September  2009 Newsletter

Lainie M. Christou – Director 

 

Welcome to our 2009-2010 Sunday School Year!  To say that we have been busy creating a new and exciting curriculum for all grade levels is an understatement!  This school year will bring new lessons, texts, teachers, ideas, objectives (both religious and cultural) games and hopefully a positive energy from parents and students. We have all been blessed to be a member of the most beautiful Greek Orthodox faith. It is crucial that we as a community and as parents cultivate and nurture the spiritual education of every child here at St. Sophia.  We are trying very hard to do our part but we need support from all parents and children.

In an effort to keep communication strong, I have created a St. Sophia Sunday School Handbook. This handbook has all the information any parent and child would need to know regarding schedules, curriculum per grade level, expectations, etc. Therefore, it will not be necessary to put this information in this newsletter. Please keep this in a safe place, so you will all know important information, and also when Sunday School will not be in session. All families will receive one when their child is registered.  You will also notice that there will be a Sunday School Bulletin Board to the right of the Damascos Room, as you enter church. Every month a different grade will be displayed with their pictures and any special project that they have been working on. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the community to see what religious and cultural aspects our students are learning, and for our students to feel proud of the work they have accomplished. Perhaps a power point presentation during coffee hour from our older students about The Saints, the Nicene Creed or just some skits on religious and moral issues could be interesting! The point is anything is possible and we are excited about the possibilities this year. The Three Hierarchs and Letter Day celebration will also be observed in January. It has been a long time since either Sunday School or Greek School has presented on this day. Combining both schools in unity is very important in this celebration of religion and language.

There has also been discussion about a Sunday School yearbook. In the past the Greek School has produced a yearbook every two years. This year will be the 4th one for the Greek School years of 2008-2010. We are considering combining the yearbook to have a St. Sophia Greek School and Sunday School Yearbook! How wonderful to have this treasure of pictures of all community students in various events throughout the year! Many of the students overlap in both schools anyway. After all, we should remember that we are one very strong and loving community.  The yearbook will be charged the cost amount only as it is not a fundraiser and meant as a memorable keepsake of the children’s years at St. Sophia.

 I would now like to introduce the following roster of exceptional people who will devote their time, effort and love on a volunteer basis to teach our children. Father Pat and I will hold workshops throughout the year to better prepare all teachers on religious concepts, better teaching practices, new activity, project and game ideas. We are ready and excited. Many blessings for a successful educational school year for all of the youth at St. Sophia in their religious, cultural and academic learning endeavors.

 

2009-2010 Sunday School Teachers

Pre-School (3 & 4 year olds) = Katherine Karamanol
Kindergarten = Kathryn Sokaris
1st grade = Andrea Googas
2nd grade = Erika Koutelis
3rd grade = Nancy Athanassiadis
4th grade = Tina Marathakis
5th grade = Theodosia Legato
6th grade = Lea Marinopoulos
7th grade = Karen Pappis
8th grade = Debbie Bahlatzis
9th & 10th grade = Theodore Pappas

In addition we are lucky to have many of our college students and high school seniors volunteer to help the teachers whenever they are available. Thank you to everyone for your time and devotion this school year.  WELCOME!