Important Information
* All classes begin at 9:30 am with the Divine Liturgy. Students are encouraged to sit
either with their family or with their fellow classmates in the front pews.
* At the time of Holy Communion, the Church School staff and the students come first
to receive in order for them to proceed to their classes. In the hall, the children take a
small snack and then are directed to the classroom area that is located downstairs.
* Children are provided with textbooks, handouts and other important resources which inspire Christian learning. The curriculum used by our Church School is taken from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: www.goarch.org
* All children, whether belonging to St. Nicholas or visiting for the day, are invited to join the Church School classes.
* *PLEASE NOTE* THE FOLLOWING IS IMPORTANT TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:
Parents with children in Grade 2 and under are requested to pick up their child each
Sunday from the classroom upon completion of lessons.
* Students born students born in 2007/2006/2005 (not yet in First grade) will be in the pre-k/k class downstairs with the wonderful teachers Mrs. Zervoglos and Mrs. Diorio. Students born in 2008 or younger will have a table set up in the hall with coloring supplies and/or small projects. This table will run by parents ONLY, no teacher will be assigned. Parents and students are responsible for cleaning up at the end.
* Please also visit our St. Nicholas parish website (www.stnicholaslex.org) for more
information. Our church calendar is updated on a regular basis, in case dates have
changed due to unforeseen situations. Please also visit the St. Nicholas Church School page for more help with home activities or messages from our directors and teachers.
* Information and updates from teachers may also be found on Facebook -- St. Nicholas GOC Lexington, MA.
Classes & Curriculum for 2011 – 2012 Church School Year
Pre-K and Kindergarten (Ages 2.9 to 4)
Teachers: Pattie DiOrio and Mandy Zervoglos
Textbook: God Loves Us ~ Love, which children so freely give and so naturally
expect, is the basis for this program. Here, the materials discussed and
presented build an effective, customized program for this age group.
1st – 2nd Grades
Teachers: Monica Vafiades and Pam Vlahakis
Textbook: Loving God ~ This program concentrates on the theme of “Loving God.” Through examples of men and women of the Bible, and of our Saints, children begin to understand right, wrong and forgiveness in the light of God’s love. They also learn the importance not only of loving God unconditionally, but also of respecting other people, of taking care of the environment, of doing good in His Name.
3rd Grade
Teachers: Cassandra Garibaldi and Charlene Colt
Textbook: Growing with God ~ A programs devoted to helping children learn how to
use and appreciate the Bible. Also introduces examples of living the sacramental life –
attending services, fasting, praying, observing feast days, helping others, learning about
the saints and the Church of Christ. After this program, children love the Bible, and know
how to refer to it in times of doubt and fear. Contains words to hymns and songs.
4th – 5th Grades
Teachers: Alexandra Houck and Mary Royal
In this class students learn that worship goes beyond the Divine Liturgy and is an
important aspect to a Christ-centered life. The Parables of our Lord and the following
four sections are topics for the year: (1) Facing Up to Peer Pressure (2) Knowing
Christ: Knowing Christ is Love. Knowing Christ is Truth. Knowing Christ is Peace. (3)
Stewardship: Serving in God’s World. (4) Honesty: Honesty is a broad topic, but knowing the consequences of lying, cheating, and distinguishing right from wrong is essential for
our youth and their spiritual growth.
6th – 7th Grades
Teachers: Daphne Papadopoulos and Nector Ritzakis
Textbooks: What Do You Stand For? For Teens, and Living the Liturgy Invites teens
to explore and practice Orthodox Christian character traits such as honesty, kindness,
empathy, integrity, tolerance, patience, respect and more. It challenges readers to think
about, discuss, and debate positive traits. It offers group activities for them to explore
what they stand for at school, at home, and in their communities.
8th - 9th Grades 10th - 12th Grades
Teacher: Danielle Xanthos Teacher: James Tsikouris
(Holy Cross theological student) (Holy Cross seminarian)
Textbook: Rejoice in One Lord Jesus Christ
The new CANA curriculum is designed to engage teenagers by showing them how Orthodoxy is applicable to their lives through a variety of pertinent, contemporary issues. High school students, separated into grades 8-9 and 10-12, are led by our experienced Holy Cross theological student and seminarian. They work closely with Fr. Demetri on the curriculum covered.
Additional Instruction
Each class will also discuss the following…
* Major Orthodox Holy Days: Great Lent, Great and Holy Week, Pascha, Advent and Christmas.Why we have them and what they mean...Lives of the Saints.....Various parts of Scripture.....Confession and Forgiveness.....Prayer
St. Nicholas Church School Projects
Church School Stewardship
Stewardship as we know is the ability to offer ones time, talent and treasure. W e try to introduce the proper form of Orthodox Christian stewardship to our youth in order for them to grow into maturity as practicing Orthodox Christians. Our Church School students learn from a young age about the importance and value of true Christian stewardship. This does not solely focus on the monetary view of stewardship, rather it shows how one can become involved and support the church by their participation in events and activities. Each classroom has a monthly offerings collection.
Food Drives
Each year we collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations for those in need. The entire parish participates in these undertakings.
Open Houses
Starting this year, there will be two open houses, one in the fall and one in the spring. The one in the fall, “Meet and Greet” is where family members, relatives and friends will have the opportunity to visit the classrooms and meet teachers, classmates and others visiting. The second open house will take place during our parish-wide Oratorical Festival.
Teaching Divine Liturgy
We will offer a Teaching Divine Liturgy on the following Sundays: November 6 and spring (TBA.) This is a full Divine Liturgy during which we will pause periodically to explain the prayers and various aspects of the service. The Liturgy will be chanted primarily in English.
St. John Oratorical Festival
The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. The Oratorical Festival Program begins at the parish Level and is divided into two divisions; the Junior Division for students in the 7th to 9th grades and the Senior Division for teenagers in the 10th to 12th grades. This year, led by our Church School teacher Mary Royal, all of our Church School classes participate on some level in the Oratorical Festival. Whether drawing icons, writing poems, writing or chanting hymns, writing about our Lord and His Saints. There will be a few Sundays in which all will be able to see the talents of our young people in this wonderful Festival. Please visit http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof for more information.
St. NIcholas Orchestra/Santa’s Visit, December 18
This year we will create a separate sing-along event led by the Greek School and our St. Nicholas orchestra. They will perform Christmas carols and kalanda. On this day, we have confirmed Santa’s availability to pay us an early visit as well.
Christmas Pageant, December 24
Each year our children and young people participate in a reenactment of the Nativity (Birth) of Christ and sing traditional Christmas Carols. Since Christmas eve is on a Saturday, liturgy will start at 4pm and a new and improved Pageant will follow. We will have new costumes!
The Three Hierarchs, January 29
The youth from our Church School together with the parish Greek School present readings on the Three Hierarchs.
Souper Bowl of Caring, February 5
The students of our Church School participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring, which takes place on Super Bowl Sunday. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-led, grass roots movement of caring, that utilizes Super Bowl weekend to mobilize youth of all
backgrounds to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Since 1990, $33 million has been raised for charities across the United States of America. This program is led by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Procession of the Holy Icons on Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 4
Our youth along with all the Faithful of our community are asked to bring an icon from home on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, in which we remember and celebrate the restoration of the Holy Icons by the 7th Ecumenical Council. There will be a procession with the Holy Icons outside the Church (weather permitting.)
Feast of the Annunciation, March 25
On or around the time of March 25, our Church School and Greek School give presentations on the Feast of the Annunciation along with the celebration of Greek Independence.
Saturday of Lazarus, April 7
All students and their families are encouraged to celebrate The Divine Liturgy, enjoy a community breakfast, help prepare the palm crosses that will be given to all the faithful on Palm Sunday and to help beautify and prepare the Church for Great and Holy Week.
Great and Holy Friday Retreat, April 13
This retreat is for all the youth of our community to spiritually prepare for Great and Holy Pascha. We encourage our entire parish to participate. Also, if needed, a letter can be provided from the church office to excuse a student from school.
Myhrr-bearing Girls at Great Holy Friday Service, April 13
Girls in grades 2-6 are invited to represent the myhrr-bearing women who were at the tomb of Christ on Great and Holy Friday.
The girls participate in the Vespers of the Apokathelosis and during the evening service. During the evening service, the girls stand around the Kouvouklion/Epitaphion with flowers and participate in the procession of the Epitaphion as it is carried outside the Church.
Godparent Sunday, April 22
Godparent Sunday is a day set aside to remind ourselves of the meaning of our own Baptism, as well as to honor the great responsibility and blessing of being a Godparent. On this day, all students are encouraged to invite their Godparents to celebrate The Divine Liturgy together, receive Holy Communion together and to attend their Godchild(ren)’s Church School Class. Following the class, there is a Luncheon to honor all Godparents and their Godchildren. Godparent Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday of St. Thomas.
Graduation Sunday and Community Cookout, May 20
On this Sunday we will honor all of our students for their dedication and hard work for the year. We also acknowledge those who are graduating from high school and college. Following the awarding of certificates all are invited to enjoy fellowship during our Community Cookout.
