by Ron Hjertstedt | Dec 26, 2021 | News Flash!, Our Blog
Since ancient times, education, in one way or another, has been the basis of human development. However, in modern times, the meaning of education has changed drastically. The foremost and fundamental question upon us is “What is education?”. Is it limited to teaching children arithmetic, or does it go beyond that?
In my opinion, education is an important tool with the help of which you (I say “you” because we are all educators in one way or another) can impact and develop the character of a human being in a formidable way. That is why it becomes very important for us to not only provide an academic education, but to also impart good morals, values, and ethics to our students and children to ensure that India has solidly ethical and morally mature youngsters coming up through the pipeline to serve our country well in the future. This is the need of the hour! We must not delay.
If our desire is to eradicate ignorance from our society, it is then our responsibility to educate our children in such away that they can better understand their responsibility towards society and other human beings in a deeper way than academics. A more holistic approach is needed. A care for the soul and the heart, not just the mind.
A brilliant brain can unfold the mysteries of the universe, but a caring heart can pave the way to God.
Thank you,
Ashutosh Gautam, Teacher of Senior High
by Ron Hjertstedt | Nov 23, 2021 | Our Blog, Student Corner
Impact of COVID-19 on Our Education
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov‑2 has changed the course of our life. In this article, we will present our opinion that the lockdowns indeed had a few ancillary family, environmental, and familial benefits, but the negative effects outweighed the positives and that a more careful approach should have been considered before the widespread disruption to the lives of the youth.
In order to reduce the spread of the virus, the government has taken various precautionary measures including a nationwide lockdown.
A big concern of the pandemic and resulting lockdowns was how to continue educating India’s students effectively while schools were mandatorily closed. There were several sets of guidelines and plans issued by the government. Due to school closures, there was a need to adopt a change in our educational system. Online learning was put into place, and the mantra was that education would continue at a distance, via technology, and that all would be good and the education of students wouldn’t miss a beat.
Educational institutions made various efforts to reach students through various electronic, impersonal means which were readily available to wealthier families across the nation. However, the poorest, and even many middle-class were hurt the most as they just didn’t have the resources to attend the online classes because they couldn’t obtain, or use effectively, the gadgets and technology required for online classes.
Many students fell through the cracks.
Initially, students were really happy because of the the lockdown, and especially of school closures. They were spending their whole day playing games and watching movies. Naturally though, after a while the students became bored with this unusual twist in their daily routines, and they realized that their old pre-pandemic routine of coming to in-person school was much better than this new lax and electronic lifestyle. Students were waiting for the lockdowns to end so that they could become free again from the isolation and able to meet with their friends and attend in-person classes.
Every coin has two sides, and similarly, the lockdown also had both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, students had extra time to prepare for competitive exams and self-study. They also had more quality time with family and learning to concoct new activities at home. However, on the other hand, the closure of physical schools forced students to do online learning, which had many detrimental effects in areas such as academic performance, straining of eyesight from increased screen-time, mental health issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, and frustration from human alienation.
After facing this hazardous pandemic, we realize that the offline mode of study is more beneficial and productive as compared to the virtual mode of study. Offline classes provides for direct interaction between teachers and students, hence it provides a healthier environment for the student to flourish. Therefore, in our conclusion, despite the few blessings that came our way via the lockdown, overall, the lockdowns and school closures were much more harmful than beneficial. The lockdowns gave us a better appreciation for our physical learning environment and interpersonal interactions, and we will hopefully not take it for granted now that we’ve seen the negative impact we’ve experienced without it.
Thank you for reading our opinion.
The Student Website Editorial Team
*Disclaimer: This is the sole opinion of the Student Editorial Team and does not necessarily represent the views of our school or teachers.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Nov 23, 2021 | Current News Topics, News Flash!, School News
Today is our Director’s birthday!
(From our student editorial team, representing the larger student body)
Dear Bade Sir,
You are really a blessing from God to us. You have been a role-model and inspiration to us and the many thousands of students who have studied in your school since 1985.
You are a person who not only teaches from books, but also provides us with life-lessons. You have shown us the importance of love, respect, honor, optimism, and self-respect.
You show us the right aisle whenever we rove. You encourage us to do something meaningful with our lives. Your personal experiences have also provided us with a unique educational perspective.
Truly, you are a great source of knowledge…and wisdom! Whatever we are is all because of you. Thank you for all that you are and everything you do.
We understand that being a teacher is, was, and will never be an easy job. However, you have done even more by treating us as a family and not just students, and that is a very rare thing indeed. We are privileged to have studied under you.
We are very thankful to you for serving our small town, giving us high quality education, and helping us to be aware of the world.
We, the student body of 2021/2022, and especially the website editorial team, wish you a very warm, prosperous, and healthy birthday and year ahead!
Sincerely.….your students.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Nov 19, 2021 | Current News Topics, News Flash!, School News
19 Nov
Good luck (!) to cricket team aas they compete in Satna at the VITS tournament.
Have a great time, and play hard. We are proud of you.
by Ron Hjertstedt | Nov 11, 2021 | Current News Topics, News Flash!, School News
Over the last week, we’ve been dipping out toes into the pool of personality assessments and career counseling. Coincidentally, in a stroke of good luck, we had a visitor come from the realm of multinational “big tech”, Jeevan sir, who hails from Bangalore, Chennai, and Goa. He stopped in to talk to our website editorial team about his experiences in India a
nd on a multinational level, leading tech and sales teams abroad. It was a great dialogue that delved into the areas of career choice, personal happiness, self-respect, integrity, and knowing who you are as a person.
The student editorial leadership team commented, after spending 1‑½ hours with Jeevan sir: “We were so thankful that he took the time out to spend with us. What he said to us was very important, and we all took it to heart. The opportunity was golden, and we took advantage of every moment with him. It is our wish, as the “student editorial board”, that more of the students in our school will take advantage of these opportunities. It can only help us. The investment of time gave us huge rewards. Spending time with Ron sir, taking the MBTI and other personality and career assessments, learning how to properly type on a computer keyboard, and even learn the language of music are only making us stronger and wiser about the world.”
by Ron Hjertstedt | Oct 27, 2021 | Current News Topics, School News
Saying farewell to Sandhya Agrahari, who has been a longstanding and cherished teacher and friend to our school family.
You have impacted many students’ lives over the course of your tenure here at SNHS. We will miss you greatly. Best of luck on your new adventure! May you continue to impact the lives of those whom you teach.
