Literary Week Grades 2 to 5

Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad observed Literary Week with an array of activites through the week from 16th September to 20th September, 2019. Literary Week is observed each year to ignite and fuel interest in reading, creative writing, etc.

Grade 2

Grade 2, this year, explored a world of fairy tales, fables and folk tales. Besides being entertained, the children were exposed to a variety of different characters. Shattering the conventions, these little ones also wrote their own creative stories and poems and illustrated them beautifully.

The Literary Week was culminated with a ‘Cosplay’, where our little ones came in dressed as their favourite character. The performance was grand and lively with few handmade props for some vivacious characters. The corridor was filled with smiling faces and laughter, and, saw many characters come to life!

Grade 3

Celebrating Comics 

Grade 3 celebrated the Literary Week by exploring a new yet familiar genre of literary writing: Comics. Tied with the chapter Florence Nightingale, the students explored the form of comics beyond the text. A discussion on the relevance of comics in today's age sparked the conversation among peers - the responses ranged from comic as an easy to read medium of taking in information to its versatility as visual art. The children made their own comics illustrating stories about their pet, the latest supervillain Thanos and some even explored Panchtantra-esque themes. Well-illustrated and drafted, the comics were presented on the day of culmination in a learning walk among grades. Peer-learning was evidenced as children spoke to each other about panels, gutters, speech bubbles. The excitement in the air was palpable as our little authors and illustrators proudly presented their work. 

Grade 4

"The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke”

The crescendo was reached of the truly inspirational literary week where grade 4 exhibited the art of storytelling and grade 5 presented their poems. Throughout these 7 days, our children delved deep into the literary masterpieces- Kaabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore (Grade 4) and The Chimney Sweepers by William Blake (Grade 5).

The culmination started with an exhilarating storytelling session by the students of grade 4. It was a matter of joy to witness our 10-year-old children perform! They spoke fluently, with appropriate tone, intonation and voice modulation! All the characters came alive...the hunter, the grandma, Red Riding Hood, the wizard! 

Right after the performance, the poem gallery was inaugurated where the students presented the drafts through which the final bound book of poetry was brought together, piece by piece, after several drafts. After all, the journey was as important as the destination! The bound book of poems written by Grade 5 was presented to Ms. Wal. It will be available in the library soon. 

Grade 5

Literary week was celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm from 16 th to 20 th September. Grade 5 chose the theme of ‘poetry’ to kindle the love of poetry in young minds. The journey began with the understanding of ‘Chimney sweeper’, a poem by William Blake. Thereafter they composed poems on social issues. After a couple of drafts, the final poems were compiled into a poem book. Principal, ShivNadar School Faridabad, Ms. Anju Wal, inaugurated the poem book in the ‘poem café’ organized to culminate the literary week.

Global Climate Strike 2019

​​Why the strike?

The week of 20-27 September is historic! In over 150 countries across the globe, people are stepping up to support the school strike for climate, started by Ms. Greta Thunberg, a Swedish school in August 2018. Although this movement for climate change has been going on for years, such strikes for demanding change of systems were first seen in 2015, when an independent group of students decided to organize a climate strike in which over 50000 people participated.

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Since August 2018, Greta has been actively demanding change of rules and reduction of carbon emissions as per the Paris Agreement. On September 7 that year she declared that she will protest every Friday until Sweden aligns to the Paris Agreement.

Her efforts and speeches in various assemblies throughout last year has inspired a movement across the globe under the slogan ‘Fridays for Future’.

This September 20-27, the school strikers have demanded a strike across the globe, requesting professionals to walk out of work on Friday to demand action against climate change in their respective geographical locations.  

How did we contextualize it?

The children of middle and senior school participated in their own unique way.

Although protests in their traditional sense would have been an expression to show our solidarity with the movement, we at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad wanted to ensure that we do something that can be translated to daily lives of the students and adults in the school.

Primary

To support the mass protest, students came together and organised a climate strike. Our children were engaged in a week long discussion on the global climate movement. They were enlightened about the changes in the world climate and what steps or measures can be undertaken as students, to put an end to this state of emergency. The students shared their learnings, made posters and held a gathering in school to carry out the protest. They also took a pledge to take various steps to protect and respect the environment. All lights, fans, ACs and everything else using electricity were shut down in the Grade 2 classes for a duration of 40 minutes during the strike.

Children were very enthusiastic and supportive of the movement and thought of different ways in which they can leave a positive impact on the world.

Grades 6 and 7:

Grade 6 & 7 students participated together in a discussion titled: ‘Is climate change real?’

After sharing their views, they watched various videos evidencing the impact of global warming, including how it affects human health. Students were then told about carbon footprint. To understand their own individual impact on the climate, they calculated their own carbon footprints. Many of them were surprised to see their own footprint being double their own weight!

​It is important that the students this young realize the gravity of the climate emergency. Hence, they did various research in small groups using their iPads. The research topics covered trivial misconceptions like ‘Is the 2 degree increase very high?’ ‘How does 2 degree impact life?’

Followed by the research, they created a gallery walk and made each other, as well as the school staff aware about various impacts and how they can help on an individual level.

Grade 8 & 9:

Senior students of grades 8 and 9 shared that they have heard and read various articles and news talking about the climate change. However, they also expressed that they did not have any channels that talk about this as an emergency. ​ 

To understand the gravity of this issue and why the strikes were happening, they participated in a session, which took them through the purpose, made them aware of what is happening at the national and international level and reflect on individual actions. They used a small worksheet to understand how much impact they were creating on the global climate as an individual and were asked to extrapolate it to their families.

The students were also made aware of small individual changes they can make with their families to lessen their carbon footprints and reduce their individual impact on the environment.

What next?

Students took the day on 20th September to reflect, understand the emergency and work out ways to change course on individual actions to minimize their own negative impact on the environment.

We will not stop at a day full of discussions, all students of grade 6 & 7 will have subsequent sessions and discussions to know how they can help raise more awareness in their families and community.

The students of grades 8 & 9 are working together to find out ways in which they can make the school more sustainable. Grade 9 students have filed a petition to install a recycling machine in the school, that can help minimize the paper waste in an already ‘one-time plastic free’ campus.

They will also be doing a power audit of the school and understand the energy consumption and come up with ways to minimize the power budget.

The Student Council from grades 8 & 9 has also taken up the task of identifying the number of students who take personal vehicles to school and encourage everyone to car-pool or take the bus to minimize the carbon emissions while driving to school.

We are the World

Sharing with you all the cover of the song "We are the world", a collaborative work of our students, parents and teachers. Hope it brings a smile to your face and assurance to your heart that together we can face and overcome.

It's a collective effort of parents and teachers to keep the joy flowing and remain connected in good times and bad... 

From the Principal's Desk

When we closed school in March, we had a reasonable belief, like many others that we will return to our physical building in June sometime. That has not happened but what has happened is a tremendous amount of upskilling and relearning by all educators in the system.

The Shiv Nadar School leadership has met more frequently than ever before to take stock of the situation and strengthen our collective vision to ensure that the Standard and Quality of Shiv Nadar School Education will remain uncompromised.

This one hiccup year in the legacy of our school, is just that, a hiccup.

I promise you that we are here to re imagine school education, even before Covid-19, and build tenacious, robust children, with lifelong learning skills, adaptability, emotional resilience and a combativeness that will stand the test of time.

To find the synergy between technology, curriculum and pedagogy has been our key area of focus in these past weeks. Much of the training has centred around striking that harmony in teaching online. 

As we progress ahead, I would like you to notice the connected learning thread that we weave across different subjects so our children can make real time connections, make meaning of the body of knowledge and process concepts, experiences, online discussions and more.

Our People, Our Strength

Turbulent times test the bedrock of relationships. I would like to share with you that in our institution each one works doggedly with an unflinching assurance that their jobs are safe. 

No one has been dismissed or sent away on half salary, leave without pay and such like, which is the trend of the times at present. We are flowing against the tide because to flow with it, is radically against our values and ethics. 

On Another Note

The entire Faridabad team raised money to provide dry rations to our 130 strong support staff, the bhaiyyas, didis, conductors, guards, janitors and more. I attach a few pictures in case you missed seeing them. We plan to support them for the next 3 months, each one of those families and then see how to raise more money to take it till the end of the year for sure.

We are the World 

I hope you enjoyed the symphony of over a 100 children, teachers and parents singing the iconic song together. In case you haven't heard this in house production of Faridabad School, its time you did. It will fill you up with surging optimism and love.

Hiring for Talent 

I have inducted more than 20 teachers in the Faridabad team, in the recent weeks, all talented, competent and aligned to our philosophy. This trend to hire is clearly different, you would agree. But we believe that great teachers make great learners. And we will make no compromise to continue to provide the cutting edge education to our children in these unprecedented times. 

Technology

The Institution has made massive investment in upgrading the technological frontiers of the school. Veracross, is one example of the same. This deep and incredible learning Management System is now embedded across grades 1 to 10. It will soon be populated in Early Years too. The pathway to understand and use it will be steady and staggered and we will keep you informed of the continued progress and availability of new functions. 

Webinar on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Parents

We launched our first in the series of the said webinar on Thursday,4th June. Parents of grades 7 to 10 were the invitees and we addressed several questions on how to cope with the stress, children's whimsical behaviour, family and work pressures and such like. The panellists comprised, Manisha Massey, our senior school counsellor, Mamta Sharma, our parent and certified psychologist, and myself.  

Or next is in the series is round the bend and we will let you know of the date and the year group. Our plan is to cover all age groups and offer this opportunity to all parents.

Assessments in Middle School

We conducted our first marked assessments with the novel use of technology for grades 6 to 10 before the summer break. The children did us proud. I believe when we assume the best intentions of people they rise to their best. Our children conducted themselves with honesty and sincerity to do the tests remotely. My gratitude to all the parents too who were our co invigilators in this process.

My Conversations with You

I have met almost 500 parents in the last 2 weeks. It was wonderful for me to see you and converse with you. I do hope that you felt equally good to connect and hear what we are doing and thinking. I certainly will meet all our parents in the days to come. It is my fortune to see the tremendous attendance for our conversations. Let’s keep it going.

Online Classes Resume Today (15h June)

 As we stand at the intersection of uncertainty and strong resolve, we are luminously clear that a shut school building will not shut out the learning of our children. If anything, it will only incrementally raise it to adapt to phenomenal change, increase the reservoir of empathy and compassion in their hearts and embrace reimagined processes, skills and knowledge.

Enjoy the Experience. Feel free to connect with me to share your thoughts.

Stay Safe Stay healthy and Stay Indoors as we fight this together.

Best Regards  

Anju Wal

Principal

Shiv Nadar School

Faridabad

Finland Embassy Sustainability workshops

4 students of Grade 7 Agastya Iyer, Kashvi Dewan, Yashvi Midha and Krishiv Khatri attended a workshop conducted by Embassy of Finland on 15th October 2019. The workshop focused on the 17 SDGs and how the young students of the schools can participate in bringing about a sustainable change. The 23 students from 6 schools across NCR participating in the workshop were chosen on the basis on the papers they wrote based on the SDGs. The experts shared Finland’s success in achieving multiple SDGs and how they have managed to have a sustained growth without harming the environment. The students also learnt about Circular Economy Roadmap and also discussed the necessity of having Circular Economy classes in the school. The experts also discussed the need for Citizens involvement is achieving success in the implementation of SDGs. The students worked on ways of measuring their Carbon footprints and how to reduce the same. All the participants ended the session after presenting the measures they can take in the school to bring down the plastic waste. They later planted a tree in the embassy campus marking their visit and as a reminder of their pledge towards the environment and the earth.