Winter Storm Closure Notice - Wednesday, January 3.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Advisory for our area that will result in dangerous driving conditions Wednesday. For the safety of our families and teaching staff, Bhaktivedanta Academy will be closed Wednesday, January 3. We will make-up this closure on Tuesday, January 16. 

Alachua County public schools have opted to close Wednesday and Thursday. Unless you hear otherwise from us, Bhaktivedanta Academy will be open Thursday. A final determination will be based on projected road conditions late Wednesday afternoon. 

If you do have to be on the roads tomorrow, please drive safe. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Thursday.

Holiday Fundraiser Results

We are officially sold out of cookies and fudge! This year we produced over 320 tins of cookies and 138 tins of fudge, raising over $4,800 toward classroom supplies and materials. Thank you very much to everyone who came forward to help make this year's fundraiser such a success:

Cookies

• Anapayini
• Balarama & Hrishikesha 
• Chandra Mukhi
• Devasarita
• Evgeniya
• Govinda C.
• Indrani G.
• Isha
• Jahnvasundari
• Kirtan
• Krishnapriya
• Lali Syam
• Markandeya
• Oksana
• Pishi
• Radharani
• Raghu
• Ram
• Revati
• Saradiya
• Shyam Kishore & Kunja Bihari
• Shyama Darshani 
• Syamasundari
• Takurani
• Vrinda

 Fudge

• Ananta Rasa
• Anuradha
• Jaya Sri Radhe

Purchasing

• Kirtan

Sales Table

• Nataka-candrika
• Satyaki
• Varuni

Shipping

• Vladimir

Special thanks to Oksana, who helped with sales, tracking down supplies, and overseeing the cookie dough production. Big thanks to Madhavi and Naveen Krishna Khurana. Year over year they have been our biggest supporters – ordering thousands of cookies for their tenanants and business contacts.

Teacher Gift Card Contribution

Dear Families:

Before the break begins, we would like to share an opportunity for everyone to show appreciation to our school’s teachers and support staff. The PTO is organizing a collection that will go toward the purchase of gift cards for them. Each gift card will be accompanied with a note listing everyone who participated (the amount of the contribution will not be disclosed).

To participate, just write the amount that you would like to contribute next to the listed class and group and return the form with payment (cash or a check payable to “Cash”) by Wednesday, December 13 to Anapayini (Srinu’s mom). There is also an envelope at the school office if you happen to miss her during drop-off, or you may also email dasidance@gmail.com to arrange your contribution.

Use the link below to access the form, which you may fill out for your contribution.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hNfCMqaE-uaWHRVIZLmaFYxwiN4Jm2UT

Thank you for your support!

Bhaktivedanta Academy PTO 

Outreach Activities Announcement 2017

Dear Families,

Monday, Dec. 4 marks the official start of our annual Outreach activities. During the week we strive to foster a spirit of generosity and compassion toward others amongst our students. We do this by spreading goodwill in our local community by providing various opportunities for students to share Krishna consciousness with song, prasadam treats, and books 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:

Food and Necessities Collection Drive: Monday, Dec. 4 - Friday, Dec. 15 - A collection box will be at the entrance of the school for students to place items for local people in need.

Suggested items are:

• Gift cards for gasoline or grocery stores (Ward's,Publix,etc.)

• Canned foods,like no sugar fruits (pineapple,applesauce,etc.)

• Personal care items (toothbrushes,toothpaste,deodorant,etc.)

• Unseasoned canned beans (chickpeas,blackbeans,etc.)

• Whole grains (brownrice,barley,etc.)

• Seeds (sunflower,sesame,etc.)

• Oatmeal

• Mung beans

• Nuts

• Spices

• Ghee or olive oil

Please do not deposit expired food, used items, or any food item which contains garlic and onions. We are asking each family to contribute at least 1 item. At the end of our collection these items will be distributed via a local support organization.

Store-to-Store Book Distribution: Monday, Dec. 11 - Friday, Dec. 15 - Students in Audarya Bhavan (grade 3), Madhurya Bhavan, and Krishna Sharanam will go in small groups on book distribution led by Mother Sukhada Elsey, class teachers, and/or parent volunteers.

Home and Senior Center Visits: Monday, Dec. 11 - Friday, Dec. 15 - Students in Audarya Bhavan and Madhurya Bhavan will be brightening the spirits of some senior citizens and/or homebound individuals by singing songs and distributing treats. In addition, our choir will be visiting residents of The Atrium at Gainesville to sing a selection of beautiful songs with a spiritual message.

As with any field trip, teachers will accompany the students on activities scheduled during the school day. Everyone will return prior to their class lunch time. A link to an online permission slip has been sent out. Please complete it by Monday, December 4.

Please make sure your child comes to school during these outing days with a water bottle and weather appropriate clothing.

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

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Das

Head of School

Important Dates for December

Sat., Dec. 2	Krishna Sharanam: Annie Performance Field Trip @ 2 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 5	Temple Tuesday (Audarya Bhavan Guru Puja and Kirtan) @ 7:20 a.m.*
Sat., Dec. 9	Holiday Fundraising Cookie & Fudge Production Day @ 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 11	Bookmobile From Alachua County Library District
Mon., Dec. 11 - 15	Outreach Week
Tue., Dec. 12	Temple Tuesday @ 7:20 a.m.*
Wed., Dec. 13	School Choir Performance @ TBA
Mon., Dec. 18 - Jan. 1	Winter Holidays (School Resumes Tuesday, Jan., 2)

*Students in Audarya Bhavan (1st - 3rd grade), Madhurya Bhavan (4th - 6th grade), and Krishna Sharanam (7th - 9th grade) meet every Tuesday at the New Raman Reti temple at 7:20 a.m. Teachers will be on duty at the temple to accept students at this time.

SAVE THE DATE

January 8 – Bike Week