Heera Intl School Pays Homage to LKG Student Shannel on Parents Orientation Day
Heera International School-Shakthinagar, Mangaluru remembers and pays homage to LKG Student Shannel D’souza {who died in a tragic accident falling off from the 8th floor of her apartment} on School Reopening Parents/Teachers’ Orientation Day on Friday, 1 June 2018
Mangaluru: She was anxiously waiting to join her classmates in UKG when school reopens on 2 June; She was waiting to have some fun and frolic with all her classmates after a long summer break; She was waiting to take part in more co-curricular/cultural activities like she did last year. But sadly, all her anxious wait and enthusiasm was taken away due to a tragic accident which lost her precious little young life. And the departed soul is that of “Little Angel” Shannel Jennishia D’Souza, who was an LKG student of Heera International School. Prior to the commencement of the formal programme of the School Reopening Parent-Teachers’ Orientation, a two-minute silent prayer was observed by paying tribute to the departed soul of Little Shannel.
Recalling the incident, young five-and-a-half-year-old Shannel died after falling from the eighth floor of a residential building at Shaktinagar, Mangaluru on Wednesday, May 30 at around 8:30 am. She is the daughter of Wilson, who works in the Gulf and Alithia D’Souza, a housewife. Reports reveal that Shannel fell from the balcony of the rented family’s flat in “Classique Sapphire Apartments” on the 8th floor of the building- she was sleeping in her bedroom. As she was fast asleep, her mother Alithia went outside for some time. In the meanwhile, Shannel woke up, went to the balcony and climbed on the grills. As the grills were not fully put up, she lost her balance and fell. Eyewitness say that she landed on the empty verandah of the second floor and sustained critical injuries on her head and chest. She was immediately rushed to KMC hospital but failing to respond to the treatment, she passed away in the evening evenied a tragic death for such a young and innocent girl.
Shannel seen with her Parents
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Ms Pratima Rao, who was Shannel’s teacher in LKG said, “I was shocked and heartbroken when I heard the news of the tragic death of little Shannel. She was a smart and intelligent girl, excelling in her studies. She was well-behaved, a lovable child who was caring and adjustable, and very friendly. She got along with everyone in the class. She was loved by all the teachers for her cute and silly naughtiness and innocence. We will all miss her very dearly. May her soul rest in peace”. Also speaking Ms Shailaja Prabhu- the Principal said, “We are all devastated by the death of one of our student Shannel. She was a very bubbly and energetic girl, seen active in co-curricular activities, and cultural stage programmes. I feel pity for her mother, whom I have seen as a lovable and caring person whenever she comes to drop her child to school. Too sad that such a unfortunate and tragic death of Shannel has put her parents in distress-May God bless them and give them the strength to bear this terrible loss. May Shannel’s soul rest in peace”
Now moving forward with this report pertaining to School Reopening Parent Teachers’ Orientation- It’s that time of the year, that children head back to school after summer vacation, and also when others will step into the school for the first time as ‘new students’. Every June the crosswalks ripen with kids in their back-to-school clothes; the long yellow school buses harvest our lanes and streets including the brightly colored backpacks, and then the parents escorting their kids to the school. What a beautiful scene, and what a beautiful life! Everyone has a share in the emotions that accompany this time. Everyone who’s been to school, including me, know it on a fairly deep level, but it’s the ex-student in me who feels the back-to-school time most acutely.
And for that matter, the management and teachers of Heera International School- Shakthinagar here had done the appropriate thing by inviting the parents along with their kids who were eagerly awaiting to admit their kids at this school, by organizing a ‘Parents’ Teachers Orientation Programme’ at the school, with a eminent speaker to deliver the basics as to to how to be a good parent and a good teacher to a child. The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by a bevy of school teachers, followed by welcome address by school teacher Ms Bhavya. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the chief guest/key-note speaker, Dr Elizabeth Daniel-Child Mental Health Expert (HON) –RBSK Directorate of Health and Family welfare, Govt of Karnataka; along with Correspondent/Trustee of the School Trust Dr Roshan Shetty; Ms Janet Thomas-Administrator, Ms Shailaja Prabhu-Principal and Ms Sunitha D’souza- Vice Principal of the School respectively.
Quoting Henry Ford’s words, “Coming Together is Beginning; Keeping Together is Progress; Working together is Success” , Ms Shailaja Prabhu delivered the Orientation talk by briefing about the history of the school, the rules and regulations, facilities provided at school, the bus service to transport students, management and teachers contribution towards students; and also how advised parents to show much caring and loving towards their children, before they leave their homes to school. The brief history of the school was highlighted through a Power Point Presentation by Ms Kalavathi assisted by Jyotsna, both teachers at the school.
In her key-note address, chief guest Dr Elizabeth Daniels said, “Both parents and Teachers are the same kind of people who are engaged in the process of teaching and learning except for the fact that both of them work in different places. A parent is a person or persons who have a bundle of expectations from their respective children. They therefore look up to Teachers to fulfill their expectations. What are parents’ expectations-? To make their child the best; To introduce her or him to the best of the learning exercise; To make the child excel in all fields; To fare good rather excellent in studies; To be at the top always; To be winner always, and To be a leader.I want all the teachers to look at teaching as a passion and make the learning enjoyable. every child has to love you and love the institution every next morning. society expects you to behave properly and have great tolerance in your behaviour. Do not compare your child with any one. Let us know every child is a God gift. Let us not put them in an unnatural box of expectations. Let us produce wonderful human beings who love each other, respect and mutually sacrifice for the benefit of happiness.”
She further said, “Parents are the best teachers who know the strength and weakness of their child. Their guidance today is the best way of making them learn. Parents teach them how to love learning, learning everything with a passion. Teachers on the other hand have also great expectations from a child for that a teacher has a limited role to play in the life of a child. Though it is very limited from its external look, it is very important as it shapes the future of every child. Never allow your children to spend more time towards watching TV, and don’t give them mobile phones at early age. Don’t hit your children, but use a different way to correct them. Parents should be very caring and loving to their children-Spend more time with them. Make some time for your children in spite of your busy schedule or housework. A viable solution is to have a cordial relationship between parents and teachers to make school and society a place to live and love.”
Addressing the gathering Dr Roshan Shetty said, ” Our school motto is ‘Dare to Dream…Learn to Excel’ and The mission of the School is to provide a learning environment that encourages children to bring out the best in themselves and which supports their all-round development, through discovering the joy of learning, awakening and illuminating their intellect in multi-dimensional ways, and instilling abiding values in themselves. All our teachers are experienced and knowledgeable, and the School is equipped with the most modern equipment and software. Here our focus is on creating an atmosphere of learning that children enjoy and one that encourages them to discover and express their talents to the fullest.
Stressing on the safety of the children, and giving the example of LKG student Shannel losing her life, Dr Roshan Shetty, ” I extend my deepest sympathies to the parents of Shannel. Yes, we all make mistakes, but we should be very careful as parents when it comes to the safety of them. In USA, if a child is left unattended or found alone in the absence of parents, the child will be taken away by the government for parents negligence, and it will be a long time to get the child back from the govt. Also as married couple/parents, we should know we all have differences, and we argue-but never argue or fight in child’s presence, because a child’s mind is so receptive, he or she may what you are saying or arguing about and may take it very emotionally, also having a bad impact on them. Always spend time with your children-when they wake up, during lunch, after dinner and wish them goodnight when they go to bed-that way you can keep a good parent relation with children. And teachers never compare one student to another, because each student has their own capacity and qualities- treat everyone equally and with love and care.”
There was an interaction between the speaker/chief guest and parents, and the queries posed by the parents were answered to the point and elaborately by the Dr Elizabeth Daniels. The vote of thanks was delivered by school teacher Ms Soumya Shetty, and the programme was professionally compered by Teacher Ms Rajani. In the afternoon, all the teachers had an interaction with Dr Elizabeth Daniels.