by Ron Hjertstedt | Sep 26, 2022 | News Flash!
An exciting new sport has been introduced to our area by Ron sir.
Ultimate Frisbee!
He is a certified trainer with UPAI (Ultimate Players Association of India) and is creating several teams in our area. Each team is comprised of 12 players, but only 7 are on the field at one time. And, importantly, this is a “mixed” sport, which means that girls and boys are on the field at the same time in a ratio of either 4:3 or 3:4.
The sport of Ultimate Frisbee focuses greatly on what is called “The Spirit of the Game”, which means that sportsmanship, self-control, fair play, encouraging attitude, and joy are very important factors. Also, there are no referees in this sport, so each player must know all the rules in order to play the game and be self-referring. In fact, each team must have 2 coaches (one male and one female), one of whom is mainly involved in strategy and the other is the “Spirit Coach” which means he/she keeps the team focused on sportsmanship and kindness.
Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of the bond of mutual respect between players (on the same or even opposing side).
Anyone who is interested in playing this sport competitively, please contact Ron sir or any of the current team members. We have official matches coming up with the pro team in Jabalpur, and even beyond that into other states in India.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Sep 5, 2022 | News Flash!, Student Corner
Teachers. They the light of the world.
A beacon in the dark, and the hope that gives us strength to survive. Teachers add value to our character and make us the ideal citizens to make a better country. Teachers are the building blocks of our lives. They are the ones who motivate the students to do better in every way. Teachers are the builders of a better future.
The bond between a teacher and student is like a potter and the clay. Teachers shape the life of the student by teaching them about brotherhood, kindness, and simplicity. And students are the clay, who eventually become a vessel through the artistic and caring hands of the potter.
In whose memory is Teacher’s Day celebrated, and why? On the auspicious occasion of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s birthday, his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday, but in reply Dr. Radhakrishnan said that “The celebration should not only be for me; I would feel proud if it would be a celebration for all the teachers”.
Teacher’s Day was first celebrated in India on 5 September, 1962.
Once, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru said that he has served his country in many capacities, so he is considered as a great teacher.
How do we celebrate Teacher’s Day at our school? This day is one of the most memorable in the relationship between teacher and student. On this special occasion, we give chocolates, gifts, cards, and especially respect to our teachers. We also organize a party dedicated to teachers. That year’s Class 12 does all the planning. First, they go into every class and introduce their juniors to that year’s planned party, and they ask for funds from each student to help pay for the party.
Traditionally, the students organize games for the teachers to play, and there is dancing, and some great food — all organized by the Class 12 students. It is a party for the students as well as the teachers because of all the memories that are being created and shared from years of interactions. At the end of the party, the students give a “Thank You” speech, showing appreciation to the teachers for putting in years of effort into these balls of clay that will soon go off into the larger world.
Teachers are a precious gift who God has given to students. Their impact on our lives goes beyond cost.
We, the students of our school, want to thank our teachers for always guiding us and showing us the right path for our life. You always try your best, even in difficult
times and situations, and you have high hopes for us. We are blessed to have you in our lives, and we are grateful for you sharing your knowledge and life-wisdom and experience with us. We will forever remember our teachers because of the immensity of their contribution to our life.
In Sanskrit, there is an auspicious mantra dedicated to teachers: “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Dev Maheshwara; Guru Sakshat, Param Brahma, Jasmai Shri, Gurney Mamah.”
Guru is truly representative of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. Parambrahma means eternal lord whose world is never being destroyed, that lord who had no day or night. He creates, sustains knowledge, and destroys the weeds of ignorance.
The guru (the teacher) guides us and makes efforts to push us to the road of success. We salute all of you great teachers.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Aug 3, 2022 | Current News Topics, News Flash!, School News
We had the opportunity to have an hour-long live video chat with a man (a friend of Ron sir) who is on the front lines in Ukraine, helping innocent civilians by bringing them food and offering to take them to safety in shelters far from the danger of war zone.
This is a great way to educate our youth, by giving them these sorts of rare opportunities to understand other cultures, other concepts, world history, current events, applicable English language, and to sort through it all in order to formulate their own opinions and world-views.
We thank Brad for taking the time to give our students a rare look into the life of someone who has decided to risk his own life in order to help others.
And, we thank our students for formulating such poignant and relevant questions. The questions drove right to the heart of the matter:
- Why are you risking your life in order to help strangers in a different country?
- What brings you fulfillment? Doesn’t material possessions and living a nice life give you fulfillment? Does helping others bring you fulfillment?
- Why are you helping people when their own government and their own people aren’t doing what you are doing?
- Will this war remain as is, or will it gain momentum and become a major world war?
- Are people there afraid of you? Do they trust you? How do you gain their trust?
It was a very unique and educational opportunity for our students, and for Brad in Ukraine as well.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Jun 29, 2022 | News Flash!
A new school year has begun. Let’s make it a great! We are family. Let’s treat each other, and our facility, as we would our own families. Respect and honor is what India is known for, and we will continue in that tradition this year, and have lots of fun.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Apr 9, 2022 | Current News Topics, News Flash!, School News
On Thursday, 7 April 2022, we paid tribute to our founder, our friend and teacher, our mother, Rebecca Shourie. Many people came from across India and from overseas. Rebecca surely touched the hearts and lives of many people in her time on this earth. She lived with passion and grace and yet held on to this life lightly, holding on to only God’s love with a tight grip.
Thank you to all our family, friends, students, and Nagod citizenry for attending our tribute to Bade Ma’am both in person and virtually and remotely (via the internet).
May we all live for God’s love and peace with each other, to create a solid community, a great town and country, full of citizens of integrity and love, peace and kindness.
Love and serve one another.
