessments have been done and facilitating the front office training for 2 VTU trainees were had and decisions made. Following this Akshaya and Anandhi were assessed for the same for two days each on Saturdays.
As part of experiential learning, some of the trainees by turns, were taken to nearby shops for shopping of their personal care products as per the list given by their parents. They were taught to pick the products and handle the money by Vocational trainers. The trainees described their shopping experience with joy and delight. It was a great learning experience for them.
For Tech Mahindra exhibition and Dakshin Chitra exhibition, the list of products to be exhibited and other necessary arrangements were discussed and decided with Mrs. Kantha. Akshaya accompanied by Mrs. Kantha manned the Tech Mahindra stall for VTU. With the parent consent, it has been decided train Akshaya to manage our counter at Dakshin Chitra for two weeks. All modalities were discussed.
Two trainees of the unit are regular interns at the Sreyes farm. They go on Tuesday afternoon and are back on Wednesday evening. Mr. Manivannan accompanies them. Vegetables from the farm are brought to Sreyes for sale. The trainees learn to set up a kiosk at the front. They are guided to talk about it, weigh and package for sale. Money handling is also part of the training. This hands on experience is bringing out hidden strengths in the trainees.
Discussions with Ms. Parimal, Head of Counselling, gave a clear picture about this year's regular counselling programmes for the trainees, teachers and parents. A parents group meeting with Parimal and her department has been scheduled at Sharada on 4th October, 2018.
Our Tarang concert at BVB, Mylapore was well attended by all the trainees and teachers. Some parents also attended the concert. Mr. Unnikrishnan’s rendition of songs and his choice of songs were simply wonderful. His songs touched the soul of everyone. The audience went jubilant when he sang their favourite songs "Uyirum Neeye" and "Ennavale Adi" in the end. Practise sessions of singing and dance for the Navarathri festival continued. The teachers started planning for golu.
Volunteer, Mrs. Rama takes music session on Friday afternoon. She engages the students with bhajans, practise of songs and dance for the trainees and teachers for Navarathri. Mr. Alaguraj Raj, a special educator has joined the unit as intern. The production unit has been active as ever with order for bags for Navaratri. Production towards kiosks in L&T and Dakshin Chitra had their own demand preferences.
The production team produced Jute file folder, Water bottle bag, Jute coin purse, CD coaster, Dupata, Bhoomi Mitra Bag, Double color Jute bag, Jute bag with block printing, Quilled Coaster, Sanitary Napkin pad, rolled paper craft, bead craft and paper mache craft to cater to exhibitions, sale and towards orders.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Rama Nagarajan's Desk
Our month started with a spiritual note of celebrating 'Vinayagar Chathurthi' and a puja was done to our Vinayagar in our centre on 14th September. Mr. Veeraragavan from 'Kiruba Home'-a residential home for people with special needs, visited on 15th September to observe our laundry activities. He was very much impressed with our laundry unit and requested our guidance in starting a laundry unit in their center.
Participation in Sale Mela: Our products were exhibited for sale at Dakshin Chitra Craft Mela from 19th to 30th September. We had a satisfying sale of our products.
On 4th and 5th September, we have participated in a 'NGO Carnival' organised by L&T at Manapakkam. Our trainee Gokulakrishnan participated in the carnival. Our trainee Deepa has been deputed to undergo internship at our head office for two days a week. She helps in the front office and in the library.
On 26th September our trainees with teacher Divya visited Hexaware Technologies and organised demo on cup cake and chocolate making to the employees of Hexaware Technologies. There was a loud round of appalause of appreciation from the employees when they saw the cup cakes. Many employees were eager to learn cup cakes and chocolate making process.
Our trainees in two groups attend the SREYES farm once a month. They are involved in different farm and allied activities which have high therapeutic value. Our counsellor visits our centre twice a week and meets our trainees on priority basis.