SILC The School of India for Languages and Culture

Would you like to learn an Indian language, sing Indian songs, learn Indian dance, art and yoga? The place to do all this is at SILC-The School of India for Languages and Culture.

There are many things you can learn about India and SILC can help you get started through many fun-filled activities. SILC is more than just a week-end school. By bringing in so many people of similar values and interests together, SILC provides a common ground for you to meet and share ideas; it provides a wonderful opportunity to learn and to cope with those aspects of life that are different from the broader culture.

SILC began in 1979 with just 15 students and seven teachers. It started when many Indian parents felt a strong need to pass on some aspects of Indian culture to their children. Today, we have a large group of students and teachers from diverse backgrounds but with the common goal of learning, sharing, and keeping in touch with Indian culture.

SILC teaches various Indian languages, Indian culture, history, art, dance, music, and yoga. We also offer special project-based activities for older students. Our students participate at the Festival of Nations and the Festival of India and other such events every year.

SILC is a non-profit organization. All our staff and board members are volunteers.

Courses Offered:

Here's a sample of our courses. Languages and electives offered sometimes change depending on number of student requests and availability of volunteer teachers.

Languages:
Bengali
Gujarati
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam
Tamil

Social Studies:
Topics include historical and other significant events relating to India and information such as geography, natural resources, festivals, games, food, art and literature of India.

Electives:
Advanced Music
Art
Classical and Folk Dances
Cooking
Music
Yoga

Annual Membership:
$120 for one student
$200 for two or more students

Prerequisites for Admission:

• Be at least six years old
• Be willing to learn an Indian language

Schedule:
Held every Saturday, September (after Labor Day) through May
12:30 to 12:35 Invocation
12:35 to 1:15 Language
1:15 to 1:30 Recess and Announcements
1:30 to 2:15 Social Studies
2:15 to 3:00 Electives.

Location:
Como Park Senior High School
740 West Rose Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55117

Mailing Address:
SILC
470 Lake Wabasso Court
Shoreview, MN 55126
Phone: 483-5438

Volunteer Work Requirement for Parents/Guardians

Three or more hours of work per year in the following areas:

• Distribution of milk and cookies during break
  
• Substitute teaching or class supervision
  
• Help with special events, class preparation and materials.

Please direct all questions to:
SILC Board Members 1996-1997:

President: 	Rama Padmanabham	631-1799

Principal	Preeti Mathur		483-0793

Asst. Principal	Guptan Nambudripad	785-2970

Treasurer	Mukul Ganguli		483-5438

Secretary	Raj Sury		644-8604

Member	     	Rajan Menon		490-0255

Member		Shri Devi Varadrajulu	783-3664

Preeti Mathur