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
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Dear Friends of Agia Sophia Academy,
After the glorious days of summer vacation sometimes it seems like a shock to return to work and routine again. Even so, once we get here, I have to say there is nothing quite so gratifying as coming back and seeing how the children have grown over the summer, seeing the new relationships they are forming with their teachers and fellow students, and seeing their eagerness to learn the new routines and take on classroom jobs. This is why I love being in the classroom each morning before I get back to the office to fulfill my duties as principal. As principal of ASA, it’s my job 2013 Agia Sophia Academy Standardized Test Results to connect the parents, board and (SAT 10 - National Percentile) 100 donors to what is going on in the 2/5 classroom and to also help shape 80 K/1 the discussion about ASA’s future. 60 First, we have the results from Our National Average our spring standardized testing-scores place ASA 40 our students scored high in 2013! in the same 20 range as the Please see the explanatory graph TOP 15% of how ASA students’ scores 0 Schools Nationwide! Reading Math Language Listening compare to the national averages. This fall’s enrollment is up in all of our existing classrooms--only one opening left in Montessori, two in the K/1 classroom and 5 openings in the upper elementary. If you are considering a mid-year school switch or thinking of preschool or elementary for next year, I strongly encourage you to contact us now!
After observing in ASA’s Montessori 3-6 year old classroom, parents have the opportunity to share their reflections. Below are a couple of excerpts: “I enjoyed every minute! Watching the kids brought tears to my eyes twice. I loved watching each child take a tray and do their work quietly and carefully at the tables. I think it’s so neat how they know how to do each activity and put it back where it belongs. I was really hoping my son would work on his fine motor skills and he definitely is! He is learning how to scoop, fold, sort, stack, and put things away – all of which helps at home. I loved watching how the teachers quietly redirected the students. The noise level was at a minimum and very pleasant. I am so thankful for everything that I saw! Thank you!” “Thank you for welcoming us into the classroom. It is wonderful to see children focusing intently, engaging with the work, and sharing exuberantly their work. I loved seeing their quiet joys. Thank you for all you do.”
Finally, in line with our vision to build a school and supporting facilities in conjunction with the St. John parish, we need to continue to grow in our current site. Thanks to the generous response we received to the Special Appeal at the Gala in May 2013, we will open a third elementary classroom in the fall of 2014. This is a much-needed transitional step and we need your help. The new room will allow for two-grade multi-age groupings in each class—a sustainable and healthy model for elementary grades. Please partner with us to spread the word and recruit more elementary students for 2014. Thank you all for your support and love for this school. 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, Elisha Lubliner, Principal
Agia Sophia Academy Newsletter, Fall 2013
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On May 11th, the community and supporters of Agia Sophia Academy all celebrated together at the school’s first annual gala. The evening was more amazing than anyone could have imagined. An enthusiastic crowd of 200 celebrated ASA’s accomplishments and contributions to Portland’s Orthodox community. At one point in the evening, we turned our attention to a short video featuring the children of Agia Sophia Academy. These few minutes of the program highlighted the unique gifts that ASA is able to nurture in our children, including our faith, our Christian values and our love of learning. What followed was truly inspiring. Guests showed generous support to the academy by contributing over $17,000 for the new elementary classroom opening in September of 2014. The generosity of our friends didn’t stop there, though. By the end of the evening, ASA was able to raise nearly $50,000 which will help fund several strategic initiatives that will support the growth of ASA. The passionate support for ASA has never been more evident. The event surpassed our expectations in every way. We are extremely grateful and credit the success of the event to our community and others who believe in Agia Sophia Academy, including our main sponsors for the evening who include Alexis Foods, BridgeTown Dental, Contes Engineering and AGRO. We are already busy planning the next Gala for May 3rd, 2014, where we will be celebrating the school’s 10-year anniversary. We hope to see you all there!
We are excited to announce the newest member of our ASA community and staff, Kyria Mary! Mrs. Mary Christopoulos is a second generation Greek American and is excited to be bringing her heritage, faith, and Greek language skills to Agia Sophia Academy. She brings with her 16 years of teaching experience in grades preschool through fifth in the Michigan Public School System. Mrs. Christopoulos received her Bachelors Degree at the University of Michigan. After a successful 14-year career in accounting and auditing for the Ford Motor Company, she realized her passion and love for education and children. She received her Masters in Education from Wayne State University and has truly found her lifetime fulfillment in educating children. Mrs. Christopoulos’ recent move to Oregon is sparked by the birth of her granddaughter, Athena Maria, and she is thrilled to be joining the Portland Greek Orthodox Community.
To all who generously gave in support of our school between September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013. $10,000 +
$250 - $999 (continued)
$100 - $249 (continued)
Up to $99 (continued)
Maletis, Chris & Kristi Anonyomous
Kaady, Ibrahim & Nelly * Komanechy, John & Alice * Kunrath & Willard Insurance * Morgan, Cory & Tiffany Olson, Wayne & Mary * Palumbis, Jason * Papachristopoulos, Andreas & Kathy * Papachristopoulos, Demetri & Santia * Papas, Ted * Pavlatos, Fr. Timothy & Victoria * Poulos, John & Patricia * Sarikas, Philip & Diane * SJB Myrrhbearers Stoumbos, Zachary & Vasiliki Stratis, Christina Taylor, Scott & Sophia * Wilson, Brandon
Kikes, Gus & Gloria Kosmas, Anna * Lien, Bonnie Lingas, John & Catherine Lubliner, Fr. David & Pda. Esther * Mangiurea Dan Family * Ntatsos, Dimitri & Sarah * Olson, Karen * Papas, Liz * Poulos, Niko * Rennie, Christopher * Shaffer, David & Jean * SJB Senior Ministry Skourtes, Peter * St. John the Forerunner Monastery Stephanopoulos, Pres. Effy * Stoev, Kalin & Ilyana Thrift, Michael Verlinich, Ray & Martha Vizireanu Family *
Kuchulis, Patrice Leese, Kenneth * Lekas, Thomas & Catherine Leslie, Reg Lubliner, Elisha Nonus, James & Mary Peterson, Carolee Riverview Abbey Sherrill, Krista Sofos, Eleni Speros, Mary Stathis, Merle Trumpower, Chuck & Adrienne Tsoumas, Stan & Arma Tussing, Steve & Kathryn *
$2,000 - $7,000 Anonyomous Deming, Arthur & Janet Gorbatov, Eugene & Diana * Intel Matching Gifts to Education Kaady, Ziad & Genie * Karageorgis, Basilia Ketrenos, James & Kathleen * Paramithas, Panos Triantafillou, Nicholas & Mary *
$1,000 - $1,999 AHEPA Anonyomous (x3) Fr. Elias Stephanopoulos Memorial Fund Frank and Margaret Bitar Foundation Garifalakis, Isidoros and Maria Lampros, John & Elaine Panoff, Chris & Krista * Popovich, Elia & Kathryn *
$250 - $999 Aivaliotis, Anthony & Amy * Becker, Michael & Kathryn * Blankenstein, Paul & Christina * Bournelis, Petros & Susan * Braden, Brent & Katherine * Brown, Fr. Jordan & Marika * Burns, Bruce Chios, Eileen Contes, Andy & Christina * Corazza, John & Lisa * Corvallis, Peter & Catalina Davis, Jim & Debbie * Davis, John & Jennifer * Dorrance, Fr. Theodore & Stacey * Drakos, Jimmy & Nadia * Finicle, Mike & Jo Anne * Gatziolis, Demetrios & Evangelia Johnson, Kathleen
$100 - $249 Andronikos, Nikos & Alexandra * Aspros, James * Bouneff, Bob & Sylvia * Butler, David & Michelle Carandanis, John & Cheri * Contes, Jim Crandall, Sean & Diane (Cherry) Creative Council Dale, Debra * Diamond, Michael & MariLou Fasilis, Nancy * Feyler, James Frazier, Lee & Janet * Geist, Gary & Christina * Geving Family * Goldman, Norman & Elaine * Gonzales, Jeremy & Athena * Gregores, George & Mary Hall, Argero * Hatzikos, George & Patricia * Hatziviannis, Maria * Hillier, Michael & Christiana Horton, Maur & Vicki Hughie, Kenneth & Sonia * Kakorin, Sergey & Irina Karafotias, Nickolas & Linda
Up to $99 Alyas, Michael * Amen, Cathleen * Anten, Janice Aspros, John & Danielle * Bambakidis, Dn. Steven & Jenny Bambakidis, Gust Bastrica, Petar & Drage Boyer, Maria Carandanis, Perry Daniels, Seraphim & Rachel Dorrance, Athanasia Franklin, Elizabeth George, Diana Hartung, Gary & Helen Hudanish, John & Elizabeth Hudanish, Thomaida Kamsha, Mariya * Karafotias, Katherine Kennedy, Alex * Knight, Joshua & Naomi Kontaxis, Nicholas & Elaine Kopp, Louise Kovtunovich, Tonia Kremidas, Sophia Kriara, Sophia
And a Special Thanks to our: Gala Event Sponsors Alexis Foods Bridgetown Dental Contes Engineering AGRO
Gala Table Sponsors Fairplay Reality Panoff Family Papachristopoulos Family Triantafillou Family Bournelis Family Braden Family Garifalakis Family Patzke Family Lampros Family
*Indicates or includes Gala Special Appeal Donations
Our 2013 Fifth grade graduation took place following our Spring Performance. Zacharias began with the reading of his graduation speech, followed by a generous donation to our school library. The ceremony concluded with a 5th grade certificate of completion, a cute home-made graduation hat, and yellow roses for the participants. We wish Zacharias all the best in the next phase of his education!
Hello ASA Community! We are excited to have just finished the Greek Open Golf Tournament. Despite the rainy weather, the results look good for our school! As you know, the Greek Open helps support operations and financial aid for ASA. It takes a tremendous amount of work and planning to execute a successful fundraiser like the Greek Open, and we want to sincerely thank Norm Goldman and the Greek Open Committee for their time, effort and commitment to the school.
By Zacharias I really appreciate Agia Sophia Academy because it has great teachers who can spend lots of time with you. They can also help you with problems. They are really fun and patient. It is also great because of the wonderful class mates. My main teacher Fr. Ed, has taught me for 4 years. He has helped me lot and has taught me most of what I know now. He tells lots of jokes even in spelling, one of my least favorite subjects, and we laugh. I also really appreciate our PE and Music teacher, Mrs. Powell, who has been teaching me for 6 years. I remember doing lots of obstacle courses and acrobatics which I like because of the balancing. I also like using the instruments with her. I think that my favorite years were with Ms. Lubliner in Kindergarten/preschool. She taught me to use everything in the classroom. I also very much appreciate our Greek and science teacher, Kyria Tore. She has taught us a lot of good Greek and science and is really fun. I would like to thank our Latin teacher, Mrs. Hillier, who is really good at teaching Latin using art, books and flashcards. Our chant teacher is really great. Most of the year she has been teaching us psalms and Byzantine chant. It’s really interesting and I like it. I think art is one of my favorite subjects and Mrs. Perussi, has done a great job of teaching it to me. I remember that every year I have had very close friends. I also remember lots of things that even my parents did not know, like some short cuts through math. I really appreciate ASA!!!
As a result of the Greek Open and Gala successes, the Board was able to approve the largest amount of financial aid in the school’s history. This will come in handy as our school’s reputation for excellence continues to attract new potential families, some of whom might need financial aid. The ASA Board is excited that our current enrollment is back to 50 students. The Board wants to see this growth in enrollment continue and is making it a chief focus during this academic year. As you know, our goal in 2014 is to open a new classroom! By 2015, we would like to see our enrollment maximize our capacity at our current Walker Road site. This will position us nicely to transition with the St. John Community to a new and permanent site. None of these accomplishments and goals can be possible without your efforts, financial support and prayers, so please stay actively involved in the education and Christian formation of your children. The results we are seeing in the development of your children and in their academic progress, as seen in their fantastic national test scores, are wonderful to behold. Let’s make sure we are thankful to God and also to our wonderful teachers and staff! In addition to the teachers and staff, we have a dedicated Board of Trustees. Another goal of the Board is to recruit new members. If you have interest in volunteering your time in this capacity, please contact Elisha or me. Finally, please continue to encourage your family, friends, and neighbors with young children to consider ASA. Together we can grow and expand this school for future generations. Sincerely,
Andrew Contes, ASA Board President
Upcoming Events Mark your calendars and join us! Christmas Program & Bake Sale: December 11th @ 6:30pm Open House: January 30th from 5pm - 7pm
ASA Gala Dinner & Auction: May 3rd, 2014 @ the MAC