Hari Dear Parents!

We pray that all our families are keeping safe and invoke the Lord's blessings upon all during this challenging time that our world is facing. Good News! Chinmaya Mission Peoria is all set to begin our weekly Chinmaya Bala Vihar and Adult Study sessions online from this Sunday, March 29th. Overview of the Chinmaya Bala Vihar Sessions Online (E-Balavihar), in lieu of in-person sessions, is given below.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

 E-Balavihar sessions are scheduled to be conducted via Zoom Video Conferencing.  Each class session will be 1 hour long.  AM sessions will start at the usual time of 9:30 AM and end at 10:30 AM.  PM sessions will start at the usual time of 12:00 PM and end at 1:00 PM.  The online sessions are by grade level and continue as before: Prahlada, Nachiketa, Sri , , Sri , and Chinmaya classes.  AM and PM Adult Study sessions will start at their usual time of 9:30 AM/12 PM and end at 10:30 AM/1:00 PM.

LOGIN CREDENTIALS FOR STUDENTS

 Zoom link for your child will be provided by your child’s class teacher via email by Saturday evening (3/28/2020).  The Bala Vihar sessions are setup as recurring meetings, hence the zoom link to join the meetings is a static link – it will not change from one week to another.

PREPARATION FOR (E-Balavihar) ZOOM SESSIONS

 Identify a computer (PC/Mac), iPad, Tablet, or Chromebook with Internet, webcam, audio, speaker/microphones capabilities.  Charge your devices ahead of time.  Do a test run of Zoom log-in before the sessions start.  Test your device’s camera, microphone, and audio features.  If multiple people are joining Bala Vihar session at the same time, usage of headsets and earbuds is highly encouraged. Please be seated in reasonable isolation to minimize audio interference and disturbances.  If the student is not already familiar, please help your child become familiarized with using Zoom controls.  Joining the Zoom session via phone is NOT allowed. If you have no other alternative, please contact the class teacher ASAP for special permission. All the etiquette rules defined here will apply to cell phone usage too.

ETIQUETTE TO BE FOLLOWED BY CHILDREN  Our E-Balavihar will be a place of learning and worship in lieu of our in-person classes at the mission. Therefore, treat these sessions with respect just like regular onsite classes.  Dress appropriately as you would for a regular Bala Vihar.  Sit in a clean place with good lighting and minimal disturbance  Sit prepared with your notebooks, textbooks, and workbooks. Running for supplies during class will be distracting.  No eating/drinking/walking around/engaging in any other activity during class time.  Parents of younger grades (up to 3rd grade), be accessible to your child to help when needed.  Zoom Technology Etiquette  Ensure devices are charged and ready for use.  Ensure video is turned ON and student’s face is fully visible.  Ensure audio is muted. Unmute only when you are required to speak.  Use of headsets is permissible & encouraged to avoid distraction to oneself/others.  Use the ‘Raise your Hand’ feature/raise your hand- per teacher's instruction and wait until you are asked to speak.  Use the ‘Chat’ feature responsibly to ask questions and share thoughts.  Follow other etiquette shared by your class teacher.

We hope that you will embrace this new format of Chinmaya Bala Vihar whole heartedly and help us make it a successful transition. Moving forward we hope to restart Gita chanting and Hindi classes ... Will keep you posted. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

With Prem and Om Chinmaya Hamsavaahini