student e paper - sanctamaria.in · a conversation with abdul g. on sustainable living sancta• ®...

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ANOT€FR.OM

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maria"5» INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Issue No. 1

At The Marian, we strive to get the word out to everyone. Especially, given our current

global situation, communication is key. We believe in spreading knowledge, but we also

serve as a platform that welcomes and represents the voices of our school. Our e-

newspaper welcomes fellow students, teachers, as well as parents that are a part of the

Sancta Maria community.

We follow dual monthly themes to ensure that we provide well-organised and sufficient

knowledge for the reader to take away in each of our issues.

Our team of creative and earnest writers work hard each month in order to carefully

craft and incorporate their articles in each issue.

For this month, June 2020, the allotted themes are:

Theme 1 - UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) and Partnerships For SDGs

Theme 2 - One of Our School Values - Responsibility

The Marian sincerely hopes that our readers gain insight on the issues we have

highlighted in this issue.

Happy reading!

- The Marian Team

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Issue No. 1

The former UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, emphasized, "It

(the new agenda) is a roadmap to ending global poverty, building a life of

dignity for all and leaving no one behind. It is also a clarion

call to work in partnership and intensify efforts to share prosperity,

empower people's livelihoods, ensure peace, and heal our planet for the

benefit of this and future generations." This newly endorsed agenda

summons action from all these countries, over the next 15 years, in the

following critical areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

The agenda acknowledges that abolishing poverty must go hand-in-hand

with a plan that incites economic growth and strives to meet a variety of

social demands, all while fighting the battle of climate change.

In support of sustainable development and the 1 7 goals, an online

platform, entitled "Partnerships for the SDGs," was created. This

platform is the UN's global registry of voluntary commitments and

multi-stakeholder partnerships. In addition, it facilitates the exchange of

knowledge and expertise among multi-stakeholder SDG-related

partnerships and voluntary commitments, as well as for providing regular

updates on their progress.

Surely, with the spirit of human endeavour, it is very much possible to

achieve the 17 SDGs and flourish in a world where all people and the

planet live together in harmony.

To find out how you can make a positive contribution to this project and

make a difference, visit: ww.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.

Courtesy: Google Images

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► A Conversation With Abdul G. on Sustainable Living

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Issue No. 1

As our first monthly theme is regarding sustainable development, we are pleased to announce that one of our

students, Abdul Gani of Grade 11, has started his own project, entitled One Earth Project, hoping to spread

awareness on sustainable living.

Q: What is your project about?

Abdul: Essentially, my project is about educating people on how to lead more sustainable lives and do their part

in preventing the biggest global crisis from occurring - climate change.

Q: Who or what has inspired you to take up this particular

project?

Abdul: When we suffer from pain we have the ability to ask for

help. However, when we destroy our animals' homes and then

kill them just for the sake of harvesting a luxury product, they

can't do anything because they are voiceless. I guess thinking that

through this project I will reduce at least some of their suffering

and give a voice to the voiceless, is what motivated me to start

the project.

Q: Is it a solo or team project?

Abdul: It started out solo, but later one of my friends, Pranathi,

has helped further the reach of the project.

Q: What is your project's ultimate goal?

Abdul: Many ofus already know about climate change, deforestation, and poaching. However, barely any ofus

decide to take action. I hope through this project people will not just follow the project, but actually learn from

the project and take action. I will consider my project successful even if one person decides to make a change.

Q: What have you learned from this experience?

Abdul: I would say I am not much of a social butterfly and to start this project I would have to step out of my

comfort zone to really connect with people. Good thing I did step out of my comfort zone and started this

project because I feel like now, I've started something that I wouldn't have had the courage to do. So, I guess

what I learned is that you can do things you never thought you could, only if you step out of your comfort zone.

Visit their instagram page - @one_earth_project - to find more details about this project!

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Issue No. 1

Responsibility: Not What You Think It Is

By: Saurav Mandal - Grade 11

Every one of you has probably heard the telltale

lecture about 'responsibility' from your teachers,

parents, friends, etc. "You've to be responsible about

your studies ... ", "Responsibility is key to thisjob .. . "

The word has been overused and has been dipped

into a vat of guilt, negativity, and exasperation. After

all, no one wants to be lectured about how they

should act. Well, this article will shed some light

upon what responsibility actually is and what YOU

can do to incorporate it.

Firstly, being responsible means that one has to own

his/her actions and bear the (possible) consequences.

It requires commitment and loyalty. Once you've

done an act, there is no going back. All you can do is

watch it unfold (without throwing the blame at

someone else). There is an English saying, "There's

no use crying over spilt milk" which perfectly

encapsulates this misunderstood idea. Once the said

milk has spilled, all you can do is take a cloth and

mop it up- and that is responsibility, at its heart! "You

reap what you sow" is another age-old example of

this. What I'm getting at is that responsibility is not

the mundane idea of being accountable, it goes

beyond that. Responsibility is a lifestyle, something

which you have to consciously practice.

Now, we humans, don't like to do anything without

the prospect of a good reward at the

end and that's a fact! So here are a few examples of

HOW responsibility is advantageous. Firstly, it

makes you more independent and reliable. Every

teenager wants to be free of any superior querulous

voice and project themselves as a confident, attractive

person. Being responsible also helps ease your

conscience and a guilty conscience is uncomfortable.

Basically, it will make you a better person, inside and

out, aiding your outlook and perception of matters.

Finally, a few ways to incorporate this value are by

developing a routine, being true to yourself, and

rewarding yourself for a task well done. If there's an

award at the end of a task, we will want to finish the

task, all the more ( of course, with integrity). Just

because no one might be watching doesn't mean that

you have a 'get out of jail free' card. The actions we

do WHEN no one is watching are the ones which

really matter, take my word for it. Developing a

routine and sticking to it is one of the most satisfying

and self-actualizing things one can do.

In this pressing and stressing time of COVID-19,

responsibility is all the more important. The more

true we are with ourselves by minimizing outside

exposure and remaining hygienic, the quicker our

country can get back on its feet. I'd like to end by

quoting Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest people

to walk this planet, "You cannot escape the

responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today."

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Online School - A Trending Method of Learning

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By: Sandeep Venigandla - Grade 9

As we know, this pandemic has thrown our world into a period of turmoil and darkness. One of the greatest

problems we, as students, are facing is the discontinuation of schools. Where exactly does this leave our

education?

As schools all around the world searched high and low for a solution to keep their students connected to

learning throughout this unsafe situation, they finally found an answer - online schooling, which is an efficient

way to learn without physical contact. Hence, our school has also adopted this new method of schooling.

We are currently using Google Classroom, which is a student-friendly platform, and it allows students to

interact with teachers, almost as they would do in a regular school environment. Students follow a well-

organized timetable to attend their classes. Google Classroom alleviates the process of sharing files, assigning

homework, and grading assignments. Other extensions and online resources are also used during our lessons to

further expedite the learning process and make it easier for students to comprehend the lesson.

Although online classes seem safe and competent, there are still some dilemmas associated with it.

Pros Cons

No-contact learning Lack of Social Interaction

Increased Flexibility Eyes get strained

Internet connectivity issues/ Power shortages

Not everyone has access to devices

There are quite a few bright sides to online school. Physical presence and contact are not required, which

lessens the risk of being exposed to the virus. In addition, online learning means that students have a more

flexible schedule, which allows students to relax and spend time with family in their free time.

On the contrary, online learning also poses risks. Staring at screens for hours at a

time will surely strain and damage our eyes. To avoid this issue, our school has

arranged schedules for each grade level, such that our screen time does not

exceed a certain number of hours. For example, for grades 9-12, screen time

should not exceed four hours daily. To further provide appropriate care for our

eyes, it is essential that you blink your eyes often while using any device, rest

your eyes in between classes, and practice focusing on objects positioned at

varying distances. It is also worth mentioning that your posture can also affect

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your well-being, so it is also essential that you are cautious of the position of your computer and the way you sit

while you attend a class.

Moreover, social interaction is a crucial part of life for people of all ages, especially during these times. Along

with this pandemic, mental health crisis is another growing problem. Students may encounter a lack of social

interaction as they are not physically present around their friends. It is natural to feel a sense of loneliness.

Therefore, speaking to family members whenever you feel this way is a great way to rid yourself of this awful

feeling. Otherwise, there are several helplines available that provide emotional support. Voicing your feelings is

far better than feeling down.

I am sure that many ofus have come across internet connectivity issues or power failures. Surely, there is

nothing more aggravating than when this happens during your class, or even worse, during a test. Such

complications are unavoidable for the most part. For some students who live in remote areas, these problems

may occur at even higher rates, not to mention, there are several people who cannot afford devices. Our school

dodges this problem by providing recordings of the lessons, which can be reviewed after class, in case the

student experiences any such issues.

Overall, online learning seems to be a compelling alternative for schools in the present conditions, but it does

exhibit its own set of downfalls. Nevertheless, our school is doing as much as it can to make this style of

education as comfortable for students as possible.

Lockdown - The Talk of the Town

By: Niharika Gupta - Grade 11

These are unusual times we're living in.

The roads, usually crammed with the 135.26 crore citizens of our country, are suddenly empty and are instead

being used by the other members of the animal kingdom.

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The cacophony of horns blaring from the vehicles of impatient drivers and the constant blasting and drilling

from construction sites have been replaced with the sounds of the birds and animals, celebrating their freedom

from us humans that began on the 25th of March 2020, in the form of a nationwide lockdown.

The lockdown started with people around the world trying to use the extra time to upgrade themselves with

giddy enthusiasm, flooding social media with pictures and videos of exotic homemade dishes, their 'body

transformations', quotes from intellectual books and self help tips to show the world how we are utilizing our

time.

But now, we just want our lives back. We are in a stage where people have stopped trying to be better.

We want to crib about not having enough free time.

We want a break. From this never-ending vacation.

Lockdown and Education

Amidst these times, Schools and Universities have adopted online platforms to continue the learning process.

It took some time to adjust to this 'new normal', but it has been a pleasant change.

Personally, I find this method much more effective than physical classes, as educators can use interactive and

engaging methods to teach classes.

Virtual resources allow self-paced learning for students, enabling them to cover the materials at their own pace.

Concepts can be reviewed multiple times with the aid of recorded classes. Sharing of work and feedback has

also become much more convenient through digital means, allowing efficient collaboration.

To get a teacher's perspective on education during this lockdown, I approached our high school English

teacher, Anu Ma'am.

She believes that a set routine is what is crucial to studying productively during the lockdown.

The extra time in hand can be utilized effectively only ifwe make a routine, and most importantly - stick to it.

Set out a particular time to study and use this time to focus on subjects you find difficult. studying ahead of the

class will give you an opportunity to make full use of the time with your teacher.

Being an old school learner, ma'am prefers to have students in front of her in a physical setting; however, she

believes that remote teaching and learning is an excellent platform as it facilitates learning from the comfort of

the students' homes.

Here are some websites and resources suggested by Anu ma'am that can prove to be helpful

• Reading Tolstoy

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• Podcasts

• Lifehack.org

• JSTOR

• Kindle

What else to do?

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Issue No. 1

When school work is not keeping you busy, you may find yourself searching for ways to keep yourself

occupied. Here are some ways you can do so:

Reading books other than textbooks is a great way to expand your knowledge and may be an activity you start

enjoying!

Add some physical exercise into your schedule. Regular physical exercise will keep your mind and body fit.

Try to build around your hobbies. Leaming a new language, or a new instrument or anything that interests you

can be rewarding and enjoyable at the same time.

Give yourself a digital detox by specifying a time of day where you use your phone, watch TV or use your

laptop. Two hours a day should be enough.

Focus on your mental health. I cannot stress enough on the importance of communicating your feelings with

your friends and family. Talk over dinner and catch up with friends through video calls. Express.

How to stay safe?

We should be grateful for what we have and try to do our bit in curbing the spread of this devastating pandemic.

We can start by taking precautions when outside and at home.

Firstly, limit outside exposure as much as possible. However, if absolutely necessary, make sure you are

equipped with a mask, gloves and follow the regulations outlined by the Government.

On reaching home, wash or dispose of your masks and do not touch anything in the house before you have

washed your hands, feet, face, and changed into fresh clothes. All groceries and other store-bought items must

be disinfected or sanitized before use.

Everyone has been saying 2020 is a cursed year. We are simply blaming the time and not taking responsibility

for our actions that may have been the reason for the current happenings around the world.

Not only the pandemic, but other huge issues are also coming up that are threatening the peace of our planet.

We, as humans, have made mistakes and it is time that we start making amends. We need to learn to respect

what we have and be mindful of our actions.

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EVENTS OF JUNE 2020

PRIDE MONTH

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June, which is also referred to as Pride Month, commemorates the struggles that the LGBTQ+

community faced to achieve justice and equal rights. The ultimate goal of Pride Month is to create

awareness of the troubles and discrimination that members of

this community have endured for several years, in order to

finally earn acceptance in society.

But why was June chosen as Pride Month out of the 11 other

months in a year?

This is because, in June 1969, Stonewall Riots took place in

New York, which gave rise to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Hence, Global Pride Day is on June 27th, and on this day, live

Pride events occur on a worldwide scale.


BLACK LIVES MATTER

Black Lives Matter protests reached its peak in the month of June, following the tragic death of

George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, in the hands of a police officer. This appalling

incident occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25th. His death sparked a chain of riots, which

are being highlighted all over the news, all around the world. These riots hope to emphasize and prove

police brutality towards African-Americans, and hopefully, put and end to

discrimination. "Black Lives Matter" was founded in 2013 and it was

initially a social media hashtag, before it became a movement in

response to the unjust killing of an African-American teenager in the

prev10us year.


FATHER'S DAY - 21st June, Sunday

This month is special for one more reason. It celebrates and honours one of the most important figures

in our lives - our fathers. A man who is a hero and a role model to his

children, one who will give a shoulder to cry on when you're feeling

down. A man who will share his children's successes and failures. A

man who will go to the ends of the Earth to mold his child into a better

person. A man who will work long days and nights to support his family.

But most importantly, a man who will shower his children with

unconditional love, support, and protection - no matter what.

Let's wish our fathers a HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Courtesy: Google Images

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