Grandparents Day Reminder

Bhaktivedanta Academy's Annual Grandparents Day is this Friday, March 15th. We have special activities planned and welcome the opportunity for students to share their class with their grandparents (a significant family friend or relative is welcome if a student doesn't have a grandparent who can attend).

The schedule is as follows:

• Bhakti Bhavan - 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Audarya Bhavan - 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Madhurya Bhavan - 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

We look forward to seeing our student's grandparents here!

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta y necesita ayuda en español,  puede solicitarla llamando al 386-462-2886 (oficina).

Krishna Sharanam Middle School Introduction

Krishna Sharanam, Bhaktivedanta Academy's upcoming middle school, is accepting applications for 7th graders for the 2013-14 school year. Jaya Sri Radhe devi dasi, who heads the middle school, brings her passion for teaching and dedication to young people to create a holistic and comprehensive educational program that gives students a strong spiritual foundation, rigorous academic education, and an extensive life-skills program.

Spiritual Education
Krishna Sharanam, which literally means under the shelter of Lord Krishna, is a program deeply rooted in a spiritual education that will not only teach students the fundamentals of our rich Vaishnava theology, but will also prepare them to interact in the world they will be entering. With a focus on rekindling our loving relationship with Krishna, students will be immersed in a joyful environment where Bhakti can take root and flourish. Over the four years in our program, through the use of an innovative visual-indexing of our scriptures called Mani-Mandalas, students will be completing the scriptural study necessary to receive a Bhakti Shastri degree. They will also participate in spiritual internships, interfaith experiences, and project-based learning to develop a deep understanding of our Vaishnava philosophy and how to apply it in their lives.

Academic Program
At the heart of Krishna Sharanam is its rigorous academic program. The middle school will follow the framework of the Middle Years Programme* as outlined by the International Baccalaureate (IB). This program focuses on how students learn, not just what they learn within the core subject areas: Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Technology, Foreign Language (Spanish), Fine Arts, and Physical Education. The IB’s holistic educational model emphasizes the development of life-long learners who possess intercultural awareness, tolerance for others and their ideas, and an inquiring mind. Every child, no matter their ability, can succeed in an IB classroom and will learn the skills needed to thrive in our modern world.

Exploratory Wheel
During the critical stage of adolescence, children need to develop their sense of identity. The exploratory wheel is a multifaceted life skills program that will give students exposure to a variety of subjects as they seek to determine who they are and what their unique contribution to the world will be. Students will gain understanding of how Krishna is the source of everything, including their talents as they gain experience in the areas of technology, music, fine arts, devotional arts, the outdoors, old-time crafts, foreign languages, and communication skills. By learning about their talents and how to use them in Krishna’s service, a strong connection with Him will develop. This connection will provide the inner strength they will need to make good choices in their lives.

Krishna Sharanam is a program committed to excellence in the educational process and from each person who is part of it, as stated in its class creed: "I strive for excellence in all that I do and all that I am." Jaya Sri Radhe has a long history of commitment to our community with this same drive for excellence. Her goal is to provide a first-class educational program that provides our children a shelter in which they can develop to their fullest potential: spiritually, academically, and vocationally within a nourishing and loving environment.

Call 386-462-2886 or go to www.bhaktischool.org to learn more about the school and to schedule a visit.

Bhaktivedanta Academy offers a variety of scholarship programs to help offset the cost of tuition. Go to www.bhaktischool.org/financial-aid for more information.

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*Bhaktivedanta Academy is applying to be a candidate school* for the Middle Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education — that we believe is important for our students. *Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.

Prospective Family Open House Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us (personally and online) for the prospective family open house last night. It was great to get an opportunity to meet together and talk about the unique educational program Bhaktivedanta Academy offers.

Here are links to the presentation and handouts from the meeting:

• Bhaktivedanta Academy Overview
• School Prospectus
• Montessori 101 Excerpt

If you did not get an opportunity to attend the meeting, please take a little time to review these documents as they will give a general idea of what was discussed.

As we talked about yesterday, it is important to submit your application by March 22nd, if you have not already done so. One of the criteria we utilize in selecting students for admission is the date of application, so don't delay, as we have a limited number of spaces available. You may apply online at www.bhaktischool.org/admissions.

We also require all applicants to visit the school and observe in the classroom that serves the grade your child will be entering. Please schedule your observation soon, as time slots tend to fill up quickly. You can schedule by calling 386-462-2886.

Again, thank you for your interest in Bhaktivedanta Academy. We look forward to getting to know you and your child more throughout the admissions process. Don't hesitate to call or email me if have any questions. I can be reached at d.aguilera@bhaktischool.org or 386-462-2886.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara das
Head of School

Step Up For Students Accepting Scholarship Applications

Step Up for Students, the organization that administers Florida's Tax Credit Scholarship program has advised us that they are accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year.

We are excited to announce that the Step Up For Students 2013-14 application season is now open for New and Renewal Families! As you know, scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to our renewal families, so please encourage families to apply as soon as possible.

Florida Tax Credit Scholarships pay up to $4,335* in annual tuition costs per child for families that meet income eligibility guidelines. Click here to get more information and to apply.

*Florida law sets this amount based on a percentage of the Stateʼs per-pupil funding for public school students, so it varies from year to year. The amount stated above is for the 2012-13 school year. 2013-14 funding will be known in May.

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta y necesita ayuda en español,  puede solicitarla llamando al 386-462-2886 (oficina).

New Raman Reti Temple Newsletter Article About Bhaktivedanta Academy

Bhaktivedanta Academy, the Alachua Hare Krishna community's innovative pre-k through 7th grade school is about to begin taking applications for admission for the 2013-14 school year and will be hosting a prospective family open house on Monday, March 11th at 6 p.m.

This coming August will mark a major milestone in the school's history as it opens it first middle school class, headed by Jaya Sri Radhe dasi. The middle school will begin by accepting 7th grade students and will ultimately take them to 10th grade as part of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme*.

As it does at the pre-kindergarten and elementary levels, Bhaktivedanta Academy will provide its adolescent students a comprehensive educational experience where they are given the opportunity to:

• Gain insight into their true self and their relationship with Krishna through spiritual practices that include yoga, meditation, kirtan, and the study and discussion of scripture;
• Flourish intellectually within a comprehensive and challenging academic system that promotes exploration and deep thinking, driven by one's own interests and abilities;
• Engage in positive social interactions in a respectful and diverse classroom environment that facilitates freedom of movement and peer learning;
• Grow emotionally in a nurturing environment that stresses problem-solving skills, empathy, and compassion for all beings;
• Remain physically fit through play, sports, and exploration of the outdoors.

Altogether, Bhaktivedanta Academy's educational program is designed to give children the opportunity to grow to their highest potential — academically, socially, emotionally, and physically — all the while developing their spiritual identities in a nurturing and positive environment.

Call 386-462-2886 or go to www.bhaktischool.org to learn more about the school and to schedule a visit.

Bhaktivedanta Academy offers a variety of scholarship programs to help offset the cost of tuition. Go to www.bhaktischool.org/financial-aid for more information.

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*Bhaktivedanta Academy is a applying to be a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education — that we believe is important for our students. Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.