"A grey head does not make an elder. .... Not by years, not by grey hairs, not by riches or many relations did the seers make the Law: He is great to us who has learning."
Astavakra (The Book of the Forest)
V-Excel News
This month saw another round of workshops focusing on teacher development conducted by V-Excel's expert trainers Mrs. Gita Bhalla, Dr. Vasudha Prakash and the team. There was good representation of many of the leading schools in Chennai, thanks to this Kuruvilla Jacob Initiative of promoting continuing education for teachers. It gives us a sense of great satisfaction that we are able to unfold some aspects of child development and bring to fore teacher's key role in a child's life; things that have been missed out in this era of rote learning and mass teaching. Our goal is to sensitize the teachers and enliven teaching such that it reaches every child in a diverse classroom.
15th August, a day we celebrate our nation's Independence Day, is always special to every Indian. This year we saluted the flag hoisted by our very own Managing Trustee, Mrs. B. Sundari. Being a senior-most member of the V-Excel family by age and stature, she is known to all children and parents alike. Sudden showers in the morning saw that the program remained short and sweet.
A unique dance drama was performed at V-Excel's Mandaveli premises on 30th September 2013. Paatti Sonna Kathaigal, with an unusual protagonist - the grandmother - was presented by the renowned artist Shobanaa Bhalchandra. Three old popular children's tales with messages/morals were transformed into a delightful splash of colour for our children. We are extremely thankful to Shobanaa and her troupe for having danced their way to the hearts of the audience!
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
The festival season was heralded with Ramzaan and Janamashtami this month. Ramzaan captured the flavour of sacrifice and the story was told to the children. At least four of our children successfully keep the fast for Ramzaan; we often admire and salute their spirit as the whole discipline is so beautifully woven into their lives from such a young age. Janamashtami took on a completely celebratory colour. The program emerged out of an idea conceived by two teachers, Uma Harini and Aparna who had Krishna's 'leelas' as a theme for every class to be dressed up in. In the main event there was the traditional uriyadi, sharing of the sundal and vadai, recreating the 'vana bhojnam', and singing and dancing which was the hallmark of Krishna's manifold expressions. The dance by our kindergarten teacher Priya representing Krishna and Kaliya was the highlight of the day.
Grade 5, as part of the mineralogy block that they are studying, visited the museum in Egmore. They saw various kinds of rocks and other geological structures which brought to life much of what they were studying.
Independence Day dawned wet and rainy, and while the celebrations and performances had to be called off, the staff, a few children and parents did make it on the morning, where a few patriotic songs were sung and the flag hoisted. It was a solemn, sweet and simple ceremony presided over by our Managing Trustee Mrs. B. Sundari.
A debrief was conducted with the parents of Grade 4 whose children went for the overnight trip to Yelagiri. Issues of independence in ADL's and observations from the staff regarding issues of sleep and diet were addressed. We hope that this experiential learning helps our young boys and girls to gain some mastery over themselves in the areas of social and independent living skills.
Academy for Teacher Excellence
August has been very hectic for ATE as we are now planning to apply for some more new courses offered by the national institutions - Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and with Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
There are many courses offered by IGNOU and RCI. But there has been a tendency to offer just special education related programs by the special education schools. But V-Excel has started thinking on a different perspective and is in the process of applying for courses which will not only equip people who take up these courses, but will prepare each and every student who studies for facilitating social inclusion and a better future of the differently-abled. One such course offered by RCI will be Care Giving, and under the Continuous Rehabilitation Education programs we plan to offer Vocational Training , Learning Disability and Inclusion of ASD . Under IGNOU we have courses in Functional English, Certificate in Guidance and Certificate in Home Based Health Care.
The ongoing IGNOU course on Early Childhood Special Education is continuing with all students working diligently to complete their Assignments and Practicals.
We are organizing a second round of Volunteers Training Program. Parent Awareness Program, a three-month course in Distance Mode, is going to be offered for the first time in Tamil in Erode and Chennai. Everyone going through this newsletter is earnestly requested to disseminate this information to their friends and families. By doing so, you would be indirectly contributing towards helping bring about a change in the attitude of the society towards persons with special needs.
Early Intervention Unit
Review of programs has been the focus of this month. Many children who regularly do not attend early intervention program came for review on assessment. Parents were given training on how to facilitate development at home. The program will be carried out over the next three months and another round of review will be conducted.
Group sessions for children with physical disabilities have commenced. The emphasis for this group has been on individual development, enhanced communication, social interaction with peers and stimulation for school readiness. At present we have three children in this group.
Early Intervention Unit is now supported and strengthened with the appointment of an in-house psychologist. Our parents are generally young couples who have inexperience with children and following their milestones. They also find it hard to accept a child with special needs and are stressed in more ways than one. A psychologist on board will definitely help support all such parents.
V-Excel Satellite Centres
In Nashik, we now have 18 children in the special school and 36 children in the Remedial and Therapy center. The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) of all the children has been completed and the respective programs are being implemented by the teachers and therapists.
Event celebrations -
On August 15th, India's Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. All the children came in school uniform and sang a few patriotic songs. One of our students Yash Surve recited a beautiful poem on this solemn occasion.
Children and teachers made Rakhis for Raksha bandhan which was celebrated on the evening of 19th August amidst parents. All the girls tied Rakhis, signifying respect and safety, to boys in the school.
On 29th August, we had Dahi Handi celebrations to mark Gokulaashtami. . All the children danced with their teachers and therapists to the peppy number "Govinda aala re aala". It was good fun to watch all of them let their hair loose!
Erode centre will complete one year at the end of this month. At present we have around 40 children availing services from our centre. We are happy to have been available for providing specialized services to developmentally challenged children in a place where there was no support.
Tirunelveli centre is functioning out of new premises located in the same area as our previous center. While we work primarily with the 4-14 year age group, we now also have around 4-5 children above the age of 18 years. A proposal to start a vocational group is hence under discussion.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
We started four new assessments this month. Typically we spread our assessment on various developmental parameters such as gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, social, and communication skills over 4-6 sessions. Based on the observations and parent interaction, goal setting and remedial intervention plan is drawn up.
One child with ADHD and learning problems was referred to us by his mainstream school. We have framed an individualized program combined with Occupational Therapy (OT) for the child and are working intensively with him. He had been prescribed daily sessions of an hour each. The parents also have been attending counselling sessions. With changes in diet, parenting strategies, remedials and OT we see rapid progress in the child. We are really hopeful of integrating him back into the school routine from the second term, with reduced remedial classes.
A remedial teacher who has been us in the past too, Mrs. Meena Devaraj, rejoined us; she has been working as a special educator for the past 10 years.
Group sessions are going on well. Given that there are some common developmental objectives, we have started a monthly evaluation system for children in the group in terms of specific goals.
Vocational Training Unit
Movement therapy for the trainees resumed for this academic year, after a break of about six months. The therapist has started with a theme depicting movement of birds which is being integrated into the sports day program. The trainees eagerly look forward to these sessions.
Independence Day flag was hoisted by one of our alumni members, who now a young man working in a city school as a Library Assistant. He spoke about his routine in the school; it was a matter of pride to hear him speak! Two VTU trainees respectively spoke about pre-independence years and the progress made after independence. Another trainee sang a patriotic Tamil song. Vande Mataram, the classic freedom song celebrating India's prosperity, was rendered by our Early Intervention staff.
With Dusherra festival next month, we have started receiving orders for thamboolam bags, jute bags, Bhoomi mitra bags and other gift items. Apart from these orders we also have the ongoing order of making envelopes for a monthly Tamil magazine. We are happy that a shop in the local community has given us a regular order for newspaper bags.
Samarth, our production unit for vocational students, has various activities gearing students towards independent employability and earning skills. We need many good hands to make this happen and are glad to welcome a new trainer Lakshmi in our tailoring unit, introduced by our ace creative volunteers, Mrs. Margaret Buch. Thanks, Margaret!
Counseling and Assessment Unit
The month of August was full of celebrations and activities. We started a grandparents' group and have had three sessions so far. We initiated this group as we realized that many a times the main caretakers or decision makers in the child's life are their grandparents. If we are able to address their anxieties, fears and listen to them they feel relaxed and can spend pleasurable time with their grandchildren. All the sessions were well-received and sincerely appreciated.
Our work with the corporates continues. We met 30 clients from the companies. We are seeing a snowballing effect with our interactions translating into getting self-referrals/referring their friends.
We conducted an in-service training for teachers using drama as a medium. It was greatly enjoyed by all. The added advantage is that the teachers now learnt how to use drama with their older children in the classroom, something that will go a long way in facilitating expression and communication among the special children.
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.
33 Pine Street
East Brunswick New Jersey 08818
Tel: (732) 619-7944
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
