Parents newsletter for the months September to December 2010

Dear Parent,

Namaste!

It is better to be knowledgeable in our own shell than to remain ignorant in a vast world. As ongoing academic session of 2010-11 is progressing, Atmiya Vidya Mandir continues with a humble effort to create a global educational community of conscientious individuals. The amalgamation of learning activities prior and post Diwali break ranged between scholastic and co-scholastic exposure to the students. These activities whether taking place inside the classroom or outside, catered to acquire well-developed attitude traits such as “patience”, “commitment”, “initiative” and “empathy”. These traits help individuals transcend cultural, educational and social-economic barriers to learn more about themselves, others and the world they live in.

Trip to Mahabaleshwar: The tiny tots of I to V were taken to a trip to Mahabaleshwar. Besides, fun filled and exhilarating activities, these kids were taken to strawberry fields which were actually the highlight of the trip. They acknowledged how the farmers have adapted the latest technology and are growing strawberries in this area, how drip irrigation and sprinklers are used to water them and under each plant plastic sheets are laid so that the ripe berries don’t touch the ground and get dirty!! They also saw a factory making strawberry jam, crushes and ice cream. It was a learning experience for them to know about the red fertile soil and favorable climate in Mahabaleshwar which help strawberry, raspberry to grow in abundance. A tour to Mapro Factories was also arranged for the students to see how jams and squashes are processed. The toddlers relished the scrummy delicacies like jams, jellies, strawberry milkshakes and loads of ice-creams, squashes, syrups and crushes. No sooner did they come back home from the trip, it was time once again to pack the bags for Diwali vacation.

Trip to North India: The school organized an educational trip for the students of Std VIII to XI to the panoramic North India that included destinations of Chandigarh-the first planned city of India designed by Le Corbusier, Manali-the valley and abode of Gods, Dharamshala /Mcleodganj-the official residence of the exiled Tibetan leadership, Dalai Lama and Amritsar-the religious city of the Sikh faith and an important center of freedom movement of India. Above and beyond increasing their general awareness and acquiring social skills, they learnt being independent. They saw Chandigarh’s unique rock garden, which consists of the artwork that has been made from industrial and urban waste. They also enjoyed the adventurous trip to Manali where they experienced skiing, trekking, rope way river crossing, paragliding, white water rafting and mountain biking on the hill station of Kullu… They also enjoyed Jogini water fall and visit to Snow Point .The main attraction of the trip was a memorable evening at Attari Border military camp where student got a chance to observe the life and work of a soldier. They acknowledged the functioning of many modern weapons and high discipline and commitment in soldier’s life. This trip proved to be a learning session which took place outside the classroom as the students had a practical approach to understand many concepts and facts related to geography, history and science.

Inauguration of the Temple: The post Diwali exterior of Atmiya Vidya Mandir campus has a sacred addition – the magnificent temple in the school campus which substantiates its name explicably as H.D.H P.P Hariprasad Swamiji intends to educate students in such a way (Vidya) which helps them to become eligible individuals who would be emotionally balanced and intellectually competent to maintain spiritual affinity with one and all (Atmiya) with a pure heart where God resides (Mandir). Such a stage is obtainable within religious milieu and spiritual guidance hence on the auspicious day of Devdiwali 21st Nov, 2010 Swamishree inaugurated the newly constructed temple in the school premises. During the Murti Pratishtha Samaroh, in his divine words, Swamishree said that temple in the school is significant for the concentration of divine energies and vibrations which would keep the students devoid of any vices consequently enabling them to be in a right state of mind to absorb teaching. Students are filled with positive energy and right state of mind when every morning and evening they attend the aarti-bhajan in the temple.

ASSET Exam: Besides the regular evaluation system to assess the skilled based overall development of the child, students from Std I t o Std IX, appeared in ASSET exam which measures how well a student has understood concepts and gives detailed feedback on the same, to help them improve. The ASSET exam result sheet helps the teachers to have a detailed diagnostic report on their conceptual blocks which eventually help them to cater to the individual need of the child…

Annual Athletic Meet: “Winning is not everything, but participation and the will to win is everything” with this punch line, the opening ceremony of the 7th Annual Athletic Meet took place on 16th December 2010. Fierce competition among four students’ houses for field and track events made the students strive for excellence. Tempers began to flare—on the field and on the sidelines. In the abstract, students were on the training of the basic principles of sportsmanship: respect for teammates, opponents, and the game; graceful winning and losing. To impart these values, coaches used a combination of education, positive peer pressure, and rules (such as a system of warnings for broken rules followed by suspension from the practice or game). Their dexterity, energy, and showmanship created a rapturous sport ambiance that delighted a very appreciative audience. Splendid management and a number of excellent athletic features characterized the seventh annual athletic meet of Atmiya Vidya Mandir. Twenty-one events, including trial heats, furnished a fine programme, which was run off in capital style for four days.

The Christmas Eve was not less than a wave pool of fun, frolic, dance, enjoyment and magic which flooded the cozy rooms of tiny tots in hostel building. Ramakar Sir walked in their rooms disguised as Santa. No sooner did they find Santa in their rooms, the wall of their rooms reverberated with laughter, clapping, singing. The students of I to V danced with rapture as they received chocolates and gifts from Santa even the principal Swayam Madam, teachers and Didis enjoyed with them. It was fun unlimited poured by Santa.

The passion and desire to make a difference in the life of the children continued through morning assemblies conducted by four student’s house respectively. The best part of the house wise assemblies and creative weekend is that more and more students are able to cope with their stage fear as each and every student gets a chance to address the assembly either through thought for the day or speech or presentation: as a result these activities are serving to the purpose to prepare future artist as well as flourish with inherent talent.

Though the year 2010 ended with lots of happenings, yet, at Atmiya Vidya Mandir the success journey continues. Each day brings with it something new and promising and we strive to update you with current happenings through http://blog.avm.edu.in.

Wish you a happy, healthy and progressive year ahead.

With Warm Regards,

Atmiya Family

Written by: Seema Madam

“Fortunate are those who have got the company of the messenger of god”

“FORTUNATE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE GOT THE COMPANY OF THE MESSENGER OF GOD” This statement was quoted by Jesus Christ. In this mortal world, where “maya” has taken over the minds of every human being, who can we call the fortunate ones? And who is the messenger of God? The most visionary of all the deities who manifested on this Earth – Lord Swaminarayan very well understood this and gifted us with “Holy Saints” as his messenger. We, at Atmiya Vidya Mandir, are fortunate to have elderly saints like Pujya Prabodh Swamiji, Pujya Prem Swamiji, Pujya Suhrad Swamiji who continuously bestow their love and compassion on us. I wonder how fortunate these little ones are who get such holy vicinity in their formative years. These saints along with their love and compassion, guide children towards positivity and “wholesome living”Wish you a very Happy and a Prosperous New Year on behalf of Atmiya Family.
Images: Students are wishing Happy New Year to Pujya Prabodh Swamiji after breakfast.Written By : Paras Sir

Academic Year 2011-12: Vacation and Important Calendar Dates

Respected Parents,

We all wish you a very Happy and a Prosperous New Year.

Please take a note of important dates of Atmiya Vidya Mandir for the calendar year 2011-12:

16th April 2011, Saturday: All students of standard 1st to 11th and Teachers leave (Summer Vacation Starts)
1st May 2011, Sunday: Students of 11th and 12th standard Science Stream Report.
9th May 2011, Monday: Students of standard 12th Commerce Report.
3rd June 2011, Friday: Students of standard 7th to 10th and 11th Commerce Report.
4th June 2011, Saturday: Students of standard 4th to 6th Report.
5th June 2011, Sunday: Students of standard 1st to 3rd Report.
6th August 2011, Saturday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th leave for Rakshabandhan Break
14th August 2011, Sunday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th report after Rakshabandhan Break
15th October 2011, Saturday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th leave for Diwali Break
6th November 2011, Sunday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th report after Diwali Break
7th January 2012, Saturday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th leave for Uttarayan Break
15th January 2012, Sunday: Students of Standard 1st to 10th report after Uttarayan Break
14th April 2012, Saturday: Students of Standard 1st to 9th leave for summer vacation.

Thanks,

Atmiya Vidya Mandir Family

AAM 2010 Closing ceremony, Fun and frolic unbolted….

If day three of Annual Athlete Meet had a bundle of entertainment packed inside, its descendant has wrapped up full fun and frolic as on the 4th Day, closing ceremony took place with the declaration of Winning House and The Best Athlete of the year. The last day of the Meet saw the best of the best athletes (participants of field and track events) going neck to neck.

The 16th 17th 18th and 19th of December 2010 saw a shift in the enthusiasm of Atmiya family in the sprawling campus Kothar Building Ground as AVM witnessed its best for the four days of INSTINCTS!!! Fierce competition yet united spirits to win, to make this grandeur carnival successful than ever!!

It was pure fun and frolic at the ground with crazy and jubilant participants. The Chief Guests for the day was Dr. Jagdish Chandra Gothi, Associate Professor, Physical Education Department, Sadhra College. Pujya Premswaroop Swamiji, Pujya Suhrad Swamiji, Harish Sir and other distinguished personalities were also received with the customary general salute. They were witnessing gladly how sprawling turf of the ground was adorned by agile athletes competing to crown themselves with eternal glory.

High above, the clear clouds clustered around as rapt spectators: out from the green groves the golden liveried Sunday sun peeped out anxiously and down below the ground reverberated with cheers of a teeming crowd; the arena was thus set to unfold the epic battle – The Inter House Annual Athletic Meet for the year 2010-11. The final day included relay races of 4 x 100 meter, 200 meter and novelty races of obstacles, slow cycling, tyre and drum walk.

The Baton Passes on…….

The morning was bright; the playground wore a festive look as the colourful flags around the field gently fluttered in the morning breeze. The 4 x 100 m relay race is just as much a skill event as a speed event. A team with four decent sprinters of each house Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram and Suhradam ran to out-race a team with four better sprinters by beating the faster team in the exchange zones. The winners knew that the key to this event is how much time the baton spends in those exchange zones. The runners were sprightly yet aware that they should not drop the baton until it is held by the next. Novelty and Relay races: testing their coordination and swiftness what a coordination among each team!!!

The huge play ground had around many spectators hooting and hollering for the best crashes and distances. Josh set up a ‘applause-o-meter’ at the top and building ranking the crowd’s favourites. There were four houses competing for the grand prize,

Following this was the 100m dash for all divisions, and the 200m race for the B division. The athletes gave off their best for the last few races, showing utmost skill and grit, as could be seen by the many nail-biting finishes. These were succeeded by the 10 x 50m Shuttle Relay for Classes 3 & 4 and the widely anticipated Mixed Relay, both of which drew fierce partisanship from all the houses. However soon after, school spirit triumphed with the four rival teams uniting to cheer for the participants.

When they ran, they had to keep moving! No matter the type of event they were the part of, as they kept an attitude and spirit that emphasizes fun and fitness while de-emphasizing winning and losing.

The relay event was a spectacular feast to the beholders as they captured those rare moments when Bhavik of Suhradam House flew around the track like a fierce breeze who was eventually declared as the best athlete of the year. The playground battle saw records being rewritten, new champions reinventing themselves in an event hitherto untried; but it was just not the fun in the air, relationship were blooming as well. Solidarity was sown among the house members as they encouraged their housemates through victories and vanquishes; leaders were groomed as the house prefects shouldered the responsibility of leading their team and most of all a healthy competitive spirit was nourished among the competing houses.

The teachers as spectators were without exception, all enthusiastic and cheering and hadn’t waned at all. The teachers on duty at different points as time keeper and event manager kept on either throwing their hands up in despair or whistling to command the rules but none of them could dodge the ongoing fun.

A harmonious accompaniment of the rhythmic beats of music kindled the spirits fuelled with belief of true sportsmanship; the young athletes unleashed their sporting skills on the grounds.

The students of VIII, IX and X performed a rhythmic drill and a dance, which proved to be a feast for the eyes for everyone. The show triumphed with some great music and avid audiences. True to its tagline “Hear it!! Cheer it!!” it won cheers from all around.

Suhradam House: The Proud Team with its coveted possession…

As the bright sun sunk the horizon the anxiety and eagerness soared. The sparkling lights around the ground unveiled the nail biting expression of house members. The athletes awaited announcement of the results restlessly. The distribution of the prizes and the shield being collected by the victorious team was the main attraction. The rapturous winners shrouded with unlimited joy came on the stage to receive the certificate and medal, at this moment the play ground air was laden with cheers and applause. Heaps of praises were showered on the winning house members. Suhradam House cheers hit the sky as they were declared the champions of 2010.

The camera traversed the length and breadth of the field capturing every triumph and disappointment.

After the winning team made an exit, the stage sizzled with a variety of host performances including interviewing the winners and hilarious remarks by Prabhudarshan Sir, Niharika Mam and Manju Mam.

Many an athletic record was broken and the sportsmen raised the standard of sports by dint of their own perseverance. With the singing of the National Anthem came the desire to win more laurels and break more records the Annual Athlete Meet 2010 declared closed.

The credit for this hugely successful event goes to the athletes, the quietly yet meticulously working Shekhar Sir and all sports teachers and other members of Atmiya Family who chipped in with priceless contributions. This Athlete Meet proved to be a type of spectacle which presented ostensibly competitive events using natural capability of individual child (athlete), unlike typical athletic events and games, inducing competition as well as sportsmanship. The day drew its blinds ceremoniously on the event but the ripples of these memories and the values it instilled will certainly be treasured in the days to come!!!

Written by Seema Madam

AAM 2010 – Day 3 – Runners made giant stride or they threw the fatigue away!!!

For a sports fan of Atmiya Vidya Mandir, it is truly blissful to be a part of the 7th Annual Athletic Meet 2010. Though, everybody experienced all-consuming passion not to miss the variety of action on display, it was difficult to enjoy and focus on any one event. What a feast on offer!

It was the third day of the sports bonanza. It started with prayers and pujan of Thakorji. Saturday morning, the deceptively pleasant early morning breeze gave way to the scorching heat. Soon the escorting group Harsh Ambaliya, Piyush Sarda, Harsh Vaghela, Himanshu Patel, Love Patel, Vishvajit Solanki, Abhishek Ariwala and Abhishek D Patel assisted the chief guest to the dais. The Chief Guest of the day was Retired Lieutenant  Gajendrakumar Srivastav who has served the Indian Defense Forces (Army and Navy) for more than two decades and also is the grandson of the first President of India – Shri Rajendraprasad! His speech was highly inspiring for all present and students made the most of this opportunity to interact with him.

As the day wore on, the enthusiasm of the spectators on the other side of the field could clearly be seen. The groups of young sports enthusiasts and teachers clapped and danced for the winners and participants, the tiny tots of I, II and III hopped and tapped zestfully to the music much like shaking spectators out of their seeming stupor.

All the students along with teachers and hostel staff were bellowing and hooting at the various areas of the huge ground witnessing the participants tossed between losing and winning. The excitement was at its peak, as the shuttle race for juniors started. “Ready? Go!” the participant runs to the other line, picks up a block and returns to place it behind the starting line, then returns to pick up the second block, then runs with it back across the line. It was a test of aerobic endurance performed by juniors moving back and forth swiftly.

The other area of the ground was much lively with Ball throw event as the students were employing their glide technique used to generate the efficient and powerful movement where the thrower moves across the throwing circle quickly to develop speed, and with one fluid motion throws the shot, twisting the body at the point of the delivery which usually determines success. Wow! Amazing training given to them by sports teachers! Congrats to Shekhar Sir, Pradeep Sir, Ritesh Sir, Ramakar Sir and all the sports teachers.

Along with the running and jumping events, throwing events complete the Track & Field trifecta. The throwing events were the discus throw, shot put and ball throws. As with many athletic events, the limelight were shot putters and other field competitors toiling in anonymity to win the competitions. It is noteworthy that in this strength event, unlike other competitions, physical fitness and mental force are key ingredients for success and Atmiya Vidya Mandir students displayed their physical and mental coordination very well throughout these events. Besides quickness & power, character traits such as punctuality, teamwork, coach-ability and aggressiveness are inculcated. At the high school level, an average athlete with these qualities can still achieve a relatively high standard of success and this is what the Atmiyan Athletes know!!!

Shouts of encouragement, moans and groans were heard across the length and breadth of the field. The non-participants, teachers, house-masters, didis and everybody present looked with much astonishment coupled with excitement as the athletes of different groups showed a spell of agility, speed and explosiveness. The participants seemed to be indefatigable in their efforts at securing points for their house. In a manner truly commendable, the onlookers kept the fun and frolic go on along with participants.

The winners’ list for day 2 is as follows.

But the last day….. last moment excitement is still to come…Who will be the best athlete?????? Which house will be at the top??????

Hold on!!!!!!!! 

Written by: Seema Madam

AAM 2010 – Day 2 – Zest and Zeal Soaring

The ongoing sports fiesta at Atmiya Vidya Mandir play ground reverberated with lots of booming, hooting and cheering as the students, teachers and hostel staff enjoyed the track and field events of the second day during 7th Annual Athletics Meet 2010.The lime light was, of course, the chief guest who was none other than Dhupli Sir, who was a part of the recently held Commonwealth Games and who has served in Atmiya Vidya Mandir for a few years now.

Attending a track and field meet was altogether a different experience, almost like watching a three-ring circus, with a variety of action happening at the same time.

Sports H.O.D Shekhar Sir along with Kalpesh sir and Ramakar Sir were walking across the ground to ensure smooth happening of all the events. Pranshu Savani and Yathansh Joshi enthralled the crowd with their commentary as they handled the mic very well. Niharika Mam and Manju Mam spiced up the fun and frolic with their witty remarks from the stage.

Team officials and teachers have been allocated their particular groups for the entire meet. Each group has different house members and students competing in each event. The aim of the challenge is to collect points for their respective house and gain School Sports glory.

A very impressive and a spectacular event was the different races. It was the turn of the vaulting group of boys composed of group A to group D respectively running for 50, 100, 200 and 400 mt. race. Runners stride around the track, sometimes sprinting, other times pacing themselves, re-living the excitement, anticipation and glory started with much zest and zeal.

Another outstanding act was the long-leap that was high jump where Akshay D. Patel and Vishlesh Gondaliya bagged First and Second position.

The student volunteers were ever active wearing orange and green T-shirts with all hues of gaiety and gusto to extend their helping hand in medical, refreshments or ferrying the things across the ground. Hats off to their humble efforts!!!!

Right over the other end of the ground was the temporary office where Rupashree Mam and Jignesh Sir were watching over the participants and students of different house and groups on disciplinary level. Vijay Bhai and Pankaj Bhai were right on their toes to offer any medical help.

In the midst of the ground, Pravartak Sir and Pujeet Bhai were moving their cameras all around to catch the ongoing fervor for digital memories. The camera captured every move that the participant made.

Nothing could fall beyond the purview of the ever alert powerful watch of Bharat Sir, Anand Sir, Prerak Sir, Rashmi Mam, Ritesh Sir and Pradeep Sir who were at the starting and finishing lines of the racing track designated as Technical Expert, Umpire, Referee and Timekeepers.

The pulsating- jazzy music was well blend to the booming and shrieking of the students and teachers cheering the participants. Amazing tunes were played by Hiren Bhai and his group.

The principal Swayam Madam was spotted being one with the junior group of I and II std students. The house conveners of Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram and Suhradam houses were much more excited adding much to the excitement among the onlookers.

Combining seven different track and field events the participants, in quick succession, commenced their headlong assault over various track and field events which tests the endurance, strength and all-round ability of the athlete, awarding contestants points in each event for their best performance.

The winners of the second day events are as follows: 
Written by: Seema Madam