The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

SCHOOL BUZZ
Four steps of creative activity with
children of special needs
Smriti Kak

Four Steps organised its annual summer workshop for children with special needs. The workshop, organised by ‘Our Creative World’ section of the school, provided a platform for the special children from different schools in Delhi to be trained in creative activities including dance, art and craft, instrumental and vocal music, theatre, behaviour management and remedial teaching.

The children actively participated in all activities including drama and music. One of the major activities carried out in the workshop was art and craft. The children, depending on their abilities, were grouped into senior and junior sections.

The art and craft activities of the senior group comprised of canvas stitching, mirror painting, tile painting, gift-envelope making, gift-tag making. Similarly, for the junior group the activities included drawing, painting, collage, ice candy stick work, clay work, block printing, glitter work and finger printing.

NIIT launches study assistance programme

Students and parents at the launch of a study assistance programme developed by eGurucool.

NIIT has announced the launch of study assistance programme developed by eGurucool. These programmes will help students of Classes IX and X build a strong foundation in Science and Mathematics and excel in board exams.

The study assistance programme developed by eGurucool will be available at over 25 NIIT centres in and around the city.

A key attribute of this programme is its continuous testing and feedback mechanism for parents. Students will have to appear for a series of simulated tests at regular intervals for a performance analysis and feedback.

Personality development camp

A two-day kids camp was organised at Learners’ Castle, Hudson Lane. The camp involved the children in activities like dance, art and craft, aerobics, personality development and English conversation.

The students of the hobby classes gave a presentation of the skills they had acquired in the camp. A play titled ‘Goldilocks and the three Bears’ was staged by the children who were part of the English conversation and personality development activities. And students who were trained in the various dance forms performed what they had learnt at the camp.

Art and craft pieces were put on display and a fancy dress show was also organised. Students also took part in a recitation competition and each student was awarded a certificate of participation.

Summer Recreation Programme

Students of Children’s Valley stage a play based on a Panchatantra tale.

Ahlcon International School, Mayur Vihar, Phase I, organised a summer recreation programme ‘Fledgings 2003’ in the school campus. The month long camp had Ashley Lobo conducting dance classes, a workshop by Anant Theatre Group and a host of other activities. Around 100 students from the host school and from schools around the area participated in the camp.

The camp was seen as a means of bring out the latent potential of the students and also was a lesson in team spirit. Students put up a Jazz dance and a theatrical performance. The camp wrapped up with a valedictory function in which certificates were distributed to the participants.

Children beat the heat with a visual treat

The activity centre of Children’s Valley School organised a get together for the students and parents at the Hindi Bhavan. The event was titled, ‘Beat the heat with a visual treat’.

The programme began with the children performing the ‘surya namaskar’ and reciting the shlokas. The students also performed the dramatised version of ‘Jungle mein ek sher’ and ‘Wise Rabbits’, tales from the Panch atantra. Children aged between five and eight also participated in a fashion show.

Summer theatre workshop held

Sumermal Jan Public School, Janakpuri, organised a three-week summer theatre workshop for 33 students from various schools. The workshop was aimed at honing skills and overall development of the students.

The workshop included debates, cartoon making, essay writing, interviewing, script writing, sports and games. Certificates of participation were also distributed to the students.

Painting competition

Nine students of Creative Steps, a hobby school in Sector 9, Faridabad, have been felicitated by the Nehru Bal Samiti. The samiti had recently organised a painting competition on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the space mission of Russian astronaut, Valentina Tereskova.

The Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Delhi, co-sponsored the event. The students who won prizes included Puklit Anand, Vinamra Chaudhary, Tanish Kathuria, Shirin Lamba, Ginika Kathuria, Samantha Xavier, Apurva Sehgal, Reema Gosh and N C Jennifer.

Input by Bijendra Ahlawat

PRINCIPAL SPEAK
Healing oneself by overcoming negative attitude

As the mercury soars, most people find it difficult to cope with the intense heat and end up feeling sick. They are gripped with the fear of getting a sunstroke, drinking water or eating food outside which might upset the stomach and are racked with many such fears. Summer becomes the most hated time associated with illnesses.

No doubt our fears are somewhat justified but the fact is that more than the external factors it is our fears and negative approach which make one feel sapped out and sick.

All we need to do is get rid of these negative thoughts and prepare ourselves to face circumstances as they come. Mental and spiritual strengths are the greatest healers.

I read a story describing the curious death of Gem Gilbert, a British tennis star. She had died on the dentist’s chair, just as the dentist was about to extract her tooth. Years before when she was a small girl, she had accompanied her mother to the dentist. And a most unusual and tragic thing happened. The little girl, terrified, watched her mother die in the dentist’s chair. Gem carried the trauma in her mind for thirty years.

The fear was so real that she did not go to a dentist, no matter how badly she needed the treatment. However, there came a time when she had to get her tooth extracted as the pain was excruciating. She was compelled to visit the dentist. Her fears were so great that when she saw the dentist’s tools- she died. The writer of the news report remarked that Gem Gilbert had been killed by thirty years of thought.

This may be an extreme example of fear and negative thoughts largely responsible for many of our illnesses. We do damage to ourselves by sickness producing attitudes. It is common knowledge that most diseases are psychosomatic and the cure is in our minds. So, the most important method of restoring good health is to dry clean the mind of debilitating thoughts.

When we do something we like, we find that the aches and pain vanish only to return when the activity is over. This clearly indicates that it is mind that controls the body. There are times when our physical condition is beyond our control, but mental and spiritual strengths make us conquer our handicap.

I am reminded about the time I was bitterly complaining about my failing health. At that point, I saw a young man pass by whistling merrily. I noticed that he had only one hand. He obviously had to live with this fact but he had not let it affect his happiness, which so clearly glowed on his face. The man’s problem was not removed from him but he had solved it. His determination and a positive attitude towards life had made him rise above his handicap.

Health is directly related to the idea of wholeness and holiness. It is not difficult to fight external factors if you have the will power, which is the best and most effective medicine. Heat or cold- surely we can face them. Here are a few truths;

The greatest handicap: fear

The best day: today

The greatest mistake: giving up

The greatest comfort: work well done

The greatest feeling: happiness

Madhu Chandra,

Principal, Birla Vidya Niketan