Grades KG - 3

Non-violence is the value covered through stories.

They will understand the broader meaning of practicing non-violence by following Swamy’s teachings:

• Non-violence means not causing pain to others in any form,people, animals or nature.
• Not wasting food, water or money.
• Speaking only good words.
• Choosing only good books or T.V. shows.
• Being agreeable and friendly.

4th Grade

This unit in WATCH class the focus is on students to watch their heart. Through small stories children learn to pray for the welfare of everyone, kindness, compassion and forgiveness. During this unit children will learn and reflect the quote from Swami,

"One who cultivates the crop of Love in the field of his Heart is a true Christian, a true Hindu, a true Sikh, a true Muslim, and he alone is a true Human Being."

5th Grade

The 5th grade class has been learning about Ramayana throughout the year and in this unit the students will be learning about Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to carry Rama’s message to Sita Mata.
They will learn how he overcame various obstacles with his strength, devotion and intelligence.
They will learn about Hanuman’s encounter with Ravana, burning of Sri Lanka,Lord SriRama’s battle with Ravana and Vibhishana’s coronation as Sri Lanka’s king. The unit ends with Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.

6th Grade

The theme for I to We class is about expansion of one’s love from "I" to "We". Children explore the love which encompasses themselves,their Families, Community, Nation and the Universe.
In Unit 5, we discuss the importance of taking care of our World and the Universe.
We discuss Sustainability (5 R's), the beauty of God's creations, and how to take care of our Universe to preserve it for our future generations.
We also learn lessons from nature like Mountains, Rivers, Trees, etc..

7th Grade

8th Grade

Swami’s original Ceiling On Desires program consisted of practicing limits on our desire for food, money, time, and energy. Swami added a fifth area - information - with the guidance for devotees to limit their thirst for information that was not useful in their lives. With the explosion of social media and the insatiable curiosity it fosters in the public about the lives of others, this topic is so relevant for discussion with teens today. The class will explore what it means to limit one’s desire for information, techniques one can adopt, and how this can lead to inner peace in this fifth unit.

9th Grade

Our students have been studying pathways to God such as Faith, Namasmarana, Satsang and Service. In this unit we are going to be studying a compilation of Swami's discourses of how students should mould themselves into being living examples of humility, charity and character. It will follow a study circle model with Swami’s lectures, videos and personal experiences of senior students with Swamy.

10th Grade

What power does music have on the human mind? Does it just help people with dementia?


Music has an immense effect on the human mind; its fascinating ability to soothe the human entity in its profound and transformative powers is shown to be especially helpful for those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Music helps individuals reconnect with emotions that otherwise may be inaccessible. It can bring out feelings of joy, nostalgia, or comfort which may be difficult to elicit in regular conversation. Music can also improve cognitive functions such as focus, attention, and problem-solving by stimulating natural connections in the brain. Additionally, music has therapeutic potential, often used to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain as well as to overall improve well-being. Although music is a very profound tool for dementia patients, it is also applicable to other people. As stated before, music can stimulate cognitive functions and reduce stress, as well as promote social interactivity, lift spirits, inspire creativity, and improve sleep. For example, yesterday I was practicing the 8th stanza of the Guru Paduka Stotram in order to memorize it. At first, it was simply an activity of memorization; it felt similar to memorizing terms for schoolwork. But, after some time, I felt myself sinking fully into the music and then only was I able to understand the music through the tune and words. My previous stresses about upcoming events were lost in the soothing lilt of the words and calming instrumentation. So, no, music does not only affect people with dementia; it is pertinent to all.

What opinion does the doctor in the video (Alive Inside Documentary) have about American Culture?


In the documentary "Alive Inside", Dr. Oliver Sacks expresses a critical view of American culture in relation to how it treats to elderly. He states that this society tends to marginalize and neglect older adults especially those with impairments to their cognitive abilities. He suggests that modern culture often views dementia as a “silent death”, treating elderly individuals as if they are no longer valuable or capable of meaningful experiences. Dr. Sacks criticizes the tendency to treat dementia patients with a one-size-fits-all approach which lacks the personalized attention that these patients desperately need. He underlines the importance of seeing older individuals as whole people, not just as their conditions and the value of approaches such as music therapy that have the ability to restore dignity, connections, and memories.

Will you do anything differently at your next visit to the memory care center?


At my previous visits to the memory care center, I noticed that many of the patients were silently sitting in their seats not speaking to anyone unless spoken to. However when music was turned on the record player, I noticed many of the patients slowly tapping along with the beat nodding their heads. This was the first time I truly realized how much music affects the mind and body. When speaking with one patient, she told me that when she was little she remembered loving country music and she mentioned a few songs that were her favorites. It was quite simple to find out each patient's personal preference in music and their old favorites. An idea that comes to mind is to create personalized playlists for each person with their favorite genres and songs. This will help in fostering a sense of identity. Another idea I have is to play rhythmic music that encourages tapping, clapping, or gentle dancing. This can help stimulate motor skills and physical movement as well as improve coordination and motor functions. All in all, I believe that as humans, we should not only physically support these elderly patients, but we should also aid them emotionally. They are humans as well and should not be seen as their condition, but as people.