👩‍🏫SSSE

Pre-SSSE

Theme: Being polite and kind

We started class with 3 Oms and Gayathri chanting. Then we all visited Swami in our hearts. We gave Swami and big hug and welcomed him to join us for the class.

For the discussion, this time we read a book on ‘*Be polite and kind’ by Cheri J. Meiners.* Children enjoyed the reading time. In between the reading we had discussions on how to be polite? What are the different polite and kind words? How do we feel when using these kind words? How does other feel when we use polite and kind words?

Children had so many good thoughts and answers for all the above questions. We had a short snack break. Then children enjoyed bhajan time with Akshara akka. They practiced the new bhajan, Love is Ice cream very sweet. After this was art time with Devi akka. They enjoyed drawing and coloring a caterpillar.

We concluded the class with closing prayers.

Activity for the week:
Practice the new bhajan everyday

Group 1

Spiritual principle: Children will learn that setbacks/failures can be valuable lessons that will lead them toward success.

Class Summary

To illustrate the above-mentioned point, we narrated the life story of Dr. Abdul Kalam, a former President of India. Abdul Kalam was born in the island town of Rameswaram, in southern India. As a child, he was fascinated by the mysteries of the sky and the flight of the birds. His favorite pastime was to watch cranes and seagulls soar into the sky and fly in formations. One day, his 5th-grade teacher gave a practical demonstration of how birds fly and how they use their wings and tails to turn and change directions explaining the mechanics of flight. It had a profound effect on him, and that day he was convinced that one day he, too, would soar up into the sky.

After graduating from high school and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in physics, Abdul Kalam understood that the only way to realize his dream was by taking an engineering course. In spite of financial constraints, he secured admission to the prestigious Madras Institute of Technology for aeronautical engineering. His goal was very clear, that he was going to fly aircraft. Soon after graduating aeronautical engineering he had two employment opportunities. One was a career in the Air Force, and the other was a job in the Ministry of Defense. For the first job, he stood 9th among 25 candidates interviewed, but there were only 8 seats available. He wasdeeply disappointed for having lost the opportunity to fly an aircraft.

With a heavy heart, at having his dreams shattered, he reached Swami Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, which was very close to the place of his interview. Before he even spoke anything, swami Ji asked him why he was sad. He spoke about his plight. Then swami Ji said, “Accept what has happened, forget this failure, believe in the wish of God and continue your efforts, the right opportunity will unfold itself. Abdul kalam later found out that he got the other job he interviewed for. Without any disappointment, he plunged into his new job. He thought to himself, “If I was not flying airplanes, I was at least helping to make them airworthy.” This was the beginning of the many trials and tribulations that were to come, which were heartbreaking and devastating, to say the least. He never gave up, but always looked at failures as an opportunity to better himself. Every time a door was closed, another door opened. His extraordinary ability as a scientist, his ability to think out of the box, his leadership qualities and his generous and helpful nature did not go unnoticed. He had designed several aircrafts, and rockets during his life time. Recognizing all his achievements, he was elected the president of India who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces. While he was president, he finally fulfilled his long-cherished dream of flying an aircraft.

The small-town boy who dreamed of flying but failed to become a fighter pilot had become the supreme commander of the armed forces. Failure was his teacher all along, driving him to become what he has become.

We also had an interesting discussion on how to convert our negative self-talk—”I just can’t do it”—into positive self-talk by replacing it with phrases like, “I can give it a try, or I will figure it out, or one step at a time,” as the first step to embracing setbacks.

Life application:

Spiritual Diary—2 new activities added – food prayer (or a Thanks to God for the food and pray to purify the food) and no watching tv/phone while eating meals.

Bhajans

1/26- Punya naam Pavithra naam – Punya Naam Pavitra Naam Rama Naam Sai Ram

1/19- Mana bangaru parthi baba – Mana Bangaru Parthi Baba

12/8 – Saibaba Saibaba sathya sai avatar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEW19xS0P_Y

11/3 – Vittala Hari Vittala : https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/981
http://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/1467

https://saimelodies.org/Songs/Detail/945

Group 2

We started with opening prayers and did the Ashtothram learning/practice from 1-90. Next we had guest speakers Nirmala Aunty & Sister Sudipini who gave us lots of information about “Go Green”. We all learned about how to recycle plastic and also our clothes. We than had an activity to show children how to reuse the clothes. You might have all noticed the reusable bags that children bought home. They also created reusable dog toys with socks. Please discuss with them what they learned and understood about “Go Green”. Children thoroughly enjoyed the activity.

The next part was the most fun part auditions for the E-day drama. All the children participated with full enthusiasm and passion. They encouraged and judged each other.

Please stay tuned for more details on roles. Also from now on see that kids are not absent for the classes as we will all have to work hard on practice sessions. Let us all make the Eswaramma day a successful program.

Also, as part of Bhagwan’s centenary celebrations, the Go Green team will be sharing tips every week under the program titled ‘Become an Eco champ’. Please see this week’s slide below:

https://www.raleighsaicenter.org/wp-content/uploads/WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-08-at-17.42.37.jpeg

Group 3

After the meeting, we held a 25-minute class session that sparked thoughtful discussion and reflection:

Spiritual Diary Distribution
Each student received a printed spiritual diary. We discussed how this tool can help them track personal growth, reflect on their experiences, and deepen their learning journey.
Interest Groups & Rotating Leadership
Students explored various interest groups and learned about the role of group leads. Leadership positions will rotate every quarter, giving everyone a chance to step up and contribute.
Sign-up details are available in the parent WhatsApp group description.
Critical Thinking & Story time:
We asked students:
“If you had three identical-looking cars, how would you choose the best one?”
Their responses—testing performance, comparing features, and checking brand reputation—led to a deeper conversation about discernment and thoughtful decision-making.
To build on the analogy, we shared a story about a wise king faced with a similar challenge:

A king received three identical dolls and asked a sage to determine which was best.The first doll let a wire pass from one ear to the other.

The second let it exit through the mouth.
The third held the wire inside.
The sage explained:The first doll hears but forgets.
The second repeats without understanding.
The third listens, reflects, and retains wisdom.

Moral: Be like the third doll. Don’t just attend class—absorb, reflect, and grow. Every session is a chance to become wiser, kinder, and stronger.

Note to parents: Thank you dear parent for you time. Please send them with a notebook (with spiritual dairy printout glued), a pen.

Group 4

We began the final Group 4 SSSE class of the 2024-2025 SSSE year on April 27th with 3 OMs. A total of 12 students (4 girls and 8 boys) attended.

We went over the Easwaramma Day agenda and highlighted specific requirements for Group 4 students from MC responsibilities to Unison Bhajans and the graduation details for our 5 high school seniors. Parents can get more details from the students on Easwaramma day activities.

We then reviewed several class topics starting with asking the students the progress they each made on the personal sadhanas that they undertook for 2025 that they wrote down in January of this year as a specific goal for 2025. I asked the progress they had made and how they can improve. Students gave quality answers and identified examples of progress. Success with personal sadhanas as we discussed in class is all about commitment and discipline.

I then asked the Group 4 students what they liked most about the classes this year. Good interactive feedback as kids highlighted service projects, guest speakers and specific classes that encouraged interaction and engaging class activities, and including outdoor classes. Good perspectives for Group 4 teachers to build on for next year.

The main class topic for the class was an interactive discussion on Swami’s reference to ‘Our Divine Spark’, what it means, what it impacts and how it impacts us by our daily positive acts and behaviors. The concept of Divya-atma-swaroopa-lara, and Swami’s descriptions of ‘Embodiments of Love’

After the discussion on this important and central topic of Swami’s teachings, I asked the (5) Group 4 Seniors – Shivani, Krishna, Kaavya, Saipreeti and Arnav to give parting thoughts on their individual SSSE journeys, what they learned, what was most impactful and what recommendations they would have for the existing Group 4 students. Excellent presentation of thoughts by the seniors.

The teachers then providing their parting and final thoughts for this last class of SSSE 2024-2025 year, highlighting the importance of ‘ALWAYS KEEP SWAMI WITH YOU’.

We ended the class with OM & 3 Shanthi’s. JAI SAI RAM!

I want to thank the Group 4 parents and specifically our two new Group 4 Teachers this year – Sister Girija and Sister Aneesha for doing such a great job in preparing and conducting many of the classes this year!

-Mouli Uncle.

Sairam Parents –

Please sign and return the forms ( https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1f3O6VRb9s8A0wW-_XfKY0xH0HQIHSP66UemD-B6mFHI/edit ) which include media consent and parent pledge.
Please remember and remind the children that classes rest of this year will be held every Sunday 3:45 – 4:45 pm in Room 4 at HSNC. Exceptions for classes periodically with Service Projects, RSC Events (GAB, Swami’s Birthday, etc) and National SSSE guest speakers will occur. These will be announced in advance.
Slides of the class when applicable will be shared with the Students/Parents via the WhatsApp groups.
PLEASE Have the children practice their daily Sadhana for Swami’s 100th birthday.