Dear Readers,
Every year, school plans an exhaustive list of curricular and co-curricular activities to provide best of the opportunities to our young learners to foster the young minds with curiosity, innovation and critical thinking. "The Junior Journal" 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!
Sacred Havan marks the beginning of the New Academic Session (2025-26)
To seek the blessings of the Almighty for a fruitful and prosperous academic year, a sacred Havan was conducted on the first day of school on April 2, 2025. The ceremony took place in the school foyer, where a few students and staff members participated in the rituals, while others watched from their classrooms, absorbing the spiritual essence of the moment. The event concluded with the distribution of Prasad, symbolizing blessings and good fortune for the year ahead.
Online International Exchange Program - World Storytelling Day 2025
As part of World Storytelling Day, our students proudly took part in the International Exchange Program online mode hosted by Japan on March 31, 2025. This enriching global event allowed young learners to share stories, embrace diverse cultures, and build international friendships.
Representing India, our students presented the Ramayana—a timeless tale rich in values and tradition. They introduced the story, narrated key events, and reflected on its relevance to modern life. Through this platform, students strengthened their language skills, learned about global narratives, and celebrated the power of storytelling.
A Joyful Start for Our Preschoolers!
The first day of school on April 3, 2025 for pre schoolers was filled with excitement, smiles, and warm welcomes! The head mistress of the school Ms Sonia Wadhwa greeted children and parents, kicking off the day with a special handprint activity to mark the bond between home and school.
Little ones enjoyed fun-filled activities like bead threading, outdoor play, a guided school tour, and a magical story session. A lively selfie booth added to the joy, capturing beautiful first-day memories.
It was a heartwarming start to a new journey—full of learning, laughter, and love!
Baisakhi Celebration
The students of Class V presented a vibrant Baisakhi Special Assembly on April 9, 2025, with festive spirit and cultural pride. The celebration began with a soulful Shabad, followed by an informative presentation on Baisakhi’s significance and its historical roots in the formation of the Khalsa.
A creative skit, styled as a live news broadcast, showcased farmers from across India sharing insights on regional harvest festivals like Bihu, Vishu, Poila Boishakh, and Puthandu. The skit emphasized the value of food and the hard work of our farmers.
The event concluded with energetic Gidda and Bhangra performances, bringing the audience to life with joyful Dhol beats. The assembly beautifully highlighted unity in diversity and the importance of honoring our cultural heritage.
World Heritage Day
To commemorate World Heritage Day on April 18, 2025 the young learners of Class IV at Salwan Junior School showcased their talent and awareness through two impactful presentations — a heritage-themed skit titled "Guardians of Heritage", and a creative animated audio presentation called "Notty's Notebook Tales".
The skit, performed during a special assembly, took the audience on a journey across some of India's most treasured World Heritage Sites - including the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Kaziranga National Park, Mahabodhi Temple, Churches of Goa, and the Mountain Railways of India. With characters like a curious tourist, a wise guide, and an engaging narrator, the students brought heritage alive with dialogues, costumes, and cultural pride.
Adding a magical touch, the animated audio featured a charming character - Notty the Notebook — who narrated a rhythmic and poetic tale set in the mountains. Through Notty's words, students creatively explored the meaning of World Heritage Day, emphasizing the importance of protecting both our natural wonders and historical monuments.
The event was a perfect blend of creativity, awareness, and expression, highlighting the students' understanding of culture, history, and their role as future custodians of heritage. Both presentations were warmly received by teachers and peers, leaving everyone inspired to value and preserve our shared legacy.
Earth Day Celebration 🌍
Salwan Junior School celebrated Earth Day on April 22, 2025 with a heartfelt assembly by class IV filled with poetry, song, drama and dance. Students highlighted the importance of protecting our planet through a moving play titled "Earth’s Plea: A Story of Change", showcasing the impact of human actions and the power of collective responsibility. A vibrant dance and a unifying pledge further inspired environmental awareness. The assembly ended with a pledge taken by students to be Earth’s lifelong caretakers.
World International Dance Day Celebration
Salwan Junior School celebrated World International Dance Day with great enthusiasm on April 30, 2025. Organized by Class III, the event highlighted dance as a universal language of expression and unity. Students shared insightful speeches on global dance forms from countries like India, China, USA, Russia, Arabia, and Japan, emphasizing their cultural significance. The celebration concluded with energetic performances blending traditional and modern styles, leaving the audience captivated. The event successfully showcased the power of dance in promoting creativity, confidence, and cultural exchange.
Enriching Friday Activities
"Fun Fridays make school a place to smile, share, and shine."
Books in Our Backpack: A Read-Aloud Hour
Salwan Junior School kick started the new academic session with the “Bring and Read” activity on April 4,2025 promoting a love for reading among students of Classes I to V. Children brought their favourite storybooks and participated in creative, age-appropriate tasks—from storytelling through pictures to redesigning book covers and rewriting endings. The engaging session fostered imagination, expression, and a deeper connection with books, marking a joyful and enriching start to the year.
English Handwriting- The Magic of Handwriting
"Handwriting is the mirror of the mind."
English Handwriting Competition was organized on April 17, 2025, during the English period at Salwan Junior School for students of Classes I to V. The event aimed to promote neatness, clarity, and creativity in writing. Children participated enthusiastically, showcasing their skills with well-formed letters and artistic presentations. Teachers appreciated their efforts and encouraged them to continue practicing. Winners were awarded certificates to recognize their hard work and talent. The competition was a delightful blend of learning and fun.
Earth Day Celebrations🌱
"Every small action counts,-together we make Earth Day every day!"
Earth Day Activities
To mark the occasion of Earth Day 2025, our school organized a week-long series of activities filled with learning, creativity, and action toward environmental conservation.
The week began with an exciting Intra-Class Competition on April 22, 2025 themed "Let’s Combat Single-Use Plastic." Students enthusiastically took the lead by collecting single-use plastic items from their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. This initiative aimed to cultivate environmental responsibility and spread awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution.
The outstanding efforts of our young eco-warriors led to the following results:
First Position: Class IV A
Second Position: Class V A
Third Position: Class I A
All collected plastic waste was responsibly handed over to a certified Plastic Recycling Agency, emphasizing the importance of proper waste disposal and sustainable living.
The celebrations continued on Friday April 25, 2025 with vibrant class-specific activities:
Nursery & KG: Tree Plantation and "Make the Earth" Activity with Balloons and Paint, Decorated with Flowers..
🎨 Classes I & II: Engaged in Poster Making and Earth Day Crown-Making activities, creating colorful messages of love and care for our planet.
♻️ Classes III–V: Took part in ‘Kabaad Se Jugaad’, where students innovatively turned waste materials into useful and creative items, promoting the spirit of recycling and reusing.
Throughout the week, the school buzzed with enthusiasm, creativity, and a shared commitment to make a difference. Our students showcased not just their talent but also a strong sense of responsibility towards Mother Earth.
🌟 Co-Curricular and Sports Coaching: Shaping All-Rounders!
Sports and Co-Curricular Coaching
At SJS, we believe in nurturing every child's potential beyond academics. This year, a structured coaching program has been introduced to promote creativity, confidence, and fitness among students.
Under expert guidance, children are participating in diverse Co-Curricular activities like Western Dance, Pottery, Art & Craft, Robotics, Instrumental and Vocal Music, Coding, French, Public Speaking, and more. Literary Clubs, Math Wizard, and Junior Chemist activities further boost their skills.
Simultaneously, the Sports Coaching Program offers training in Yoga, Gymnastics, Skating (students must bring their own skates and safety gear), Aerobics, Judo, Taekwondo, Power Yoga, and Table Tennis, encouraging physical fitness and teamwork.
Each session is age-appropriate, helping students discover their interests, build resilience, and develop leadership qualities. Regular assessments, performances, and matches will keep the spirit high throughout the year!
🌍 Understanding Geographical Challenges
As part of experiential learning, Class IV and V students participated in an obstacle course simulating the hardships faced by children in mountains, deserts, and villages while reaching school. The engaging activity fostered empathy and gratitude, concluding with a discussion on valuing accessible education and appreciating the privileges of urban living.
🪥 Class Assembly on ‘Hygiene Tools’ by KG-A
KG-A conducted a lively assembly on ‘Hygiene Tools’. It began with a conversation about morning routines, followed by students speaking about different hygiene tools and their uses. They highlighted the importance of cleanliness and good habits. The assembly ended with an energetic song, "Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth," making the learning fun and memorable.
🌎 Class Assembly on ‘Save Earth, Save Resources’ by Class I-A
Students of Class I-A conducted a thoughtful assembly on ‘Save Earth, Save Resources on April 24, 2025. They pledged to save electricity, conserve water, avoid wasting food, save paper, and practice reduce, reuse, and recycle. Through their promises, they inspired everyone to take small steps towards protecting our planet and building a sustainable future.
Class Assembly on Be Kind by class 1 B
Students of class 1 B conducted an assembly on April 29, 2025, learning about being empathetic and kind to others. They learned about managing anger and the importance of not hitting. They learned about calming techniques. Students then shared key school rules and pledged to follow them diligently, promoting a safe, respectful, and positive environment for all.
🏆Champions' Corner 🏆
🧘♀️ Yoga Competition at 15th Swabhiman Sports Festival 2025
Our students participated enthusiastically in the Yoga Competition held on April 23, 2025 at the Rohini Sports Complex, as part of the 15th Swabhiman Sports Festival. They showcased discipline, dedication, and graceful postures.
Winners received medals and certificates, while all participants were honored for their efforts. Special thanks to Ms. Alka, the yoga coach, for her invaluable guidance.
Events like these nurture confidence, discipline, and a spirit of healthy competition among our young learners.
Brainpower in Action: Abacus Champions 2025
Palette of Possibilities: Celebrating Artistic Talent
SOF Academic Excellence Scholarship 2024–25
Power and Precision: Karate Stars in Action
Sound of Success: A Tribute to Musical Star
Grace in Motion: Honouring Our Dance Stars
🎤 Participation in UBI Open Mic 200th Episode
Seven students, along with teacher Ms. Gunjan Bhatia, proudly represented the school at the 200th episode of UBI Open Mic, a 12-hour global expressive marathon with 200 participants. They recited poems, sang bhajans and songs, narrated stories, and shared their views on self-love, self-esteem, and self-improvement. Their performances were highly appreciated and applauded!
🎙️ Empowering Classrooms with AI: A Conversation on EdTech Unwrapped
Ms. Sonia Wadhwa, Headmistress of Salwan Junior School and Technology Integration Specialist at Salwan Education Trust, was recently featured on EdTech Unwrapped, a podcast by Bett Global that highlights leading voices in educational innovation.
In an engaging discussion with host Duncan Verry, Ms. Wadhwa reflected on her extensive experience leading digital transformation initiatives across the past decade. The conversation delved into the evolving role of technology in education, particularly the emerging potential of Generative AI to support personalized, differentiated instruction and amplify student voice and agency.
Ms. Wadhwa emphasized that meaningful technology integration goes beyond systems and tools — it is about creating inclusive classrooms where every student feels empowered and supported.
🎧 Tune in to the full episode
Echoes – voices from the community
Teacher's Corner
Fostering a Love of Reading in Young Children
Reading is most likely the most elementary of abilities to shape a child's emotional and mental life. Developing a culture of books in an early period of life has the potential to lay a cornerstone for learning during a lifetime, imagination, and creativity. Helping children love to read should be a thrilling and pleasant experience rather than forced. The best way in which one can do that is by exposing them to colourful picture books, engaging stories, and lively reading sessions, which catch their attention as well as curiosity. Children require discipline, and making reading a part of their daily schedule, whether it is a bedtime or morning reading session, can make books experiences of comfort as well as bliss.
DEAR can go a long way in achieving this objective. DEAR as we all know is the acronym of “Drop everything and read”. 10 minutes of parent supervised DEAR time at home will definitely establish a culture of reading from a young age. To become a role model for your child, you can devote 10 minutes everyday to reading, parents or even grandparents can indulge in bed time stories. This initiative by the family will definitely ignite a spark of reading and this spark will walk with the chid through his entire life. In today’s world, one can take help of digital tools like Book Creator, Puppet Pals, My Story Book Marker etc. for reading out stories to one’s child.
Like parents, educators have an equally critical role to play in cultivating this love by making books easily accessible, by leading by example through reading themselves, DEAR activity and by providing opportunities for reading aloud. Storytelling can be made vivid and engaging by using expressive voices, gestures, and even role-playing.
Allowing children to choose books of their interest makes them feel self-sufficient and prompts them to read various books. Interactive reading, where adults ask questions, make predictions, and discuss characters, enhances understanding and interest. Moreover, creating a literacy-rich environment with labelled objects, a cozy reading nook, and a collection of books appropriate for the age fosters membership in the world of words.
Praising children with compliments for their effort in reading, whether they recognize a letter, a word, or a sentence, boosts their confidence and motivation. Incorporating activities like drawing favourite scenes, dramatizing stories, or even reciting book rhymes can strengthen their connection with books. Online content like audiobooks and interactive e-books can be used to augment traditional reading habits, making stories more engaging. Storytelling sessions, book fairs, and school library visits can be organized by schools and teachers to introduce books as a part of a child's life.
Encouraging peer interaction by having children read their favourite stories or act out scenes helps in the acquisition of verbal and social skills.
Schools can encourage students to stand in an assembly and read news lines. It will do wonders for confidence and interest for reading.
To ascertain that the student continues correct reading, weekly reading progress assignments both in Hindi and English should be done. They can be designed as per the level of reading.
Continuous reading assessments should be taken in the class to know the reading progress of the child.
Further parents can be invited to visit school periodically and read a story to a group of children. This can take the shape of community reading event.
In addition, positive reinforcement, such as rewards for completing a book or reading a story, can serve as an incentive. It must be remembered that every child learns at his or her own pace, and patience is the key. Pressing too hard will have the opposite effect, rendering reading a chore rather than a source of delight. Creating a climate in which books are associated with happiness, adventure, and learning will provide the foundation for young children to enjoy a lifetime romance with reading. This early reading experience not only generates more vocabulary and communication skills, but also assists in empathy and creativity, shaping these traits into thoughtful and confident citizens. In the present age with increasing distractions through digital interfaces, generation of deep reading appreciation can be one gift that generates returns throughout one's lifetime for children.
Ms Aru Chadha- Faculty SJS, Naraina
Parent's Corner
Sustainable Living – Simple Changes for a Healthier Earth!
What is Sustainable Living?
Sustainable Living means using Earth’s natural resources wisely so that they last for a long time. It’s about making small changes in the way we live, so we do not harm the environment. By making smart choices every day, by wasting less and using our resources wisely, we can ensure that our future generations can also enjoy a healthy Earth.
Simple Changes We Can Make
We can start with easy steps like turning off the lights when not need to save electricity, using less water, closing taps properly, carrying reusable bags, and planting more trees. Walking or cycling for short distances instead of using cars also helps the environment!
Use of Technology to Save the Earth
Technology is a big helper! It’s making it easier to protect nature. Solar panels turn sunlight into energy, helping reduce pollution. Electric cars create less pollution and help make the air clean. There are mobile apps that help us track how much water or electricity we are saving, and suggest ways to save our resources.
Smart Substitutes to Reduce Waste
We can replace plastic bottles with steel ones and use cloth bags instead of plastic. Instead of using plastic straws, we can use steel or bamboo straws. Recycling paper, glass, and cans helps reduce garbage. Composting kitchen waste creates natural fertilizer for plants.
Eco-Friendly Choices at Home and School
We can create a small garden at home, separate waste into recycling bins, and save water by fixing leaky taps. Switch to eco-friendly school supplies and organize clean-up days with friends. Saying “no” to single-use plastics and encouraging others to recycle makes a big difference.
Let’s Be Earth Heroes!
By making small changes, we can create a big impact. Let’s promise to take care of our beautiful planet with love and responsibility. Every action matters!
Let’s join hands together for a Greener Earth! Care today, enjoy tomorrow – live sustainably!
Ms Kanupriya Anand
Mother of Suhaan Anand, student of class V
Fond Farewell to Our Dedicated Staff Members
We bid a heartfelt farewell to our beloved Science teacher Ms. Payal Miglani, whose passion for teaching and unwavering commitment greatly enriched our students learning journey. Her dedication played a vital role in shaping young minds and contributing to the school’s academic growth.
We also mark the superannuation of our school accountant Ms. Nalini Rao, the steadfast backbone of our administrative system. Her meticulous work and quiet dedication ensured smooth operations behind the scenes for years.
Both leave behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and inspiration. We wish them a joyful and fulfilling second innings.
Enchanting Tales for Young Minds: Children's Literature Picks
1. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
A clever little mouse takes a stroll through the deep, dark wood and encounters several hungry animals. To protect himself, he invents tales of a fearsome creature — the Gruffalo! But what happens when the imaginary creature turns out to be real? This rhyming story is fun, full of imagination, and teaches kids about creativity, courage, and wit.
2. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
When a dragon destroys her castle and takes away Prince Ronald, Princess Elizabeth sets off to rescue him — dressed only in a paper bag! This refreshing twist on the classic fairy tale breaks stereotypes and shows children the power of bravery, intelligence, and self-respect.
Meaningful Screens: Movies and Web Series Picks for Young Explorers
🎬 Movie: Paddington 2
Why it’s great: This heartwarming sequel follows the lovable bear Paddington as he spreads kindness and good manners. It’s funny, visually engaging, and teaches valuable lessons about honesty, family, and community.
📺 Web Series: Carmen Sandiego (Netflix)
Why it’s great: This animated series follows a globe-trotting thief who only steals from other thieves. It mixes fun with geography and culture, making it both entertaining and educational.
May Merriment: Must-Attend Events for Kids 🌞
🌞1. Summer Camp at Salwan Junior School, Naraina Vihar
Dates: 19th – 30th May 2025
Location: Salwan Junior School, Naraina Vihar, Delhi
Description: A fun-filled and enriching summer camp offering a wide range of activities including art & craft, dance, storytelling, sports, and more! Designed to keep children engaged, active, and creative during the summer break in a safe and joyful environment.
🎨 2. PHAD: Traditional Indian Art Workshop
Date: Starting 20th May 2025
Location: Bagu Mithu, Delhi
Description: Introduce children to the vibrant world of PHAD painting—a traditional Rajasthani art form. This workshop encourages creativity and cultural learning through storytelling and painting.
🏛️ 3. Shaheedi Park – Outdoor Museum Experience
Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Central Delhi
Description: Explore India's first outdoor museum with sculptures and installations made from recycled materials. A great educational outing for children to learn about Indian history in an interactive setting.
Credits:
Created with images by Surasak - "Renewable energy concept Earth Day or environment protection Hands protect forests that grow on the ground and help save the world." • nali - "thank you label in yellow background"