Kartika Fire Safety Policy

Dear Families,

ISKCON’s North American Child Protection Office (NACPO) recently published fire safety recommendations for temples to observe during the month of Kartika, where it is customary to offer lamps or candles. The policy is quoted below:

FIRE SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

For the safety of children and devotees in general, the CPO recommends ISKCON temples implement a Fire Safety Policy, in particular during the month of Kartika. 

Suggestions include:

• All children less than 11 years old must be directly accompanied by their parent/guardian while offering a ghee light.
• Children must be 11 years or older to light the ghee wicks being given to the devotees.
• Children should not be allowed to use lighters or matches. That is an adult responsibility.
• Make sure children of all ages are wearing cotton clothing when handling fire. Synthetic clothing (sweaters, jackets, etc.) catches fire easier and burns faster.
• Teaching children to respect fire, even when having a celebration is important for the safety of all.

Based on these recommendations, we have instituted the following policies to keep our students safe while participating in lamp offerings at the temple on Tuesdays:

•  Only students in Krishna Sharanam (Middle Years Programme) may serve as lamp/candle helpers.
•  A teacher is now tasked with directly supervising all elementary-age students  while making lamp/candle offerings at the temple.

Our goal is to continue to give students the opportunity to participate in the yearly traditions of Kartika and to keep them safe while doing so.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Dasa
Head of School

Important Dates for November

Fri., Nov 1  - Sat., Nov 2	Krishna Sharanam: Overnight Field Trip
Sun., Nov. 3	Daylight Savings Time ends (clocks go back 1 hour)
Tue., Nov. 5	Temple Tuesday (Krishna Sharanam Guru Puja and Kirtan) @ 7:20 a.m. *
Fri., Nov. 8	Student Holiday - Teacher Professional Development
Mon., Nov. 11	Holiday - Veterans Day
Tue., Nov. 12	Temple Tuesday (Madhurya Bhavan Guru Puja and Kirtan) @ 7:20 a.m. *
Tue., Nov. 19	Temple Tuesday (Audarya Bhavan Guru Puja and Kirtan) @ 7:20 a.m. *
Thu., Nov. 21	Ice Cream Sale
Thu., Nov. 21	Krishna Sharanam: Science Fair @ 5:00 pm
Fri., Nov. 22	Thanksgiving potluck (Ekadasi)
Mon., Nov. 25 - Fri., Nov. 29	Fall Break

Save the Date

Dec. 9	Alachua County Book Mobile
Dec. 16 - Dec. 19	Outreach Week
Dec. 23 - Jan. 6	Winter Break

*Students in Audarya Bhavan (1st - 3rd grade), Madhurya Bhavan (4th - 6th grade), and Krishna Sharanam (7th - 10th grade) meet every Tuesday at the New Raman Reti temple at 7:20 a.m. Teachers will be on duty at the temple to accept students at this time.

Bhaktivedanta Academy Students Take Part in Global Climate Strike

Champaklata Camacho shows the environmental slogan written on her handsISKCON News posted an article highligthing our student's participation in the "Fridays for Future” campaign. The full article can be read at https://iskconnews.org/young-iskcon-activists-take-part-in-global-climate-strike,7106/

The Parenting Puzzle is Back!

In Partnership with the Montessori Foundation, Bhaktivedanta Academy is Offering a 5 Week Course That Will Empower You to:

• Create alignment and positive change in your role as a parent.
• Establish a mood of cooperation and harmony with your child.
• Receive and provide support from your parenting partners.
• Better understand your child and how to best meet their needs and tendencies.
• Strengthen home/school connections.
• Develop a parenting support community with other families.

Topics

• Week 1 – Parenting for the Long Haul
• Week 2 – Why Do They Do What They Do?
• Week 3 – What to Do When You Want to Trade Them In!
• Week 4 – If We Can’t Punish or Reward, What?
• Week 5 – Parenting on the Same Page

Dates

5 Weekly Courses Begin Wednesday, October 2
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Bhaktivedanta Academy

Cost

$65 per couple
Course is normally $150 but is being offered at a discount for Bhaktivedanta Academy families.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

School Resumes Wednesday

Dear Families,

As the forecast looks more and more favorable for our area, we have opted to resume classes on Wednesday on our normal schedule. There is still a potential for wind gusts and rain which we sometimes see causing short power outages in our area. If we do happen to lose power in excess of an hour, we may have to dismiss early. If so, we will send phone and text alerts to you. 

We are optimistic that any impact from Hurricane Dorian will be minimal here and pray that those closer to the storm are not significantly affected.

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Yours in service, 

Visvambhara Dasa
Head of School