Counselling and Special Education
On Adolescence, Puberty and Hygiene:
A Session for the Grade VIII and IX Boys
Pune, Maharashtra | 14th September, 2024
On 14th September, the team from the Me to We Foundation, which conducted a prior session on adolescence and puberty in boys for their fathers on 29th June, 2024, conducted the second part of the session on 14th September, 2024. The session was aimed at the audience of boy students of Grades VIII and IX as the speakers spoke about adolescence, puberty and hygiene. The following is their testimony:
“The Me to We Mission 2034 is registered NGO working towards Men Empowerment and Gender Neutrality, The team includes: Mr. Debarshi Chakraborty, Dr. Priya Parekh, Dr. Purva Ketkar and Ms. Rucha Khot. We conducted yet another successful session on puberty and adolescence at S.B. Patil Public School, Ravet.
Phase 1 was a workshop conducted for the fathers of teenage boys wherein emphasis was given on creating an open channel of communication between fathers and their teenage sons. Steps to initiate discussion of puberty changes were discussed and was well appreciated by the fathers.
Phase 2 of the workshop was for the teenagers boys of Grades VIII and IX. This was conducted on 14th September, 2024 at the school’s campus.
Around 240 boys participated. The mantra was “Google baba se nahin, apne baba se poocho”. The workshop was immensely appreciated as such topics often unexplored and never spoken to boys directly were discussed openly. The number of questions posed were encouraging as well as interesting as the team answered all queries patiently
The progressive thoughts of the school has lead to another successful session.” – Dr. Priya Parekh
Talking Taboo:
A Much-Needed Session on Understanding Puberty in Adolescent Boys
Pune, Maharashtra | 29th June, 2024
On 29th June, 2024, a session on "Understanding Adolescence" was conducted for the parents - especially fathers - of the male students of Grades VIII and IX.
The session was held by Dr. Priya Parekh, a skin and hair specialist at Bhandarkar Road since last 15 years. She founded the Me to We Mission 2034 in 2019. She believes every empowered man can create an empowered family.
Ms. Sebarshi Chakraborty has a masters in cyber law and security; is an electrical engineering alumni from NIT Surathkal; is also an experienced IT professional; has more than 24 years of industry experience; is currently engaged in working with the State and Central Government of India and other South Asian and African countries for policy and road map study and ana lysis; and lead board member of two NGOs.
The speakers spoke freely on topics related to puberty in boys; the myriad physical, hormonal, behavioural changes and challenges they face during this time. They stressed on how parents need to be open about these topics rather than treating them as taboo.
They requested, especially fathers to understand and personally address these issues, and be heroes to their sons, rather than letting their children learn from other sources. The session emphasised on bringing normalcy to talking about sensitive topics in households so that growing children can easily approach parents regarding issues they face.
The immensely intense and interactive session was a much-needed one for both parents and faculty to understand how to handle students in puberty.
We thank our speakers, Dr. Parekh and Ms. Chakraborty for lending us their valuable time and insight; we thank our principal, Dr. Bindu Saini; vice principal, Ms. Padmavati Banda; HM, Ms. Shubhangi Kulkarni; the section coordinators: Ms. Darshana Kamat, Ms. Nirupama Kale, and Ms. Vandana Sangle; and the administrative manager, Mr. Manish Dhekale for organising this event.
Towards Mental Wellbeing:
The Mental Health Awareness Week Sessions
Pune, Maharashtra |4th to 10th October, 2023
Our school celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week from 4th to 10th October. As part of the programme, the school counsellor, Ms. Sabitha Pramodh conducted mental health and wellbeing awareness sessions for students of Grade IX and X. Topics included: an awareness session for Grade IX students; role-play for Xth graders; and positive note-making, poster making, and sending notes of gratitude note to one other for both grades.
Through these sessions, students were made aware of why mental health needs to be given equal importance as physical health, ways in which one can better one’s mental health, and methods to cope with the stress and strains of daily life.
We congratulate all students for participating so enthusiastically.
We also thank our principal, Dr. Bindu Saini; vice principal, Ms. Padmavati Banda; and especially our school counsellor, Ms. Sabitha Parmodh for organising these sessions.
A Talk on Adolescence and Teenage Issues :
In Conversation with Dr. Kothale
Pune, Maharashtra | 9th September, 2023
On 9th September, 2023, a talk and discussion was organised for S.B. Patil Public School’s faculty with Dr. Sujata Kothale. The talk was on adolescence and teenage issues faced by students. The discussion was open-ended with Dr. Kothale speaking about various aspects on the subject, and faculty members raising a multitude of questions.
Overall, the conversation was an extremely eye-opening one with questions being asked on sensitive issues that could not have been talked on a regular panel.
And thus, we are thankful to Dr. Kothale for giving us her valuable time and expertise. We are also grateful to our principal, Dr. Bindu Saini; vice principal, Ms. Padmavati Banda; and HM, Ms. Shubhangi Kulkarni for granting us all this opportunity.