Educere: Issue 07-Nov/Dec 2013

Educere

Lights of

...bringing Values to Life

Divali

HUMAN VALUES DAY Spreading love peace through yoga & meditation

&

A VERYChristmasVID

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EducereBringing Values to Life...

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Welcome!Dear Friend,

Welcome to our final issue for 2013! We bring the curtains down, ending off the first term of this school year. It has been nothing short of an exhilerating experience. Our children have made remarkable strides in all areas of development: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual/Cognitive, Creative, Social, Emotional, and of course, Human Values. At Vid, we place emphasis on each area as it contributes significantly to producing a holistic child with an integrated personality - our aim.

Without the support and reinforcement from those at home, the Values Education approach cannot achieve its full potential. The ‘Values in Action: A Values Revolution’ section on page 5 covers the immensely important role of Parents at Vid International.

These last two months have been full of functions and festivities. In just about five weeks, we have celebrated Divali, Human Values Day 2013, and Christmas in its various shades! This issue is full of precious moments from all of those events. Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vidinternational has many more photos from these and many more occasions.

We thank you all for your support, encouragement, well wishes, prayers and blessings. Above all, we are humbled and grateful for this Divine opportunity to share our various skills, talents and passions in creating a temple of learning which will produce ideal citizens of tomorrow.

With Love,

‘Educere’ Explained:

Educere is a Latin word(pronounced “Edoo-kay-ray”)which means ‘to bring out’ or ‘todraw out’.

The word ‘education’ is a childof Educere, which shows thatall knowledge lies within anindividual, and the processof education should result inthe emergence of one’s innategoodness.

Educere aims to share thevarious facets of living a values-infused life. We hope that it willnot only be a means to shareour various values-initiatives,but that it also ignites a sparkwithin every reader, bringingabout positive change inthe way we live our lives asindividuals, schools, corporates,communities, and nations.

Write to us at:[email protected]

We’d love to hear from you!

Bringing Values to Life...Educere

Editorial Team:Abhimanyu Kaul

& Tanushree Luthra

Design & Layout:Saffron Consulting Ltd

Educere Family


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CONTENTSFrom our Founder’s Pen ..................................04Words of wisdom from the Founder of Educare Philosophy

Values in Action ...............................................05A Values Revolution

Divali Celebrations at Vid ...............................08A Photo Journey

Human Values Day 2013 .................................12Celebrating Love & Peace through Yoga & Meditation

Vid Christmas Fun ...........................................16Snapshots of all the Christmas Festivities! Birthdays ............................................................28Love to our November & December cuties!

Look who came to visit! ..................................29Our special guests

CONTENTS


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SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

from our founder’s pen

STUDENTS! Embodiments of Love! Teachers and Patrons of Education!

Wealth without wisdom becomes an instrument of exploitation and tyranny. Wisdom without wealth becomes mere fantasy and a bundle of blueprints. Use makes them worthwhile; misuse makes them disastrous. It is like the knife: in the hands of maniac, it becomes an instrument for murder; in the hands of a surgeon, it becomes an instrument that saves a life!

Are you doing good with wealth? Are you benefiting others by means of wisdom? That is the test.

When you celebrate Christ’s birth, resolve to lead the lives of loving service to the weak, the helpless, the distressed, the disconsolate. Cultivate tolerance and forbearance, charity and magnanimity. Hold dear the ideals He laid down and practice them in your daily lives.

That is the message of Jesus: The message of Love. Love is God. Live in love. Start the day with love. Spend the day with love. End the day with love. This is the way to God. Only the person who is filled with love will be dear to the Lord.

You have to understand the true meaning of humanness and transform your life.

You will then be true servants of the nation. Play your part in every field of public life, keeping your heart pure and unsullied.

For this New Year, I wish you all every happiness and prosperity. The ancients used to bless those who came to them with long lives of 100 years and good health. They wished the people long life so that they may lead worthy lives.

Lead a long life, happy life, peaceful life, loving life, and divine life. Redeem your lives by practicing Divine Love.


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Parents are the first ‘teachers’ for the child. The child not only inherits traits and values through genes but also learns habits and mannerisms by observing parents. Mother and father are the first examples of social behavior that the child sees before it learns to imitate.

It is crucial to acknowledge that by opting to become a parent and an adult, one chooses to live a life of sacrifice and love. One makes the commitment to provide a healthy and positive living environment conducive to the well-being of the new life brought forth. Due to various factors and situations today, becoming a parent is not often a conscious decision but rather a ‘default’ option.

Unfortunately, the negative repercussions of these situations can often be seen in the development of children, and later in their behavior as they grow into adults.

What can parents do to help the situation?

First and foremost, it is important to understand that children are a gift to the world given ‘through’ their parents.

Every child has his or her own journey of life to travel, and parents need to understand and perform their roles well.

It is also critical to recognize that as he or she pursues secular knowledge (knowledge of the world through books), the child should also be given due exposure to spiritual knowledge (knowledge of the Self).

Due to the pressures of living, educational institutions are more focused on imparting secular knowledge and have more or less overlooked the equally important area of spiritual knowledge.

The character of the child reveals the quality of parenting. Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The ultimate outcome of the education process is an individual with a strong and positive character. The beautiful edifice of Values Education stands on three strong pillars: Teachers, Parents and Community. It is imperative to address, nurture and integrate these three elements to accomplish the goal of integrated child development.

values in action...a values revolution

Loving family moment at a Vid

school function

Children are a gift to the world given ‘through’ their parents


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It is satisfying to have a great child excelling in academics, but it is more gratifying to have a ‘good’ child excelling in character. Such a child will naturally be good in the secular area also. Schools have a dual obligation today of providing both kinds of knowledge with equal passion and commitment. And, parents have an equal responsibility and significant role of supporting schools in this mission.

Vid International, under the Values Education philosophy, not only encourages but also mandates parents to be active participants in the school system. Following are a few of the ways that parents join in the process of their children’s growth and development at school:

Parent Volunteer We believe that it is parents’ joyful right to be part of the growing experience of their child. It is important that they are not only exposed to the values methodologies imparted at the school but also be given an opportunity to share their valuable experiences in making the whole process better. Parents can volunteer depending upon their time and schedule, and the school expects parents to offer at least 4 to 8 volunteer hours in a month.

Parents may assist in classroom activities at school, and even at home. At school, parents are encouraged to engage in various daily events such as welcoming children, helping during meal times, and administrative duties.

Activities such as preparing props and teaching materials can be done at home, and are a good alternative for parents whose schedules do not permit free time during school hours. Parents are welcome to choose the activity according the roster as per their convenience.

Participation in School Functions & Events When parents attend school functions and festivities, children are better able to bridge the mental gap between ‘school’ and ‘home’. Having their parents and other family members present boosts their confidence greatly. Parents are encouraged to lend support to the school in planning

and executing these events, in whichever manner they choose. Participation builds enjoyable and productive relationships across the board.

Value Parenting Program Children’s growth and development is smoother and more consistent when the values-based instruction they receive at school is also modelled at home.

Our Values in Action Parenting Program © offers mothers and fathers a forum to focus on themselves, as individuals and then parents. Here, they share the triumphs and challenges of parenthood, and learn the tools and strategies for guiding their children in a positive and healthy manner.

Parent volunteer at a Vid school event


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They also have the chance to share their ideas and recommendations for improvements to the school.

The Parent Council acts as a liaison or medium of communication between the school and the rest of the parent body.

Parent-Teacher Meetings Parents must supplement at home the training given by teachers at school.

It is best when they acquaint themselves with the lessons the child receives at school and see that their conduct and advice do not conflict with what the child learns from teachers.

Formal update meetings between parents and teachers occur at least once a term, and parents are encouraged to approach teachers on a daily basis to discuss the child’s progress and areas for improvement.

Values schools like Vid International are committed to enrich parent participation with the aim of creating an education system that incorporates all the pillars of education seamlessly. The importance of parents’ role in this system is second-to-none in bringing these goals to fruition and producing a worthy experience for all involved.

- Abhimanyu Kaul

Sweet Daddy-daughter exchange

Parent Council This is an opportunity for parents to be part of the administrative process of the school.

As members of the Parent Council, they have the opportunity to give their valuable input when school activities are being planned.

It is parents’ joyful right to be part of the growing experience of their child


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DivaliCelebrations

at Vid

Every major religious festival is celebrated in grand style at Vid! Our staff, children, and other stakeholders come from an interesting mix of ethnicities, faiths and countries around the world: true unity in diversity.

Divali, the Festival of Lights, took place in early November. Sounds of the favourite Trini Divali song, “He Anna Dhana Ki Maharani” could be heard for days as children enthusiastically got ready for their performance.

On celebration day, parents and other Vid family members gathered at the school and were treated to a mix of prayers and songs by the Vid children, as well as a special modelling show! Then, serenaded by tassa drumming, everyone joined together in lighting deyas.

Special thanks to our amazing network of supporters for making this into such a beautiful occasion for us, especially Lynette Paladee for the exquisite decor, and our neighbour Alfred for his fancy bamboo-bending skills!


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Facebook.com/vidinternational


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for lots more photos!


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Human Values 2013

Every year on the 23rd of November, Vid International celebrates the birth anniversary of its founder, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, with ‘Human Values Day’ - dedicated to promoting human values throughout the community.

This year, we celebrated with a Yoga & Meditation morning retreat in the lap of nature at the picturesque and serene Jyoti Nivas complex in Gran Couva.

Dayspreading peace & love through yoga & meditation

As participants arrived, they chose their ‘value for the day’ that they would commit to practicing. As they do for all programs, the Vid children officially began the day’s proceedings with multi-faith prayers and values songs.

The wonderful Jacqueline Quesnel of Akasha Studio led participants through an invigorating session of yoga asanas infused with the values of their choice. Hope to see you at next year’s event...save the date!


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2013

Photography: Priya Ramlochan


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for lots more photos!


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christmas

VID

FUN!


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The Vid family celebrated ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ with a plethora of fun and festivities!

Every day, our pile of decorations grew larger as parents generously dropped off items for our Christmas tree.

Alongside that, with carol tunes and parang music in the air, our children were keeping a hectic schedule of song, dance and play practice under the expert guidance of Aunties Sherna & Maria.

Everyone got a chance to put at least one ornament on the tree and all the ‘Aunties’ added their lovely finishing touches. The school was transformed as Aunty Lynette Paladee and her team ‘decked the halls’ with great flair.

Next up was ‘A Very Vid Christmas Concert’ - a gala event with our children as the stars. Parents and the rest of the Vid family all gathered together to witness the talent and pure joy of the little performers.

The children sang carols, did a ‘Jingle Bells’ dance, and wowed the crowd with their Nativity play. Sprinkled throughout the evening were vibrant performances by a parang band of high school students.

A few days later, we had a surprise visit from, guess who? Santa Claus! He was practically forced out from the North Pole to visit Vid International, as our children had been oh-so-good. He arrived via a pick-up truck with Mrs Claus and some elves.

Of course, he brought with him a huge bag of gifts for every boy and girl much to the shock, amazement and absolute joy of the children.

Special thanks to Uncle Russell Chan and Aunty Leisa Kisto for making this such an unforgettable experience!

We are also grateful for all the support from parents and numerous Vid family well-wishers. From all the children and staff, we wish you bountiful blessings always.


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O!

Christmas

Tree


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A Very VID christmas concert


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Photography: Priya Ramlochan & Rui Brant


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santa


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santa visits!


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Love and blessings to our cuties born in

November & December!

Marquise, 3

Rohan, 4


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Rohan, 4

look who came to visit!

Aunty Jacqueline Quesnel

Grandpa Lenny Lall & Uncle Jimmy Patel

Uncle Aftab & Aunty Esther Ali

Warmest wishes from all of us!

Warmest wishes from all of us!

Values in Action Foundation#21 Back Street, TacariguaTrinidad & Tobago, West Indies868-640-9172facebook.com/[email protected]

Nov/Dec 2013 | Issue 07

Educere...bringing Values to Life

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Educere: Issue 07-Nov/Dec 2013