Madhurya Bhavan Welcome Letter & Supply List

Dear Parents and Families,

Welcome to a new school year at the Bhaktivedanta Academy! As you know, my name is Shantipur Day and I have lived in Alachua, Florida, for the past eighteen years. In that time we have seen the community grow from a few dozen devotees to the grand proportions we see today. We all know why Alachua, an insignificant town in North Central Florida, houses one of the largest Krsna Conscious communities in the world: the vast amount of devotee association available, especially through the schools set up for our youngest members. I look forward to working with you this coming year in helping to maintain and develop the ideals that have built our community.

Over the summer I started training with the Center for Guided Montessori Studies, so we will be gradually integrating more Montessori methods and materials into the curriculum. I am excited to bring some new ideas and inspirations to the classroom and hope that this helps to facilitate holistic learning for our students. We will continue to have Spanish classes with Radha Kunda Dainton, and she will also begin cooking lessons with the students of Audarya and Madhurya Bhavans. Nataka Chandrika will be leading a class on making good choices and decisions when faced with peer pressure, media influences, etc. 

Again, I look forward to working with you all in the coming year. I’ve included the Madhurya Bhavan student supply list for 2011-2012. Please feel free to contact me through the school office if you have any questions. I am also available by email:shanti.day@bhaktivedantaacademy.org.

Your servant,

Shantipur dasi

End of School Year Reminders

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the 2010-11 school year. Below are a couple reminders about our end of year events:

Kurukshetra Field Day
Our annual Kurukshetra Field Day is Monday, June 6th. We have a lot of fun activities planned, including a pizza and pasta lunch for all students. This is a free dress day (no uniforms). We recommend that students wear tennis shoes and clothing they can be active in. We are still in need of a few more volunteers from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. If you can help, please call the school office at 386-462-2886.

End of Year Ceremony/Graduation
Tuesday, June 7th is our end of year ceremony and graduation. It will take place in the Audarya Bhavan classroom at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 10:00 a.m. This is a uniform day, so we ask that all students come looking their best - pressed uniform, tilak, and nicely combed hair. We have some special performances planned and the kindergarten, 3rd grade, and graduating students will be receiving certificates. The 2010-2011 school year will officially end at the conclusion of the ceremony.

We look forward to seeing you!

Shop and Earn for Bhaktivedanta Academy

Bhaktivedanta Academy is now a participant in Target's Take Charge of Education program. Anyone can designate our school to receive 1% of all their Target credit or debit card purchases in the form of an annual check from Target.

If you have a Target credit or debit card you can designate our school by:

1. Visiting www.target.com/tcoe
2. Clicking the Enroll link
3. Entering our Target School ID: 152289

If you don't have a Target credit or debit card, you can get one and save 5% on all your purchases. 1% of everything you buy at Target using the card will be donated to Bhaktivedanta Academy.

More information about the program, including Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.target.com/tcoe.

Thanks to Lalita Shyam for referring us to this great fund raising program!

Please also pass this along to grandparents and friends so they can join in support of Bhaktivedanta Academy.

5th Annual Fundraising Event Success

Thank you to everyone who came out in support of Bhaktivedanta Academy during our 5th annual fundraising event.  I have received many positive comments about the evening from those who attended. It certainly appears that we achieved our aim of providing a wonderful experience for all.

During the evening I unveiled our 3 year plan to:

    ▪    Integrate Cutting-edge Technology in our Classrooms;
    ▪    Establish a Secure and Beautiful Campus;
    ▪    Lay the Foundation for Future Growth with a Variety of Infrastructure Enhancements;
    ▪    Add the Classroom Space Necessary to Meet the Needs of Students Beyond 6th Grade.

The outpouring of support for this initiative was heartening.  In all we received pledge commitments of $22,700 toward our Phase I goal of $36,000!  None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our volunteers and enthusiasm of our donors.  Thank you.

Over the next several years we will execute aspects of the growth plan as funds become available, ultimately fulfilling our vision for a quality middle school program in spacious and technologically equipped classrooms on a beautiful and secure campus.  

The support page of the Bhaktivedanta Academy website has been updated to include extensive information, including line item cost breakdowns, for our 3 year growth initiative.  If you were unable to attend our event and would like to help us get closer to our goal, please visit www.bhaktivedantaacademy.org/support to learn more or to make a contribution.  We only need 43 more pledges at the Dasya level ($300/yr or $25/month) to get there.

I am excited about what the future holds for Bhaktivedanta Academy.  With a supportive community backing a group of dedicated teachers, committed parents, and enthusiastic students, there is no limit to what we can accomplish together!

Thank you all for your continued encouragement and support.

Teacher Appreciation Week

As Teacher Appreciation Week comes to a close, I want to extend a special thank you to the teachers and support staff of Bhaktivedanta Academy.  It is a special person who commits themselves to the education of children.  Your dedication and care of Srila Prabhupada's young devotees is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!