Agia Sophia Academy 2014 Annual Report
Table of Contents
1
Metropolitan’s Message............................... 2
Student Voices................................................ 15
Principal’s Message........................................ 3
Financial Information................................. 17
Student Assessment........................................ 4
Gifts and Donations..................................... 19
Message from the Board................................ 5
Fundraising Report....................................... 21
School Programs............................................. 7
Meet Everyone Involved.............................. 23
May 3, 2014 ď ˜Holy Martyrs Timothy and Maura Beloved Faithful Supporters of Agia Sophia Academy, Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! I greet you with joy as you celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Agia Sophia Academy. What began as a small seed that was planted ten years ago has blossomed into a full grown vineyard which is reaping a bountiful harvest. The young people who have been touched by the thoughtful, professional and well-rounded education they have received at Agia Sophia Academy are a testimony to your commitment to nurture them in their faith and education. During my recent visit I was especially inspired by the Agia Sophia Academy students and their angelic voices offering praise to God. Tonight is a celebration of ten years of wonderful accomplishments. But with this comes a challenge for the next decade and beyond to provide for the growth of Agia Sophia Academy through additional classrooms, and eventually your own permanent facility. I know that your leadership has a unified vision to accomplish this, and I pray that the Lord may direct your effort and crown it with success and His abundant blessings. Praying that the Risen Lord be your constant inspiration in all that you do for His glory, I remain, With Love in Our Resurrected Lord,
ď ˜Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
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A Word from our Principal I am happy to introduce ASA’s Annual Report for the 2013-14 school year. As principal of ASA, it is my job to connect our community with our children’s learning experience and to help shape the discussion of ASA’s future. You will see the specifics of our achievements in this Annual Report, but first, a few notable highlights from 2013-14. • Our second ASA Gala raised over $21,000 for our short-term goal of furnishing a new classroom and $25,000 for our long-term goal for moving the school to a new location. A huge “thank you” to our Gala chairs, Genie Kaady and Mary Triantafillou!
“Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.” ~ St. Theophan the Recluse
• Our Development Director position was filled by Matushka Molly Shaw in January. Molly comes to ASA with expertise in the teaching and administration field. Molly has been busy developing relationships, solidifying the Annual Fund calendar and managing the development aspect of ASA. • All ASA staff placed building-wide focus on professional development and curriculum mapping to improve teacher-expertise, communication of student learning goals and alignment with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) where applicable. In looking to the future of ASA, our vision to build a school with supporting facilities in conjunction with St. John parish requires continued growth at our current site. Thanks to the generous response we received to the special appeal at the Gala in May 2013 and 2014, we are opening a third classroom and have hired a new teacher for this school year, 2014. This is a much needed transitional step. The new room will allow for two grade multi-age groupings in each class---a sustainable and healthy model for elementary education. Please partner with us to spread the word and recruit more elementary students for 2014. Thank you for your support and love for this school. It is with your help that we continue to offer an excellent Orthodox Christian education and strategically plan for our PreK-8th grade future! I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to work with you during this exciting time of developing our beloved ASA into an institution that is respected and established for many generations to come.
Sincerely,
3
Elisha Lubliner
Student Assessment & School Stats Our students continue to show steady academic progress. Our results from the spring standardized testing show that our students consistently score high! While most schools only use standardized tests for certain benchmark years, we assess each year simply as another measure of our high achievement. It is important to remember that these tests are a snapshot in time rather than a holistic view of each child’s progress and accomplishments.
National Average
Reading Math Language
2/5 K/1
Listening 0
20
40
60
80
100
2014 Agia Sophia Academy Standardized Test Results (SAT 10 - National Percentile Class Average)
Our scores reinforce what our teachers and parents already know: ASA children thrive when faith and learning go hand-in-hand, in a school culture where each child is known, cared for, and able to safely explore the world around them.
47 Students for 2013-14
33 Families at ASA 27 Orthodox Families & 6 Non-Orthodox 9 parishes represented from Portland Metro 4
A Word from our Board President Dear Friends of ASA, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank all of the parents, members of the community, friends of ASA, donors and volunteers that helped ASA through another wonderful year. We are extremely grateful for the time, talent and treasure that you offer ASA. Together we strengthen the school in order to provide a faith based education for generations to come.
It is so important to keep the children close to the church - it will provide them with nourishment for their entire lifetime. ~ The Diary of a Russian Priest
Let me share with you some of our accomplishments this year. Along with the Development office in full operation and the Gala success over the last two years, we also have begun construction on a new classroom that is forming for the new school year and we await the arrival of our new teacher, come August 2014. In addition, our enrollment continues to climb at a rate of approximately 6-8 new students per year. Through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to offer significant need-based tuition assistance. Investment in the future of ASA is important. Simple things, such as suggesting a new board member and recruiting elementary students greatly help. We ask that you would keep ASA on your lips when you speak with friends and family and promote faith based education for many more children. Our administration staff and school board are committed to the cause of funding for yearly tuition assistance—we know what a valuable education is offered at ASA and we want that blessing for many more families! Last but not least, the search for a new site continues in conjunction with St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. ASA Board and Staff continue to be intimately tied into these details to help identify the best options for our future school. We are all very excited about the momentum and progress of this search in the last several months. Please continue to pray that God opens doors in a direction according to His divine will. Serving Faithfully,
Andrew Contes, President of ASA Board
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Mission Statement Our Mission at Agia Sophia Academy is to educate the whole child by providing a rich academic and arts curriculum, grounded in Orthodox Christian values, while fostering love of learning, personal responsibility, and respect for each person. Agia Sophia Academy is an intimate parochial school providing a challenging academic education emphasizing thinking and analytical skills to create confident, successful and community-oriented graduates. Agia Sophia Academy offers a multi-age program for pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, including Montessori preschool. Accordingly, we have set the following goals: • To offer academic excellence. • To teach students “how to learn” rather than simply “what to learn”. • To cultivate a life-long love of learning in our students. • To act as an extension of the parental role of educating the child. • To further form character in our students so they will become productive and good members of our communities. • To draw families more fully into the life of the Church. • To honor God and educate others in the Faith.
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Montessori Program Our Montessori PreK program consists of hands-on-learning, collaborative play and selfdirected activity. In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning while the classroom and the teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process. Children work in groups and individually to discover people, places and knowledge of the world. 7
as I make it look!” “This is not as easy
Hands-on, whole bo dy integration of academics is the be st way to learn!
“What will next Th ursday
be?”
ativity A sweet lamb of N
Angels always
...
Whether it is sifting , sorting or pouring, we are lear ning important life skills. 68
Elementary Program Each classroom is beautifully arranged with all the attributes of a learning atmosphere that offers success to each individual learner. ASA children partake of a strong academic menu each week, including intensive writing and language arts classes, an engaging math curriculum, science and history coursework. 9
h time. Peek-a-boo at lunc
“White boards rock !”.
8
“So tell me class, w hat day is it?”.
the beginning of Band of brothers ... s. life-long friendship
.” says one of our “I know, I know . . beavers. Elementary eager
“Humm . . . We’re th inking Fr. Ed, we’re thinking.”
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Foreign Languages + Stellar Arts, Music and Movement Our holistic education also includes Greek and Latin classes, music, art and PE. Certainly, the arts can be a means for relaxation, but we must remember our core curriculum is designed to be the key to all learning. We are shaping these young minds and spirits and bodies at ASA to be the future of our society. 11
sc for all ages. “Ta-Ta-Ti-Ti.” Mui
Art is an all time fa vorite!
“Our P.E. is tons of
fun, plus it helps our brains”
y! Nike Field Trip da
ch for the telling We packed the chur y. of the Nativity Stor
A special Greek Su bsitute came one day ... “We love Pres . Effy!” 10 12
Faith and Character Development Every day begins and ends with Orthodox prayers; the children participate in a monthly Divine Liturgy, and in addition, a local priest from one of our parishes visits classrooms monthly. The children are kept at front center each and every day while the school itself continues to build community and family life. 13
Our children are infused with the life of the church throughout the day, whether they are hearing a Bible verse, particpating in a feast day liturgy, hearing a saint story, or even learning a fable that enlists the age-old lessons of good and evil. One of the ways in which the children have access to the teachings of the faith is through the different personalities of the clergy that come to visit our school. Whether it is Fr. Nicholas Letten who comes yearly to speak of his favorite saint, Fr. Kevin Lien who shared his love of biology or Sister Eisodia who taught the children about the life of a monastic; the children are wide eyed and eager to learn from the faithful. We want to especially thank His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos for making a special visit for our ASA Sunday at St. John Greek Orthodox Church. During this service our ASA children, dressed in school uniforms, surrounded the Metropolitan and heard these inspiring words: “These children have been given the opportunity to love God for this age and that is exactly how we will be able to put our hands around the salvation of many people.� We rejoice in our pan-Orthodox offering to the Portland area and want also to thank these priests that made special visits to Agia Sophia during this school year. These are always special occasions for the school. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos
Fr. Theodore Dorrance
Fr. Alban West
Fr. Nicholas Letten
Fr. John Mancantelli
Fr. Kevin Lien
Fr. Cosmin Antonescu
Sister Eisodia
Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov
If you will not be as little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3. 14
Student Voices On June 11, 2014, our Fifth Grade graduation ceremony was held. Both of our Fifth Grade graduates warmed the hearts of the audience with their speeches. It’s always a tender time to say “goodbye” to students who have been with ASA their entire educational journey. We wish them the best for a bright academic future.
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I have been a student at A.S.A ever since pre-school. I am very disappointed to leave A.S.A. because it’s the only school I’ve ever been to. I’ve had many teachers here. I have been in Fr. Ed’s class since first grade. At times he can be very serious and at other times he can be silly. I like to write stories, read books and learn history. I also have been in Mrs. Powell’s class for PE and music. In PE, she knows many ways to torture kids like me. What I mean is that she makes me VERY tired. In music, she teaches us to sing in tune, play instruments, etc. My Latin Teacher has been Mrs. Hillier. To me, Latin is very complicated but also very interesting. Kiria Maria was my Greek teacher. What I liked best about Greek class is learning about Greek gods. My art teacher was Mrs. Perrusi. I love to paint a lot of cool paintings with my friends. I’m going to miss my friends, my teachers, and the whole school. I’m a little freaked out about going to a school that I am not used to. I hope I find a great school to go to. I am happy I went to this school and making awesome friends and having teachers that help me with my work. THANK YOU ALL Pavlos Blankenstein, 5th Grade Graduate
Hello, my name is Alex Perussi. I have been attending ASA since I was 4 and a half. This is the only school I have been to but I love it here! My teachers are friendly, helpful and have taught me a lot over the years……… from tying my shoe laces to writing graduation speeches! When I started I was in Montessori where my teachers, Mrs. Rusudan and Ms. Lubliner, (who is now the wonderful principal) taught me lots of life skills. Then I went into the elementary grades with Father Ed. He taught me mostly everything I know now, including math, grammar, spelling, faith and lots more! He may be a little strict but boy is he a good teacher! The things I enjoyed most in his class include math and writing. Then there is Mrs. Powell who taught me how to sing and play instruments and also exercise my body. Also Kiria Maria and Mrs. Hillier taught me Greek and Latin. Oh and I forgot, last but definitely not least is my mom the art teacher! She taught me how to sketch, draw, paint and just about almost everything that has to do with art! I am very nervous going into a different school/grade, and wish that this school would include Middle School too! During my time in ASA, I have made lots of very good friends, like Pavlos (who I have known since Montessori) and who is also graduating today. I am very grateful that my parents chose this school for my education! I want to thank you all for guiding and helping me through my years spent here at ASA. Alex Perussi, 5th Grade Graduate 16
Financials ASA is not included on any church budget. Our support comes from tuition, gifts from friends of ASA, and several foundations that have graciously given to us annually or some as a one time gift.
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Statement of Operations ASA’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. The statement below includes data from years ending June 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
2011 – 2012
2012 – 2013
2013-14
ORDINARY INCOME/EXPENSE Income Donations Net Tuitions
64,707 68,586 86,731 231,583
185,220
230,131
12,427
20,210
15,568
Other Income
56
459
Total Income
308,773
274,565
Fundraising Events (Net)
500 332,930
Expense Teachers & Classroom Expenses
186,551
163,883
173,442
Administration Expenses
78,030
88,587
96,237
Facilities Expenses
14,156
12,856
14,543
8,395
28,735
28,572
Other Expense
0
0
Total Expense
287,132
294,061
Development, Fundraising, Communications
934 313,728
Net Surplus (Deficit)
21,641
19,496
19,202
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Gifts, Donations and Events We thank everyone who generously gave in support of our school. The gifts of your time, talents, and resources enrich our community and further our commitment to providing a generous, Christ-inspired environment for our children.
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Gifts and Donations We thank everyone who generously gave in support of our school between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. $10,000+
$500-$999 (cont.)
$100-$199 (cont.)
$100-$199 (cont.)
Up to $100+ (cont.)
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Maletis III
AHEPA Mt. Hood Chapter #154
Niko and Athanasia Poulos
Laura Grasser
Katherine Karafotias
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Maletis
Ted Papas
Athena Paskill
Mac and Cheri McDeveitt
Sophia Kremidas
Dr. Christina Stratis
Andreas and Norma J. Pavlatos
Mrs. Sue Hodge
Mr. Andrew Lowrey
$5,000-$9999
Brent and Katherine Braden
Christopher and Jennifer Rennie
Elena Pedersen
Njegoslav Nero & Gordana Besara
Omega Industries *
Frank & Margaret Bitar Foundation
Richard and Sophia Sly
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Chiprout
Devon and Sonia Merritt
Alexis Food *
Eileen Chios
Ann Vanikiotis
Holy Trinity Endowment Fund
Alexander and Olga Ivkin
Mr. & Mrs. Stefanos Vertopoulos
Up to $100+
Maria Boyer
Anonymous
Kathleen (Sandy) Johnson
George and Angeliki Anasis
Kroger
Dianna George
Kevin Kelly
John Apostolos
Presbyteria Maria Hillhouse
Sophia Kriara
$2,000-$4,999
Bob Walsh
James M. Aspros
Mr. and Mrs. Theophan McKenzie
James and Catherine Carlson
Elia and Kathryn Popovich
Michael and Kathryn Becker
William and Meropi Courogen
Ms. Alyssa Mansanger
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Contes
Elyse Berkovitch
Andrew Fraser and Maria Corvallis
Cynthia Trumpower
Intel Matching Gifts
$200-$499
Tyler and Anastasia Geving
Stan and Arma Tsoumas
Mr. and Mrs. James Ketrenos
Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Wood
Nickolas and Linda Karafotias
Pres. Effy Stephanopoulos
Cottonwood Foundation
Teddy Tavlarides
John and Elaine Lampros
Mr. and Mrs. Perry Carandanis
Virginia H. Farah Foundation
Zachary and Vasiliki Stoumbos
Thomas and Catherine Lekas
Thomas and Nancy Doulis
Ziad and Genie Kaady
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sarikas
Georgia Liapes
Sue George
Holy Trinity Greek Festival
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Blankenstein
Joan Liapes
Argyro Apostolou
St. John the Baptist Myrrhbearers
Robert and Connie Limperis
Cathleen and Michael Amen
$1000-1999
Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis
Michael and MariLou Diamond
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hillier
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Triantafillou
Voula Trichos
Elizabeth Papas
Fr. and Pda. Daniel Mackay
Demetrios and Evangelia Gatziolis
Bruce and Mrs. Burns
George and Mary Gregores
Irene Pavlatos
Eugene Gorbatov and Diana Didyk
Helen Koshkaroff
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Ketrenos
Greg and Lois Russo
Arthur and Janet Deming
Mr. John Sarigiannides
Ilyana Stoeva and Kalin Stoev
Mary Speros
Mr. and Mrs. Matei Perussi
Petros and Susan Bournelis
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Wilson
Daughters of Penelope
Nickolette Tavlarides
Mr. and Mrs. Cory Morgan
Aaron and Angela Bruce
Gabriel and Claudia Vizireanu
Rob and Eva Walters
St. John the Forerunner Monastery
Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Papadeas
Chris Perlmutter
Fr. and Mat. John Mancantelli
Bobby and Maria Borisov
Fr. and Pres. Timothy Pavlatos
Frances Williams
Craig Volz
Stephanie Whalen and Ben Braat
Constantin and Natalia Ionescu Ustina Koshkaroff
$100-$199
Creative Counsel
George and Elizabeth Lendaris
Sentinel Advisors LLC
Gary and Christina Geist
Nick Battalia
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hailey
NIKE Matching Gifts
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Powell
Michael Alyas
Janice Anten
Bessie Lekas
Fr. Matthew Tate
Louise Kopp
$500-$999
Robert Patzke & Kristine Wiseman
Kenneth and Sonia Hughie
Fr. and Pda. David Lubliner
Mirela Mangiurea Dan
Billy and Carri Benson
Kent Taylor
Mr. Reg Leslie
John and Marie Attar
Mike K.J. and Louise Rumpakis
Gulick Trucking
Angie Anast
Scott Taylor and Sophia Kondoleon
Ms. Elisha Lubliner
Fr. Athanasius & Mat. Molly Shaw
Nicholas Gianopoulos
* indicates 2014 GALA sponsorship
We’ve made every effort to ensure an accurate listing of gifts and donations. Please inform the school of any error or omission.
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Fundraising Events ASA is blessed each year by generous volunteers who help with the Spring Gala and the Annual Greek Open Golf Tournament. These events have helped to provide for a new teacher and classroom for our upcoming school year plus need-based tuition assistance so that more students can benefit from our school.
Special thank you to our 2014 Gala Supporters: Presenting Sponsors: Omega Industries and the Garifalakis Family, together with Alexis Foods. In-kind donors: Wine was donated by Mo Achour from Al Amir Restaurant and Jim and Stephanie Makarounis from Jimmy Maks Delicious hors d’oeuvres were prepared and donated by Taki and Mary Chalkiopoulos from D’Orio Chairs: Mary Triantafillou, Genie Kaady Committee Heads: Christina Contes, Diane Sarikas, Naomi Knight, Prez. Vicki Pavlatos.
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Our annual Greek Open Golf Tournament and dinner to support Agia Sophia Academy organized by the School Board and parent volunteers raised approximately $16,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. Our Spring Gala chart below outlines the successful outcome of the Galas for 2013 and 2014.
Thank you to our 2013 Greek Open Supporters: Dinner Sponsor: Tim Chapman, Wells Fargo Tee Sponsors: Jon Corazza with Sentinel Advisors LLC, Marcus Lampros and Milt Lampros Family, Elia Popovich with Oregon Law Group, John Davis with Fairplay Realty, Lee Hguyen of Canyon Auto Repair and Body Shop, Mindy Hay with Options Financial, and Brent Braden at Nike. Committee Members: Norm Goldman, John Davis, Scott Taylor, Bob Patzke, Niko Poulos, Eric Clary.
Our Supportive Parent Teacher Partnership The PTP (Parent Teacher Partnership) has been a great group this year -- both volunteers and fundraisers.
ASA PTP Fundraising Summary (5/1/14)
Some of our fun social events this year were the New Family Ice Cream Social in August, Spaghetti Dinner at Passport Night, and Winter Tea in January. We are excited to plan a few more events for next year and look forward to even greater participation by our community. We have already adopted a “host” family program where new families to ASA are matched with current families to help them transition into our school community. Additionally, several families have exceeded their Fundraising Goals for this year!
Chinook Books - $400 Yankee Candles - $1203 Flower Baskets - $1686 Scrip Orders - $2780 Donations - $333
Total: $6403
PTP helped put Smart Boards in the classrooms, fulfill teachers' wish lists, donate $4,500 to Tuition Assistance and fund events while offering hospitality to each special occasion. A big thank you to our PTP Board Members (Rachel Daniels, Raymond Law, Stasia Geving and Naomi Knight) and, most importantly, to our families who make this all possible!!
Some of Our Special Events This School Year
(2013-14)
Senior Luncheon - shared with the K-1 Class Special Guest Day Dr. Stratis — Doctor for the Day Dr. Pham—Dentist for the Day Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue & Hillsboro Police Visits Pizza with the Board Passport to ASA – Back to School Night Christmas Program ASA Feast Day & Author’s Tea for K-5 Butterfly Release Day St. Nicholas Day Celebration Nike Field Trip My Masterpiece Art Studio Veteran’s Day Guest Metro Puppet Show 22
足足
Meet Everyone Involved From the inception of the school, it has always been our striving that the very words of Agia Sophia meaning Holy Wisdom be our intentional overlay as we grow the school. From the hiring of teachers, to our professional development, to the needs of our budget or to curriculum decisions, we have sought to bring not only stimulating academic substance but an environment of nourishment for the children that will last a lifetime. What we offer is a seedbed foundation for goodness, truth and beauty. 23
Agia Sophia Academy Personnel, 2013-2014 Principal: Elisha Lubliner Elementary Teachers: Elisha Lubliner, Lower Elementary Morning Teacher Christina Blankenstein, Lower Elementary Afternoon Teacher Fr. Ed Hillhouse, Upper Elementary Teacher Montessori Teachers: Padma Aisola, Rusudan Miminoshvili Music & Physical Education: Brigid Powell Greek: Mary Christopoulos Latin: Christiana Hillier Art: Magdalena Perussi Administrative Assistant: Euphrosyne McKenzie Director of Development: Matuska Molly Shaw Agia Sophia Academy Board, 2013-2014 Andrew Contes, President, Parent, Engineering Manager, Intel Corporation Fr. Theodore Dorrance Vice President, Priest, St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church John Davis, Parent, Realtor, Business Owner, Creative Counsel James Ketrenos, Software Developer, Intel Corporation Scott Elias Taylor, CFO, R.F. Stearns, Inc. Demetri Papachristopoulos, North American Shipping Agency Elia Popovich, Oregon Law Group
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Agia Sophia Academy 14485 SW Walker Road Beaverton, OR 97006 503.641.4600 www.asapdx.org
Kindergarten - 5th & Montessori Pre-School