A Message by Sunday School Director Cathy Sakellos

We completed our fifth Sunday School year with a graduation ceremony on June 10, 2007.  Nearly sixty students received their Sunday School certificates that day.

Two weeks later, fourteen children and their parents enjoyed refreshments and a game of miniature golf at the Branchburg Family Golf Center.  This was a great way to celebrate the start of the summer season as well as enjoy the fellowship and friendship that our children share.

Our new Sunday School season begins September 23, 2007. This year, the program offers classes for pre-K through the tenth grade. 

A small fee of $10 is required from each family for Sunday School Registration. This is to offset the costs of course materials and supplies. 

The teachers and myself look forward to seeing your children on a regular basis this year teaching your children about our beautiful Greek Orthodox faith.

For more information about the Sunday School Program, contact me, Cathy Sakellos at 908-806-7503

 

Greek Language School

Our Greek School program is in its fourth year. Last year 26 students enrolled in the program. Our Parish is unique in its composition, made up of many second, third, and fourth generation Greeks. Often Greek is not spoken in the home and many parents tend to come from different ethnic backgrounds. Our program, then, is designed not only to familiarize and develop language skills, but also to emphasize our beautiful and rich culture and traditions. 

The program is open to children entering the first grade and continues through high school. Classes will begin on Monday, October 1st, from 5:30 to 7:00, at the Allerton United Methodist Church. We will be holding classes through the year at both the Allerton Church and Patrick McGaheran Middle School (across Rte. 31 from the Allerton Church). 

Classes will meet regularly on Mondays. We request that students promptly arrive at 5:30 pm each week so that our instructors can fully utilize the time, and that parents and children make the commitment to attend each week. 

As much material tends to be lost over the summer, the children will receive one month of instruction prior to evaluation. During this month, returning students will review the basics of their previous level.  New students will be placed in their age appropriate level.  After a month’s time, children will be assessed and reassigned accordingly where necessary. 

Our program employs three very experienced and talented teachers. 

Beginner Level:

Instructor:  Teaching the Beginner Level is Maria G. Tzemintimpi.  Maria has taught Greek at St. Irene’s in Astoria, the Greek-American Institute in the Bronx, and most recently at Elkins Park in Pennsylvania.  She also works as a freelance translator accredited by the Greek Consulate of New York.

Goals:  Children at the Beginner Level are introduced to the language and culture at an age appropriate level, learning songs, coloring pictures, and engaging in games that familiarize them with the basics.  These children will master the following goals prior to moving to the Intermediate Level:

●Reading and Writing:  Able to recognize the letters and sounds of the Greek alphabet

●Vocabulary: Comprehension of basic nouns including colors, days of the week, months of the year, family members, animals

●Speaking and Hearing:  Employs very basic greetings and responses

                   ●Numbers:  Recites 1-10

                   ●Culture:  Learns major Greek holidays  

Intermediate Level:

Instructor:  Bessie Tsividakis will return as the teacher for the Intermediate Level.  Bessie has been with our school since the beginning in 2004.  She is a well-known Greek Language tutor in the larger central New Jersey Greek community.

Goals:  Children at the Intermediate Level will master the following goals prior to moving to the Advanced Level:

●Reading:  Able to read and comprehend a short paragraph (5-6 sentences)

          ●Writing:  Constructs short basic sentences

●Vocabulary:  Building on prior vocabulary through knowledge and use of basic verbs in present tense

●Speaking and Hearing:  Understands and responds appropriately to basic questions and commands

●Numbers:  Recites 1-50

●Culture:  Familiarity with Greek mythology and folklore  

Advanced Level:

Instructor:  The Advanced Level will be taught by Bia Stavrakas.  Bia has taught Greek for ten years.  She has taught previously at the Peiriakon Hellenic School in Chicago, and presently also teaches at Elkins Park. 

Goals:  Children at the Advanced Level will master the following goals prior to graduation from the program:

●Reading:  Able to read and comprehend a newspaper/magazine article

          ●Writing:  Composes a developed short story or essay

●Vocabulary:  Builds on prior vocabulary through knowledge and use of verbs in the past, present and future tenses.

●Speaking and Hearing:  Able to hold and understand a formal conversation

●Numbers:  1-1,000,000

         ●Culture:  Introduction to Greek history (Antiquity, Ottoman occupation & Greek Revolution, Modern Greece)