Dear VLC Family,

As I sat down to collect my thoughts to write this letter, I realized that we have hit the mid-
point of our first term already! I took the time to pause and really relish this action-packed
start to the year. Not only did I feel gratitude, thinking back to how the academic year started
the past couple of years (COVID-19 protocols, on again - off again onsite school, Zoom classes...
phewww it feels overwhelming even thinking about it), but I also felt a great sense of pride in
our community and how we banded together in the tough times and came out even stronger.
Now is our time to really enjoy how we have grown as a school – a long way from the dream we
began with. Today, we embody the vision we had once seen. We’ve grown as a community - we
hit speed bumps, we learned, we worked together and today we look out at this safe space that
we’ve created together for our hummingbirds to flutter in. We strive as an organisation and as
a community to embody the growth mindset. To believe that intelligence and creativity, as well as
things like love and friendship, can be grown and cultivated with practice and time.
The time of year has come again where we begin to meet new families looking to join our
community as admissions for August 2023 have officially begun! We start our admissions
process fairly early as compared to other schools to have ample time to be able to meet as
many families as we can!
I would like to urge you, our VLC community, to register as early as possible if you have a
younger sibling you are looking to enroll. Our first priority is expanding our circle from within,
which means special preference will be given to existing families. However, due to late applica-
tions last year, there were quite a few families we couldn’t facilitate, and we really don’t want
that to happen again. We want you to be the first to apply and get your spots secured because
nothing makes us happier than seeing families grow within our community, and also witnessing
the new bonds between siblings as they journey through the VLC Experience together.
Excited for the journey ahead!

Muzaffar Bukhari
Just as Hummingbirds move from flower to flower, taking in nectar and carrying pollen along
the way - our hummingbirds flocked together this month to work collectively for the community.
As floods struck across the country leaving devastation in their wake, we wouldn’t be the
hummingbirds we are if we didn’t work together to play our part in community service.
Grade 3s with their read-a-thon read more books than we imagined from a variety of genres
to fill their cards and raise funds for flood victims. Grade 4 and 5 arranged ‘Cakes and Crafts
for a Cause’ – a bake and craft sale for fundraising. They worked tirelessly to create, manufac-
ture, bake, purchase and sell their products like professional entrepreneurs making us proud!
All the funds we raised are monitored by our very own Ms. Zarnaz Owais and in collaboration
with the Sahil Welfare Association we ensure that they reach all those in need of our help.
Our students of today will be the policy makers and world changers of tomorrow. On that note,
Grade 6 worked on researching and diving in to the root of why the floods happened and how
they could be prevented. They’re busy drafting position papers for our upcoming MUN where
each country (represented by our students) will get a chance to debate and give a speech on
how Pakistan can be helped from their country’s perspective.
From learning about urban planning with our guest speaker, Mr. Noman - an urban planner from
Canada, to raising funds in aid of flood victims, to preparing our students to change the world
one day – this month has been close to our hearts.

September was such a happening month
with the Hummingbirds indulging in so
many thought-provoking activities. The
curriculum orientations continued this
month giving parents an insight on what
happens in classrooms at VLC.
All grades participated in the morning
assembly to showcase their talents,
share appreciation with peers and
put on an amusing stage performance
that had us wonder-struck.
To encourage reading and inculcate a
love for community, children read their
favourite books during Read-a-thon.
Family members motivated children to
complete reading challenges by pledging
a contribution for the victims devastated
by the floods.

An entire week was dedicated to one On World Grandparent’s Day, dada
of the greatest children’s story- dadi and nana nani were invited for
tellers, Roald Dahl, in honour of his a story session with younger grades
birthday. The week concluded with a where they reminisced about their
school wide quiz on the author. childhood. Children responded with a
very hearty Q&A session.
Children beamed with joy at the Cakes
and Crafts fundraiser. They set up
stalls, put up baked goods and hand-
made crafts for sale to raise funds for
the flood affected areas in Pakistan.
 Decoding our STAMP curriculum and how we integrate Science,
Technology, Arts, Mathematics and Play!

making education relevant!!

Are you smarter than a 5th grader? I, for one, am certainly less knowledgeable than one, for
sure! It’s extraordinary how quickly I’ve managed to forget what was crammed during all those
long hours of study. Algebra. Long division. Verbs, adverbs and relative clauses. The causes of
World War I. Where did it all go, I muse, years later? I also wonder why I had to sit through
so many boring lessons on the Pythagorean theorem or memorize the periodic table, when none
of it was ever used in real life.
There are a number of reasons why we retain so little of what we learn in school, but mostly,
it is just the way our brain works. Our brains are wired to forget what we don’t use to make
space for more day-to-day problem solving. It also has to do with how back in the day, teaching,
especially at the elementary level, was focused on memorising facts and the ability to regur-
gitate them. Application of concepts was left out of the curriculum and textbooks. One of the
missing links between what children learn and remember is relevance.
Now imagine this: Students hear, read, see and discuss how floods have wreaked havoc across
the country. They take a deeper look into the core of the problem, investigate the roots.
Students meet an urban planner and discuss how urban planning has a key role to play in rain-
water and disaster management. Students take concepts that they would study about in a regu-
lar geography class (soil erosion, altitude from sea) and see how they affect the livability of the
city we call home. Together, we recall how city centers in ancient civilizations also had planned
infrastructure, which sparks curiosity about why Karachi does not seem to have one. Fast
forward to a few years from now we have young adults that carry in their toolkit the knowl-
edge to solve real world problems.
When theory and practice is integrated, students can more clearly see the genuine impact of
their learning. This builds engagement, taking students from groans of “When will I ever use
this?” to a genuine connection between skills and application.
 A snippet of our SNAP curriculum and
how we learn through Stories, Nature, Art and Play!

make a circle…big, big, big!!

Just as King Arthur’s knights were known to have the important ritual of congregating around
the Round Table to talk, discuss, plan, and learn - our little Hummingbirds come together each
morning for their own “round table talk” known lovingly as Circle Time!
Every morning after Free Play, once the kids enter the classroom, we begin the day with Circle
Time. There are multiple benefits to having Circle Time as an essential part of our daily routine
and it is beautiful to witness the conversations and the connections made during Circle Time. So
what is so special about it and how does it help our preschoolers, you ask? Let’s have a look! The air around October is so much calmer and cozier. The warm tones in the leaves start
revealing and the atmosphere around becomes crisp. The school has become a comfortable
Socialization space to be in for all students and facilitators.
One of the best benefits of circle time is that it gives children the opportunity to socialize. Our October began with play group and pre nursery
children learn more about themselves and how they relate to other students. It gives children a curriculum orientations. We love how parents
chance to talk, discuss, share stories and experiences, and sing together! are enthusiastically involved in understanding
more about what their children are learning in
Mental Preparation for the Day...and Beyond! the classrooms.
Predictability and knowing what to expect provides grounding and a sense of security for the In lieu of World Mental Health Day on
children. Circle Time is used to communicate the schedule and routine for the day, revise October 10th, we’re dedicating the month to
previously taught concepts, and even introduce some new ones, particularly new vocabulary. mental health awareness. There will be sessions
and events focusing on being compassionate to
Improves Listening Skills and Sitting Tolerance ourselves and people surrounding us, looking at
In Circle Time, children have to listen to their teacher and other students as everyone takes their the positives in life and appreciating them.
turn to speak. They are made to understand the concept of raising their hand if they want to
speak and paying attention when someone else is speaking. Next is what we all have been waiting for!
Admissions for academic year 2023 have begun.
Circle Time also provides the perfect opportunity for teachers to observe their students, get to We cannot wait to begin welcoming aboard
know their personalities better, check-in with them, absorb their feelings and set the tone for the hummingbirds for next year.
day.
Following that students will be off for a spring break. Although students will miss the class-
Circle Time doesn’t end with Pre-school, a version of it with age-appropriate activities, rooms and meeting with school friends every day, fall is the perfect time to revitalize with
conversations, questions, and challenges is part of every classroom at VLC! family. The weather is favorable and the outsides are alive with a bunch of activities
families can enjoy together. We hope to commence with the same zest we had before
leaving for the fall break.
This section of our newsletter is a glimpse of how we creatively
expressed ourselves at VLC this month. Follow our social media
for more snapshots of the amazing work put forth by our
community of hummingbirds, our V-Flock!