Hurricane Irma Recovery School Update (2017-09-13)

Dear Families,

As of today, September 13 at 4:30 p.m., here is our status:

• Power to the school continues to be disrupted by a downed power line. The New Raman Reti Temple also remains without electricity.

• The phone lines that our fire alarm system uses to communicate are also out of service.

• Some staff continue deal with personal power/water outages and damage to property.

Due to these conditions and to give time to investigate and implement remedies to the issues that continue to impact our school, we will remain closed throughout this week.

We are making every endeavor to re-open as soon as possible. We are working with the Department of Children and Families, the Early Learning Coalition, and Alachua County Fire to determine what we are allowed to do to provide a safe environment for students to return.

We will continue to keep you updated as we have new information to share. Your patience and support through a very difficult time for many has been greatly appreciated.

Yours in service,

Visvambhara Dasa

Post Hurricane Irma School Update

***EDITED POST 09/11/2017 7:30 P.M.***

Dear Friends,

I hope this message finds you all safe in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. 

The Bhaktivedanta Academy campus did sustain some damage from the storm. In particular, a large oak tree fell, knocking out the main power line servicing the school and adjacent properties. Clay Electric has been notified and we are awaiting their response. By the Lord’s grace, no structures were damaged.

Our goal is to re-open school as soon as possible but are dependent on Clay Electric to remedy the situation with the downed power line.  We will need to take things day to day. 

There will be no school on Tuesday Wednesday. We will send out a notification by 5 p.m. Tuesday Wednesday advising of our status for Wednesday Thursday.

We will be having a post-Irma clean-up on Tuesday Wednesday, starting at 8 a.m. If you are in a position to help, we would greatly appreciate your assistance helping to get the campus put back together. Please bring chainsaws, blowers, and wheelbarrows if you have them. Due to safety concerns related to the downed power line, no minors can be on campus during for the clean up.

If you or your family have been harmed by the storm, please let me know, so we can get the word out to assist. 

Yours in service, 

Visvambhara Dasa
Head of School

Hurricane Irma School Update

Dear Families,

As we all prepare for and await the arrival of Hurricane Irma, it is still too early to determine how this storm will impact Bhaktivedanta Academy. We will conduct an evaluation late Monday afternoon, once the storm is projected to be past us. Resumption of school will depend on several factors:

• Extent of any damage to buildings/facilities
• Amount of debris clean up required
• Availability of running water (the New Raman Reti Temple has a generator that powers auxiliary wells)
• Resumption of electrical power or setup of alternative electrical sources
• Availability of teaching staff 

It is highly likely we may not be able to resume school until Wednesday, September 13 at the earliest, possibly longer (worst case scenario). Everything will depend on the factors listed above. 

We certainly hope the impact of the storm is minimal for Bhaktivedanta Academy, our families, and our greater community. We will do our very best to keep you all updated as much as possible once we know.

Please be on the lookout for emails, phone calls (504 area code), and/or text messages. In the meantime I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. Wishing you all the very best.

Yours in service, 

Visvambhara Dasa 

Head of School

School Cancelled Friday, September 7

Due to hurricane Irma, Governor Rick Scott has ordered all public schools closed tomorrow. Bhaktivedanta Academy will also be closed on Friday. 

School is scheduled to resume on Tuesday. An update will be sent if this changes.  

We wish you all a safe next few days. 

Severe Weather School Closure Notice - Monday, Sept 11

We have received news that the Alachua County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 11 due to Hurricane Irma. Bhaktivedanta Academy will also be closed on Monday as a precaution. 

We will continue to send updates as more information is received. Please be on the lookout for text and/or phone messages if school closure is expected to extend beyond Monday.

More information about the storm and how to prepare for it can be found at www.alachuacounty.us/news/pages/story.aspx?itemID=158