VAISNAVA ACADEMY Every Sunday – 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Indian Culture Classes Clifford Marshall Elementary School 200 Moody Street Ext. Quincy, MA 02169   Program Coordinator: Suvosree Chatterjee, phone # (617) 959-6835, email: suvosree@vps-international.org   Vaisnava Academy will be reopened on Sunday, September 14th, 2008   Click here to see more about Pranayam Yoga (Breathing Excercises).   Vaisnava Academy is a service project of VPS. We meet on Sundays from 10:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Clifford Marshall School in Quincy. Our Family oriented group explores different aspects of Indian culture such as Hindi, yoga, drama, music, stories and traditional games. The academy is open to all individuals and families interested in learning about Braj/Vedic culture. There will be a small fee charged for materials and general expenses.   Vaisnava Academy Membership    Membership Dues*   Per Month 1 Year Registration fee $25 per year, per family One child $30 $225 Two children $45 $375 Three children + $55 $450   Please click here to pay your membership dues.   School year: September 14, 2008 through May 31, 2009     Instruction in:   Opening Ceremony   Hindi Language:      1.  Familiarity with most commonly spoken words in daily conversation.      2.  Writing in Hindi alphabet   Story telling:      1.  In English of Vedic tales which inspire building up of moral values and                                         familiarity of Braj/Vedic Culture   Arts and Crafts: 1.      Creative handiwork on traditional handicrafts – creation and use 2.      Home Projects 3.      Student Presentations   Yoga:      1.  Exercises geared at children’s beginning level    Games: 1.      Both intellectual and physical that develop a healthy balance of the spirit of cooperation and competition. 2.      These games foster communication skills, group problem solving and formation of friendships.   Music: 1.      Singing devotional bhajans. 2.      Playing musical instruments such as kartal, dolak and tambourine. 3.      Development of feeling for rhythm and harmony.   Dance: 1.      Basic movement of clapping hands and shuffling feet to the rhythm of the music. 2.      Optional: Traditional Indian classical dance and folk dance, stick dance etc.       (depending on number of students and availability of teachers)   Celebrations: 1.      Celebrate traditional Vedic Holidays. 2.      Celebrate other occasions such as fellow student’s birthdays, etc.    Show and Tell in Hindi.   Vedic Contributions: Philosophy, Ayurveda, Art, culture, science, mathematics, yoga, fabrics, etc.   History: Ramayan, Mahabharat, Kings, Muslim and British Occupation, Independence Movement.       Contemporary India: Modern political, economic issues, importance of preserving land and culture.   Drama: 1.      Creative dramatics basic technique for younger actors; audience and self-awareness; technique and dramatic movement.   Preparation for a dramatic / musical performance:   1.      Students will utilize all their training for the presentation of dramatic/musical performances based on a devotional theme to be presented to invited relatives and the general public at an auditorium as the finale of the school year.   It is a requirement that all of our students participate Holi, Radhastami/Nandotsava and Deepavali festivals. Students will also have the option of performing at other functions throughout the Boston area, but this is not required.     VPS also simultaneously conducts a Yoga Class and a Cricket Game for adults every Sunday. For more information regarding Yoga Classes and Cricket Game, please contact Uday Setty at usetty2001@yahoo.com   Click here to see more about Pranayam Yoga (Breathing Excercises).   -------------------------------------------------------------- Calender 2007-2008/Program Schedule   The program commences with Prarthana/Prayer and Announcements between 10:45 am and  10:50 am. We also serve prashadam after the classes (vegetarian food without onion, garlic, and mushrooms).   At least one parent, or other adult should remain at the school for the duration of the program.      September 2007   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Sept 9 City of Quincy – International Festival Sept 16 Prarthna Yoga Games Potluck Sept 23 Prarthna Vedanta/Story Games Pooja S/Garima Sept 30 Prarthna Yoga Hindi Divya/Priyanka   October 2007   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Oct 7 Prarthna Dance Games Vijji/Surekha Saturday October 13th Dandia Dance at Clifford Marshall School at 7pm Oct 14 Vaisnava Academy will be closed. Oct 21 Prarthna Vedanta/Story Dance Sudha/Reshma Oct 28 Prarthna Yoga Hindi Jyoti/   November 2007   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Nov 4 Prarthna Dance Games Harjit/Hima Nov 11 VA Dipavali/Goverdhan Puja Celebration (Festival of Lights) at Clifford Marshall at 10:30am. Potluck (vegetarian food without onion, garlic and mushrooms) Nov 18 Prarthna Yoga Hindi Pooja/Garima Saturday, November 24th Nimbarkacharya’s Appearance day celebration – Field Trip - Potluck (vegetarian food without onion, garlic and mushrooms) Nov 25 Vaisnava Academy will be closed (Thanksgiving weekend).   December 2007   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Dec 2 Prarthna Dance Games Divya Dec 9 Prarthna Yoga     Dec 16 Children’s Day Potluck (vegetarian food without onion, garlic and mushrooms) Dec 23 Vaisnava Academy will be closed. Dec 30 Vaisnava Academy will be closed.   January 2008   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Jan 6 Prarthna Yoga Games Vijji/Surekha Jan 13 Prarthna Dance Drama Sudha/Reshma Jan 20 Prarthna Yoga Drama Jyoti/ Jan 27 Prarthna Dance Drama Harjit/Hima   February 2008   Sunday Dates Arrival Class 1 Class2 Aarti & Prashadam   10:30AM 11:00am 11:45am 12:15am Saturday, February 2nd Yoga Retreat  at Clifford Marshall School – 8am to 6:30pm Feb 3 Vaisnava Academy will be closed. Feb 10 Prarthna Yoga Drama