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Meeting Minutes: November 17,2002

Education Committee of Holy Trinity Greek School of London
- Parents Open Meeting -
November 17,2002
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Church Basement

Present:   Sam Karamoutzos, Pat Groumpos, John Tryphonopoulos, Peter Karahalios, Sophocles Katsademas, Vivi Tryphonopoulos, Marina Trifonopoulos, Maria Trembelas, Lana Cagiannos, Reni Georgallidis, Speros Karigianis, Vicky Karigianis, Diane Variatzas, Nick Variatzas, Nick Manias, Argy Economopoulos, Leo Nikas, Steve Eleftheroglou, Joanne Makrakos, Vivian Tsioros, Fr. Elias Drossos

1.  Meeting began at 9:20 am

2.  Introduction and Agenda Review

• 20 parents present

• Read minutes from October 5, 2002 Parents meeting

 3.  School Update

• Steve Eleftheroglou presented the current school program with an emphasis on the differences between the Cultural and Language classes.

• The focus is to make a program that will meet the current children’s need

• Reading Books:  Concerns with the current reading books were raised.  Parents inidicated that there was difficulty with the current books and that this issue needs to be addressed.  Steve indicated that many schools in Canada are going back to using the “Papaloizos” books.  Another suggestion was that we need to create the material ourselves.  In the meantime, Steve is waiting for some books from the university in Crete.

• Teachers:  The Greek School is always in need of teachers.   There needs to be some planning on how to train the teachers when  presenting the Greek curriculum.  

• Cutbacks:  This year the Board of Education cut one teaching position from the Public school level, and one from the High School level.  The average student/teacher ratio is 16:1.  It is expected that the board will make even more cuts in the future.  Thus consideration may be given to merging even some of the grades from 1-3.

• Discussed approach of using the Computer Lab for classes, although it will be difficult to get permission.  However, a system in the individual classrooms with software on it may be considered. 

• Announcements for Events:  It was suggested that signs in front of the building/entrances be set up in order to remind parents of meetings, and upcoming events.  This should be in addition to letter and flyer reminders.

• Suggestions of setting up a “Loan” system for Greek books, videos, CD’s, computer programs so that others can use these resources and tools.  This could be in the form of a video club.

 4.  Educational Material

• Sam thanked Nick Manias for bringing Multimedia materials in for the demonstration

• Lena suggested to rent the videos out to the students

• Steve said that once parents see the benefits of videos, CD’s etc, they will use them with greater frequency and help the children a great deal.

• Diane Variatzas volunteered to help organize a video “Greek” night.  She requested no financial renumeration, however, she would like her hours spent on Video Greek night to be recognized as teaching as teaching hours.

5.  Fundraising

• Nov. 23rd was the last day to collect citrus orders

• Other suggestions  included:

•  Apokriatiko dance

• McDonald’s coupons (20 per booklet sells for $5.00 – there is a minimum of 100 booklets that must be purchased)

• Steve suggested Kalanta is a great way to raise money.  We should organize 3-5 groups and divide the city into however many groups there are

• Lena told us that the choir had done something similar with great success

• Sam recommended that the school organize the groups and that the Educational committee organize the route.

• Diane recommended that the teams/groups attend any Philoptochos, or any community Christmas party to sing kalanta table to table

• Pat  suggested movie days once every 2 months – sell popcorn, pop etc.

• Dianne suggested cake raffles

• Pat suggested a homecooked meal night

•  Jo Anne suggested a Greek School Talent night

6.  Open Discussion

• Peter Karahalios wanted to know if school can be held another day other than Saturday

• Sam responded that the date depends on the wishes of all the parents.  Having it on another day as well as Saturday would diminish the number of students on Saturday.

• Steve  expressed concerns that the depletion of Saturday classes would jeopardize the Saturday program.  If there are enough parents with the same concern, they should bring it to the education committee and then we could re-consider the Saturday school.

• Sam indicated that as a committee they cannot arbitrarily change the Saturday school day.

• Peter Karahalios volunteered to find out if there is a general interest amongst the community to have school on another day other than Saturday.

6.  Meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.

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