Dolly Verma
28th March, 2013
Dear parents
As the new academic year commences, I would like to thank all our parents for their valuable support and encouragement to the school and all the initiatives that we have taken up from time to time. As you are aware, the CBSE Board is on a mission to take up a number of sweeping changes and schools today have to be in an adaptive and continuously learning mode to keep pace with these changes.
As a member of the governing body of the CBSE Board, I am fortunate to keep myself and our school updated on the changes that the Board is contemplating and implementing. While I am extremely excited by the kind of reforms that are being discussed and undertaken, and being part of the dynamic shift that is happening, it is going to be a challenge for schools to handle the same, unless they are proactive and open minded. Fortunately, we have a management that supports innovation and students and parents who also support us in thinking out of the box.
To appraise you of some of the changes that are being introduced by the CBSE Board. The Problem Solving Assessment was piloted this year with Classes 9 and 11 in the wake of the disappointing performance of Indian students in the international PISA test. The next on the anvil is the inclusion of Case Studies and Application-based and Analytical thinking questions in the curriculum. So far our system has been focussing on predictable questions but soon our students will be tested on enquiry-based, higher order thinking questions.
As a school we have been always thinking ahead for our students. The Phyzok workshops set the stage for developing analytical thinking and problem solving skills in our students. Our pilot with Khan Academy and Flipped Classroom learning model is directed towards more personalized and differentiated learning for students. Students are extremely excited about this new approach and so are our teachers who have very bravely taken on the responsibility of being the harbinger of change.
Last year we had introduced the Mindspark program for effective learning of Mathematics and the students who opted for it have had huge benefits from the same. Most progressive schools in the country have subscribed to the program and we would like all our students to also take this program.
Our flagship initiative, Drishtikon has been life changing for all those who have been connected with it in any form. From presentations to panel discussions, school assemblies and facebook interactions, the minds of students, parents, teachers and even CBSE Board members have been ticking and we feel proud of the impact that it has made.
Last year the school went ahead to try and make a national impact in the field of education and LearnShift India was a step in that direction. From students to academicians to education companies, technology giants and policy makers...the cross-silo event got perspectives from many stakeholders. I am happy to share that our school has undertaken a number of projects with various partners as part of our social responsibility.
As we step into another eventful year, I wish each one of you and our students happy, joyous and fruitful learning ahead.
Warm regards
Avnita Bir
Principal
R N Podar School