Revised Calendar and Beginning of School Event Updates

Dear Families,

As the start of school draws near, we have been hard at work preparing both for our on campus and distance learning students. We are looking forward to seeing everyone very soon.

Linked to this message is our updated school calendar based on an August 24 start date. Until yesterday this update aligned with the recently published Alachua County Public Schools calendar. The county has since opted to push the start of school to August 31. After evaluating the reasons for the change and the unique logistical circumstances that prompted it, we have opted to stay with an August 24 start date.

We will have a series of events next week in the lead up to the start of school:

Fri., Aug 14 - 19  On-Campus
Bhakti Bhavan Classroom Visits
Please come at your scheduled time to acquaint your child with the Bhakti Bhavan classroom and teachers.

Thu., Aug 20 @ 6 p.m. Virtual - https://meet.google.com/tng-akxs-bdg
Family Welcome Meeting and Orientation
This is an important meeting for all families to attend. Although much is the same there are several new routines and policies to discuss that will be new to everyone.

Fri., Aug 21 @ 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.  On-Campus
School Supply Drop-Off & Uniform and Device Pick-up
Between the hours of 12 - 3, families of on campus students can come to the school to drop school supplies at the back deck of your child’s classroom and pick up uniforms. Families of distance learning students can also pick up their child’s computing devices and materials at this time.

If you have any paperwork remaining to be provided to the school, please bring it with you.

We ask that all families observe school COVID-19 protocols: 

• Face covering required for everyone.

• Maintain 6’ distance while in line.

• One person at a time in the office.

Fri., Aug 21 Virtual (links below)
Classroom Orientation Meetings
Each class will hold orientation meetings that are relevant to both on campus and distance learning families. Students (grade 1 and higher) and parents are all encouraged to attend.

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

• Bhakti Bhavan - https://meet.google.com/ixj-mgof-bop

• Krishna Sharanam - https://meet.google.com/sst-qwjb-qwm

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

• Audarya Bhavan - https://meet.google.com/osm-tsxx-hau

• Madhurya Bhavan - https://meet.google.com/pmh-hhfc-bod

If you have any questions please contact the office at (386) 462-2886 or office@bhaktischool.org

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Das
Head of School

Krishna Sharanam Fall 2020 Distance Learning Plan

Dear Families,

Thank you for your patience as we have worked to clarify details on how schooling will take place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our core competency as a school is in-person learning and based on our experience we feel it is the best option for all our students under normal circumstances. We are also aware of the unique situation we find ourselves in and are providing for a distance learning program for families who prefer it.

Our Distance Learning Program is not a direct replacement for the experience students would have if they were on campus but our plan attempts to approximate it to the best of our ability given that we are also supporting students in the classroom simultaneously.

Our approach is based on a synchronous model by which Distance Learning students’ expectations and daily activities will be closely aligned with their on-campus classmates. This helps to ensure a connection with their class and alignment with academic requirements while they are learning from home. We also aim to provide for a consistency of daily habits that will ease the transition back to class when the time comes.

To be part of the Distance Learning Program students and families will need to meet the expectations of the program outlined in the plan. This will require a careful evaluation of your ability to support your child as they take part in daily scheduled activities and class requirements.

Please note: At present we are only authorized to provide an alternative to on-campus learning for the first semester of the school year (Aug. - Jan.). If you are intending to have your child remain off-campus for the entire year, we may not be able to support them. Please get in touch with us so we can discuss your options.

Plans for your child's class are linked below:

Krishna Sharanam Distance Learning Plan Fall 2020

After reviewing the plans and evaluating your ability to support your child’s participation, please make your schooling option selection by completing the form linked below. Although you have previously stated your preference on an earlier form, this form serves as your final commitment and the selection you make on this form will be how your child starts school on August 24.

Fall Schooling Selection

We request all families to make their schooling selection by Tuesday, August 11.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to assist in any way we can.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Das
Head of School

Madhurya Bhavan Fall 2020 Distance Learning Plan

Dear Families,

Thank you for your patience as we have worked to clarify details on how schooling will take place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our core competency as a school is in-person learning and based on our experience we feel it is the best option for all our students under normal circumstances. We are also aware of the unique situation we find ourselves in and are providing for a distance learning program for families who prefer it.

Our Distance Learning Program is not a direct replacement for the experience students would have if they were on campus but our plan attempts to approximate it to the best of our ability given that we are also supporting students in the classroom simultaneously.

Our approach is based on a synchronous model by which Distance Learning students’ expectations and daily activities will be closely aligned with their on-campus classmates. This helps to ensure a connection with their class and alignment with academic requirements while they are learning from home. We also aim to provide for a consistency of daily habits that will ease the transition back to class when the time comes.

To be part of the Distance Learning Program students and families will need to meet the expectations of the program outlined in the plan. This will require a careful evaluation of your ability to support your child as they take part in daily scheduled activities and class requirements.

Please note: At present we are only authorized to provide an alternative to on-campus learning for the first semester of the school year (Aug. - Jan.). If you are intending to have your child remain off-campus for the entire year, we may not be able to support them. Please get in touch with us so we can discuss your options.

Plans for your child's class are linked below:

Madhurya Bhavan Distance Learning Plan Fall 2020

After reviewing the plans and evaluating your ability to support your child’s participation, please make your schooling option selection by completing the form linked below. Although you have previously stated your preference on an earlier form, this form serves as your final commitment and the selection you make on this form will be how your child starts school on August 24.

Fall Schooling Selection

We request all families to make their schooling selection by Tuesday, August 11.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to assist in any way we can.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Das
Head of School

Audarya Bhavan Fall 2020 Distance Learning Plan

Dear Families,

Thank you for your patience as we have worked to clarify details on how schooling will take place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our core competency as a school is in-person learning and based on our experience we feel it is the best option for all our students under normal circumstances. We are also aware of the unique situation we find ourselves in and are providing for a distance learning program for families who prefer it.

Our Distance Learning Program is not a direct replacement for the experience students would have if they were on campus but our plan attempts to approximate it to the best of our ability given that we are also supporting students in the classroom simultaneously.

Our approach is based on a synchronous model by which Distance Learning students’ expectations and daily activities will be closely aligned with their on-campus classmates. This helps to ensure a connection with their class and alignment with academic requirements while they are learning from home. We also aim to provide for a consistency of daily habits that will ease the transition back to class when the time comes.

To be part of the Distance Learning Program students and families will need to meet the expectations of the program outlined in the plan. This will require a careful evaluation of your ability to support your child as they take part in daily scheduled activities and class requirements.

Please note: At present we are only authorized to provide an alternative to on-campus learning for the first semester of the school year (Aug. - Jan.). If you are intending to have your child remain off-campus for the entire year, we may not be able to support them. Please get in touch with us so we can discuss your options.

Plans for your child's class are linked below:

Audarya Bhavan Distance Learning Plan Fall 2020

After reviewing the plans and evaluating your ability to support your child’s participation, please make your schooling option selection by completing the form linked below. Although you have previously stated your preference on an earlier form, this form serves as your final commitment and the selection you make on this form will be how your child starts school on August 24.

Fall Schooling Selection

We request all families to make their schooling selection by Tuesday, August 11.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to assist in any way we can.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Das
Head of School

Bhaktivedanta Academy 2020-21 Handbook and COVID-19 Policies

Dear Families,

I hope this message finds you all well. As we cautiously approach the start of the 2020-21 school year we are endeavoring to create an environment that is both safe and comfortable for our students and teachers. 

Utilizing the best available guidance from state health authorities, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), we have created our COVID-19 mitigation policies and procedures for the 2020-21 school year. They are linked below along with our amended family handbook:

• 2020-21 Family Handbook
• COVID-19 Mitigation Policies - Fall 2020

We are blessed to have several medical professionals within our parent community who have carefully reviewed and provided input on these policies. Together we feel that all reasonable measures are being put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Our policies and procedures will evolve as circumstances warrant. We will also adjust as we get a feel for how our mitigation policies are working in practice on a day-to-day basis.

There will undoubtedly be an adjustment period as everyone gets familiar with the new way of doing things at school. I want to be clear that students will not be disciplined or admonished for forgetting a safety procedure nor will there be an environment of fear related to COVID-19 in our classrooms. Yes, we are in the middle of a pandemic but the overall feel of school will remain the same as it always has been.

We are committed to serving our students and families as best as we can in the midst of the COVID storm. We are confident in our plan and also know we must be flexible to adjust to an ever-changing circumstance.

As we continue to get closer to the start of school on August 24, we will be sending more information and resources. In the meantime, please get in touch if you have any questions.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Dasa