(या ई-मेल ला attach केलेल्या audio file मध्ये ही ई-मेल मराठी मध्ये समजून सांगितली आहे. / इस ई-मेल के साथ जो audio file attach की हैं, उसमे ये ई-मेल हिंदी में explain की हैं।)

Dear Parents, 

We are all set to start the new academic year 2023-24 from March 20th! We hope that you and the kids are all refreshed and set to attack this year with great gusto. We sure are!

There are a lot of things we need to tell you and we will be sending out LOTS of instructions via email. Do make sure you read them thoroughly and if it feels like too much, just listen to the attached audio! 🙂

NOTE :

Do check the email titled ‘Know your dates for the 2023-24 academic year’ to know the dates of the pre-summer school session as well as the after-summer June reopening!

Here are the steps that you need to take, to ensure a smooth start :

Step 1 of 5: Pay fees before 25th March

• Paying fees on time will help us organize our lists and items to be given to you before school starts.
• The office needs 4 working days after fee payment to organize the materials that are to be given to you. Things cannot happen faster than that. 
• If the management has approved any change in fee payment/installment dates, the school office will have a note of the same. Please do not call or email again for that.

Step 2 of 5: Item collection 

• Dates  – Collection dates and times

Here are the things to collect from the school

• Two Temporary ID card for the student – to be worn by the student on the first day of the new school year. No entry into school without the ID card. 
• 1 Tiffin ID card for the students – to be attached to the tiffin bag without fail. This will reduce tiffin mix ups. An easy way to do this is to tie a string and loop the card through, just like we attach tags to baggage at the airport!
• Calendar – a single place where you can get information of all the activities to be conducted during the course of the school year. We also have an online Google Calendar of the same, which you can access from our website under the specific school branch.
• Fridge magnet – to put up the calendar on the fridge and also to put up cool certificates which your child will win!
• Daily worksheet folder (Std. 1 onward) – this has to be carried to the school every day by the student.
• Files – Collect as per the chart below :

• Funky folding Walnut bag – this bag is for you to show off how environmentally friendly you are when you go to the market! 🙂 This is for YOU, not for the kids!

Please note:

• Worksheets which your child brings home everyday, should be filed daily in the files that are given. Our teachers will ask students to get these files to school once in a while to check that sheets are being kept properly. Tell this to the kids, so that they don’t just dump all the sheets in one drawer.
• The list of textbooks that we use will be shared on Wal-SH. You have to keep the  textbooks at home. Some subjects do not have a textbook. The list which we will send has further details. Do not send textbooks to school. We have a separate set of books in the school for the kids to use. We are bagless, aren’t we!  

Step 3 of 5: Make sure you have ordered the uniform

• Same dates and hours as the material collection time.
• Visit the school office to check uniform size, if you haven’t already. In that case, bring your child along with you to try out the uniform to figure out the size.
• Place the order for two sets (you can order more if you want).
• Collect it immediately if the size is available. 
• Do place an order for the winter jackets, if you don’t have one. Students will NOT be allowed to wear personal sweatshirts or sweaters to school.

Please note:

• You also need 100% black shoes (sports) and black socks, but you need to get those on your own. Any brand that you are comfortable with is fine, but make sure it is totally black. (Just the brand name in a different colour is ok, but no other designs)

Step 4 of 5: Make sure you have arranged for transportation

The transport provider details are as follows:

• Shivane campus: Mr. Marne – 9970194003
• He will be available in the school if you want to talk to him in person on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
• Fursungi campus: Mr. Santosh Nagawde – 8698775577 / 9970693511
• He will be available in the school if you want to talk to him in person on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
• Wakad campus: Mr. Nilesh Swami – 9850414995 / Mr. Ganesh Swami – 7558433851
• They will be available in the school if you want to talk to them in person on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.
• Please fix the pick up and drop off location, payment terms etc. in advance. That will prevent problems later. 

Step 5 of 5: Wait for school to start!

We cannot wait to see our students enjoying their schooling with us – learning together, forming bonds and participating in all our activities. Our teachers are super excited too!

Special Notes:

• If you misplace your permanent ID card, you will have to place a request for a new one. It costs Rs. 100.
• The ID card is part of the uniform and is A MUST to enter the school premises.
• Additional folders can be bought from the school office. Each costs Rs. 200.
• Central help desk : 020-35007900
• Email address : [email protected]

Hindi Audio

Marathi Audio

Dear Parents,

Here are some of the important dates for the upcoming year! Do mark your calendars accordingly. The table is shown to you ahead, as you read further.

Before you go through the dates, please read this VERY IMPORTANT paragraph about behavioural issues we have been observing amongst the students during the ongoing academic year.

Children today have exposure to a lot of information, but lack the maturity of its application. There are multiple sources of this information too – TV series, peer interaction (and pressure!), internet searches and so on. Ganging up against a classmate, asking inquisitive questions about each other’s private parts, responding aggressively when things don’t go as expected are some common reactions that we are seeing in increasing numbers and intensity. When children are counselled, we find out that these are things that they watch and are impressed by. They think that is the way to behave. These instances are only growing day by day, and perhaps will continue to.

We have spoken to our colleagues across different schools as well and it is unfortunately a common and growing issue. However, we do not want Walnut students to fall prey to this. Walnut School would be following a zero-tolerance policy against such behaviour from the coming year. (More details about that will be shared soon!) We would also appreciate it if you talk to your children about this too, during the upcoming school breaks. We understand that as parents, it is not possible for you to monitor every interaction your child may be exposed to, but do have a conversation with them about this.

Let’s try to turn this around together and make sure we are raising good human beings! 

आजकाल मुलांना भरपूर माहिती मिळते, पण ती समजून घ्यायची maturity नसते. या माहितीचे अनेक sources देखील आहेत – टीव्ही मालिका, समवयस्क संवाद (आणि दबाव!), इंटरनेट शोध इ. वर्गमित्र विरुद्ध टोळी मारणे, एकमेकांच्या खाजगी भागांबद्दल जिज्ञासू प्रश्न विचारणे, गोष्टी अपेक्षेप्रमाणे होत नसताना आक्रमकपणे प्रतिसाद देणे या काही सामान्य प्रतिक्रिया आहेत ज्या आम्ही वाढत्या प्रमाणावर बघतो आहे. जेव्हा मुलांचे समुपदेशन केले जाते, तेव्हा ते आम्हाला सांगतात की या त्या गोष्टी आहेत ज्या ते पाहतात आणि त्यांना impressive वाटतात. त्यांना हा वागण्याचा मार्ग वाटतो. या घटना दिवसेंदिवस वाढत आहेत आणि कदाचित पुढेही राहतील.

आम्ही वेगवेगळ्या शाळांमधील आमच्या colleagues शी बोललो आहोत आणि दुर्दैवाने ही एक सामान्य आणि वाढणारी समस्या आहे. मात्र, वॉलनट विद्यार्थ्यांनी याला बळी पडू नये, अशी आमची इच्छा आहे. वॉलनट स्कूल येत्या वर्षापासून अशा वागणुकीविरुद्ध zero tolerance धोरण अवलंबणार आहे. (त्याबद्दल अधिक तपशील लवकरच share केले जातील!) या शाळेच्या सुट्ट्यांमध्ये तुम्ही तुमच्या मुलांशी देखील याबद्दल बोलल्यास आम्हाला मदत होईल. आम्‍ही समजतो की पालक या नात्याने, तुमच्‍या मुलाच्‍या प्रत्‍येक संवादाचे निरीक्षण करण्‍यासाठी तुम्‍हाला शक्‍य नाही, परंतु याबाबत त्‍यांच्‍याशी संभाषण करा.

चला एकत्रितपणे प्रयत्न करूया आणि आपण चांगल्या human beings ना raise करत आहोत याची खात्री करूया!

How to read this table : Consider the class you would be attending from the upcoming academic year. You will be able to see when school starts for the next academic year, the summer break and the dates for the June reopening as well! 

Know your dates :

(या ई-मेल ला attach केलेल्या audio file मध्ये ही ई-मेल मराठी मध्ये समजून सांगितली आहे. / इस ई-मेल के साथ जो audio file attach की हैं, उसमे ये ई-मेल हिंदी में explain की हैं।)

Dear Parents,

We hope you and our Walnut students are in good health and spirits. As we gear up for the start of a new academic year, we extend a warm welcome back to school to you and your children.

New year – exciting plans!
At Walnut School, something new and exciting is always brewing for our students! Our faculty and staff have been working tirelessly to make sure that we are providing our students with a well-rounded education that promotes both academic excellence and personal growth – something which no other educational institution can provide. 

As you know, our curriculum inspires and challenges our students. We have a range of programs and activities that help develop skills and interests that help them both, inside the classroom and outside it too! The programs are systematic and meaningful – and you can actually see each child progressing with life skills that are of great value  in the long run. 

So – What’s going to happen, you ask?!

Oh – so so many things! Details in the communication to follow, but here’s a bird’s eye view. 

Walnut Young Authors

In the first quarter, we have Std. 2 and Std. 3 students formally releasing the book that they wrote as a part of the Language Arts class in Std. 1 and Std. 2 respectively. Imagine the confidence boost that these students will get for becoming authors at such a young age!

Events galore!

As Walnut parents, you know that the events which we have at Walnut School, differentiate us from any other school by a huge margin! Believe it or not, parents never have to go through any hassles for any of our events! We promise you that you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE ♥️ all of them!

First Unit

We have board game competitions for middle school students and debate competitions for secondary students. 

Second Unit

We have the STEM-a-fair, our annual science fair, planned in the second unit for students of Std. 3 onwards. We also have debate competitions for middle school students and board game competitions for secondary students. 

We have the independence day celebration and between the practice tests and the unit test, there is a dahi handi party! 

THE most loved event for our students – our slumber parties for higher classes start in this unit, where the students spend the whole night in school having super fun with their friends and teachers too! 

Third Unit

This starts with a Ganpati idol making activity in the school and then brings more slumber parties (as we have them for ALL classes from Std. 5 onwards!).

This is followed by a grand navratri party with garba and bhondla and lantern making activities just before Diwali. 

Fourth Unit

Here we have the Christmas party. 

That’s it! 

No way! We are obviously kidding!

Did we miss a really big event? 😉

The Walnut Carnival – our MEGA event happens in the fourth unit. ALL students take part in this eclectic extravaganza, where you can get all your friends and family to see our students perform in a grand arena!

We’re not done! 😅

Then come the “funtrepreneur” fairs where ALL our students from Std. 3 onwards apply the entrepreneurship lessons like marketing, branding, finance, strategies and other ideas that they learn in their regular school hours. 

And of course, our sports days, where ALL our students participate in races and demonstrations.

OK, now we’re done with our events list 👏 You can find more information and photos of our events on our website and social media channels (have you followed us yet?!)  

EVEN NORMAL SCHOOL DAYS ARE GREAT AT WALNUT 😎

Every day in school the students have a day split of 55% core subjects and 45% activities. There are so many things that they do even on a daily basis as a part of regular school. Every day and every period is a step ahead towards making our students tough outside and smart inside – which is the very ethos of Walnut School! 

Meetings 🤳🏽

In the course of each quarter, we have two rounds of online PTMs (Parent teacher meetings) with the core subject teachers, and one in-person round as well. This is in addition to the regular updates of what your child has learnt in all subjects, readily available to you via our own Wal-Sh app!

Super support 🤝

We are also very available on our email address, where we resolve queries and problems quite systematically and effectively. We believe that a strong partnership between parents and educators is essential for the success of our students. Walnut School is committed to providing clear and transparent communication with you throughout the year. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have. It is better to ask us directly than discuss it on whatsapp groups – after all, we are the ones with the answers and solutions, aren’t we? 

The usual exams ✍️

We have practice tests and exams that mark the end of each quarter. Another unique feature of Walnut School, at the end of each quarter, because of our learning system, we have many practice tests before the unit test. This is right up to Std. 10! In fact, Std. 10 has 5 rounds of prelims before the board exam and amazing preparation. Our students absolutely do not fear examinations because of this. Practice takes away all the mental stress, for our students, and you – our dear parents!

Too much to remember?! 🧵

Worry not, details of all of these things will be shared with you again over the course of the year – as we get closer to each event. 

We encourage you to stay updated and engaged with your child’s education and to communicate with us regularly about their progress and any concerns you may have. We also request you to additionally encourage your child to take part in all the activities that happen throughout the year – as this is how your child will STAND OUT from the rest of the children. They are fun and provide amazing opportunities to learn more and sharpen their skills in front of a different audience and in different settings! 

Whoo! So let’s get the year started 👍

We look forward to welcoming all our children back to school and to working together as a team to ensure their success.

Marathi Audio

Hindi Audio

(या ई-मेल ला attach केलेल्या audio file मध्ये ही ई-मेल मराठी मध्ये समजून सांगितली आहे. / इस ई-मेल के साथ जो audio file attach की हैं, उसमे ये ई-मेल हिंदी में explain की हैं।)

Dear Parents,

In the initial material that you’ve collected from school (if you haven’t, do refer to the email titled : Starting the Academic Year 2023-24 for the collection schedule + material list), you will have received the School Calendar. Since it is the school calendar for the academic year 2023-24, it shows only those months when school is in session. 

You see various symbols on the calendar and it is explained on the calendar itself what they mean. If there is a class mentioned below the icon, it means that instruction is for those specific classes only.

Here is a quick overview :

	School reopening : The class is mentioned below this icon on the calendar. The reopening dates are staggered as per class. That is the first day of the new academic year, for your child. You also see this icon when the school reopens after any long break.
	Practice Test : This is when the students write practice exams to prepare for the tests. These happen before each test, once every quarter. The Portion Circular will be shared roughly mid – unit, with the practice test schedule and marks distribution per subject.
	Tests : There is a test for each core subject. The details of this are explained to you in the academic and exam plan. These tests happen once every quarter too. You can read more about the philosophy behind exams at Walnut here. Std 1 and 2 have tests for 3 days, so get the 4th and 5th days of tests as a holiday. Std 3, 4 and 5 have tests for 4 days, so get the 5th day of tests as a holiday. This will be told to you again closer to the actual dates.
	Electric Saturdays : These are fun days for the students and even the parents. Sports matches, quiz competitions, challenges, workshops, art days, science fairs, business fairs, debate competitions and lots of other exciting activities! You will get emails about this from time to time. Different classes will have these events on different Saturdays.
	Parties : These are days with regular school hours where the students have a fun day, based on a specific theme. Detailed instructions on dress code, activities, what to bring etc. will be shared closer to the dates.
	Holiday / Assimilate : This is for holidays / no school days. You also see this break in the calendar when the final rounds of tests are about to start without a weekend break. This is a short break for the students to rest and let the learnings sink in. This day will help students attempt the upcoming tests better.
	Offline PTMs : We will be having two rounds of ONLINE PTMs in every quarter, to discuss the overall progress of your child. This icon is specifically if you wish to meet the teachers in-person. These have been arranged once per quarter, but aren’t compulsory to attend. You can always catch the online PTM, because isn’t that more convenient? Detailed instructions about the teacher availability schedules, timings, etc. will be shared closer to the date.
	Office + School Closed : Our school offices are working on most Saturday mornings (even when the students are on break). If you see this icon in the calendar, the school office would also be closed on that particular date. In case of weekdays, this icon also highlights the days when BOTH – the students and all our staff – will be on leave. There will be no team answering the phone either.
	Fees Due : The dates for our four installments are mentioned on the calendar. Do refer to the dates based on your installment plan and make sure you pay the fees as per the dates given on the calendar.

We have a BIG EVENT that is not mentioned in the calendar – the WINTER CARNIVAL. It will be held in the fourth quarter – which means sometime between 16th January 2024 and 2nd Feb 2024. The reason it is not being put on the calendar is that this is an OUTDOOR event across a couple of evenings. With the changing weather patterns and winter rain that we have been seeing over the last few years, we will have to wait till we are closer to the time, look at the weather forecasts and then declare the dates and take our chances !

You will get emails about all events and more details from time to time. The calendar is just to give you the year’s overview. 

We also add our calendar events to Google Calendar. You can go ahead and add the calendar to your personal calendar list on Google, so that you can organize schedules better.

Here are the links to the Google Calendars :

Hindi Audio

Marathi Audio

(या ई-मेल ला attach केलेल्या audio file मध्ये ही ई-मेल मराठी मध्ये समजून सांगितली आहे. / इस ई-मेल के साथ जो audio file attach की हैं, उसमे ये ई-मेल हिंदी में explain की हैं।)

Dear Parents,

FIRST THINGS FIRST – have you collected the ID card and other material? 

In case you haven’t by 18th March, Saturday – here is when you can. Please note that it is absolutely necessary to have the ID card to attend school. Wait in the office with your child. First, collect everything, then put the ID card on the student, the tiffin ID card on the tiffin bag and then they can go into class.

We are preparing to welcome our children back in the coming week and here’s how you can help make the first day back to school a smooth experience : 

Pick up and drop off :

• Children who DO NOT come to school by the WALNUT SCHOOL authorized transport  are known as MAMMA CHILDREN. These children must be dropped off in school 5 minutes before their given batch timings.
• Drop off points are specified in the school campus, and our staff will guide you toward them. MAMMA CHILDREN are to be picked up after school is over from the same points. 
• Do watch this video to know about the pick up and drop off points. Please be patient and cooperate with our staff and comply with the drop-off points. 
• In case you have opted for the WALNUT SCHOOL authorized transport, the transport providers will be informing you regarding the pick up and drop off timings as well as routes.

Uniform : 

• Each child must be in clean and complete uniform, which includes black socks, black shoes and the ID card.
• Children without an ID card will not be allowed to enter the school campus or attend school. This is for security purposes. Please do not argue with our staff regarding this. 
• The ID card must be tied to the string hanging from the pocket. You can watch this video for reference on how to tie the ID card. Do NOT use safety pins.
• Hair should be properly combed and not falling on to the forehead and eyes. If hair goes up to the shoulder, it must be tied up neatly. Hair bands or hair ties or elastics or pins must all be black. 
• Reference number is to be written on the uniform label (T – shirt, trousers, jacket) Tiffin Bag and napkins and also on the shoes so that they do not get mixed up.
  Suggestions : write with a ball point pen or get it embroidered.
• No dangling jewellery, nail polish, mehendi, tattoos etc. Small studs or small simple rings are the only jewellery allowed. 
• Trimming of nails should be done at regular intervals.
• Do make sure the child is wearing a mask, and carrying an extra one along.

Stationery / Academic material : 

• Please make sure that you have collected the specified material (ID card, tiffin ID card, files, folder, calendar and fridge magnet) as per the schedule conveyed to you through the email titled : Starting the Academic Year 2023-24. It is compulsory to collect the material before the first day of school.
• Send the folder along with the child. 
• Inside the folder, you will see a zipped pocket. This is to keep the writing material in. In that please send the following : 5 sharpened pencils, a ruler, an eraser.
  Std 6 onwards, send 2 pens as well. 
• The files are NOT to be carried to school. They must be kept at home. Daily worksheets that will come home are to be filed in these files, per subject.
• We are a bagless school right till Std. 10, so of course – NO SCHOOL BAG to be sent along with the child! 🙂

Tiffin / Water bottles : 

• Children will be bringing a tiffin, water bottle and napkin in a small bag to school. The bag (with the things inside) must fit in an area of 10 x 10 inches and 4 inches height. That is the size of the rack for each child. No additional space can be provided. 
• Please note that back packs or sacks do not fit in this area and will not be allowed to be used as tiffin bags. Make sure that the snack bag that you send will fit in the given area and that things won’t fall out of it when kept there. If things don’t fit, they will not be allowed to be carried with the child. They will be sent back home. 
• Make sure the water bottle is leak-proof (1/2 litre). This bottle will be in their tiffin rack for the whole day (horizontally) and will be used during the snack break. Water fountains for drinking for the rest of the day will be available on every floor through the school filter. This prevents spread of germs as no glasses are used.
• School drinking water quality is checked at regular intervals and is absolutely potable. Please note that we have a very well maintained and hygienic RO filter system for safe and pure drinking water. 
• Students are allowed and encouraged to drink water between periods, so as to keep them well-hydrated. Please note that a water bottle cannot be allowed to be kept with them in the classroom. It is difficult for them to manage because they change locations after every period. 
• Avoid sending junk food. Do not send snacks in the kid’s pocket to eat in the classroom.
• Children must carry a cloth napkin to lay out to eat on. They must eat carefully without spilling and spoiling the eating area. 
• Please make sure that the children carry the tiffin when they come to school. Late tiffin entries cannot be entertained. Staff cannot collect tiffins at odd times for the students.

Early or Personal pick ups : 

• This is largely discouraged but we understand that emergencies can happen once in a while where this would be necessary. If the child is to be picked up early from school or a child going by bus is going to be picked up from school directly, please send a note with the child at the beginning of the day to be given in the office . (Mention the child’s name, ref no + Specify the reason, who will pick the child up, the time, signed by parent)
• In case there is a bigger emergency, and you come at the very last minute – please wait patiently till your children arrive. Children are spread out at different locations at different times of the day – as you know. Do not become irritated with the office staff as they need time! 

In the end, please be patient. It is the first day of school for everyone. There are some new students, and some who have been with us for some time. As long as your child is in the school premises, he/she is safe. We manage the rest. Sit back, and enjoy the day after you drop off your child. We are here to make their first day at school a fun and interesting experience!

Hindi Audio

Marathi Audio