hen the Just One team arrives at the Shiva Ji Mission School today there is an unusual quietness. We can see the children in their classrooms and the teachers walking around the room, but it is much quieter today, Monday 3rd April.
We find out that today is essentially the first formal day of a new school year. The school did open on the previous Saturday but today is the first day of classes. Most of the classrooms are only partially filled except for the kindergarten and pre-Kindergarten rooms. These are full by our standards, but we recognise more students will be accommodated as new students join the school. Many of the 3 and 4 year olds in these rooms look a little stunned and look around at everything, including the Just One team and the oranges they receive - with their big round eyes staring and mouths open.
We find out that today is essentially the first formal day of a new school year. The school did open on the previous Saturday but today is the first day of classes. Most of the classrooms are only partially filled except for the kindergarten and pre-Kindergarten rooms. These are full by our standards, but we recognise more students will be accommodated as new students join the school. Many of the 3 and 4 year olds in these rooms look a little stunned and look around at everything, including the Just One team and the oranges they receive - with their big round eyes staring and mouths open.
The principal informs us that April and May are considered a preparatory attendance period. The formal school year will begin in July, after the summer holidays. In April and May many schools are still holding the State exams, but those who finish before the State government declares the close of the school year, begin accepting and teaching students for the next year. As a reflection of this, there are only approximately 120 students present today – many of them new faces.
Today Just One provides the Shiva Ji Mission students with small mandarins. Because of the unexpectedly small number of students, Just One was able to provide 5 small mandarins to each student. While the older students familiar with the program shouted ‘Thank you’ and ‘Om Jai Jai Sai Maa’ in joyous acceptance, the new kindergarten students were more subdued, some not really understanding what was happening. Some even had to be reassured by their teachers that it was Ok to accept this fruit from us. It really was for them!!!!
Today was a special and intimate experience with the students and staff. We were able to individually give the fruits to each student ourselves. Usually the older students assist in the interest of time, but the low number of students proved to be precious opportunity – one unlikely to continue as more students are being accepted by the school each day.
Today Just One provides the Shiva Ji Mission students with small mandarins. Because of the unexpectedly small number of students, Just One was able to provide 5 small mandarins to each student. While the older students familiar with the program shouted ‘Thank you’ and ‘Om Jai Jai Sai Maa’ in joyous acceptance, the new kindergarten students were more subdued, some not really understanding what was happening. Some even had to be reassured by their teachers that it was Ok to accept this fruit from us. It really was for them!!!!
Today was a special and intimate experience with the students and staff. We were able to individually give the fruits to each student ourselves. Usually the older students assist in the interest of time, but the low number of students proved to be precious opportunity – one unlikely to continue as more students are being accepted by the school each day.
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