07 Oct Diwali 2022
Let’s use this page to get prepared for your presentation to your child’s school during this Diwali 2022 (Oct 22-26, 2022).
We have prepared all the material for you. You simply read this information, do some reading and get prepared in 2-3 days’ notice. We have even slides ready for you to download. We will also guide you stepwise. So act on it today!
You Do the Following:
- Write below a letter to your child’s teacher (from KG-12 grade) asking your interest to present this on zoom. Present your idea as a cultural event and not as much a religious activity. Due to Covid-19, it will be limited to paper activities, presentation and reading stories. Offer to present it to different classes.
- After a week, send a reminder email and also call to confirm receipt of the e-mail.
- Decide the day. Propose 3 different days and times options to your teacher.
- All you want to know about Diwali is here: https://www.hinduamerican.org/diwali-toolkit
- Please view this video experience of one parent: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2198338486860738
- Download the PowerPoint presentation below and edit is as you desire.
- You may present one of these videos (more to come): Mona Vijayker,
- If you have any questions, write to HinduSpeakers@gmail.com or call Dilip 908-392-6798.
- Schedule a zoom meeting. Plan to record on zoom for your memory and to share with others (very important).
- Select a good location in your home for the zoom video.
- Involve your child to speak and show-and-tell. Show on the video your altar (gods) and explain them.
- Put on beautiful desi clothes for the day. Proudly show them your family.
- When the program is over, share the video on social media and send us the link. Make sure not to record any other student’s face and ask permission from the teacher about the video.
- This will certainly make your child proud about his/her parents and he/she will remember it for a lifetime.
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Write this Letter to Your Child’s Teacher:
This is a template letter if you have a son or daughter in local schools. You may modify as you feel appropriate and Cc to HinduSpeakers@gmail.com.
Date:
Sub: Schedule a Cultural Event for the Diwali
Hello (name of teacher),
Namaste!
My son/daughter (provide name) is in your class. We would like to celebrate Hindu’s major holiday Diwali with your students. We would like to do some fun activities for kids, read them stories and possibly show them some videos to make them aware of the cultural importance of Hindu festival Diwali. We can plan 30-45 minutes for this program. We will connect with you via Zoom.
This year, Diwali is on Nov 2-6, 2021. We are thinking of XXday, November XXth (propose a day, date and time). will this work for your class?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your name
Your city
Your phone number
Website: http://hinduspeakers.org
Email: HinduSpeakers@gmail.com
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Write this Letter to Local School Teachers:
This is a template letter for those who are writing as an outsider. Edit it as you feel appropriate. Cc to HinduSpeakers@gmail.com.
Date:
Sub: Schedule a Cultural Event for the Diwali
Hello (name of teacher or just say “Hello teachers”),
Namaste!
I am a part of Hindu Speakers Bureau in our community. We would like to celebrate a major holiday Diwali with your students. We would like to do some fun activities for kids, read them stories and possibly show them some videos to make them aware of the cultural importance of Hindu festival Diwali. We can plan 30-45 minutes for this program. We will connect with you via Zoom.
This year, Diwali is on Nov 2-6, 2021. We are thinking of XXday, November XXth (propose a day, date and time). will this work for your class?
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Your name
Your city
Your phone number
Website: http://hinduspeakers.org
Email: HinduSpeakers@gmail.com
Timelines
Oct 5-10: Write to your child’s teacher(s)
Oct 10-Nov 1: Preparations for the presentation, decide on material to share and present
Nov 1: reconfirm your presentation day at the school
Nov 1-4: Practice your presentation with family
Nov 2-6: Presentations to school
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Preparations for the Zoom meeting
It may be challenging for some to make a zoom presentation with your family on one side and school students on the others. For this reason, it is critical to get prepared now. We will plan preparation zoom meetings for you. Here are some tips:
Plan zoom practice meetings with your friends/family.
Practice, practice, practice.
When you are in front of your compute, make sure there is plenty of light on your face. If necessary, put two table lamps in front of you to lighten up your face.
Make sure your face is in center to top part of the screen and clearly visible.
Have an interesting background, ideally some colourful photo displaying Hinduism or a big statue.
All in the family should put on Indian costume.
If you are trying to show something in your house, instead of moving the computer, plan to take photos of it beforehand, and display them.
If you are planning to demonstrate something (like Bharat Natyam dance), plan to record before hand and play the video at the time of event.
Get familiar with how to display photos and videos while on the zoom meeting.
Speak clearly and slowly. Students may have difficulty understanding your accents.
Read other Zoom related details here. https://support.palcs.org/hc/en-us/articles/226794367-Changing-Your-Display-Name-in-Zoom-Rooms
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How to Record the Zoom meeting
If you are the host, use Zoom record feature. If you are not the host, request the host to record it. In addition, record on your own too.
If you are not the host, download QuickTime Player app on your computer. Once you click on QuickTime Player button (big Q in blue), on your top left, it will show Quicktime Player. click on “File” and then “New Movie Recording”. When new window opens, please click in the middle to start recording. Make sure you are not using hearing device on your computer. When the recording time ends, save the file to your computer. Practice before hands.
Make a point of not including any child other than yours on the recording. This could put you in legal trouble if you record someone and put it on social media without their permission.
After the final recording is done, ask the teacher to review the video for his/her final approval before publishing this information.
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Video Editing
If you are using a mac, try iMovie program (details) or check on google how best to video edit.
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Write to Your City for Passing a Diwali Resolution this Year (examples from 2020)
Draft resolution suggestion: https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Draft-Diwali-Resolution-2020.pdf
Suggested email template: https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DIWALI-RESOLUTION-REQUEST-EMAIL-TEMPLATE-2020.pdf
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