Setu Shiksha Jyoti Kendra - ( Formal School)

Setu Marches                                                                 Autumn Edition        Volume  7  Sept.  2012

 Contents

1. Setu at Airtel Marathon

2. Volunteering by School Children

3. Blood Donation Camp

4. Health Checkup Camps

5. Corporate Volunteering

6. Setu Teachers Training Workshops

7. Road Safety Workshop

8. Events at Setu

9. Go Green Initiatives and Activities

10. Support By Lions Club Noida

11. Volunteers Speak

From the Editorial Desk:

Dear Friends,    

Setu moves forward with many activities and events being conducted at Setu centres with the help of volunteers from Corporates and Schools.

Volunteers play a vital role in the growth of a charitable organisation. They come up with their new ideas, new techniques and share their valuable experiences with these children and help them grow in their lives. They bring colours into the daily routine life of the school. Students also get attach to them and eagerly look forward for their visit.

I request all readers to take out time and visit any of our centres and volunteer for a day. I can assure you that it will give you an immense pleasure and satisfaction.

I dedicate this magazine to all those volunteers who visited us or who are planning to visit.

During the Quarter Setu laid its foot prints outside NCR and started projects in Pondicherry, Trichy and Bangalore. While the project In Pondicherry looks at Rehabilitation of Disabled Girls and Women, at Trichy we work with Skilling Young HIV Positive Widows  and at Bangalore on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Awareness.

I would also like to thank all our donors, volunteers and corporate connects for their support and trust in us which has enabled and encouraged us to move ahead with our objectives

It give me immense pleasure to present to you the Autumn Edition of Setu Marches. This news letter has evolved over the period of time and gives an insight into what we do at Setu. We have tried our best to capture the events and bring to you an update on what transpired doing the last few months.

Do give feedback and suggestions for improvement.  Happy Reading

 Cordially Yours     

Jyotsna Srivastava

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 Airtel Marathon  2012 : This year for the 4th consecutive time Setu participated in Airtel Marathon. The contingent was the largest ever with representation in both category - Great Delhi Run as well as the 21 km Half Marathon.  Our group consisting of fifty participants from Setu and Dell participated in the 6km Great Delhi Run, while 3 employees from Dell ran for Setu in the Half Marathon (21 kms).Students of senior classes along with teachers, office staff and few volunteers ran for Setu.  Not only for the students but for many of us it was great experience as we participated for the first time and this gave a feeling of belongingness and the spirit was high as we all shared a common cause.  It was a great day for all of us.

Mayoor School Volunteering Activity : On 19th July 2012 Fifteen students of Class VI along with their Maths Teacher from Mayoor School Noida visited Setu Shiksha Jyoti Kendra, Nithari and conducted a Maths activity in groups. The teacher covered geometrical shapes and different patterns made from that shapes. After that children were divided into groups and they made very interesting designs using geometrical shapes. Students from both the schools interacted and helped each other in the exercise which they enjoyed a   lot.

On 8th August 2012 ten students of class VII with their Science teacher came and interacted with Class VII students of SETU School. Science teacher conducted some simple experiments which created lot of interest among children.

Fourteen students of class 8th from Mayoor International School visited Setu on 22nd September. They were accompanied by their English teacher. Class 8th students from Setu participated enthusiastically in a two hour long activity.  

The interaction started with a round of introductions of all students followed by an activity on conversational skills, in which students wrote about themselves, their families, likes and dislikes and presented it in front of everyone.

The students from Mayoor did four small skits on the use of  models. The same four skits were also presented by students of Setu. Lastly all students played a game  'pass the parcel', with a twist. Each time a student was stuck with the 'parcel', he had to answer questions asked by the  other students. It was a Great Learning Experience for all.

Interschool activity with Cambridge School, Noida : From this academic year Setu children shall be visiting Cambridge School Noida for inter school activities. On 13th August 2012 students participated in collage making activity. Class III students participated and the theme was India and its heritage. Our students were appreciated by all students and their teachers. A group song activity in which class Vth students had participated was also conducted. They sang a patriotic song. They were confident in their performance.

On 1st Sept 2012 our children were sent for a Hindi quiz activity - “Bujho to jane. Our children went prepared with some quizzes which they asked Cambridge students and their teachers liked them so much that they had a special applaud for Setu children.

Independence Day : On 15th August 2012 we celebrated 66th Independence Day at all our centers. The day started at Salarpur Center were we have students in class Ist and IInd. Students performed few group songs and some individual performances were also there. At Nithari center we had flag hosting followed by national anthem. After that we had some performances from junior wing. Later the senior students along with teachers went to Dell for sports day. There we also had a kite making activity in which two students in the guidance of Dell volunteer made kites. This was a competitive activity. After that they had some games like marble and spoon race, three legged race and tug of war. At the end they had prize distribution ceremony. All children had a great fun as it turned out to be a sports day cum picnic.

Janmashtmi celebration at Nithari: This year we celebrated Krishna Janmastmi at our Nithari Center. The whole school participated with full enthusiasm. Nursery class students were dressed up like Radha and Krishna. Students with the help of activity teacher made model of Bal Krishna. The items used in making the “Jhanki” were all recycled material. The excitement among the students for this function was worth viewing. The function ended with “Dahi – Handi” event which everybody enjoyed.

Blood Donation Camps:  Setu as part of its Health Initiatives had organised blood donation camps in collaboration with Rotary Blood Bank Noida.During the Quarter July to September 2012 we organised 6 camp in different corporate like  RMSI, NIIT and Headstrong. The employees had shown great enthusiasm during the camp leading to donation of 381 units of blood.

Health Camp :  Eye Camp at Salarpur on 31st July 2012 On 31st July we had organised an eye camp with the support of Focal Point Sector- 18, Noida at Salarpur for our students and their parents. Total 46 people came for eye check up. Ten children were detected with low eye sight and recommended for treatment.

Go Green Project : The Environment team of our school is working hard on this project. Lots of initiatives have been taken to improve the school and its surroundings. The four R’s rules have been implemented - Refuse, Reduce, Responsibility, Recycle  by

- creating no plastic zone in school,

- conserving energy and natural resources,

- increasing plantation,

- spreading awareness among school staff and in the neighborhood

-  encouraging waste management.

This team has decided to fine people using polythene bags in school. All The students had taken a pledge On “Pledge Wall” to follow the rules made by the committee. They are trying to grow more and more plants in the school. Teachers are also supporting them by donating plants. Plastic bottles have been used to plant small plants.Near by drains are also cleaned twice a week on a regular basis. It’s a small initiative to motivate the villagers to keep their lane clean.

Launch of Road Safety Campaign : On 20th September 2012 ten students  of our students along with two teachers went to PVR for the launch of a program on Road Safety campaign. We were among the few schools who have the opportunity to attend an orientation session conducted by Cine Art on the issue of Road Safety, the first ever initiative to sensitize children on the subject.The function was graced by Honorable CM, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit and noted social activist & renowned classical dancer, Mallika Sarabhai.

Corporate Volunteering Visits:  During the Quarter July to Sept. a large no of Corporate Volunteers disseminated their valuable knowledge to and spent a lot of time in Activities with the children and students at Setu. Starting with a Blood donation Camp in July to IT Guest lectures, Sports events, Quiz and Cultural events along with the painting and decoration of the Setu School at Nithari.  We conducted 20 events which Involved more than 690 employees from Corporates like Dell, NIIT, Headstrong and Barclays Bank.

 While volunteers from Barclays helped in painting classes, lunch room and library and participated in IT Guest lectures and sports related activities Volunteers from Dell facilitated On 15th August our children went to Dell office along with their teachers to celebrate Independence Day, conducted classes on teachers day and interacted with our primary classes conducting some educational games, rhymes and story telling activities.

Teachers Motivation & Skill Programs  Some teachers of our school attended  seminar that was conducted at S.O.F school by Mrs. Manju Rai, on “Teaching methods for effective teaching”. The first session was conducted on 7th July and the second session that was the concluding part was held on 21st July. She discussed that learning to a child come in a stress free and pleasant atmosphere that a teacher can import through by

- increasing his status,

- thru certainty, thirdly,

- creating Autonomy in thinking,

- by relatedness in teaching and

- with fairness in judgment.

 In absence of these the child’s response will be negative towards the teacher. 

In the concluding session she taught us about multiple intelligence explaining that every child has one or two types of intelligence.She also discussed about the technique of teaching a student to find out solution of all problems through creative thinking.

Rewarding Tuition Centre children: This year in our tuition center students had shown improvement in their results. To keep their motivational level high they have been awarded by gift hampers.The hampers consisted of Dabur products along with some stationery items.  They were very happy on receiving the hampers.Thank You Dabur

IT Certification : On completion of IT Basic course 31 students received certificates from NIIT.  Students were accompanied by their parents.Small function was organised for them. They were given feed back on the course and also guidance for the future.

Sewing Certification : First batch of our sewing centre was completed successfully. All the ladies got certificate on completion of the course. This will help them in getting jobs in garment industry but most of them are interested in self-employment. The Certificates where jointly issued by Navaratan Foundation and Setu.

Support from Lions Club Noida : We are grateful to Lions club Noida for their support in organising musical instruments, benmeri and cricket kit. It was a long awaited wish list by school which was fulfilled by the them.  Thank You Lions Club

Meet Santosh Mathpal: Santosh is the Vice principal of the Setu Shiksha Jyoti Kendra Nithari. She lives with her husband and only son in Noida. Her husband works in a private company as Assistant Manager and son is in class VI. She joined Setu in June 2008 as a teacher. In last four years her involvement in school activities has been increasing day by day. She has shown dedication and sincerity in her performance. She feels that she has gained a lot after joining Setu. Workshops and trainings organised by Setu has helped her in growing.  Her confidence level has increased. According to her we should give our best to these children and they can do wonders in their lives. She emphasised on quality teacher as teachers are the main mentor in a child’s life. 

Rinki a young energetic teacher of KG class rejoined Setu in April 2012. She was with Setu in 2009 and went for study leave. She stays with her family in Noida. Her father is in a private job, mother is a house wife and brother works in a private company. She joined back because she says the management, the principal and all the teachers are very supportive. There is lot of scope for personal growth. Regular teachers workshops are organised for teacher’s personal growth. She takes full responsibility and work with full enthusiasm for the children. She is a keen learner. such is her involvement with her class that at times it is difficult to locate her as she herself becomes a part of them , behaving, living sitting as they do. Students are very attached to her.

Setu Students Speak 

 Chandrashekhar Bhagat, student of class III, is studying in this school since inception in 2008. He is sincere and an obedient child. His father Girish Chandra Bhagat, is a security guard in a private house and mother Mrs. Uma Devi works in a factory as a helper. He has three elder sisters and one younger brother. Her elder sisters are also supporting in family income. Eldest sister works in Vinayak hospital as