Kurukshetra Day (Field Day) – This Friday, May 16

Dear Families,

Our dedicated PTO team is working hard to organize an epic Kurukshetra Day (Field Day) for our students this Friday, May 16th!

This fun-filled day will be packed with exciting activities — students will enjoy water slides, field games, popsicles, and a special lunch provided by the PTO. We’ll also hold our beloved Annual Staff vs. Students Game — this year it’s volleyball — bringing everyone together in the spirit of friendly competition and joyful community.

Important Notes:

• Partial-Day Students: Regular dismissal at 12:00 PM

• All Other Grades (VPK–10th): Early dismissal at 1:00 PM

• No aftercare will be available this day

What to Bring:

• Wear clothing suitable for outdoor activity (no school uniforms)

• Bring a change of clothes for water play, plus a hat and towel

• Please apply sunscreen at home

• Pack a snack and water bottle as usual

Lunch Details:

The PTO is generously sponsoring a Mexican-themed lunch for all students, teachers, and volunteers!

Menu:
Rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, cilantro, tortilla wraps, and tortilla chips (Vegan and gluten-free options will be available)

If your child would prefer something else, you are welcome to send an alternative lunch.

We are looking forward to a joyful and memorable day! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Yours in service,
Bhaktivedanta Academy

Mother’s Day at Bhaktivedanta Academy

This year, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day at Bhaktivedanta Academy on Friday, May 9th.

We have special activities planned and welcome the opportunity for students to share their school experience with their moms (a significant family friend or relative is welcome if a student doesn't have a mother who can attend).

Please RSVP using the form below by Friday, May 2nd:

Mothers’ Day 2025 RSVP

The schedule is as follows:

- Bhakti Bhavan - 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

- Audarya Bhavan - 9:35 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.

- Madhurya Bhavan - 10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.

Please note: 

• Krishna Sharanam Families: Due to a full schedule of end-of-year events, Krishna Sharanam students will not be doing Mother's Day visits this year.

• We’re so grateful to our mom volunteers for making our Father’s Day celebration special. Now, we’re inviting dads to volunteer for Mother’s Day! A school email will be sent to our dads to coordinate.

• Mothers’ Day is a special opportunity for students to spend one-on-one time with their mom at school, so we request that alternate care arrangements be made for young siblings.

We look forward to seeing our moms here!

Yours in service,

Bhaktivedanta Academy

Alachua County Bookmobile Visit (04/18)

We are excited to announce that the Alachua County Bookmobile will be visiting our school next Friday, April 18th! This will be the first and only Bookmobile visit of the school year, and we look forward to welcoming them periodically throughout next school year.

All students have been issued library cards, allowing them to check out books during the visit.

Here’s the schedule for the day:

• Bhakti Bhavan: 10:30 - 11:30

• OPEN (Free Browsing Time During Lunch): 11:30 - 12:00

• Audarya Bhavan: 12:00 - 1:00

• Krishna Sharanam: 1:00 - 2:00

• Madhurya Bhavan: 1:45 - 2:45

A huge thank you to the Alachua County Library and our parent librarian, Jisnu Dasa, for making this exciting event possible!

Spirit Day (Ratha Yatra) - Friday, April 25th

Our Spirit Day Ratha Yatra festival has been rescheduled from the originally posted date (April 11) on our school calendar. It will now take place on Friday, April 25! The students will get to celebrate this sweet festival by pulling Jagannath deities in carts, singing kirtan and worshiping the Lord in this most ecstatic form.

Families are invited to join us as spectators on the parade route as the students pull the Rath Cart from 1:30 pm. Prasadam cookies will be distributed to everyone at the end of the procession.

Please note the following:

• Procession start time: 1:30 pm
• Procession start location: School grounds
• Parking: Families may park in the school parking lot
• Procession/School end time: 3:00 pm (Regular Pick-up)
• Student dress code: School Uniform

We are looking for volunteers to make preparations to offer to Their Lordships (sweet and savory). If you are able to make a preparation, please bring it to the school office by noon on the 25th.

We also need a handful of safety volunteers to help us manage the event. If you’re able to serve in this capacity, please let the office know by replying to this email, or calling (386) 462-2886.

We hope you can all come along and take part in this wonderful festival of Lord Jagannath!

Yours in service,

Bhaktivedanta Academy

Father’s Day Invitation: Friday, April 4th

We are pleased to announce this year’s school Father’s Day event, which will be held on Friday, April 4th.

Each class has special activities planned for students to share their school experience with their dads (a significant family friend or relative is welcome if a student doesn't have a father who can attend).

Please RSVP using the form below by Friday, March 28. There is a maximum of one guest per student for each class event.

Father’s Day 2025 RSVP

The schedule is as follows:

• Radha/Krishna Bhakti Bhavan - 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

• Audarya Bhavan - 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

• Madhurya Bhavan - 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

A note for Krishna Sharanam Families: The Krishna Sharanam class will not participate in this event because it falls during their class trip to Washington DC!

We look forward to seeing our dads here!

Yours in service,