Durga Suktam
With the aim of imparting right ethics, human values and principles to the children Balvikas is started by the Shirdi Sai Center. Ethical values are nurtured by teaching good moral stories from our scriptures Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagawath Puranam etc. Balvikas address the spiritual needs of children and help to mold their character through our value based curriculum. Chanting Slokas and Bhajans impart spiritual health and also improve inner peace.
Balvikas program was started back in 2008, we had 75 students then while 2009 through 2023 each year we saw the strength of 150 students enrolled. With the divine blessing of Sri Sai Baba and great support from our committed volunteers more than 1500 students graduated since the inception of Balvikas program. This year 2023-24 our target is to enroll 175 students. Yoga and Pranayam is taught to calm their minds and thereby make them free from stress and peer pressure. Meditation is practiced by children helping them to increase their focus.
Also several extra-curricular activities like paintings, Essay writing, Dancing, Dramas are conducted for the overall development of the kids. Group Discussions and Public Speaking are also practiced to develop their self confidence.
Goals
Components of Balvikas
Guidelines for Classes
Groups
Policies
Guidelines for Parents
We encourage parents to stay at the temple while their children are in class. Parents will have an opportunity to volunteer while their children are in class. Parents can also meditate and pray in the main hall.
Please make sure that class materials are placed in a three ring binder and those children bring their materials to every class.
We also encourage you to talk to your children about proper behavior and conduct while they are at the temple. We, of course, will reinforce proper behavior and conduct while they are in class.
Commitment to Balvikas
Children registered for Balvikas classes are expected to make a commitment to attend classes regularly. If your child is signed up for extra curricular activities such as tennis, soccer, music or any other activities, please ensure that there is no conflict with Balvikas class timings. In order to benefit from these classes, regular participation is required. As a family, please commit yourself seriously to Balvikas on Sunday mornings.
Dress Code
Please ensure that your children are dressed modestly when attending Balvikas. Children should not be sent to school wearing the following clothing: mini-skirts, tight tops, tank tops and shorts for boys and girls.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is crucial for children attending Balvikas classes. A minimum of 80% attendance is expected of all children attending classes. We are often inundated with long waiting lists and would like to give opportunity to parents who are truly committed to bringing their children to classes consistently. Consistent unexcused absences will result in a child being removed from enrollment in Balvikas.
Punctuality
Classes will start promptly at 10:00 am. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to start of the class. If you are late, you will be asked to wait until there is a pause during the prayers.
Drop off/ Pick Up
Please use the front entrance to drop off your child for class. During pick up time, we will dismiss G1, G2 and G3 in that respective order. Please make sure you are arriving 10 minutes before 12 noon & 2:45 pm to pick up your child. A Child will be asked to wait in the class until his/her parent comes for pick up. Consistent tardiness to pick up your child will result in a re-evaluation of your child’s enrollment in Balvikas.
Parking
Attached is the map that shows the appropriate places to park when you are at the temple. Do not use parking space on RT-27, always park at the back street of the temple or park at the “Jelly Bean” Parking lot. We also have weekend devotees that come for prayers/meditation and we need to ensure that parking space is available for them as well. In addition, the local township will cite the temple for violations if parking rules are not followed properly.