The Junior Journal: Vol II MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER OF SALWAN JUNIOR SCHOOL (July 2023)

"All dreams come true, if one has the courage to pursue them."

Dear Readers,

Every year, SJS comes up with something unique and creative to foster the young minds with curiosity, innovation and critical thinking. "The Junior Journal" is another unique feature of the school which aims to showcase and celebrate the exceptional events and achievements of the students learning at SJS, Naraina. The publication is released on a monthly basis, providing a comprehensive overview of the notable accomplishments, events and projects undertaken by the learners in a month, within our educational community. This monthly journal will serve as a platform to recognize and applaud the outstanding efforts of the students.

Stay tuned every month to witness, discover and explore the remarkable talents and accomplishments of the learners at SJS with deep and meaningful learning experiences which are curated keeping in mind the skills, attitudes and beliefs of the children at this age.

Happy Reading!

GLIMPSES OF THE EVENTS IN THE MONTH OF JULY 2023

WELCOMING THE LEARNERS AFTER VACATIONS

"Embrace the joy of learning in school day by day."

After the empathetic and refreshed summer break, the students were welcomed in the school with a captivating Puppet Show on Monday July 3, 2023. The mesmerizing theme from the story, "The Lion and the Mouse," sprang to life through awe-inspiring storytelling, skillful hand puppets, and captivating voice modulation. The children were actively engaged, nurturing their imagination, creativity, and powers of observation. This interactive extravaganza stimulated language development, social interaction, and cognitive growth, instilling a profound passion for learning, thereby creating excitement and happiness of coming back to school.

"Environmental revolution begins with a green motherland."

“Plant a tree today for a better tomorrow.”

Trees are vital for our environment and our sustainability on the planet. It becomes our responsibility to protect and preserve them for ourselves and for the generation to come. With this feeling of preserving our green friends, a special assembly celebrating Van Mahotsav was conducted at SJS on Thursday, July 6, 2023 by the students of Class V. The audience was apprised about the need to preserve and grow more trees to thank and celebrate our life givers every day.

The Head of the School, Ms. Sonia Wadhwa congratulated the participants and urged everyone to actively participate in planting and caring for trees to combat deforestation and promote a greener environment. A tree plantation drive was also organized where one student representative from each class from Nursery to Class V planted the saplings in the school premises. The assembly served as a reminder to everyone about the significance of trees and the role they play in sustaining life on Earth.

"It's not about what teachers' cover, it's about what students' discover."

“Project-based learning ignites the spark of curiosity, fuels creativity, and empowers students to construct their own paths of knowledge.”

Salwan Junior School prioritizes holistic education and amalgamating project-based approach of learning was embedded in the holidays homework as well. Students explored the requisite skill set of learning in subjects, honed competencies, and discovered 'Adobe Express', a powerful digital editing tool. With right guidance and hands-on training, students showcased creativity and research with knowledge in academia. Creating videos and designing book covers or posters with Adobe Express added a digital edge to their projects. This approach nurtured a love for learning, fostered creativity, and equipped students with vital skills for the modern world. Salwan Junior School continues to empower students as lifelong learners, emphasizing on critical thinking and encouraging experiential learning prowess of the young learners.

"A day dedicated to sweet temptation-Chocolate."

"Happiness is just a chocolate bar away."

The little Salwanians celebrated World Chocolate Day on Friday July 7, 2023, spreading joy and sweetness. Students of classes I to V performed a variety of activities. Class V made chocolate laddoos with their own sweet garnishes and enjoyed them. The students discussed the history of chocolate and how its produced all over the world via a presentation and a video. Further, they also participated in a quiz, with winners receiving E-certificates. The little ones from rest of the classes were engaged in coloring with craft activities and shared chocolates with friends strengthening their friendships and free will! NESTLE India sponsored the chocolates for all students, adding to the delightful celebration. The students relished every delicious moment of the day, as it was their sweetest dream come true, in the school!

"Health is the greatest Possession."

"Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live in ."

AddressHealth Solutions India Private Limited took the reins of care, concern and professional check under their radar and conducted a comprehensive health check up of all Salwanians studying at SJS, N from classes Nursery to Class V, for the academic year 2023-24, in the month of July. This annual feature is a mandatory part of the school curriculum which ensures wholesome development but also keep a check on the vital milestones of the students as well. A team of qualified doctors, dentists, and nurses left no stone unturned in covering the vital aspects such as anthropometry, hearing, vision, dentistry, and general physical and systemic examinations of the students. Ensuring a healthy and happy physical pursuits, the school provided follow-up consultations and counseling sessions to parents during school events and through written channels of communication. Together, it was aimed to have children to lead not just long lives but fulfilling lives with brighter and healthier tomorrow.

"Unleashing the Magic of Clay: When Little Hands Create Animal Dreams!"

“Clay can be dirt in wrong hands but an art in right hands”.

Amidst the vibrant colors of the realm of nursery classes, a colourful Clay Moulding Competition unraveled on Friday, July 21, 2023. Tiny hands delved into the clay, like young sorcerers sculpting their dreams into being. With each stroke, they transformed the clay into majestic lions, graceful swans, and butterflies soaring high. Laughter and giggles filled the air, as the young artists danced with creativity. Beyond mere play, this event nurtured boundless imagination, fueling their souls with artistry. As the sun set, each masterpiece held a story of its own, reminding us that in little hands, clay whispers the magic of art.

"Unleashing Virtual Horizons: The Journey of Online Learning."

"In every child, there lies a world of potential, waiting to be unlocked."

In the world of virtual learning, online classes have become a symphony of personalized education, nurturing young minds with tailored curriculum, aligning with the needs, interests, and skills of digital learners. SJS has been keeping up with the latest trends of 'digi- education' and embracing the influence of dynamic tools like Quizziz and Flip app in weekly Saturday online classes. Children's interests and gaining perspective comes alive when mixed with these exciting elements in the suitable measure.

The school has been conducting classes every first and third Saturday of the months through Microsoft Teams which enables easy flow of information on Teams, sharing of modules and materials in every class channel has been a piece of cake ever since. Beyond textbooks, hands on experiential activities like vegetable printing and emoji envelope making painted creativity in the virtual set ups, making digital learning an enchanting journey for young Salwanians.

"Weaving Threads of Empathy: A Compassionate Journey with Goonj"

"Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself."

A heartwarming collaboration between the school and the esteemed NGO- Goonj unfolded during the monsoon days, captivating young minds of Classes IV and V on Friday July 21, 2023. The passionate team of the NGO orchestrated an emotional presentation, weaving tales of how collective efforts and donations touch lives of the people who actually are in need. The students were moved with the insights of the speaker and channelized their empathetic attitude towards a new cause. Witnessing Goonj's transformative impact on underprivileged lives, ignited sparks of compassion in the hearts of the young learners. Discussions bloomed, questions soared, and young souls discovered ways to make positive changes. With an upcoming donation drive following this empathy session, students were infused with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility and showed keen interest in the reaching out to the needy and embracing the possibilities of the acts of kindness.

"From Courage to Inspiration - A Tribute to Our Bravehearts on Kargil Diwas"

"Their valor echoes through time, inspiring generations to stand tall."

With utmost respect for the brave soldiers and martyrs of Indian Army, Class II orchestrated a heartfelt assembly on Kargil Vijay Diwas on Wednesday July 26, 2023, leaving the audience spellbound. The gripping drama, beautifully narrated by the young Salwanians, shed light on the heroic sacrifices of our martyred soldiers, instilling a deep sense of patriotism. The melodious rendition by the school choir resonated with emotions, echoing the undying spirit of our defenders. Following it up with the graceful dance performance highlighted the indomitable spirit of our armed forces. We salute these young stars for their exceptional portrayal and their contribution to keeping the flame of remembrance alive. The assembly was concluded with the patriotic facts by the Head of the School, Ms. Sonia Wadhwa. Encouraging the audiences with the acts of Indian soldiers, respecting their sacrifice, and apprising the audiences with the history behind the portrayal in the assembly, the ambience echoed "Vande Mataram" and ended on the sounds of National Anthem.

"Creativity is thinking up new things, Innovation is doing new things."

"Teachers are the architects of innovation in education, crafting a brighter future for their students through creativity and dedication."

At SJS, the teaching faculty plays a vital role in shaping the educational landscape by constantly innovating and implementing new initiatives to enhance students' learning experiences. In the month of July, several new initiatives have been taken up by teachers along with the students, transforming the way students engage with education. Integration of technology in the classrooms pivots the education system these days. Keeping up with the requirement of digital education, teachers are incorporating interactive presentations, creative educational softwares to make classrooms and lessons more engaging and accessible. These tools allow students to grasp complex concepts through interactive simulations and real-world applications, fostering deeper understanding and retention.

Personalized learning plans for the students are being recognized and worked upon by the teachers. Recognizing that each student has unique strengths and challenges so as to tailor the lesson plans and activities to individual needs, educators at SJS cater to diverse learning styles and learning paces, ensuring that no student is left behind. This approach encourages self-directed learning and boosts students' confidence and motivation through the following creative and innovative learning experiences:

f. Furthermore, project-based learning has gained popularity. Teachers are shifting from traditional lectures to hands-on projects and group activities. This approach encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, as students actively apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios. On similar lines, English Project Presentation on the lesson- A Grain of Rice was organized for Class IV-A, where students divided in teams, presented the journey of a grain of rice "from a farm to the table." Each team presented their topic through varied mediums like role play, poetry, artistic expressions or using technological aspects like PowerPoint presentation. From preparing the land, to sowing, from irrigation to harvesting and prepping a meal, every step of growing the crops and understanding the farmer's life and hard work was appreciated by the teams and showed in their team efforts. This graded project work was appreciated by the judges and rewards like the best team, individual star performers and participation awards were announced for the participants.

g. Captivating creativity- students of Class IV transformed the classroom into Railway platform. An exciting project of social studies curriculum, where students were divided into groups to create a railway scene. The students exhibited their creativity, collaboration, and independent thinking throughout the project.

In conclusion, these teacher-led initiatives, encompassing technology integration, personalized learning, project-based approaches, and social-emotional learning, are reshaping the educational experience for the better. By continuously adapting and implementing such innovations, teachers are fostering a generation of well-rounded, adaptable, and empowered learners.

"Whispers of Imagination: Tales Unraveled in the Story Podcasts

"Stories have the power to connect us, to inspire us, and to ignite our imagination. They remind us of our shared humanity and teach us valuable lessons about life, love, and resilience."

Commencing the journey of bringing stories close to the students, while at home as well, Story Podcast was initiated last year. Continuing with the journey of story telling, Phase-I of audio podcast was commenced with the teachers taking on interesting stories and connecting via with follow up quiz of uploading of videos on Flip app. Phase-II saw exciting participation of the enthusiastic parents from all classes, coming together to bring plethora of value added stories to bring something meaningful and exciting for the Salwanians.

Now, the journey of story tellers have reached Phase-III. With this phase, the students casts an enchanting spell with their unique choice of stories. Young minds now have taken over the stage as they record and publish captivating tales every week. Imagination soars high, as students dive into the world of storytelling, honing their creativity and communication skills. Through this magical medium, they themselves learn the art of expression, empathy, and teamwork, while listeners across the school, are transported into the fantasy world of wonder, laughter, and learning. The Story Podcast is an inspiring symphony of young voices, weaving dreams and leaving lasting imprints on curious hearts.

International Yoga Day Celebration Report - Salwan Junior School

"As the morning sun rises, so does our spirit through the art of yoga."

The vibrant spirit of Salwan Junior School illuminated on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 as students celebrated International Yoga Day with zeal. The event embraced the essence of self-discovery, where young yogis delved into five captivating asanas. The Lotus Pose blossomed grace, the Child Pose nurtured tranquility, the Butterfly Pose let spirits soar, the Twisted Pose unlocked flexibility, and the Thunderbolt Pose grounded strength. Through this harmonious journey, students embarked on a path of inner and outer wellness, embracing the gift of yoga for life.

Yoga Week at Montessori

"Celebrating the Monsoon Melodies - English Poem Recital Competition"

"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found words."

In a splendid showcase of poetic brilliance, our young learners from Classes I to V immersed themselves in the world of "Monsoon" for the English Poem Recital event in the month of July. With complete participation in the preliminary round, the finalists were selected based on clarity of content, confidence, and clear pronunciation. The theme of monsoon was embraced whole heartedly in every poem recited, leaving everyone spellbound. The teachers had a daunting task of shortlisting five final candidates from each class for the grand finale next month, as the performances exhibited a remarkable display of creativity and passion. This literary event not only celebrates the beauty of poetry but also nurtures public speaking skills and confidence among our budding wordsmiths.

Stay tuned for the poetic grandeur in the final round!.

"Adobe Bootcamp: Where Creativity Takes Flight!"

"CPD Session for Students and Teachers: Art, freedom, and creativity will change society faster than politics."

In a dynamic showcase of boundless creativity, the virtual Adobe Bootcamp Session held in the month of June- on 1st and 6th June was an extraordinary journey. A team of skilled Adobe representatives illuminated the immense potential of creative tools of the software- in designing flyers, crafting videos, and building captivating web pages. Through expert-led, step-by-step demonstrations, teachers were empowered to wield Adobe's suite of software, nurturing their own creative genius and technical finesse. The impact of this immersive experience surpassed the classroom walls, unlocking a new era of education. With newfound prowess, teachers and students alike embraced their imaginative prowess, seamlessly expressing ideas with Adobe's innovative software. The Adobe Bootcamp became a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between art, freedom, and cutting-edge technology, transforming the learning landscape with endless possibilities.

"Reinventing Creativity in Classrooms - Adobe K-12 Meet 2023"

"Creativity is intelligence having fun."

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, the Adobe K-12 Meet unfolded 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm as a captivating training session for teachers, embracing a mission of student engagement, enabling essential skills, and fostering career readiness. The event was a testament to the transformational power of Adobe's tools in the educational landscape. Each school showcased their unique approach in integrating Adobe's software, illuminating the path to innovative and immersive learning experiences. The pinnacle of the event was the recognition of the Adobe Creative Educators, celebrating their dedication to redefining creativity in classrooms. Through this inspiring gathering, teachers departed with renewed zeal, committed to reinventing the learning journey and nurturing the brilliance of every student. The Adobe K-12 Meet marked a revolutionary step towards unlocking the true potential of creativity and technology, reshaping classrooms into vibrant hubs of imagination and excellence.

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Empowering Educators: Microsoft Workshop Enhances Teaching with Tech

"Equipped with Microsoft tools, teachers unlock a world of interactive learning and streamlined assessment, propelling student success"

In a dynamic workshop led by the ingenious Ms. Meenakshi Uberoi from Microsoft, primary teachers embarked on an electrifying journey to master three essential Microsoft tools: Microsoft Forms, Microsoft Quiz, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Equipped with these digital gems, educators discovered the magic of engaging classrooms, where learning came alive through interactive quizzes, captivating presentations, and streamlined assessments. Armed with their newfound tech-savvy prowess, teachers now wield the power to ignite student curiosity, spark engagement, and unleash the full potential of their young learners!

"Brains Ignite: Inter-Class GK Quiz for Primary classes."

“Knowledge becomes power only when we put it into some use"

The Inter-Class GK Quiz organized for Classes I-V was a remarkable endeavor to nurture knowledge and camaraderie with amalgamation of general knowledge midst students. The enthralling preliminary round unfolded on Friday, July 7, 2023, where students exhibited their brilliance, tackling multiple-choice questions with pen and paper. Eight standout students from each section earned their spot in the electrifying Final Quiz.

On Friday, July 28, 2023, the ultimate showdown commenced, where all teams engaged in four riveting rounds: Direct Question round, Audio Visual round, Choose your category round and Buzzer round. With enthralling zest and vigorous zeal, teams of students compete with each other section wise and classes I-A, II-B, III-A, IV-B and V-B emerged victorious, basking in the glory of their triumph. The every exciting audience round, after every round, was stimulating as the students waited eagerly for their turns, after the teams to answer correctly and win a reward. Beyond fostering academic growth, the Inter-Class GK Quiz ignited a spirit of healthy competition and teamwork among the students. It proved to be an unforgettable event that propelled their thirst for knowledge and pursuit of excellence.

"Sizzling Magic: The Enchanting Art of Fireless Cooking"

"Cooking with kids is not just about ingredients, recipes and cooking. It's about harnessing imagination, empowerment and creativity".

In the captivating world of "I am a Chef," fireless cooking class of Kindergarteners was organised on Friday July 28, 2023. The young ones joyfully procured various ingredients, crafting mouthwatering cupcakes, scrumptious cookies and cakes, salads, and delightful sandwiches. The ambience of flavourful Friday brought aromas of smiles, laughters and excitement of the students. With utmost care, they maintained impeccable hygiene and exquisite presentations of their prepared dish. The event celebrated imagination, empowerment, and creativity, as the young chefs proudly showcased their delicious masterpieces.

LAURELS BROUGHT BY THE SALWANIANS...

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try."