The School Bell - Simar Kaur

It is bizarre how a school bell can affect one’s mood regularly. The first bell of the day is accompanied by yawns, people rubbing their eyes, cranky comments, and excitement for a new day (which is rare in my case). Ah, the first class is sports. The most beloved classroom is the playground, where there are no rules. You don’t have to stay quiet or tire your hand while making notes when surrounded by the beautiful green grass. I perceived it as starting the day with an ounce of freedom until you get trapped in the strict regimentation as you enter through the large doors. 

It is hard to sit down and study right after having an intense sweating session on the ground (which is very true for me since I sweat a lot). As soon as the bell rings, I go upstairs with the rest of the school and sit at my desk panting, drinking water and coughing. That was how I used to follow the bell and get myself prepped for the studying sessions which were to follow. 

When I had maths and physics, I sighed, made a face, and moved on. And in English, painting and computers I used to be excited unless I forgot the equipment at home. To put it in a nutshell, I think nothing besides the school bell has been able to alter my mood so quickly and efficiently. I mightn’t have learnt a life lesson because of the bell, but the fact that it makes the school building feel alive with pleasure or, at times, sadness makes the school, school for me. After two years of frustrating mobile alarms, the school building is alive again, and so is the bell! Simar Kaur Grade X Gyanshree School

If School Bells Could Talk - Aanya Kumar

"TRIIIIIIING! LUNCHTIME!" I would say this every day at noon. Neither a second before nor a second after. I am always on time. However, I am not taken seriously by my folks. I am there in schools so that children learn to be disciplined. Sometimes teachers need teaching too. I am more like a principal of the school. Strict, disciplined and most importantly, very (and I mean VERY) punctual. Here's how my days go. I wake up sharp at eight, and my first words are always "Morning, School!" Next, I talk to the real principal. "Second Period" and "Third Period" and so on till SEVEN periods!. That's how my days end. Moreover, I have to say the same thing every day just for punctuality in children. What a tiring job I have. "TRIIIIIIING! SIXTH PERIOD!" I may be found irritating to those who love the concept being taught during class timings and a lifesaver for those who are getting bored. But now you know… I am way more than that. I am the timetable of those who don't value my friend's time.

Aanya Kumar

Podar International School

Grade 6B

The School Bell

Refections from the reading session on the 27th of March 2022. 
We are reading My Good School Where Passion Meets Education by Sandeep Dutt.
Published by Rupa Publications, available online and in Kindle format at bookstores.

You will definitely hear the school bell ring in your head whenever you lend your ear to it! The sound of the school bell has a certain amount of energy that makes the adrenaline flow, and we look forward to the next hour. 

The first bell of the day brings in great energy as enthusiastic young, and fresh minds come racing into the school gates. The day will see the entry and exit of fun and joy in the class, till the last bell that leaves the campus devoid of energy and seems like the sunset hour in midday.

Perhaps our first lessons in time management are rendered to us by this innocuous bell that may sound jarring at first but part of our growing years. A school period blocks time allocated for lessons, classes, or other school activities. They typically last between 40 and 60 minutes, with around 3-8 periods per school day. Educators determine the number and length of these periods and may even regulate how each period will be used. 

Managing time is really the first challenge for all of us at school; using the 40 odd minutes to ensure learning and capture the imagination is always the biggest challenge for teachers and students alike. 

Perhaps our first lessons in time management are rendered to us by this innocuous bell! 

The race against time, the need to complete the lesson plan, ensure good understanding and give the students the absolute joy of learning between two bells is not an easy task for even the best teachers. How best you use your limited time determines your effectiveness as a teacher or a mentor for a group of learners. There are thus crucial questions to be answered, keeping in mind that the next bell will ring soon- What do I do? When do I do it? How well do I do it?

Our life sets a limit of time, and this is indeed the wealth we often do not value in our quest for materials and the race to beat others to it. 

“...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....” by Benjamin Franklin. 

Hear the bell, find the energy, think for yourself and make a conscious decision about how best you will use your time. Remember the school bell and hear it always ring; let it not make life uncomfortable but instead help you enjoy every moment and be the master of your time. Time management alone will help you find yourself and live a joyous life.

The views expressed above are of Sandeep Dutt alone, and you are welcome to comment and share your thoughts with him by email to sd@ebd.in, please. For more about the author, please visit www.SandeepDutt.com.

School Bell: The First Lesson in Management - Anvesha Rana

                                   

The School Bell

Tringgg goes the bell,

Casting the gleeful spell

  As children dash out, 

  some to the classes they like, 

  others to the ones they dislike, 

  Everyone suddenly has a new thereabout. 

Faces shine with mirth 

when the Sports period comes 

and turn into sulks

as Math hums.

The bell is uncanny yet beautiful, 

Galling at 8 but melodious at 3.

What may come our way?

The bell will always be the shimmering ray.

Be it a school, or a temple, 

or perhaps a rooster's cock-a-doodle,

All These are Bells, 

Reminders that Time Flows. 

-   Anvesha Rana, 

Grade 10-B, 

Gyanshree School

The Annual Day At School - Arindita

I love every single day of my school as I always get to learn something new. But there’s one day that I call the best, the day when I enjoyed it the most.

It was 3 years ago, back when I was in 2^nd grade. It was the day of Summer Camp. I was so excited for the day that I woke up early, even before the sun rose. I had packed my bag with delicious junk snacks and a few healthy ones. My friend and I were on the same bus as we talked about the exciting trip we would have all the way to school.

Along with another section, we lined up together, and we went in a bus later, which took us to the camp destination. On our way, we got muffins and apple juices. When we arrived, the first thing we did was decide who would share the bed with whom. And, of course, I shared mine with my best friend.

Pottery was our next activity where I made a duck. We then had breakfast in the cafeteria, where I had bread and a boiled egg. After that, we did special activities like zip-lining, climbing, bungee jumping (where many of my classmates got very scared) etc. Then we had lunch and shared the snacks we had. We went on a truck ride with our tummies full, and later we danced. In the evening our parents came to pick us up.

That was the best day of school that I ever had.

Arindita 

Grade V

Gyanshree School 

Why Go To School? - Sherkhan

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself" - John Dewey.

Although our home is our first school. Despite that, formal schooling is also essential. We go to a school, of course, to learn and get educated, but also we develop social skills and learn to interact with the world, we develop the confidence to speak and perform in front of an audience.

When I was in 5th standard, I was selected for the theatrical performance in our Annual Function. The play's theme was based on a suspenseful yet exciting story, "The Jungle Book". I was to give the voice to the character of "Sherkhan". Other than many long dialogues, there was voice modulation to match with the voice of a tiger if it could speak. We practised for around 1 and half months or so. However, I became nervous on the day of the performance and thought that I would blackout and forget my dialogues. When I started performing, I surprisingly remembered all my dialogues, and the whole thing turned out quite well. After the performance, the chief guest of the function appreciated me in front of everyone.

Our principal Mrs Brinda Ghosh blessed and appreciated me for my success. I also got recognition from all my Shreegurus, and for some time, I was known as; Sherkhan.

A school is a plethora of knowledge learning skills and a place where we can express our creativity with no limits.

Yashraj Sharma (Sherkhan)

Class: VIII D

Gyanshree School

Image courtesy: https://www.namu.moe/

The Annual Day at School - Anvesha Rana

The Annual Day at School is an occasion where we ignite the concealed explorer inside each child. Be it the sports day, the investiture ceremony or the theatrical performances. All these functions at school initiate children to think beyond the blue. Studies are not the only thing we go to school for; school is about friends, teachers, skills, sports, services and most importantly, Fun! 

If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life. If we all love to go to school, then we will indulge in all the activities there, and by doing that only, we will be able to experience The School of Life. 

Annual Days have always been special to me. The teamwork by everyone to put up the show is evident in the performances, the zeal with which everyone performs is irreplaceable, and the sense of belonging to the school lasts forever. Annual Days are an excellent way to create mutual trust between the students. All the kids strengthen their bond and spark respect for their school by performing together. Annual Days should celebrate the community and promote the diverse cultures in the particular region.

The Annual Day should be one such day when the entire school comes together for a single cause. It should celebrate each student's creativity, uniqueness, interest, skills, and values as part of this colossal organization. A school without students is like memory without a picture. Students make up the school. Thus, it is vital that the students are happy. 

Anvesha Rana.

Grade 10-B, 

Gyanshree School.

Starting a new session at school - Rishona Chopra

Last year, I was in fifth grade and had made beautiful memories. The best moments were when we did the Math Week Quiz. Our class didn't win but what mattered was that we did our best. The Science Week where we did projects and then the last day of fifth grade when I went to school and met some of my classmates and teachers physically for the first time!

Another moment was when Sandeep Dutt visited our school! I was really nervous but overcame it, and it turned out to be the best day ever.

Now I am starting a new session, I got my books, and I am excited. I'll be in the Senior Wing! I can't wait to see the extensive library on the third floor. When we were in primary, we used to go to the smaller library on the ground floor, but now I'll go to the big one and read every single book there. I will also be learning French! Bonjour

Rishona Chopra Grade V Gyanshree School

Importance of Happiness Story - Anaghaa Gawde and Hardik Rane

Once upon a time…

There were two kids. Rahul and Reeta. They were both brothers and sisters. 

One day, while playing with their ball, they broke their mother’s favourite jar! They were blaming each other. Their mother heard their angry, irritating voices. When she came into the lobby, she was surprised by seeing her jar was broken.

“Rahul did it, mother!” said Reeta.

“No, mama! She’s lying!” said Rahul.

“None of you will go outside until you tell the truth”, said the mother irritatingly.

Rahul and Reeta felt terrible for what they had done. They went to their mother, who was in the kitchen.

“Mother, Rahul and I broke the jar while playing with the ball”, said Reeta.

Instead of an angry face, “Kids! You told me the truth, I am thrilled”, exclaimed their mother.
A confused look rose up. The next day, the kids counted their piggy bank’s money and brought a new jar for their mother. They felt happy for they told the truth.

Name: Anaghaa Gawde and Hardik Rane

Grade: 5A

Billabong High International School, Thane

If Earth went to School - Aanya Kumar

Hello everyone! My name is Earth; I am a planet. One of the eight in the Solar System. I have so many friends.

Let's see Mercury, Mars, Sir Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Ceres, Orcus, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, Eris and Sedna. You might be wondering why I did not take Venus' name. Well, because she is my sister. She literally has the spotlight. I mean, she is so bright. Meanwhile, I am caring towards those who live on me.

Papa Sun gives them punishments in May and June by giving the angry solar blares. Humans invented ' ice cream' to counter this concern and have some relief. I have to go to school. I'll take you with me!

Every day we need to cross the asteroid belt to Mr Jupiter's "School of Planets". Our teacher teaches us how to rotate and correctly revolve around Papa Sun in this school. I am the smartest in school. Though every great brain does not have spectacles. In the spinning class, Saturn never fails to stun us. She is the fastest in class (of course after Sir Jupiter!) You might wonder what happens at lunchtime.

We eat Papa Sun's blares. We let them cool down a bit. After lunch, we have a show and tell activity, where we are required to talk about our specialities. Like Mars is full of iron, and I am the only planet fit for life. After the educational session, we play with the asteroids and head back to class after our thirty minutes of playtime. Next, Sir Jupiter teaches us some life skill values.

Finally, Papa Sun tightens up his gravitational pull, and we are held back to our places. What a tiring day!

Aanya Kumar

Podar International School

Grade 6B