Madhurya Bhavan Welcome Letter and Supply List

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to a new year at the Bhaktivedanta Academy! And welcome to Madhurya Bhavan, our classroom for students in grades 4 through 6.  This is the largest group of older students that we have had for several years, and I am excited to work with all of you to continue building a close sense of community among our students, families and teachers, and to facilitate a love for learning in our classroom.

For those of you who do not know me well, I would like to share a little bit about myself. My name is Shantipur, and I have lived in Alachua ever since my own parents decided that they wanted my siblings and me to attend a school that emphasized a Krishna conscious education. I had wonderful experiences growing up in such an environment, and I went on to earn a degree in psychology from the University of Florida. I also received a Bhakti Sastri (spiritual studies) certificate from the Bhaktivedanta College in Belgium, and eventually realized that there would be nothing that I would rather dedicate my life to than the education of children in our own community.  

This will be my third year teaching at the Bhaktivedanta Academy, and I am currently working towards my Montessori elementary level teacher certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. We will also continue to enrich our teaching with the help of our great team of educators, including Nataka-candrika Delaney, who facilitates reading instruction and directs the spiritual curriculum, and Radha Dainton, who will be introducing our new Spanish curriculum this fall. 

Click here to download the student supply list.  Please review it and let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year.

Your servant,

Shantipur dasi

s.day@bhaktischool.org

Audarya Bhavan Welcome Letter and Supply List

Dear Families,

Welcome to a new and exciting school year! It’s a year with new beginnings—new surroundings, new friends, new experiences, new skills and new challenges. It will take time to get to know each other and to learn the rules and what we expect from one another. Together we will help our children learn many things, and we will see them grow and mature all year long.

I would like to introduce myself to all the new families who have children joining our class. My name is Satyaki devi dasi (please feel free to call me Satyaki). I have been working with children in the field of education for over thirty years. Six of those years have been here at Bhaktivedanta Academy.  I hold a BA in elementary education from San Diego State University and a Montessori elementary certificate from the American Montessori Society (AMS).  I am an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhakitvedanta Swami, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement. My husband is Babhru das. I have two grown daughters, Krishnamayi and Lalasamayi, and several grandchildren.  

We have a great team this year that will provide each child with valuable learning experiences. Nataka-candrika Delaney will continue teaching reading this year. Last year the children loved her reading program. Radha Dainton will be teaching Spanish. Ultimately, you, the parents, are your child’s first and greatest teacher. Working together, we will help your child learn many things about the world. 

A primary goal at Bhaktivedanta Academy is to provide a rich spiritual education, in the Vaishnava tradition, for each of our students. In Audarya Bhavan, which means the place of generosity and giving, students will learn spiritual principles and practice through a wide variety of activities such as scriptural study (Bhagavad-Gita in particular), singing, worship, japa meditation, and drama, to name a few.  Our aim is to create an atmosphere by which everyone is spiritually enlivened.

Click here to download the 2012-2013 school year supply list. Please read it carefully, and if you have any questions call me at (386) 266-9254. I will be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Satyaki devi dasi

Bhakti Bhavan Welcome Letter and Supply List

Dear Families,

Hare Krishna and welcome to a new school year in Bhaktivedanta Academy’s Bhakti Bhavan preschool/kindergarten class. 

For those of you who may not already know me, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I grew up in California where I feel fortunate to have been brought up in a family that practiced bhakti yoga or Krishna consciousness. I lived in a temple ashrama in Laguna Beach for several years in the early 90’s and took formal spiritual instruction from my guru, Bhakti Charu Swami, who gave me the name ‘Vrindavanesvari devi dasi.’ My experiences early on in life planted the seed of spiritual inquiry and practice that has been a theme throughout my life.

I, along with my husband, Visvambhara Aguilera, Bhaktivedanta Academy’s Head of School, and 3 children have lived in Alachua for the past 13 years. I am credentialed as an Early Childhood (ages 3-6) teacher by the American Montessori Society (AMS) and have worked with children in various capacities for over 15 years; the last 5 of which have been in the Bhakti Bhavan class here at Bhaktivedanta Academy. 

There are several other adults who will be working with your child this year, as well. 

Nataka-candrika Delaney, an experienced teacher of many years, is the school’s reading teacher and she will lead the Kindergarteners in guided reading groups. She will also work with the VPK aged children in beginning developing reading activities. Additionally, she serves as the spiritual curriculum advisor for the entire school.  

Mandie Howard will return for her second year in the class as an assistant teacher. Along with being a dedicated mother to her elementary school aged daughter, Mandie  brings with her an enthusiasm and talent for music and art. Her positive energy and love of children benefit the class as a whole.

Karuna Manna is our newest addition to the team.  She has recently relocated to Alachua with her husband and 2 children from North Carolina. She is a certified yoga and ballet teacher and has taught young children in both of these arts for many years. I am excited to have her in our class as an assistant teacher. 

The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for all but this is especially true for those children and families who are beginning their school experience for the first time. This is a time of much change and growth and I am looking forward to working with you to create a positive beginning to your child’s journey in formal education. I am also excited to welcome back the returning students who were with me last year.

Click here to download the Student Supply List outlining which materials to purchase for your child for the school year. Please let me know if you have any questions concerning this or anything else. I can be reached by e-mail: v.aguilera@bhaktischool.org or through the school office at 386-462-2886.

I look forward to getting to know and working with you and your child and to a successful year together.

Yours,

Vrindavanesvari devi dasi

Seeking Applicants for Two Positions at Bhaktivedanta Academy

The Bhaktivedanta Academy is a Krishna-centered educational institution located in Alachua, Florida. We serve Pre-K thru 6th grade students via a spiritually-based Montessori educational model, which focuses on the development of the whole child.

We are seeking applicants for 2 positions who have a genuine love for working with children, who like working with a team, and who are committed to devotional life.

After School Program Coordinator
Under the direction of the Head of School, the After School Program Coordinator is responsible for the staffing and on-going operations of after care and studio programs conducted weekdays from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Bhaktivedanta Academy. This is an hourly part-time position that will begin in August. Download the job description for additional details.

Teacher's Assistant - Elementary
Under the direction of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher's Assistant works cooperatively with the other members of the educational team to maintain an environment conducive to the children's academic and spiritual development. This is an hourly full-time position that will begin in August. Download the job description for additional details.

Interested applicants should download the employment application and may either scan and e-mail the completed application along with current resume to office@bhaktischool.org, FAX to 866-944-8834, or mail to P.O. Box 937, Alachua, FL 32616. Send all correspondence to the attention of Visvambhara das, Head of School.

Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, July 18th, 2012.

Kurukshetra Field Day Volunteers Needed

We hold our annual Kurukshetra Field Day at the end of every school year. It is a fun-filled day of activities that all the students really enjoy. Help us put on a great celebration by volunteering to help setup and run the various activities on Wednesday, May 30th. With your help we will be able to put on a fun-filled celebration for everyone.

Click to Sign-Up to Volunteer

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