1. Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School – Chennai-90
Proposal for continued support for the school
From Asha St. Louis
May 2014

2. Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School (OMHSS)
Free school for socially and economically less privileged children
School seeks to remedy built-in disabilities of environment and nutrition
Established 1894
Location: Theosophical Society Campus, Besant Nagar, Chennai
Co-education
Classes I through XII
Tamil medium
Boys:Girls = 267:192
Student strength = 459

3. OMHS Context
Children from nearby slums: fisherfolk, coolies, housemaids etc
Homes of children
Below poverty line
Rampant domestic violence, alcoholism, women & child abuse
OMHS seeks to provide a vibrant, happy environment for holistic learning, fun and games

4. Curriculum Affiliated to the Tamil Nadu State Board
Tamil - first language
English -second language
Maths, Science, Social Sciences subjects
Students appear for SSLC (Class X) certificate examinations after 10 years of schooling and will appear for HSC (Class XII) certificate in March 2015
Students of Class VIII – XII learn vocational skills
Tailoring, Embroidery, Drawing and painting, Food preservation and baking, Book binding, Screen Printing, Fabric design, Jewellery making

5. Initiatives Nutrition program Classroom provisions
Mid-day meal enriched with sambhar, rice, vegetables & banana
Breakfast at 9:30 am of Kanji (ragi, cereals, pulses)
Classroom provisions
All students provided with good quality notebooks
TN Govt covers 100% of textbook needs
Uniforms: 2 good quality uniforms/year/student

6. Initiatives Technology Aided Learning (TAL)
Projection equipment and digital lessons to enrich learning of maths, science, social studies
Special Program for English and Language Learning (SPELL)
To help students with comprehension, oral and written expression in English
Primary Resource Centre
To improve social and thinking skills through educational games and associated activities

7. Initiatives- Contd Library – Collection of over 5000 books
Science lab- Refurbished recently
Games and Sports – Large playground

8. Teachers: The School’s Lifeline
Committed teachers are responsible for the unique set of initiatives in the school like IAYP adventure trips exposure

9. School Std 10 – SSLC Results
SSLC March 2014 Results expected on 23 May 2014
From 54% passes in March 2004 to 98 in March 2013 – 51/52 students passed in the March 2013 SSLC Board Exams. Just one child could not clear Soc Studies even though his average in the other subjects was 45%

10. Funding Requested 2014-2015 For the following…
Educational support Expenses
Amountsin INR
Classroom Expenses
50,000
Computer Room/ Maintenance
60,000
Craft section
Exams and tests ( stationery material)
95,000
Medical health
Educational trips
General Resource Room, Counseling & Sp Ed.
25,000
Printing & stationery
20,000
Notebooks & Texts
150,000
Sports day Prizes, Academic prizes
Festivals and celebrations
Total 1
600,000

11. Funding Requested 2014-2015 and For the following:
Other Allied Support
Amountsin INR
Maintenance & upkeep of general facilities
50,000
Recurring expenses on electricity & water
Additional nutrition and food expenses with increased secondary strength
150,000
Total 2
250,000
Grand Total lakhs+ 2.5 lakhs =
8.5lakhs

12. Proposal Summary Asha St. Louis support 2012-2013 INR 333,290
Requesting support for educational support expenses, repairs & maintenance & additional nutritional expenses
INR850,000

13. Year Highlights
Educational authorities approval granted for plus 2 classes in school. School upgraded to Higher Secondary status
Improved participation in science fairs and projects- recognition to students and staff at state level
Improved focus on sports & co- curricular activities- winning laurels at zonal and national levels
Second computer facility room set up for HSC classes and vocational training

14. School Plan for later years
Intensified focus on exposure to computers, internet, & improvement of English language.
Improve employability at 18 years of age through vocational training during & after Plus 2. Setting up a collaborative unit with guaranteed job placements with a successful NGO being explored.
Plan to start the above mentioned training by July 2014
Plan to focus on starting bilingual approach in primary for building basic language skills