Language & Cultural School Happenings

Hindi Bal Yuva Manch every year felicitates teachers who are engaged in the field of Hindi.  Ruchi Chauhan was honored for her exemplary work as a Hindi teacher at ISW Hindi school.

She was awarded on 22nd June in Baal Manch event at Wakefield Memorial high school.

--submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW Parent

ISW Language school kids (see below) sang the National Anthem of India gracefully showing their respect, love and pride. Special thanks to Ruchi Chauhan for being the conductor and coordinating the practice sessions alongside with Ms. Shiamin Melville, which helped to them to sing comfortably in front of a big audience. After the national anthem kids stood in front of the players tunnel and gave high-five to WooSox players. Finally the kids enjoyed the game with some burgers and fries, and left with a good memory with their family and friends. Thanks again to all the parents for their time and effort supporting the Indian Heritage event. Below are the kids who performed the National Anthem of India and do check out their pictures in the link here.

 Arna Majmudar
Anwitha Avinash
Arjun Sahasrabudhe
Ayaan Sahasrabudhe
Arya Sharma
Ishan Dixit
Jasmin Grover
 Krishnav Karwa
Rishi Muthukumaran
Vedant Vyas

Namaste to all

--submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW Parent

At ISW school the Annual Day was celebrated on May 19, 2024. This was a special one as we embarked on our language school journey for more than 30 years of school program - whilst this is a great milestone we never stop aiming for many more successful years and creating a positive impact on every ISW kids’ life. The agenda for the annual day celebration was indeed a packed one. Firstly, we had the National anthem and welcome speech by Ruchi Chauhan. Followed by students’ performance assigned for their class and then received their certificates plus prizes for attendance. Thanks to Ms. Carolyn for her continued support and preparing the school participation certificates. Parents also had the opportunity to review the final score of their kid’s annual test.

Next Sanjay Shah, ISW Gala Committee addressed the crowd about the upcoming ISW 2024 Gala on September 19, 2024.

Last two performance were the highlights of the day – one was a surprise performance by the ISW school teachers, and the other one was the kids group song “We are the World” which was beautifully orchestrated. 

The annual day celebration ended with a tasty Indian potluck feast prepared by the parents, which the kids enjoyed thoroughly. Below you will find the link to the pictures. (Ask for access if you cannot open it, and being on your laptop helps, since some mobile phones maynot not have google drive.)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1C8kt1DLcslLcoLuB6mPgJNaGYwZPi2Jb

As we wrap up this academic year, we can’t wait to see our current students and future students after the summer break. Stay tuned for more information about registration for the next academic year.

Once again thanks to all the teachers, volunteers, parents, and of course the ISW management for making this event a huge success.

--submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW Parent

Namaste to All!!

More Pictures 

April has been a busy month at ISW language and cultural class. On one hand the kids were busy focusing on the language skills and on the other they were spending quality time learning Indian festivals, Bollywood dance and performing talent shows. They always surprise us which makes ISW a unique place for kids to shine and nurture as they grow.

On April 7th, kids learnt about Gudi Padwa and Ugadi festivals. Thanks to our parents Mr. Aditya Ambade and Ms. Yamuna Palia for presenting on Gudi Padwa and Ugadi festivals respectively. The kids were pleasantly surprised to know how similar both were being celebrated. After that presentation, our beloved Mr. Narendra Karapakula conducted the yoga session, and the kids enjoyed a nice stretch before their spring break.

After a nice, short and sweet spring break, kids returned to the class and enjoyed a fun filled dance workshop performed by Ms. Sheetal Kochavara who conducts BrightXpressions - a dance school specializing in Indian classical, hip-hop, Bollywood, and Hollywood dance forms. Kids enjoyed her vibe thoroughly. Do check her out!. 

On April 28th , around 18 kids participated in the talent show. Every year the kids keep surprising us with their amazing talents. From singing, dance, standup, solving Rubik’s cube, playing musical instruments and much more they astound us with an array of skills. Here is a glimpse of their performance.

With a lot of tasks lined up including final exam for the academic year and gearing up for the Annual day celebration on May 19, kids never get tired and keep exploring more. Once again thanks to all the teachers, volunteers, parents, and finally the ISW management for making this happen.

Stay tuned!

All languages School Registrations

Telugu only 

Donation for Teacher Appreciation 2024

Hi Parents, it is that time of year again, the academic year draws to an end. Many of you wanted to show your appreciation for the great volunteer work done by the ISW Language Teachers, Assembly Teachers and Staff. Our school has been going strong for 30+ years with the support of our teachers, so thank you to them.

Should you wish to donate to a collection for teachers appreciation, you may do so at this link by the end of June 2024 and once thank you for your support. Funds will be donated as per teachers choice.

In 2020 $900 was donated on behalf of teachers to Greater Worcester Community Foundation GWCF for the 'First Responders Fund'.

In 2021 The donation collected for 2021 went towards the ISW building expansion fund. Once again thanks to all the teachers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

In 2022 The donation $670 collected went to World Central Kitchen for their work in Ukraine, and the remaining amount was donated to local charities like Abby House, Floral Street School(for a family in need), Northborough Junior Woman club (Turkey earthquake relief fund) and Senior Center In Shrewsbury(Food Pantry)

2023, we collected approx $500, and amount was shared between $250 to Shrewsbury Senior Cnter, $150 to Abbey House shelter for Women, $50 to Beal School and $50 Floral School food bank

--submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW Parent

Namaste to All!

On March 10 th 2024, ISW school had their Annual Teacher gathering where teachers discussed school agenda Items and spent some time socializing with other families. After the meet and  greet the families took part in fun games followed by lunch.

At ISW the kids celebrated Holi and Easter on March 31 st , 2024. Special thanks to Ms. Shiamin Melville and Master Kunal Chauhan for presenting and sharing their experiences on Easter tradition and Holi celebration respectively.

As the presentation was ongoing the Easter bunny left a surprise treat for all the kids. After the presentation, the kids came out and got excited with not just one but two surprises – lot full of eggs and a beautiful sunny weather. The kids couldn’t wait anymore to see what treats the bunny had left for them. Thanks to Easter bunny for leaving enough treat for all, and the kids made sure their peers got the treats as well.

After munching the treats, the kids moved to the next station where they formed a line to receive the organic dry color packets and pichkari (water gun). Special mention to our parents Muthu Rajasekaran, Abhay Thakur and Anjali Paranjpe for bagging the Holi colors and colored water. It was a great sight to see beautiful colored faces of both parents and kids having fun together.

As a parent, I was able to revive my childhood days celebrating

Holi and I’m sure other parents experienced the same looking at their kids. You know that the job done was great when your kid tells you that he had the best time, and loves coming more to attend the ISW language and cultural classes. Thanks to all the teachers, volunteers, parents, and last but not the least the ISW management for making this happen.

Here is some info on the  Seal of Biliteracy Program available in most  of our local Public Schools

In order to highlight the benefit of multilingualism and to promote sustained English language, native language, heritage language, and global language learning,  Shrewsbury Public School’s participates in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy  and beyond. Please click on the link below for more information. Exams happen once a year, so contact the Principal's office. SSOB parent letter 2023-24

Mansi Gera one of our student teachers availed of this in Westboro Public School system.

Contact schoollead@iswonline.org if you need help navigating this for your kids

Carnatic music lecture/demonstration by Dr. Ramachandran Balakrishna at the Cultural School Assembly today.

 Dr. Ramachandran Balakrishna learns Carnatic violin from Shri. K.V.S. Vinay. He had his initial training with Shri. Nagarajan (a disciple of Padma Bhushan Shri. Lalgudi G. Jayaraman) and subsequently with Madurai Shri. P.V. Raghavan before moving to the Boston area. Ramachandran also works on his music with his mother, Smt. Sudha Balakrishnan. Ramachandran is a Principal Transportation Scientist in the Boston area.

submitted by Muthu Rajasekaran, ISW School parent 

Namaste to all!

As we embark into the beginning of new year 2024 kids learnt about harvest festivals, namely Pongal, Sankranti, Lohri and how it is commonly celebrated across different parts of India. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to teach and share their experiences of the harvest festival.

At ISW, the Saraswathi puja was celebrated on March 10, 2024. The celebration at ISW is a long-standing tradition that has  been cultivated under the presence and guidance of Ms. Carolyn and Ms. Shiamin for the past 30 plus years – which has been and will be cherished by the past, present and future students of ISW. Prior to the big day, Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sarita taught the bhajans (Sharda Stavan and Hey Ram, Hey Ram) to the kids that they will be reciting on the day of puja. Amidst their busy schedule of language class and practicing bhajans, few kids even signed up to perform solo performance during the puja.

On the day of celebration, kids wore traditional Indian attire and were excited to offer their devotion to Goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. Special thanks to Ms. Carolyn for the idols and decorations – a serenity and glimpse one could only experience in a temple.

Each kid was given a plate with some flowers, diya, and an idol of Saraswathi maa, and then the puja ceremony preceded by Mrs. Anju Shukla. As the Guru Mantra and Saraswathi Shloka’s went on, thekids meticulously took the flower petals and kum kum and offered their prayers to Saraswathi maa. Then in one single file, the kids along with Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sarita recited the bhajans (Sharda Stavan and Hey Ram, Hey Ram), which was pleasant to hear and was witnessed by the parents who graced the occasion with their family members. After the prayers, the solo performance of the kids was conducted. To our surprise, many kids who didn’t initially sign up for the solo performance also showed interest and were given a chance to showcase their spirituality – Afterall what better occasion can erupt their confidence than the day of wisdom and knowledge is being worshipped.

The enchantment of Goddess Saraswathi Maa’s songs, slogans and dance performance by the kids filled the room with eternal and divine aura. At the end the kids received blessings from the teacher and had the sacred thread tied onto their wrist, and then proceeded to collect the prashad.

Overall, this year’s Saraswati puja celebration was a huge success, and once again thanks to all the teachers and parents whose effort is much appreciated in every step of the kid’s nourishment and traditional upbringing. Together we can make our community and culture stronger!

Every year the ISW School families support the Giving Tree.  We collected over $100 in gift cards and mittens.  It will be donated to Abby's  House, which is Worcester’s largest provider of affordable housing specifically designed to meet the needs of women and children. Thank you to the parents, teachers & children.