NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2025
Dear Readers,
Every year, school plans a comprehensive list of curricular and co-curricular activities to provide best opportunities to our young learners to fostering curiosity, innovation and critical thinking. "The Junior Journal" aims to showcase and celebrate the exceptional events and achievements of the students 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. We invite you to stay engaged each month as we highlight the exceptional talents and achievements of the learners at SJS. These deep and meaningful learning experiences are thoughtfully curated to align with the developmental stages, skills, attitudes, and beliefs of the children.
Lighting the Way to a Greener Diwali
“Let’s light lamps of happiness, not smoke of pollution.”
Class I students presented a vibrant Diwali Special Assembly on October 16' 2025, spreading the message of joy and sustainability. The event included an insightful introduction on Diwali’s significance, a melodious festive song, and a creative skit on celebrating an eco-friendly Diwali. The grand finale—a lively dance performance—filled the atmosphere with festive cheer. The assembly beautifully blended learning, creativity, and responsibility, inspiring all to celebrate Diwali with love and care for the environment.
Spreading Smiles and Light: Nursery A Celebrates Diwali
“Let’s fill our homes with light and our hearts with kindness.”
The tiny tots of Class Nursery A joyfully celebrated Diwali on October 17 2025. The celebration began with a Powerpoint presentation explaining the five days of Diwali, followed by a charming skit promoting a Green and Safe Diwali. The event concluded with a lively dance on “Happy Diwali”, spreading joy, togetherness, and the spirit of eco-friendly celebration.
Puppets Bring the Ramayan to Life
“Stories shape young minds and light the path of values.”
A Puppet Play on the Ramayan was presented for Class Nursery B during their assembly on October 3, 2025. The teacher creatively used vibrant stick puppets to narrate the epic, capturing the children’s interest and imagination. The storytelling was made interactive through simple questions that kept the young learners actively engaged. The assembly concluded on a joyful note with the rhyme “Raja Ram Veer Thee.” The engaging session beautifully conveyed the timeless message of truth, goodness, and courage triumphing over evil.
Little Movers, Big Energy!
“Strong bodies build confident minds.”
Our young learners actively participate in play-based activities that enhance their gross motor skills. Through fun-filled exercises like jumping, balancing, and running, children develope coordination, strength, and teamwork — learning through movement and joy!
Honouring a Legacy of Light
“Great souls live forever through the values they leave behind.”
Salwan Junior School observed the birth anniversary of Late Shri Shiv Dutt Salwan Ji, Chairman Emeritus, with deep reverence on October 29' 2025. The day featured a special assembly, soulful bhajan, floral tributes, and a tree plantation ceremony symbolizing his vision for education and environmental care. A Sukhmani Sahib Path and special podcast further inspired students to follow his values of humility, compassion, and service to society.
Anubhuti 2025 – Where Art Meets Enlightenment
“Education is the light that awakens the soul and inspires the heart.”
Salwan Junior School celebrated its Annual Day, Anubhuti 2025 – An Immersive Experience of Rhythmic Movements, Melodies, and Music, on 12th October 2025 at the Air Force Auditorium. Inspired by the teachings of Sufi saint Bulleh Shah, the event beautifully portrayed the eternal bond between Guru and disciple through captivating performances. The dignitaries applauded the students’ talent and spirit. The celebration reflected the school’s vision of holistic learning, harmony, and creativity.
Class Assembly : Little Voices, Big Messages
Rediscovering Heritage, Celebrating Talent
“Art speaks where words fail — connecting hearts across time.”
Six talented students of Salwan Junior School — Vriddhi Kohli, Disha Pandey, and Lavanya (Class IV); Palak, Kavya Sharma, Saanvi, and Maahika Saxena (Class V) — showcased their paintings at the art exhibition “विस्मृत कृतियाँ: Rediscovering Forgotten Art Forms” held at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi. The exhibition, inaugurated on 31st October 2025, was graced by Shri Sushil Dutt Salwan, Professor Benoy Roy, Padma Shri Ranjana Gauhar, and artist Ananda Moy Banerji. Open from 1st to 5th November 2025, the event celebrated creativity and cultural heritage, reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing artistic expression.
Building Minds, Not Just Models!
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Through Project-Based Learning, our Class V students designed earthquake-resistant models using waste materials from home. With creative use of isolators, springs, and rubber, they demonstrated deep understanding of disaster management, sustainability, and STEM principles. Their innovative spirit and hands-on learning truly make them Earthquake Ready, Future Ready!
Empowering Educators, Enriching Classrooms
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
Ms. Surmeet Kaur, Faculty, Salwan Junior School, attended a 4-day Orientation - Training Workshop organized by CBSE and NCERT from 7th to 10th October 2025 at ACCPD, Raebareli. The sessions, led by eminent professors from NCERT, focused on implementing the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). The workshop emphasized competency-based learning, experiential pedagogy, and integration of play and art. Ms. Kaur reflected that the training enriched her teaching perspective, inspiring her to nurture creativity and holistic development in students.
A Journey of Dedication and Dignity
“True service is not measured by years, but by the hearts you’ve touched along the way.”
A heartfelt farewell was organized at Salwan Junior School to honour Mr. Surendra for his over two decades of dedicated service. His humility, reliability, and commitment were fondly remembered by all.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Celebrating Excellence: The Pride of Salwan
Leading with Vision, Inspiring with Heart!
ACHIEVEMENTS OF HEAD OF THE SCHOOL
Our Head of School continues to set remarkable benchmarks of excellence through her unwavering dedication and dynamic leadership.
INSIGHTS FROM TEACHER'S DESK
Encouraging Reading for Pleasure
“Each book is a quiet adventure waiting for a curious mind to turn the page.”
In today’s digital age, where instant entertainment is just a click away, nurturing the joy of reading has become more important than ever. Reading for pleasure is not only about developing literacy—it is about opening doors to imagination, curiosity, and lifelong learning. A child who enjoys reading finds companionship in books, discovers new worlds, and builds empathy that lasts a lifetime.
At Salwan Junior School, we believe that reading should never feel like a task; it should feel like an adventure. Our efforts are directed towards creating an environment where every child can experience the joy of reading, in their own way.
1. A Culture of Reading in School
Children look forward to their library periods, where they get the opportunity to choose a book of their liking and immerse themselves in its world. The freedom of choice instills ownership and makes reading a personal experience rather than an assignment.
Every Saturday, Reading Progress Assignments in both Hindi and English are shared, helping students track their growth as readers and develop consistency.
2. Encouragement Beyond Textbooks
While textbooks remain an integral part of academic learning, we extend reading far beyond them. Workshops by parents, authors, and teachers provide children with fresh perspectives and motivate them to explore books across genres. These sessions often inspire reluctant readers to pick up a book, simply because they see adults around them modeling the joy of reading.
Our Friday Activities bring reading alive through interactive engagements like book reviews. Students get a platform to express what they read, share opinions, and recommend books to peers—turning reading into a social, collaborative activity.
3. Celebrating Readers
We organize inter- and intra-school events centered around book reviews and literary activities. Such platforms celebrate not only the act of reading but also the skills of critical thinking, reflection, and expression. These events make reading aspirational and instill pride in students who engage deeply with books.
4. The Role of Parents
Parents play a vital role in fostering the joy of reading at home. When children see their parents reading newspapers, novels, or even storybooks, they naturally develop an interest in reading. Parents can create reading-friendly spaces at home, set aside family reading time, and encourage discussions about books over meals. Simple practices like bedtime stories or gifting books on special occasions make reading a cherished habit.
We also encourage parents to engage with their child’s reading journey by attending workshops, sharing their own reading experiences, and helping children explore libraries or book fairs. By modeling and valuing reading, parents can make it a natural, enjoyable, and lifelong habit for their children.
5. Supporting Reading Through Meaningful Practices
To cultivate a genuine love for reading, it is important to make the process joyful, engaging, and meaningful. Practices such as DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), bedtime storytelling, expressive read-aloud sessions, and interactive questioning can help children connect emotionally with stories. Allowing children to choose books of their interest gives them a sense of independence and encourages self-motivated reading.
Creating literacy-rich environments—filled with picture books, cozy reading corners, labels, and age-appropriate story collections—helps children feel naturally connected to the world of letters and language. Appreciating children’s effort, dramatizing stories, drawing scenes, or narrating characters also deepens their relationship with books.
Our school continues to nurture this culture through storytelling sessions, assemblies with news reading, peer book sharing, and continuous reading assessments that help us monitor and support every child’s reading journey.
6. A Journey That Lasts
Reading for pleasure is more than decoding words on a page; it is about discovering joy, building confidence, and developing an identity as a reader. Through library periods, regular assignments, workshops, reviews, and literary events, we are nurturing a generation of children who read because they love to—not because they have to.
By : Geeta Choudhary, Mathematics Faculty
INSIGHTS FROM PARENT'S DESK
The Role of Parents and Schools in Shaping Responsible Citizens
“Where parents guide and schools inspire, responsible citizens are born."
As the most influential institutions in a child's life, parents and schools play a vital role in shaping the next generation of responsible citizens. The values, behaviors, and attitudes instilled in children during their formative years will have a lasting impact on their future contributions to society.Both play a complementary role in instilling values, discipline, and a sense of civic duty in children.
Parents are the first and most influential teachers in a child’s life. The home serves as the earliest classroom where lessons of honesty, respect, and compassion are first learned. Children keenly observe their parents’ actions, and it is through these daily interactions that values take root. Parents play a crucial role in fostering responsibility in their children by creating a nurturing and disciplined environment at home. One of the most effective ways to do this is by modeling responsible behavior themselves, as children tend to learn by observing their parents’ actions and attitudes. Assigning age-appropriate chores and tasks also helps children understand the value of hard work and instills a sense of accomplishment when they contribute to the household. Additionally, parents can encourage empathy and kindness by teaching children to consider others’ feelings and perspectives, which strengthens their social skills and compassion. Finally, practicing positive reinforcement—by acknowledging and rewarding responsible actions—motivates children to continue exhibiting responsible behavior, thereby shaping them into conscientious and caring individuals.
In my personal experience as a parent, I have observed a remarkable growth in my child, Shauryavir. At home, we make it a point to involve him in small but meaningful responsibilities—such as keeping his study space organized, helping with household tasks, and looking after his own belongings. These everyday activities have nurtured in him a strong sense of accountability and self-discipline. What truly fills me with pride is seeing how these values reflect in his school life as well. He eagerly takes part in classroom discussion and treats his teachers and classmates with genuine respect.
Schools: A Crucial Partner
Schools provide a platform for children to learn, grow, and interact with peers and authority figures. By incorporating life skills and values-based education, schools can help children develop into responsible citizens. It plays a vital role in shaping students into responsible and well-rounded individuals by providing a balanced blend of academic and life skill education. Integrating life skills such as time management, problem-solving, and teamwork into the curriculum equips students with essential tools for success beyond the classroom.
By fostering a sense of community through teamwork, volunteer work, and community service, schools help students develop empathy and a sense of social responsibility. Additionally, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving encourages students to become independent thinkers capable of making sound decisions. Providing opportunities for leadership further builds their confidence and nurtures essential leadership qualities, empowering them to take initiative and contribute positively to society.
I am grateful to Salwan Junior School and all the teachers for reinforcing these values through practical learning and engaging activities. Whether it is taking part in class discussions, or being encouraged to express his opinions respectfully, the school provides him with countless opportunities to grow into a thoughtful and responsible individual.
Partnership is the Key
The joint efforts of parents and schools are crucial in this journey. When both work in harmony, children receive consistent guidance and support. Regular communication between teachers and parents ensures that values taught at school are reinforced at home, creating a unified environment where responsibility, respect, and empathy are nurtured.
In conclusion, parents and schools play a vital role in shaping responsible citizens. By working together and instilling values, behaviors, and attitudes that promote responsibility, we can empower the next generation to make a positive impact in the world.
By Prabhjot Kaur (Mother of Shauryavir Thakar)
Bright Horizons: Read, Watch, Inspire!
“Books open the mind, movies open the heart, and learning opens the future.”
📖 Storybook Recommendations
For Classes I and II
1️⃣Haathi Bhai – by Tulika Publishers
A delightful rhyming story that introduces children to rhythm, repetition, and fun vocabulary through an adorable elephant’s journey.
2️⃣ Why Are You Afraid to Hold My Hand? – by Tulika Publishers
A tender story about inclusion and empathy that helps children understand differences and friendship.
For Class III to V
1️⃣ Gajapati Kulapati Kalabalooosh! – by Tulika Publishers
This sequel to the popular Gajapati Kulapati blends humor and heart as children learn about kindness and fun through simple storytelling.
2️⃣ The Auto That Flew – by Pratham Publishers
A magical story where imagination takes flight — literally! A fun read that encourages creative thinking.
🌐 Website Recommendations
For Classes I and II
1️⃣ StoryWeaver by Pratham Books
– A free digital library with engaging picture stories in multiple Indian languages.
2️⃣ FunBrain
– Offers interactive games, stories, and educational videos for young learners.
For Classes III to V
1️⃣ National Geographic Kids
– A vibrant website where students explore science, animals, geography, and world cultures through fun visuals and quizzes.
2️⃣ BBC Bitesize
– A global learning platform offering short lessons, animations, and games on various subjects.
🎬 Educational Movie Recommendations
For Classes I and II
🎥 Ek Anek Aur Ekta (1974) – A classic animated film teaching unity and friendship through colourful storytelling.
For Classes III to V
🎥 Hichki (2018) – A heartwarming movie about perseverance, self-belief, and embracing challenges in learning.
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