Agia Sophia Academy 14485 SW Walker Road Beaverton, OR 97006 503.641.4600 www.asapdx.org
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BEAVERTON, OR PERMIT NO. 319
Address Service Requested Dear Friends of Agia Sophia Academy, Last Spring, ASA joyfully celebrated the completion of our 10th year of operation. This fall, we opened the doors for our 11th year with a brand-new classroom and teacher to balance the grade groupings in the elementary program. Each elementary classroom is equipped with the latest model Smartboard (interactive whiteboard) and enrollment is steadily rising. Our growth over the years has been consistent and strategic. “Growth” sometimes feels like an overused term. What does it really mean? When I began as ASA’s principal seven years ago, I started with the firm belief that as a school organization, we must always grow from the “inside-out” so that our progress is mature and built on a solid foundation. Driven by our mission and vision, we developed a multi-faceted approach to continuous school improvement. It includes cultivating, training, and recruiting the highest quality teaching staff, constantly evaluating and refining teaching techniques and curriculum, building a real community where everyone feels invested, and continually rooting ourselves in the life and teaching of the Orthodox Church.
Like us on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ASAPDX
What does this give our students? Simply answered: the most authentically holistic education possible. A holistic philosophy implies parts that are interconnected. We know that our souls, minds, and bodies are not meant to operate in isolation, yet so often we are educated in such a way that one part, usually the soul, is left untouched. A disjointed education does not serve to foster real wisdom nor does it build future leaders for our society. Faculty at ASA have the unique opportunity to truly integrate education for our students: academics to arts, social to spiritual, and physical to practical. With your help and support, we have established Agia Sophia Academy as a leader among only a handful of Orthodox Christian schools on the west coast. I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to work with you during this exciting time of growing our beloved school into an institution that is respected and established for many generations to come! Thank you! Sincerely,
Elisha Lubliner Principal
On the eve of Dormition, our church and school was blessed with the presence of the miracle-working Kursk Icon. http://www.kurskroot.com
Agia Sophia Academy Newsletter, Fall 2014
1
I understand that your family actually moved to Beaverton because of the school and church. Can you tell us about that? The school and the church were definitely a large part of our decision to move to Beaverton. Christina and I saw the opportunity to be involved with a young and growing community which really appealed to us. We had other reasons that motivated us to move which included an Intel career as well as friends and family in the area. It was clear that ASA would provide an educational environment that both Christina and I desired for our children. It is common to hear that families move to specific neighborhoods to be included in a certain school district. These families have the best interest of their children in mind. For Christina and me, a faith based education carries high value and was a key contributor to our decision to move and make this possible for our children.
“
What has being President of the ASA Board taught you?
“
It has taught me many lessons. First of all, to keep the Mission Statement of the school in front of the board so we can collectively and consistently drive towards it with every effort. I learned that strong agreement is crucial to the success of any event or endeavor that we take on. I learned that I actually do love and believe in what ASA strives to provide in a faith- based education. It has taught me a great deal about education and scholastic principles that I previously had no insight of as an engineer. It confirmed my decision to send my children to the school over the public school option. Finally, it has taught me that committed volunteers are a very valuable asset to the success of the organization. What have your children reported about school thus far? Our pre-school student’s daily reports are typically pretty short. He might state a simple, school was good, on one day and on another he’ll elaborate and tell me all about recess or the building blocks! Our kindergarten student provides a much more informative conversation. She always volunteers stories about how hard she tries to get to the next color chart with her lessons. She will often try to demonstrate her reading ability improvements. Christina and I are realizing that our secret codes between us are being deciphered by our youngsters as they are learning how to read! Both of the children enjoy talking about their ‘work’ for the day and are obviously proud of their accomplishments.
Gifts and Donations received from 05/24/2014 to 09/25/14 We appreicate your prayers, your volunteering, your love, and your financial support. If your name has been omitted, misspelled or incorrectly listed, please accept our sincerest apology and contact our Development Director, Molly Shaw at molly@asapdx.org or 503-641-4600.
$2000 and Up Mr. and Mrs. Chris Maletis, III $1000-$1999 Holy Trinity Greek Festival Mr. and Mrs. James Ketrenos $500-$999 Mr. and Mrs. Elia Popovich Fr. Elias Stephanopoulos Memorial Fund Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wright NIKE Matching Grant $200-$499 Creative Counsel (John Davis) Mr. and Mrs. Ted Deming Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Contes Mr. and Mrs. Cory Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Triantafillou Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Wilson
$100-$199 Mr. and Mrs. Rob Walters Mr. Michael Alyas Mr. and Mrs. Eli Chiprout Mr. and Mrs. James Feyler Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sly Up to $100 Mr. and Mrs. Kalin Stoev Kroger (Fred Meyer) Target’s Take Charge of Ed Ms. Laura Seger Daughters of Penelope Mr. and Mrs. Michael Amen Fr. Theodore and Pres. Stacey Dorrance Ms. Eleni Sofos Melaleuca (Pres. Maria Hillhouse) Ms. Elisha Lubliner Mr. Reg Leslie Mrs. Frances Williams
What have you and Christina experienced being part of an Orthodox school? What have been some benefits that you have experienced? There are a few experiences that often come to mind when I think of ASA’s impact on our family. The first time that our daughter volunteered to sing the prayer before dinner brought us to tears. This is a result of ASA’s influence within our family. To hear my little girl singing “O give thanks to the Lord…” was so beautiful. Now we commonly sing that same prayer together before dinner and each night as the children go to sleep.
A big
“Thank You!”
to Langdon Farms Golf Club, our hardworking Greek Open Committee, to all the volunteers, and to everyone who came out to have some fun at our
19th annual Greek Open Golf Tournament!
Another profound experience was joining the children for ASA’s morning prayers one day. What came over me was a strong feeling that having my children at ASA was “just right.” This safe and nurturing place for my children, this oasis of order and peace and academic rigor, is a place which I am extremely thankful. This is the “why” behind sending my children to ASA. What are the challenges of the ASA Board at this time? The challenges of the ASA Board vary from one quarter to the next. The work of the ASA School Board is important. Our challenge is to sustain what we’ve built thus far and commit to long term planning. We seek committed volunteers who passionately believe in the school’s Mission and want to help provide this opportunity for generations to come. If you are interested please contact me or the school. How does the school complement your Orthodox beliefs? The greater the Orthodox influence on our children during these formative years, the deeper the roots of faith will be. The school and the church help to complement what we are striving to do at home. By practicing prayers to begin the day, praying before meals, by giving thanksgiving, by respecting others, and also setting aside time during our daily schedules during Great Feasts or fasting periods, all help to form an fully engaged Orthodox life. Our prayer is that our children will be rooted in faith, a faith that will last a lifetime.
I feel honored to be on board the excellent staff at Agia Sophia Academy this year as the new 2nd/3rd grade teacher! My purpose as a teacher is to inspire children to become lifelong learners and to equip them with the skills they need to pursue their interests and utilize their gifts to the glory of God. I am thrilled to fulfill this calling in an environment surrounded by loving and wise individuals and a community of faith that is invested in the education of its children. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the school community, who has welcomed me with a great deal of support and care. I moved to Beaverton from Seattle this summer, after completing my teaching degree at Seattle Pacific University, and have since been preparing for a wonderful school year! I’ve been able to get to know quite a few of you so far, and I look forward to building relationships with each one of you as the years progress. Being a new member of this community, I would like to share a bit about my own background and interests, and hopefully I will have the chance to hear yours as well! I am a recent graduate from Seattle Pacific University, and have lived in the Seattle area my whole life. I love the Pacific Northwest, which is one of the reasons why I am excited to be exploring a new area of this beautiful landscape here in Beaverton. I have a strong background in supporting the academic and social development of children, in both public and private settings, working as a nanny, tutor, and student teacher. I love and connect with children very easily, which, paired with a love for learning and academic success, has brought me quite naturally to the career path of teaching. When I’m not teaching, I love to cook, go swimming or running, drink tea, and spend time with friends and family. This year is an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a teacher and as an Orthodox Christian. I look forward to being on this journey with all of you.
Hi, my name is Nikki Hartman and I am thrilled to have joined the ASA Board this fall. I grew up in Seattle, Washington, where I attended St. Paul’s Orthodox Church in Brier. In 2007, I moved to Portland to attend the University of Portland and I began going to The Church of the Annunciation in SE Portland. After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle School Education, I married Herman, a commercial fisherman from Alaska and began teaching at-risk adolescents in Forest Grove. During this time I also added my high school licensure credentials. We moved to Beaverton and began attending Portland State University where I received my Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Charlie, our son, was born a year ago and has made life all the sweeter. I’m now in my 8th year of teaching and piloting several instructional interventions in my building this year. I’m excited to help ASA pursue a strategic plan for its future. I hope to bring my education, curriculum, and classroom knowledge to the ASA board.
We are featuring the Bournelis’ Family. With a daughter that teaches K/1, a grandson who recently gratuated, and another in Ms. Wright’s class, they are long time supporters of ASA. An interesting introduction always starts off by asking, “How did you two meet?” Susan tells the story that they met in 1971 on Broadway Avenue. They exchanged “peace signs”: Petro jumped in her car and five weeks later they were married. What a story for those times and not to be repeated in these days! Three children later they faced which avenue to turn to in educating their children. When their oldest, Christina, was in the 4th grade, they realized they wanted all their children to have the opportunity to go to parochial school. At the time, there was not an Orthodox school in the area, so they chose Catholic education. As it turned out, all three children were educated in the Portland Catholic schools through senior high school. Susan explained that it was challenging but worth it. Petro had made up his mind that they would sacrifice whatever it took and for however long. In the beginning, Susan had to make those trips between Vancouver and Portland, sometimes twice a day, but eventually a bus provided the transport. Petro worked full time and Susan worked part time to help meet the tuition cost. She explained that sometimes the money was available in the budget and sometimes not, so a few times their extended family pitched in and helped. Petro and Susan agreed that many people think that private education is for rich people, but they can attest that this is not true. They conferred, “You make a commitment to something and make the effort and any shortage is supplied by the grace of God.” Do you have any lasting words for our readers? “We are so thankful we did this!”
Creativity: The Ability to Generate Innovative Ideas
What do these Innovators have in common? Jimmy Wales, the Co-Founder of Wikipedia Sergey Brin & Larry Page, Founders of Google Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon
A MONTESSORI EDUCATION Give your innovator the right start.
ASA Fall Open House NOVEMBER 16TH, 2014 3-5 PM