Nick Taylor - author of "The Disagreement"

Second graders await the visit of the Debut Author for his novel “The Disagreement.” He would be visiting them in connection to their ongoing unit of Inquiry “Stories”.


Nick Taylor's first novel is a "hum-dinger". THE DISAGREEMENT is a historical novel of the Civil War.

The novel has no descriptions or fighting, but plenty of the aftermath of battles. John Alan Muro, the narrator, is a medical student at the University of Virginia (1861-1865).

Muro and classmates are pressed into service at the Charlottesville General Hospital, where "Dr." Muro saves the life of a northern officer. Muro also meets Miss Lorrie Wigfal, who becomes Mrs. Muro.

The end of the war finds Muro planning to flee his life in Virginia to join the saved Union officer's medical practice.

The epilogue is outstanding and a great ending to a wonder first novel.

About the author

“...Here is a story about our soul-destroying fratricidal war that uses the narrowest of prisms to offer a wider vision. A genuine accomplishment.”
   --Beverly Swerling

Nick Taylor's debut novel, The Disagreement, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2008. He has received fellowships from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the William R. Kenan, Jr., Trust for Historic Preservation and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

A graduate of the MFA program at the University of Virginia, he is Assistant Professor of English and Comparative Literature at San Jose State University and lives in the Bay Area.

SPOORTHI SESSION – 4

There is nothing more refreshing, more inspiring, more wonderful than the smile on the face of someone you have just done something helpful for. SPOORTHI has been one of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite with the community.

Session -4 on Sunday, 30^th January 2011 was attended by 36 children of our sub staff.

The eagerness to learn was reflecting on their smiling faces which stirred in us a feeling of zeal and enthusiasm. Excitedly they participated in all activities and enjoyed every bit of it, be it learning to use  MS word , role play or going on a school tour to know the importance of  notice boards in institutions. An immense feeling of pride that rushes over us when we have given someone something that they might have needed, loved or enjoy greatly.

It was conducted by Ms Jyotsna , Ms Vani along with students of IBDP Lucy, Anisha and Vivek who relentlessly worked  for this noble cause.

Ms.Rubina,

Spoorthi Coordinator

IBDP CAS activity

On the 29th of January, we the students of IBDP 11th had been  to Khajaguda government school which is located just next to our school. We were very warmly welcomed by the children who were all overjoyed and excited as much as we were. First, we had an ice breaking session in order to get to know about each other. We did various activities such as Pictionary, English, Math, and Art. We also played cricket during which we all became close friends. At lunch break, we distributed biscuits to everyone and as our last part of the program, we had a photograph session.

Through this CAS program, we made a lot of new friends, experienced how the less privileged ones are educated and therefore, how privileged we are. It was a wonderful activity that we did and we are looking forward to be involved in other coming service programs too.

JUNG SUNG JU (JOSEPH)

IBDP XI

Reflection letter to the Principal

Good evening Sir,

Today I and 10 friends of mine  volunteered and we had taken about 120 students from the khajaguda govt high school for an educational field trip to the Birla Planetarium & Science Museum. When we went there we could see a lot of enthusiasm in the students when they were exploring new things.The show at the planetarium was in Telugu and it was very informative. It had given everyone a clear idea about what space & the universe is all about. After our show we had taken the students to the Birla science, archaeology & dinosaur museum. The science museum had a lot of exhibits to experiment & learn. The whole trip was really well organised with the help of Venkat Sir and the experience was really worth it for everyone.

One good observation I have made is that all the students were really  disciplined & well mannered, and another  thing is that when we were distributing snacks to the students every single person had thanked me and this showed how well cultured they were and this was a good thing to learn from them .

I would also like to thank you for giving us so many opportunities like this in school. These kind of programs make us remember our responsibilities towards the needy and the helpless. The satisfaction that we get after doing some service is really nice and makes us feel proud .

It also motivates us to serve the community.
Thanking you,

Akash Reddy,
Grade 11

Believe In India - Service

There are many ways in which we can serve others and make a difference to society. Oakridge International School has taken this opportunity to initiate regular community service activities. On January 31^st 2011, we, the students of class XI CBSE, took the children of Khajaguda government school to the Birla Planetarium and Museum so that they could experience a truly educational phenomenon.

It was a wonderful experience! The bus ride was filled with the voices of the kids and we got a chance to get to know each child as we exchanged conversations about our favourite movies and film stars, best friends, games. The teachers of the Khajaguda school confessed that they had never seen the children so free and spirited.

The kids evinced great interest in the show and couldn’t stop talking about all they had learnt about the sun, moon, satellites and astronauts.

After the space show, we took a trip to the science museum, wherein the children experimented with the assorted displays and equipment.

This experience was a true eye-opener and we realized how little it takes to make these kids happy. I feel that the school should continue to have many more service activities like this  and we should work with schools throughout the city. This has definitely helped us to become more aware of people around us and to think of ways in which we can further contribute to society.

A quote by Confucius reads “He who wished to secure the good of others has already secured his own.”  I believe there is much substance to this quote as this experience has made us realize the meaning of true happiness which lies  in giving to others. It has given Oakridgers the opportunity to instil values other than those taught in class pertaining to empathy and selflessness.

There are times when we think of what we have gained in life and what we had dreamt of achieving. Sometimes what we think may not turn into reality. But such dreams can often lead to a detour. We can still do what we love and help those around us. Community service does not let any talents go in vain and that is one of the best parts of participating in it.

By: Divya Gutala,

XI CBSE

Toy Show (Nursery)

Nursery had a Toy show on 28Jan ’11, where all the little ones  spoke excitedly on the stage about their favorite toy and were cheered by their friends. Their toys ranged from cute Barbie dolls to sophisticated cars and many more.

 Ms.Asha Shekhar

Class teacher ( Nursery A)

Workshop on Rorschach Ink blot test

The Rorschach inkblot test is a method of psychological evaluation of personality in which a subject's interpretations of ten standard abstract designs are analyzed as a measure of emotional and intellectual functioning and integration.

Psychologists use this test to try to examine the personality characteristics and emotional functioning of their clients. There are various methods in which we can administer and interpret the test. Exner comprehensive method is one of the most widely used method

On behalf of Oakridge, Dr Shakila Naidu and I got this opportunity to learn the administration and scoring technique of Rorschach test by Exener’s system.

Our workshop started from 24^th January at Civil hospital. Resource person for the workshop was Mr. Prashanta Roy Clinical Psychologist, who is a trained practitioner of the test.

It was a 2 ½ days workshops. Timings of the workshop was from 9 am to 6:30 p.m .

In  the workshop we learnt about

·       how to administer the test.

·       how to score the test.

·       how to identify emotional disturbances in subjects.

·       Understand the personality of an  individual.

It was a great learning experience. We would like to thank school for giving this opportunity to attend the workshop.

Ms.Stuti Joshi

Creative writing - grade3

Ms.Pragati Agnihotri
Grade 3 - Homeroom teacher 

As the part of U.O.I Imagination, there was an activity conducted , wherein every child was supposed to get two pictures. All the pictures were collected and each child was asked to pick up two pictures and stick them on a piece of paper. The task was to build a story based on those pictures. Here is the work of a child, who used her imagination skills and created a magnificent story.

Republic day celebration - Preprimary

Ms.Sweta

Pre-Primary Coordinator

Republic day was celebrated with  full fervor and gaiety  by the Pre-Primary children on 25 January. Children came dressed in white and tricolor adding to the zeal of the celebration. All the children assembled in the PP play area and the program began with an interactive session  with  the children,wherein the children shared their understanding   about   “Republic Day”. Children sang patriotic songs and recited rhymes .The teachers had put up a dance and musical show for the children . They performed on songs   “Pray for India”  and “Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai”.Their melodious rendering of patriotic songs like “Aao bacchon” and “Desham manadey,tejam manadey” was received with  endless cheering by children. The program ended with National Anthem by all. Children carried on their excitement to the classrooms where they shared their snacks with their friends and made various art and craft pieces related to the celebration.