Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do you do in Balavihar?

What age child can join Balavihar?

What time does these classes meet?

What textbooks do you use?

Do I pay for these materials?

Is there a fee to join Balavihar?

How do I sign-up for Vindhya/Himalaya Balavihar?

Do you have classes all year round?

I would like to bring treats for the children. How do I sign-up?

Answers to FAQ:

What do you do in Balavihar?
The Vindhya class format was developed keeping in mind the children's developmental age and limited attention span. The class begins with invocatory prayers and ends with concluding prayers. The proposed syllabus for Spring 2003 includes "Sri Hanuman Chalisa" (with meaning), followed by story-telling/bhajan/ symbolic concept, and in-class coloring. Children will be viewing 10-15 minutes of selected multimedia presentation. Children are encouraged to bring in their coloring homework from the previous class so they can be rewarded with a sticker. Coloring homework is distributed at the end of each class.

While each Himalaya class is slightly different, we follow this general format. Every class begins with a set of invocatory prayers. We will continue and complete "Sri Hanuman Chalisa" over Spring 2003. We typically cover materials specific to a Hindu festival/ symbolic concept/ story/ bhajan/ Hindu calendar, etc. A multimedia show usually follows this, and we end the class with concluding prayers.

At the end of both classes, children also receive a treat brought in by Balavihar parents who have signed up in advance.

What age child can join Balavihar?
The Vindhya class is comprised most of preschoolers with a few kindergarten attending children. The Himalaya class is comprised mostly of elementary school children in the age range 6-10 years. The Senior class primarily includes those children 10 years and older. All Balavihar classes are held in the S.V. Temple complex.

Please Note: S.V. Temple Balavihar attendance certificates are handed out at the end of each academic year.

What time/where do these classes meet?
Vindhya section 11:00a.m.-noon Small Auditorium
Himalaya section 11:00a.m.-noon Main Auditorium

We begin class on time, and also make every effort to end on time.

What textbooks do you use?
For the invocatory/concluding and completed class prayers, a copy of the handouts will be available during class time.

Do I pay for these materials?
S.V. Temple Youth Committee has sponsored payment for all the photocopies that are given out in class. So, there is no charge to you for any of the copies. As a token of your appreciation to S.V. Temple, please generously offer your volunteer services whenever possible.

Depending on the curriculum being covered in a particular semester, the assigned materials may require a purchase fee. The temple bookstore has "My Prayers", "Bhagavadgita", and several prayer booklets available for purchase.

Is there a fee to join Balavihar?
There is no fee to join Balavihar. It is backed by S.V. Temple's commitment to promoting Hinduism and is a group effort that is run by several parents who volunteer their time. Monetary support for photocopies, and miscellaneous art project purchases is made possible by the support of the Youth Committee of S.V. Temple.

How do I sign-up for Vindhya/Himalaya Balavihar?
Please send an email to this email address (srivaru@svtemple.org) with the following information:
Name of child/children to be enrolled
Name of parents
Address
Telephone number
Email address

Please note that all Vindhya and Himalaya section communication is primarily by email.

If you do not have email access, please sign-up in class providing the same above information. A sign-up sheet is usually available with one of the parent volunteers. Please check with the volunteer teacher. If you sign-up in class and do not have email access, please indicate on the sign-up sheet. Every effort will be made to request a phone-in parent volunteer who will convey all email messages to you by phone.

Do you have classes all year round?
Vindhya & Himalaya operate on a semester basis, Fall and Spring terms. The Fall semester begins the weekend after Labor Day weekend and concludes by mid-December. The Spring semester begins mid-January and concludes the weekend prior to Memorial weekend. No Vindhya & Himalaya B™lavih™r classes are held in the interim summer months.

I would like to bring treats for the children. How do I sign-up?
The voluntary treat sign-up is handled at the end of each semester for the next semester. The sign-up sheet for Spring 2003 is complete. Therefore, please consider signing up for a future term. If you have any questions, please direct them to one of the volunteer teachers in class.