We are very proud to announce that Mansi Gera, ISW School Hindi Student Teacher for two years and a graduate of ISW Cultural and Language school, achieved the Seal of Biliteracy for Hindi at Westboro High School this month.

Congrats to Mansi for going one step beyond, we are very proud of you.

The state of Massachusetts and the Department of Education describes the award as “A recognition of students who have achieved proficiency in English as well as one or more additional languages. It is a statement of accomplishment that helps to signal evidence of a student’s readiness for career and college, and to engage as a global citizen.” The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes high school students who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.

---Ruchi Chauhan and Shiamin Melville

ISW School celebrated Saraswati Puja on March 14, 2021.  

Here is the utube link, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y6TLMn1UR8

Sarita Deshpande, ISW Music Teacher welcomed the students.  It began with a rendition of 'Hey Ram'  sung by Aadhya Raghavendra, Tanisha and Kian Rao, Tanvian Saket Gahlot, Surabhi Dindore, Aayushi Das Gupta, Sohan Hegde, Ashita Agarwal & Ria Seth.  It was followed by 'Sharde Sharde', sung by Dhruv and Arush Jagan, Tanvi and Saket Gahlot, Surabhi Dindore & Sohan Hegde.  Anju Shukla explained the rituals of Saraswati Puja and in conclusion Soumya Warty, sang 'Ya Kundendu'

Thank you all for contributing to the event.  Especial thanks to Shivagi Das Gupta for compiling the videos and Sanjul Seth for preparing the recording of the event/puja

Ruchi Chauhan 

Co-Director ISW Cultural and Language School

Shiamin Melville

Co-Director ISW Cultural and Language School

During the Republic Day assembly, Prachet and Adrika gave a short presentation on Republic Day, and the meaning of the colors used for the Tri Color.  Ria Seth followed it instructions of how to make the Indian National Flag using slime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESGIdXKdQFE&feature=youtu.be

It was followed by a very informative session by Hindi 4 students  about "Pioneers of Modern India" in which they talked about the great Indian scientists and researchers. Prachet Mahawar initiated the idea of making it more interactive by creating the presentation using infographics. Both he and Tanvi Gahlot led the rest of the class in working on the presentation using Canva. All the students collaborated on researching on one pioneer each. They met deadlines, edited the slides together, and took feedback positively. It was a great learning experience for all of them but what stood out from all of this was the camaraderie they all showed and the result was outstanding!

List students who made the following presentations:

1. Homi J Bhabha - Leisha Gupta

2. Jagdish Chandra Bose -Jaya Singh

3. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Azad- Tanvi Gahlot

4. Dr. Har Govind Khorana- Diya Sadhu

5. Dr. C V Raman- Priyanshu Sahu

6. Raja Ramanna- Kunal Chauhan

7. Srinivas Ramanujan- Adrika Singh

8. Meghnad Saha- Saflta Shukla

9. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai- Aashi Gupta

10. JRD Tata- Prachet Mahawar

Hope you enjoy their presentation.(Link)

If you are looking for help with your child's online homework or course work in any school grade, please fill out the info asap at this link: https://forms.gle/wTX6o7QGhGg2mBnG9

If you are a student in grade 9 to 12, who is interested in being a volunteer teacher, please fill out the info at this link: https://forms.gle/HiqFSP56KG14QiKG7

More details at https://iswonline.org/Language-School-Blog Any questions please send an email to tutoring@iswonline.org. Do sign up soon

Tutoring Team:   Krishnaa, Mansi, Ruchi & Shiamin

tutoring@iswonline.org   508-353-4316 Shiamin 

Namaste Parents,

Thanks to Alka ji for the Yoga class on January 10, 2021. 

 News about school: Seeing the current Covid 19 situation, the school will be continuing online only during the second semester.

The second semester fees are due by January 24, 2021, please use the following link to make the payment, thank you for those who have paid already

https://iswonline.org/event-3733322/Registration

Also, your child's teacher will be communicating with you regarding the midterm exam soon.

Please check for the materials needed for the Republic Day Tricolor Indian Flag with slime.

(Details are below the schedule)

Please check the schedule below:

January 16/17

 10:00am – 11:30am –Telugu ( Saturday)

  09:30am - 10:30am – Hindi class - Session 1(Sunday) 

11:00am - 11:30 am –  Cultural - Religion and Indology 

   A) For Younger kids- Religion with Poornima -  ZOOM Link-

https://zoom.us/j/96137939007?pwd=R1ZkVDBtRVJPQmFPV0FDMkJucFordz09

   B) For kids 8 years and Older - Indology class with Niraj Mohanka - Zoom Link-

https://zoom.us/j/95396247900?pwd=MjV5UjduL0ZibUlMRWZYOUxyQ09hZz09

11:30 pm – Marathi, Tamil and Gujarati class -Session 2 -(Sunday)

(1) On January 24, 2021, we will be celebrating Republic Day, with Hindi 4 presenting 'Pioneers of Modern India' series, and Ria Seth will show us how to make a tricolor Indian Flag with slime.  Here are the ingredients, that can be doubled if needed

Ria’s slime class essentials
These are the ingredients down below!
The other stuff is: A bowl, A spoon or Spatula and some disposable gloves.
Elmer's school glue 8oz bottle. (I have tried many different types of glue and they didn’t work
 
2. Activator:
1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons contact lens saline solution, more as needed  or Saline solution is 1 teaspoon salt in two cups of water
1 Tablespoon baking soda  
3. Decorations: You will need some orange and green paint or food coloring.  For the Chakra on the flag you can draw it and cut it out and put it in a ziploc.

Also, your child's teacher will be communicating with you regarding the midterm exam soon.

(2) Donate towards the ISW Expansion Fund: ISW India center's expansion program is well underway.  If you are eligible for a company match, do start the  process soon since it does take 3-4 weeks to complete the paperwork.  More information at https://iswonline.org/Donate

(3) ISW school will hold a virtual Giving Tree .  We are collecting Mittens and Hats for the ISW Crisis Committee until January 31, 2021, you can contact school@iswonline.org. 

(4) ISW Tutoring Match Program

Looking for Homework Help? The ISW Tutoring Match Program is getting ready for the 5th round of matching. If you have a student who is interested in being a volunteer teacher or if you are looking for homework help for your child, please email tutoring@iswonline.org. .Mansi Gera, Krishnaa Amin, Shubh Agrawal, Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville

(5) Navigating the College Process:  Webinar for parents of middle-schoolers to high school  to be held on January 23, 2021  at 3.30 pm  Register https://iswonline.org/event-4087648.  We have more than 36 people signed up.

(6) IAGB Republic DAY MAGAZINE articles due January 10, 2021, there is still time

We encourage students and others to submit an article especially for the youth section, see below  Plus it would be neat if you identify yourself as an ISW school Student

Category 1:Youth Column: We want to hear from the Next Gen. What are your thoughts? What is your passion? What drives you? What bores you? Pen your thoughts on a topic of your choosing and restrict it to approximately 500 words.

There are other categories, see details at https://iagb.org/republic-day-magazine/

(7) ISW Harvest Festival February 13, 2021, 

Calling out for participation

Cultural programs and Dance contests.

Choreographers and dancers!!

https://www.facebook.com/126463640776148/posts/3626937197395424/?d=n

Thank You all for your support

Ruchi Chauhan  and Shiamin Melville

here is the link for Bhajan assembly at 11 am with Sarita, kids and parents please join

https://zoom.us/j/96137939007?pwd=R1ZkVDBtRVJPQmFPV0FDMkJucFordz09

Meeting ID: 961 3793 9007

Passcode: iswclass1

(A) Ganesha Shloka

Aaroha – S r S m , P G ,m D S'

Awaroha - r' N D P m G , P r S .

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah: - 4

Vakratunda Mahakaaya

Suryakoti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva

Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah: - 4

Vakratunda Mahakaaya

Suryakoti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva

Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah: - 4

Shloka – Vakratunda Mahakay Raga – Bhatiyaar

This Shloka tells us about the peculiarity of Shri Ganesha , the Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body who has the luster of the millions sun means SuryaKoti – I pray to thee Oh Lord to remove the obstacles from all the actions I intend to perform

(B) Sharda Stavan

S'n Sr S S'n Sr S Sn Sr gr S -- --

Pm Pd P Pm Pd P Pm gr gr S -- --

Sarva Dnyane , Sadaa nande, sarva rupe , namo namha - 2

Om Sharde Sharde Devi Sharde - 2

Veena Vadini Devi, Buddhee Var De - 2

Vidya Dayini tu, Saraswati Maata -2

Vageeshwari tu, Rang Devata -2

Adnyan Door kar ,dnyan var de - 2

Dnyan var De, dnyan var de

Sharde Sharde Devi Sharde - 2

Shubhra Vastrankita , Prasanna mukhi maata - 2

Seva me apke sangeet sur chhedita - 2

In nanhe balak ko aashirvach de - 2

Aashirvach de , aashirvach de

Sharde Sharde Devi Sharde – 2

Namaste Parents,

Welcome back and Wish you all a very Happy New Year.  We hope you all enjoyed the religion sessions with Niraj & Poornim on December 20, 2020

Please check the schedule below:

January 2/3

 10:00am – 11:30am –Telugu ( Saturday)

  09:30am - 10:30am – Hindi class - Session 1(Sunday) 

11:00am - 11:30 am –   Bhajan practice with Sarita  -  ZOOM Link-

https://zoom.us/j/96137939007?pwd=R1ZkVDBtRVJPQmFPV0FDMkJucFordz09

11:30 pm – Marathi, Tamil and Gujarati class -Session 2 -(Sunday)

(1)  Donate towards the ISW Expansion Fund: ISW India center's expansion program is well underway.  If you are eligible for a company match, do start the  process soon since it does take 3-4 weeks to complete the paperwork.  More information at https://iswonline.org/Donate

(2) ISW school will hold a virtual Giving Tree .  We are collecting Mittens and Hats for the ISW Crisis Committee until January 31, 2021, you can contact school@iswonline.org. 

(3) ISW Tutoring Match Program

Looking for Homework Help? The ISW Tutoring Match Program is getting ready for the 5th round of matching. If you have a student who is interested in being a volunteer teacher or if you are looking for homework help for your child, please email tutoring@iswonline.org. .Mansi Gera, Krishnaa Amin, Shubh Agrawal, Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville

(4) Navigating the College Process:  Webinar for parents of middle-schoolers to high school  to be held on January 23, 2021  at 3.30 pm  Register https://iswonline.org/event-4087648.  We have more than 20 people signed up.

Thank You all for your support

Ruchi Chauhan  and Shiamin Melville

    508-439-7607           508-353-4316

Namaste Parents,

We hope all enjoyed the Winter Snowman Craft last week..Please check the schedule for this week-:

December 12/13

 10:00am – 11:30am –Telugu ( Saturday)

  09:30am - 10:30am – Hindi class - Session 1(Sunday) 

  11:00am – 11.30 am – X'Mas Story presented by Michael family 

Christmas Story presented by Michael Family, former Tamil School students: Brianna Michael, freshman at  Assumption College, Arianna Michael ,  Junior at Shrewsbury High School and Ryan Michael, freshman at Shrewsbury High School

11:30am – 12:30 pm – Marathi, Tamil and Gujarati class -Session 2 -(Sunday)

(1)  Donate towards the ISW Expansion Fund: ISW India center's expansion program is well underway.  If you are eligible for a company match, do start the  process soon since it does take 3-4 weeks to complete the paperwork.  More information at https://iswonline.org/Donate

(2a) ISW school will hold a virtual Giving Tree and  we will be collecting Mittens and Hats for Crisis Committee until January 31, 2020, you can contact school@iswonline.org.

(2b) We are supporting Toys for Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services,  one can drop off the toys  at the Shrewsbury Library until December 18, 2020 during their open hours.

(3) ISW Celebrates Christmas https://iswonline.org/event-4042513 Please register for Gifts from Santa here   by December 17th

Date : Saturday,  December 19th

Morning  ( 9AM  to 11 AM )  :    Drive-in for  Non-Contact Gifts for Children at India Center Drive way 

Evening   ( 6 PM to 7.30 PM )  :   Zoom Celebration in Indian Style  

        ** Christmas Carols in Indian languages 

        ** Christmas Story 

        ** Show Case new India Center 

        **  Wrap up of 2020 ISW Activities and Greetings from ISW Executive,  Board  & former Executive Members 

        ** Recognition of ISW Crisis Committee & the Work in Local Indian Community in Covid Times 

       **   Virtual Visit of Santa ;  Children Chat with Live Santa on Zoom from Homes 

(4) ISW Tutoring Match Program

Looking for Homework Help? The ISW Tutoring Match Program is getting ready for the 4th round of matching. If you have a student who is interested in being a volunteer teacher or if you are looking for homework help for your child, please email tutoring@iswonline.org. .Mansi Gera, Krishnaa Amin, Shubh Agrawal, Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville

(5) Navigating the College Process:  Webinar for parents of middle-schoolers to high school  to be held on January 23, 2021  at 3.30 pm  Details at iswonline.org

Thank You all for your support

Ruchi Chauhan  and Shiamin Melville

    508-439-7607           508-353-4316

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving from Ruchi & Shiamin

Next class is on December 5/6. 

The ISW School assembly next week is a great opportunity for our kids to learn a craft and make a homemade gift for family & friends. Sending the list of supplies early to give the parents time to pull the supplies together

Winter Snowman by Rekha Ratan December 6 , 2020 at 11 am ISW Assembly

1 Tube socks white preferably above ankle

2 Firm Cardboard 3 inches square

3 Rice filling I cup

3 Quilt filling or soft rags

4 Rubber bands

5 Ribbon

6 Tacky glue

7 Orange construction paper for nose.

8 Sticks to make hands.

9 Sharpie markers

10 Scissors

Looking for Homework Help?

ISW Tutoring Match Program getting ready for  4^th round of matching

----Mansi Gera, Krishnaa Amin, Shubh Agrawal, Ruchi Chauhan & Shiamin Melville

ISW Cultural and Language School launched the new online Students & Tutor match program in August 2020, to help parents with arranging one on one online tutoring for the kids with help from IYG members.  The topics are Math, Physics, Science, English, Spanish Language and Life skills like Time Management.  The tutors accumulate volunteer hours and our hassled parents get the support they need from ISW. 

In the last month we have matched 32 tutors with pupils and have received incredibly positive feedback.  Our tutors have given us 160 hour of volunteer hours.

If you have a student who is interested in  being a volunteer teacher or if you have a child and are looking for help with your child’s online homework, please send an email to tutoring@iswonline.org.

Feedback from Parents/Kids:

"So often in life things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good things." – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

As we write our thoughts on how valuable and timely the student volunteers and the tutoring program has been, we are reminded of the quote from Ruth Ginsburg. When we enrolled our twin daughters Aadhya & Naavya who are in 1^st grade for the language class, it was our first-time being part of the ISW community. We happened to see the tutoring by the high school students and decided to give it a try especially since our kids were planning to do remote schooling. Having 1-on-1 interaction with a teacher is so limited in the online program, we thought that the tutoring would augment this more since the tutors come with their experience of being in the school system here and help us navigate the curriculum more easily.

It is commendable how ISW came up with this program and encouraged high school students to participate and share their time with the community. We are truly amazed by the knowledge, effort and dedication of the assigned tutors, Lara Mukundan and Aditya Jhalavat. Each week, both Lara and Aditya would come prepared with lesson plans and help Aadhya and Naavya learn new concepts. They even challenge them to come out of their comfort zone and try concepts that are not yet taught in the school. We are so Thankful for the time they spend each week with the kids. It is not easy to keep 6 year olds engaged in a virtual session after a long day of school but our kids look forward to the classes. Lara and Aditya come up with creative ways using games and interactive ideas all the time and quickly change it to ensure they constantly keep the kids interested. We are so appreciative of you and ISW to have provided us with this opportunity. Also, grateful to Lara and Aditya for having contributed towards the growth and learning of both Aadhya and Naavya. Kudos to their parents to have supported them as well.

Reema & Avinash

Ria: This is for Rihddi, my Spanish teacher. She is truly the best. I love sitting in meetings with her and she was really helpful with teaching me Spanish. I'm very grateful I had her as my Spanish teacher. Sometimes even if we were playing hangman in Spanish she made it awesome if anybody else was teaching i will still be learning how to say 1 in Spanish.

Arush: "My tutoring teacher is awesome. When class starts, we always do something fun like Kahoots. Most of the time we do fun Kahoots like grammar and other topics related to Language arts. My tutoring teacher decides what topic I should do if I am doing an essay and when I am done or when I am still working on it, she edits my writing to make it more flexible, smooth, and making sense. Every class I tell my tutoring teacher what in Language arts I am struggling with, say I am struggling with grammar, with all of the time we have, I feel I am strong with grammar."

Dhruv: "I really like the way she teaches me. Before we start the class, she always asks what I would like to learn for the day, meaning she is very flexible with what she is teaching and I am glad that I am learning so much from her. I am definitely improving in my subjects!  She not only teaches me with explaining, she gives me examples in real life of what we are learning, making it easier for me to understand the topic".  

Smrithi has been coaching Dhruv and its going well. Dhruv looks forward to meeting Smrithi.Thank you for reaching out!

This program has been great during this strange school year. For my kids I had requested assistance with math. Both Maya and Arvind have been really good with communicating their availability, planning the sessions and conducting the sessions. Thank you for making this happen!

I thought the tutor program is a great idea. The content varies from class to class instead of having some continuity. Yash seems to be enjoying the classes