46 students from K5 level graduated in April and are moving over to other neighborhood schools.  A gala graduation ceremony was arranged in the GD Mara slum for our graduating children and their families. The program started with the lighting of the lamp by ABC Founder, Troy Swanson, Building Blocks Founder, James Ambat and ABC Project Manager, Meena Gupta and with a welcome dance performed by the After School Program children at Edelweiss.

Kindergarten diplomas were handed over to all the 46 children.  Special awards in various categories were also given out. Over 300+ people attended this ceremony and it turned out to be a great day of celebration for our graduating class and their families!

Attendance and Nutrition

No. of students enrolled: 140

Total number of meals served this month: 2,994

No. of school days: 16

No. of Students Enrolled (Day): 104

Average attendance: 89

Attendance in %: 85

No. of Students Enrolled (ASP): 36

Total breakfasts served: 1,422

Total lunches served: 1,254

Total meals served at ASP

(After School Program): 318

Total number meals served since opening at Edelweiss: 179,023

Total ABC-BB School partnership meals since opening: 299,661

Academics

K3 final assessment in progress

K5 children learned the multiplication tables for numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10.  They learned to write numbers from 101 to 300 and number names for numbers 21 to 50.  Also, they learned about ascending and descending order of numbers.

In English language they learned to write sentences like – ‘I can walk with my brother’, ‘I can see the flower in the pot’. They also learned to read red level books with the help of the teacher(s).

In Social Sciences they reviewed the topics previously learned about solar systems, planets, continents and oceans

Both K4 and K3 children reviewed previously learned topics for exam preparations

Physical Education

Volunteer playing with children in their PE class

Children are encouraged to play in our outdoor- roof top playground.  Every day, 15 minutes of physical activity is included in the schedule. This month too, children played outdoors whenever weather permitted.

Nutrition

Well balanced nutritious meals were prepared and served every day.  Children were served with breakfast and lunch on all working days.  A total of 2,994 meals were served for our children

After School Program (ASP)

With a total of 36 students of grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 the ASP program is going very well.  This program helps the students in the evening with their homework which they bring back from their respective schools.  This program is a supportive program which assists our previous graduates to keep up with their school work.  This month the program ran for 13 days with a total attendance of 319 children.  ABC provides evening snacks in the ASP program.

Special Celebrations

Graduation ceremony

Edelweiss Graduation April 2016

It was a very special day for all the K5 children and their parents!  Our outgoing children, the K5 who have typically been in the school for 2 years were given away with Kindergarten diplomas on this day.  The venue for graduation was the slum from where the children come from.  A large tent, about 40 ft by 60 ft covering is done in an open place in the slum and a stage for the children and speakers to stand and make announcements was created.

Children got called out by their names and the founder of BB, founder of ABC, guests and school manager were the ones who hand over the certificate to the children.  Special category certificates for academic excellence for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, student of the year, best in behavior, best in reading skills, best in English conversation skills, best in writing skills, best in Math skills, best in cleanliness, best in punctuality and children with 100% year round attendance were given out awards on the stage in front of their parents.  Indeed, a special moment for all the children and parents!

A lot of people from the slum gathered to witness this occasion and they realized the value of education that is being given out to the children of their slum by ABC-BB.  They all cheered loud and appreciated the work done for their children and thoroughly enjoyed the graduation day.

Founder of BB, Founder of ABC gave speeches and a translator translating to the local language, appreciating the kids and their parents for partnering to bring the change in their lives and ultimately adopting the right way to break them from poverty by sending their children to school.

Special Thanks to the staff that supports Edelweiss at our Implementation Partner, Building Blocks, and also to our Project Funding Partner, Alternatives 4 Children.