ECHO E-NEWSLETTER (JUNE 2021-22)
Message From Trustee
“If the face of India has to change ever, it is possible only with proper and quality education being imparted to everyone without any discrimination”
Gajera institutions exemplify the fact that sky is not the limit in the pursuit of excellence. The aim of our schools is to promote a system of integral education in a congenial child-friendly environment that emphasizes the unity of all knowledge, synthesizes humanity and sciences and recognizes the fact that each child is unique. We believe that education should enable the students to soar high – morally socially and spiritually. We believe that our students need to learn that the secret of success and contentment lies in discovering one's own strengths as well as limitations. There is, therefore, every reason to place a renewed emphasis on the humanistic dimensions of education, enabling each person to grasp and appreciate the individuality of others, and to discover one's own self through an inner journey whose milestones are knowledge, introspection and humility. This should guide educational thinking in conjunction with other holistic objectives. At Gajera schools, priority is also given to the teaching of critical thinking skills such as reasoning and problem solving, to help our students develop the ability to reach sound conclusions based on observation and information. Our school curricula also allow our teachers the flexibility to adopt innovative methods to stimulate interest and attention among the students and develop in them an appreciation for the values of the past, the excitement of the present and the challenges of the future.
You would find a wealth of learning opportunities at Gajera schools and institutions of higher learning that would serve as an essential stepping stone to a fulfilling life and career.
The world is changing; it is getting more competitive and at the same time offering enormous opportunities to those who possess appropriate skills, the right attitude and an innovative mind.
Technology and innovation are going to be the key facilitators of success in future. Dream big, think big, experiment and be passionate in whatever you do. Challenge the norms, create new and make your identity. We all live in the age of instant results and quick fixes. Today, we can do most things at the click of a button- thanks to the digital revolution.
But what we must not forget is that success does not come this way. It cannot be achieved instantly. It only comes with sheer hard work, dedication pushing oneself beyond one’s capabilities, striving for excellence and making the best of opportunities. If you are passionate about something, then follow your passion and success will be yours.
Also, always remember that nothing stays forever – neither success nor failure. The only thing that is constant in life is change. We have to accept the changes and challenges of life and be mentally focused, strong and determined. Keep learning about new things, God has created infinite capacity in you, make use of it; handle adverse situations fearlessly, with courage. I remember Mahatma Gandhiji’s advice which holds great relevance even today: ‘live as if you were to die tomorrow but learn as if you were to live forever’ I am confident that if you cherish and live these values, you will go a long way and achieve success in all spheres of life!
Wishing you all the very best!
Message From Principal
Education is about awakening –Awakening to the power and beauty that lies within all of us.
To those who see with loving eyes, life is beautiful.
To those who speak with tender voices, life is peaceful.
To those who help with gentle hands, life is full.
And those who take life as a challenge, nothing can browbeat them to defeat. They will rise and shine no matter what. The continuity we have maintained in education in spite of the pandemic has proved it once again and the publication of this month’s newsletter, though a routine event, is another achievement. I call it an achievement because we have so many things to talk about activities and initiatives taken up this month. Talk shows and debates and are some of the new initiatives we have taken this month.
If you are wondering how we are doing talk shows, the new addition to our arsenal—the fully equipped, professional grade recording studio, has been set up to take another step into automating and digitizing teaching material by our educators. Another novel project we have taken up is podcasting in which our learners discuss different topics they like to share.
All these projects and activities, in spite of schools being online. We have never let our learners and parents feel that education has stopped. That is something we take pride in.
Our vision is to give the learners the all-round development including creativity, observation and knowledge empowerment leading to the generation of excellent, performing citizens with sterling character.
Our actions are born from our thoughts, our thoughts are the product of our values, and values come from our own belief system, if we believe life is miserable, we attract misery; if we believe life is beautiful, we attract happiness. We get what we focus on.
We, at GGS are committed to the improvement and growth of learners. We would like to see them soar to new heights and taste success in all their endeavors. We are convinced that the education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
I expect sincere cooperation from parents and guardians for the attainment of school’s objectives.
Integrated Learning
Date: 1st June 2021
Learn with Fun Resumes @GGS
Purpose: The school reopened virtually as per the set schedule.
After a much-needed break, learners of GGS returned to school with renewed vigour and energy. Educators welcomed them back with a short exchange of pleasantries and resumed where they had left off.
Date: 5th June 2021
Life Skill Classes
Purpose: Life skill classes are held regularly at school as part of its policy to help learners think independently and creatively. Deciding what ingredients to use and how to use them makes them self-reliant. According to WHO, life skills can be defined as “abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of every day.
GGS learners made a corn chart with Papad garnishing, Oreo Milk Shakes, mouth-watering Apple Doughnuts & instant bread cakes.
Date: 9th June 2021
Learning Backward Counting
Purpose: Activity-based learning is the process of learning by performing tasks or activities. As opposed to asking kids to simply listen and take notes, activity-based learning motivates learners to participate in their own learning experience via practical activities such as independent investigation and problem-solving.
Jr. KG. learners did this activity to understand how counting works and how subtracting a number decreases the value of a number. In the same activity, they understood how addition works & learned how to count backward through an activity called ‘Make a Caterpillar’ with paper.
Date: 28th June 2021
Recap-Revise-Remember!
Purpose: Revision reinforces learning. Without it, we retain only about ten percent of the information. Revising gives learners an opportunity to reflect on what they've written. Revising is closely tied to critical reading; in order to revise a piece conceptually, students must be able to reflect on whether their message matches their writing goal. That is the reason, the revision has been scheduled.
In view of the examination commencing in July, learners are busy revising lessons they’ve learned in the past few weeks. The revision is being done to strengthen and scaffold the learning they’ve acquired.
Inculcating Social & Moral Values
Date: 1st June 2021
World Milk Day
Purpose: The practice started in 2001 when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations established it to recognize the importance of milk as global food and celebrate the dairy sector.
The celebrations draw attention to the billion people who are directly or indirectly involved with its production. They also highlight the importance of milk for health and nutrition. Prep learners of the GGS celebrated World Milk Day on 1st June 2021. They added fun to the learning by having milk stick to their upper lip like a mustache when they drink it. The activity prompted learners to drink milk with eagerness.
Date: 1st June to 6th June 2021
Eco-Fest Program
Purpose: Undoing the missteps mankind took in its race for industrialization requires more than one day. Celebrating one day of the year as Environment Day does not serve the purpose it is intended for. To make learners realize the long time commitment needed to revive the environment, we celebrated Environment Day for over a week.
GGS celebrated this year’s environment day in a unique way by organizing activities like tree plantation, webinars, and workshops over a period of six days. The activities created awareness about how children can be a part of the conservation process and make the earth a greener and cooler planet.
Date: 3rd June 2021
World Bicycle Day
Purpose: The day was observed to create awareness about how cycling can reduce carbon emissions and help reverse global warming and climate change. Much of the gases is emitted by the mammoth number of personal vehicles we use. If at the personal level we can cut down on the use of vehicles, we may bring about a drastic change.
Learners of the school observed World Bicycle Day to revive interest in activities that help boost our health and fitness. The goal was to promote cycling as a habit that can not only improve health but also contribute to the reversal of climate change affecting the world.
Date: 5th June 2021
World Environment Day Celebration
Purpose: The purpose of World Environment Day is to spread awareness about the threat to the environment due to rising pollution levels and climate change. The first World Environment Day was observed in 1974, giving a global platform for inspiring positive change in the environment.
On this day GGS Learners were introduced to the history behind the celebration, India's participation in nature conservation, UN goals & also the theme of this year that is 'ecosystem restoration', all these were followed by tree plantation by learners at their home.
Date: 7th June 2021
World Food Safety Day: Wash and be Safe
Purpose: World Food Safety Day aims to spread awareness, detect and prevent food-borne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that every June 7 would be celebrated as World Food Safety Day. The observance is jointly facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Diseases are caused by germs and one of the major ways they enter our bodies is through the mouth as we eat. If dirty and unsafe food is eaten, our health will deteriorate.
To explain how they affect us, GGS organized the activities. All the learners of the school took part in different activities to celebrate World Safety Day on 7 June 2021. Demonstrations were made to show learners how unclean and unsafe unwashed food is. By dipping food in different solutions, the impurities and dirt were removed stressing the need to clean them before eating.
Date: 12th June 2021
World Anti-Child Labour Day: No Child should Work
Purpose: The Significance of the World Anti-Child Labour Day is to pay attention to the problem of child labour and to find ways to eradicate it. The day is used to spread awareness about the harmful mental and physical problems faced by children forced into child labour worldwide.
The talk show was organized to encourage young children to come up with solutions which may remove the need for poor families to send their children to work. On 12 June, grades 6th through 10th observed World Anti-Child Labour Day. They took part in online talk shows where they expressed their opinions about how to prevent child labour by improving the economic condition.
Date: 19th June 2021
World Reading Day
"Reading edifies the Mind, Heart & Soul"
Purpose: World Reading Day is an annual event aimed to encourage younger readers to love reading! Reading has been proven to keep our minds young, healthy and sharp, with studies showing that reading can even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. It also develops the imagination and allows us to dream and think in ways that we would have never been able to before.
This Day is an annual event that falls on the death anniversary of PN Panicker, the father of 'Library Movement in Kerala'.
However, in spite of the many gains reading has to offer, readership has come down with the smartphone taking over. We hope to reverse this trend among learners. On the occasion of World Book Day today, GGS launched a book reading club to motivate learners to read a book every week. Learners will choose a book and take turns reading it in the club. After the reading session, they will discuss the book in detail.
Date: 20th June 2021
Father’s Day Celebration
Purpose: Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to recognize the contribution that fathers and father figures make to their children's lives. This day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting. Although it is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide, many countries observe this day on the third Sunday in June. GGS customarily celebrates Father’s Day every year. This year was no different. Father's Day is not an original custom of India but is rather followed by the influence of the western world.
Learners of GGS prepared a video on account of Father’s Day on 20 June 2021. The day was celebrated to offer our gratitude and love to those men who help us fight challenges. A highlight of the celebration was Mr. Raju Patel, parent of our 6th grade learner Nachiket Patel, who paid his tribute to his fathers through a song. GGS learners celebrated this day very enthusiastically with their fathers getting engaged in various activities like presenting cards & gifts, singing songs, dancing with them & preparing the most delicious recipes for them.
Date: 21st June 2021
International Yoga Day Celebration
Purpose: June 21 is marked as the International Day for Yoga to celebrate the ancient Indian art of healthy living. Translating into “unity” from Sanskrit, Yoga intends to unite the body and mind to bring harmony. The Yoga session was done as part of the International celebrations taking part all over the world online. It was aimed at motivating learners, parents and educators alike to take care of their health and wellness.
All the educators and learners of the school virtually worked out together in a yoga session to mark the seventh International Day of Yoga. The session was conducted as part of the activities done to revive interest in one’s health and fitness.
Online School Competitions
Date: 23rd June 2021
Educationalist Competition for I to V Grade Learners
Purpose: The competition was held to train learners to speak in public. Public speaking, it is said is one of the biggest fear people have. Once this fear is conquered many doors to success open up. The competition was aimed at encouraging them to do better at this skill.
An Educationalist competition was held on 23 June for the learners of grades 1st to 5th on the topics, ‘Reading: A way to Increase a Child’s Love of Learning', and 'Competition at School Levels: A stepping stone for facing the realistic world'. Learners were allowed to choose a topic as per their liking.
Date: 25th June 2021
Making Big Picture with Home stuff Competition for Pre-primary Learners
Purpose: The competition was held to improve learners’ creativity, motor skills and innovation while making them learn vocabulary related to the kitchen and cooking.
Learners of the prep grade took part in an interesting yet creative competition in which they put together household objects to create big replicas of animals, insects, natural objects and even vehicles.
25th June 2021
Group Discussion competition
Purpose: Group discussion is one of the best ways to find leadership in a learner, and their ability to take initiative in a group. It is used in premier institutions like the IIMs to filter talent. GGS is setting up its learners by training them early in their lives to increase their chances of securing admission in prestigious institutions.
For the learners of grades 6th to 10th, a group discussion competition was held on 25 June. Learners discussed on UNSDGs a topic of vital interest and exchanged their views and opinions.
Virtual Educational Excursions
Date: 4th June 2021
Virtual Educational Excursion for Pre-primary Learners to Shivoham Greens Nursery
Purpose: The Excursion was organized to create awareness about the environment by telling them about the role played by plants and small insects, like bees, beetles, earthworms and birds. They learned how a garden is like a complete ecosystem and a living, breathing organism.
The Prep grader of the school went on a virtual visit to the Shivoham Greens Nursery as part of the Environmental Awareness drive started by the school on 4 June 2021. Learners were shown how to take care of the plants and how to identify them through their flowers and leaves.
Date: 10th June 2021
Virtual Educational Excursion to Organic Fruit Farm
Purpose: The visit was a part of the Green Education provided by the school. The subject has been integrated with the school's core curriculum in coherence with the seventeen UNSDGs for meaningful impact.
On 10 June learners of 1st through 5th were shown the video of a visit paid to an organic fruit farm by learners of the school, under the guidance of its mentors, held on the 2nd day of Eco-fest where they learned about how fruits and vegetables grown organically are healthier and tastier while being environment friendly at the same time. They learned that chemical fertilizers diminish the soil’s productivity over time, while organic farming increases its efficiency.
Date: 17th June 2021
Virtual Educational Excursion to Terrace Farming
Purpose: This Educational Excursion was a part of the Green Education learning offered in the school as an integral part of the curriculum. In this excursion, learners learn how to used advanced techniques to grow fruits and vegetables at home.
Learners of grades 6th through 10th paid a visit to a terrace farm as part of a virtual educational excursion. They learned how advanced farming techniques can be used to grow fruits and vegetables within a limited space.
Workshops & Webinars
Date: 14th June to 16th June 2021
Revive Your Spirit with Meditation & Yoga
Purpose: To have our learners understand and have a first-hand experience of the benefits of yoga, a three-day workshop on yoga was held at GGS under the guidance of expert yoga mentors Dr. Manisha Gupta, Ms. Shyamal Bhagwati and Mr. Mehul Keshwani. The sessions were held online involving all the learners and educators of the school. While one may practice these poses at home, doing them safely is of paramount importance. Do a move wrong, or push yourself beyond the limit, you may harm yourself instead of getting yourself a fit and agile body.
The experts guided us through all the details of a safe exercise regime, making our learners and educators want to do it more. If they do it right, they will definitely be healthier than before.
Learners' Corner
“Trees are the Lifeline”
Trees are a very important element of the earth. It can be said that trees are the lifeline of every living being because every living being, be it humans, animals, reptiles or any other organism; everyone is dependent on the trees. Trees are like the lungs of the earth. They are the assets that keep mother earth healthy. We get medicines, timber, wood, gum, fiber, rubber, latex, and so many other things from trees. They offer shadow and shelter not only to humans, but also give habitat to wildlife.
But nowadays, lots of trees are cut down and numbers of jungles are being cleaned just to fulfill the greed of human beings. As a result, there have been various threats that have affected the ecosystem and environment of the earth.
By observing all these issues and problems, We as learners should follow a few rules to save trees.
We can save trees from being cut down by using less paper.
Make space for reusable paper.
Use scrap paper for coloring, drawing, sketching, etc.
Use both sides of the paper.
Use cloth napkins.
Choose a reusable lunch box instead of a paper bag, complete with reusable containers, metal utensils, a cloth napkin and a reusable water bottle.
We can borrow the books from our elders, who had already read that book. We can even donate books in the library or to needy kids.
Do not present flower bouquets to your friends. Instead of that, give a potted plant and encourage them to grow plants.
Window boxes can be used to grow small flowering plants which also add to the beauty of your apartment.
It is our duty to plant more and more trees, and prevent trees from getting cut.
Trees are an integral part of the ecosystem and the survival of many living creatures depends on trees. We can engage ourselves in planting just one sapling and taking care of it. One tree, one learner can create a huge difference in saving our nature. If you see trees being cut down on the street, report them immediately to the concerned authorities.
-By Anwesha Anil Nirmal (Grade IV)
vivre la vie au maximum
Living Life to the Fullest
Bonjour à tous,
Tanze als würde dich niemand sehen, Liebe als wäre dein Herz nie gebrochen, Singe als würde dich niemand hören und Lebe als gäbe es kein Morgen!
Hello Everyone,
Dance like nobody sees you, Love like your Heart has never been broken, Sing like nobody hears you and Live like there's no Tomorrow!
-By Vani Rathod (Grade-I)
Educators' Corner
Science – A Part of Everyday Life
I am experiencing an immeasurable and overwhelming feeling of great happiness for being fortunate to present this message. I am proud to be a part of the GGS family. I am really enjoying GGS – the management, the principal and teachers’ support, the students, the conducive infrastructure – they all make for a positive teaching environment. A school is a place where students begin to learn lessons of life. As educators, we need to incorporate such activities that help the overall development of every child. Being a science teacher I introduce students to the scientific method, a series of techniques for acquiring new knowledge and correcting previous knowledge through observation, experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.
Science education prepares our students for an increasingly knowledge based economy and offers a broad pathway beyond the school. The critical thinking skills that science helps develop are not just important for students who want to pursue a career in science, but are essential in creating a well-informed and forward thinking society. Science is an essential element in daily life. Basic knowledge of science is mandatory for everyone as it makes our life easier and opens our minds in many ways. As science is completely based on facts and experiments, so it doesn’t change with time, basics always remain the same. Every new technology relied on science. Science and technology complement each other. Science deals with natural phenomena on the basis of facts and gives rise to new technology which makes our life easier. Science always promotes curiosity and asking questions. So the important thing is never stop questioning!!!!!! I conclude with the lines - ‘Science may set limits to knowledge but should not set limits to imagination. Keep your imagination high to get success in any field in your life.
-By Gurpreet Singh Nangala
Science Educator @GGS
Get up and Start!
Get up and start,
All the things have passed,
Now next is what will come,
And is the only thing that’s in
Your hand,
So get up and Start,
It’s not yet late,
You can make it,
You can win it,
So stop thinking,
And get up to win,
Get up to gain.
The hope is still there,
The hard work is the way
Don’t worry about the result,
And give your best,
You will do it,
You will win it,
As now you have got,
The time is yours,
And you are the winner.
-By Ms. Quri Patel
Gujarati Educator @GGS
Parents' Corner
Date: 25th June & 26th June 2021
Parent Educator Meet @GGS
Purpose: The PEM was held as part of the school’s policy of regular interactions with parents and learners. After a long break, the meeting was held face-to-face again.
PEM sounds like a routine event that is held every month at GGS. However, for us, it offers us with an opportunity to connect with the parents of our learners with whose career and education they have trusted us, and so we look forward to it every time we have one. Besides, since schools have been closed due to the prolonged lockdown, we have been eager to have contact with them and we could not let any opportunity go by unused. So we decided to have it offline and allotted slots for them to visit at different times for the smooth conduction of the meet, with proper sanitization and social distancing norms in place. This PEM, we met not to discuss any grades but just to see one another and discuss the coming 1st Unit Test. Right from the prep grades to the tenth, we had discussions on how to engage learners better.
Parents’ Feedback
My View for GGS
I would like to share my experience for the Gajera Global School – Pal as I have been associated with GGS from last six years. When I heard about the remaining subjects exam will be conducted online due to COVID 19 pandemic, then I thought about how it will be possible for such younger kids.
However, at the same time, GGS has already planned the online mode of study for next sessions and I think that was the big aerial view of GGS management which was didn’t understood by me. What I was worried about, was how the children will be settled with these online exams and the study will be carried on for the further sessions in online mode in this COVID 19 pandemic. Nevertheless, salute to all the educators whose great effort made success and of course the GGS management. Today the children are very well settled with the new normal and study going on nicely.
-By Raju Patel
Father of Nachiket Patel (Grade-VI) & Vedant Patel (Grade-II)
Articles By Parents
' चलो अब घर चलें '
महामारी लगी थी
घरों को भाग लिए थे सभी मज़दूर, कारीगर.
मशीनें बंद होने लग गई थीं शहर की सारी
उन्हीं से हाथ पाओं चलते रहते थे
वगर्ना ज़िन्दगी तो गाँव ही में बो के आए थे.
वो एकड़ और दो एकड़ ज़मीं, और पांच एकड़
कटाई और बुआई सब वहीं तो थी
ज्वारी, धान, मक्की, बाजरे सब.
वो बँटवारे, चचेरे और ममेरे भाइयों से
फ़साद नाले पे, परनालों पे झगड़े
लठैत अपने, कभी उनके.
वो नानी, दादी और दादू के मुक़दमे.
सगाई, शादियाँ, खलियान,
सूखा, बाढ़, हर बार आसमाँ बरसे न बरसे.
मरेंगे तो वहीं जा कर जहां पर ज़िंदगी है.
यहाँ तो जिस्म ला कर प्लग लगाए थे !
निकालें प्लग सभी ने,
‘ चलो अब घर चलें ‘ – और चल दिये सब,
मरेंगे तो वहीं जा कर जहां पर ज़िंदगी है !
– गुलज़ार
-By Neha Rathod
Mother of Krishna Rathod (Grade-VI)
Good Reads
Finding Junie Kim
-By Ellen Oh
Best Nerds Forever
-By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Connect
