Outreach Week

Monday, Dec. 13th marks the official start of our annual Outreach Week. During the week we strive to foster a spirit of generosity and compassion for others amongst our students. We do this by creating opportunities for them to share Krishna consciousness in a safe and supportive way. As best as possible we try to involve all our students. This year we have the following activities planned:

Harinama: Friday, Dec. 10th - All students and parents are invited to come together on harinam sankirtan at the corner of 13th Street and University Ave. We will meet at the Krishna House at 5:30 p.m. Please bring your child in nice devotional dress with tilak. Note: children must be supervised by their parents at all times.

Alachua and High Springs Parades: Saturday, Dec. 11th - All students are invited to participate in the annual Alachua and High Springs Christmas parades by riding on the float (large carpeted flat cart with sides all around). The temple is requesting that all children dress up as gopas and gopis to make things festive. Wrapped treats will be made available for anyone who wants to distribute books and prasadam.

• The Alachua parade starts at 2:00 p.m. All participants should meet behind the Alachua Villas at 12:30 p.m.
• The High Springs parade starts at 6:00 p.m. Please contact the temple office at 386-462-2017 for information on where to meet.

Food and Necessities Collection Drive: Monday, Dec. 13th - Friday, Dec. 17th - A collection box will be at the entrance of the school for students to place food (dahl, rice, oatmeal, cereals, canned milk, sweets, etc.) and personal care items (toothpaste, soap, toothbrush, etc.) for a local devotee family in need. We are asking each family to contribute at least 1 item. At the end of our collection these items will be delivered to the family via Ashraya, our local devotee care group.

Store-to-Store Book Distribution: Wednesday, Dec. 15th and Thursday, Dec. 16th - Students in Audarya Bhavan (interested 2nd and 3rd year) and Madhurya Bhavan will go in small groups on book distribution with Divyanga Prabhu and Mother Satyaki.

Devotee Home Visits: TBA - In coordination with Ashraya, some students will be brightening the spirits of some elder and/or ill local devotees to share prasadam and kirtan.

Teachers will accompany the students, as with any field trip, on activities scheduled during the school day. Permission slips will be sent home with Audarya and Madhurya Bhavan students on Friday and need to be returned by Monday, December 13th if you wish to have your child participate. Not every student will take part in every activity, but please check off all of the activities that you are willing to send your child on.

We are looking forward to an fun and exciting Outreach Week!

13 More Baking Volunteers Needed This Weekend

Thank you to everyone who has commited to help bake and sale for our annual holiday prasadam sales fund-raiser. We have a lot of orders coming in and urgently need 13 more volunteers to help Saturday, December 11th to get them all fulfilled. Please sign-up online or call the school office at 386-462-2886 to help.

P.S. Some parents have offered to assist with limited child care in order for others to help. Let us know if you need child care during your volunteer shift when you sign-up.

Cow Seva Results

The students of Bhaktivedanta Academy raised $112 during the month of Kartika to purchase a new water trough and other items for the Alachua temple cows.  They got an opportunity to meet and feed one of the cows, Krishna Kripa, when he visited the school today.  Click to view pictures of the event.

Holiday Baking Party Volunteers Needed

We officially kicked-off our annual holiday prasadam sales fund-raiser last week and the orders are starting to come in. As in prior years, Padmaksi Sutherland is leading the effort but we are depending on your help with baking, packing, and selling. Please commit to help by signing-up online or calling the school office at 386-462-2886 to help. Together we can all make this year's fund-raiser a huge success!

Click here to volunteer. Thank you!

Now Hiring: Teacher's Assistant

The Bhaktivedanta Academy, a Krishna-centered Pre-K thru 6th grade school located in the Alachua, Florida devotee community, is seeking applicants for the position of Teacher's Assistant.

The school has been part of the devotee community in Alachua since 1990 and is presently serving 50 students in grades pre-K - 6th, making it one of ISKCON's largest elementary schools in North America. The Bhaktivedanta Academy is committed to providing both a strong Krishna Conscious program, as well as academic excellence. We are seeking teachers who have a genuine love for working with children, who like working with a team, and who are committed to devotional life.

Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher's Assistant works cooperatively with the other members of the educational team to maintain an environment conducive to the children's academic and spiritual development. This is an hourly part-time position that will begin immediately.

Qualifications:

• ISKCON member in good standing that is committed to his/her spiritual development.
• Able to pass local, state, and federal criminal background screenings.
• Able to speak, read, and write English fluently.
• Must be US citizen or possess documentation of right to work in the US.
• Knowledge of Montessori educational methodology or willingness to attain.
• Prior experience working with young children in a classroom and/or daycare setting.
• Completion of 40 clock-hour Introductory Child Care training preferred.
• Current first aid and CPR certification preferred.

Download the full job description.

Interested applicants should download the employment application and may either scan and email the completed application along with current resume to office@bhaktivedantaacademy.org, fax to 386-462-2886, or mail to P.O. Box 937, Alachua, FL 32616. Send all correspondence to the attention of Visvambhara das.

Applications will be accepted through December 3rd, 2010.