Bala Bhavan 2018vcscsd.com/2018BBWelcomeDocument.pdf · Stotram Lakshmi Narasimha Pancharatna...
Transcript of Bala Bhavan 2018vcscsd.com/2018BBWelcomeDocument.pdf · Stotram Lakshmi Narasimha Pancharatna...
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Bala Bhavan
2018 Vedic Cultural and
Spiritual Center of San Diego http://www.vcscsd.com/balabhavan
9252 Miramar Road, San Diego, CA 92126
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Welcome to Bala Bhavan
It is our honor and privilege to welcome all the members of the Bala Bhavan family to the
2018 BalaBhavan Program!
The BalaBhavan Program was conceived and initiated 18 years ago to help disseminate and
inculcate Vedic values among our young children to better prepare them for the challenges
and possibilities of the future. The program is 100% volunteer-based, operating under the
umbrella of VCSCSD, drawing from the incredible dedication, strengths and talents of a
vibrant and highly involved Bala Bhavan parent community. Through this program, we
hope to bring the rich mosaic of Vedic Indian culture, traditions and values to the tender
minds of our Bala Bhavan children through stories, shlokas, bhajans, debate, arts and crafts.
We hope to keep the incomparable diversity of the Indian culture and the simplicity of the
Indian lifestyle awake and alive into the next generation and beyond.
This document is required reading for Bala Bhavan parents as it provides information for
both Bala Bhavan Students, as well as Bala Bhavan Volunteers. Volunteers will be provided
more specific information regarding volunteering for specific duties through the Program
Coordinators, and the Mentoring Team relevant to the volunteering area. This document is
intended to provide the new and returning families of the Bala Bhavan student’s
information on the following:
Useful Resources Page 3
General Guidelines Page 3
Contact Information Page 6
Syllabus outline Page 6
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for Volunteers
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Useful Resources
All the following information can be found online at http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html.
(Please note that this will change once we share our assets through vcscsd links)
Calendar with syllabus, class schedules, volunteer, and student assignments,
resource links for books and websites etc.
Audio recordings of many bhajans and shlokas
Bhajan and shloka handouts
Newsletters
Bala Bhavan Guidelines
Contact Information
Balabhavan library - List of available books
Helpful Hints and Recommendations for Volunteers – in the Resources Section
General Guidelines
ATTENDANCE:
All Students and Volunteers shall be present at their respective classrooms a few minutes
before the classes begin to ensure that we start the classes on time. Parents & Volunteers can
thus be the role models in inculcating this discipline to the children.
AWARDS: The BalaBhavan calendar year is divided into two semesters. The first semester
runs from beginning of the year until the summer break. The second semester runs after
the summer session until end of the year. Attendance is mandatory for all the Bala Bhavan
participants. In order to encourage children to attend the program and to recognize
children who are punctual, we will continue to award a token of appreciation 3 times
during this calendar year.
The first award will be given before summer break to all the children who have
maintained perfect attendance during the first semester of the Bala Bhavan year.
The second award will be given after the last class of the second semester to all the
children who have maintained perfect attendance during the second semester of
the Bala Bhavan year.
The third and the final major award will be given after the last class of the second
semester to all children who have maintained perfect attendance for the entire
BalaBhavan year.
ABSENCE POLICIES: The maximum absences allowed per calendar year are four.
Absences for any reason count towards total number of allowed absences. So please plan
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accordingly. If your child has to miss a class, please ensure to notify the class coordinator
and program coordinator through this Google form absence or tardy form
TARDINESS: Parents need to make sure that children are seated in the class before 4 pm.
Attendance will be taken at 4 pm. Any child coming to the class after the attendance closes
will be marked absent. If your child comes in late, please ensure to notify the class
coordinator and program coordinator through this Google form absence or tardy form
Any other form of communication will not be considered. Please be sensitive to the fact
that late arrivals not only disrupt the class, but also makes the child lose out on continuity
and completeness of the program.
FAMILY EMERGENCIES - in such a case, please make an effort to let the Class and
BalaBhavan coordinators know at the earliest possible opportunity (via e-mail/Google
form)
More than four absences and frequent tardiness (except due to family emergencies) will
result in the removal of the child from Bala Bhavan Program.
PARENTS PRESENCE AT THE TEMPLE: Parents presence at the temple during the
session of the BalaBhavan classes is mandatory. Please do not drop off your kids at the
temple to run other errands. Balabhavan coordinators cannot be solely responsible for your
child, as they have other duties to fulfill. Your participation in this program is equally
valuable to your children.
CONDUCT
Parents are requested to monitor and maintain orderly behavior of their children at all
times:
Please do not encourage running around in or outside the temple premises as this
may result in an injury to your child.
No child is allowed into the Temple Office room. Any violation will result in a
warning, and repeated violators will be asked to leave the BalaBhavan program.
Kindly refrain from feeding your children in the main temple praharam/hall, so
that the sanctity and cleanliness of the temple is maintained
Please strongly encourage your children to clean up after themselves when using
the temple restrooms.
Children and parents must keep their shoes/slippers in an orderly fashion in the
shoe rack provided outside the temple. Please do not leave them lying around in a
haphazard manner. We request that parents be responsible for this and
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help/instruct their child (ren) accordingly. If a volunteer is there to enforce it,
please respect their requests.
Please remember that BalaBhavan is a program entirely dependent on dedicated
volunteers who are also working parents. We have to enforce the rules in order to respect
their hard work, the time they volunteer and their efforts in educating our children. We
sincerely request your cooperation and understanding.
VOLUNTEERING: This being a 100% volunteer run program, it is mandatory that for
each child enrolled in BalaBhavan, at least one parent should be volunteering in some
capacity. Prior to the start of the program year, the BalaBhavan Calendar and Syllabus is
published and will be emailed to all BalaBhavan families. It is the responsibility of each
BalaBhavan parent to review the calendar and note down the dates and specific
assignments allotted. Unless there is an unavoidable circumstance, volunteers must
volunteer on the pre-decided date. If there is an unavoidable circumstance the volunteer
must notify the respective Class Coordinator and the Program Coordinators in advance
through BalaBhavan email. They should also reach out to another volunteer on the
calendar to make sure that they are able to switch out their turn with another person.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the volunteer themselves to find out an
alternative person and not the duty of the Class or Program Coordinator.
Volunteers are also strongly urged to contact their Mentors or Class Coordinators to get
more details about volunteering. For each area regularly covered in BalaBhavan (Story,
Shloka, Bhajan) there are individual Mentoring Teams (consisting of experienced, helpful,
and seasoned volunteers) who can help and guide newer volunteers appropriately.
PARENT MEETING: We will be holding a parent meeting on two Saturdays at the temple
(date will be announced later; generally it will be held towards the beginning of the year).
We require at least one parent to attend either one of the meetings.
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Contact Information
BalaBhavan Program Coordinators
Kalpana Sharma, Madhukara Satyanarayana and Ramya Venugopal.
Email: [email protected]
Class Coordinators
Level Coordinators Email
Toddler Gayathri Sankaran and RajyaLakshmi Penumarti [email protected]
Junior Vidhya Kumar and Rajashree Balaji [email protected]
Senior Vandana Parasaram and Ashwini Yoganarasimha) [email protected]
Super Senior Lavanya Kadiyala and Sivagami Paneerselvam [email protected]
LIBRARY: Balabhavan library is located near the temple’s kitchen. The library hours are from 4 PM – 5
PM. In order to checkout a book from library, you must first reserve it using the library link. The library
volunteers receive the request and keep the book ready for you. Please respect their time & library rules.
Children and/or a responsible adult is required to create an account in librarika
(https://balabhavansd.librarika.com ) in order to view the catalog or reserve books.
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Syllabus Outline
In 2018 we will be covering these different subjects for the children (and parents) to
ponder about. We encourage both children and parents to do additional research into
these topics if interested. Please refer to the calendar to find out more.
Student Presentations
Class presentations are based on the Values book for junior class and Isvara and Religious
Discipline for senior class. Copies of the Guidelines for teaching as well as textbooks are
available at the library. Please check out both the guidelines as well as the textbook for the
presentation. The children may not be able to read and understand their assigned topics
by themselves. We request the parents to read to the child (ren). Encourage your child
(ren) to write their presentation by themselves. Please do not write for them. Please
ensure that the presentation is short (less than 5 minutes).
Junior Senior
Introduction to values such as Truthfulness,
Friendship, Parent & siblings, Mastery of
mind, Firmness in resolve, , Straight
forwardness, Attitude towards food, Absence
of six fold enemies such as : Desire, Anger,
Pride, Greed, Jealousy etc.
Topics on Isvara, Topics on
various Religious disciplines such
as : Planetary deities, Devotion &
devotees, Surrender, Prayer,
Meaning of Om, Vows, worship,
Japa, Silence, Resolve, Pilgrimage
etc.
Newsletter topics
The Senior class will be doing the Newsletter for Balabhavan. The topics for this year‘s
newsletter are Religious or Cultural significant places in India.
Stories
Toddler Junior Senior Super senior
Tales from
Panchatantra
The Ten Avatars
and story of
undeterred
Devotees
Goddesses &
Significant female
characters in
Puranas
Significant
characters from
Puranas
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Bhajans
Toddler Junior Senior Super senior
Ganga Jatadhara
Gowri Shankara
Gajanana Hey
Shubhanana
Gowri Nandana
Gajavadana
Bolo Bolo Sabamil
bolo om Namah
Shivaya
Shankara Sadadshiva Dhimika Dhimika
Dhim
Bhola Natha re Manasa Bhajare
Gurucharanam
Atmarama
Anandaramana Shailagirishwara
Uma Maheshwara
Nandeeshwara Jaya Jaya Shankara
Kamala Nayana Ram Shivaaya
Parameshwaraaya
Shambho Shankara
Saamba Sadashiva
Ramachandraprabhu
Raghuvamsa Rama
Gowri Nandana
Gajaanana Manasa Bhajar Ramachandra Prabhu
Raghuvamsa Rama
Bhaj Man Raam
Panduranga
Jaya Ganesha Rama Nama Taraka Rama namo Anantha Kalyana
Gunabhi Rama
Durga Bhavani Ma Rama namo Raghavam
Karunakaram
Bhajo Madhura
Harinaam
Sharadhe Sharadhe Govinda Madhava Jaya Nandalala Prabho Ganapathe
Devi Lakshmi Mam
Pahi
Jaya Nandalala Govinda Madhava Girija Nandana
Radhika Manohara
Madanagopala
Madhusudhana
Harey Madhava
Gajanana hey
shubhanana
Var de Veena
Govinda Hare Gopala
Hare
Prathama Ganapathi Prabho Ganapathe Madhurapuri Nilaye
Meenakshi
Gajanana Hey
Shubhananaa
Var de Veena Sharanam Siddhi
Vinayaka
Madhurapuri Nilaye Kasturi Tilakam
Lalaata Phalake
Amba Sharadha Devi
Saraswathy Jago jago Ma Bhajo Madhura
Harinam
Jaya Saraswathy
Maha Lakshmi
Bhavani Mahalakshmi Jagan
Matha
He Govinda He
Gopala
Navaneetha dadhi
chora
nandasunandadi
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Hum Ko Man Ki Radha Ramana
Mukhanda Madhava
Deva Deva Deva
Krishna
Dinabandupahi Radhe Govinda Bhajo
Shlokas
Toddler Junior Senior Super senior
Gajananam Shiva Maanasa Pooja Shiva Maanasa Pooja Vishnu
sahasaranama Sahana Vavathu NamaRamayanam-
BalaKandam
Shiva Panchaksharam
Asathoma
Sadgamaya
Ganesha Stava
Stotram
Lakshmi Narasimha
Pancharatna
Stotram1-5
Shuddha Spatika Sharadha Bhujagam
1-8
Ganesha Stava
Stotram
Ramaya
RamaBhadraya
Nama Ramayana -
BalaKandam
Annapoornashtakam1-
8
Sri Rama Rameti
Lakshmi Narasimha
Pancharatna stotram
Anjaneyam Madhi
patalanam
Vakratunda
Yaa Kundhendhu
Moonshika Vaahan
Karagare Vasathe
Lakshmi
Agajaanana
Padmaarkam
Saraswathi
Namstubhyam
Kaayenavaacha
Manasendriyerva
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Nyana Nandha
Mayam
Tvameva Matha
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the FAQs asked by many parents: Please bookmark the link(s) and
refer to them frequently.
Q. What is Bala Bhavan’s URL?
A: http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html
Q. Does Bala Bhavan follow any Guidelines?
A: http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html?section=guidelines For Guidelines pertinent to
the Bala Bhavan students, please read the document in its entirety!
For Guidelines, Recommendations, and Helpful Hints for Bala Bhavan Volunteers,
please contact the Bala Bhavan Program Coordinators, and the individual Mentoring
Teams for Story Telling, Bhajans, or Shlokas.
Q. Where do I find the Calendar document?
SDBalabhavanCalendar
Q. Where do I find the Bhajan document & bhajans audio?
A: http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html?section=bhajans Click on “Bhajan document”
above Shiva Bhajans. Click on individual bhajans for audio recording. Additional
bhajans are currently being added to the website, hence in the interim, audio CDs of
some of these bhajans will be made available through the Program Coordinators.
Q. Where do I find the Shlokas document and shlokas audio?
A: http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html?section=slokas A large number of shlokas are
compiled into a s single document; to access this document, click on the Shloka PDF
format or Word document format to download all these Shlokas. For audio recordings,
click on the individual shlokas (below Shiva shlokas PDF and Vishnu Shlokas PDF).
Q: What books do I need?
The following set is recommended for interested parents:
Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme (Complete Set); Ramaswamy, Sunita & Sundar
Set Includes Vol. 1 thru 3 (Teacher's Manuals) + 7 Workbooks + Puja & Prayers book w/ 3
cassettes covering all 36 prayers.
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Available at http://books.arshavidya.org/ under the category: Arsha Vidya Books,
Audio & Video.
Format: PB 1637 Pages + 3 Tapes Publication Date: 2/1/2000
If you are ordering for yourself please check if anyone is interested and share the
shipping costs.
Q: What books are available in the Bala Bhavan library?
The following link has the list of library books. http://vcscsd.com/balabhavan.html?section=library
The link also enables you to see a digital image of the book cover. Each child is allowed
to borrow 2 books at a time and please browse through the list of available library
books and bring in the numbers of the required books. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Frequently Asked Questions for Volunteers:
Q: Whom do I contact if I wish to volunteer in Bala Bhavan?
Thank you for your interest! Please enquire with the Program Coordinators.
Q: What kinds of volunteering opportunities are available in Bala Bhavan?
We are always looking for more dedicated and motivated volunteers for the following:
Bhajans (teaching Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes), updating and editing of
Bhajan Document, updating website with newer bhajans
Shlokas (teaching Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes)
Story Telling (for the Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes)
Coordination of Summer activities such as Summer Camps, Picnic, Field Trips, for
coordination of Pujas, Registration of new and existing students, Photography,
Videography (for Annual Talent Day), to name just a few.
Q: Is there a Calendar that gives me information on Dates and types of volunteering I
have been assigned for?
Yes, please comprehensively review the Bala Bhavan Calendar.
Q: How can I access help or training material for my volunteering duties at Bala
Bhavan?
For each area regularly covered in Bala Bhavan classes (Story, Shloka, Bhajan), individual
Mentoring Teams are available to help and guide newer volunteers as needed. Please feel
free to contact your Bala Bhavan Program Coordinators
([email protected]) or your appropriate Mentoring team as necessary. It
is the responsibility of the volunteers to schedule time with the mentors and get trained
and be prepared for the class.
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Story Mentoring Team: [email protected]
Bhajan Mentoring Team: [email protected]
Shloka Mentoring Team: [email protected]
Training material (recommendations, helpful hints, etc.) Will be uploaded onto the
“resources” section of the Bala Bhavan website shortly.
Additionally, the Mentoring Team is available on site to help volunteers:
Training Sessions for Bhajan Volunteers: Please contact the mentors
Training Sessions for Shloka Volunteers: Please contact the mentors
Volunteers are requested to be prepared for their assignment well ahead of time – it is
recommended that shloka and bhajan volunteers start training with the Mentoring
Team at least three weeks ahead of their assigned date/s of volunteering