Sunday, December 28, 2008

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-First Annual Day ,Dec 2008

FIRST ANNUAL DAY CELEBRATIONS- 2007-2008
25.12.08-Today by 7 A.M, our chief guest family has arrived to Sendurai. They have been dropped in taxi by Mr.Ravichanderan. We thank him for his interest in this school. Balaji was appreciating the natural setup of the village. His children were so happy and free moving in Mani’s home. Mani’s family also welcomed them warmly and made them to feel very comfortable.
After the regular morning formalities we had good breakfast and left to our HOC. By sharp 9, our staff and few of our parents gave warm welcome to the chief guest family.
We took them around the HOC and our staffs were asked to care them.
*** By 9.30 A.M, Dr.Pradheepkumar and his family called from USA and parents –staff listened to their message. Chief Guest also spoke to them. Pranav has made the excellent greeting card which carries the various aspects of our HOC in the pictorial depiction. Priya and Pradheep have also send greetings and messages to staff and parents. The greetings and message got explained before all.
Balaji said, ‘’ it is very much inspiring to see the Montessori HOC in a village. I can feel the real depth in the Montessori philosophy inside this school. The efforts made by staff and foundations are very much realized by me’’
Mrs.Kavitha said
, ‘’ I can see the real difference between the Montessori setup between the city and village. I feel the HOC has implemented all most every aspect of Dr.Montessori’s views about the children and education’’.
THE GREAT INDIAN FLAG:
Then Mani’s father hoisted the great Indian flag and we all sang the state song and saluted the national flag. Children observed the ground rules and followed perfect behavior. Then we all went inside the main hall and settled for the meeting.
Mrs.Priyakannan who took her assignments for the day to her home beyond her son’s illness gave a perfect welcome address.
Then I gave the thanking greetings for all who are behind this great scheme and asked the chief guests to honor Dr.Montessori and Gandhiji with flowers. Then we all chanted the school prayers.
Then I introduced them to the parents. Slowly many parents started arriving.
THE SACRED LAMPS OF WISDOM: Two traditional clay lamps of wisdom were lighted by the chief guests and placed before Dr.Montessori and Gandhiji. Two lamps denote the completion of one year and beginning of second year.
Mrs. Kavitha’s speech delivered the following aspects:
1. Her experiences about Montessori system.
2. How she got into this system?
3. Her husband’s role in uplifting her as a Montessori staff.
4. Her children’s evolution in a Montessori HOC.
5. How to control our anxiety and anger before the children and society?
6. How to observe a child within the school?

Mr.Arulbalaji‘s speech delivered the following messages:

1. The real chief guest in a school is the parents who have made their presence and recognized their children.
2. What made him to become a Montessori parent?
3. Why he made his wife to take Montessori training?
4. What he wanted from the young parents?
5. He asked them to do 3 things:
· Shed your anger and comparison.
· Believe the school and surrender the children to the staff.
· Spread Montessori movement.

He too spoke about the fees structure and asked the parents to pay it regularly.

· I am not writing many things about his talk because he has praised us a lot.
THE WAY WE HONORED:
When I was studying in B.B.B school I have seen my craft teacher Mrs.Revathy decorating pure cotton towels as garlands and she said that the school follows Gandhi’s few simple principles. We buy kaadhi cotton clothing to honor him and also to help the weavers. So I wished that to be done in our Sakthy School also. So we made few garlands and honored our VIP people. I too explained about how my teachers have inspired me all many such things.
· Mr.Ayyanna garlanded Mr.Arulbalagi.
· Miss. Selvi garlanded Mrs. Kavitha.
· Mrs.Kavitha and Mr.Arulbalaji inturn honored Mani’s parents.
· HOC children gave bouquets to chief guest family.
· Teachers gave the brass bowl full of flowers to the chief guest.
· Children gave the box full of clay vegetables and fruits made by our children to chief guest’s children.
· Then we also honored Mr – Mrs.Ganeshkumar from Pongalloor who are taking steps for a new HOC in their village. He has paid Rs.101 for his daughter in 2006 when we started the school plan.
R EPORTS
We gave away the narrative reports, Certificate which say top 10 skills of a child, Guide book about Montessori system to parents and a greeting with Maria’s quotation. This book was received and honored by Mrs.Kavitha.
Each child was invited by Miss.Mallika , Mrs.Shanthi and Bodhini with an introduction to them. The parents were so proud of them and saw their children receiving the report.
Children, who were ill, received the reports through their father or mother. There were few parents who have never turned up and we too commented about that.
Then we have asked Rajashrees’s father to address about the child’s vocabulary skill and parenting. Meanwhile we too decently highlighted the bad way of handling emergency situations by them without openly pointing out their names.
Few children sang few Montessori songs. Miss. Sasikala gave introduction to Montessori songs. Then we all joined and sang few songs.
Balamithran narrated the story of Pandurangan.
Rajashree exposed her vocabulary skill before every body.
HONORING SESSION:
We have greeted and honored Mrs.Kalaivani who was our first staff. I spoke about her talents and her parents were honored in her absence with grand gifts.
Then we have received Mrs.Bodhini and her husband. Children and parents gave warm applause for them and gave flowers. He was honored with towel and she was honored with kaadhi mat letter hanger.
We also honored Mrs.Jothy akka and Mrs.Shanthi. Then we gave the sacred brass lamps of wisdom to all other staff and parents who were attending the previous day festival. Lamps were given to all by Chief Guest’s children Rakshitha and Harshavardhini.
Then we also honored Late.Mr.Palaniswamy for his service and Mr.Dharma who have taken free service in transferring all materials from Madras.
Then we read out the annual budget and greeted all the staff members who are behind this great success.
· We asked our parents about the idol of GOD Murugan to get placed in the village. But every body opposed that because they all said that their children are growing with true spiritual qualities and discipline because of this idol.
We too explained the International Montessori Congress – 2009.
We ended the festival by 2 A.M and admired our children and parents for their presence for a long time.
We all stood and sang the national anthem and concluded the festival and asked all to view the album room and take sweets. Usha amma has prepared sweet porridge and sundal. She was totally involved in cooking for the guests and staff. We thank her and her daughter for their service. She too got honored.
Then staffs were talking to the guests and we walked to our school land and prayed that there must be the school building by next annual day. Then we all took grand lunch served in Mani’s home. The chief guests left to Erode city by 3.30 P.M.
THE GREAT DONATION BY MY CLASS MATES:
The chief guests collected money from few of my school friends who are serving the nation from their own profession. He has donated Rs.17, 000 for purchasing Montessori materials. We thank them. So we thank God for making this great day of effort as a grand and depth day which is the real honor to Dr.Montessori and Mahathma Gandhiji.
Thankyou all!

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-Annual Festival 2007-8,day2 and 3

FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF NAMMA VEEDU MONTESSORI HOC- 2007-2008, DAYS 2 and 3.
22.12.08
- Today we have started the day with regular chanting and we waited for the parents to arrive for the story telling session. But we have received only 3 parents. Saravanan’s mother came and said a story for one minute and Mishal’s father narrated the legend of Christ using the crib. Our previous helper Mrs.Ponnammal who is around 65 years old arrived and narrated a long story about equality.
So it is clear that even villagers are not familiar with story telling in these modern days because of the television. We felt sorry for this situation. So I have made it is a compulsory rule that every day after chanting one teacher must narrate a traditional Indian story.
· After that we left for the annual report plans.
· We thank our helper Jothy akka’s daughter Sangeetha who has brought basket full of marigold flowers for garland making. Teachers sat till 7 P.M and made wonderful bouquet.
· On this day Miss.Selvi left to Dindukal town and purchased few lamps for gift and many cotton kaadhi towels for garland making and gift.
23.12.08- I left to Erode city because my aunty passed away and came back to Sendurai by 10 P.M. It was a very tedious journey for 12 hours. Many parents have given their paintings to HOC on this day. The topic is ‘’NATURE’’. Saravanan’s father drew his picture on 21st itself because he has to go for the job. We respect such parents who have started taking interest in their children.
24.12.08- Our HOC was functioning fastly and children were given leave today. We have cleaned every thing and last hour checking has been done. I was very upset with the maintenance of the jewel set boxes and I was little bit harsh with my staff for that for the very first time. I have explained the efforts and money used for buying them.
We all decorated the HOC with mango leaves and coconut leaves and arranged all the required things in order. Teachers practiced the various formalities and we left soon for the day.
Thanking you!

Namma Veedu Montessori HOC-Main Events Of Dec,08

EVENTS OF DECEMBER -2008
This month is going to be very exciting for us because we are going to step into the second year of service. So slowly our HOC is getting ready for that. Mean while we got a new child Master.Andrews, 2 years old who has well settled within a day and waiting for admission.
We have given a small increment of Rs.250 to Miss.Mallika who is with us for 10 months and Miss. Sasikala for their work and development.
1.11.08-Mr.Jeyaraman has approached Mr.Mrs.Parthiban one of our parent for teaching faculty. Mrs.Kayalvizhi has trained for teaching faculty and got some experience in conventional school. She is very calm and deep analyzer. She is also a photographer along with her husband and taking part in all our HOC events. She made her 5 year old son to shift from a conventional school to the Montessori setup. So we believe that she will join with us for the next level growth. She has permanently settled in the village.
HOC has invited Dr.Kalaiselvi- Tamil professor – KVK arts college-Trichy as the chief guest on December 25th-2008. We will talk about her later.
THE CHALLENGING DANGER- Today Rajasree was badly hurted when Swetha ran towards her to show a hug and smile. Immediately the issue was announced to the parents. But Rajasree’s mother has spoken very ill about the HOC and all the staff. But according to the spiritual lessons they were quiet and explained the situation, but she ignored them. Our auto was used to take the child to the hospital. Medication was given. There were few stitches with dressing. Mani’s mother went and spoke to the parents. We have decided to ask excuse but we are going to tell in the open meeting about teachers’ abuse by parents. This child’s mother has repeated the verbal abuse 3rd time in this year. But we need to learn one important lesson.
‘’ It is common for such accidents in a school with many children, but it is not good in a small school like us. We need to be more aware about the happenings.’’
4.12.08- NATURE WALK. The school has gone out for the nature walk. Children have conversed many things and we are listing very unique observations as follows. They saw the village wells, grass lands, hens, bulls and cows. They saw an eagle gliding across a pond. They saw dragon flies, crows, cranes, palms, butterflies and many things.
1. Sudeesh was able to tell the following English terms. Crows, cocks, hens, chickens, butterflies, eagles, dragonflies and trees.
2. Saravanan saw a snake and alerted the staff to go away.
3. Ravikumar pointed out a hut with the term ‘’home’’ and put a worm with a stick.
4. After the walk every body involved in a long chat and discussed about the nature walk. Madhumitha and Swetha started narrating the walk as a story.

6.12.08- We have purchased the X- Mas Crib for HOC from Madras Bessant Nagar Church shop. We have also purchased few nice decorative items. So after the lamp festival we will be presenting the legend of Jesus Christ to our children. On 21st of this month we are having the Christmas celebrations with the carols from local church group. Mishal’s parents have agreed for the arrangement.
Mean while we are preparing for the Thirukaarthigai lamp festival. Teachers are presenting the myth behind the festival with respective dolls and craft work made by them. On 13.12.08 our Lord will be taken for procession inside the village. On that occasion few of our students will be appearing as mythological characters and talk about them.
5.12.08- We have designed and printed the very first certificates of appreciation of children in our HOC in Madras. We have also edited and printed the simple version of Dr. Montessori system which is getting followed in our HOC as simple book lets. This will issued along with the certificates on 25th December by our chief guest.
Our chief guest has expressed that she could not attend the festival on 25.12.08 because of a genuine reason. So we have hunted for an other chief guest. We got THEM.
They are Mr.ARULBAAJALI and Ms.KAVITHA. Their children Lakshitha and Harshavardhini are Montessori children.
Mr.Arulbaalaji is Dr.M.Madeswaran’s school mate. He was very naughty and only son in a rich business family in Erode. His jokes, class room behaviors were well known and made many to laugh and enjoy the friendship. He is very keen about the association of his class mates after schooling from 1991.
He got graduated in pharmacy and completed his MBA program and worked as lecturer in a pharmacy college in Madras. He is the author of a text book in pharmacy and today he is the Marketing Director of a good pharmacy group in Madras.
He stood as the best support for us when Mrs.Amudha wanted to begin her Montessori HOC in her village in 2006. He has listened to most of our lectures and always approaches us for any guidance in child care.
After facing many difficulties he has put his elder daughter in Viruksha Montessori HOC in Madras. After observing the various aspects within his child he has supported his wife also to undergo the Montessori training under SriUma Shankarji. Today she is working in Sprouts Montessori HOC –Madras.
The couple is very much interested in Montessori system and they are eligible for the Annual Day celebrations as chief guests.
11.12.08- HOC has celebrated the famous THIRUKAARTHIGAI lamp festival after 15 days celebrations of legend presentation through models. Usha amma has cooked sundala nd traditional poojas were performed.
12.12.08- Today is Thirukaarthigai festival. HOC is on leave and Usha amma has decorated the building with row of lamps.
13.12.08- Today before starting the Thirukaathigai festival we made the Lord to get bath by our 3 children. Saravanan, Balamithrana and Chandrakumar were performing the sacred bath and chanted all the prayer chantings. Today we are celebrating the Thirukaarthigai festival through our school. The school got decorated by our staff as usual in traditional way. By noon 3.3.P.M, the local elders who perform the chants and holy songs arrived and started their bajans.
Our very first fancy dress day:
Our parents have also arrived promptly arrived for make upping their children as Murugan and Kaarthigai women. The staff and others were involved in this activity. The school has supported them with jewels and makeup set.
It is very nice to see the parents’ cooperation and enthusiasm in making the children to involve in this festival. Most of them have recognized their child’s very first fancy dress occasion.
Teachers have also trained these children to act and talk their roles. Every child looked very cute and divine with the costumes and make ups. Few of them also tried their best and narrated their dialogues. Many were tensed and cried and we gave them the space to settle down and told the parents not to expect their children to act or perform immediately before the public because this is their very first occasion. We asked the staff and parents to observe and appreciate their children when they were doing their role at home or in the school. Only the smartness, boldness to bare the costumes and makeup and trail activity in talking the dialogue can be appreciated and encouraged.
All those who got decorated stood happily and took individual and group photos. Few spoke their dialogues also. The jewels we have bought for Murugan have made these little ones to become very divine. Afterwards they have joined with the procession also. They were courageous to come along with us in the costume and play and also to travel in the auto till the festival spot.
Children who participated in this occasion:
1. N. Saravanan.
2. SreeDiwakar. [ is a 2 year old boy. His mother is working in a different place. She visits him rarely. So she has taken very special efforts to make him enjoy the day. But he was very tensed that his mother may leave him]
3. S.NaveenKanna.
4. N.Ravikumar.
5. P.Balamithran.
6. R.Samidurai.[ a child from very poor , illiterate family got the courage to stand before all]
7. G.Swetha. [ Swetha’s father Mr.Ganesh took the photos on this occasion]
8. K.Madhumitha.
9. S.Divyadarshini.
10. M.Dharani.
The happy procession:
We started the procession by 4.30 P.M and the traditional village drum set from the near by town [ MANAPAARAI] was going on performing very well and made the village in festival mood. Though the artists were so poor, they were very staunch and dedicated to their performance and enjoyed the procession and praised the lord. After the festival , they were paid with Rs.1500 and garlands and prasadham set.
Mr.Balamurugan from Pondycheri, Jeyaraman, Mrs.Shanthi madam’s husband, Saravan’s father, Naveen’s father Mr.Saravanan and many others have joined with the lord. Mr.Ganeshkumar has joined with his wife and child from Pongaloor. Mr.Murugan, Master.Paani have also supported the festival. He only lifted the umbrella for Murugan. We went to the Vinayakar shrine and lighted the lamp first. Then we honored Kurathi amman with a lamp and proceeded to Mahalaxmi amman shrine. Poojas were performed to Devi and one lamp got lighted inside the shrine and 6 other lamps at the entrance.
We spoke about the importance of caring out father and mother. We told that Murugan himself is showing by respecting his parents. The silver pendant of Shivasakthi was exposed and people saw that also. Then we narrated the legend of ADI MUDI THAEDAL from Shivapuranam.
People enjoyed the show and many old people gathered very near to Lord and prayed. Later the bajan group members were honored with green towels and Mani’s father and Dr.Madeswaran were also honored by the shrine.
Then the lord started back to HOC. This time many devotees have gathered and gave warm welcome to their God. By 8 P.M, we reached the HOC. Individual respects were shown to devotees who supported the festival and they all left. Then we cleaned the HOC and did night poojas to Lord and made them to sleep. We all went and slept in Mani’s house after a long dinner.
We thank Mrs.Usha for preparing such a delicious food for noon and night. She too has prepeared the sundal prasadam for us. We have listed out the committee members names and made Mr.Balamurugana s the president.
We also appreciate Mr.Kaarthi for coming all over from Thirupur. He will be the local president. We are thanking every body who has made the festival as the most successful one.
We thank Mani’s parents, Mr.Gopi[local priest] and all elders.
Important observations:
1. Many devotees have responded this time.
2. Village elders have stretched their good support.
3. Many families have set up warm traditional welcome while the procession was going on.
4. But very few only gave oil.
5. Many children, old people, diseased people watched the procession.
6. People observed the rituals and listened the drama and story calmly.
7. A poor boy came all along the procession and finally we gave few sets of dress.
8. The poor drum set artist was offered with a new dothy.
9. Mr.Kumaran[ our important member] could not arrive because of his health.

14.12.08- Today village elders came to meet us by 10 A.M. They have requested for the Murugan idol to get placed in the center of the village where the previous temple got ruined. Mr.Jeyaraman and Dr.Madeswaran.M were talking in the important meeting.
Minutes of the meeting:
1. Murugan idol was asked for the common temple in the village.
2. Village will construct and care the shrine.
3. Sakthi foundation will perform all its needs from that shrine.
4. But what Sakthi foundation answered after talking to Dr.Pradheepkumar?
· We brought the idol just for the personal use within the school to teach the spirituality and culture for the children
· The foundation has explained the role of HOC in shaping out the 25 children and the elders have appreciated that.
· We said that our spiritual teacher SreeAmrithaanandhamaye amma have directed us to bring out the God for the village public through the festivals.
· We have planned for the school building along with temple which will be opened for the villagers without any discrimination.
· This was realized by the elders and they accepted for this plan and assured for their total cooperation for all occasions. We made them to realize for the poor maintenance of the old temple.
· They have requested to support them financially to paint the Mahalaxmi amman shrine and to install a stone idol of the goddess also.
· We have asked them to give a letter to Dr.Pradheepkumar along with the quotation for painting.
Later we conducted the HOC staff meeting. The minutes are as follows:
1. We read the book published by the HOC to guide the staff and parents about the system and school.
2. Certificate work got discussed.
3. Chief Guest was introduced to our staff and they asked many questions.
4. Saravan’s latest behavior patterns were discussed.
5. His mother was called and advised for better family conduct.
6. We too spoke to Rajashree’s mother for the accident.
7. We have planned the 2009 first term events and holidays.
8. We have planned Christmas festival plan also.
9. Christmas decoration set was given to the school.
10. Miss.Sasikala and Mrs.PriyaKannan can come at 9A.M alternatively.
11. The work before the annual day was planned for the staff and they have to carry over it.
12. Miss.Kalaivaani was met by Dr.Madeswaran in the morning. She has shared that the teacher training is very easy for her because she is well familiarized with Montessori system. She has accepted to attend the Annual Day celebrations.
13. Miss.Panju came to the HOC for teaching job. She has done a diploma in agriculture and we have asked Jeyaraman to follow her.


The HOC has celebrated the following children’s’ birth days.
1. J.Andrews Martin- 12.12.08
2. S.Naveenkanna- 20.12.08
3. P.Balamithran- 29.12.08
4. G.RenukaDevi- 14.12.08- She is Mr.Ganeskumar’s daughter who has visited us for the festival. On this day we offered a cake and asked her to give chocolates to all our children. The school gifted her with a crayon set from USA and also gave her a greeting with Montessori’s saying. She liked one of the stuff toy and we too gave it to her. Saravanan was there in this context and we made him to greet her and give away the gifts.
5. Danush- 24.12.08

From 21st to 25th we have celebrated the annual school festival and please read the next article for the details.
Thankyou!