Bala Bhavan 2013
Vedic Cultural and
Spiritual Center of San Diego
http://www.shiva-vishnu.org/balabhavan.html
7930 Arjons Drive, 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 2013 Bala Bhavan Program!
The Bala Bhavan Program was conceived and initiated 12 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, 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 – 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 students information on the following:
Useful Resources Page 3
General Guidelines Page 3
General Guidelines Page 3
Contact Information Page 5
Syllabus outline Page 6
Frequently Asked Questions Page 7
FAQs for Volunteers Page 9
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Useful Resources
All the following information can be found online at http://www.shiva- vishnu.org/balabhavan.html.
Calendar with syllabus, class schedules, volunteer, and student assignments, resource links for books and websites etc. Audio recordings of many bhajans and slokas Bhajan and sloka handouts Newsletters Bala Bhavan Guidelines Contact Information Balabhavan library - List of available books
General Guidelines
ATTENDANCE: Any child that miss three classes (not necessarily consecutive) will be removed from Bala Bhavan and that place will be allocated to the next child in the waiting list. This rule will be strictly enforced as there is always demand for new children to be admitted at all levels, and we are under severe space/class-size restrictions. Please note the following exceptions to the above "miss three classes rule":
Parents must notify (via e-mail) - in advance to the respective Class Coordinators in writing, if their child will not be able to attend a class, and specify the period (e.g. vacations). Emergencies/sickness - in such a case, please make an effort to let the Class and Bala Bhavan coordinators know at the earliest possible opportunity (via e-mail).
Repeated missing of classes or irregular attendance (except due to emergencies or extended vacation) will result in the removal of the child from Bala Bhavan Program.
Volunteers who have agreed to volunteer, and who have assigned to specific duties, must notify their respective Class Coordinator, and the Program Coordinators in advance if they are unable to take care of their assignment. In such cases, the volunteer will be assigned a responsibility or assignment of similar nature or importance.
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PLACEMENT OF SHOES/SLIPPERS: 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 help/instruct their child(ren) accordingly. If a volunteer is there to enforce it, please respect their requests.
CONDUCT: Please read the Guidelines at http://www.shiva- vishnu.org/bbguidelines.html. 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 Bala Bhavan 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. Please remember that Bala Bhavan 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, as a general rule, we request that for each child enrolled in Bala Bhavan, at least one parent should be volunteering in some capacity, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Prior to the start of the program, the Bala Bhavan Calendar and Syllabus is published and mailed to all Bala Bhavan families. It is the responsibility of each Bala Bhavan parent to critically review these documents so that they are aware of the dates and specific assignments given to them, so that they may be well prepared for their duties. Additionally, Assignment Reminders (name of volunteer, details of assignment) are sent out along with Weekly Class reminders. Volunteers are also strongly urged to contact their Program Coordinators or Class Coordinators to get more details about volunteering. For each area regularly covered in Bala Bhavan (Story, Shloka, Bhajan) there are individual Mentoring Teams (consisting of experienced, helpful, and seasoned volunteers) which can help and guide newer volunteers appropriately. Please see pg 9 of this document for more details. Training Sessions for Bhajan Volunteers: Saturdays 4-5PM Training Sessions for Shloka Volunteers: Saturdays 5-6PM
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Contact Information
Bala Bhavan Program Coordinators
Latha Sundar, Lalitha Krishnamoorthy, Hema Rangaswamy, Kumar Gowda Email: [email protected]
Class Coordinators
Toddler: Vanitha Santhanamoorthy, Vandana Santhanam, Uma Uralegaddi
Email: [email protected]
Junior: Sushma Natarajan, Rajashri Balaji Email: [email protected]
Senior: Radhika Chari, Pavani Balebail Email: [email protected]
Super Senior: Krishna Meduri Email: [email protected]
Syllabus Outline
In 2013 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.
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Stories Toddler Junior Senior Super Senior Panchatantra tales: RamayaNa Mahabharatha The Unique Morals learned; Aspects of Vedic Children & Vedic Dharma and Culture Culture
Student Presentations Junior Senior Analysis of Characters from the Analysis of characters from Mahabharatha, RamayaNa, relevance to Life Today relevance to Life Today
Newsletter topics Senior Indian Spiritual Leaders
Slokas Toddler Junior Senior Super Senior Small slokas (2-4 lines) on Achyuthashtakam, Achyutashtakam, Bilvashtakam, Achyutashtakam, various Gods: Bilvashtakam, Ganesha Ganesha Pancharatnam, Lakshminarasimha Annapoorne, Gajananam, Stotram, Mahalakshmi Lakshminarasimha pancharatnam, Gurave Sarva, Guru Brahma, Ashtakam, Manikya pancharatnam, Mahalakshmi Soundaryalahari, Karaagre Vasate, Manojavam, veenam, Nama ashtakam, Namaramaayana, Sri Dakshina- Mooshika Vahana, Ramayana, Sharadha Nirvana Hatkam, Sharada murthy ashtakam, Namastetu Mahamaye, Bhujangam, Shiva Bhujangam, Shiva sadakshara Subrahmanya Ramaaya, Shri Rama Rama , Shatpadi Stotram, stotram, Vishnu Shatpadi bhujangam, Sri Ganesha Stotram, Yakundendu stotram Vishnushatpadi Vakrathunda, stotram, Vasudeva Sutham, Tvatsannidhana Yaa Kundendu, rahito, Yatraiva Yaani Kaani Cha Papaani yatraiva mano madiyam
Bhajans Toddler Junior Senior Super Senior Anjaneya Veera, Anantha kalyana, Bhajo Madhura, Bhola Bolo Bolo Sabmil bolo, Atma Rama, Bhaja Mana Ramam, Natha Re, Dhimika Bhajo Madhura Harinam,
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Chandra Shekaraya , Bhola Natha Re, Dhimika Dheem, Bhajo man Ram, Deva deva Devi Lakshmi Mampahi , Dhimika Dhimika Dhim, Ekadantham, deva Krishna, Durga Bhavani Ma , Ekadantam Umasutham, Gajaanana Hey, Ekadantam Umasutham, Ganesha Sharanam , Humko Man Ki Shakti dena, Humko Man ki, Jag Gajanana hey Shubhanana, Ganga Jatadhara, Jago jago Maa, Sukh Karini, Jaya Hey Govinda Hey Gopala, Gauree Nandana Gajanana, Jaya (3) Ma Saraswathy, Saraswathi, Humko Man ki Shakti, Govinda Harey Gopala Jaya Nanda lala, Mahalakshmi Jag Sukh Karini,Jaya Harey, Madhurapuri Nilaye, Jaganmatha, Manasa Mithilesha Kumari, Kamala Nayana Ram, Madhusudhana Harey, bhajare, Jaya Saraswathy, Nanda Radhe Radhe Radhe, Mahalakshmi JaganMatha, Nandeeshwara, nandana, Radhey Govinda Bhajo, Prathama Ganapathi, Pashupati tanaya, Nandeeshwara, Radhika Manohara, Ram Ram Bhajo Man, Raghavam Radha RamaNa Mukunda, Rama Nama Tarakam, Rama Chandra Prabhu, Karunakaram, Ram Raghavam, Raghunandana, Shankara Sadadshiva, Shambho Shankara, Ram Bhajoman, Seshasaila vasa, Sharadhe Sharadhe Shankara Chandrashekara, Rama namo, Shambho Maha Devadeva, Sharanam Siddhi Vinayaka Shankara Chandra Shiva shambho shambho, Vishnu Priye Varalakshmi Shekara, Sharanam Shankara Saambashiva, Siddhi, Shiva Shri Ramachandra Kripalu, Shambho, Vanamali, SriLakshmi RamaNa, Vishnu priye Varade veena, Vigna Vinayaka vedaswarupa,
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://www.shiva-vishnu.org/balabhavan.html
Q. Does Bala Bhavan follow any Guidelines? A: http://www.shiva-vishnu.org/bbguidelines.html. 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 ? A http://www.shiva-vishnu.org/bbcalendar.html Click on “In HTML” or “In MS EXCEL” to view the complete year’s syllabus. Volunteers’ names can be found here. They are assigned at the beginning of the year in a round-robin fashion.
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Q. Where do I find the Bhajan document & bhajans audio ? A: http://www.shiva-vishnu.org/bbbhajans.html Click on “Bhajan document” above Shiva Bhajans. Click on individual bhajans for audio recording. Additional bhajans are currently being added to the website, hence for the interim, audio CDs of some of these bhajans will be made available through the Program Coordinators.
Q. Where do I find the Slokas document and slokas audio? A: http://www.shiva-vishnu.org/bbslokas.html 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 slokas (below Shiva shlokas PDF and Vishnu Shlokas PDF).
Q. How do I order shloka books ? A: Some additional shlokas not currently covered in the above link are available through published books. To order Shloka books call Arsha Vidya Gurukulam at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is 570.992.2339. Bookstore contact information is [email protected] and telephone extension is 567. More information at http://books.arshavidya.org/ Order the Puja and Prayers book from the Vedic Heritage Program set. If you need audio tapes please buy them with the book. Details of Vedic Heritage Program can be found at http://books.arshavidya.org/. (Scroll down to Vedic Heritage program).
Q: What other 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 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://www.shiva-vishnu.org/Library.html 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Volunteers:
Q: Who do I contact if I wish to volunteer in Bala Bhavan ? Thank you for your interest! Please enquire with the Program Coordinators.
Q: What kind of volunteering opportunities are available in Bala Bhavan ? We are always looking for more dedicated and motivated volunteers for the following: (1) Bhajans (teaching Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes), updating and editing of Bhajan Document, updating website with newer bhajans (2) Shlokas (teaching Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes) (3) Story Telling (for the Toddler/Junior/Senior/ Super Senior classes) (4) 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 which 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. 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: Saturdays 4-5PM Training Sessions for Shloka Volunteers: Saturdays 5-6PM 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.
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