Class on 11/1/15

Hari OM
Dear Parents and Children.
This Balavihar session's assembly gave an important point on learning Guru Stotram. We would want all kids of our class to learn and sing appropriately. (We do not specify to memorize, but if they do that's more than welcome) We have been doing the Guru Stotram in class, learned 5 verses. Our Homework this week is a repeat of last week's, chanting those 5 verses every day and kindly mark the prayer log in the assembly handbook. All in our class has the assembly handbook, which is to be brought to Balavihar every time and sing/chant along in the assembly referring to the book. This also makes to get to the BRHschool on time to attend the assembly and cultivates a discipline in the little ones.

After the assembly when we reached our class, we had a volunteer to help us for the day, Abhiram a freshman from Princeton U. He was our BBNJ balavihar alumni and is a good student. We started our class with OM chanting 3 times and the opening Sahana vavatu. We did art projects in the beginning, with Yashas and Dhairyam for Hanuman Ji's backbone project. (kids those who missed out last week, weregiven extra time to complete the last week's work as well) after which we did the thoran making too.

With a short snack break (please send in healthy, nut free snack and NO candies) we began the qualities from the dhyana slokam- Nirbhayatvam and Arogataam.

Nirbhayatvam

1.  What is Fear?- when we are afraid of some people or situations.
2.  Is fear necessary?- yes, a little bit to finish our duties.
3.  What is fearlessness?- A state of being free from fear.
4.  How can we become fearless?- Honest living, keeping GOD in our minds.

We saw the story of Swami Tapovan Maharaj JI, our Gurudev's Guru JI. How fearless he was in between the forest among all ferocious and wild animals.

Having faith in God, gives us a no fear feel.

Arogataam

1. What is Good physical health?- Body free from all disease.
2. What is good mental health?- Mind free from all disease.

We identified some qualities that make you weak and strong in the form of a game.

How can I avoid getting sick?

1. Eat good and healthy food.
2. Keeping self clean.
3. Living in a healthy environment.
4. Exercise.

Avoiding mental sickness.

1. Take away and clean up the germs of laziness, greed, anger.
2. Avoid harmful TV shows.
3. Read appropriate books.
4. Pray GOD everyday.

Points to Remember-

• Kindly send in Pencils, erasers,crayons, markers -own supplies (sharing is of course caring, but sharing/borrowing should not be a regular business)
• Kindly send in hand sanitizers to quick cleanse palms before snack or after using art materials.
• Kindly send in Healthy and NUT FREE snack and a water bottle (labelled)
• Please make the kids wear Indian clothings (A Balavihar Tee is good enough as well)

The next Balavihar session is on 11/15/15. Please get your art work for Chitra mela by 15th or 22nd latest (emails to follow, please watch out for the same) and the Balavihar Family Thanksgiving Lunch on the 22nd November. Please look out for evites (sent last night) and if possible kindly sign up for potluck. Thanks.
Attached is a pic of 11/1 class.

Have a great Diwali/DeepavaLi. Best wishes.

Thank you.
Dhairyam Teachers.