VEDIC ACADEMY SCHOOL POLICIES

Handbook for Parents

2013-2014
ISKCON OF SILICON VALLEY

Vedic Academy
2013-2014
 Vedic Academy Policies
Handbook for Parents
2013-2014

- Please retain for your records –

Contents
Message from the President……………………………………………2

Vedic Academy’s Mission & Purpose…………………………………3

Admission……………………………………………………………....5

Codes of Conduct………………………………………………………6

Programs for the Academic Year 2013 – 2014………………………...7

Vaikuntha Children Sunday School……………………………………8

Krishna Classes……………………………………………………….12

Vedic Mathematics……………………………………………………13

Language Arts – Sanskrit……………………………………………..15

Chess – Beginner & Intermediate…………………………………….16

School Year Information 2013 – 2014………………………………..18

Academic Highlights………………………………………………….19

Contact Information…………………………………………………. .20

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Dear Parents,

Hare Krsna!

The Vedic Academy at ISKCON of Silicon Valley (ISV) is here to serve you and
your whole family.

We believe that education – and especially education that instills spiritual values -
is the foundation of good character, healthy family relationships, and success in all
areas of life.

For example, in the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krsna says that a truly learned person is
one who sees the spiritual essence in every living entity. That is, one who knows
that the physical body is only a temporary covering of the soul, and who therefore
sees that each body is a temple in which resides both the soul and the Supreme
Lord, naturally treats every living being with respect.

Studies have shown that children who imbibe such spiritual values tend to feel
more content and determined as they mature.

The cherished principles of compassion, service to others, and the ability to control
one’s senses, and so on, all grow from the ground of spiritual knowledge and
practice.

We have established the Vedic Academy to provide the children of the Bay Area
an enriching learning experience that will last their entire lives, giving them useful
life skills, such as leadership, and problem solving; as well as self-esteem and
courage to deal with the modern world’s unique issues.

Our teachers practice what they teach and are expert at making learning fun.

Please join us!

With gratitude,

Vaisesika Dasa

Temple President, ISKCON of Silicon Valley

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 VEDIC ACADEMY’S MISSION & PURPOSE

Vedic Academy aims to provide holistic education for the whole child (mind, body
and soul) to develop integrity, compassion and more importantly devotion to God.
Our mission is to provide a spiritually stimulating learning environment that will
nurture the young minds to realize their diverse and distinctive potential and
successfully apply their learning in the real world by cultivating character, self-
esteem and happy impressions of living, learning and serving together.

A child’s quality of life is a major concern for parents in these times of vivid
exposure to immorality and unethical values. In such times exposure to good
experiences is essential to build strong character. We at, Vedic Academy, aims to
provide that proper character. Located at the heart of Mountain View, the school is
affiliated with the ISCKON of Silicon Valley (ISV) and has a total of about 40
children enrolled.

To uphold its mission and vision, Vedic Academy strives to embrace its core
values.

1. Joyful Spiritual Experience

Create a fun filled environment that enriches the child’s spiritual growth

2. Respect and Self-control

Foster the child’s awareness of a spiritual identity, shared by all people and living
entities and thus respect everyone by transcending differences based on age, race,
gender, species, belief and faith affiliation. The child will learn self-control to
reflection, prayer and meditation.
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3. Compassion and Gratitude
Provide an atmosphere which fosters sharing and cultivating loving relationships
based on compassion and gratitude; concern for animals, nature & environment.

4. Collaborative Leadership
Inspire team spirit, generosity and a share sense of vision, purpose and
achievement.

5. Courage and Confidence

Develop the child’s confidence, ability for self-expression and natural affinity for
self-discovery by reinforcing positive behavior.

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 ADMISSIONS

Applications for enrollment are accepted without regards to ethnicity, religion,

gender, or national origin.

To enroll, read the policies contained in this Handbook for Parents and complete
and sign an application. Submit the application and a check for tuition payable to
“ISKCON of Silicon Valley” at the time of registration.

Parents will be notified in writing for changes in school policies. In general, policy
changes are only made at the start of new academic year. Programs are offered
based on space availability and sufficient demand.

Children presently enrolled at Vedic Academy must reapply each year. For a
student to be enrolled, enrollment application and tuition fee must be submitted. It
is important to Vedic Academy that a good relationship exists among parents,
students, teachers and staff.

Students who are enrolled through the end of the academic year will be given their
progress reports and class pictures.

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 CODES OF CONDUCT

We are here to learn.

We respect others and their thoughts.
We respect Vedic Academy.

Some Specific Reminders

Punctuality

Students are expected to be punctual and attend school regularly unless sick or
otherwise excused by the teachers.

Personal Property

Students are expected to respect the temple property, teachers and other students.

Vedic Academy is not responsible for personal property that is lost or damaged.
We recommend that students do not bring valuable property to the classes.
Students are requested not to bring electronic devices to classes.

Clothing

All students will be clean and neat in appearance and will abide by Vedic
Academy’s Uniform Policy.

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 PROGRAMS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2013 - 2014

 Vaikuntha Children Sunday School

This is an exclusive program conducted by Vedic Academy every Sunday

evening to teach children the richness of Vedic culture, traditions and
profound spiritual values. There are different classes for different age groups
starting from 3 – 15 years.

 Vedic Academy’s Krishna Classes on Saturdays

It is an interactive session held on Saturday evenings where kids learn yoga,

mantra meditation, music and Values education with a lot of stories from the
Vedic scriptures. The age group is from 3 – 15 years.

 Vedic Mathematics

It is a flexible program for children of 6 years and above to enhance their

mathematics/analytical, academic and inter-personal skills by using ancient
Vedic methods.

 Language Arts – Sanskrit

In these classes, children of 6 years and above will learn the basic Sanskrit
language both writing and conversing. It will help them to learn and
memorize the rich Sanskrit slokas from the Vedic scriptures.

 Chess

These classes help children improve focus, memory, ability to concentrate

and problem solving.

 Book Club

The children come together periodically to read spiritual books and share
their insights and inspirations from what they have read. It enhances their
reading and public speaking skills helping them to achieve academic
excellence.

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 VAIKUNTHA CHILDREN SUNDAY SCHOOL

This is a weekly program for children of 3 years and above to come together every
Sunday to learn about the Vedic culture, traditions and profound spiritual values
and in a loving environment. It is a yearlong program from September to June of
every year. This program will provide the foundation for building character in
children from an early age.

The curriculum is designed on the basis of Vedic books written by A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the leading exponent of Vedic Science. These
books teach the timeless Vedic science with stories and lessons that help children
develop character and personality. The Sunday school program is structured in the
following way:

 Each school year is comprised of many sessions with a specific curriculum

 Each session is an hour long
 Each session is independent of other sessions so children can begin schooling at
any point of time of the year.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Children are exposed to extra-curricular activities such as art, drama, dance, and
cooking, so that they learn lessons more thoroughly, and in an interactive manner.
 Art : Art programs are conducted once in a month to fuel creativity in children
 Drama Club: Little children are always excited about acting. In the drama club,
they practice drama projecting themselves in several characters from the stories
learned from the Vedic texts.
 Camps : During summer and winter breaks, the Sunday school staff conducts
camps for children. These camps help children explore new places of interest in a
safe environment, and be merry during the holiday time.

The program is categorized into four different levels based on the age group:
 Damodar (Age 3 to 6 yrs)

Curriculum for Academic Year 2013 - 2014

 Animals in Vedas
 A to Z Spiritual Letter Land

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  Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam

Goals:

 Complete the curriculum books

 Learn first ten slokas of 8th chapter of Bhagavad Gita
 One “Values Education” classes with per month
 Complete 10 Arts & Crafts projects
 Take part in one drama and give one formal presentation in front of an
audience
 Learn “Jaya Radha Madhava” bhajan

 Gopinath (Age 6 to 9 yrs)

Curriculum for Academic Year 2013-2014

 Coming Back - Reincarnation

 Introduction to Bhagavad Gita
 Festivals of India – Part I

Goals:

 Completing the curriculum books

 Perform 2 dramas and give 2 presentations in front of an audience
 Take part in the Gita Jayanthi festival
 Values Education & Character Development session once every month
 Complete atleast three arts & crafts projects
 Learn “Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna” bhajan
 Participate in daily Chapter a day (CHAD) and read chapter 8 of Bhagavad
Gita

 Madan Mohan (Age 9 to 12 yrs)

Curriculum for Academic Year 2013-2014

 Is there life on other Planets?

 Bhagavad Gita As It Is – Chapter II
 Heroes from the Vedas
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 Goals:

 Completing the curriculum books

 Ongoing Mentoring sessions that will help children learn to confidently face
the external world and overcome negative influences at school and outside.
In order to achieve this, there will be an interactive Values Education &
Character development sessions on relevant topics
 Perform 2 plays and 2 presentations in front of an audience
 Take part in Gita Jayanthi festival
 Complete atleast 3 arts & crafts projects
 Public Speaking and Group Discussion
 Learn “Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna” bhajan
 Participate in daily Chapter a day (CHAD) and read chapter 8 of Bhagavad
Gita

 Kaisora (Age 12 – 15 yrs)

Curriculum for Academic Year 2013 – 2014

 Applied Bhagavad Gita Part 1

1. Check Mate – Yoga of Existential Crisis; How does Gita help deal with
crucial situations in life?
2. Identity – Unveiling the Existence of Soul; Gita Vs Modern Science on
Source of Consciousness; Being conscious of spiritual reality
3. Karma – The Universal Network of Actions; Is there an escape from action?;
Two Classes of Action
4. Mind Matters – Understanding the Vedic Psychology; Greatest Enemy;
Mind Control; Resultant behavioral shifts
5. Moods and Modes – How the material affects us; Three Modes of Nature;
Know Your Personality

Goals:

 Complete the curriculum books

 Ongoing Mentoring sessions that will help children learn to confidently face
the external world and overcome negative influences at school and outside.

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 In order to achieve this, there will be an interactive Values Education &
Character development sessions on relevant topics
 Perform 2 plays and 2 presentations in front of an audience
 Take part in Gita Jayanthi festival
 Public Speaking and Group Discussions
 Learn “Guruvandana” Bhajan

COURSE FEE:

For Damodar group (3 – 6yrs), it is $150 for 10 months

For all other groups, it is $200 for 10 months

TIMINGS:

For Damodar (3-6 yrs) and Gopinath (6-9yrs), every Sunday evening from 5.00 –
6.00pm

For Madanmohan (9-11 yrs) and Kaisora (12-15 yrs), every Sunday evening from
4.00 – 5.00pm

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 KRISHNA CLASSES

It is an interactive session held on Saturday evenings from 6.00 – 8.00pm where

kids of age 3 years and above learn yoga, mantra meditation, music and Values
education with a lot of stories from the Vedic scriptures. The objective of the
program is to sharpen the brain, inculcate spiritual values, and develop good habits
with healthy life style in children. The program is categorized into two different
levels based on the age group.

GOPAL (6 yrs and above)

 Introduction to Bhagavad Gita (Main curriculum) – Five themes of BG,

Importance of BG, famous verses from the Gita for memorization
 Food diet and life style - Mantra Meditation for mindfulness, sharp memory
and intellect Values Education -
 Kids Yoga
 Music
 Vedic Math (world’s fastest mental calculation system)

At the end of the program the children will be able to:

1. Do mental arithmetic calculations with accuracy and speed

2. Understand the importance of Mantra meditation and its effect on
academics
3. Appreciate the rich Vedic culture and traditions
4. Follow healthy food and lifestyle and move away from junk food and bad
habits
5. Develop respect towards elders and inculcate good values in day to day
living
6. Demonstrate high level of creativity
7. Focus better on their studies

DAMODAR (3 – 5 yrs)

 Getting to know Krishna

 Devotional English Rhymes
 Sloka Recitation - We will provide the slokas appropriate for this age group
 Story Telling: Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata & Srimad Bhagavatam
 Arts & Crafts

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 VEDIC MATHEMATICS
Vedic Mathematics is the name given to the ancient system of Indian Mathematics
which was rediscovered from the Vedas between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati
Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960). According to his research all of mathematics is based
on sixteen sutras, or word-formulae. These formulae describe the way the mind
naturally works and are therefore a great help in directing the student to the
appropriate method of solution.

Vedic Math is more than 1500% times faster than normal Math. It sharpens the
mind and increases mental agility and intelligence. It is a blessing to everybody in
this day and age when people’s numerical skills are deteriorating as the use of
calculators is increasingly commencing at a younger age. Vedic Mathematics’
shorter, quicker and easy to remember techniques enable any student to do
calculations faster than they would with conventional methods. Students of Vedic
Mathematics dispel their fear of mathematics and gain a new-found confidence to
work on any mathematical problem without apprehension. .
This course aims to promote the traditional knowledge of Mathematics mastered
by the mathematicians of ancient India.

Course Duration:
This is a 10 week beginner level course at two levels viz. 1st to 3rd grade and 4th –
8th grade children. The students will be given homework sheets, weekly tests and
an exam at the end of the course.

Course Fee:
$100 for the entire course + $25 Materials fee

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Curriculum:
Week 1 : Addition and Subtraction

Week 2 : Multiplication : Tables of 6,7,8,9

Week 3 : Multiplication : Numbers closer to bases

Week 4 : EKĀDHIKENA PŪRVEŅA : Applications in Multiplication and

Squaring

Week 5 : Quiz 1

Week 6 : Multiplication : Numbers greater than bases, and more tricks

Week 7 : NIKHILAM METHOD : Division & Recap of Multiplication

Week 8 : Finding the day of the year *MENTALLY*, Visual Multiplication

Week 9 : More Miscellaneous Tricks, Revision

Week 10 : Vedic Math Level 1 Exam.

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 LANGUAGE ARTS - SANSKRIT

This course is for beginners who are interested to start their journey into Sanskrit.
The Sanskrit beginner’s course is a stepping stone for learning the divine language
Sanskrit and will serve as a window for all those who want to have a peep into the
priceless tradition, culture and philosophy of India. The course will help children
to read, write and memorize the ancient Sanskrit texts such as Srimad Bhagavad
Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam etc.

Course Duration:
This is a 14 week beginner level course for children above 6 years of age. The
students will learn to write Sanskrit texts, basic grammar and basic elementary
conversation. There will be an exam at the end of the course. Classes will be every
Saturday from 10.30 – 11.30 am starting from September 14, 2013.

Course Fee:
$80 for the entire course

Curriculum:
 Introduction to Sanskrit texts
 Verb
 Tenses
 Conversation

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 CHESS – BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE

These classes are for the fall quarter. If the child is 10 years and older but new to
chess, then we recommend enroll the child in the beginners course.

Playing chess has many benefits such as increase in the IQ level, exercises both
sides of the brain, increases creativity, improves memory, enhances problem-
solving skills, improves concentration and teaches planning and foresight. More
than anything, its fun for children.

CHESS BEGINNER:

The beginner’s chess course aims to provide the best foundation for success as a
beginner chess player because it teaches the basics the right way and develop an
efficient thought process from the start. The course design allows all students to
improve from whatever level they are at, but is mostly directed to those who are of
beginning level.

Course Duration:
This is a 15 week beginner level course for children above 6 years of age. Each
class period is composed of 30 minutes of instruction followed by students playing
in open or small tournament games. Classes will be every Wednesday from 6.00 –
7.00pm starting from September 18, 2013.

Course Fee:
$100 for the entire course

Curriculum:
The course begins by demonstrating how the pieces move and gradually progresses
to basic checkmating patterns, common tactics, and fundamental positional
concepts.

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CHESS INTERMEDIATE:

This course aims to provide the best foundation for success as an intermediate
chess player. The Intermediate chess course is designed for students who already
know the basics of how to play chess. Principles of tactics and strategy will be
taught to prepare students for more rigorous competition.

Course Duration:
This is a 15 week intermediate level course for children above 10 years of age.
Each class period is composed of 30 minutes of instruction followed by students
playing in open or small tournament games for the rest of the class. Classes will be
every Wednesday from 7.00 – 8.00pm starting from September 18, 2013.

Course Fee:
$100 for the entire course

Curriculum:
The course teaches different checkmating patterns, smart strategies and move,
common tactics, and fundamental positional concepts.

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 SCHOOL YEAR INFORMATION 2013 - 2014

Welcome to Vedic Academy! This packet information is to help you prepare for a
wonderful school year. Please review this and contact us if you have any questions.

We look forward to an exciting year of fun and learning the Vedic Academy Way!

Before School Begins

Prepare Uniform

Please collect the uniform from any of the Vedic Academy Staff. It is mandatory
for children to wear their uniform during the Sunday School classes.

Review Policies

Please review this material upon enrollment for tuition information, health , codes
of conduct, and other information.

How You Can Help Your Child Succeed

Prepare Your Child for these Classes

We request you to talk to you children about the importance of spiritual education
and development of Vedic values and good character.

Support the Codes of Conduct

Take time to review your child’s commitment before school starts and throughout
the year.

Attend Parents Teacher Meeting (PTA)

Please attend our periodical Parents Teacher Meeting in order to know about your
child’s progress and to give us your feedback.

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 ACADEMIC YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

Curriculum Events

Vedic Academy includes many events and contests in its curriculum to help
students develop strong social and communication skills, such as during the
festivals and other occasions, in which they demonstrate what they have learnt.

Achievement Reports

Vedic Academy provides two achievement reports during the year to keep you
apprised of your child’s progress. For the enrichment classes, we will award
certificates at the successful completion of the course.

Celebrations

Teachers will acknowledge students on their birthdays or other designated days.

Class Photos and Yearbook

Class photos are taken in spring for the Sunday School program. Students are
requested to wear the full required uniform for class photos.

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 CONTACT INFORMATION

Location: ISKCON of Silicon Valley

1965 Latham Street Mountain View CA 94040

All the classes will happen at the Krsna & Balarama room next to the kitchen.

Email: vedicacademy108@gmail.com

Phone: Sripriya (650) 248 6297 / Vidya (408) 718 1588

Website: www.vedic-academy.org

“Nurturing the seed of love & devotion in the hearts of the young children in
Bay area. We believe that education culminates in character & integrity.”

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 Our Beloved Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan & Sriman Mahaprabhu

ISKCON of Silicon Valley (ISV)

1965 Latham Street Mountain View CA 94040

www.iskconsiliconvalley.com

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