"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water,
or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time..."
...John Lubbock
V-Excel News
The National Convention for Education was held at Hotel Taj Connemera in Chennai on 12th February 2011. Our Founder-Director, Dr. Vasudha
Prakash, was invited as one of the speakers. The sessions revolved around development of the five important elements namely Social, Physical,
Intellectual, Creative, and Emotional skills, in the growing years of children, especially at the kindergarten level. Dr. Vasudha focused on
the 'Emotional aspect of development' as a vital parameter for healthy, holistic growth of an individual.
This month, Dr. Vasudha was also invited to speak on various disability-related topics on the television channel, Jaya Plus. The channel is
presenting a series on the subject to build awareness amongst the common public and to address specific issues faced by parents of children with
learning problems. We are happy to be a part of this program.
The District Disability Rehabilitation Officer (DDRO) visited our Shastrinagar Center to see our Vocational Training Unit. Our Managing
Trustee, Mrs. Sundari, and Unit Head, Mrs. Usha Rajagopal, briefed about our various activities. It was indeed a happy moment when he praised
our work and congratulated our staff for their efforts and commitment.
In continuation of Sushravya, our 'music' initiative, we had the esteemed violinist maestro Lalgudi G.J.R.Krishnan
visiting our Center on 18th February 2011. The audience included parents, children, guests and friends of V-Excel. The artiste played with
passion and mesmerized everyone, including our special children, with his superlative performance!
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
KLC children are getting some time with the ATE trainees and getting a variety of learning experiences in different group situations from
different teachers. They seem to have adapted well with each other, a positive sign that our children adjusted easily!
Home visits continue, some planned, and some impromptu when a sudden change in behavior necessitates it. Invariably, these visits provide us
valuable insights and give us some direction about the course of action for children's manifested behavior.
Along with home visits, our multidisciplinary approach, and working closely with the parents is proving to be really beneficial. The counseling
sessions and the foot massages to parents are healing in a way; it increases their trust in our methodology since they get a first-hand experience
about how massages help a person become more 'present'.
It is heartening that more and more parents are seeking counseling and support for helping their children. The result of their involvement is
directly reflected not only in children's enhanced enthusiasm to work, play and read, but also in overall cooperation.
A few of our children and many staff members attended the rally for Census inclusion on 4th February. They too added their voices to the population
of the disabled that asked to being counted.
The pre-vocational group is becoming steadily more independent in cooking and is getting well-versed in preparing a three-course meal. Kudos to
Vasanthi, Sharada, Lakshmi and Mahesh, and the eleven children of the prevocational class of course!
Incidentally, cooking has become the favourite work of the kindergarten too! The busy hands in this baby class are seen to peel and de-pod peas,
then cook a pulao, and eat it for lunch! The children are very excited and Sowmya, our teacher, reports that this is one activity that teachers
do not have to try too hard to get the group together. Great socialization and very good finger work!
Academy for Teacher Excellence
This month the trainees continued with their teaching practice for the respective case study children. Lessons were also conducted in the
classrooms at our special school, Kaleidoscope Learning Center, for getting hands-on experience.
Feedback on student 'lessons' by the expert guest faculty has been extremely valuable for the trainees in further improving their teaching
style and methodology.
'Peer Observations' were also conducted wherein the trainees got an opportunity to observe lessons conducted by their fellow trainees. It was
an enjoyable session as the trainees frankly discussed the shortcomings and strengths of each other's lessons. The best part was that the feedback
was taken in the right spirit by all.
Trainees commenced work on a significant part of their case-studies, namely construction of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Discussions
were undertaken with the trainees to help them identify the core areas of intervention for their individual cases and draw up concrete goals.
Early Intervention Unit
A 'Development Quotient Assessment' was performed for all the children. This, along with other relevant factors, was used to identify children
who are now ready to go to regular schools. Their parents were advised to look out for admission for their ward in play groups / primary schools
and this process is presently on.
We conducted observations of children who are attending early intervention program in a school classroom environment. They seem to be settling
in well.
Teachers from some regular schools, where our children have been mainstreamed, also came to observe our early intervention program. This way,
they got an idea of the kind of work being done with the children facing specific developmental issues. Those teachers who required help in
handling the children at school were give guidance regarding the goals to work with and how to implement them.
We would like to sincerely thank Anna, a German Volunteer, who completed her term with us, for complete immersion in her work and warmth
towards all the children.
Bridges Learning Academy
Teachers of BLA, along with two of our students - Ruppesh and Rakscana, participated in the rally conducted by VidyaSagar for census inclusion.
The children were surprised and ecstatic to see their photographs in the newspaper the next day!
As part of our care and concern for children mainstreamed from our Center, Mrs. Chitra visited Sudarshan's new school. We are extremely happy
to announce that the child has adapted well and settled in the new environment.
BLA managed to get three tickets for the World Cup Cricket match held between Kenya and New Zealand on 20th February at Chennai. Two children,
accompanied by parents, enjoyed the match. Children were lucky to get some goodies from Reebok by wearing their apparels and accessories. Children
are expecting to get some more tickets from V-Excel for the forthcoming matches.
Due to the rise in temperature, students are now opting out of playground activities. As a result, their Tuesdays and Thursdays are filled with
needles, threads, cross stitch, matte cloth, etc. Interestingly, they are not only enjoying it, but also doing quite well.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
An exciting one day trek to Nagallapuram hills was organized with Eco Login for the remedial children on 5th February. Nagallapuram is an
extremely pristine and beautiful hill. It was awesome to see children walking towards this 'Heaven on Earth'. The serene greens, cool pools,
made our spirits bloom. Children also enjoyed making their own photo frames to keep their trek photo.
As a part of our awareness program on disability, the VRC staff started visiting different mainstream schools in the city. Our objective is
to inform the schools about the remedial services we offer and to help them identify children with learning disabilities.
Rural Outreach Program
Britannia Limited once again extended their support by giving biscuits to all our beneficiaries, over 4,400 children, in Villipuram district.
Biscuits are given to special children visiting Day Care Centers and Resource Rooms. This gesture is highly appreciated by parents and children
alike. Thank you, Britannia team!
The distribution of medical appliances continued this month too. As per the assessment reports and keeping in mind the available funds, we gave
out 74 gaiters, 45 special boots, 17 crutches, 15 splints, and walkers, amounting to Rs. 1,20,000/- this month. The pleasure and satisfaction
of seeing the improvement in these children due to the medical aids cannot be expressed in words!
Vocational Training Unit
Many exciting events happened in the month of February. The trainees of VTU got a wonderful opportunity to witness the World Cup Match
between New Zealand and Kenya, live at the Chepauk stadium, thanks to Sri Kasi Viswanathan, the Secretary. It was their maiden trip to a match and
they enjoyed it thoroughly!
Five students of our vocational program were part of the final day of the 'Youth for Peace' program with 200 students from other schools. The
event was organized by Sangeetha and Asima Trust. It was a valuable exposure for all of them.
Regular movement therapy classes began early this month and the students benefit from it thrice a week. Being thematic, these sessions motivate
the students to think, be creative and expressive.
The Traffic Police Department, on request by our Managing Trustee, has deputed two persons to educate our student group on road traffic rules,
safety and 'police as a friend of the community'. The sessions are interactive and enjoyed by all. Practical exposure is given not just as
observation at busy junctions, but also by manning the traffic.
With our German volunteers back, we took up baking as an activity-cum-training with great focus. The vegan cookies are much in demand in
the 'Samarth' outlet.
The vegetable chopping and sale at the 'Samarth' outlet being a regular feature now, has regular customers. A couple of our students are able
to scrape coconut so well and peel onions so neatly, that it is highly appreciated by all.
The training at the photocopy machine has become regular, so much so, that the students get to do booklets for the in-service reading!
The screen-printing unit is very busy, having bagged a sizable order from a business firm for printing their stationery. We are really happy
that all our children are getting hands-on practical experience, as they should in their job skill development program.
Counseling and Assessment Unit
February month was full of workshops. Dr. Vasudha conducted a half-day workshop for Cognizant Technological Services (CTS). The subject was
Relationship Management. It was very well received. Also, there has been a significant increase in referrals from the management of CTS as
they have learnt more about our services.
Another workshop was in form of lectures to the second year students of Ethiraj College. The topics were very interesting - 'Significance of
Family', 'Nurturing Relationship' and 'Cooperation and Understanding'. Dr. Vasudha and Ms. Parimal conducted these lectures. It was really good
to see the participants interacting and talking excitedly. The whole process was interactive with case histories and activities to facilitate
sharing. Dr. Vasudha encouraged the students to think on global issues.
We have been meeting various schools to create awareness about learning difficulties. However, there has been a mixed response on that front
and we need to persistently follow-up with the schools.
Regular play therapy sessions are going on; children's increased involvement in 'play' and improvement in social skills is evident.
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
