Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna’s most-awaited talk on ‘Introduction to Bio-Medical Intervention for Children with Autism’ and ‘The
Importance of Busy Hands’ came to pass on 30th November. Attended by close to 25 participants, most of whom were our teachers
and therapists, the talk was educative and edifying. Everyone deemed that the 90-minute duration left them asking for more.
On 14th November, Children’s Day, Shoppers’ Stop organized a FUN-OUTING exclusively for the children of V-Excel. About 12
children from KLC, BLA and VRC were taken to the mall, where they spent close to an hour and a half. They rejoiced touring the
place, playing musical chairs (Dhanush from BLA made no compromises to win his seat!), painting, and finally, to their surprise,
leaving with gifts and chocolates, presented by the Shoppers’ Stop team.
V-Excel is gearing up for the School Day celebration which is scheduled for December 22nd at P.S. Higher Secondary School,
Mylapore. That evening will be dedicated to the parents of our children. The theme of this musical ensemble is “Colours That Speak”
Academy of Teacher Excellence News
ATE students are in it full zip! All of them are feeling very motivated and the course is a challenge to all….which they are
determined to conquer at all costs! That being so, we are sure to have a whole batch of very successful special educators.
Ms. Sudha Chella has finished conducting her LD course and it has been very successful. We are now waiting for the start of the
ASD course to be conducted by our very valuable friend and resource person, Mrs. Mallika Ganapathy.
The curriculum and Instruction course and the course on Mental Retardation is being delivered by our full-time faculty member
Mr. John Murugaselvam.
Mrs. Neela Chandramouli, Vice-Prinicipal of KLC will be handling the IEP and lesson planning aspects of the course. She will also
oversee the internship and field work of the trainees.
It has been a very successful academic year so far — every single course has gone well and more is to follow.
Kaleidoscope Learning Center (KLC) News
In November, KLC saw
Lots of rain, showering two days of unexpected holidays!
Lots of music and colour, with Annual Day practice going on in full swing for the themes “Colours of movement”, “Colours
of Nature” and “Rainbow Colours”
Lots of games and fire-cracker display, giving a festive tint to Children’s Day celebration on 14th Nov!
Lots of lime juice, as the pre-vocation children were making limejuice, while some had already mastered the art!
Lots of Greetings, as we welcomed a new class, a new teacher, and 4 new students added to KLC from 16th Nov 2005, in
the afternoon shift.
V-Excel Remedial Center (VRC) News
With ‘Colours of the Seasons’ as their chosen theme, VRC’s preparations for Annual Day are going great guns! Teachers from
both Adyar and Mandaveli centers got together and brainstormed on the music and the costumes. The children, the teachers
and the parents are all geared up to participate.
The children celebrated Diwali with zeal. Most children enjoyed the display of fireworks, although for some with auditory
sensory difficulties the festival of lights turned into a explosion of noise. In future we have made a decision to celebrate
the festival with more sensitivity towards children who get traumatized by the sound of crackers.
As we strive towards giving the best possible input to our children with ASD, the teachers are trying to incorporate the
following strategies:
Writing the instruction to the children along with vocalizing.
Singing to the children, the topics that are being taught.
Moving with the children with vestibular movement needs, to calm them down enough, to attend to the work presented.
Bridges Learning Academy
The month started on a festive note heralding Diwali. The children came dressed to show off their new clothes.
Kalyan Nagar Ladies Association organized drawing and recitation competitions for the children on 14th November to celebrate
Children’s Day
Reshika and Girish won the first prize in the junior and senior category for Recitation.
Vanithasri and Sugeeshwar secured the first place in the drawing competitions.
The other children were Rohit, Siddarth G.S., Sashaank, Jaikrishna, and Pradeep Kumar. Prizes were awarded to children
on 19th November at Kalyan Nagar Community Hall.
The NIOS students have been attending the sessions awarded by Reliance Web World every Wednesday. They are very enthusiastic
about it and it is a great learning experience for them.
The II term Exams were held on 28th, 29th and 30th Nov. Keeping in mind the preparation and practice for the forthcoming
Annual Day, the exams were conducted earlier. Most of the children have fared well.
Planning and preparation for the Annual Day is in full swing. The teachers are busy getting the costume and the stage
setting ready, while the children are practising their parts to depict “Colours of Seasons”
On the whole it was quite an active, eventful month for both the teachers and children, and a very delightful one at that.
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.
An Effective Teacher
All of us try to be the best we can be in our role of being a teacher. Many of us are mothers doubling up as guides to our
children. Here are some affirmations that help us be more effective.
* I shall take responsibility for my own behavior.
* I shall hold myself liable for what I agreed.
* I shall learn what I need to know to teach better.
* I shall treat my children with honesty, respect and equality.
* I take responsibility for my successes and failures.
* I am accountable for the decisions I take.
* I shall take charge of my feelings and emotions.
* I will not give the power to anybody else to hurt my children or me.
* I shall learn to ask for help when I need to.
* Above all else, I shall be conscientious about taking care of myself because I owe it to myself and my students to be fit
physically and mentally.
Children Learn What They Live
If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
they learn to be shy.
If children live with tolerance,
they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.
If children live with praise,
they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If children live with security,
they learn faith.
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance, and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world.
Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna’s most-awaited talk on ‘Introduction to Bio-Medical Intervention for Children with Autism’ and ‘The
Importance of Busy Hands’ came to pass on 30th November. 