Virtual baking, carols make for Christmas fun at a Khar school

The COVID-19 pandemic may have dampened the Christmas spirit for the world this year, but an ICSE school in Khar did not let the situation affect them. The Jasudben ML School (JML) celebrated the festival virtually in a week-long event in collaboration with The Bakers Dozen. During the workshop, Aditi Handa, head baker, taught the students how to make shortbread cookies and chocolate premix so that they can easily make it at home with their parents.
Says Aditi, “Christmas this year may not have seen the customary exuberant, frivolous parties, but everyone definitely wished for a safe, peaceful, and happy time with their loved ones. After all, the essence of Christmas lies in spreading love and cheer especially this year as we have all been dealing with a situation that has caused distress for everyone for so long. And holding a baking class for the students of JML school virtually was a fun idea. As kids are always considered as very enthusiastic and creative, we wanted to bring out the creative side of them. There is also a short baking contest planned, where the top three creative entries will get a hamper.”
Doing their bit to spread the message of giving

Apart from this, the school organised a digital puppet show by Puppet Maestros, composed by Jayasree Nair and Bela Kotwani for the pre-primary students to spread the message of Christmas. The teachers surprised everybody with a medley of Christmas carols on December 22 and played Secret Santa for their students on December 23. The primary students also played the role of Santa Claus to Sr. Christobel's Trust - Mother Teresa's Roses - situated in Kalina, and gifted the underprivileged children clothes, toys, food grains, and goodies. Through a community service club, the senior students also volunteered in holding a fun learning session with kids.
Speaking on behalf of the school, Mrs. Damayanti Bhattacharya said, “Christmas always brings a distraction from the study and exam stress and the children feel excited and joyous during this time of the year. The little ones were taught the joy of making delicious treats and celebrating Christmas with loved ones at home. I'm also deeply moved by the initiative my students took to give gifts to the less fortunate without a thought of receiving. It is these selfless acts of giving and helping others that allows us to experience joy in its purest form."