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Strides Newsletter - September 2021 - Issue 184

Counseling & Assessments

From Radhika Sasankh's Desk

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Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Center

From Lakshmi Sudhakaran's Desk

This month we decided to introduce activities related to the famous celebration of the month-Ganesh Chaturthi. All the children were engaged in making clay models, face masks, sweets made of clay, colorful garlands and they were given training individually on that. On the day of celebration, we made a big Ganesha using Swissball, Beanbag, Coloursticks, Colour beads,Flash cards,Colour cards and Puppets. It was a pleasure watching children enjoying the process. The children were also engaged in beading activity and their creation was made into a garland for Ganesha. The children did a cutting activity and neatly cut the image of Ganesha and coloured them. As a part of sequencing activity, they were asked to arrange the image like a jigsaw puzzle. This activity was aimed at the focus and logical skills enhancement for the children. The children then made the sweet (modak or kozhukkattai as we call it) out of clay. This kind of activity improves the sensory skills and they were also asked to make the hand prints on charts. The children wore the mask and were engaged in these activities. Small songs in praise of the Lord were taught and they sung it in front of our Ganesha with such enthusiasm and sincerity!!!

The traditional way of praying by doing thoppukarnam was also done by all.

Overall,it was lot of learning and enjoyment for the children and the staff.

இந்த மாதத்தின் மிகவும் பிரசத்தி பெற்ற விநாயகர் சதூர்த்தியை குழந்தைகளுடன் கொண்டாட முடிவு செய்தோம். விழா சார்ந்த விளையாட்டுகளை கொடுக்கலாம் என்று ஆலோசித்து முடிவு செய்தோம்.

வழக்கமாக விழாக்களில் அலங்காரம் செய்வதற்கு அந்த விழாக்கள் சார்ந்த பொருள்களான வரைபடங்கள், களிமண் பிள்ளையார் , பிள்ளையாரின் முக அட்டை , களிமண் கொழுக்கட்டை , வண்ண மாலைகள் செய்ய திட்டமிட்டோம் அதை குழந்தைகளின் உதவியுடன் செய்தோம் . அதை ஒவ்வொரு குழந்தைகளுக்கும் தனித்தனியே பயிற்சி அளித்தோம்.

அன்று காலை குழந்தைகள் வந்தவுடன் தினமும் விளையாடும் மற்றும் பழகிய பொருள்களான Swissball, bean bag, colour sticks, colour beats, flash cards,colour cards and pupets இவற்றை கொண்டு மிகப்பெரிய விநாயகரை குழந்தைகளின் உதவியுடன் வடிவமைத்தோம் அந்தசிலை குழந்தைகளின் சந்தோசத்தை அதிகப்படுத்தியது.

குழந்தைகள் கயிற்றில் கோட்ற மணிகளை விநாயகருக்கு வண்ண மாலைகள் அணிவித்தோம் அவர்களுக்கு பயிற்சிகளும் மற்றும் விளையாட்டுகளையும் செய்யச் சொல்லி ஊக்குவித்தோம்.

குழந்தைகள் விநாயகரின் உருவப்படங்களை கத்தரிக்கோல்களால் மிக நுணுக்கமாக வெட்டினார்கள் .

விநாயகரின் உருவ படங்களுக்கு வண்ணங்கள் தீட்டினார்கள் .

வெவ்வேறு விதமான விநாயகரின் உருவப்படங்களை ஒழுங்கு படுத்தினார்கள் அவற்றை சரிவர வரிசைப்படுத்தினார்கள் இந்த பயிற்சிகளின் மூலம் குழந்தைகளின் கை மற்றும் விரல்களின் தசைகளின் வலுப்படுத்தியது அவர்களின் உற்றுநோக்கும் மற்றும் கவனம் அதிகப்படுத்தியது.

குழந்தைகள் களிமண்களால் விநாயகரின் உணவான கொழுக்கட்டை செய்தது மற்றும் அந்த கைகளைக் கொண்டு விரல்களை அட்டையில் பதித்தது (hand print) போன்றவற்றால் குழந்தைகளின் உணர்வு (SENSORY)அதிகப்படுத்தியது.

குழந்தைகள் விநாயகர் முக கவசம் அணிந்து கொண்டு பயிற்சிகளை செய்தார்கள் மற்றும் சில குழந்தைகள் பயிற்சியளிக்கப்பட்ட விநாயகர் பாடல்களை உருவாக்கிய விநாயகர் சிலைக்கு முன் நின்று விநாயகரை போற்றி அந்த பாடலை பாடி மகிழ்ந்தார்கள்.

குழந்தைகள் விநாயகரின் வழிபாட்டு முறையான தோப்புக்கரணம் இரு காதுகளையும் பிடித்துக் கொண்டு வழிபாடுகளை செய்தார்கள்.

அன்று V-Excel விழாக்கோலமாக காட்சியளித்தது அதைப்பற்றிய விழிப்புணர்வும் பண்பாடுகளும் குழந்தைகள் அறிந்து கொண்டார்கள்..

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Kaleidoscope Learning Centre

From Gita Bhalla's Desk

School started physically for students on September 6th from 9.30 am to 2.00 pm and all online classes came to an end. This happened after endless phone calls, 2 group meetings, online and physical with Dr. Vasudha Prakash, and a great deal of mental and physical preparation for both parents and a few teachers. It was interesting to note the trepidation in a few parents as against the relief in some and others as the most natural course as they felt that it was the most natural progression with the pandemic lessening its grip over the city of Chennai. Online classes were completely stopped and so a few reluctant parents did capitulate only then. But the battle to prepare and invite students back to a daily routine has been hard indeed. One is able to see the far-reaching effects of the pandemic on the souls of the community in this period of time!

On September 6th, Teacher's day was celebrated in Sreyes, with a high tea. Many teachers joined in as it was an occasion to celebrate teachers and their dedication. A lighthearted bantering and snacks and a song and a dance filled the couple of hours. A deep gratitude to the management and especially to Aparna who has just joined the organization in an administrative capacity and helped to put the program together.

KLC received a donation of two Brother sewing machines. The service personnel came, and some teachers attended the orientation session. Stitching which is our very significant vocation and one of the vocations chosen for this year, will surely receive a boost. Our entire home decor section will surely receive a boost and we look forward to designing and stitching of many more dohars which has been our signature item from KLC..One of our dohars received much praise and warmed the heart of the receiver as well as boosted the morale of the trainees and teachers who helped to put the dohar together... in the words of the receiver...

Some stories are only for the heart. Our long-standing student Prasaad who has been in school for a long time and is now a vocational trainee, still very recalcitrant, choosy and musical. He surprised us all by responding to our young and devoted teacher Priya and joined her for a few dance steps celebrating the festival of Ganesha. Autism finds it difficult to imitate, autistic individuals cannot come into their will and find it difficult to plan their motor activity. Curative education, however, always creates the space where in between two people who trust and when the intention is true, anything can occur and in this case Prasaad's dance surely brought a special flavour in celebrating the God who is the harbinger of new beginnings! The celebrations happened and as a traditional rhythm, clay Ganeshas were moulded by students and teachers for the entire week and exhibited and worshipped on the 9th of September.

Our young trainee Aaqila has taken the next step into her training by doing an apprenticeship under Puja, our counsellor who now divides her time in two centres and is the class teacher of Grade 1 in a regular Waldorf School. Aaqila is training to be a teacher assistant and accompanies Puja in her work three days a week. On the other days she polishes her communication skills, and other artistic activity at the Sharada building. With her carefully drawn program, we are hoping that Aaqila does receive quality training and is able to add to the well-being of the class of seven-year-old. We will be following her training closely and wish her the best.

The senior school completed a geography lesson on the Tribes of Africa and explored the Masai tribe in detail. As a training program we use a multi modal approach so that students can receive input in various forms and seep into the subject completely . This includes the way the black board drawings are done, the construction of jewelry and shields and attire of the tribe and experiencing various aspects of the life of the tribals...

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Ganesh Chathurthi Celebrations on September 9thimage
Donated Brother Sewing Machine demonstration image
Maasai Tribe Main lesson – performanceimage
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Satellite Centers

From Jayanthi Vishwanath in Nashik

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 11th September, 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. On 18th September, all the little Ganesh idols were immersed in a big pot of water, in a ritual called "Visarjan" and that culminated the festival.

Our BLA student, Vajra is a very versatile child. She loves to play sports, does baking and does Organic gardening with the help of her mother. Recently she had participated in a Gardening competition in which she won the first prize.

The first term end evaluation began from the last week of September. Few of the students performed well in the examinations.

Therapy update from Ms.Priyanka Mudaliar, Paedeatric Physiotherapist:

Child's name - Prashant (name changed) age- 5 years has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Child was operated for AV shunting at the age of three. There is obvious cranial deformation due to frequent falls and head injury. Child was brought to the therapist 6 months back with child being able to prop up to independent sitting only. Rigorous physiotherapy including trunk work (mat and dynamic surface), training in transition, neurodevelopmental approaches to build muscle strength in dynamic activities and special emphasis on eccentric control was given to the child along with home program. The child is now able to pull to stand with minimal to no support and stand independently for 10 mins and has started taking 3-5 steps independently. With the help of dynamic AFOs the abnormal foot positioning has been restored and lower limb osteokinetics has improved. Trunk stability has improved significantly and frequency of falls has reduced considerably.

Erode

Greetings from all of us at Erode center!

Krishna Jayanthi

• This year we celebrated Krishna Jayanthi with lot of joy and happiness.

• Our children made paper crown with the help of our staff.

• Early Intervention group children did colouring pictures of Krishna, flute, feather of peacock and cow. They enjoyed this activity very much.

• We made our pre vocational students cut the papers and made flower garland, then we decorated our centre using that garlands.

• We made a welcome board. In that board we pasted Krishna jayanthi related colouring pictures. During celebration we kept that board in the parent waiting area for them to see their children's work.

• Staff and student sang songs, changed slokas and narrated Krishna stories while doing the Pooja.

• Staff brought sweets and snacks from home. All of us sat together and had them and it was a happy occasion.

Teacher's Day

• This year Teachers day was one of the memorable days that we celebrated here.

• We played musical chair and ball passing games with children.

• The teachers engaged themselves in narrating moral stories to children.

• Children did role play like a teacher, doctor etc and it was very joyful one.

• At last all the teachers shared their experiences as a teacher. They shared what they have learnt and how it has helped in their lives.

• On that day a special lunch was arranged by our V-Excel. We all sat together and had our lunch.

Ganesh Chathurthi.

• We celebrated Ganesh Chathurthi on Sept 10th in our center for the school model group.

• Our school students and teachers made some special arrangements for the same and were actively involved.

• The teachers narrated, enacted stories, information and songs related to Lord Ganesha.

• We also made models of Vinayagar using chart, paper cups, vegetables. Especially the Ganesha made by tomato was looking very cute. It was a new experience for all of us.

Have a look at the photos of the celebrations.

Recycling old clothes

This month we planned to make a mat using old clothes. We gathered the necessary materials. We only needed four items such as old clothes (like dupatta), scissor, thread and needle. Now we grouped the students into two teams with two teachers. Then we started the process. We cut the cloth into three straight pieces and made it like a braid, like a long rope and then we started to wind it from one end like a circle. Then we stitched them wherever necessary to keep it in tact. It came beautifully. Our pre-voc student Suhail, Sai saran, Abishek and Pranyaa were the students who were involved in making this mat.

Solapur

This year Teacher's Day was on Sunday so we celebrated it on 6th September. We arranged a small gathering with all teachers, parents and children. Children made amazing greeting cards with beautiful message on it for their lovely teacher. Raghavendra R Patil felicitated all teachers and appreciated their hard work. Parents also gifted a beautiful frame of lord Saraswati to all teachers. Later we all enjoyed with snacks and happy time together.

For the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi we planned the activity before the festival. And theme was making of Ganesha Idol. We want to teach our kids about the festival so we took this theme. Ashwini one of teacher taught the idol making with the dough. Kids enjoyed the activity very much. Children made beautiful Idols. Some children made garland of flowers for Ganesh Pooja. All children sang arati of Lord Ganesha and everyone enjoyed Prasad.

Abhyasa Kendra, Srirangam

We celebrated Vinayagar Chadhurthi at Abhyasa Kendra, Srirangam on the 9th September, 2021. Teachers and students have cleaned the classrooms and decorated them for the occasion. Before the celebration, teachers and students prepared Kozhukattai and Sundal for Neivethyam. Students make hanging decorations (thoranam )and flower garlands and purchased Flower, Apple, Orange, Pomogranate, Coconut, Vettrilai Pakku, Pori, Aval and Vellam. On the day, All the teachers and students assembled one of the classrooms.

Pooja started with Mr. Balaji Ramesh (one of our trainee) was chanting mantras and did the Pooja. After the Pooja, distributed prasadhams to all our students and teachers and akkas.

Vocational Training Unit

From Usha Rajagopal's Desk

The month began with celebration of Teacher's Day, Ganesh Chathurthi and field trip.

Charumathi Sriram attended meeting with Dr. Vasudha Prakash, Aparna Bubna, and two parents to discuss about reviving Disha Parents group.

Teachers Day Celebration

Teacher's Day was celebrated with full of fun and frolic at Sreyes. Teachers and staff from all the Chennai units congregated at the venue at 2.30 pm. The premises was with color and cheer as warm and loving greetings were exchanged. Our Founder Director Dr. Vasudha Prakash greeted everyone and expressed her appreciation and gratitude to all the staff members for their dedicated service. A special Beat Box performance was given by Mr. Srivatsan Sundarajan. He also gave a dance performance and entertained the gathering. Srivatsan was presented with a mug and chocolates made by our trainees, as mementos. This was followed by one hour of fun games, music and dance along with yummy snacks. The event happened outdoors where all SOPs were followed strictly.

It was a rejuvenating evening for all the teachers and staff members amidst all the challenges that the pandemic has brought on us.

Ganesh Chathurthi Celebration

Vocational Training Unit, Shastrinagar branch celebrated Ganesha Chathurthi on Thursday, September 9, 2021. All trainees and teachers made the Ganesha idols using clay and umbrella with paper. Each trainees made their own Ganesha and enjoyed decorating it.

The coordinator performed the puja. Teachers and trainees sang bhajans in praise of Lord Ganesha and prasadam was distributed to all.

Grundfos HR team conducted two rounds of virtual interview with our trainee Sriram for the post of House-Keeping. Thereafter our Head of the Counselling Unit, Ms. Radhika Shashak, Charu and Manivannan had a orientation for CSR, HR and Housekeeping of Grundfos Pumps Ltd.

Field trip to Poompuhar, Metro train ride to Kuralagam

We undertook a trip on the Chennai Metro to show our trainees where the Navratri dolls are sourced and to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making them. For a week, the functional academic sessions were used to prepare the trainees for this trip. On Friday, September 24, 2021, 13 trainees and staff visited Poompuhar at Parrys Corner in Chennai. The manager, Ms. Valarmathi, greeted us and took us on a tour of the showroom. Our Functional Academics consultant Ms. Uma Swaminathan, explained the stories behind the making of the dolls. Everyone enjoyed the hospitality at Poompuhar. A crew from the British Tamil Channel interviewed our Director Ms. Usha Rajagopal asked about our organization and the purpose of this visit. From Poompuhar we rode the metro to Kuralagam. Ms. Uma explained to the trainees the process involved in buying tickets, entry and exit boards, the waiting areas, and the safety protocols to be followed while entering the train. The staff of metro station very helpful and courteous and made the train stop for a few extra minutes to allow all our trainees to board. We disembarked at the High Court Station where the Metro staff received us and accompanied us to Kuralagam.

At Kuralagam we saw a variety of dolls made using papier-mâché, mud, coir, marble, jute and metals. We took a break to have snacks. Mr. G. Arulselvan, Assistant Director, Tamilnadu Khadi and Village Industries Board (Kuralagam), took photos with our trainees and distributed Gandhi masks to all of us. We would like to thank Mr. Mathi Arasu, Senior Manager, Ms. Valarmathi, Manager, Poompuhar, staff and police on duty of Metro stations both LIC and Highcourt, Mr. Arulselvan, Ms. Usha, and all the staff of Tamilnadu Khadi and Village Industries Board (Kuralagam) and special thanks to our YES team who made delicious pakodas for our trip.

Aparna helped us to design Table Runner and Wine bottle bag using Jute and block printing on them. It will be added in our product catalogue and done based on order received.

Usha conducted in-service for the teachers and staff on 12 senses as explained by Rudolf Steiner.

Trainees were busy with usual vocational activities of making jute trinket box, Jute pen stand, bags for Sringer Math, block printing, along with functional academics, yoga, games, kitchen activities, groundnut deshelling, paper bags, Paper Mache' reading, bhajan and Zumba dance. Trainees had their regular counselling and therapy sessions.

Youth Empowerment Services

From Gayathri Suryanarayanan's Desk

September 2021 was a very eventful and joyful month for all of us. Throughout the month we had a minimum of 85% trainee attendance at the centre. We have also started being very busy with production work. The trainees have also adapted to the new lifestyle and we take precautions to make sure all safety rules and SOPs are in place.

Key highlights for the month of September 2021.

• Vocational training activities
• Counselling services and OT services at the centre
• International Letter Writing day
• Field trip
• YES market
• Resumption of Sreyes farm visit
• Milestones achieved
• Celebrations
    o Teacher's day
    o Vinayagar Chathurthi
    o Birthday celebration
• Production

Vocational training activities

Vocational training activities are happening at full swing at the centre. The training program is structured in such a way that they are exposed to all the activities so that they have a variety in learning. The schedule also includes time to retreat and engage themselves in fun learning activities. Group sessions continue to happen for those who need specific training. Group sessions are also happening for those who are placeable and waiting for placement opportunities.

Counseling services and OT services at the centre

Counseling and OT sessions are happening at the centre regularly. Counseling services happen once a week. We have individual sessions, group sessions and parents counselling every week.

OT services continue to happen twice a week. Our therapist visits the centre every Tuesdays and Thursdays. Here again we have both individual and group sessions happening depending on the needs and requirements of the trainees.

International Letter Writing day

01 September is celebrated as International Letter writing day. This was introduced at YES to all the trainees. They were asked to write a letter to someone they really love and care for. Letters were supposed to be in any language and format. Many trainees wrote so well and expressed their feelings so beautifully. We got to read many heartwarming letters and they also felt very happy that they got an opportunity to vent their emotions.

Field trip

We were all confined to our homes and may be basic routines for nearly 2 years and as the situation seems to be improving slightly now, we planned for our first field trip on 17 September 2021. We went to Mahabalipuram and Tiger caves. We were totally 30 including trainees and staff members. Our volunteer Ms. Ramaa also accompanied us for the trip. We went to Mahabalipuram first where we had organized a guide to explain our trainees about all the monuments and their significance. Though it was a quite hot day, trainees did not mind walking al the way and enjoyed looking and knowing about each place. We had our lunch at a private park with the help of a person in the neighborhood. When we went to Tiger caves from there, it started drizzling and it brought down the temperature. At Tiger caves, we relaxed for some time with some music and dance. Trainees tried their hands in photography also. We left Tiger caves around 4 pm and reached the centre at 5.30 pm. Over all it was a fun filled day for all of us and a great break.

YES market

The month of September 2021 also saw another initiative at YES which is YES market. Though the regular training program includes functional academics, to generalize the skillset and more for the reinforcements of the concepts learned, a simulation of a general supermarket is set up at the centre. This is a weekly event and this happens every Tuesday. Many essential items that are used day to day are grouped and arranged under different categories. A billing counter is set at one corner. Trainees are asked to bring some cash and they are asked to choose products of their choice. They need wait for their turn, bill their items, check the bill amount, check the items, pay, get the balance if any, pack their items and leave. As part of this activity, they also learn how to conduct themselves in a supermarket or any other public place. This initiative got wonderful feedback from other units as well as the parents.

Resumption of Sreyes farm visit

After a long gap of nearly 2 years, YES trainees resumed their farm visit from September. Total of 5 trainees are selected in this first batch. These trainees will continue to go for their weekly farm visits for the next 3 months.

Milestones achieved

Last month, we saw 2 great milestones achieved by one of our trainees, Shreeman Thakur. He is part of Printing and Documentation unit and has been part of the Digitisation activity. He has been working on that very sincerely and he could complete 100 files in one week. This did not happen just once but happened twice last month. Furthermore, he completed weaving one full woolen stole in 4 days single handedly and whenever he sits on the loom he will not get up without finishing one length.

Celebrations

Teacher's day

On 06 September we celebrated Teacher's Day at Sreyes. All the staff members from YES also participated with full energy and enthusiasm. There was music, dance and good food to enjoy.

Vinayagar Chathurthi

On 09 September we celebrated Vinayagar Chathurthi at YES. Morning we had a pooja at our campus Vinayagar temple. In the afternoon, we had a group activity. The whole YES team sat together and made Vinayagar idols using organic play dough made in house. Trainees tried their hand in giving shapes to their dough. In fact one of our trainees made a vinayagar with a mask to make it fit the current scenario.

Birthday

Our trainee TA Hari celebrated his birthday at the centre with his friends.

Production

Laundry services have resumed and going on as usual.

Screenprinting - We completed one full batch of 9 designs of minimalistic collection for Kocoatrait. Each design had 400 prints.

Kitchen – We made one birthday cake and we have also started making snacks in the afternoon.

Digital printing – We completed an order of printing 70 water bottles with beautiful colours.