Beyond the Classroom!

Adara T 

Adara T recently undertook a piano examination and she achieved a score of 94 from the Royal Conservatory. This gives her a First Class Honors with Distinction! This standing is achieved by truly exceptional students! Well done Adara!

Dhruv M

Over the Spring break, Dhruv M in Year 6 participated in a music contest for Young Composers organized by the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA). Dhruv won first place in the Elementary II age category. He played his own piano composition called `Nocturne in F Major’. Dhruv was inspired by Chopin and music of the romantic era to write this piece. This is Dhruv’s second successful attempt at music composition. Well done, Dhruv! This is a huge achievement!

Taara S, Sohan L and Arjun S

It was exactly one year ago that we last updated you on the Bookwallah Library of Dreams. Your donations at the BISCLP Book Fair in November 2017, and the BISCLP Book Drive of March 2018 were a huge help in making the Library of Dreams a reality.

Last month, the Library was finally launched in Pune, India.  However, getting to the launch was an extremely bumpy road. The project we originally started with could not move forward because the orphanage had to unexpectedly vacate the building they had been living in for years.  It was a travesty! The children did not have a place to live, let alone a library. After several months, the orphanage found a temporary location. Although this space could not have a library, at least the children had a home.

In the meantime, we had to find a new location to build the library so children could benefit from the books that had been donated.  We did find another orphanage in Pune itself. This orphanage provides a safe and loving home for 70 boys between the ages of 2-18. They were amazed and overjoyed by the new addition to their home.  They loved being surrounded by volunteers who read them the awesome collection of books you all sent from Chicago. You can see the joy on their faces in the photos from the launch.

Without your support, the Library of Dreams would not have been possible and the children would never have been able to experience the magic of books. Thank you for helping give children the hope of a happy story.

-Sohan L, Taara S. Arjun S

Sebastian and Lily M

Sebastian and Lily M have achieved some pretty amazing things in the past couple of weeks!

Sebastian was chosen for the under 8 Northwind Premier 1 Travel Soccer team, starting in the fall, and Lily received a distinction in her grade 1 ABRSM Piano exam with a huge 137/150!  Well done to both of you! These are fantastic achievements!

Sebastien G

During the break Sebastien visited family in Romania. Before he left the U.S., he told his parents that he wanted to take all of his savings from his piggy bank and give them to his best friend from Romania and his cousin. He carefully fit in all the bills into his paper wallet and once he arrived in Romania, he split them evenly between his friend, Bogdan and his cousin, Michella. He also took a few of his favorite clothes, games and sunglasses to give to his friend. 

While in Romania, his Grandpa gave him money to go to the shop down the street and buy some chips. Sebastian said that instead of buying something for himself that he will give it to his friend. His Grandpa replied that although a nice gesture it is not necessary since his friend will receive money from his own grandparents to buy whatever he wants. Sebastian was very disappointed in his Grandpa’s answer and said to him:

“ What is more important in life? Buying chips or helping out a friend?”  He was very serious when he said it. I don’t think his friend needed help but he thought having this money would mean so much more to his friend then to him. He clearly valued his friendship more. 

During the many visits to Romania, he noticed how modestly people live there and he always feels the need to help enrich their lives in whatever way he can.

Sebastien, we are so impressed by your kind heart and generosity! 

Great job to all students on their acheivements outside of the classroom this term!