Once again, we are facing a major space crunch despite having moved into a bigger place only in April this year. In a meeting
attended by all the unit heads, it was resolved that it would be economically viable to build extra rooms in the second floor
rather than taking another space on rental basis. This problem, we hoped may be partially solved by building four more rooms in
the existing space and a tiny resource room at the back yard. Now the construction work is on in full swing.
On October 22nd 2005, a meeting of the Advisory Board was convened. Two members of the Advisory Board could not attend the
meeting due to some personal inconveniences. During the meeting, it was decided that, we would go ahead and approach donors
and philanthropists for a piece of land and build our own property.
Academy of Teacher Excellence News
In the exams that were held in the last week of September, all the students did extremely well in spite of their out-of-classroom
schedules.
We are now well into the course and all the students are very focused on the goal. Sudha Chella is conducting an impressive LD course
while John Murugaselvam is going apace with Curriculum and Instruction as well as MR.
One can see everyone in the class running about trying to keep up with the schedule. We are looking forward to Mallika Ganapathy’s
Autism Spectrum Disorder course.
Also on the anvil is our field trip, the much-awaited event of the year. We haven’t quite decided but as soon as we do, we will
tell everyone. Just watch this space!
Kaleidoscope Learning Center (KLC) News
The month of October turned out to be highly prolific for a few children of KLC.
Pon Harish, a child whose world whirled around his dear teacher Jayanthi Srinivasan, all of a sudden seems to have extended
his social skills. He is able to attend the music sessions with some comfort, although his eyes do keep searching…..
Abhishek, belonging to Transition II group was finding it difficult to connect the sound of the bell and the act of the
kids running out of the classroom. Now his teachers have discovered that he comprehends this particular situation beautifully
when a flash card depicts this issue, when his turn comes.
Another child, Nitesh, who could never sit put in a place even for a few minutes during the last three years, has suddenly
amazed his teachers with his increased sitting tolerance. During his Montessori time, he works with the static Decimal
system, by arranging number symbols from 1 to 9000 in groups of 10.
We hope to have more success stories like these, in our future editions.
V-Excel Remedial Center (VRC) News
October is the month of Navrathri during which we usually pray to Goddess Saraswathi to help our children learn better.
Teachers and staff at VRC performed Vijayadasami pooja with great enthusiasm on Tuesday, 12th Oct 2005 at our Adyar and
Mandaveli centers. Parents and children joined us in our prayers.
We at VRC believe that each of our children have the potential to lead an effective and meaningful life. Towards that end goal,
we strive towards integrating our children into the mainstream of life wherever and whenever possible. We are happy to report
that five of the youngsters in the age group 3 to 5 acquired the skills mandatory to be in a kindergarten and have joined the
regular school. We are continuing to support them and help them with their transition difficulties at the remedial classes as
well as in their school environment.
Teachers and children at VRC welcomed the monsoon season with enthusiasm. The teachers incorporated teaching about the rains to
all the children in their schedule. However, a variety of illnesses have stricken our children. We pray for their speedy
recovery and continued good health.
Bridges Learning Academy
Our children have immensely benefited after being taught learning strategies like mind-mapping. A great deal of improvement has
been observed in the reading skills of the children. A special mention must be made about Dhanush, who unlike before is attentive
in class and does his work very meticulously.
Seven children from our school have enrolled to appear for the National Open Schooling Examination. A very organized preparation
schedule is being followed.
All the teachers are concentrating on enhancing the academic skills of the children. Tests are conducted and worksheets are distributed
regularly to reinforce learning.
Other News
Preparations for the Annual day are on and our school corridors are reverberating with music from 12 noon to 1 p.m. since the
last week of October. Our dedicated teachers and volunteers are devoting adequate time to coach the kids for the cultural feat.
It has been raining incessantly in Chennai since the last week of October. In fact, the water logging around here has been quite
considerable that the school had to be closed down for two days following heavy rains.
The Annual Sports Day, scheduled for 12th November, 2005 has been postponed until the weather becomes a little more cooperative.
We are very grateful to Reliance Infocomm for permitting the children of KLC and BLA to learn basic computer skills at their
Reliance Web World space in R.A. Puram.
Contact Info :: India:
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 2494 2255
91 - 44 – 2495 6373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
Contact Info :: USA:
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
Volunteer Info:
Volunteers are an integral part of our success. Our most pressing needs are in the areas of occupational and speech therapies, and
as teacher aides. We also require assistance in library management.
If you have any of these and are interested in volunteering at V-Excel, please contact us.
You Are Not Alone: For Parents When They Learn That Their Child Has A Disability
1. Seek the assistance of another parent.
2. Talk with your mate, family, and significant others.
3. Rely on positive sources in your life.
4. Take one day at a time.
5. Learn the terminology.
6. Seek information.
7. Do not be intimidated.
8. Do not be afraid to show emotion.
9. Learn to deal with natural feelings of bitterness and anger.
10. Maintain a positive outlook.
11. Keep in touch with reality
12. Remember that time is on your side.
13. Find programs for your child.
14. Take care of yourself.
15. Avoid pity
16. Decide how to deal with others.
17. Keep daily routines as normal as possible.
18. Remember that this is your child.
19. Recognize that you are not alone.
"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.
Encourage me, and I will not forget you."
