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Special Edition | Issue 085 | 25th July 2020 Special Edition | Issue 085 | 25th July 2020
It is naturally understandable, that teaching your own To overcome the envisaged difficulties, all our staff
section of a few children, is far easier, vis-à-vis members underwent a 10-day rigorous training on
teaching 100-150 students live online, in the presence “Learning to Teach Online” certified by the
of their parents, (even some of their brothers and University of New South Wales, Australia before
sisters studying in other schools), being recorded live going online on 01 April 2020.For a majority of our
on camera with no re-takes, in the presence of two- teachers, who in their advanced age were not so tech-
three other subject teachers and off and on having to savvy, all these tasks were not only new and time
deal with the HTs and the ED's frequent interventions. consuming, but added was the pressure of completing
All this, without the physical presence and comfort of these tasks in a specific time-frame. They even learnt to
their own dear students, was truly an overwhelmingly make and share teaching aids on completely 'alien
frightening and unnerving. Infact, the challenge was virtual platforms' that too in a very short span of time,
even greater for Pinegrove's teachers… because many even if it meant toiling upward through the night, at the
of the students had never been taught by them, there cost of their own health. It resulted in increased cases
were many new faces, no connection or bonding of hypertensions, cervical pain, shoulder aches, eye
existed. Teachers were petrified of the fact that they strain and redness in many of our teachers, who
couldn't afford to make a mistakes while teaching, continued to perform relentlessly, with grit and
needed to use appropriate voice modulation, were determination. It wouldn't be out of place to address
expected to be extraordinarily patient and tolerant, our faculty members as Multi-Tasking-Unsung-
whilst ensuring effective dissemination and discipline Corona-Warriors. Not content with just teaching, they
too. Just imagine! It can be truly traumatic, To deliver introduced MCQ quizzes, HW uploading and started
such perfect lectures with an audience which, at times Class Tests too. Latest was the Unit Test which was
could be critical, rather than appreciative was added too to the itinerary and we have successfully
intimidating. Their experienced reputations were at conducted our first Online Science Practicals, as well,
stake. Hence they were all thrown out of our for the Senior Secondary Classes. The faculty
“Comfort Zone”, naturally causing high levels of members have not only sacrificed the comfort of their
anxiety, worry and unease resulting in the abundant homes and families to stay put on the campus, locked-
release of stress hormones. We are proud of the fact down, for the benefit of their students, but have risen to
that each and every one of our Staff Members chose the occasion and continued to assist each other in
to stand and face the challenge and changed 'reaction' practice, experimentation and in learning to adapt the
into 'response'. new methodology of teaching almost overnight.
Thereby, setting an example for their pupils to learn
to face challenges head-on and adapt to changing
scenarios, proficiently, successfully and quickly.
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The benefits of this experience have been residential schools that even after detailed
exponential. I would emphatically state that our Staff deliberations, with many Principals, we have not able
members have acquired tremendous value addition to to come to terms with a definite plan. It is quite
their technological and pedagogical proficiencies. Our obvious, that the Govt will attempt to restart day-
teachers had risen to the challenges flawlessly, while schools, a few months down the line. For the moment, I
many others were still trying to come to grip with the can promise you that we shall endeavour and teach
situation, they march on….. to make the experience our children, online, so proficiently that they shall be
unforgettable. The resultant benefit, for the children ready to attempt even the Final Examinations with
too, was immense. They were gainfully engaged and ease. The slogan is “If anyone can do it, so can
no longer wasted their time in front of the TV or other Pinegrove…”. All I request and seek is some help
gadgets and had a formal school schedule to follow at from you. Without your complete indulgence and
home. involvement, it will be 'nearly impossible' to deliver.
In enabling us to face this challenge, I shall be failing I conclude by saying, let not the efforts of our teachers
in my duty if I do not put in a word of appreciation for go in vain. Do involve yourself with the education of
our IT-Dept Staff who have unfailingly come up with your children wholeheartedly. Encourage them to
ingeniously brilliant efforts and have provided a safe involve themselves completely in the teaching-
and secure platform, for all the students and faculty. We learning process. Give the children a small nudge, once
are still continuously learning and trying to in a while, to help them press ahead towards their
incorporate better practices. potential. Encourage the children to be honest and
fair while giving class tests and exams, for all
To help us in this effort to make the Online Teaching
knowledge is in vain if values are not instilled in our
even more fruitful, we implore you to please assist us
children. In true Grovian spirit, do not compare your
in eliminating the use of unfair means when online
child with others; rather encourage him/her to
testing is in progress. This is for the sole benefit of
compare with themselves.
your children.
This issue of “The Grapevine” is being brought out to
Pinegrove is grateful to all those parents who took out
apprise you all about what all was happening at School
the time to write to us giving feedback, about our
when the children were at home. The pictures will
online classes and encouraging us to push ourselves speak for themselves. I am sure it will give you a
and improve further. Together with trust, spirit,
reflection how the School was running with over 300
dedication, persistence and resilience we shall
staff and support staff members, in self quarantine, just
overcome the challenges, the world faces and prove the
to ensure that the Grovians who are at home continue to
actual meaning of “By Toil to Stars”.
learn and benefit, from their efforts.
Old parents are well-aware that Pinegrove School is
We all, parents, students and School have to join hands
always keen to obtain an unbiased anonymous in keeping ourselves and those around us safe in this
feedback, which is a great statistical resource to study, unexpected and disastrous global pandemic. We need
analyze and evaluate. It is requested to please to teach our children that our ancestors and our
participate in the Online Feedback, which we will be forefathers have seen far more difficult, tougher and
sent to you, in the near future. challenging times. We need to hold each other's hand
and not be afraid.
What the future holds for us as a school is totally
undefined at the moment. Social Distancing in a
Together we shall come out victorious.
hostel, with all students present and all activities and Stay Home! Stay Safe! Stay Well! Stay Blessed!
sports in progress, will be next to impossible. Whether Take care and God be with you always.
schools will reopen with a reduced strength, recalling
Sd/-
students from Green Zones only or from Senior or
Capt Aj Singh,
Board Classes or volunteers only, is totally unclear.
Executive Director
The ambiguity of the lockdown is so blurred for
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