HOLY TRINITY GREEK SCHOOL CAMP HILL, PA STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK

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1 HOLY TRINITY GREEK SCHOOL CAMP HILL, PA STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK MISSION STATEMENT The Greek School of our community has two major objectives: The teaching of the Greek language. The promotion of the Hellenic/Orthodox heritage. The Greek language is taught in classes through a curriculum that meets the needs of students of diverse background and various degrees of competency in the Greek language. In addition, the Greek school promotes Hellenic heritage and aims to enrich and familiarize the students with language, religion and cultural history so that they may live, study, and advance themselves in the American society and become rightfully proud of their Greek ancestry. GREEK SCHOOL STRUCTURE The Greek School functions within the Greek Orthodox community and is supported by our church, community, and its organizations. The survival and continuation of the Greek School are mostly financed by the church's general fund and also secured by the interest of the PTO. The teaching structure consists of the Director of Greek Studies (who also oversees Greek Education for the Parish) and the Teaching Faculty. The Director also oversees that the faculty is following and complying within the Greek School guidelines. The guidelines require that each teacher follows a class syllabus and testing / grading methods. The teacher also communicates the progress with of the students. The Director is responsible for guiding the teachers in the preparation of the curriculum, the ordering of teaching materials required for each class and the maintenance of student files. The Director of Greek Studies is the main parent - teacher liaison and is responsible for introducing and training new teachers in the objectives, needs and methods of our school. The Director is also the liaison to the church council. THE COURSE OF STUDIES The complete course of Greek Studies extends over a period of eight years to cover the teaching material prescribed in the curriculum. This eight-year course of studies is subdivided into two main courses: Basic Proficiency and Advanced Proficiency. These courses, in turn, are separated into five levels - Juniors, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and a Graduating Class. Students are placed according to their degree of Proficiency and progress into each of these levels.

2 THE BASIC PROFICIENCY COURSE The main objective of this course is the teaching of the Greek language and the introduction to elements of our religious and cultural history. Greek is taught as a second language. The students can be children who do not speak any Greek or who speak very little Greek. The age or grade of the student in the American school is of secondary importance. We are following a level of proficiency format. The Basic Proficiency Program offers: practicing of the spoken language students learn to listen to, understand, respond to and reproduce satisfactorily basic language patterns within their level. practicing reading and comprehending basic modern Greek texts practicing simple sentences and questions practicing the written language - students learn to express impressions, feelings and thoughts in written form with adequate vocabulary. For more information about our Basic Proficiency Program you may ask for a copy of the curriculum from the Director of your children's teacher. THE ADVANCED PROFICIENCY COURSE In this course students are instructed in improving their speaking ability, and the skills of reading and comprehending a variety of texts. They are also required to give written answers to questions relating to a lesson, to express impressions and descriptions in writing and to also write structurally controlled compositions. Students also gain knowledge of most grammatical elements according to their level. Students practice simple conversations, enrich their vocabulary and master the more complex grammatical structures of the language. The Advanced Proficiency Program offers: participation in conversation / dialogue according to their level and experience (trips, visits to museums, holidays, sports activities) participation in recounting everyday activities, stories, fairy tales and theatrical performances. practicing good reading and comprehension of simple and complex texts in modern Greek (they include not only vocabulary and grammatical elements that have already been taught but also new grammatical elements and syntax) 2

3 lessons on the religion, history and geography are interwoven with the subject matter in texts (religious holidays, prayers, poems, songs, hymns, philosophy, mythology, etymology, modern culture, basic historical events, traditions, the geographical position of Greece, its main cities, rivers, products etc.) practicing the written language (compositions, poetry-writing, songs, stating the main thought, expressing impressions and comments, writing informal letters and cards etc.) When students graduate from their eight-year course of studies, they are fulfilled with the joy of being able to read, write and speak the Greek language and open themselves to vast pools of knowledge according to the Greek Orthodox heritage. A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GREEK STUDIES On behalf of the Holy Trinity Greek School and its faculty, we welcome you to a new Greek School year. We have been working hard all summer toward the growth and improvement of our Greek School Program. Our goal is to not only teach the Greek language, but to also familiarize the students with our Hellenic / Orthodox Heritage. Many parents are already working together and are committed to creating a successful Greek School Program for years to come. We thank everyone for supporting our program and look forward to continuing to work with all parents for the good of our children. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Dimitra Curley Director of Greek Studies A MESSAGE FROM THE PTO Every parent or guardian is a member of the PTO. There are no membership fees or dues. EVERYONE is invited to become active members of the Parent / Teacher Organization. The PTO meets every first Monday of the month at 5:30 in the Church library. The Purpose of the PTO is to support the objectives of the Greek School and the teaching faculty. The PTO addresses concerns and issues that may arise regarding the Greek School. It organizes and coordinates Greek School activities and functions and promotes the overall good of the Greek School. Every parent's input and help is extremely important, so please try to attend and take part. For more information on the PTO, call Mantha Hershey, PTO President. 3

4 WEB PAGE Additional information on the Greek School program can be found at the Internet web site of our Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral The web site contains useful information on the Greek School program, such as: the school calendar, upcoming events, faculty information, etc. as well as the necessary registration forms which can be easily downloaded. The website is being maintained by Anthony Ariano. REGISTRATION Registration dates are the 1st and 2nd Sunday of September. A $125 deposit is required at time of registration. Registration Fee for the school year is $250 per student for the first two children in a family, and $100 for each additional child. The Registration Fee for Preschool is $125 per student. So far kids have registered in the Greek School program for the school year of which are in the Pre school program. If you know of anyone interested please remind them that there is always time to register and give our kids the timeless gift of the Greek language and our Greek Orthodox traditions and culture. STUDENT REGISTRATION / EMERGENCY CONTACT CARDS Each student is required to have an updated registration card on file with the Greek School Coordinator. SCHOOL TIMES AND DATES Greek School meets every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Monday and Thursday (Advanced Proficiency) from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. and Wednesday (Basic Proficiency & Preschool) from 5:15-7:00 p.m. It is very important that students arrive promptly so that class can begin as scheduled and uninterrupted at 5:15. Parents are responsible for picking up students promptly at 6:45 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. Although we encourage parents to drop off students in the classroom, class time is not the time to have a parent - teacher conference. Parent - Teacher conferences will be held once in the fall and once in the spring, so that parents can learn about their children's progress. If a student requires extra help with Greek School, our teachers are always available and willing to help. 4

5 TEACHING AIDS Textbooks and workbooks are paid for by the Greek School. Students who lose their books will replace them at their cost. ABSENTEEISM Whether your children attend once a week or twice a week it is imperative that students attend. When a student is absent from class, it is their responsibility to call their teacher or fellow classmates to receive assignments. SCHOOL CANCELLATION PROCEDURES DUE TO WEATHER If Greek School is cancelled due to weather, teachers will try to reach parents as soon as possible to inform them of school cancellation. Parents are also encouraged to call the teacher if in doubt. Cancellations will be posted on the Greek School web page. FACULTY The Parish Council has approved Mrs. Dimitra Curley as the new Greek School program director and a five-member committee was engaged in the evaluation of applicant teachers for the Greek School program during the Academic Year and the following teachers were selected. The teachers will remain the same for Academic Year: Director of Greek School Program Dimitra Curley Phone: (717) PRE-SCHOOL (Wed.) Anna Thompson Phone: (717) KINDERGARDEN (Wed.) Anna Thompson Phone: (717) ELEMENTARY Advanced (Mon. & Thurs.) Georgia Koutsokostas Phone: (717) Basic (Wed.) 5

6 Fotini Paparoidamis Phone: (717) INTERMEDIATE Advanced (Mon. & Thurs.) Dimitra Curley Phone: (717) Basic (Wed.) Dimitra Curley Phone: (717) ADVANCED Advanced (Mon. & Thurs.) Dimitra Curley Phone: (717) Basic (Wed.) Dimitra Curley Phone: (717) GRADUATING CLASS Advanced (Mon. & Thurs.) Fotini Paparoidamis Phone: (717) PTO OFFICERS Mantha Hershey President Phone: (717) Mantha Demopoulos Vice President Phone: (717) Antony Ariano Treasurer Phone: (717) Laura Arahovas Secretary Phone: (717) CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 11, Sunday Greek School Open House and Registration (The Greek School Faculty will be on hand after church to share information on the Greek School Program. The Greek School Program has a lot to offer ALL children of our community. We invite everyone to come and see what it is all about!) 6

7 September 12, Monday October 26, Wednesday First Day of Greek School The school term will commence with a Blessing (Agiasmo). "OHI" Day A Greek School Program will be presented in the Church Hall in honor of "OXI" day (anniversary of October 28, 1940). On this day, we honor the fight of the Greek people to protect democracy and the respect of the human race. Dinner will be hosted by the Greek School PTO. Everyone is invited to attend. Thursday, October 27 th November 23, Wednesday November 24, Thursday November 28, Monday November 30, Wednesday December 22, Thursday January 2, Monday January 4, Wednesday January 30, Monday Halloween Night (No Greek School Classes) Thanksgiving Break (No Greek School Classes) Thanksgiving Break (No Greek School Classes) Classes Resume/Advanced Classes Resume/Basic Last Day of Class Before Christmas Break Begins Classes Resume/Advanced Classes Resume/Basic Greek Letters Day On this day, we celebrate the Three Hierarchs; St. Basil, St. Ioannis the Chrysostom and St. Gregory of Nazianzo who studied and integrated the wisdom of the ancient Greek spirit into the Orthodox teachings. A program will be presented by the Greek School in our church hall. Teachers will be acknowledged and honored for their dedication and hard work. Refreshments will be hosted by the Greek School PTO. Everyone is invited to attend. February 25, Saturday February 27, Monday Apokries/Mardi Gras Dress-up in costume and get your dancing shoes on. A dance party and dinner is hosted by the Greek School and Sunday school PTO. Everyone is invited. Clean Monday -1st Day of Lent 7

8 Church Service followed by Lenten dinner prepared and hosted by the Greek School PTO. All parishioners are invited to take part. March 25, Sunday Greek Independence Day Celebration A doxology for March 25th will be celebrated following the Sunday Liturgy. A Greek School Program in honor of the March 25th, 1821, anniversary will be presented in church hall immediate following the Sunday Liturgy. Everyone is invited to attend. A catered lunch will be served by Greek School PTO. Tickets must be purchased in advance. April 9, Monday April 16, Monday April 18, Wednesday Last Day of Class Before Easter Break Begins Greek School Classes Resume (Advanced) Greek School Classes Resume (Basic) May 16, Wednesday May 17, Thursday May 21, Monday May 23, Wednesday No Greek School Classes / Festival Preparations No Greek School Classes / Festival Preparations Greek School Classes Resume (Advanced) Greek School Classes Resume (Basic) May 28, Monday Memorial Day (No Greek School Classes) June 4, Monday Graduation and Last Day of Class Celebration Greek School students present the final program of the year and Graduation Diplomas are awarded. Scholarships of excellence are awarded to our best students and graduates. 8

9 TO BE ANNOUNCED Greek School Picnic Greek School PTO hosts end of the year picnic. All children parents and families are invited. TO BE ANNOUNCED Greek School Educational Trips The Greek School PTO organizes one or two trips a year with educational objectives. More information on trips will be announced. DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES The Greek School strives for self-discipline - good behavior by the student. Such behavior contributes to a pleasant and profitable experience. If a student is unable to discipline himself/herself, the misconduct will be dealt with by the teacher who may refer more serious incidents to the Greek School Director. If there is a more serious issue that cannot be resolved, the parent will be contacted. If necessary, the assistance of the PTO will be sought. COMPLAINTS CONCERNING SCHOOL OR FACULTY MEMBERS Constructive criticism of the school is welcomed when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program and to equip the school to perform their task more effectively. We place trust in our faculty and we desire to support their actions in such a manner that they are freed from unnecessary, spiteful or negative criticism and complaints. Any complaints regarding Greek School (its policies or its faculty) should be brought directly to the Director of Greek Studies. 9

10 GREEK SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUND The Anastasia Vgontzas Greek School Endowment Scholarship Fund was established to stimulate interest and support for the Greek School and recognize and reward outstanding achievement in the Greek School. At the end of the school year, two main awards are given, one award is given at each grade level to the student who excelled academically during the year; another award is given to each student who graduates from the Greek School. Criteria for the scholarship award at each grade level, is based on a high level of academic achievement and excellence in the curriculum of the Greek School with particular emphasis on Greek language and history. No student can receive this academic award for two consecutive years. At the teacher s discretion, each teacher will choose one student in each level who has put forth the most effort and one (or more) student(s) who have had perfect attendance. CELEBRATIONS / HOLIDAYS AND ELEMENTS OF HELLENIC / ORTHODOX HERITAGE IN THE CURRICULUM The following recommendations are based on the assumption that the Greek School is a major vehicle of preserving the Hellenic culture. Also, that this culture is relevant to the students and their families who live, study, and work in the U.S. The celebrations/holidays are an integral part of the Greek School activities and should be well prepared. Both the message and format of the celebrated event should be relevant to all students. Particular emphasis and effort should be placed to include the students whose background is mixed e.g. one or both parents are not of Greek descent, the language spoken at home is not Greek, etc. The message should not reflect just nostalgia for our home country and its customs or glories. Instead, it should be of value and should enrich the identity of those who are born and raised in the Greek background but will live in a multicultural society. For example, the values of patriotism, family, education and knowledge, diligence, pride, honorable competition, community spirit, are strong in our heritage, and hence, of great importance on our modern society. 10

11 Speakers / Presentations should be selected based on their ability to relate to all students and their families and their diverse background. Some English should be part of any speech/presentation. The length of the program should be appropriate for the occasion and should not tire or even exhaust the audience. The participation of the students can take various forms e.g. poems, sketches, plays songs, dances, etc. Also, there should be some flexibility to meet the needs and the abilities of the students. For example, a student may do better reciting a poem while another one can do better by reading text from a book. Group performances should be encouraged. Members of our community with a talent in music, singing, theatre, etc. should be invited to enrich the program independent whether their children attend Greek School or they themselves speak Greek or are of Greek descent. ELEMENTS OF HELLENIC ORTHODOX HERITAGE IN THE CURRICULUM Our students should be familiar with some of the great ancient Greek philosophers and their sayings e.g. Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Hippocrates, etc. Ancient Greek mythology can be an excellent source of didactic material for young students. Teachers should explain the Greek roots of many words commonly used in English. This will reinforce the students' interest and motivation to learn Greek. Modern institutions such as the Olympic Games, democracy (the power of the people), higher education (academy), legislation (Supreme Court), etc. should be connected to its roots in ancient Greece. Byzantine iconography and music and their message and format should be presented and explained to senior students. Basic historical facts of ancient and modern Greece e.g. who Pericles was, the battle of Marathon, etc. should be presented. 11

12 Connect in simple ways the class and the students to the customs of our heritage such as celebrations of our church's saints (name days), the beginning of the New Year (Vasilopita), the beginning of Great Lent (Kathara Deftera), etc. Some of these programs may become the focus of more than one class through the coordination of the respective teachers. Outside speakers, experts, scholars, etc. should be welcome. Our community and the surrounding communities have enough people of diverse education, interest, expertise, and talent. Finally, it should be noted that the identification and integration of cultural elements of our heritage into the identity of the modern Greek-American is a challenging task and will remain so for the years to come. It is our hope and expectation that our Parishioners continue their active support and improvement of the Greek School program. Parents are strongly encouraged to register their children in this very important educational program of our community. Give your children the timeless gift of the Greek language and our Greek Orthodox traditions and culture. Είναι ελπίδα και προσδοκία µας ότι οι Ενορίτες µας θα συνεχίσουν την δραστήρια υποστήριξη και βελτίωση του προγράµµατος του Ελληνικού Σχολείου. Ενθαρρύνουµε τους γονείς να εγγράψουν τα παιδιά τους σ αυτό το πολύ σηµαντικό εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραµµα της κοινότητάς µας. ώστε στα παιδιά σας το αιώνιο δώρο της Ελληνικής γλώσσας και των Ελληνορθοδόξων µας παραδόσεων, εθίµων, και ιστορίας. 12