ECHO E-NEWSLETTER (MAY 2021-22)
Updated: Jun 7, 2021
INDEX
1. Message From Trustee 2. Message From Principal 3. Integrated Learning 4. Project Made By Learners5. Inculcating Social & Moral Values& Moral Values 6. Workshops & Webinars& Webinars 7. Learners' Corner 8. Educators' Corner 9. Parents' Corner 10. Good Reads 11. ConnectMessage From Trustee
Today, the role of a school is not only to pursue academic excellence but also to motivate and empower its students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and productive members of an ever-changing global society. More than a decade back Gajera pledged to transform education. The school that is being run under the aegis of well-established Management “Gajera Trust” has earned its niche not only in Surat but across Gujarat. At Gajera we provide an atmosphere to our students for multifaceted development, where children are encouraged to channelize their potential in the pursuit of excellence. This can only be possible in a holistic, student-centric environment. The talents, skills, and abilities of each student need to be identified, nurtured and encouraged so that he/she can reach greater heights. Learners need to be provided with a platform to think, express, and exhibit their skills. It is necessary to empower them to negotiate several issues that confront them, with the teacher being a facilitator. To empower all the inherited skills in our learners, we have a complete setup under the banner of “Sunita’s Makerspace”, where our learners get an opportunity to enhance their skills.
The school is striving hard to make the best possible efforts to inculcate strong values combining with academics and extra-curricular activities in the learners. Converting every individual into a self-reliant and independent citizen, the school provides an amalgam of scholastic and co-scholastic activities.
No wonder, a learner harnessed in such an atmosphere has every hope and possibility of becoming a responsible, balanced, and mature adult and can live in to contribute and to shoulder responsibilities of the society, of which he forms an integral part. Learners need a supportive environment at home and school. They need to set goals, within their reach until they gain confidence and determination. They should reexamine their priorities, set clear goals, and make specific plans to achieve what they desire. Focusing on specific goals, helps them move forward purposefully in life. They would, thus, have the pleasure of watching their dreams into reality.
At Gajera our approach to learning is child-centric encouraging Activity based learning and inculcating a scientific temper and a spirit of free inquiry. In our curriculum, the learner is the primary focus and each child is involved in the learning process. We are constantly improving our teaching methodology even in these times of covid pandemic when the entire learning is conducted online so that it turns learning into a combination of blended learning, research, and scientific discovery.
While academic excellence is our major thrust, the school is also devoted to prepare the students for life, groom them to face the challenges of tomorrow, and encourage them to be socially relevant. We constantly endeavor to always live up to this ideology and inculcate this into everything we do, with the aim that we will be able to ensure that the children grow to their full potential, while constantly being groomed to pass out as men and women competent to bear responsibility in all walks of life.
Let’s not get paranoid about the coronavirus pandemic, just follow the due precaution and take very good care of yourself and those around you. There is a strong ray of hope guiding us to find a way out of the present crisis. We will be out of this Pandemic for sure.
Let us not get demotivated with the current global crisis which can lead to stress and anxiety but hope and positivity mustn’t be lost keeping yourself, family, and friend’s positive during these distressing times is very important.
The parents are the most strengthening power in molding the future of children. Their consistent support empowers us to do more and more. I pay my gratitude to them for their faith in us.
I am confident enough that the Gajerians will make themselves stronger day by day, adding a new leaf to the grandeur of the school.
Message From Principal
Welcome to a new academic year. Hope everybody had a restful break and enjoyed a holiday period. As a 21st century, the school desires to set an approach to learning that incorporates inquiry, research, analytical thinking and an ethical approach that becomes a lifetime habit. The learners are helped to focus on confidence building, while nurturing a strong sense of social and environmental responsibility through academic and co-curricular activities as we believe, like Paul “Bear” Bryant that, “It is not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference”.
With the shift to the online platform, the learning modules of our Leadership Curriculum have also been modified to focus on the emotional quotient of our learners. We can't stand together physically. But our thoughts can be united. So, let's fight together digitally hand in hand, against this pandemic. This is new territory for all of us, let’s work hard “getting through this challenge together.” Stay indoors and stay safe, stay positive.
In our curriculum, the learners are the primary focus and each child is involved in the learning process. We are constantly improving our teaching methodology so that it turns learning into a combination of classroom study, research and scientific discovery.
Creativity and Innovation have always been an integral part of our ethos. It helps build competencies that will enable our learners to survive and thrive in this uncertain world. The world has never been more uncertain than it is now and the creativity and innovation displayed by our learners and facilitators cements our ethos.
We enjoy celebrating successes and acknowledge the hard work of staff, learners and community and believe this is one of the contributors fundamental to a happy school environment.
We dedicate ourselves as professional administrators in creating a dynamic education program empowering the students in a global perspective.
We are a group of diverse experiences and outlooks, committed to excellence in preparing learners for enriched opportunities worldwide. We believe in shaping the academic success for all learners. Learning at Gajera Global School is a wholesome package of new challenges and opportunities.
Integrated Learning
Date: 7th May 2021
Productive & Innovative Learning Methodologies
Purpose: Written communication starts with learning the symbols that represent the sounds we produce. Without knowing these symbols like the back of our hand, we are as good as animals. To make learning these symbols easy, the block game was played in class.
First graders of the school learned the Gujarati alphabet by playing block games and using sand and salt as media to write on. These media replaced the traditional pen and pencil method and added an element of fun to the whole exercise, making learning more effective.
Date: 7th May 2021
Life Skill Classes
Change the Dough: Culinary Creativity
Purpose: The activity was done to show learners how small tweaks can bring in a world of difference in the kitchen. With finding ingredients becoming difficult, people learned how to make do with whatever they could get their hands on, inducing them to be more creative when it comes to culinary skills.
Learners of grades 1st to 4th learned how to make khakhra pizza, instant cake and dalgona coffee in the life skill class today. Learners used khakhras as unconventional bases for pizzas and used bread to make an instant cake. Dalgona coffee has been a rage since the lockdown started with people giving vent to their creative surges.
Date: 15th May to 31st May 2021
Creative Summer Assignment by GGS Learners
"Lend a Hand : Make the World a Better Place"
Purpose: The summer assignment this year was designed to keep children away from the screen as they already do so due to the online classes. With this in mind, learners were asked to help and create so that they could be away from the screen.
Summer assignments started pouring in from learners from 15th May 2021 in which they helped their parents with their household chores, some made bird-feeders while some others started a garden in their balconies. Book reviews also were sent by a few learners. By doing this activity they were taught practically how to show gratitude towards their parents and mother nature.
Date: 24th May to 31st May 2021
Back to Basics: Remedial Classes
Purpose: The classes were held in view of the need to have a sound foundation in one’s mother tongue. It is said that efficiency in one’s mother tongue can facilitate the understanding and learning of a foreign language better and faster.
Special remedial classes on Hindi and Gujarati subjects were held Virtually for GGS learners of grades 1st to 5th. The sessions were held online by Ms. Uma Raval & Ms. Quri Patel for Gujarati and by Ms. Anju Singh for Hindi.
Project Made by Learners
Scratch Programming:
Saket Merai of 7th grade coded a game using scratch programming and coding. The project was a part of the school’s policy of project-based learning. Through the project, the learner has motivated other learners to take up similar projects.
Water Purification Science Experiment:
Akshita Patel of 5th grade showed viewers how to purify water using commonly available objects such as sand, pebbles and charcoal. These purifying objects, if used, in shower taps, can help protect our skin and hair.
Inculcating Social & Moral Values
Date: 2nd May 2021
Beat The Blues With Our Young Stand Up Comedians
Purpose: The day was celebrated to stress the need of humor in life to keep depression and negative thoughts at bay. They say that the more we laugh, the healthier we are.
Learners of the school invited all to have a good laugh for a healthy body and healthy mind.
Learners of the school had a fun time doing stand-up comedies and telling jokes on World Laughter Day on 2nd May 2021.
Date: 4th May 2021
International Firefighters' Day
Purpose: The day was celebrated to recall the sacrifice by firefighters who dare the most dangerous element of all—fire. The learners reminded us of the services these brave men and women render for our safety.
Prep learners of GGS celebrated International Firefighters’ day today to pay a tribute to those countless brave hearts who literally jump into the fire to save others. They dressed up as firefighters while attending online classes.
Date: 7th May 2021
World Athletics Day
Purpose: The purpose of World Athletics Day is to always promote the culture of the sports among the students since their childhood. With performances here, they can give results in big events like the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian games, etc.
World Athletics Day was first celebrated back in 1996 where it was launched by the then-president of the Federation, Primo Nebiolo. The day was celebrated to recall the pain and sweat athletes shed to make a mark on the track. They showed their gratitude for doing India proud.
All the learners of GGS celebrated World Athletics day on 7th May 2021 by recalling and remembering the contribution of athletes to the pride and glory of the country. They also enjoyed the Quiz Session held on that day & added many new things to their knowledge.
Date: 9th May 2021
Mother's Day Celebration @GGS
Purpose: The day is celebrated all over the world as a tribute to all the mothers who shower their unconditional love on their children.
Celebration of the day throws light on the beautiful relationship one may have with another person. Learners of GGS celebrated Mother’s Day by dancing with them on camera. They later shared the videos which were published on social media. As part of the celebration, learners helped their mothers with their daily chores, made cards and spent some quality time with them by asking them about their childhood. Some of them prepared delicious cakes for their mothers.
Date: 13th May 2021
Virtual Ramazan Eid Celebration @GGS
Purpose: Eid was celebrated to make learners understand India’s rich cultural diversity. Our culture is based on the foundation of respect for diversity.
If learners learn it at a young age, much of the religious tensions would die down.
All the learners of the school celebrated Eid after the thirty-day fasting ended on 13th May 2021. Learners learned how fasting can benefit the mind and the body by expelling the toxins out of our system. PPTs were presented by learners showing the history and cultural practices of Muslims all over the world.
Workshops & Webinars
Date: 24th May to 28th May 2021
Learn-Unlearn-Relearn
Educators Development Programs at GGS
Purpose: The program was launched to equip educators with the necessary skill and updated knowledge in view of the current changes in education brought about by the lock-down.
As part of the school’s commitment to educators' improvement, Four days, subject-specific online Educators Development and motivational programs were started on 24th May till 28th May 2021. For educators too, teaching needs to be as instinctive as a martial artist or the dancer or the athlete. To that end, They need only one thing, train, train and train. To have the educators learn, unlearn and relearn, GGS organized training programs at trust level for them. They interacted with experts about the best practices and picked up newer and better tips and tricks suitable for twenty-first-century learners. The experts discussed a few interactive software that can facilitate learning in the online environment.
However, continuous training programs like this will definitely equip educators with the requisite skills and knowledge.
Date: 28th May 2021
Workshop For Parents "Embrace the New Age"
Purpose: The webinar aimed to de-stress parents about their children’s careers. Nowadays, helicopter parenting has made children’s life more stressful. Our need to see children as successful makes us forget that they need space. The workshop gave practical tips on how to stop being over-enthusiastic.
‘Let go’—this is the gist of the message conveyed by Ms. Mridul Jain in the webinar on 28 May 2021. As parents, we need to let go of our urge to control our children’s careers, we need to stop telling what to think and how to do something. The workshop was for parents who have learners studying in grades 1st through 10th. The speakers reminded parents of healthy and effective parenting habits. Speakers shared activities and tips that were used effectively, which may help them relieve themselves of their anxiety to see their learners succeed. Hopefully, the webinars have had their necessary impact and will keep parents from prompting their wards to do better during online sessions.
Date: 29th May 2021
A Webinar on "Love is Powerful Vitamin"
Purpose: The webinar sought to help parents of young learners cope with the extra work brought about by the need for online classes.
The central idea was to tell parents to relax and let things take their own course. For parents of prep learners, the last one and a half year have been as challenging as for educators. When their wards sit down in front of the screen for the school day, they also need to be with them along with educators, stretching the already packed schedule.
Learners' Corner
Date: 8th May 2021
Give Peace a Chance
Purpose: The day was celebrated to drive home the urgent need for world peace at the time. At present, the world is under dire straits, and having a steely resolve to keep fear and depression out has become all the more imperative. Meditation and prayers are two of the ways with which we may find inner peace. To help all achieve a calm mind learners prayed together for world peace.
Long back, John Lennon wanted us to ‘give peace a chance. While we haven’t been able to ‘Imagine’ the world he conceived, we need to keep trying incessantly. It may lead us there one day. Learners of all the grades of the school did their part in praying for world peace by singing "tamso ma sadgamaya" (remove darkness) on camera. The videos were later shared on social media.
Date: 11th May 2021
Virtual Farewell Party for Grade X Learners
Purpose: The program was held to bid farewell as is customarily done every year.
On 11th May 2021, the 2020-21 batch of 10th graders were given a virtual farewell,
Wishing them luck for the coming years. Games, songs, and videos showing snippets of learners during their time at school were highlights of the program. This year’s farewell would go down in history as unique as the board exams were canceled and learners were promoted based on their past performance.
Articles By Learners
"Gardening Artistry"- Container gardens let you grow food in a small space
Growing your own food doesn’t require a big yard. Container gardening is a way for you to make the most out of limited outdoor space and grow vegetables and herbs that are found in most kitchens.
Gary Pilarchik of Glenelg, Maryland, runs a YouTube channel called “The Rusted Garden” (youtube.com/user/pilarchik), which has more than 500,000 subscribers. “I personally think it’s really important that you learn some skills to be more self-sufficient,” he said.
He adds that many people don’t know how their favorite foods are grown. For example, “a lot of people don’t know that radishes come out of the ground, not on vines,” Pilarchik said.
Container gardening starts with picking a pot of the correct size, he said. “A common mistake people make is they have too small of a pot for a mature-size plant,” he said.
If you want to grow one cherry tomato plant or a green bean plant, a five-gallon pot is big enough. However, if you want to grow two of the tomato plants, a 10-gallon pot is necessary.
The type of pot is important, too. A pot made of fabric material will drain water on its own. “Basically [plants] need oxygen,” Pilarchik explains. “You don’t want wherever you’re planting to fill up with water — that can damage the plant roots.” If you get a non-fabric pot, ask an adult to drill or puncture a couple of small holes on the side or bottom for drainage. You can buy seeds to plant. Or you can buy a “transplant,” which involves getting a tomato plant, for example, that has already grown two inches and planting it in your container.
For soil, any type of mix named “container” or “potting” can be used.
Pilarchik recommends watering most plants several times a week. “Because if they dry out just once, it damages the root system,” he said. If you touch the soil and you don’t feel the moisture on your finger, it’s time to water the plant.
Plants also need nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus to grow. Once every two weeks, Pilarchik recommends mixing in a water-soluble (meaning it can dissolve in water) fertilizer with the water you’re going to give your plants.
And you shouldn’t forget about sunlight. Plants “need eight hours of sun. And that’s full sun — directly coming down on and contacting,” Pilarchik said.
Place your plant where you think it will get the best direct sunlight. That could be the steps by your front door or on a balcony.
An organization called Cultivate the City in Northeast Washington offers support for new gardeners through its rooftop garden center, H Street Farms. Founder of 'Cultivate the City' Mr. Niraj Ray said the organization wants to help city residents grow plants.
“We’re always just thinking about what are the different things that we’re growing and how can we make that more accessible and more understandable to more people, so they can grow better,” Ray said.
H Street Farms has weekly classes that kids can attend. There is also a monthly class on container gardening. Ray said gardening is about becoming self-sufficient. “We grow up in a very consumerist where we’re taught we need to buy everything,” he said.
“I think growing plants and growing food is a really easy way to create something of value, out of absolutely nothing” Ray added.
-By Krisha Devani (Grade-VI)
GGS Learner
IF!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master;
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except for the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
-By Ashutosh Sen (Grade-VI)
GGS Learner
Educators' Corner
Date: 22nd May to 28th May 2021
Educators Development Program
Purpose: The training was a part of the school’s policy of continuous improvement for educators.
Educators of the school attended online sessions as on organized by the CBSE. The topics of the training sessions ranged from managing classrooms in a virtual environment to using online software effectively for better engagement.
Articles By Educators
Thank You, God
A newly arrived soul in heaven met St. Peter. The Saint offered to take the soul on a tour of Heaven. He stopped in front of a large workroom and said, “This is the Receiving Section. Here, all prayers petitions sent to God are received”. The soul looked at the section and found it terribly busy with many angels sorting out petitions from people from all over the world.
They walked over to the next section. St. Peter told the soul, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here graces and blessings are packed and delivered to persons who asked for them down on Earth.” Many angels were working in this room since so many blessings were being packed and delivered to people on Earth.
Finally, at the farthest end of the corridor, the soul stopped at the last section. Only one angel was sitting idle. “This is the Acknowledgement Section,” St. Peter told the soul. “How is it that, there is no work here?” “That’s the sad thing,” St.Peter answered. “After people receive the blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments.” “How does one acknowledge God's blessings?” asked the soul, “Simple,” St. Peter answered.
“Just say, Thank You, God!”-By Ms. Ichchha Tiwari
English Educator @GGS
"माँ-सृष्टि की अनमोल रचना"
माँ सृष्टि की अनमोल रचना है तू,
सपनों में आने-जाने का सिलसिला,
पुराना हो गया,
कभी यूँ ही दर्शन दे जाया करो माँ।
माना कि मैं दुनिया की नजरों में,
बड़ा हो गया हूँ,
पर अभी भी मैं तो वही,
तेरा नन्हा सा गुड्डा हूँ माँ।
सब कुछ तो मिल जाता है,
पर तेरे जैसा निश्छल प्रेम,
कहाँ से पाऊँ माँ।
मैं जानता हूँ,
तू इस दुनिया से दूर,
बहुत दूर चली गई है माँ।
फिर भी जब प्रेम का,
अहसास होता है,
तो सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़,
तेरे प्रेम का ही होता है माँ।
प्रेम की शीतल छाया,
के लिए तड़प रहा हूँ,
तू कब तृप्त करेगी माँ।
ज़िन्दगी के इतने अरसे बीत गए,
इस भागमभाग की दुनिया में,
जितना तू मुझे जानती थी,
उतना मैं खुद से परिचित,
नहीं हो पाया हूँ माँ।
प्रेम की कृपादृष्टि माँगता हूँ,
मुझे भी अपने आगोश में समा ले माँ।।
-By Mr. Jagdish Prashad Dhobi
Hindi Educator @GGS
Parents' Corner
Date: 1st May 2021
Virtual Parent-Educator Meet @GGS
Purpose: The virtual meeting was held as part of the schedule. With the new academic year starting, the school informed parents of how to keep their wards on the learning track. A virtual parent-educator meet was held today in which parents were informed of their wards’ progress until now. They also discussed strategies and plans to keep learning on track. This being the first PEM of the year, the meeting lay more stress on planning.
Date: 17th May 2021
Academic Virtual Discourse Between Trustee & Parents
Purpose: GGS likes to keep an ear to the ground. That’s why parent-educator meets are regularly held to feel their pulse. The meeting on 17th May was an extension of the school’s efforts to know our parents better.
Banks do a KYC. GGS as a school does a KYP, Know Your Parents, every now and then to discuss ways and means of improvement and to devise better strategies to impart education to 21st-century learners. Our Trustee Ms. Kinjal Chunibhai Gajera had an online meeting with parents and shared opinions on various pedagogical methods.
In the meeting, parents expressed their gratitude for what we did last year. Their words of appreciation have always motivated us. Yesterday too, their kind words gave us the impetus to do better this year. Also, looking at the enthusiasm for learning, we could not have been happier. Of course, with things as they are now, we may not be able to start classes offline, but our daily association online will go on as usual in a better way.
Parents’ Feedback
GGS has done a great job of making learning fun and incidental. Their project-centric and competency-based approach has made learning interesting for learners of all grades. I appreciate their unique teaching-learning pedagogy.
Thank you team GGS.
-By Ms. Manisha Pandey
Mother of Agrani Pandey (Grade-II)
Apart from keeping academics going on as usual despite the pandemic, GGS has seen to it that co-curricular activities also go on as usual. Our children now know how to edit videos, write books, publish them, and do presentations like a pro.
Heartly thanking the whole team of GGS for their valuable support.
-By Ms. Bansari Ribadia
Mother of Heer Ribadia (Grade-VI)
Articles By Parents
Secrets to Encourage Responsible Use of the Internet
Children are increasingly using the Internet for schoolwork, research, communicating through e-mail and live chat, downloading information like music files, and streamlining video. As technology progresses and children find even more need to use the Internet, parents must develop clear-cut and consistent rules while children are online.
Establishing these rules can be quite a challenge for many parents. Since most children over the age of 10 or 11 probably know more about the Internet than mom or dad, it's imperative that parents continue to absorb what's available to children and communicate and teach responsibility while spending time online.
Many parents want to rely solely on content filtering software or kid-safe Web sites, but many times this is just not enough. As children grow with the ever-changing online landscape, parents must make sure children are prepared to handle the content increasingly available to them.
Here are five secrets parents can use to encourage safe and responsible use of the Internet:
Place your family's computer in a room in the house that is centrally located and easy for parents to walk by to monitor or participate in what a child is viewing. It is recommended not to let a child have a computer in his/her room or behind closed doors. This will only contribute to a child's false sense of security while online and hinder parents' efforts to stay involved in what children are doing while using the computer.
Limit the amount of time a child spends online. Like any other activity, using the Internet should be done in moderation and not interfere with other healthy activities for children. Once a child chooses to spend time online rather than interacting with other children face-to-face, or his/her other interests seem to always come second to the computer, then it may be time to review with the child how important is to show moderation while enjoying the Internet.
Spend time with children online. Get involved with a child's interests on the Internet. If a child is chatting with friends, e-mailing jokes back and forth, or playing online games, a parent must keep up to date on the various goings-on. Sit down next to the child and observe what they are using the computer for. Parents need to help children explore the Internet's vast resources and educate them (and themselves) on what the Internet has to offer. Surfing the Internet with a child or establishing a joint e-mail account between parent and child will also help parents stay in touch.
Monitor what your children are doing and where they are going while online. This can be the trickiest of challenges for parents, but it is so vital to make sure children do not stray into areas of the Internet that contain inappropriate (even harmful) material. If a child strays from pre-designated safe Web sites, parents should use healthy parenting skills such as reinforcing agreed-upon parameters (even taking away online privileges as a consequence of not following rules).
Set up a "responsible use contract" between parents and children. Using e-mail, surfing the Web, and downloading files are all children's activities while connected to the Internet. Parents need to make agreements with children on their responsible behavior while using the internet. By establishing the rules of responsible use early, there should be no confusion as to what is considered responsible and safe use of the Internet.
-By Ms. Hiral Dave
Mother of Rudra Dave (Grade-V)
Good Reads
A Letter From Your Teacher:
On The First Day of The School
-By Shenon Olsen
Bear Bottom
-By Stuart Gibbs
Connect
