Binder1.pdf

www.indiaparentmagazine.org • Open House Special 2016

WHERE ARE THE WOMEN?

Raj Bhanot & Jairam Komati collaborate diverse organizations to mold AIA

Connecting Students to their Bright Future Stratford School

Why Academy of Fencing is Recognized as the Best Fencing Club

AAP ’s Revolutionary Educational reforms in Delhi

Learn how a Stratford education prepares your child to be a problem solver, innovator, and leader…

Join us for a CAMPUS TOUR Our STEAM-infused curriculum (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) is enhanced with music, foreign language, and physical education. Stratford School is the perfect balance… where tradition meets 21st Century learning. SCHEDULE ATOUR TODAY! StratfordSchools.com/tours

OPEN HOUSE October 22 10 a.m. –1p.m.

The curiosity to reach. The courage to grasp. TM

Preschool State License Numbers: 073402482, 013417816, 013420588, 434404890, 434408056, 434407977, 434404336, 434406722, 434408877, 384001837, 434410807, 434410816, 073406680, 013420939, 414004014, 434413440. ©2016 Stratford Schools, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AccreditingCommission for Schools

WASC

CARNEGIE

AppleSeed Montessori School M ONTESSORI I NSPIRED C URRICULUM / E XTENDED D AY C ARE / E NRICHMENT A CTIVITIES

• Experienced staff • Cheerful, bright, organized, well-prepared classrooms • Sensory-rich hands-on exploration • Distinct curriculum - robust foundation for inspired learning • Caring, nurturing and warm atmosphere • Art, music, culture integrated program • AMS Affiliated Schools

PROGRAMS: 7 AM TO 6 PM

• Infant Care: 2-18 months (Dunford Campus ste 500 only) • Toddler: 18-36 months ( not available at Dunford Campus ste 800) • Preschool • Pre-K • Kindergarten: 2.5 - 6 years (all Campuses) • Bilingual Programs (Chinese/English): 2.5 - 6 years (Not available at Warner Campus) • Kindergarten - 1st grade (Dunford Campus ste. 500 only) • Enrichment Activities: Foreign Language, Keyboard, Chess, Gymnastics, Music, Soccer, Art, Dance, Field Trips

ALSO AVAILABLE:

The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s mind as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown to grow under the heat of flaming imagination –– Maria Montessori

N OW E NROLLING - ALL LOCATIONS

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM 12 Noon to 6:30 PM

• After School Care: 5-12 years (Dunford Campus ste 300 only)

AppleSeed Montessori School 1302 Warner Ave, Sunnyvale CA 408-245-7338 www.appleseedmontessori.com

AppleSeed Montessori School 1095 Dunford Way, Ste 800, Sunnyvale, CA 408-985-7333 www.appleseedmontessori.com

AppleSeed Montessori School 1095 Dunford Way, Ste 500, Sunnyvale CA 408-260-7333 www.appleseedmontessori.com AppleSeed Affiliated Schools: AppleSeed Almaden Montessori School 5200 Dent Ave, San Jose CA 408-264-7333 www.appleseedalmaden.com

AppleSeed International School 1095 Dunford Way, Ste 300, Sunnyvale CA 408-260-9333 www.appleseedinternational.com

Sunshine Montessori School 1321 Miller Ave, San Jose CA 408-996-0856 www.sunshinemontessorischool.com

NOW HIRING TE IMMEDIA CEMENT PLA LIVE-IN AND HOURLY AILAB VS A SHIFT LE

5 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Open House Special 2016 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

In This Issue

Institute For Mathematics & Computer Science (IMACS): How it changed entre- preneur Thibault de Chatellus’ life See Pg. 14

Cover Story: Educational Reforms, Stratford AAP Pg. 24, 62

UC Davis MIND Institute joins SPARK Groundbreaking initiative com initiative com-- bines web-based registry with DNA analysis to accelerate autism research See Pg.30

Where are the women r

Pg 72

Can the Indian Army not be questioned for evidence of surgical strikes? Pg 66 Romance in Baahubali: The Beginning: Female Domestication or Love? Pg 72 Maybeck Highschool Pg 70 Academy of Fencing Masters Pg 74

Young At Art A Un ique And Nurt ur i ng Le ar n i ng Env i ronme n t !

Winners: Youth Focus

See Pg 26

Pg 58

7 India Parent Magazine.org

Open House Special 2016

NOW HIRING TE IMMEDIA CEMENT PLA LIVE-IN AND HOURLY AILAB VS A SHIFT LE

Can research really change the future of autism? You can SPARK research with one click.

Join SPARK – a free study with a simple mission: speed up research and advance understanding of autism.

Individuals with autismwill receive a $50 gift card once registration is complete.

To learn more about SPARK and register online, visit www.SPARKforAutism.org/UCD

SPARK: Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge

SPARKPrimary Investigator:WendyChung, MD, PhD Protocol Number: 20151664 Western Institutional ReviewBoard

916-703-0299 bhilscher@ucdavis.edu

Delphi Academy kindergarten - 8 th grade private school

empowering students to be competent, confident learners

Come to OPEN HOUSE! 1:00 - 3:00 pm _____________ November 19, 2016 January 21, 2017 March 18, 2017

Experienced Teachers. Engaged Students. Excellent Curriculum. Full-Day Program with After School Activities. Students ages 4 - 14. _____________ Visit the classrooms in action! Call today for a personal tour. 408.370.7400

TM educational services.

delphicampbell.org

DELPHI ACADEMY 1 W. Campbell Ave., Building A in Campbell (at Winchester Blvd.)

9 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

10 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

every child should know what it feels like to dance This is the founding principle of Tutu School. We believe that motor skill development is infinitely enhanced by Tchaikovsky and Bach, that young imaginations benefit immensely from exploring the enchanted worlds of swans and sugar plums, and that twirling should be a fundamental part of any childhood.

11 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Learn how a Stratford education prepares your child to be a problem solver, innovator, and leader…

OPEN HOUSE October 22 10 a.m. –1p.m.

The curiosity to reach. The courage to grasp. TM

AccreditingCommission for Schools

12 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Institute For Mathematics & Computer Science (IMACS): How it changed entrepreneur Thibault de Chatellus’ life

engaged. The self-paced computer enrichment curriculum is designed for third to ninth graders. It develops advanced prob- lem-solving skills and builds a strong foundation in programming and computer science. Why should parents consider math and computer science enrichment? More and more jobs in today’s knowledge-based economy require a mastery of mathematics and strong critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, US students are falling further behind. Today, they rank 35th in mathematics and 27th in science com- pared to other countries in the most recent PISA test. More than ever, education needs to emphasize the development of skills, instead of the acquisition of knowledge, which can quickly become obsolete. Why did you send you son to IMACS? Like all parents, I wanted the very best for my child. Our son was in one of the best schools in the area, but we were not sure that it was enough. Giving my son advanced math education and problem-solving skills was important. We signed up for a free IMACS class and were immediately impressed by the teaching methods. IMACS was so different from anything we had ever seen. What were the results? The power of IMACS is not that it taught my son how to solve specific problems. Rather, it taught him how to think logically and creatively, so he could approach any problem. He became an out- standing student – not only in math – and approached all of his studies with poise and confidence. He graduated with the highest GPA in his high school, graduated from an Ivy League college and now works for one of the top management consulting firms in the country. Why did you invest in IMACS? I had reached a point in my professional life where I wanted to pursue something that would truly make a difference in the lives of others. Knowing how much IMACS benefited our son, I thought it should be more widely available and decided to bring the program to the Bay Area. How can parents get their kids started in the program? All parents and their children are invited to attend a free class. Because IMACS groups students by ability, not by age or grade, the class allows IMACS to determine the right starting point for each child. For more information on IMACS and to reg- ister for a free class, go to www.imacs.org/bayarea or call 408.702.2447.

Two years ago, businessman and entrepreneur Thibault de Chatellus decided to follow his passion: He invested in a math and computer enrichment program to teach children the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century. As a young student, his son took classes at the Institute For Mathematics & Computer Science (IMACS), a unique enrichment program that transformed his life. Recognizing how it could do the same for others, Thibault decided to bring IMACS to the Bay Area. The first IMACS center opened in Sunnyvale at 719 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road in July. Excerpts from an IPM interview with Thibault de Chatellus, President, IMACS California What exactly is IMACS? IMACS is an extraordinary math and computer enrichment program. For over 20 years, IMACS has helped thousands of bright children reach their highest potential. This innovative pro- gram, designed for bright elementary and middle school students, develops logical reasoning and creative problem-solving skills rarely taught elsewhere. More than 4,500 students in the U.S. and abroad attend IMACS classes or study its online courses each year. IMACS students have gone on to elite colleges and have won numerous awards in math and science.

“Like all parents, I wanted the very best for my child. Our son was in one of the best schools in the area, but we were not sure that it was enough.”

Why is IMACS unique? IMACS teaches students by ability, not age or grade. As a result, IMACS students are never held back from reaching their full potential. Additionally, our curricula are developed by a long- standing team of mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers, and educators, who draw on an average of over 25 years of expe- rience teaching talented students. Rather than accelerating the pace of standard material or teaching tricks without understand- ing, IMACS designs original curricula that engages bright chil- dren on a deeper level. What programs does IMACS offer in Sunnyvale? IMACS offers five levels of math enrichment for students starting as early as first grade. Classes are taught by highly quali- fied teachers using challenging games, logic puzzles and mathe- matical problem-solving activities that keep students highly

14 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

!"##$%"&#'#("%")'$%) #"($'%#"$*" #+)",()*$'(-$))(.!#%$)""( "/%")$0$)$1"

!"!# $

•

2345,65 47892

:;678928<<772

15 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

16 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

FALLHELP

17 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

408-929-0593 • e-mail: indiaparentmagazine@gmail.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meena Yeggina

Mora Oommen Natalie Daprile Stephen E. Von Till Vanessa Kahlon PHOTOGRAPHY Jill Johnson Suneel Kelkar

PUBLISHERS Meena Yeggina

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ashok Swain

Gerald Cumings Jacqueline Payne Mary Buxton

WEB SITE www.indiaparentmagazine.org

!!!

" #

! " #$

$"#

#$"

2 3- ! . !

& ..

% &

!*! +

3/3

.%4

/ / 00

() !

)

3 !

- !

6 5! !

, !

! 5 !

www.SPARKforAutism.org, call 916-703-0299 or email bhilscher@ucdavis.edu. ABOUT SPARK SPARK (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge) is a national autism research initiative that will connect individuals with a professional diagnosis of autism and their biological family members to research opportunities to advance our understanding of autism. SPARK’s goal in doing so is not only to better understand autism, but to accelerate the development of new treatments and supports. SPARK was designed to be easily accessible to the entire autism community and was fashioned with input from adults with autism, parents, researchers, clinicians, service providers and advocates. Registering for this first-of-its-kind initiative can be done entirely online in the convenience of one’s home and at no cost. DNA will be collected via saliva kits shipped directly to participants. Once the SPARK participant’s family has returned their saliva samples and provided some medical and family history information, the SPARK participant will receive a $50 gift card. SPARK will provide access to online resources and the latest research in autism, which may pro- vide participants and families with valuable information to help address daily challenges. For researchers, SPARK pro- vides a large, well-characterized cohort of genetic, medical and behavioral data, and will result in cost-savings for researchers by reducing start-up costs for individual studies. SPARK is entirely funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). ABOUT THE UC DAVIS MIND INSTITUTE At the UC Davis MIND Institute, world-renowned scien- tists engage in collaborative, interdisciplinary research to find the causes of and develop treatments and cures for autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fragile X syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders. For more information, visit mindinstitute.ucdavis.edu. ABOUT AUTISM Autism is a general term used to describe a group of com- plex developmental disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and perhaps environmental influences. These disorders are characterized by deficits in social communication (both verbal and non-verbal) and the presence of repetitive behaviors or restrictive interests. An estimated one in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spec- trum. The wide range of autism manifestations makes it chal- lenging to study potential causes or treatments, and thus a large cohort, which can be segmented, can substantially advance such efforts. UC D AVIS MIND I NSTITUTE JOINS SPARK, NATION ' S LARGEST AUTISM RESEARCH STUDY G ROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVE COMBINES WEB - BASED REGISTRY WITH DNA ANALYSIS TO ACCEL - ERATE AUTISM RESEARCH AND SPEED DISCOVERY OF TREATMENTS

Leonard Abbeduto, David Amaral

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) —The UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento, Calif. today helped launch SPARK, an online research initiative designed to become the largest autism study ever undertaken in the United States. Sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI), SPARK will collect information and DNA for genetic analysis from 50,000 individuals with autism — and their families — to advance our understanding of the causes of this condition and to hasten the discovery of supports and treatments. The UC Davis MIND Institute is one of a select group of 21 leading national research institutions chosen by SFARI to assist with recruitment. The SPARK effort is being led locally by Leonard Abbeduto, director of the UC Davis MIND Institute, and David Amaral, MIND Institute director of research. “The SPARK project is especially exciting because of the unprecedented collaboration involving 21 clinical sites all working together with a common vision,” said Abbeduto. “It says a great deal about the scientific community’s commit- ment to helping families affected by autism.” Amaral added that the project will undoubtedly change the course of future autism research and hopefully bring prac- tical benefits to affected individuals and families. “This is the kind of study that the MIND Institute was designed to carry out,” he said. Autism is known to have a strong genetic component. To date, approximately 50 genes have been identified that almost certainly play a role in autism, and scientists estimate that an additional 300 or more are involved. By studying these genes, associated biological mechanisms and how genetics interact with environmental factors, researchers can better understand the condition’s causes, and link them to the spectrum of symptoms, skills and challenges of those affected. SPARK aims to speed up autism research by inviting participation from this large, diverse autism community, with the goal of including individuals with a professional diagnosis of autism of both sexes and all ages, backgrounds, races, geographic locations and socioeconomic situations. SPARK will connect participants to researchers, offering them the unique opportunity to impact the future of autism research by joining any of the multiple studies offered through SPARK. The initiative will catalyze research by creating large- scale access to study participants whose DNA may be selec- tively analyzed for a specific scientific question of interest. SPARK will also elicit feedback from individuals and parents of children with autism to develop a robust research agenda that is meaningful for them. Anyone interested in learning more about SPARK or in participating can visit

19 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

“Ou r k i d s l o v e DACA ” Indian parents gush. Find out why.

es are designed to help introduce chil- dren to swimming skills through songs and games in a safe and warm environment. Additionally, the DACA Swim School offers an accelerated summer learn-to-swim program, Splash classes that provide flexibility in meeting your scheduling needs, a Pre- Competitive program available on nights and weekends, and specialty programs for handicapped or arthritic students and classes for children with Autistic challenges. With extended hours and availability seven days a week, the DACA Swim School has something for everyone. The DACA Pre-Competitive Program is an intro- ductory program

plishments include Zone 1 North, Junior Olympic, and Far Western Championships. The National Team has won Junior National and Sectional Championships, and has been a top- ten team at the United States Swimming Nationals. DACA student-athletes have rep- resented the United States in interna- tional competitions all over the world and have been awarded scholarships to the finest colleges in the country. With a stated team philosophy of “…our aim is not to produce champi- ons but to produce an atmosphere in which champions are inevitable,” DACA takes pride in developing stu- dent-athletes that excel in the class- room and in the pool. The DACA Water Polo Program provides every athlete the opportunity to reach individual potential while participating in a team environment. Technical efficiency is stressed, while the core values of teamwork, sports- manship, and worth ethic are strongly promoted. An unparalleled, interna- tional level coaching staff provides unmatched opportunities for DACA athletes. The skill based development programs have lead DACA athletes into consistently excellent local, regional, and national level competi- tion. With proven success in every DACA program, we look forward to continued achievement in years to come!

With an unparalleled breadth of programming and a track record of excellence, De Anza Cupertino Aquatics (DACA), has developed into the most comprehensive aquatics pro- gram in the United States. An award winning staff and state of the art facil- ities are provided in all of DACA’s aquatic programs. Complete pro- gramming includes: Learn-to-Swim and Special Needs instruction for all ages, Swim Team and Water Polo for all levels of skill and experience, Pre- Competitive Swimming for ages 5-14, and Fitness Swim for adults. Ultimately, DACA strives to provide a quality experience for every DACA member from beginner to Olympian.

designed to improve stroke and turn tech- nique in preparation for the DACA Competitive Team. Small class sizes of no more than seven swimmers of similar ability allow for

The award winning DACA Swim School has been the premier swim school in the Bay Area for nineteen years. The DACA Swim School was founded with the primary purpose of teaching infants, children, and adults to swim properly. To that end, DACA has developed a proven method of teaching that ensures skill develop- ment, a love of the water, and a healthy respect for water safety. Typical classes consist of a maximum of four students with private and semi-private classes also available. For infants and toddlers ages three months through three years, Water Babies classes are offered. These class-

first-class instruction that is both focused and personalized. Instruction in the DACA Pre- Competitive Program provides a technical skill base, igniting a love of the water and inspiring swimmers to continue on in all levels of the DACA Competitive Team. Founded in 1981, the DACA Competitive Swim Team has built a program that competes successfully at the highest level of local, regional, national, and international competi- tion. DACA age group team accom-

20 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM (CDM) OF SAN JOSE CELEBRATES DIWALI, FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Story and Pictures: India Parent Magazine

October 8-9, 2016. To five-year-old Chitra, Diwali means “lots and lots of crackers.” To ten-year-old Rishi, Diwali brings in new year for Indians. “It’s really awesome and everyone is in such a happy mood. Our family considers it as one of the biggest festivals of the year. We just meet at someone’s house and put on a lot of lights” To mom Shalini, Diwali is togetherness. “For my family it's just a day where we get together with family friends and have a good time and enjoy firecrackers.” Diwali or deepavali as it is called meaning “row of lamps,” is an of- ficial holiday not just in India but also in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. For many Indians, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activi- ties together in their homes. It is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil by lighting small clay lamps to drive away the darkness. It traditionally signifies the arrival of King Rama and his wife Sita to claim thier kingdom after killing the evil king Ravana thus bringing joy and prosperity to thier people. At Children Discovery Museum (CDM) , where Diwali has taken

JeNae Kaiser Special Projects Manager Children Discovery Museum

its turn to be an annual celebration in line of Cultural Awareness Initiative Program since last few years, many children will perform at the much awaited Diwali Cultural Show that takes place on October 8 and 9, 2016. “last year was the second time I am coming to this event, largely because of the fun we had last year,” elu- cidated Lakshmi who came with her two children. “CDM is a unique platform to enjoy Diwali celebrations since it brings incredible diversity of participants and audiences which really is something that I enjoy and look forward to,” she said. “In addition there is so much to do.”

“CDM synthesizes it into a single event for the benefit of main stream Americans and highlights Diwali in a secular fashion. Most Americans don't get this perspective in simi- lar Diwali events.”

CDM is a non-profit organization, and by participating in such cross cultural activities, kids are giving back to the community while promoting the message of Diwali to fam- ilies for main stream Americans, Ranjani Manda of Aero- dance further elaborated. The cultural show itself celebrates color and diversity and participants always feel good about themselves and how they project their personality. It is not often, that kids from all walks of life get an opportunity to drape themselves in colorful Diwali attire. In addition, since this is truly a community service, the time they spend for this cause can also be used as part of their community service hours. Enjoying the Cultural Show!

23 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Report Reforming Education in Delhi A revolutionary movement by AAP By Hridbijoy

towards education. But, the present Delhi government was formed by law- makers who are known for their radical activism. The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the finance and education minister, had openly declared educa- tion as his top priority. It is quite un- usual for a finance minister to pay less attention towards revenue generation for education, but he didn’t accept the corrupt practices set by his predeces- sors; instead he decided to change the system itself. In February 2015 Delhi’s 1011 gov- ernment schools were marked by short- age of classrooms, insufficient number of teachers as no recruitments had been done for a decade, and most impor- tantly, low learning levels and high dropout rate among students. Fast for- ward to August 2016, and we see gov- ernment schools in Delhi getting better in terms of infrastructure, administra- tive reforms, curriculum and teachers. The increased budget has helped the government in addressing basic prob- lems, especially related to infrastruc- ture. 8000 classrooms were constructed, housekeeping staff for proper cleaning of school premises were employed, schools got connected to the water pipeline, and Estate Managers were de- ployed in every school to supervise the maintenance and upkeep of the school. Estate managers use an android app to report their findings which is regularly monitored through customized dash- boards by the officials and the deputy chief minister. Schools are improving not just because of the increased budget but more because of the commitment towards bringing a real change to the classrooms.

government and attended the 1st Mega PTM in their neighborhood schools. Parent Teacher Meeting in today’s world is taken for granted and it is as- sumed that monthly or bi-monthly PTMs are regularly held across all the schools. Unfortunately, that was not the case in Delhi. Most of the parents who had at- tended the mega PTM were satisfied with the government’s efforts in im- proving the schools. But, this change didn’t happen overnight. The Aaam Aadmi Party came to power with full majority in February 2015 and since then the government has been trying hard to push forward the agenda of re- forms which the party had promised to the people in the 70 point manifesto of 2015 assembly elections. The smile seen on parents’ faces after coming out of the Mega PTM is the result of right steps taken during the past one and a half year by the government. The first step taken by the Delhi government after coming to power caught the attention of many, as the fi- nance minister and education minister Manish Sisodia announced 106% in- crease in budget for education, making it 25% of the total state budget. This bold move was appreciated as it falls in line with our pre-set notions about budget dependent reforms. Empirically, public policy in India has not benefitted much from the increase in budget. Be- fore Delhi the two communist ruled states Kerela and West Bengal had also made similar efforts in reforming edu- cation. While Kerela succeeded, West Bengal failed miserably. At this stage the AAP leadership could have could have stopped the tiring process of re- forming Delhi’s education scenario, as they had already allocated more budget

July 30th, 2016 was a historic date for Delhi. I don’t blame you for not re- membering which leader’s birthday it was or forgetting about another ‘revo- lutionary’ scheme launched on that day. What happened on that day is historic because for the first time parents of chil- dren studying in government schools had entered the school premises and in- teracted with the teachers and princi- pals. Mother of a differently abled girl who comes to school on a wheelchair said “I have to come to the school gate every day to drop her off, but had never come inside before today." Thousands of parents responded to call of Delhi

Parents arriving for parent teacher meeting in Delhi, a first ever

Contʼd on page 32

24 indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

EVENTS Raj Bhanot & Jairam Komati collaborate diverse organizations to mold AIA

It was early last year when Raj Bhanot felt the need to augment an ongoing yearly cultural event ses- sion under one umbrella in and around Santa Clara. “There is no such event in Santa Clara County and people from here have to travel several miles to at- tend any huge cultural event. So we thought we will bring this to- gether for the convenience of the people here,” said Raj Bhanot founder member of the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. After speaking to several peo- ple who loved the idea, he ap- proached Jairam Komati, a

community activist and owner of Swagat Restaurants. “Jairam is a very genuine, hon- est and approachable person. He is extremely modest and a commu- nity man,” Bhanot explained fur- ther. “He immediately liked the idea.”

A strategic goal in the building of this organization titled Associa- tion of Indo Americans (AIA)is to bring together several regional or- ganization under one umbrella and showcase the beauty and diver- gence of Indian languages and cul- tures. “It’s also about our people and communities and not one or two individuals,” Said Bhanot. AIAwill bring out several cul- tural events throughout the year but will stay away from religious events. Events such as Holi, Di- wali, Garba and Dance/Music fes- tivals will be celebrated and promoted. It is meant for all Indi- ans and any all ethnic communi- ties with no religious boundaries. This upcoming event on Oct 16 will have fireworks and Ravan Dahan as highlights . “It will be a must see event,” promised Bhanot. Others who worked hard to bring AIA together include Vijaya Aasuri, Surjit Sen Gupta, Tina Bhanot, Prasad Mangina, Jeevan Zutshi, Mahesh Patel, Jassi Bhar- wad, Pretty Kang and Archana Panda.

25 indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Young At Art

A Un ique And

Nurt ur i ng Le ar n i ng Env i ronme n t !

creations. The mixed media class allows stu- dents to use more unique mediums such as wire, foam and paper mache to create interesting and exciting craft projects. We also have an advanced placement class where students can work on their portfolios or simply take their art skills to the next level. The teacher of the advanced class, Bre Enright is a talented artist who attended Pratt Institute in New York and knows firsthand what it takes to make your portfolio college admis- sions ready. She has helped many students cre- ate portfolios for prestigious art schools such as the Rohde Island School of Design and Art Center. This is a great class for any experienced artist who wants help fine tuning their skills from a gifted professional. Each class at Young At Art is from one to two hours in length and meets once a week. Every class has students that vary in skill level from beginner to advance. Class prices include instruction and the best quality materials. All the materials that the student will need are provided, so you will never be charged a hidden fee or be frantically running through the art store before class. Tuition is paid by the month and is adjust- ed depending on the number of classes in that particular month. Some of our students have been coming here for over five years and have produced incredible pieces of art. We have had students compete in multiple art shows around the bay area. Our stu- dent teacher ratio is six to one allowing each stu- dent an abundance of help geared toward their skill level. Every one of our instructors is an accomplished artist and very well educated, most having either a BA or BFA in fine arts. They are extremely talented and look forward to shar- ing their talents. Some of our teachers were even students at Young At Art themselves so they

Young At Art was started in a garage over three decades ago and has become an accom- plished, year round art school with enrollments of over 400 students per month. Young At Art encourages students to artistically express them- selves while learning in a nurturing environ- ment. We offer art classes for ages 4 years to adult specializing in oil painting, drawing, clay, and exploration with mixed media. Oil painting is our most popular class where students enjoy ref- erencing images or using their imaginations to create impressive and memorable works of art. In our drawing classes students learn important drawing techniques that are the basis for many different art forms. They learn to use pencil, pas- tel, colored pencils and other 2D mediums while drawing still lifes or creating imaginary worlds. Our clay class is new to Young At Art this month and we think that students will really enjoy this introductory class. Students will learn all about the basics of working with clay and will be instructed in making all different kinds of clay

26 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Classes for 4 & Up

We offer a variety of classes seven days a week. Classes are designed for you to come in once a week on the most convenient day for your schedule.

• Drawing • Painting

• Water Colors • Mixed Media

√ Advanced Portfolio √ Holiday Workshops √ FALL CLASSES

We are an art school for ages 4 through adult encouraging artistic expression in a nurturing environ- ment. Established in 1976 in the Cupertino area and now open in Newark, we have enrollments of 600 students monthly.

CUPERTINO STUDIO 10624 S. De Anza Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 Phone (408)255-1414 yaacupertino@gmail.com

NEWARK STUDIO 6335 Jarvis Ave. Newark, CA 94560 Phone (510)744-1759 yaanewark@gmail.com

27 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Young At Art provides an encouraging and nurturing environment while teaching students the basics of art as well as so much more. Art is such a great creative outlet for children and adults alike and Young At Art is a perfect place to turn artistic dreams into reality.

know exactly what the students are going through and how to help them achieve their goals. We have a small staff here at Young At Art which gives students the chance to really get to know their teachers. One of the things that makes Young At Art a unique and nurturing learning environment is the way our classes are taught. In a lot of tradition- al classroom settings, the teacher has a set lesson plan and everyone is taught the same. Unfortunately, sometimes in this environment the students who are having trouble struggle to keep up with the more advance students. At Young At Art students are not pushed into a situ- ation where they won’t be able to excel. The teacher goes around the room and helps each student individually at his or her own skill level. This way every student can progress com- fortable at their own pace. Along with our regular classes we also offer week long day camps June through August where students can learn ceramics, painting, sculpture and much more. We also have winter workshops going on December 20th-23rd, 2010. In the morning winter workshop, students will create many unique crafts that can be turned into ornaments or given as gifts. In the afternoon workshop, painting, drawing and other 2D art mediums will be used to create festive pieces of art.

28 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Emerson School and Hacienda School

The Gift of Writing Well

ÍÍ Every summer, Emerson School of Palo Alto and Hacienda School of Pleasanton open their doors and offer their innovative programs in a camp-like setting to outside students who want to share in the summer adventures. Students discuss literary, film, and music “texts,” produce a series of writing products in response to them, and respond to ideas and concepts our teachers introduce in conversation. At key points throughout the day the faculty provide students with individual- ized coaching in thinking, conversing, writing, revis- ing, and presentation skills. THREE DIFFERENT COURSES Three courses are offered during the summer of 2016. “Expository Writing” focuses on writing mechanics and prose forms used in school assignments. “Creative Writing” encourages the development of self-expression and imagination. “Presentation Techniques” develops public speaking skills, with an emphasis this year on the

use of persuasive appeals, tools, and techniques.

HELP STUDENTS LOVE WRITING The goal of the Write Now! program is to encourage students to love writing because the more they enjoy it, the more they will write and the better at writing they will become. This is done four ways: by (a) engaging students in intriguing material, (b) writing quickly, (c) writing a lot, and (c) only sometimes focusing on the mechanical flaws of punctuation and spelling. The absence of letter grades also helps students enjoy the whole writing process. At the end of each day, students have an opportunity to go back and complete unfinished pieces as well as rewrite pieces they like. These works are then pre- sented to the whole group in the “Authors’ Workshop.” Parents are invited and, indeed, encouraged to attend these sessions. PARENTS ARE ASTONISHED Many parents are surprised by how much their stu- dents enjoy writing when given a chance to do it in a Write

CULTIVATING ASTONISHING POTENTIAL!

• Individualized Montessori curriculum • Emphasis on thinking skills & personal values • International curriculum (Chinese, Spanish)

• Superior academic preparation • Year-round, full-day program • Business calendar Hacienda School

Emerson School 650-263-4749 Palo Alto www.EmersonPaloAlto.com

925-302-6587 Pleasanton www.HaciendaSchool.com

30 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

dents of the two schools who are outstanding writers and competent to assist during the summer camp program. The average ratio of helpers to students is roughly 1:8. FREE EXTENDED CARE The actual camp program run s from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Extended care from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM is available at no extra charge.

Now! format. In the formal evaluation that students turn in as their last writing assignment, almost all students say they would recommend the camps to a friend because they feel that their writing has improved significantly. Parents are also surprised by the high level of interest students express in very sophisticated ideas and concepts when given the chance to exercise their analytical skills fully. Rather than simply being a summer diversion for their stu- dents, enrollment in a Write Now! course is a gift that will last a lifetime and might even alter the course of a life. Students of the Expository Writing and Creative Writing camps produce a “Literary Review,” a compilation of the students’ favorite writings, that is published at the end of each week. Every student is given a copy of the review without charge. AGE GROUPINGS Students are separated into three groups: lower ele- mentary (grades 2-3), upper elementary (grades 4-5), and middle school (grades 6-8). Though there are whole-group presentations, as well as group instruction on techniques and rules, much of the work is done in smaller groups (e.g., five to eight students) that are conducted in the same way as graduate-level university writing workshops. PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS AND HELPERS Since the Write Now! program is part of the regular curriculum at the year-round Emerson School and Hacienda School, the regular teaching staff are available during the summer. They are supplemented by former stu-

31 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

learning mangers were identified in each school who helped other teachers in dealing with classroom and course issues. Based on the success of this in- tervention, a mentor teacher program was launched this year in which 200 highly motivated teachers were se- lected to support and guide other teach- ers by reaching out to them in the classrooms. In 2016 teacher training budget was increased by more than 100 %. Till last year teachers were not inter- ested in teacher training sessions con- ducted by the SCERT as it didn’t helped them in dealing with issues they used to face during teaching. This year dur- ing the summer vacation, more interac- tive and activity based training sessions were conducted for the teachers. The teachers liked this approach as they were also going to be supported by mentor teachers. The government partnered with CreateNet for principal leadership pro- gram. Initially this programwas limited to the principals of schools selected for the 54 school pilot project in 2015. This year the program has been extended to all the principals. The government has also sent Principals to management in- stitutes to become better leaders as they principals are being given more auton- omy to take decisions without bureau- cratic delays caused by movement of files from school to district office. Some principals were also sent to Cambridge University to learn the best practices being practiced in the west. Among other issues the high dropout rate among students of class 9th is still a matter of concern for the government. Last year the Delhi assem- bly decided to scrap the ‘No Detention Policy’ which allows students to get promoted till class 9th without passing exams. But, the bill has not been ap- proved by the union government. The government’s conducted learning as- sessment of Class 6 students, which showed that 74% of them could not even, read a passage from their text- books and 67% of students could not do

their schools. He promised them neces- sary support from the government. 200 principals responded to his call by sub- mitting their plans. After a detailed re- view of suggestions received, 54 schools were selected for the pilot proj- ect in which principals got more auton- omy to take decisions and also the launched new initiatives for increasing the learning level among children. Chil- dren join Delhi govt. schools in class 6th as the primary schools are run by the municipal corporations. Most of them were not able to read grade level text- books. The government decided to take help of Pratham and for 90 days stu- dents were segregated according to their learning level after conducting a baseline assessment. This special pro- gram run in government schools bene- fitted thousands of students as they were able to read their textbooks and compete with their peers. An end line assessment confirmed the results. The government also realized the need for reducing syllabus as teachers were under pressure to complete the syllabus, while students couldn’t even read. Syllabus reduction committees were set up by the State Council of Ed- ucation and Research. These commit- tees comprised of educationists and government schools teachers. For the first time, school teachers were asked to send their suggestions for the syllabus. Suggestions received from teachers were analyzed by the syllabus reduc- tion committee and most of them agreed to reduce the syllabus by 25% but some eminent educationists resis- ted it. Educationists also opposed other moves by the government as for the first time the government refused to consider their suggestions for maintain- ing the status quo. Academicians and educationists were asked for solutions to the problems faced by government school teachers and parents. But, they never came up with tangible solutions. Government also decided to invest in teacher training and classroom support system. In the pilot project of 2015,

All these measures were only the structural part of the reforms being car- ried out by the Delhi government. Real challenge was to break the inertia of in- difference among officials and initiate changes in policy. The government de- cided to conduct elections for School Management Committees mandated under the Right to Education Act 2009. Before September 2015, SMCs either didn’t exist or were nonfunctional. The government with the help of civil soci- ety mobilized parents to participate in these elections. On September 5th, last year elections were conducted for the first time all the 1011 schools run by the Delhi government. The formation of SMCs was crucial as it allows commu- nity members and local representatives to have a say in the administration of school and it also helps the government in keeping an eye on its officers. Since then, SMCs have been helping the gov- ernment in implementing different pro- grams. Also, SMCs give feedback about different policies to the government. The government has been able to form a very strong network of 16,200 SMC members spread across the city. SMC members are connected through social media to the education minister and his advisor Atishi Marlena. Regular train- ing sessions are conducted for the SMC members and administrators by Saajha, an NGO with a vision to set up SMCs in all the schools of India. Recently, summer camps were organized in al- most 600 schools with the help of SMCs. Through SMCs government is trying to bring all the stakeholders of children’s future together to initiate best practices in the classrooms of Delhi. The local MLAs are also member of the SMCs and AAP MLAs have been taking round of school and helping the SMCs. Last year right after the formation of government, the Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal attended called a meeting of all the principals of gov- ernment schools, where he asked them to submit suggestions for improving

32 indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

This year because of the genuine efforts made by the govern- ment and Indus Action, more than 36,000 children from Eco- nomically Weaker Section (EWS) got admission in private schools as the process was made transparent by using online system. While the government has been trying its best to good for the children of Delhi, it has faced political resistance from the central government. Last year the Delhi legislative assembly amended the Delhi School Education Act & Rules 1973, after 32 years and also introduced a bill to check fee hike in private schools, but both have not been approved by the central government. The Delhi government had plans to build new schools but the Delhi Development Authority, which is controlled by the Ministry of Urban Development, Govt. of India has not sanctioned any land. The government wanted to improve the quality of mid-day meal provided, but the lieutenant governor of Delhi refused to sanction land for building a state of the art kitchen. Among all these issues the recruitment of teachers is more important but in this case also administrative hurdles are being created for the Delhi government. The greatest achievement of Delhi government could be understood when you travel in a three wheeler and the driver tells you about what is happening in the schools of Delhi. School education has never been an interesting for the people but because of the rapid changes in Delhi, it has be- come a hot topic of public discourse. The government will keep on improving the system but it would require constant scrutiny and support from the citizens and the civil society.

simple 3 digits by 1 digit division In response to this chal- lenge the government recently launched an ambitious pro- gram “Chunauti 2018 or Challenge 2018”. This program aims to reduce the dropout rate by taking special measures for each student so that no one is abandoned by the system. Stu- dents from class 6th to 9th were organized into two groups Nishtha and Pratibha. Nishtha will focus on building read- ing, writing and basic Maths competency and those in Prat- ibha will carry on with their regular syllabus. These groups are formed according to the learning level of the children, as teachers freedom won’t be affected by the syllabus. This would help the teacher is addressing the needs of children. Also children will learn better as they will be the appropriate group in which they can study at their own pace. In addition to these two groups, Vishwas was formed for the students who could not pass class 9th exams. Supplementary text- books for the Nishtha group are prepared by government school teachers with the help of Pratham as regular textbooks are not useful in dealing with this issue. Government is also introducing new tech based inter- ventions such as the CCTV project, which is being run as a pilot in some schools. J-PAL, a premier research network, is supporting this project by studying the results to enforce mechanisms to improve teaching practices. The MIS system of Directorate of Education has also been updated recently to take better decisions based on data analysis. The govern- ment has recently announced Change Makers in Education Fellowship to get highly motivated young professionals to work with the government. These fellows will not only help the teachers but will support various other initiatives as well.

Delhi School teachers being trained at University of Cambridge

33 www.indiaparentmagazine.org

Open House Special 2016

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker