SILC 2010-11 News

Monday, August 22, 2011

SILC: Registration Reminder (first day of classes: 10th Sept 2011)

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

As you are aware, registration for the SILC academic year for 2011-12 is now open. I am excited to you inform you that the roll out of "GURUKUL - SILC online registration system" is successful. We have not heard any issues from any one so far. Also note that the registration link works from anywhere (I understand some of you are traveling are are in India or elsewhere).

Please visit http://www.silcmn.com and click on GURUKUL link to register. The first day of classes is on 10th September; Orientation to SILC for the new and existing families will be held on the same day. Special communications (directory, syllabus, guidelines) will be sent to those who are registering. Please take sometime today to register your child or yourself today.

It is possible that some of your friends who are interested in SILC may not be getting this communication. Please feel free to forward this email. The registration is now opened up for all the existing and new families as well.

Until we have the formal list of registrations (limited to 200 for the next academic year 2011-12), I plan to send SILC communications to the entire SILC community (to all students, parents, teachers and volunteers from earlier years as well). If you do not wish to receive these communications, please let me know. You can always catch up on the SILC happenings on a weekly basis at http://www.silcmn.com and http://www.silcblogs.com

--
Regards
Siva Jasthi
Director - Communications
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Friday, August 12, 2011

SILC: Registration is now open for 2011-12 via GURUKUL

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

Registration for the SILC academic year for 2011-12 is now open. We are excited to announce "GURUKUL - SILC online registration system". Please visit http://www.silcmn.com or click GURUKUL link to register. If you have registered your child for soccer, lacrosse, basketball, etc. in your local community, you might already be familiar with this system.

Until we have the formal list of registrations (limited to 200 for the next academic year 2011-12), I plan to send SILC communications to the entire SILC community (to all students, parents, teachers and volunteers from earlier years as well). If you do not wish to receive these communications, please let me know. You can always catch up on the SILC happenings on a weekly basis at http://www.silcmn.com and http://www.silcblogs.com

And also note that, tomorrow 13th August is IndiaFest (from 12 to 5 PM at St. Paul Capitol Grounds). Admission is free to this event; SILC is a proud sponsor of this event and please make sure that you visit SILC Booth @ IndiaFest 2011.

--
Regards
Siva Jasthi
Director - Communications
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Visit SILC @IndiaFest on 13th August 2011

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

IndiaFest is the joyful celebration of the rich culture and heritage of India, by the Asian Indians with all Minnesotans. India Association of Minnesota (IAM) has been proud to present this annual event for the past couple of decades. It was formerly popular as the Festival of India. This year, IndiaFest is held couple of days ahead of India’s Independence Day (August 15^th) on Saturday, August 13, at the St. Paul Capitol Ground, from 12-5 PM. For further details, please visit http://www.iamn.org/

SILC is a gold sponsor of this event and has signed up to show case our dance talent at this event. SILC will be performing these three dances at IndiaFest 2011.

SILC will also be setting up a booth at this event and you can register for SILC 2011-12 academic year. Please make sure to stop by SILC booth

-
Regards
Siva Jasthi

Director - Communications
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
siva.jasthi@gmail.com
info@silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Thursday, July 28, 2011

SILC Weekly Digest (07-29-11) - Start of 2011-12 Academic Year

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

Hope you are all having wonderful summer so far.

Thanks to dedication and volunteering effort you put in, we had a successful academic year 2010-11. SILC is working for the last two months in planning for the next academic year 2011-12. We are working to bring on additional members to SILC Board and new teachers to teach, assist and substitute for language and elective classes. If you are interested to teach a new Indian language or an elective at SILC / or volunteer at SILC, please contact us.

The registration for the next academic year opens on August 13^th at IndiaFest 2011. We are working on automating the registration process for the next year and are running the final tests for “GURUKUL – SILC Registration System”.

Until we have the formal list of registrations (limited to 200 for the next academic year 2011-12), I plan to send SILC communications to the entire SILC community (to all students, parents, teachers and volunteers from earlier years as well). If you do not wish to receive these communications, please let me know. You can always catch up on the SILC happenings on a weekly basis at http://www.silcmn.com and http://www.silcblogs.com

There are many events scheduled during the next couple of weeks in or around twin cities related to SILC, India. I am providing the list of these events for your information. Please plan to attend these events to complete your summer.

[1] IndiaFest 2011 (Saturday 13^th August 2011 – visit SILC Booth at this event)

SILC is a gold sponsor of this event and has signed up to show case our dance talent at this event. SILC will be performing these three dances at IndiaFest 2011.

SILC will also be setting up a booth at this event and you can register for SILC 2011-12 academic year. Please make sure to stop by SILC booth

[2] Vibha Cricket Carnival (30^th July 2011 Saturday) – visit SILC Booth at this event)

http://wiki.vibha.org/Minnesota:CricketCarnival2011

2011 VIBHA CRICKET CARNIVAL
PROUD SPONSORS:
Boston Scientific (Platinum)
Menon Periodontics & Implants LLC.

We would be having a record 28 teams this year competing for the championship title of the VIBHA Cricket Carnival and this would not have been possible without the efforts of multiple volunteers who have been working tirelessly.

For execution of this event, we definitely need a lot of volunteer support and we will be meeting at Victoria Ballfields on Friday (July 29th) at 6.30pm to go over the event day tasks and activities.

Also, in addition to the competitive tournament, we will be having a carnival for the first time with stalls for everyone to enjoy:

Henna
Kite flying
Handmade jewelry
Indian Food!!! (Jalsa)

The carnival will be held on July 30th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Please spread the word about the Carnival amongst your friends and family members.

We hope to see a lot of you on the day of event.

Regards,

Cricket Organizing Team

[3] Nepali Scholarship Benefit Event (31^st July 2011, Sunday)

The 6^th annual Nepali Scholarship Benefit will be held on Sunday, July 31^st at the Glen Park Shelter in River Falls from 4:00pm until dusk. A dinner of traditional Nepali food will be served at 5:30, followed by entertainment of Nepali dance and music. A silent auction and sale of Nepali handicrafts will also occur during the event. Donations of $10 per adult and $5 for children over 6 years are requested.

Proceeds from the benefit go to the Durga Educational Society, which is a non-profit organization in Nepal that provides homes and education for the homeless children from the streets of Nepal. In addition, the foundation is building schools in the rural area of Nepal to provide education in the villages. To further assist some of these children in receiving a college education, a Nepali scholarship fund has been developed.

Find us on Facebook Nepal Scholarship Benefit or contact Sheila Schils at 715-222-8279 for more information.

Sheila and Brian Schils

N8139 900th St.

River Falls, WI 54022

715-425-7643

[4] IAM Student Fellowship (Apply by 31^st July 2011 Sunday)

IAM Student Fellowship is awarded to High School Students graduating every year in Minnesota and proceeding to College/Universities for Higher Education who have outstanding academic background combined with contributions to the Indian Society at large.

More details about the Fellowship can be found in the Application Form & can also be found on our website at: www.iamn.org. The scholarship deadline this year is July 31st, 2011 and the eligible individual(s) will be receiving a $1,000 fellowship award for higher studies at the India Fest, on Aug 13th at the St.Paul Capitol Grounds this year.

Click here for the 2011 application form: http://www.iamn.org/events/Indiafest2011/IF_2011_Student-Fellowship-Program_AppForm.doc

[5] Fancy Dress Competition at the IndiaFest 2011 (Register by 31^st July 2011 Sunday)

Does your child have talent? How about showcasing it at the Fancy Dress Competition at the IndiaFest 2011?

India Association of Minnesota (www.iamn.org) would like to invite your kids to participate in the Fancy Dress Competition at IndiaFest 2011 on August 13, 2011 (Saturday), 12AM to 5 PM at St Paul Capitol Grounds.

The theme of the competition is "Indian Celebrities". Each act will have 60 seconds on stage. Your child must be 5-12 years old. The number of spots in the competition is limited and selection will be on a first come, first served basis. The first round of entries will close on Sunday, July 31st.

To enter your child into the competition, send an email to CulturalPrograms@iamn.org with the following information:

Name of child (s):
Age:
Your contact Info (phone number and email address)

Phone:

Email:

Preferred method of contact:

Details about the act

Name of Celebrity:

Any scripting you'd like us to use to introduce the act (optional):

Any music you'd like played during the act (optional):

-
Regards
Siva Jasthi

Director - Communications
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
siva.jasthi@gmail.com
info@silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Sunday, May 22, 2011

SILC: Weekly Digest (05_22_11)

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

Thank you all for making 2010-11 graduation / annual day a success yesterday. It is nice to see the presentations from all the students - reflecting what they have learned at SILC.

Here is the link to the graduation / annual day pictures; We are working on to make the videos available at a later time.

SILC: Graduation Day (05-21-2011)

Without the help and dedication from all of you - teachers, volunteers, parents and students, we wouldn't have had another successful year.

Teachers/Volunteers	Class
abhi nayar	MC for graduationd day
aishwarya menon	dance - tweens
amrit Devgun	dance - children 1
anil kumar	tabla
anjali goptal	Social Studies - 3, dance-youth
baiju sadanandam	gurukul - silc registration system
divya karan	silc board - curriculum coordinator, hindi - 1b
divya raman	art, literature
erin oberdorfer	principal, silc board
gayatri moorthy	hinidi -4
geetha sharan	Preschool
gupthan namudiripad	malayalam adults
jeyanthi govindhan	dance - children 1
jyothsna harris	Preschool
kamakshi Lakshminarayan	Substittue Teacher - Tamil
krishnanan numbudiripad	silc board
krupali shah	yoga, gujarati
lakshmi buddhavarapu	silc board - secretary
lakshmi warriar	cooking
lata menon	dance - adults, malayalam 2
mahima gupta	MC for graduationd day
mangala achar	kannada, silc board - treasurer
manu achar	Social Studies - 3
mary kate	dance - tweens
namrata gupta	gurukul - silc registration system
natarajan raman	silc board - volunteer coordinator
neelam malhotra	silc board, dance - youth
nidhi khandelwal	hindi -preschool
padam sharma	nepali
pamela berry	snack coordinator
prad das	bengali
praveen puligondla	sports / cricket
preeti jariwala	gujarati
punjabhai patel	yoga
raj menon	silc board, gurukul - silc registration system, social studies
ralph Davini	silc board
reshmy Narayanan	hindi -3
riya Arora	hindi -2
sapna Das Bradoo	Social Studies - 1c
sarah hansen	literature, art
seema nambudiripad	hindi - adults
shalley Gupta	Social Studies - 2
shiv bhatia	silc board - asst principal, hindi - 1a ,editor - silc year book, editor - silc news letter
siva jasthi	silc board - president, telugu, gurukul - silc registration system
sona das	bengali
sonja Agarwal	Social Studies - 1b
sridevi mahavadi	hinidi -4
srinivas bukkuri	telugu
suganya chandrasekharan	tamil
sunita Mannamkunnath	hindi -2
varsha bhatia	Social Studies - 1a
vishnu nambudiripad	malayalam 1

On behalf of SILC Board, I thank you all for your contributions. We had lunch celebration at Surabhi restaurant today to appreciate our volunteers and it is attended by around 35 people. Thanks for making it to the event.

Before you get busy in your kids schools or summer break, here are some things you need to follow up

[1] All the dance students interested in participating in summer festivals (dragon festival, burnsville international festival, india fest) should contact Neelam Malhotra and watch out for the email communications from her

[2] If you couldn't make it the graduation day event yesterday and wanted to get a copy of the year book and certificate for your child/yourself, please contact Shiva Bhatia for arrangements. Considering that we will be bumping into each other at one or other summer festival, we will work out the logistics.

[3] If you want an extra copy of the year book for yourself or to be given to your extended family, please contact Shiv Bhatia. Each copy costs $5 and will be available on first-come first-served basis.

[4] SILC Board will continue to meet over the summer for planning for the next year and will keep you posted on a regular basis.

[5] If any of you are interested to teach at SILC or assist / substitute in teaching, or to serve on SILC board, please contact us. If you are interested to start a new language or new program, please contact us with your proposal.

[6] Most importantly, if you have any ideas, suggestions for improving on how we can do better at SILC, please pass those on.

Have a wonderful summer

--
Regards
Siva Jasthi

President
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
siva.jasthi@gmail.com
info@silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Friday, May 20, 2011

SILC: Graduation Day (05/21/2011)

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

I hope you are all getting ready for the graduation day tomorrow. The final preparations are going on and we are all feeling excited about tomorrow.

Here are some quick reminders for the tomorrow

[1] Please plan to be in the auditorium by 9:45 AM. The graduation event will start at 10 AM. We have a program packed for over 2.5 hours with all lanaguge students and electives students performing.

[2] At the entrace to the auditorium, you can pick a copy of the schedule

[3] Please feel free to bring another family or friend. This is a great day to show them what you and your children are learning at SILC

[4] We will be assembling in the cafetaria for some light snacks after the event;

[5] Once you are in the cafetaria, please ensure that you collect your year book from Shiv Bhatia

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow

--
Regards
Siva Jasthi

President
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com
siva.jasthi@gmail.com
info@silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821

Sunday, May 15, 2011

SILC: Weekly Digest (05/15/2011)

SILC: Holi Celebrations (05-14-2011)

Dear SILC Students, Parents, Teachers and Volunteers:

It is wonderful to play Holi outside the school in the drizzle yesterday. Some of you almost dropped out of the fun due to the drizzle. I am sure you are all glad now to venture out to have fun. Color and some drizzle is great combo. Pictures speak 1000 words and watch the fun we had in this album.

My family and I went to Hindu Temple of MN today to watch Samparnam - Indian Classical Dance program by twin cities dance teachers and their students; It is nice to see so many SILC members there. Special appreciation to Neelam Malhotra - our dance teacher, and Samykuta and Divya - SILC students. We are all proud to have you as part of SILC family.

Next Saturday 21st is the big day at SILC - it is graduation day; All our langauge and elective classes will be presenting what they are learning through out the academic year. This is also a perfect day to bring a family or two along with you to show them what your children are learnign at SILC. Please feel free to bring a friend or family with you.

Please note that the graduation event will be held in the auditorium. So, please ensure that you directly come to the auditorium by 9:45 AM and settle down in your seats. We will start the program with vande mataram at 10:00 am and the children need to be on stage before that.

We are looking for some additional volunteers to setup the stage and to make the arrangements (projector, mike, screen, speakers). Please contact Shiv Bhatia or show up at 9:30 to help us out.

I will send out another mid-week summary of the finalized graduation schedule. Printed copies will also be made available for you to pick up upon arrival. However, here is an inkling of the outline.

of the schedule. We will have language and elective classes to come up on stage class-wise to show / perform what they have learned. In the end, we will also invite all the volunteers, teachers and SILC board members to come up on stage to see the people who worked hard to make this year a success. The graudation event will be followed by light snack in the cafetaria.

We expect to wrap up the event by 1 PM. Please ensure that you get a copy of the year book and certificate (all students and volunteers will get one) before you leave SILC.

Please note that I have finally managed to upload the pictures from Social Studies Day. See the Weekly Digest dated 03/27/2011 or click here to see the pictures. On seeing these pictures, you will get an idea of how the graduation day is going to be.

See you all next week along with your friends and family.

Regards
Siva Jasthi
President
School of India for Languages and Culture
http://www.silcmn.com/
siva.jasthi@gmail.com
info@silcmn.com
(mobile) 612.217.4821