KPS OBSERVER A newspaper by the students of Kanglung Primary School

Issue No. 01, June 2011 Price: Free

K A N G L U N G , B H U T A N

KPS OBSERVER 1

Class six students pick up their Tsho (blessed food) after the school’s annual Rimdro, which took place on 28 April. For more Rimdro photos, turn to page 10 & 11.

Students make KPS Rimdro a blessed eventBy Sonam Zangmo A, Class VIA

The school Rimdro is one of the students’ most interesting and happiest days. It is interesting and happy because the students get Tsho. It is like a double blessing from the gods.

Ugyen Chezom (VIA) was a student helper. She said she was helping Madam Tandin Norzin Wangmo and Madam Karma Yangzom. She said the work was fun and interesting. Her work was to fry papars, dry papars, and while frying, the student helpers also got to eat a few papars. One problem was when they fried the papars, the fire smoke got into their eyes and made them cry.

The student helpers also helped wash dishes, cut vegetables, pick the stones out of the rice, and bring mugs for the guests.

Ugyen said, “We got lunch. It

was very special like dessi, red rice, pork, chicken, dhal, ema datshi, and mushroom datshi. It was very fun and interesting to celebrate Rimdro at school because we got special food for our lunch.”

School gets a makeoverSince April there were many trucks and bulldozers at Kanglung Primary School. The trucks were bringing lots of soil for the school’s construction and the workers were very tired. On the road, there were big stones.

Kanglung Primary School (KPS) now has one new administration block completed. In that new building we celebrated the school Rimdro.

Recently the school dismantled one of the old classroom blocks,

which had been around since 1974. KPS principal Gomchen Tenzin said, “This reconstruction will be complete by December 2011.”

In the new building, there are now the class IVA and class IVB classrooms. On top, there are the principal’s office, the vice princi-pal’s office, and the staff room. Shegyel Wangdi (IVB) said, “I like the new classroom because it is not cracked. In the old classroom, it was cracked and the windows were broken, too.”Before and after: the dismantling of a

classroom block originally built in 1974.

By Kiran Mongar, Class VIA

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Who’s who in student leadershipBy Cheki Yangzom, Class VA

As girl school captain, at social work time, Kinzang Wangmo says she has to pick up the rubbish that makes the school dirty, just like everyone else. Kinzang said, “I like being the school captain because I help the small students and I want to be the class topper.”

Kinzang Wangmo,Class VIB

Pema Thinley, Class VIAPema Thinley said he likes to be the bell captain because he likes to ring the bell and it is very helpful to Kanglung students. When asked how he felt when he became bell captain, Pema said, “I felt very happy.” He added, “I follow the time.”

Garab Tenzin, Class VIAGarab Tenzin likes to be boy school captain because he likes learning how to control the students. When Garab became the school captain, he felt so happy. Garab said, “In the social work time, I go to pick up the rubbish with Class II and III until Tendi’s shop.”

Chimi Dorji,Class VIBChimi Dorji likes to be the prayer captain because he will always pray to God. He felt happy and proud when he became prayer cap-tain. He enjoys being in charge of the hand bell during morning prayer and he says he doesn’t have any problems.

Karma Tenzin,Class VIAKarma Tenzin said, “I like to be the boy health captain because I know how to stay clean.” He helps the toilet cleaner to clean the toilets. Some-times he feels happy or unhappy because some-times the toilet cleaners don’t clean the toilets very nicely, sometimes they

clean them very nicely. Karma said, “I have so many problems. I don’t have a hard broom and when I bring soap, it doesn’t last for one day because stu-dents play with the soap and keep it here and there.”

Ugyen Yangden,Class VA

Ugyen Yangden said, “I like to be the girl health captain because I want to make the toilets clean.” She felt so happy and proud when she became the health captain. During social work time, she cleans the toilets and helps the house members to clean the toilet. When

asked if she had any problems as health captain, Ugyen said, “We have problems when we clean the toilet and there is no water.”

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KPS celebrates fifth King’s 31st year

During our Fifth King’s Birthday celebration at Sherubtse College, the students enjoyed a lot. They danced about Tae Kwon Do and they all did marching. There were so many dances. The rigsar dancers from Kanglung Primary School (KPS) were ready for their dance. There were many Dashos and people and students watching the celebration. KPS students marched with the college students, Kanglung Higher Secondary School, and the primary school in Rongthung. - Kezang Namgyel, Class VA

Not enough waterBy Tandin Tshering Lhamo, Class VIB with help from her sister, Dema Lhamo, Class IX at Kanglung Higher Secondary School

32-year-old Ata Lekjay, the care-taker of Kanglung Primary School, knows a lot about water. He can absolutely say that the water is the main source of living beings and is important for all the people living in the world. “Without water, we

cannot survive,” Lekjay said. His eyes turn into sadness. He loves the water just like his own wife. He cares for water just like his small children.

Ata Lekjay said, “I consider water as my best friend since water helps me to cook and wash, and water is more important than my life. Without water, nothing is possible.” When there is not enough water, Ata

Lekjay doesn’t just keep it like that. He finds water from others or he just goes and cleans the tank to let water come because when there isn’t enough water, the stu-dents can’t wash their hands, can’t clean the toilet. Their health has to be neat and clean and the toilet has to be clean, too.

“There is no water sometimes because the shopkeepers take the water pipe,” said Ata Lekjay.

Ata Lekjay is not the only one who feels this way about water. Many of us feel the same as what he says, so save the water for the future.

Did you know...

STAFFPROFILE:

Sir Tashi Dorji -

teacher,staff

secretary,sports

coordinator*

Sir Tashi’s favourite game is volleyball because he is interested in volleyball and he is good at the game, too. Sir Tashi’s favourite place is in Bumthang. He has five brothers and one sister. One of his brothers is 29 years old. Another brother is 32 years old. The other brother is 15 years old. His sister is 34 years old. Sir has one son and a daughter. Sir’s hobby is to play arch-ery. He is from Zhemgang. Sir Tashi’s best friends are Pema, Sir Phuntsho, and many friends. Sir’s favourite flower is a lily. His favourite class is his own class, VIB. He teaches math in both classes VIA an VIB. *and all around great guy

BY TSHERING DORJI, CLASS VIA

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KPS INTER-HOUSE COMPETITIONS

From left to right: KPS principal hosts the Dzongkha Quiz Competition on a bright, sunny day; Chung house members think about an answer; Sir Tandin Dorji entertains the crowd; class five student Karma Galey confidently answers a question.

Students get quizzed in DzongkhaBy Dhina Rai, Class VIBThe Dzongkha Quiz Competition was held on 28 May. It was a great performance by the participants. The students were having fun and they were cheer-ing for their houses. Deki Lhazom (VIB) said, “It was really fun to have this kind of competition in our school. Our house was first. I am happy and proud of my house members.”

The teachers were happy, too. Singye was first, Taag was second, Chung was third, and Druk was fourth. While some were sorry for Druk house, some were happy for Singye house. The principal said, “I am very proud to have such kinds of students at our school. That’s why I say our school is the best.”

There was a big board with many numbers written on the chart. It was a bright, clear morning with many cheers and laughter. The day was very interesting for the students. Some were nervous.

Deki Lhazom (VB) said, “I am very happy because it was very fun and there were many interesting questions. It was not that much boring than I had thought of.” Kezang Yuden (VIB) said, “I am happy because Sir Tandin was looking so funny.” Teacher Tandin Dorji was in charge of the question board.

Everyone was happy. Madam Lisa Phu brings brightness to the students and for the Dzongkha Quiz Competition, as same as her, the principal handled everything perfectly.

Kanglung Primary School had an English Storytelling Competition on the assembly ground and the class IV, V, and VI students watched. It was so interesting and the stu-dents had also never seen it that way before. There were three students from Taag, Singye, Chung, and Druk. There were 12 students total who were participating from all houses. Druk house master and teachers were so happy because they won. Second place was Chung, third was Singye, and Taag was last.

Deki Lhaden (VIA) said, “In the English Storytelling Competition, I was feeling interested because I got knowledge in storytelling. I liked the competition because I like to memorize the story.”

Singye member Kinga Penjor performs Policeman Plod.

English Storytelling: Druk winsBy Nima Lhamo, Class VA

DEGOR COMPETITION:JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY

The story and more pictures on the next page.

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MORE COMPETITIONS

Before they started playing, Garab Tenzin (VIA) said, “I feel very excited.” Other students said that they played degor because it is so interesting and they know how to throw stones accurately to the mark.

The rules of degor have both teams with equal number of participants and each player has a pair of stones. Lopen Sonam said that people should play degor because it is the traditional game. Degor is played by anyone but mostly it is played by the monks. They play on the ground for passing the time. Lopen Sonam said degor should be played by going in pairs. If they hit the mark, they would get one point. They play for money because it is really fun. Participants should wear National Dress when playing degor.

After the first day of competitions, Taag got more points than Chung, and Singye got more points than Druk.

All the students enjoyed by cheering for their houses, “Try Singye, try! One more Singye house!”

Degor Rules By Sonam Zangmo A, Class VIA

An excited crowd cheers for their house members.

Tshering Dorji throws a stone as participants look on.

The Dzongkha Reading Competition was on 1 April. The weather was cloudy. It started at 10 am. Lopen Sonam Dendup explained the criteria of the reading competition because Lopen Sonan Dendup knows a lot of Dzongkha. He is a Dzongkha teacher.

It started with Taag house and went to the following houses. Classes IV, V, and VI stayed at the school to find out which was the winning house. All the houses participated and tried their

best but only one house was lucky. First place was Singye with 120 points, Chung house with 119.8 points stood second, Druk was third with 119 points, and Taag was fourth with 104 points.

The Singye house participants and members were very happy that they stood first in the Dzongkha Reading Competition. At last, the principal said, “Though there were people who participated in the competition, they are not doing as well as we expect.”

Dzongkha ReadingBy Sonam Deki, Class VIB

Rain doesn’t stop the competition. Left: Nima Lhamo (VA); Right: Students hold umbrellas for the judges.

ENGLISH QUIZ SHOW: Student helpers Deki Yangzom (VIA) and Sonam Deki (VIB) stand by the question board. Story and more pictures on page 12.

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Drawing by Shegyel Wangdi, Class IVB

Fighting in schoolBy Pema Wrangdel, Class VB

Students fight when they bully each other. When they fight, they hit each other. When small children were playing, the bigger boys bully small children. When they said, the principal punished them. The principal gave the students a rule not to fight in the school or in the classroom.

An anonymous student in Class VI said, “I was bullied.” Tandi Dorji (VB) said, “I fight with my friends.” Sir Tashi Dorji said, “Don’t watch the wrestling channel.”

Bullying

This year, we celebrated a variety show. We celebrated on 7 May. We did it in She-rubtse College on stage. Kanglung Primary School principal said, “This year we cele-brated the variety show to display how much our students have learned, how much talent they have.”

There were many interesting songs played at the variety show but most songs were modern. Each class per-formed one to two songs. People were delighted to see

that KPS students are good dancers. The students sold tickets to those who were

interested. The school also collected donations.

Vice principal said, “Class IIIB are the best dancers of all the classes.”

Teachers were happy that the students performed the songs that they liked so much. Principal said, “If we can have the same quality as this year, we will also celebrate the variety show next year.”

So it’s important that all students try their best.

Variety show is a hitBy Kinzang Wangmo, Class VIB

Class VI boys in costume for the variety show.

WORLD WATER DAY World Water Day was on 2 March. All the students did not go to clean the tank but the boy school captain and some of the health club members went to clean the tank. Madam Pema Tshezim, health club coordinator, went to clean the tank, too.

Chimi Dorji (VIB) said, “When I entered the tank there was too much sand and soil in the tank.”

There were three steps to clean the tank:

• Step one – Clean the tank and take out the soil and sand in the tank.

• Step two – After taking out the soil and sand, wash the tank.

• Step three – Pour clean water.

When asked why the tank was cleaned, Chador Wangdi (VIB) said, “Because I would like my brothers and sisters to stay healthy.”

By Kiran Mongar,Class VIA

Karma Tenzin (VIA) gets ready to clean the tank.

Left: Health club members Karma Yangzom and Anisha Rai (VIA) show off one of the club’s posters for World Water Day.

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KPS OBSERVERA newspaper by the students of Kanglung Primary School

OBSERVER STAFF:Tshering Dorji (VIA)Dhina Rai (VIB)Sonam Deki (VIB)Sonam Zangmo A (VIA)Deki Lhamo (VIB)Nima Tshering (VA)

Kezang Namgyel (VA)Ugyen Thinley (IVB)Cheki Yangzom (VA)Nima Lhamo (VA)Shegyel Wangdi (IVB)Cheki Dorji (IVA)Tandin Ghalley (IVA)

Padam Maya (IVB)Tandin Lhamo (VIB)Kingzang Wangmo (VIB)Deki Choden (VA)Pema Wrangdel (VB)Kinzang Wanchuk (VB)Kiran Mongar (VIA)

Deki Lhazom (VB)Tshering Yangzom (VB)

With help from:Madam Kinzang LhamoMadam Lisa Phu

Writing, photography, drawing, editing, and layout are done by members of the Observer staff.

All the students and teachers gathered in the assembly as the English Reading Competition was held on 24 March during 6th period. The program soon started with some speeches from Madam Lisa Phu. It was a great start with the sun shining and all the beautiful birds flying toward the north direction.

The competition was started by Taag house and it following with Singye, Chung, and then Druk house. The three teachers who were judging the speakers were the principal, the vice principal, and Sir Tashi Dorji. They were very helpful to all the participants.

Before the competition started, Pema Wrangdel (VB) said, “I am excited I am doing the English Reading for the

first time in this new year.” Deki Lhazom (VB) said she was feeling “excited, happy, and nervous because there will be lots of people.” Sonam Deki (VIB) said, “I am very happy. I am having lots of fun.”

All the students were confident as they were sure their house would come in first but it was like this – Singye was first, Taag was second, Druk was third, and the last house was Chung. It was horrible that the Chung house was last but it is not in our hands.

The competition ended so wonder-fully and Principal said, “I am very thankful to all the teachers, specifi-cally to Madam Lisa, and the stu-dents. Thank you.”

Students show off English reading skillsBy Dhina Rai, Class VIB

Before: Chung house members look out to the audience. During: Jamyang Dema tries her best.

By Kiran Mongar, ClassVIA

Ingredients2 spoons of sugar10 pieces of EaklesFruitWater

PreparationFirst boil ½ cup of water. A&er that, put in 2 spoons of sugar into the boiled water. Then, put 10 pieces of Eakles. Then, boil all of it until it melts, stirring. Pour melted chocolate water into a cup. When you finish pouring, put it in the freezer. Keep it there for the whole day. A&er it is frozen, take it out and put any kind of fruit at the side of the cup.

Recipe Corner:

Chocolate Ice Cream

Teacher Phuntsho Rinchen described the Teachers Day at Kanglung Primary School as “short and entertaining. I enjoyed and I don’t know what I did. It would be a dream if it happened to me every day and I want to stay like that till death.” This means that the teachers were really having a good time with the students. As it is a day for teachers, the students had many gifts and speeches. This will be a memory that lasts a long time for Kanglung Primary School students.

“Teachers are like our parents and it is Teachers Day. I am really having fun,” said Kinzang Wangmo. There were many dances. Phuntsho Rinchen said, “Jalam Jalam was a really cool dance.” Madam Kinzang Lhamo was the Teacher of the Day, which made Sir Tashi Dorji, her husband, very proud.

It was cloudy but the smiles brought brightness to the day.

Tshering Dorji and Sonam Zangmo A, both from Class VIA, sang songs for the teachers. Kezang Yuden (VIB) said, “I love my teachers so I pray for them.” Madam Lisa Phu had almost a bag full of gifts and cards. She was the best teacher for almost all the students. With the laugh-ter and smiles, the day finished so quickly, the students didn’t know what they did. That was how happy Teachers Day ended up.

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Teachers Day brings happiness to allBy Padam Maya, Class IVB and Dhina Rai, Class VIB

Lopen Ugyen receives a kadar from a student.

Sir Phuntsho and principal lead the students in singing the Happy Teachers Day song.

Kinley Wangchuk, a student not at KPS, said, “I was beaten by my class teacher in the class.” The teacher knew that he had stolen the things like a pencil and geometry box. “I liked the things and I stole them.” Kinley Wangchuk said, “Steal-ing is bad because if the teacher finds out and police know, then we will be caught by the police. The police will keep us at the station and we will be shy.” - Kinzang Wangchuk, Class VB

Stealing can be a problem at any school:

STEALING

Drawing done by Ugyen Thinley, Class IVB

YONGPHULA

TSHECHU

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KPS OBSERVER 9

Deki Lhazom (VIB) has a problem because sometimes her friends give her snacks in class and she can’t avoid eating. She said, “When the teacher sees me eating, I feel shy. Sometimes I don’t bring lunch and I bring money to buy snacks.”

Deki knows that eating in class is not good because it disturbs the students’ minds and the teachers’ minds. She said, “When I feel hungry in the class, I dream because it helps me to take my mind away from the food and snacks.”

Eating in classby Deki Lhamo, Class VIB

Another student, Chajay Wangchuk (VA), is caught eating in the classroom

Z B Y O X S X Z

C O W T C E O S

C H E E S E C B

L O T M L A H E

X O J E G G I O

P O T A T O L T

A N O T C H L I

M I M R A X I F

A O A I B F F W

I N T C B Z R U

E Z O E A V N O

B V U W G T C X

C U M A E K L W

T O T L V N O X

N I M T A P H U

K I R A E N L I

S A L I S R A G

T S H E R I N O

Word List:

POTATO BUTTER RICE CHILLI

CHEESE TOMATO MEAT ONION

EGG CABBAGE

Directions: Look for the words in the Word List and circle them. The words can be found going up, down, sideways, or diagonal.

WORD SEARCH: FOOD

By Nima Tshering, Class VA &Kiran Mongar, Class VIA

PE Class By Cheki Dorji, Class IVA

Kiba Zangmo is from the village of Khaling. Her father’s name is Wangchuk Namgyel. She likes to play skip to keep her body healthy enough and without disease.

Kiba said, “My best friend is Tandin Tshering Lhamo because I love her very much, as much as my parents. When I have problems, she helps me to solve them.”

In Bhutan, we have many places. Among the places, her favourite place is Thimphu because it’s the capital city and it’s also a big town.

Kiba said, “My favorite teacher is Sir Tashi Dorji because Sir Tashi teaches us very well with jokes that I can understand easily.” She has a problem which is that she can’t really understand what teachers are trying to say.

Her hobby is to dance and read storybooks. She loves our country because our country is peaceful to live in.

Kiba Zangmo, Class VIB

Student Profile: Kiba Zangmo, Class VIBBy Kingzang Wangmo, Class VIA

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KPS RIMDRO: 28 APRIL 2011The prep...

The blessing...

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KPS OBSERVER 11

The smiles...RIMDRO 2011

... until next year...

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Traffic regulators at Kanglung Primary School are the most important people on the road. Kanglung Primary School has 48 student traffic regulators. They wear red shirts. They follow the rules and help small kids to cross the road. They look after the students who go to the shop and write their names.

Karma Zangmo said that she likes being a traffic regulator because if she gets to become a police officer, she won’t have to train. Vice Principal

Tenzin Dorji said that the 48 students are keeping traffic regulated and the students safe. He also said that the regulators are following the rules.

The traffic students have to reach school at 7:30 or 8:00 am. They have to watch the roads in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening. Every day they have to look after the small kids. When the car comes, the student traffic regulators stop the car to let the kids go.

Look both waysBy Deki Choden, Class VA

Why did the student cross the road? Traffic regulator Sonam Deki helps a student get to school safely.

ENGLISH QUIZ SHOW

By Deki Lhazom, Class VB

The English Quiz Competition was on Saturday, 21 May. The quiz was between the four houses – Taag, Singye, Chung, and Druk.

When Madam Lisa asked a question that was about the three impossible tasks in ‘The Wise Old Woman,’ none of the houses could get it right. Madam Lisa let the audience say the answer and I said, “A drum that

sounds without being beaten,” and I got one candy.

Then Singye house had the highest points. Then Taag house was losing. When the English Quiz Competition was at the end, Singye house was the winner.

I liked the quiz competition. My friend, Karma Lhamo (VB), said, “I enjoyed the English Quiz Competition.”

From left to right: Druk house members Jamyang Dema and Pema Wrangdel look nervous; Tashi Deki of Singye house thinks about a quiz question as housemate Deki Lhazom waits for the answer; and Thukten Thinley answers a question for his Taag house team.

Chung house tells the best stories The Dzongkha Storytelling Competition was on 26 April. Kanglung Primary School principal said that he enjoyed the competition because the stories were interesting. Chung house took first place with funny costumes and interesting ways of storytelling. - Tshering Yangzom, Class VB

Drawing by Tandin Ghalley, Class IVA

Traffic Safety