Dear Friends,
This is news from YICG's Vedic Program about our High School curriculum this year. Do share with families who have youths in this age range. Here is a link to our entire curriculum from Gr: N-12. YICG Vedic Program
The upcoming year promises to be the most exciting ever for our Vedic senior most group, now called 'Vedic-6', for lack of creativity!! This is for grades 8-12. There are exciting additions so please read the email, even if your child is not in it.
This year's topic is 'Values & Virtues', and I will be exploring key verses from the Gita (Ch. 10 & 16). We will chant the verses and reflect on the concepts. This reflection process will include discussions, skits, journaling and making games and tools. My personal goal is that our students never forget 'Vedic 6'! Many of you already know about our 'Games for Seva' initiative. To accommodate the time for collaborative work, I have added a new component. Students who cannot stay past 3:15 due to another class or other activities are excused. If your child would like to participate in the 'Games for Seva' collaborative but is unable to stay later, please talk to me. The new structure looks like this:
2:00 - 3:15 pm - Vedic topic based on Curriculum - prayer, main topic, meditation
(Gr 8-12)
Jan-Feb 2017 - Special workshop on 'Puja and Prayers'
3:15 - 4:00 pm - Game for Seva (Gr 7-12) - Collaborative work. There will be special projects for incoming Juniors and Seniors. Please talk me to me about that as I understand our Juniors and Seniors have very crazy schedules.
All students of YICG can participate in this effort so contact me.
4:00 pm onwards - Basketball and otherwise chilling at YICG!
Some of our Juniors have already taken on commitments for 'Games for Seva' and I will be sharing their projects in a later forum. My personal goal is to make meaningful opportunities available to our students and also serve the larger community in the process. Creating games, resources and tools as a direct result of learning, along with the required research is a meaningful, dharmic activity and one of the highest forms of Seva. Our students will develop a clear understanding of what it means to be a Contributor, instead of a Consumer.
I would like to see every student who walks into my class develop a strong sense of Seva, and it starts with the spirit of 'How can I contribute to this class and help my fellow classmates develop their best talents'. I do believe every student can contribute, irrespective of attendance!! Clearly students who can maintain a consistent class attendance will develop a broader perspective. But many students are extremely rushed and their Saturdays are unbelievable!! But what they can develop is to see themselves as 'Contributors'. And they can take on commitments on their own time and bring it to the class and their groups. My job is to create these opportunities, bring in talent to educate and develop, and build a Seva initiative that benefits our dharma beyond the YICG borders. I am hoping you can join this effort!
I am amazed by how many adults have jumped right in to help with their enormous talents. We need more! If you can participate please stand up and shout!! I will hear you!!
Looking forward to a wonderful year of enthusiasm and Vedic learning.
Best
Rathi Raja
Diwali Fest: Nov 19th -Mark the date!
