Summer Break is Here

We are at the end of the Term, and at the end of the Academic Year. It has been an unusual year, and for many it has been a hard one – both physically and mentally. Therefore, this summer break comes as an opportunity to replenish energy and work on our mental wellbeing. Although this time away from school will allow us to rest, spend time away from the screen, and have time with family, it also offers time and to get involved in good causes, and to further our interests and academic prowess. Here follows a few examples of student initiatives and sources to engage with during this summer break.

If you get involved with student initiatives, or any other social and environmental related causes, submit your stories to the Changemakers Update that will be announced next week. Read more about the initiative in our news story ‘Tell Your Story’.

Physical and Mental well-being

Last year, Ms Supriya, one of TISB’s School Counsellors, put together some information and self-care tips beneficial to all. More inspiration and resources can be found on our website in the Distance Learning and Wellbeing section.

Covid Fit Club

The TISB student-led Covid Fit Club has been running since the beginning of the pandemic. The classes keep students from all over India physically and mentally healthy, and raise funds for combating COVID-19. To get involved and join the health movement, visit the Covid Fit Club’s website.

The Book of Wellness ‘The Book of Wellness’ is an initiative by Grade 11 student Aaryani. All the proceeds from the book goes to charity. Read more about the book in our news story.

Vaccine Champion

Grade 11 students Anandita and Vedanshi have founded an initiative called ‘Vaccine Champion’ to address COVID vaccine hesitancy in India. The initiative has grown from just two students to a team of 25 people from different cities. For more information and resources, visit the Vaccine Champion’s website, and follow the Vaccine Champion Instagram account, and watch expert videos on their YouTube channel.

Academic Enrichment

If you would like to delve deeper into academic and creative subjects over the summer break, visit the Academic Enrichment page on our website.

Blitz Notes

If you are a IB student, Blitz Notes is an initiative that was started by graduating Grade 12 students Vishnu and Rishi. The site is an online revision notes repository, aiming to eliminate the world’s information asymmetry by providing organized, high-quality, peer-reviewed notes across curricula.

Environment & Animal Rights

Several TISB students have engaged in issues related to the environment and animal rights, to change attitudes and behaviour towards a more sustainable future. Here follows a few examples.

LEAP

The TISB LEAP Club are organising a Bangalore-wide E-waste, Footwear and Clothing donation drive. Collected items will be collected and distribute to those who need them. If you and your children would like be part of the project, contact Shreya in Grade 10, and follow LEAP on Instagram for quick updates and ways to get involved.

SustainAbility

Grade 10 student, Ameya, has started an initiative called ‘SustainAbility’, aimed at spreading awareness and practical solutions among individuals and families for sustainable living. He recently took part in an online talk, where he presented on how to reduce bio-medical waste during. Read the whole story about the initiative on our website; and follow SustainAbility on Instagram.

An excellent way to learn how to become water wise, away from the screen, is to listen to the Grade 5 podcasts that were produced during this Academic Year’s Mulitcultural by following these links: Grade 5A, Grade 5B and Grade 5C.

Read about pollinators and Bio-Diversity in our Spotlight, ‘Bee Part of the Solution’. To make positive changes and to restore ecosystems, see the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ecosystem Restoration: A practical guide to healing the planet.

Kindness App

‘Kindness: The Universal Language of Love’, an organisation started and run by Chandani from Grade 11, has recently launched ‘The Kindness’ app. The app is an initiative to spread information and involve more people in the endeavour to rescue animals. For more information about the organisation, visit Kindness: The Universal Language of Love website.

Animal Ethos

A group of students from TISB have started an initiative to help stray and abandoned animals around the city in partnership with a veterinary hospital that take in and cure homeless animals. More information about this is available on their website and follow Animal Ethos on Instagram.

There For U Foundation

The ‘There For U’ (TFU) Foundation’s priority is to aid sick animals, by raising funds and aiding the transport of animals. Part of the operations is having a helpline for concerned people to contact the TFU team and receive support. To increase awareness and to pre-empt certain issues, TFU has put together an informational video.

Empowerment of Women & Children’s Rights

Many of the initiatives that have been started and run by TISB students are related to topics related to the rights and empowerment of women and children. Here are a few of the ongoing initiatives.

TISB Girl Up Group

One of TISB’s After School Clubs and cross curricular activities, is the Girl Up TISB club – a sub-chapter of the United Nations movement with the same name. The student-led group meets every week to discuss local and global issues related to gender (in)equality, and plan for future events and projects. To learn more, watch the Girl Up TISB group’s video on YouTube.

ScrapWings

Grade 11 student, Viha, has been leading an initiative called ‘ScrapWings’. Viha runs the non-profit initiative together with her friend in Surat, Gujarat – working with reducing textile waste and empowering economically challenged and underprivileged women. Visit ScrapWings profile on Instagram where you can find out more.

#MeriPocket

#MeriPocket is movement initiated by Taarini, a TISB Grade 12 student. The aim of the movement is to empower girls and women through fashion. Taarini who launched the initiative on this year’s Women’s Day, and took part in an online event hosted by WICCI India; where she also showed a song recorded at TISB. Support the movement by following @meri.pocket on Instagram. Visit the MeriPocket website for more information and to find out what is in your pocket today.

Siya Foundation

Grade 10 student, Brinda is working with young women from underprivileged communities, to improve their health and overcome the stigma associated with menstruation. This is done by distributing personal health kits, and through online health awareness classes with the teenage girls. Read more about the foundation’s work in our news story.

There 4U

Grade 10 student, Camelia, have been working with four child care homes. The work has been centred around fulfil the children’s basic needs, for example, a place to live, food and groceries, medicine and laptops for online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the initiative in our news story.

We hope that you have a lovely summer and that you will manage to relax, work on your physical and mental wellbeing, while you at the same time contribute to good causes.