Session II of Vedic Arts Studio Classes Begin February 18th

In collaboration with Swati Mahalaxmi, Bhaktivedanta Academy is offering a series of Vedic arts studio after-school classes for anyone interested in gaining a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Vaisnava traditions and culture.

Classes in sanskrit, classical music, and dance are offered in nine weekly Friday sessions. Click to download full course descriptions.

Session II: February 18th - April 29th
Class	Time	Ages	Cost
Sanskrit 1	2:15 - 2:45	Kindergarten - 2nd Grade	$45
Sanskrit 2	2:45 - 3:45	2nd Grade and Older	$90
Music	3:45 - 4:45	Kindergarten and Older	$90
Dance	4:45 - 5:45	Kindergarten and Older	$90

*10% multi-child/class discount. ** Trial class option available. Ask for details.

Registration forms can be brought to the Bhaktivedanta Academy office between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Click to download registration form.

Forms and payment are due by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16th.

Swati Mahalaxmi - a professional Indian classical dancer performing Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi and a singer performing in Carnatic and Hindustani. She possesses a Masters degree in Ancient Indian History and can fluently read, write, and speak English, Sanskrit, Bengali, and Hindi.

Audarya Bhavan Classroom Building Purchased

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Almost two years ago I presented a need to establish expanded classroom space to accommodate our growing enrollment. Many of you responded and with your help we raised the funds necessary to permit and setup our newest classroom building - Audarya Bhavan. It is a great space which has allowed us to serve our students well.

It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the Audarya Bhavan classroom building is now fully owned by Bhaktivedanta Academy! Through the generosity of four anonymous donors, whom contributed a total of $40,000, we were able to cancel our lease and take ownership of the building today.

This event represents a major step in the on-going development of Bhaktivedanta Academy. It helps to solidify our financial footing and puts us on a path to further growth and expansion.

Thank you for the support and encouragement throughout the years. I look forward to continuing to partner with you in providing an educational program focused on developing self-disciplined, confident leaders, who are prepared to serve the Lord, the community, and the world with integrity.

Your grateful servant,

Visvambhara das
Director

P.S. Save the date: Bhaktivedanta Academy's annual fundraising event will be held on Saturday, April 30th.

100th Day of School Celebration and Literacy Initiative

The 100th day of school is Friday, February 4th. We are planning a celebration on this day but are also taking the opportunity to promote reading throughout the school. Beginning today, January 21st through February 4th we have set a school-wide goal to read 100 books!

Our reading students will be logging the books they have read over this period. The parents of our non-reading/emerging readers are encouraged to read with their children and report back how many books you have read together to count toward the school-wide goal.

We will celebrate on February 4th in the afternoon. We invite you to come early to be part of the fun. Students will talk about some of their favorite books and enjoy cupcake treats together.

In honor of us reaching the 100 books read goal, we want to celebrate by having 100 numbered cupcakes and are looking for parent volunteers to help bake. A sign-up sheet is in the office and would appreciate your help in baking treats for the kids. If you can help with this, please contact Gopi Prema at 462-2886 to sign-up.

Thank you for your help in encouraging reading and we look forward to seeing you on Friday, February 4th.

Parent Community Meeting Invitation

Dear Parents,

I would like to invite you to, what I hope will be the first of many, Bhaktivedanta Academy Parent Community Meetings. Our first will be held Tuesday, January 25th at 6:00 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be served but we are unable to provide child care.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide an open forum in which our parents can be heard. There will be no preset agenda. Instead, we ask you to tell us what you want to talk about.

Good communication between parents, teachers, and administration is the foundation of any great school. I hope many of you will take the opportunity to attend. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Visvambhara das
Director

Year-End Wish List

At this time of year, I am often asked if the school has a wish list of items it needs. In fact, we do, and I am taking an opportunity to make it available to all our friends. Each listed item has an associated cost, link and/or additional details. I encourage you to look through the list and consider either directly buying or making a contribution toward its purchase.

Item	Cost	Notes
iPod speaker dock	$60.00 each	One each for Bhakti, Audarya, Madhurya Bhavans, and Multi-use room.
Apple TV	$99.00	This device will allow us to stream video from our central media server to each classroom via an attached video projector.
Portable sound system	$100.00
External Hard Drive (2 Terrabytes)	$100.00	We need additional data storage capacity for the school’s media server.
Gas Powered Leaf Blower	$160.00
Video Projection Screens	$200.00 each	One each for Audarya Bhavan and Multi-use room
Harmoniam	$200.00	Estimated
iPod Touch	$275.00	One each for Bhakti, Audarya, Madhurya Bhavans, and Multi-use room.
Urmila's Krishna Conscious Learn to Read Series	$350.00
Security lighting	$400.00	Install security lighting at front of school property/parking lot and replace all outdoor lights with timed lights
Entrance sign	$500.00	Professionally produced outdoor sign with the school logo and name.
Soccer Goal Set	$550.00
High Definition video camera	$700.00
Video Projector	$800.00
Basketball Goal	$900.00
iMac computers	$1,000.00 each	Our existing classroom computers are very old and in serious need of replacement with quality workstations.
Perimeter fence for school campus	$7,000.00	A well constructed perimeter fence will better define the Bhaktivedanta Academy campus, prevent misuse/vandalism of the school's property, and help to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the grounds while students are present.
Audarya Bhavan classroom building	$11,000	The 1,400 sq. ft. classroom building we installed for the 2009-10 school year has served us well. It is a great space but we pay over $1000 per month to lease it. The purchase price for this building is $41,000, of which $30,000 is pledged. We only need $11,000 more for Bhaktivedanta Academy to finalize the purchase and to own a major asset.

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift of one or more of the items listed or a general donation at a level you feel comfortable. You may contribute online or mail a donation to:

Bhaktivedanta Academy
Attn: Wish List Fund
P.O. Box 937
Alachua, FL 32616

As a 501(c)3 organization, all contributions made to Bhaktivedanta Academy are tax deductible.

Thank you for your consideration and support of Bhaktivedanta Academy. I wish you and your family a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year.