On May 22, we held the ISW School's Annual Day program at INDIA CENTER.

The event was held on the patio and their attendance certificates were presented by the teachers.  The attendees  wore masks and followed social distancing.   Almost 95 students  came with their parents in three shifts, per their classes, as listed below . 

1.00 to 1.45 pm Tamil, Telugu, Hindi K1 Beg, Hindi 4

2.00 to 2.45 pm Gujarati, Hindi K2, Hindi 2 Beg and Adv, Hindi 3,  Hindi Adult, Hindi ++ Beg

3.00 to3.45 pm Marathi, Hindi K1 Adv, ,Hindi 1, Hindi ++Adv

 Many donated toiletry items to support  Nalini Goyal, one of  the founders of the school for ‘Gifts of Hope’.  In all we also collected $130 in donations also for it.

 We presented graduation certificates to  our 5 Hindi School graduates, Tanvi Gahlot,  Leisha Gupta, Prachet Mahawar, Priyanshu Sahu, and Diya Sadhu.  They had prepared appreciation speeches for Sonia entirely in Hindi.

We also want to give a big shout to Carolyn Passey for preparing the certificate of attendance for each and every one of our 140 students.  "Thank you Carolyn", and the calligraphy tags made by Suchitra and cupcakes by Priya Vaidya

As the year draws to a close , we specially want to thank our 4 student teachers, Mansi Gera  (taught Hindi for 2 years) Krishnaa Amin (taught Gujarati for 5 years) Menaja Raja (taught Tamil for 5 years) and Aanya Sachdeva (taught Hindi for 2 years) .   All the best to Mansi, Krishnaa, and Menaja who are off to college.

 Donation for Teacher Appreciation 2021

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 28 years with the support  of our teachers, so thank you to them.  
Last year $900 was donated on behalf of teachers to Greater Worcester Community Foundation GWCF for the 'FIrst Responders Fund'. This year as agreed  by the teachers the donation collected for 2021 will go towards the ISW building expansion fund. Once again thanks to all the teachers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

 Should you wish to donate, you may do so at this link by the end of June 2021 and once thank you for your support

 https://iswonline.org/page-18137

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