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Greetings from Early Intervention and the Remedial Unit!

Circadian Diet and Rhythm: A training program was conducted on the 9th of January 2024, by Ms. Sujitha Jayaraman, Occupational Therapist, EI/VRC, on 'Circadian Diet and Rhythm'.

The session began with an introduction of what the circadian rhythm meant and how it has evolved over time to help us adapt to the changes in our environment. It is responsible for regulating the physical, mental and behaviour changes an organism experience over a 24-hour cycle. Some of the prominent factors that impact the internal clock include light or darkness, food availability or intake, levels of stress and/or physical activity, social environment and interactions and temperature. Our circadian clock in turn regulates the following functions our bodies perform: energy production, hormone secretion, digestion, temperature, and sleep.

As an evolutionary adaptation, the circadian clock serve to anticipate and adapt to daily changes in the availability of food. Moving on to contemporary times, the internal clock still plays a vital role in our daily functioning, even if we do not have to deal with the availability of food. Factors such as work timings, flying to different time zones, and drugs and alcohol disrupt its functioning. Short-term consequences could be changes in mood, sleep patterns, and cognition, while long-term effects could include developing physiological and/or psychological conditions in response to disruptions in the circadian rhythm.

Moving on, the session delved into diet and how it impacts our wellbeing. Ms. Sujitha went on to add what kind of food groups benefit the body. She also presented a diet chart denoting what kind of food should be had at what time of the day (immediately after waking up, early morning, breakfast, mid-morning, lunch, snack, dinner, and before going to bed) to reap maximum benefit from it.

Followed by this, she elaborated on how the circadian clock responds for a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). She also mentioned a few strategies that caregivers could practice to help regulate sleep and dietary requirements of the child. The strategies covered include: physical exercises during the day, meditation, using dim lights, weighted blankets while sleeping, removing noises; incorporating complex carbohydrates, proteins, zinc and magnesium, vitamin B6 foods. In-addition to what is to be included as part of daily diet, certain foods were recommended not be taken. Those include: high sugar foods (candies, sweets and chocolates, fruit-flavoured juices, etc.), packaged food (chips, biscuits, noodles, and the like), foods with artificial colouring, preservatives, and simple carbohydrates (white rice, white bread, potatoes, etc.). These not only help with regulating the circadian clock but also help improving mood, focus and memory.

As part of the session, a few simple exercises were demonstrated to help promote sleep (to do before going to bed) and alertness upon waking up (to do in the morning after waking up). Twelve participants took part in the session.

14th January - Makar Sankranti Celebration

Makar Sankranti was joyously celebrated at all three centres in Nashik, with children engaging in kite-making activities. The celebration included the tradition of sharing "Till Gud" - jaggery and sesame sweets, symbolizing the exchange of sweet and kind words among each other. This festive occasion likely fostered a sense of camaraderie and positivity among all the participants.

Kite making on Makar Sankranti

22nd January 2024

A festive and culturally rich celebration was done at all the three centres for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya. The children were involved in the event, dressed as characters from the Rama, Lakshman, Seeta and Hanuman and got to witness the live telecast of Rama idol Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya. Puja, Aarti, and prasad distribution was done at all the centres. Such events contribute to cultural awareness and understanding among students.

Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha @ Ayodhya

26th January,2024 - Republic Day Celebration

The program began with the chief guest Nadhav Swamiji of Tapovan Brahmacharya Ashram unfurling the national flag, thus marking the official commencement of the event.

The event featured a vibrant group dance by Vocational Training Unit students and an engaging Fancy Dress performance by Bridges Learning Academy students. Through imaginative portrayals, students embodied figures such as social reformers Savitri Bai Phule and Sindhu Tai Sapkal, freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, as well as iconic figures like Goddess Saraswati and Bharat Mata. This platform not only showcased creativity but also served as a significant step in fostering confidence among the participants.

Bridges Learning Academy delivered a compelling skit on social media, highlighting the impact of its influence and emphasizing the crucial need for parental attention to children. The performance included a song and dance conveying a message urging people to use social media wisely. The students showcased exceptional talent, delivering a powerful and thought-provoking message through their outstanding performance.

The students of V-Excel Learning Centre showcased their knowledge of traffic signals through a small act, effectively portraying the significance of red, green, and yellow lights in a traffic signal. This engaging performance likely contributed to raising awareness about road safety.

Bridges Learning Academy students delivered a powerful group song, "Takat Vatan ki Humse hai Himmat vatan ki humse hai," expressing patriotism. Meanwhile, V-Excel Learning Centre students showcased their talents with a Marathi group song, "Jinku Kinwa Maru," adding cultural richness to the event.

The prize distribution ceremony included the recognition of the National level art competition, where Rangotsav prize winners were honoured with trophies and medals by the chief guest.

Sumedh Sanap, a student of Bridges Learning Academy received Award for Idol making (craft) from Shantidham Foundation Orissa. Such recognition reflects the creativity and craft skill of the child contributing to artistic tradition.

Additionally, selected students received rewards from the school counsellor, Pradnya Apte, for their notable improvement in behaviour and coping skills. This acknowledgment likely encouraged and motivated the students to continue excelling in various aspects.

Republic Day Celebrations

Republic Day Skit on Social Media

Republic Day Sumed Sanap

Home Visits Report- From Mrs. Pradnya Apte, Clinical Psychologist:

This New Year, myself the School Counselor and the variousclass teachers visited the homes of our students from 6 th Jan to 31 st Jan, 2024.

Altogether, we visited the homes of about 32 students. It was a great experience for all of us.

Parents and students received us gladly and elicited good response. Parents expressed their appreciation of this home visit schedule, followed by us.

While discussing with parents, some of them reported some behavior problems and practical issues that they were facing at home, with their child. So as a counsellor, I gave some suggestions to them accordingly and did counseling also. Parents have started implementing the methods suggested to them.

We have received special comments from... Mr. Prakash Pagare, Mrs. Farhat Shaikh, Mr. Pradip Patil, Ms. Sonia Verma, Mrs. Bhavika Kothule, Mrs. Laxmi Magare... and many more. All parents have benefitted from this unique initiative of our centre.

Comments are enclosed here as a collage.

Review by Parents

Home Visit

Pongal celebrations

Pongal, the harvest festival has lot of importance for the Tamilians. It is a four-day harvest festival celebrated to thank the Sun god for the bountiful crops and enjoy various traditional games and dances. Some of the most popular games and dances that are performed during Pongal are:

• Uriyaadi: A game where players try to break a clay pot filled with water by hitting it blindfolded.

• Pongal Board Games: A game where players play traditional board games such as pallankuzhi, paramapadam, or aadu puli aatam.

• Pongal Rangoli: A game where players draw colorful designs on the ground using rice flour or colored powders.

• Karagaattam: A dance where performers balance a pot on their head and move to the rhythm of drums and nadaswarams.

• Kummi: A dance where women clap their hands and sing folk songs in a circle.

• Mayil Attam: A dance where performers ar peacock feathers and imitate the movements of a peacock.

In order to familiarize our children with some of these, we decided to do uridyadi , Pongal rangoli and Kummi dance in our center. The children were all very enthusiastic in taking part and were eager to learn . A briefing about the significance of these activities were explained. Practice sessions for the kummi dance and rangoli was done by our speecial ed teachers and therapists. We planned to celebrate on 12 th January. The day started with our students arriving in colorful traditional dress. The pooja was performed and sweet Pongal was made by involving the children, The primary group children performed the Kummi dance that was a feast to our eyes, following this, the Uriyadi was done, We used balloons and flowers for this, It was heartening to see each and every child enjoying and sharing with their friends.

Pre Vocational Activity - an attempt to make coconut shell planter, dancing girl and pen stand.

Coconut shells are versatile and eco-friendly material that can be used for making dolls and other crafts. Coconut shell dolls are a traditional art form in some regions of India, especially Tamil Nadu, where they are used to decorate the golu or kolu display during the festival of Navratri. Coconut shell dolls are also a fun and creative activity for children and adults alike. Coconut shell is great material for doing art and crafts, as they are natural, durable, and versatile. To prepare coconut shells for creative projects,the shell has to be clean, dried and cut into the desired shape, smoothen the surface using a file or sandpaper and then decorate the shell.

In our attempt to make our children engage in such pre - voc activities, we involved some of our students and gave them training regularly. We have succeeded in making planter, doll and pen stand. We will definitely look into areas of improvement, but happy we could engage them. Sharing the photos.

Pongal celebrations

The aftermath of the recent floods in December did not affect the enthusiasm of people in Nellai in celebrating the Pongal festival in January 2024. We in our center also geared up to celebrate it with our children in whatever way we could. Pongal singnifies the harvest festival and also an opportunity to show our gratitude to the Sun god and nature,we also decided to educate our children on the importance of saving nature and thanking it.

The entire staff and students were engaged in making Pongal In the traditional manner. The parents also joined for the worship and we distributed Pongal and sugarcane to all.

Annual Day Celebrations - 12th January

An annual day celebration is an event that most of us have experienced and enjoyed. It is a day when the school commemorates another year of its existence and acknowledges the accomplishments of its students in academics, sports, and other extracurricular activities throughout the year.

V-Excel Solapur Centre celebrated the Annual Day on 12 January with lighting of diyas by our guest and a welcome song sung by one of our students. Ms. Sunita Vaidya read the annual report. Students performed classical and folks dances, songs and dramas with social messages.

Republic Day Celebration - 26th January

On this day, schools across the country conduct special assemblies and activities to commemorate the day. The National Flag of India was hoisted, patriotic songs are sung, and the national anthem was played. In V-Excel Centre on 26th January, we celebrated Republic day. At 9 a.m., our guest hoisted the Indian flag and all the teachers and students saluted the flag and sang the national anthem..

Various activities such as a salad competition and a rangoli were held. One student sang a patriotic song while another spoke on India's freedom fighters. Prizes were distributed by our guests.

Pongal Celebration

Pongal is also celebrated as a thanksgiving festival for various Hindu deities. The festival of Pongal is held in Tamilnadu, particularly by the farming community as it marks the end of the harvesting season. The festivities begin with 'Bhogi' and the first day is considered to be a prelude to the celebrations that follow. 'Bhogi' is observed as a thanksgiving occasion to Lord 'Indra', the God of Heavens. The next day is the 'Pongal' day, which is celebrated to pay respects to 'Surya', the Sun God. It is the day of a new beginning and makes people go for joyful celebrations. As a mark of respect to the cattle, the farmer's best friends, the third day of the Pongal festival is celebrated as 'Maattu Pongal'. 'Kaanum Pongal' marks the end of the four-day celebrations.

This year also, we celebrated the Pongal celebration and it started with our traditional Pongal song.

The Students and staff smartly dressed in colorful ethnic wear, a performed many enthralling songs and dances. As part of the celebration,' Chakara Pongal' was prepared in clay pots and distributed to the Parents, Students, Teachers, and Support Staff. The entire campus wore a festive look with colorful Rangoli, decorated Pongal pots, sugarcanes, and other decorations enhancing the festival spirit. The celebration began with a Prayer, followed by a message, which reminded the children about the importance of the harvest festival.

Sara's - Hand crafted Organic Soaps

Sara's (with the blessings of Sringeri Sri Saradhambal) - Our hand-crafted organic soaps is an initiative by our young adults with special needs. Our students who are 18 + years are trained in cutting soap base, collecting herbs from our garden, extract the juices of the herbs and blend it with the soap base and selected essential oils and carrier oil (coconut oil). The carrier oil was prepared by our remedial students from coconut harvested from the trees in our school premises - the main objective behind using all the ingredients is to train our students in the process of soap making and to include only organic materials handpicked from the garden and cost effective produce available from the local resources is our motive.

We started with 03 varieties of soaps initially and today we produce 20 odd varieties of soaps which we sell to local supermarkets. We also have a kiosk center where our students, parents, friends and visitors happily buy our producTS which are made and packed with utmost love and care by our students with special needs, guided by our faculty.

Our hand-crafted soaps are eco and skin friendly without any harmful chemicals which we recommend for children and young adults with ASD who are prone to have dry and allergic skin. We also recommend our soaps for senior citizens; whose skin type is thinner and gets easily disrupted. All our soaps have Aloe Vera a natural antioxidant with anti-bacterial properties, good for people looking for enriched skin invariably of their skin types.

Through this new letter we thank our existing customers and request all our team members across V-Excel units to support us, by buying our soaps and be our happy customers!!

We celebrated our New year at Chinchani Paryantan Kendra with our lovely kids and their mothers. Our aim is to make social interaction with outside people and also to have physical activities like traditional game of ligori, open Gym, garden toys. Kids enjoyed the play and made good bonding with each other. They experienced new food like hurda, fruits, sugarcane juice, and yummy Maharashtrian thali with different textures and taste. We tried to provide a stress free environment for parents. Kids were joyful and these moments become cherished memories later in their life.

January 2024 started fresh with new admission, followed by Pongal celebrations and planning for the Annual outstation Trip.

Pongal Celebrations At Sreyes Farm On 17th Jan 2024

VTU celebrated Pongal traditionally as usual at the Sreyes Farm. 25 trainees, teachers and staff left on 17th early morning. Teachers and trainees decorated the cows with Kumkum, flowers, and tied balloon around the horn. The traditional wood fired stove and mud pot was made ready for preparing Pongal. Lady trainees and teachers added water and rice to the pot. Trainees were in traditional attire. Games were conducted while Pongal was getting ready. Pongal songs were played, and all danced to it. Post lunch few trainees and trainer left for the city. Five trainees, and three trainers stayed overnight for assessment of independent living skills.

Tarang At BVB On 18th Jan 2024

This month Tarang had a unique artists - a mother and son duo (a young prodigy) sang beautifully. Trainees and students enjoyed when the child sang.

Vocational Activities/Functional Academics/Therapy/Counselling/Movement Dance Therapy

Vocational Activities

• Three new trainees joined VTU from 2nd Jan 2024

• Order received for pot candles, saree bags and Gada block printed Tote bags. Few trainees were independent in block printing and painting of the pots. Trainees executed orders of pot candles, stitching of saree bags, block printed on the gada tote bags and saree bags with various colours and designs. They executed the order with the help of trainers and packed it and was ready for delivery in a week.

Functional Academics:

• Uma talked to them about Pongal celebration and prepared them for the annual trip to be held in Feb when we will be flying one way. So, they were oriented about the airport procedures.

Counselling/Therapy/Movement:

• Counsellor had sessions with trainees, teachers, and parents.

• Vasanth had therapy both individual and group.

• Ram does movement therapy. Trainees enjoy his session and his work a lot.