Parents’ Orientation (2015 - 2016)
Chinmaya Balavihar was started in Ann Arbor 31 years ago with the blessings of
H. H. Swami Chinmayananda. We now conduct Balavihars on Saturdays at Bharatiya Temple Troy, Parkview Elementary School in Novi and on Sundays at Chinmaya Avantika in Ann Arbor, Hindu Temple in Canton and Bharatiya Temple in Lansing.
The children are between the ages of 3 & 18. The curriculum is set in such a way that Hinduism is taught in a progressively advance method as the kids grow up. Kids are inspired to learn our culture and rich heritage by well trained and dedicated Sevaks and Sevikas. These people are not only committed to teaching voluntarily, but also attend Vedanta study groups regularly to keep up with their knowledge base.
While the children are in their classes, the parents are exposed to Bhagavad Gita lectures by our Acharya, Sharada Kumar. She has been trained by Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda himself. She teaches some chanting in the beginning to set the mood and then goes into in-depth explanation of Gita verses. People are free to ask any questions during this time.
Bringing up children outside of India is made a little easier when they are exposed to our culture and are taught the right values from the young age. Chinmaya method has been proven to be very effective time after time.
So, WELCOME TO THE CHINMAYA FAMILY!
Some Guidelines For the Parents
1. People should be registered and the fees paid to attend the Balavihar. The fee is tax-deductible.
2. Chinmaya Mission is noted for its punctuality. So please try to be at the Balavihar at least 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the session.
3. It is MANDATORY that at least one parent attend the session with the kids. It will benefit you a lot if both the parents can attend. This way, not only do you get exposed to our scriptural teachings, but get to be a part of your children’s spiritual unfoldment. One of the important underlying factors for this is in case of dire emergency the kid(s) are attended to, as appropriate, without any delay, if a parent is available on hand.
4. If it is not possible for the parent to be present during Balavihar then he or she should designate some parent to take full responsibility for the kids in case of emergency. If that is not feasible then the kid(s) may be brought to any other Balavihar by the parent.
5. IMPORTANT: If, due to some emergency, you are not able to attend the Balavihar but plan to send the kids with some other adult, you MUST inform me () of your absence (With the reason) because of legal issues. Please include the name and e-mail address of the designated guardian.
6. Please have a separate Balavihar bag/backpack for the kids so that they can carry their books, notebooks, homework, handouts, craft projects, pens/pencils etc.
7. Please take down the name, phone number and e-mail address of your kids’ teachers. You MUST inform the teachers if your children are not able to attend the Balavihar and give the REASON FOR THEIR ABSENCE. The children will learn the value of being accountable through this.
8. Once a year we have a cultural show around the theme of Republic Day of India. All children MUST participate in this event.
9. Once a year we have sponsored Puja (Lakshmi Kubera Puja during Diwali). It is your choice to participate or not.
10. Please see to it that your children are placing their shoes in a neat fashion.
11. In the adults’ class, the main text taught is Bhagavad Gita. But, before that we revise chanting of a few shlokams learnt in the past (Soundarya Lahari, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Lalita Sahasranamam, Kanakadhara Stotram, Aditya Hridayam etc.) Books can be bought from the books co-ordinator. If you do not wish to purchase those books, please download the shlokams from the internet. For Bhagavad Gita, you may buy the book or bring any Bhagavad Gita book from home. This year 11th Chapter Gita will be taught. Please bring the Gita book and the shlokams every week.
12. Since you have the activities for the whole year, please give priority to Chinmaya Mission activities. Please make it a habit to come to Avantika for the special programs to show your support. We need help in various areas.
14. Please remember to bring flowers and/or prasadam whenever there is
a Puja at your Balavihar.
Thanks.
With Love and Om,
Sharada
Monthly Activities
For weather related or any updates go to Chinmaya-aa.org
September, October 2015
• Sep 12/13: Ganesha Puja, Parent Orientation
• Sep 26/27: Last day of Registration
• Oct 10/11: Parents/Teachers’ Conference
• Oct 13–Oct 20: Swami Ramakrishnananda lectures at Avantika
• Oct 13 – Oct 22: Navaratri Celebrations at Avantika
• Oct 17/18: Saraswati Puja & Swamiji at Balavihars
• Oct 16, 17 Fri, Sat: – Garba/Raas at Avantika
• Oct 21, Wednesday: Saraswati Puja at Avantika
• Oct 22, Thursday: Vijaya Dashami at Avantika All Study groups
• Oct 30 Friday: Karwa Chauth at Avantika
• Oct 30 – Nov 1: CHYK Retreat at Avantika
November, December
• Nov 7/8 : Lakshmi Kubera Puja (sponsored) for Diwali in Balavihars
• Nov 26: Thanksgiving Celebrations at Avantika
• Nov 28/29: NO BALAVIHAR, Thanksgiving Weekend
• Dec 21 Monday: Bhagavad Gita Jayanti / Swami Tapovana Jayanti at Avantika – Chanting of all 18 Chapters of Gita at Avantika.
• Dec 26/27 & Jan 2/3 : NO BALAVIHAR – Winter Break
January 2016
• Jan 9/10 Balavihar Restarts in New Year
February, March, April
• Feb 28: Sunday Republic Day Celebrations at EMU Convocation Center. No Balavihar classes during the weekend of 27/28
• Mar 7: Monday - Maha Shivaratri at Avantika
• Mar 26/27: NO BALAVIHAR Easter Weekend
• Apr 16/17: Vishnu Sahasranama Puja for Ramanavami in all Balavihars. (Ramanavami actual date Apr 16, Saturday)
May, June
• May 1: Graduation Day
• May 5-11:Swami Chidatmananda lectures at Avantika
• May 7/8: Mothers’ Day Puja, Grand Celebrations for Gurudev’s Centenary Jayanti in all Balavihars with Swami Chidatmananda
• May 28/29: NO BALAVIHAR, Memorial Day Weekend
• Jun 4/5: Last Balavihar before summer break
• Jun 11: CORD Walkathon / Balavihar Picnic (Tentative)
• Since you have the tentative monthly activities, please try to join us in the various celebrations at Avantika and show your support. Please let us know in which area you can help. Thanks.