National Bullying Prevention Month 2020 - Kusum Sharma

As a parent, as I’m sure many of you are, one of my worst fears is to find that my children are either being bullied or being a bully themselves.  I often wonder how we would deal with discovering either of these scenarios. In a world where bullying can take on many new and different forms, it concerns me that not enough parents, guardians, families and friends would know what to do for the best.  

Although sad that such an awareness campaign has to exist in the first place, it’s also reassuring and useful to know that the National Bullying Prevention Center runs the National Bullying Prevention Month throughout the month of October with lots of information and support readily available to help anyone who may need it.  

Established by PACER, a centre for parent training and information for families and youth with disabilities, the initial campaign was designed to raise awareness of the long-lasting effects that bullying has on many children and young people and to change the perception that bullying is a part of growing up that cannot be challenged.  Collaborating with education-based organizations such as the National PTA, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association they provide schools, parents and students with the educational resources and support to better respond to bullying behaviour.

Throughout the month the campaign aims to work at a grassroots level with local schools, community groups, young people and families to address any issues faced by them, signpost to organizations who may be able to offer support, educate youngsters about the effects of bullying and promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion. 

On a higher level, they also work with news and media outlets encouraging them to promote their message and cause as well as communicating with education and public policy leaders about the role they play in bullying prevention.

Courtesy- https://www.awarenessdays.com/

Kusum Sharma, The Fabindia School <ksa@fabindiaschools.in>

Honesty and Respect - Punita Chouhan

Honesty is being sincere, truthful and frank. It helps us to be trustworthy and get lots of respect in life because honest people are really trusted by others. These people are always respected in their family and society. Honesty is the most remarkable expression of self-respect and other-respect, without any concessions to self-deception or other- deception.

Honesty is the foundation for our daily interaction with friends, students and other people. Whenever we talk with them, they feel happy and secure because it also shows a part of our good and clean character, so honesty helps to develop quality property in behaviour. Honesty is the quality of communicating and acting truthfully. As we share with students, the daily schedule may be in the class, in the playground, in the activities, in the examination time and at result time. It helps children to be stronger, better and independent people. It creates a feeling of joy and goodwill in one’s heart. For improving interest in these values, stories and plays are very helpful sources for us. This promise is about the choices we make and how we treat others. Acting with honesty is a very important part of being an honest person. We must always remember to tell the truth no matter how hard it is. We must also be respectful towards others, ourselves and property around us. To show we are always following this promise we must always listen in class, follow instructions the first of being asked and show respect to school by looking after our environment. Honest people never lie, cheat or steal. An honest person is a genius, fair with everyone, sincere with work, always speaks truth and loyalty. Honesty is a feeling of pride, self-worth and character. Some people who are known for their honesty like: - Martin Luther, Cochise, Barbara Jordan, Confucius, Raja Harishchandra and Mahatma Gandhi etc. These people always live in the heart of people. Punita Chouhan The Fabindia School

Honesty always wins Respect - Bharti Rao

Honesty is not just about telling lies, but it is about being true to yourself and others. Honesty empowers us and promotes our openness. Honesty is a value which brings admiration and respect for you. If you are honest everyone will trust and believe you. We all are familiar with the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words’. We need to be honest at our workplaces and show our integrity towards the management, staff and colleagues. We should always respect the emotions of others and lend an ear to others.

Communicating honestly and directly with one another helps to create harmonious and respectful relationships. If you are honest and respectful towards yourself, then only others will know that you understand what respect is. There are many instances when our students, colleagues and support staff exhibit their honesty and we respect them for their value.

During the pandemic period, Jeevaramji and Tejaji kept the school intact and thriving by honestly giving their services. Their love for the environment made them the real warriors of COVID-19. We respect them for their honesty. Bhavesh Choudhary from Class X volunteered for Scout and Guide Service Project. He distributed masks at his Village Lunava; these masks have been made at home out of his pocket money. We respect his family for encouraging him. I end by quoting,’ Respect is earned, Honesty is appreciated, Trust is gained, Loyalty is returned.’

Bharti Rao

The Fabindia School  

Happiness and Tolerance: Swabhi Parmar

Happiness is a sense of contentment and joy. Yes, it is not permanent in life but we cannot

say it is temporary either. Happiness is something which is obtained from inner peace. Now, How do we inculcate this value in ourselves is the question of the hour. This can simply be accomplished by developing the quality of tolerance in us. If we are tolerant, then this quality will be reflected in front of our children. I would share a small story of how tolerance led to happiness in The Fabindia School, Bali.

It was a happy day in the school and everyone was excited because the school was going to organise a night camp. Children were very happy and excited to join the night camp. All of them started planning what things to get, what clothes to wear and so on. Finally, the day of night camp arrived. The chilly wind blew because it was the month of December. Educators and children were distributed in teams for various activities. 

The classrooms were converted into restrooms and the students were distributed class wise. But there was one issue which Priya faced. Priya was a shy girl. She didn’t speak too much with anyone. She was excellent in studies but not good at communicating with friends. She also joined the night camp but soon she felt alone. All her friends seemed excited about sharing beds, food and so on but Priya was a little bit uncomfortable and then she started crying and she wanted to go back home. 

The students of her class rushed to the class teacher and said, "Priya wants to go home and she is weeping continuously." The teacher took this situation as an opportunity to make Priya friends with other girls in her class. She went into the room and told all the girls to gather in front of her. The teacher told the girls to be friends with Priya and made her feel comfortable. All the girls followed what the teacher told them to do. All the girls went to her, they asked her to play games, gossip about favourite movies, cartoons etc. After the persuasion of the teacher, all the girls became friends with Priya and they altogether enjoyed activities which were carried forward in school.

This small incident of Priya taught all the girls the value of tolerance, acceptance, cooperation and kindness. This tolerant behaviour of other girls led Priya to happiness. By a small act of motivation, every child can be benefited. This is how Priya attained her happiness and she enjoyed the night camp.

Swabhi Parmar

The Fabindia School