Providing lifespan services to individuals with special needs...
Strides Newsletter - April 2025 - Issue 226
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!
Story of Change
Pavin Krithik is a child in the Early Intervention and Remedial Unit. He started coming from 2022. During the assessment, he appeared to be in need of sessions to improve the following areas: focus and attention, understanding and following instructions, speech clarity and communication.
2022
He started the individual sessions in 2022. During the initial days, he was very shy and not interested in participating in the activities. His goal was to name pictures, improve his clarity of speech and pay attention during reading and writing tasks. With vocabulary and picture communication activities, Pavin was able to name pictures. He showed wonderful improvements in reading and writing words and clarity of speech. Towards the end of the year, he was able to complete his tasks with focus.
2023
In 2023, Pavin worked on recalling and answering ‘wh’ questions, copying sentences, counting, number names and turn taking skills.The special educator facilitated many games, sensorial activities and hands on learning to help him enjoy his learning. By the end of the year, he became better in academics, social and behavioural skills.
2024
Pavin started attending our group sessions in 2024.
The special educators noticed that he was interested in participating in social interactions, art, music, dance play and academic activities. During circle time, he could say the names of his classmates while passing the ball, which he was not doing before. He did very well with counting, single digit addition, answering questions in phrases and naming more pictures. Verbal prompts motivated him to complete tasks.
2025
In 2025, after attending the sessions daily, Pavin showed significant improvement in clarity of speech, read 3 letter words very well, solved simple addition and subtraction mentally. He is interested in singing and dancing as well.
It has been a wonderful experience to work with Pavin and see the significant changes in his development.
Kaleidoscope Learning Centre
From Shashikala Subramaniam's Desk
The Golden Fruit
The harvest and the culmination of a journey:
April arrived and the countdown had begun. A new venue, two practices, quick touching up and sometimes repairing of all the original props that were to be used, new props made, packing up of the costumes scene wise, packing up of the props, putting up the huge backdrops on the stage with the help of the Kalakshetra staff, moving the props and costumes to the venue carefully, arranging for the food, snacks for the next three days at the venue. This was the physical labour. Of course, on the soul front, there were emotional upheavals, some altercations which ended with a hug – it almost felt like we were organising a huge destination wedding. A drama that keeps the adrenaline flowing.
Preparation on April 3rd, Thursday.
5th April 10.00 am the first show of The Golden Fruit
Exclusively for school students - both regular and special schools. They enjoyed the play, showed their appreciation through loud applause and shouts during various scenes. The show brought awareness to both young and old, about these special students and trainees.
The feeling of satisfaction, happiness and contentment about the total performance, reaction of the children who were in the audience stayed with us. But again, we sat down to identify where there had been lags and how we could overcome them the next day.
Feedback:
A small child said, "This was a beautiful Play 🤗".
Someone dear who attended wrote this....
Dear all! It was again such an unbelievably special morning! I wish I were a writer and could express my gratitude, appreciation, and admiration in beautiful words! You made so many people happy! What an achievement for all our special friends! The selfless love and devotion from all the people around them could be felt by us, who had the great fortune to witness this event! How can I thank you and all the many helpers around you??? It seems to me this is something the world and humanity needs!! Thank you for the golden fruit! With love and gratitude Angelika.
Amazing 🌻as usual! It’s V-Excel’s Fruit of Gold ✨🌻✨. Congratulations to everyone who has shared the screen space and who worked with heart and soul spending their golden time to reap this Fruit of Gold! Congratulations! Wishing many more Magic Moments!
Love and Energy! Note: I loved to hear the cheers from the students at the back! Absolutely Inclusive🌻❤️🌻
The Golden fruit—a thought that has been running inside me in recent times. The clock keeps ticking, the sun rises and sets, the moon grows and shrinks, and the breeze keeps changing its direction… yet my mind always seeks different kinds of golden fruit at different phases of my life.
I seek money. I look for fame. I chase success. I long for love. I yearn for freedom. I search for peace. I search for who I am. And finally, I’ve realized—I have spent 37 years searching for my golden fruits.
Today, the seed planted by this play has begun to sprout within the 37-year-old child in me—to taste the joy of truly living.
When it comes to the artistic and creative side of the play—it was all almost too magical to believe. The patience and devotion required to create those backdrops, the props, the sun, the wind, the clock, the sea, the river, the huts… no words can truly express what it was.
Much love to the entire team—the children, the teachers.
6th April 4.30 pm the second show:
It was a full house and overflowing. More chairs were needed. All parents, friends, families and well-wishers thronged the auditorium. Some came to see it for the second time 😊
We got feedback about our beautiful handmade backdrops (all 32 feet by 17 feet), the beautiful music, script, dialogue delivery, the colourful coordinated costumes, the inhouse handmade props almost all minimalistic but authentic....and the list goes on.
But what stood out in almost everybody's feedback was
"The joy, happiness, smiling faces, the Love that every teacher showed while working with the students and trainees, the individual performances of theirs ". There were many people who said that they had tears in their eyes, were crying and had lumps in their throats - all while watching a comedy Play..... ha ha ha 🤣.
The magic of the students/trainees performing so flawlessly on stage was the reason for this. The end result, all of us were happy, satisfied, had a feeling of accomplishment of how our children could be different but still able 😍
A few feedback from our audience:
Congratulations to the team who has made The Golden Fruit. The detailing, the thought process, the effort, a big salute. Tears of joy, goose bump moments, retrospection, ecstasy were some fruits that I collected.
Thank you for allowing me to take part in the lovely culmination of art and inclusion and get soaked in the taste of the GOLDEN FRUIT. So small and sweet. So, soul stirring. So stunning. So supreme.! Love and Energy to all.
Oh my god - I am sooo happy I didn’t miss it 😍
The music, the sound effects, the costume, the voiceover, the props, the intriguing story, the lovely amazing performances and most of all the joy on everyone’s face as they performed ♥️♥️♥️ I absolutely looooved it 👏👏👏 Bravo to V-Excel team for pulling this off 🤩🤩😍🙌🙌. Stunning production 🤩♥️🙌👏👏
Thank you everyone for creating this magical Experience where it takes one deep in reflecting what really one is seeking? From the story, the backdrops (the stunning library and ocean took my breath away) to costumes (hats off to Vasanthi aunty, Latha Nitya Shashi) to props (loveeeed the human props ❤️), to choreography, to narration, background music and songs, the acting, the dances and last but not at all the least the collective direction everything was beyond perfect!! Loved the way each and every one enjoyed their role and held their own!! Big big thank you to all for this and feel very blessed To witness this celebration of humanness where one experiences the transcendence of spirit over the matter!!
Enclosing the recording of the Play
After the euphoria of completing this play, school came back to a semblance of order in the next 2-3 days with the help of the senior students, who helped in organising the props and costumes together.
It was the last week of school for the students, and they spent it quietly, and the last day, the 11th of April, was a day of fun with games, lunch and singing. The teachers bid farewell to the students for the academic year.
The week between 15th to 18th the teachers had meetings, planned the next year’s broad curriculum, had therapy – painting and foot massage and spent time together talking about the year’s happenings. On 17th all the teachers visited Neha, Subha and Vasanthi aunty’s homes at Thazhambur and spent the whole day till evening. We watched the complete recording of the play together, had lunch and visited the nearby lake and had fun in the water.
KLC will be closed for summer till June 1st week. Wishing everyone a beautiful summer holiday. Take care and be safe.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Sports club for specially-abled children
A New Beginning for Inclusion & Empowerment.
On World Autism Awareness Day, V-Excel Educational Trust, Solapur proudly introduces Solapur's first-ever sports club for specially-abled children!
Sports play a vital role in building confidence, social skills, and overall well-being, and this initiative creates a nurturing and inclusive space for every child to thrive.
📍 Venue: Nana Nani Park, Indira Nagar, Bijapur Road, Solapur.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting our little champions! 💙
World Autism Awareness Day
Spreading Autism Awareness Through Street Play | 2nd April – World Autism Awareness Day
On World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd), V-Excel Educational Trust, Solapur, took the initiative to spread awareness about autism through an impactful street play at one of the busiest locations in Jule Solapur – Rani Laxmibai Udyan, Dawat Chowk, near D-Mart.
Our goal was to educate the community about:
✔ Early signs of autism, including delayed speech, social challenges, and sensory sensitivities.
✔ The importance of early intervention and therapies like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral support.
✔ The need for acceptance, inclusion, and support for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The response was truly inspiring! People stopped to watch, engage, and ask questions-showing a genuine interest in understanding autism better. This event was a small yet significant step towards building a more inclusive society.
Let's continue to raise awareness, support neurodiversity, and work towards a world where everyone is valued and included.
World Autism Awareness Day
On World Autism Awareness Day, V-Excel Educational Trust Nashik took a meaningful step towards inclusion with a powerful street play at Ravindra School, Nashik.
The performance beautifully depicted the everyday challenges faced by autistic children, highlighting sensory sensitivities, difficulties with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and deep fixations on specific objects.
A remarkable aspect of this initiative was the participation of three autistic children in lead roles, bringing authenticity to the scenes and proving that with the right interventions, therapies, and special education, they can thrive and integrate into society.
Through this initiative, V-Excel Educational Trust Nashik aimed to foster greater understanding and acceptance, reinforcing that awareness is the first step towards true inclusion.
Let's celebrate neurodiversity and work towards a world where every child has the opportunity to shine!
The Golden Fruit
We are happy to share that The Hindu has featured The Golden Fruit in its March 30, 2025 edition! 🎭✨
This special article highlights the vision, dedication, and efforts behind our in-house production, showcasing the power of inclusive theatre and creative expression.
A heartfelt thank you to The Hindu for recognizing and sharing our journey!
Step into the world of The Golden Fruit through these beautiful moments! 🎭✨
We’re sharing some stunning glimpses from the play—each frame tells a story of passion, dedication, and pure magic on stage. Swipe through and relive the experience!
Some moments are made unforgettable by the people who stand beside us. A heartfelt thank you to all our incredible volunteers who gave their time, effort, and enthusiasm to make The Golden Fruit a success!
A special appreciation to Hexaware for being with us on both days—your support and commitment truly made a difference. And to every individual who stepped forward to help, you brought smiles, comfort, and joy to everyone involved.
This play was not just a performance; it was a collective effort, a shared experience, and a celebration of inclusivity all made possible because of you.
Thank you to each and every individual for being a part of this journey.
Open Day
A Day to Remember at VTU!
On April 11th, our Adyar campus was filled with joy, laughter, and a deep sense of connection as we welcomed parents for our Open Day. It was a beautiful opportunity for families to step into their children's world — to witness their progress, engage in meaningful conversations, and truly feel the heart of what we do at VTU.
Mrs. Uma Swaminathan highlighted the year's journey and personalized interactions and fun-filled parent activities highlighted every moment. Our wonderful staff, every teacher, and support team member were instrumental in creating a thoughtful and enriching experience.
To all the parents who joined us with open hearts — thank you. Your presence and warmth made the day incredibly special. Here's to continuing this beautiful partnership and making Open Day a cherished tradition at V-Excel Education Trust.
Sibling workshop
V-Excel Educational Trust, Nashik in collaboration with CII Young India – Nashik is hosting a special sibling workshop on April 18th. This exclusive, free session is open only to the parents and siblings of V-Excel students.
The workshop is designed to foster deeper understanding, emotional support, and stronger family bonds in the journey of raising a child with special needs.
Venue: Agrawal Samaj Hall, Bankar Chowk, Dwarka, Nashik
It was a day filled with understanding, connection, and hope — strengthening the bonds that matter the most.
A huge thank you to every parent and sibling who made the session so special!
Events like these remind us of the strength found in unity and compassion.
Earth Day
This Earth Day, V-Excel Educational Trust turned learning into meaningful action.
Our trainees engaged in an awareness session focused on saving electricity, conserving water, and reducing pollution—important conversations that shape responsible citizens.
To take the message beyond the classroom, they designed and displayed a fabric poster at the campus gate, serving as a gentle reminder to all who pass by.
Each step—thoughtful, creative, and driven by purpose—reflected their growing commitment to a greener tomorrow.
Humanitarian of the Year at the Provoke Awards 2025
We are delighted to share that our Founder-Director, Dr. Vasudha Prakash, has been conferred with the title of Humanitarian of the Year at the Provoke Awards 2025, by a distinguished jury appointed by Provoke Lifestyle Magazine on 28-Apr-2025.
This recognition celebrates her lifelong dedication to empowering individuals with special needs and her unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Our sincere thanks to Dr. Sam Paul, Chairman & Managing Director of Paulsons Beauty & Fashion Pvt. Ltd., and the Provoke team for this honour.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath at Nashik
April 1, 2025: Eid Celebration
Eid was celebrated with joy at all three centers. A special sweet, Sheer Khurma, was made at the centers. BLA students shared information about Eid, and all the students enjoyed the sweets and celebrated together with happiness.
April 2, 2025: Autism Awareness Day
Autism Awareness Day was celebrated at all three centres of V-Excel Nashik. Students from BLA performed a street play at Ravindra High School, Nashik, portraying three different students with Autism. Through their performance, they highlighted the symptoms of Autism, the need for early intervention, and the importance of behaviour support. The play also focused on creating awareness about family acceptance and societal acceptance, encouraging everyone to build a more inclusive and understanding community.
Students of VLC participated in Palm painting and other creative activities.
April 5, 2025: Ram Navami Celebration
Ram Navami was celebrated at V-Excel Nashik with devotion. Students sang bhajans, offered prayers, and prasad was distributed to all. Some students came dressed as Ram, Lakshman, and Sita, adding to the festive spirit.
April 11,2025: Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jayanti was celebrated at VLC Nashik. Children were given information about his life and contribution. They paid their respects by offering flowers and remembering his work.
April 14, 2025: Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti
Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti was celebrated at V-Excel Nashik on 15th April. Children were taught about his important role in making the Indian Constitution and his efforts to fight against caste discrimination and other unfair practices. At BLA and all three centres, students paid their respects by offering flowers.
April 17, 2025
Various activities were conducted at VLC Nashik during the summer month of April to engage children in fun and learning. Activities included cutting, chopping, making bhel, preparing lemon juice and salad, brain gym exercises and right-brain management activities. These hands-on experiences helped enhance the children's motor skills, creativity, and overall development.
18 April, 2025: Siblings training session
Siblings training session by Psychologist Armin Shroff at Agrasen Bhavan for V-Excel Nashik
🧡 Hum Saath Saath Hai – Special Sibling
🎈 wonderful siblings came together to celebrate their bond, express their emotions, and learn to L.I.F.T.—Lift themselves and their special sibling through games, laughter, and heartfelt sharing.
From keeping their emotional cup full, and passing balloons of strength to creating clay tokens of love, each participant left feeling seen, heard, and celebrated.
Parent Interaction Session: A Journey of Love and Strength
Mr. Aniket Bagde and Mrs. Sayli Bagde, proud parents of a child with Down Syndrome, who shared their inspiring journey of raising their daughter. Through personal stories, challenges, and joyful milestones, they offered valuable insights, practical tips, and emotional support to fellow parents.
The session was interactive, motivating, and deeply meaningful, helping parents gain confidence and perspective in their own parenting journey.
Awareness Session with Dr. Neeta Gawale
Dr. Neeta Gawale, a renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist with over 16 years of experience, took an informative session at V-Excel. Dr. Gawale guided parents on crucial topics such as menstrual hygiene, PCOD, PCOS, and other health concerns related to young girls and women. The session proved highly valuable in creating awareness and empowering our parent community with essential knowledge for better health and well-being.
April 19, 2025: Parent-Teacher Meet at V-Excel Nashik
Parent-teacher meetings were conducted at all three centres of V-Excel Nashik. During the meet, students were given their progress reports along with summer holiday homework. It was a great opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss the child's growth and future goals.
April 21, 2025: Teachers Training
Work-Life Integration Session for Educators
Our special educators took a break from their busy schedules to focus on themselves. In a special session led by Armin Shroff, they explored the idea of work-life integration.
Through fun activities, movement, deep thinking, and meaningful talks, teachers reflected on how important it is to balance different parts of their lives. Using the example of pizza slices, they learned that when they care for their own well-being, their classrooms become even more positive and full of energy.
April 21, 2025: Teachers Training
Afternoon session
Teacher Training Session on Occupational Therapy
Dr. Shruti Patil, Occupational Therapist from 8 Senses Therapy Centre, conducted an insightful session for our teachers. She emphasized the importance of sitting tolerance, gross and fine motor skills as foundational for learning, and highlighted how children with conditions like ADHD or hyperactivity should first receive Occupational Therapy before special education support. The session helped teachers understand the vital role of OT, how to collaborate with therapists, and how parents can work hand-in-hand with professionals to support the child's development.
April 27, 2025: Music Exam Participation by V-Excel Students
A total of 20 students from V-Excel Nashik — from BLA, VLC, and VTU — appeared for the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Music Basic Exam. Among them, 18 students gave the exam in vocal, 1 in tabla, and 1 in synthesizer. This was the first time our special children were given the provision to appear only for the performance (practical) exam without the written component. It is a proud moment and a big step towards inclusive opportunities in music education.
From Therapy & Learning Centre, Pandharpur
Summer Camp - 3-Apr-2025
Pandharpur learning center organized summer camp for center kids. We planned indoor interesting activities for kids. Handicraft activities such as sticking of beans, ice cream sticks... making of decorative items. Various types of painting... Wall painting, pot painting, cloth painting. Mud play - Making of clay toys. Introduction to music instruments. Traditional games. sowing of seeds and watering it.
Serving water and juice.
Movie Experience.... Complete process from purchase of tickets and snacks to watching the entire movie. All kids enjoyed the summer camp a lot.
Specials of April 2025
1. Visit of Naturo therapist Mrs. Jyoti
2. Visit of Varad - Shrushti Eco foundation member - Plating and nourishment of trees importance and practice.
3. Visit of owner of Pandurang Motors and dealer of Bajaj vehicles honourable Shrimati Utpat. She kindly gifted a kids bicycle.
Solapur
Autism Awareness - 2nd April
Street drama can be an effective way to raise autism awareness by directly engaging the community and creating relatable, impactful stories. By using theatrical techniques, street dramas can break down complex concepts into easily understandable narratives, fostering empathy and understanding for individuals with autism.
On 2nd April, V-Excel Solapur teachers conducted street drama for autism awareness in the crowded area near D-Mart and famous Siddeshwar temple campus. Teachers performed by explaining symptoms of Autism and how to work on it. Also kept funfair for children and sold some products made by our vocational students to attract the crowd. We got good response from the audience..
Opening Ceremony Of Sports - 4th April
This is truly inspiring! V-Excel Educational Trust Solapur is happy to launch the first-ever sports club for specially-abled children in Solapur, on 4th April by Ms. Niharika, a Gynecologist on World Autism Day. It is a remarkable step towards inclusion and empowerment. Sports can be a powerful medium for building confidence, social skills, and overall well-being for these children. Wishing the club immense success in creating a nurturing and engaging space where every child can thrive. Kudos to everyone involved in making this initiative a reality!
Summer Camp - 7th April
Summer camp can be a valuable experience for kids, offering opportunities for social development, skill building, and personal growth. It provides a structured environment for children to make new friends, explore their interests, and gain independence. Ms. Sunita Vaidya did the opening of the summer camp. In the camp we conducted kitchen activities, sensory activities, puppet show, art and craft activities, visited vegetable market and grocery shop. Students enjoyed summer camp activities and on the last day parents participated with enthusiasm.
Parents teacher Meeting - 12th April
Parent-teacher conferences, are typically held to discuss a student's academic progress and overall well-being. These meetings offer a platform for teachers and parents to collaborate, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and discuss strategies to support the student's learning. On 12th April parents and teachers meeting was conducted. Sunita Vaidya mam addressed parents about development and progress of their child. Also asked opinion about every parent and how much were they satisfied with the child. Later parents met with their child’s class teachers and discussed about their doubts and queries related to the child. Teachers explained about home goals also.
Workshop Making soaps and pouches - 14th April
V-Excel Vocational Centre, Solapur proudly presents a fresh range of handcrafted, authentic, and delightful products – made with love and dedication by our talented students. Handmade Soaps – 100% chemical-free and available in a variety of natural fragrances like Rose, Jasmine, Kesar Chandan, Lemon, and Neem. Customization available as per your preference! Beautiful mobile & money Pouches – Vibrant, colorful, and stylish pouches with elegant pearl handles. Perfect for gifting or personal use. Delicious Solapur Shenga Chutney – Made fresh using traditional mortar and pestle by our students. Experience the rich, authentic taste of Solapur’s beloved peanut chutney. Support a noble cause while enjoying quality products handcrafted with care. This work shop was conducted on 14th April. Our students participated, learned and got orders of soaps, pouches and shenga chutney. All these products have got famous and we have got lots of orders.
Erode
Summer Camp at Erode Centre
This summer, our centre was filled with excitement as we kicked off our summer camp. It was a fantastic start, bringing together our staff and children for a month of joy, creativity, and learning.
To set the mood:
• We decorated our school with a cheerful summer theme.
• We set up a photo booth where everyone could capture special moments.
Throughout the camp, we enjoyed a variety of activities, including:
• Exciting games – Both modern and traditional age-old classics.
• Cooking sessions – Fun experiments with and without fire.
• Water games – A splash of fun to beat the summer heat.
• TV time together – Relaxing and sharing laughter over favorite shows.
• Music and dance – Bringing energy, rhythm, and happiness to our days.
The camp was a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to bond, learn together, and create beautiful memories.
Home Visits – Strengthening our connection
As part of our commitment to understanding and supporting our children, our staff conducted home visits during the summer break on a rotational basis.
During these visits, we:
• Provided home programs tailored to each child’s needs.
• Gained deeper insights into their home environment and daily experiences.
• Engaged in valuable discussions with parents about their concerns and feedback.
• Strengthened the bond between the centre, child, and family.
From Outreach Remedial Center, Pollachi
World Autism Awareness Day
We celebrated Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2025. at our school with great enthusiasm. The event included a meaningful awareness speech about autism, highlighting the importance of understanding and inclusion. Students actively participated by performing a group dance that added energy and joy to the celebration. We also captured the moments with group photos to cherish the day. Overall, it was a vibrant and impactful event for everyone involved. The students showed great excitement and confidence throughout the program. It was a proud moment for staff and parents to see the talents and spirit of our children shine.
Group Therapy Session 8
In our 8th group therapy session, we continued to support early intervention students through structured and engaging activities. Academic activities included a number-finding puzzle to find numbers. Visual and fine motor skills were targeted through ball-fixing activities, promoting hand-eye coordination, and visual attention. Speech and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) components focused on the usage of the ADL box, encouraging students to practice daily routines. Gross motor activities were incorporated to support physical development, including movement, balance, and coordination.
Summer Camp 2025
Our Summer Camp 2025 featured a range of engaging activities conducted across multiple batches. Students participated enthusiastically in Art & Craft, Handwriting, Reading, Basic Math, and School Readiness sessions. Storytelling sessions sparked imagination and creativity, while hands-on activities helped strengthen fine motor and cognitive skills. Each activity was designed to make learning fun, interactive, and age-appropriate. The camp provided a well-rounded experience, preparing children for the upcoming academic year with confidence.
Savings Bank Activity
We have recently started a Savings Bank activity to help children build the habit of saving money regularly. Each student has been given a personal savings box and is encouraged to bring a small amount of money daily to deposit in it. This initiative aims to instill financial awareness, responsibility, and the value of consistent saving from an early age. The students are excited and actively participating in the activity.
Board member – Rathinam College
Our Managing Trustee, Dr. Manju, has served as a board member for curriculum development in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Rathinam College, Coimbatore. Her expertise and contributions have played a key role in shaping the academic framework and enhancing the quality of education in the department.
Fire Safety Demonstration
A fire safety demonstration was conducted for faculty members at the premises to enhance awareness and preparedness in case of emergencies. The session covered the use of fire extinguishers, evacuation procedures, and basic firefighting techniques. Faculty were given hands-on experience to operate safety equipment. The demonstration emphasized the importance of timely response and safety protocols. Safety officers led the session and addressed queries from participants. The event aimed to strengthen the overall safety culture within the institution.
Visit by Prof. Anand Jagadeesan Highlights Inclusive Education Efforts
Prof. Anand Jagadeesan, Chief Functionary of V-Excel Educational and Charitable Trust, visited our school to observe the integration of Gurukriba with the Outreach Special School.
Prof. Anand Jagadeesan, a distinguished educationist and rehabilitation professional, spent time interacting with the children and witnessing their developmental progress. He appreciated the collaborative model of inclusive education being practiced and the dedication of the staff involved. His visit served as a great motivation, reinforcing our shared vision of empowering children with special needs through meaningful educational experiences.
Abhyasa Kendra, Srirangam
Staff Experience at Annual Day Programme – "The Golden Fruit"
This month, our team members Ms. Sathya Saravanan (Special Educator) and Ms. Thenmozhi Jaisankar (Skill Trainer – Kitchen) had the wonderful opportunity to attend our spectacular Annual Day celebration, "The Golden Fruit", held at Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, on April 5, 2025. Upon returning to Trichy, they shared their heartfelt appreciation for the warmth and care extended by our leadership and fellow staff members during the event. They expressed that it was truly a magical experience—one unlike any they had seen before.
They were especially captivated by the enchanting backdrops (the Library and the Ocean), the choreography, music, narration, and the performances by our teachers, Akkas, Annas, and, of course, our amazing children. They felt incredibly blessed to witness the event and are eagerly looking forward to future programs.
Academic Updates
Meanwhile, our teachers and therapists have been diligently working on the Progress Reports and Year-End Reports for the academic year 2024–25. In addition, individualized Home Plans for our Vocational and Remedial students have been prepared and distributed to parents to support continued development at home.
Tirunelveli
Introducing Sensory Pathway Training at V-Excel Nellai
At V-Excel Nellai, we are excited to introduce a new method of training for our children-the Sensory Pathway! This initiative has been made possible with valuable support and guidance from our experts, and we are eager to see its positive impact on our children’s development.
The Sensory Pathway is designed to enhance sensory stimulation, allowing children to engage with different textures, materials, and objects through touch and movement. This structured approach helps children experience variations in surfaces, improves sensory perception, and strengthens their ability to process information in a fun and interactive way.
By incorporating elements such as texture differences, material variations, and tactile sensing, this pathway supports children in developing -
• Better sensory awareness
• Improved motor coordination
• Greater engagement with their surroundings
We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on their growth and learning journey!
We will be back form June 2nd 2025. Wishing you all happy holidays!
Bhagavan Ramana Center for Specially-Abled Children, Thiruvannamalai
Fun Day at Arunagiri Children's Park
On April 6, 2025, we took a group of children, parents, and teachers on a trip to Arunagiri Children's Park. The short walk to the park was filled with excitement and chatter. Upon arrival, the kids had lots of fun playing on the swings, slides, and other playground equipments.
Sensory Delights
They also enjoyed exploring the sand and sensory stones, experiencing different textures and sensations. After playing a lot, the kids were all very hungry everyone enjoyed a tasty snack together.
A Memorable Outing
The trip concluded with heartfelt thanks from the parents, who appreciated the opportunity for their children to have this fun and engaging experience. We were happy to see the kids smile and enjoy themselves.
Home Visits: Understanding and Supporting Children with Special Needs
Home visits play a vital role in supporting children with special needs. By visiting families in their homes, we gain a deeper understanding of each child's unique needs, environment, and support system. This helps us to give our support and interventions to better meet their individual requirements.
Our Experience
Recently, our team conducted home visits for six of our students. During these visits, we collected essential information about each child's background, daily routines, and family dynamics. This firsthand knowledge will help us develop more effective strategies to support their development and well-being.We are planning to do home visits on a regular basis in the coming academic year.
V-Excel-SAF Special School, Kolapakkam
Greetings from V-Excel-SAF Special School, Kolapakkam!
Easter Celebration:
Easter is a time for celebrating the miracle of the resurrection and the joy it brings to believers. A common Easter tradition is decorating eggs with various colors and patterns and our children made the same.
World Earth Day:
Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. We taught our children with picture stories that focus on themes like appreciating nature, caring for the environment, and conservation of water. We explained to them the importance of conserving water, like turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, taking shorter showers, and understanding how their actions can help save water. Visual images of these were shown to kids, and the step-by-step process was explained to make them understand how water was being conserved. A group activity of nature was colored by them.
Vocational Training Unit
From Charumathi Sriram's Desk
Highlight of this month was World Autism Day.
Annual Day and Open Day for parents were the other days to be marked.
From VTU 10 trainees and 3 teachers participated in Annual day program at Kalakshetra, Thiruvanmiyur.
World Autism Awareness Program at Sreyes:
In celebration of World Autism Day, we created awareness by meeting the public in our area. Trainees distributed butter milk to them. They held small posters in self-advocacy. The verbal trainees shared about their work with the passersby and interested people.
In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, we joined special activities at the Kalaignar centenary Park. A powerful and joyful Flashmob was organized in collaboration with various NGOs, to raise awareness, promote acceptance, and celebrate neurodiversity.
This energetic public performance with a spotlight on autism was well received. It showed the strength of community in coming together for a cause that matters.
Annual Day Program at Kalakshetra Foundation:
Our Annual Day Program was a good reminder that ability comes in many forms, and joy needs no translation. Held amidst cheers, colors, and heartfelt applause, this year's celebration brought together our incredible Students / Trainees show with their talents, courage, and boundless spirit.
The Annual day program was excellent. Colorful footprints across the stage represented each participant's journey and handprints of the young adult that were incorporated into the design.
This was not just a program, it was a celebration of journeys and the love and learning shared all along the way.
Open day at VTU:
A special part of the Open Day was celebrating the bond between our trainees and their families. We believe that true progress happens when families walk the journey together./p>
Parents were invited into our training spaces to interact with the trainees, observe their skills in action, and hear about their experiences and growth. It was a heartfelt session filled with pride, smiles and happy tears./p>
To add joy and laughter to the day, we organized light-hearted games exclusively for parents and making them feel like a vital part of the VTU family.
Vocational Activities/Functional Academics/Therapy/Counselling
1. Vocational activities
Trainees were busy with the production of Jute pen stand / Bowl, paper bag for Tula and Gada block printing, mobile pouch stitching and bead patch work
2. Functional Academic
Ms. Uma had a group session with trainees about the Annual day Program.
On the open day, information about the various topics that were discussed during the year was shared with the parents.
3. Counselling & Therapy
Counsellor Ms. Jayadevi had sessions with trainees, teachers and parents.
Mr. Vasanth had therapy both individual and group Therapy with the trainees.
Youth Empowerment Services
From Gayathri Suryanarayanan's Desk
Key highlights for the month of April 2025
• Autism Awareness Day – Flashmob
• o Rehearsal
• o Day 1
• o Day 2
• YES team – Team outing
• Eco Konnectors award
Autism Awareness Day - Flashmob
Sankalp organised an awareness campaign on April 2 to mark Autism Awareness Day at Kalaignar Karunanidhi Park, Chennai, in which V-Excel actively participated. YES team was instrumental in planning a flashmob right from conceptualization, choreography, coordination and participation. A few members from the other units of V-Excel and Sankalp Special school also participated. This event was well received and appreciated. Many of them from the audience came forward to take the pledge to be more inclusive and accepting.
The Golden Fruit
Rehearsal
The rehearsal for the play The Golden fruit, happened on Friday 04 April at Kalakshetra foundation auditorium. All members of the YES team were there to help and support the organising team by helping them set up the stage and props. The rehearsal went very well, and things were ready for the big weekend. Team YES, thanked therapist Mr. Vasanth for helping them prepare the backdrop and props.
Day 1
05 April, Day 1 of the annual play started at 10.30 am and YES team was there to help with the costumes, props, backstage and guest management. Each member had been delegated work and as a team we made sure that everything went smoothly. The show on this day was exclusively for school children and teachers from across Chennai. Volunteers from Hexaware joined YES team to help with everything throughout the day.
Day 2
06 April, Day 2 was the second performance of the annual play attended by guests from different walks of life. YES team took care of guest management, crowd management, volunteer groups, costumes and backstage work. Everything from the media and publicity to receiving guests and honouring them were taken care of by the team. Volunteers from Hexaware showed their support again on Day 2, by helping out with a lot of activities.
YES team – Team outing
On 18 April, YES team had great fun at the Mamalla Beach Resort. All the members of YES went for a day outing to the resort. It was wonderful to see them come together as a family and spend time chatting and playing at the beach. It was very rejuvenating for each one of us, a day to remember and cherish
Eco Warrior Award from Eco Konnector
On 27 April, YES received an award from Eco Konnectors for supporting their campaign against plastic usage. YES team has been consistently supplying them with paper bags made by our trainees. These bags were distributed among the vendors near temples and these vendors were encouraged to use these recycled paper bags instead of the plastic bags. YES, along with VTU, had a product stall at the event.
