Providing lifespan services to individuals with special needs...
Strides Newsletter - May 2023 - Issue 203
Counseling & Assessments
From Radhika Sasankh's Desk
....
Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Centre
From the staff of Early Intervention and V-Excel Remedial Centre
Greetings from Early Intervention and the Remedial Unit!
The individual therapies, remedial sessions and the summer camp were on during the month of May. The consultations were also done along with the assessments to decide on the sessions for the coming academic year. But the heat was a deterrent to many parents for bringing the children to the sessions. The staff was actively involved in the summer camp activities that was concluded in the last week of May. The reports for the school Readiness group were made in the following manner:
1. Every child of this Program was assessed on various parameters to understand their entry level performance when they were admitted.
2. The children were assessed at the end of the program on these parameters to understand the progress made.
3. Parents were met and given the report with specific guidelines to be followed at home.
4. The way hand holding is recommended was also agreed upon. This therapy and the remedial sessions for children were fixed for after school hours.
It was heartening to get feedback from the parents about the changes these children exhibit at home and at public places. Wishing all these children a very happy school life ahead.
Experiential learning
Children learn fast and the knowledge gained is concrete once it is made experiential. With this goal we planned for things like -
The beach - Summer is the time when children go to the beach and like to play in sand and water. The song from the Karadi Rhymes was selected . Everyday it was enacted by the staff with the enforcement on the vocabulary. The craft and other activities were all done based on this theme - the ocean , the creatures. We also made bhelpuri that the children enjoyed eating and sharing. The parents were asked to take them to the beach, and it was wonderful to hear the parents and the kids explain about it.
Mangoes - Summer is the time for mangoes. Many parents hesitate to give mangoes that is rich in vitamins and minerals. In order to make the children taste and see the mango varieties ,another song from Karadi Rhymes was taught . This song speaks about the different varieties , the taste and colour of mangoes.The children also were given the opportunity to taste the mangoes feel the texture and it was wonderful to see the faces change for sweet and sour.
With this academic year coming to a close, wishing all a very fruitful year ahead !!!!!!
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Shashikala Subramaniam's Desk
May is when the temperatures soar in Chennai, and the school closes for its summer break. It is also the time when parents need support and that is where some committed teachers continue to hold the fort for them and keep some support going.
Teachers conducted online review meetings of each child with parents. Parents talked about the improvements seen in their child, their worries about the behaviours, learning goals in specific areas that they wanted for their child in the coming academic year. Teachers gave feedback about the child in school - his capabilities, his improvements, the areas which they needed help from the parents and gave ideas of how to keep them occupied during the summer holidays.
Summer holidays are also difficult times for the parents of some students, when a proper rhythm is not followed at home. We had emergency situations regarding students, from parents, which were worked on together with them, and help given. A young child, due to the change in his rhythm of food and sleep at home, refused to eat anything healthy and lived on packed juices, biscuit and snacks, which led to him losing weight, being restless and the parents were worried. Planned physical activities in school - cycling with Vijay was introduced and the child ate his lunch (one solid food intake) at school with the help of Kalai akka. The parents were relieved with the help.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grants play a very important part in the effective working of our school. US Technologies - India (UST-IN), stepped forward to help all the Chennai Units of V-Excel, including KLC, by contributing to the purchase of many of the equipment, materials which we use day-to-day, and for the vocational activities. So, officials of the CSR department came in May to officiate in handing over of these materials. We are thankful to them for this, since the new academic year is beginning, and we will have these ready to use when the students come in.
Summer Camp 2023 that got over on May 12th after 20 days, was a successful venture. The students made great inroads in every activity given to them. Improvements were seen in sitting tolerance, concentration while working, hand activities involving fine motor skills, gross motor activities and in the overall enthusiasm of the students who participated in it. The parents were happy with the work that they saw (sent home at the end of every week) and the structured program of the camp. Thanks to the group of teachers - Karthick, Priya, Priyanka, Avila and Ananthi who made this possible. A detailed report was sent to the parents for each child.
Swathi, one of our previous teachers who is still an effective part of KLC, got married in Coimbatore. Pon Rajam a teacher/parent and her husband Venkat, Preethi and Sai their children, have a close bond with Swathi as she literally was a part of their family, when in Chennai. They were her local parents in absentia. It was a beautiful experience to see them being like a family at the wedding.
Shenbhagam at the front office, who plays a very important role in V-Excel, had invited all of us to her son's wedding. Many from KLC along with staff from the other units attended the reception in a big group. It was a different experience and Shen was a very gracious host.
4 teachers Nitya, Maha, Kavitha and Subha completed their Ira training Module on the 3rd of June. This is a continuing education program which deepens the knowledge of anthroposophy in the area of education. All the 4 teachers reported that they had a great learning experience.
The New Academic Year 2023-2024 of KLC will begin in the first week of June.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Sensitivity Awareness Training
In our ongoing association with the Accor Group of Hotels, we were invited to conduct Sensitivity Awareness Training at Novotel OMR on May 8 and at Novotel SIPCOT on May 9. There were 60 participants at both sessions, including staff and management. V-Excel's trainers comprised of Gayathri Suryanarayanan and Jayadevi Jayaprakash. They were assisted by Divya Venkatesh. The interactive training sessions were well-received and the feedback has been very favourable. We are grateful to Prince Singh (Learning & Development Executive) and Kenneth Rocha (Learning & Development Manager) who share with us a common vision of creating an inclusive culture for the specially-abled.
Kalai Sangamam
YES celebrated the closing of the academic year 2022-23 with an art fair, "Kalai Sangamam", a day dedicated to our native folk art. This was held on 17 May 2023 and the day started with prayer and chanting, followed by an archery and sword fighting workshop. This was done by Mr. V. Balakrishnan, founder and artistic director of Theatre Nisha. Following this, a pottery session was conducted by volunteers from Take A Step. They had brought along a pottery wheel and the trainer Ms. Prarthana worked with trainees and staff in making small clay pots and bowls. Simultaneously, there were other activities like doll decoration, bracelet making, photoframe making, art corner, wire weaving, juice and buttermilk making, and salad making.
The afternoon sessions were filled with energy. Mr. Manikandan, renowned master for native folk dances of Tamilnadu, conducted a thappattam session with great passion and patience. He made sure that all trainees and even the staff experienced the taste of our folk dances. He also let them try the thappattam instrument. This was followed by a classical dance performance by our intern Ms. Chinmayee along with her sister Srikaree. This was a small item on Kalinga Narthanam.
The highlight of the day was the children from our Early Intervention Unit attending the event in two small groups. The children in the morning group had sensory challenges and it was amazing to see them enjoy the pottery and art sessions. They also tried their hand in buttermilk making. The second group enjoyed the dance and Thappaattam so much. We were very happy that our founder director Dr. Vasudha Prakash could be there to honour the artists and the volunteers.
Free eye and dental checkup camp
On 18 May 2023, there was a free eye and dental checkup camp at YES for all the trainees and staff. A team from Specsmakers conducted vision checks and handed out prescriptions. The dental checkup was done by a doctor from Dr. Smilez Dental centre. This camp was organized by the CSR team from Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai. 30 participants, including trainees and staff members, benefitted from this camp. They were also given discounts on any follow up/review visits and treatment, if required.
Satellite Centers
From Outreach Remedial Center, Pollachi
A free medical camp was organized on 18-May-2023 at OutReach Learning Center for Exceptional Children, Pollachi in association with Ahalia Medical college and Hospital, Palakkad.
Dr.Kavya Sri, paediatrician, Department of Balaroga, Ahalia Hospital along with 05 House surgeons conducted screening and consultations for our 25 students with special needs along with their parents.
Doctor's have prescribed medicines based on their varied disability conditions.14 days free medication will be provided to all students in their campus.
The camp was very useful for parents as well as to our students and faculty, where we could witness mixed emotions, when few of our parents expressed their feelings about the hard struggle they undergo with these children and their search for a cure, to accommodate these children with special needs, at home and at school
From Ananda Karuna Vidyalalyam, Ambattur
Greetings from Ananda Karuna Vidyalayam!
May 6th was last day exam for our NIOS X std and XII std students. Our Principal distributed sweets and snacks for all students and for the students who acted as scribes.
May 9th was the last day for Early Intervention Program at Vidya Sudha unit of Ramachandra Medical College. All teachers attended the program.
May 8th to May 19th - Summer Camp was conducted in our campus, Para Olympic sports and skating classes were conducted. All the students enjoyed and had lot of fun in the summer camp.
May 22nd - Home visit program.
Three of our teachers went for home visits for our newly admitted students. 16 houses were visited and family background details were collected. Observations were made for any behavioral concerns of these children at home. This will be very helpful for our coming Academic year goal setting.
May month Activity - Holiday Assignments were given by teachers, children showed much interest in doing work at home. Parents took some videos and pictures and shared in our school group.
Children are performing all the activities very well at home. Parents are also taking part in their activities and assisting them well.
May 26th - Greeting cards were made by our children at home for donors. Parents helped the children in completing this task. Each child did 8 greeting cards on their own. It was indeed a happy moment for all of us.
May 28th - Honoring Anandam's 20 years of service. Andosol, a music program was performed at Anandam home. All parents and teachers attended the program.
3 students of Early Intervention were given Occupational Therapy in our center. Classroom arrangements were set for the next academic year.
Vocational Training Unit
From Charumathi Sriram's Desk
May, the last month of the academic year started with annual report meeting with parents, non-fire cooking activities for home program and ended with last working day get together watching 'Kadambari' with a potluck.
Charu and Usha prepared annual reports for all the trainees and met with the parents individually and handed over the reports. They also discussed about the future plan for their ward and helped them to take decisions and way forward.
Vocational/Functional Activities
Uma and teachers taught non-fire cooking to trainees by first explaining the concept of the same. They decided on the menu and ingredients. Trainee Narayanan and Lokesh were made to prepare the list and were sent to buy the item. Teachers just followed them and they made the purchases. In the two weeks, they prepared green salad, sprouted green gram sundal, lemon juice, sandwiches, and buttermilk.
Trainees were made to clean peel and chop vegetables. They were taught to apply butter on the bread, setting of veggies to prepare the sandwiches.
Vasanth had his usual therapy session for the trainees and involved the trainees in non-fire cooking activities.
Get together and watching of Kadambari
VTU had a fun filled last working day today by organising potluck and watching Kadambari on YouTube. They were oriented about the Buffet lunch etiquette. Each parent made a dish for lunch. Lunch was delicious with Mysore pak, hot phulkas, sambar sadam, pulao curd rice and 3 sabzis. Trainees and staff had lunch followed by a surprise birthday gesture of rose gifting along with a handmade card to coordinator Charu. The group watched 'Kadambari', enjoyed and cheered when they saw themselves or their friends on screen.
Internship @ Grundfos
Trainees Chandra and Supraja continued their internship at Grundfos and Savari was the job coach for the last 3 weeks. Their work time was extended to one hour more. They will leave at 4.00 pm. They will complete the work at 3.00 pm and have recreation activities till 4.00 pm with other special needs interns and employees who are from Swabodhini Vocational Center. It was very heartening to see them having fun with their colleagues and have new friends.
• VTU closed for summer vacation. But we had given option for working parents to get support for their wards at the Centre since we had one teacher present through the month. Two trainees continued attending the center and activities of quilling, ironing, making of jute pen stand and kitchen activities were done.
Cleaning And Repair Work
Admin Manager Manivannan assigned the house keeping staff to do deep cleaning in all areas. He made sure that the facility had its walls scrubbed, painted in certain areas and all maintenance work were completed well in time for the arrival of the trainers and trainees.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Gayathri Suryanarayanan's Desk
Key highlights for the month of May 2023
• Vocational training program, Counselling and Therapy services.
• Disability awareness campaign
• YES Art fair - Kalai Sangamam
• Medical camp (Eye and Dental checkup)
• Admissions
• Annual break
Vocational training program, Counselling and Therapy services
Every year May month is dedicated for reviews, assessments, report making and academic year winding up process. Along with this vocational training was also happening during the first 2 weeks. Trainees were closely observed and continuously monitored to note down their current baseline and to set goals.
Counselling and therapy sessions went without any interruptions.
Disability awareness campaign
In our ongoing association with the Accor Group of Hotels, we were invited to conduct Sensitivity Awareness Training at Novotel OMR on May 8 and at Novotel SIPCOT on May 9. There were 60 participants at both sessions, including staff and management. V-Excel's trainers comprised of Gayathri Suryanarayanan and Jayadevi Jayaprakash. They were assisted by Divya Venkatesh. The interactive training sessions were well-received, and the feedback has been very favorable. We are grateful to Prince Singh (Learning & Development Executive) and Kenneth Rocha (Learning & Development Manager) who share with us a common vision of creating an inclusive culture for the specially abled.
YES Art fair - Kalai Sangamam
YES celebrated the closing of the academic year 2022-23 with an art fair, 'Kalai Sangamam', a day dedicated to our native folk art. This was held on 17 May 2023 and the day started with prayer and chanting, followed by an archery and sword fighting workshop. This was done by Mr. V. Balakrishnan, founder and artistic director of Theatre Nisha. Following this, a pottery session was conducted by volunteers from Take A Step. They had brought along a pottery wheel and the trainer Ms. Prarthana worked with trainees and staff in making small clay pots and bowls. Simultaneously, there were other activities like doll decoration, bracelet making, photoframe making, art corner, wire weaving, juice and buttermilk making, and salad making.
The afternoon sessions were filled with energy. Mr. Manikandan, renowned master for native folk dances of Tamilnadu, conducted a thappattam session with great passion and patience. He made sure that all trainees and even the staff experienced the taste of our folk dances. He also let them try the thappattam instrument. This was followed by a classical dance performance by our intern Ms. Chinmayee along with her sister Srikaree. This was a small item on Kalinga Narthanam.
The highlight of the day was the children from our Early Intervention Unit attending the event in two small groups. The children in the morning group had sensory challenges and it was amazing to see them enjoy the pottery and art sessions. They also tried their hand in buttermilk making. The second group enjoyed the dance and Thappaattam so much. We were very happy that our founder director Dr. Vasudha Prakash could be there to honor the artists and the volunteers.
Medical camp - Eye and Dental check up
On 18 May 2023, there was a free eye and dental checkup camp at YES for all the trainees and staff. A team from Specsmakers conducted vision checks and handed out prescriptions. The dental checkup was done by a doctor from Dr. Smilez Dental centre. This camp was organized by the CSR team from Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai. 30 participants, including trainees and staff members, benefitted from this camp. They were also given discounts on any follow up/review visits and treatment, if required.
Admissions
We had 2 new admissions in the month of May 2023
YES - Annual maintenance break
YES was closed for operations from 20 May 2023 till 28 May 2023 for all and staff members resumed their duties from 29 May 2023. One whole week will be spent on preparing the goal sheet for each trainee, vocational training schedule for the next 6 months, revisiting and appending the existing program and cleaning and maintenance work at the centre. YES, will reopen for the trainees on 05 June 2023 for the new academic year.
Wishing all a very successful and progressive new academic year 2023- 24.