Agiasmos and Principal's Breakfast

Principal: Eirini Zacharidis  

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T​eaching Staff:

Areti Tsiliganos (Friday Class: Grades 1-8; Saturday Class Grades 6, 7, and 8)

Elizabeth Zacharidis (Saturday Class Grades 3, 4, and 5)

Theoktisti Dimakis (Saturday Class: Grades 1 and 2)

Chrisoula Mitevski (Saturday Class Grades: Junior/Senior Kindergarten)

Committee Members:

Chairperson: ​Vasilios Zougras

Secretary: Christina Kouniakis

Treasurer: Anna Makrides

Executive Council Members:

Maria Stypsianos

John Stefanopoulos

Natasha Papagiannis

Bill Papagiannis

 Η Φιλοσοφία μας: 

Να δημιουργήσουμε ένα άριστο ακαδημαϊκό πρόγραμμα το οποίο να προάγει την Ελληνική γλώσσα μέσω της Ελληνικής κληρονομιάς, κουλτούρας και ιστορίας. 

Στόχοι:

• Να διατηρήσουμε την ελληνική γλώσσα χρησιμοποιώντας αυτήν σαν την αποκλειστική γλώσσα διδασκαλίας 
• Να προσφέρουμε στα παιδιά την ευκαιρία να εμπλουτίσουν την Ελληνική γλώσσα  μέσω διαφορετικών μεθόδων και εμπειριών
• Να καλυτερεύσουμε τις επιδεξιότητες επικοινωνίας διατηρώντας την ικανότητα ομιλίας, ακοής ανάγνωσης και γραφής της Ελληνικής γλώσσας
• Να ενδυναμώσουμε την αυτογνωσία του μαθητή και προσωπική κληρονομιά δίνοντας  ευκαιρίες να μάθει και να βιώσει την ελληνική κουλτούρα μέσω των παραδόσεων και εθίμων της Ελλάδας
• Να στήσουμε τα θεμέλια για σπουδές των ελληνικών γραμμάτων στην τριτοβάθμια  εκπαίδευση

 Our Philosophy:

To create an academic program of excellence that promotes the Greek language through the immersion of the Greek heritage, culture, and history.

Our Goals:

• Preserve the Greek language by using Greek as the exclusive instructional language;
• Offer children the opportunity for enrichment in the Greek language and culture through a variety of methods and experiences;
• Improve communication skills by maintaining the ability to speak, listen, read and write in the Greek language;
• Enhance the  student’s self concept and heritage by providing opportunities to learn and experience Greek culture through the traditions and customs of Greece;
• Strengthen cognitive development through the knowledge of Greek language;
• Provide the foundation for pursuing post-secondary studies in Greek.

Κάθε Μάιο, το κέτρο Ελληνικής Γλώσσας του Υπουργείου Παιδείας της Ελλάδας, διοργανώνει σε όλον τον κόσμο εξετάσεις πιστοποίησης της Ελληνομάθειας για ομογενείς και αλλοδαπούς μαθητές που διδάσκονται την ελληνική ως δεύτερη ή ξένη γλώσσα. Όλοι έχουν δικαίωμα συμμετοχής. Οι επιτυχόντες λαμβάνουν το επίσημο πιστοποιητικό ελληνομάθειας τον Ιανουάριο του επόμενου χρόνου.

Δύο μαθητές του Ελληνικού μας Σχολείου λάβανε συμμετοχή πέρσι στις εξετάσεις αυτές τις οποίες ολοκλήρωσαν με μεγάλη επιτυχία.

Every May, the Centre for Greek Language, Ministry of Education of Greece, organizes worldwide certification exams in Greek Language Proficiency. These exams are open to all candidates regardless of ethnic background, who are learning Greek as a second or foreign language. Successful candidates are awarded with an official certificate of proficiency in Greek, which they receive every January of the next year.

Two of our students participated last year and successfully completed the certification exams.

Continuing Education offers several educational programs within HWDSB and beyond. One of this programs is a Credit Program, an opportunity for students to learn and/or maintain a language other than French or English and to develop an appreciation and sensitivity to the cultural diversity within Canada.

Gr
The classes are free of charge (students will only have to purchase their books)

Minimum class size requirements: 20 students

Contact Person: 

Email Eirini Zacharidis at ezachari@hwdsb.on.ca

Registration Information:

HWDSB Secondary School students must register with their Guidance Counsellor at their home school and should attend starting the first day of class. 

All Adult and non-HWDSB Secondary School students must register for the program and complete a student registration at the Hill Park Learning Centre, Continuing Education Main Office and are required to proof of identity/age, eligibility and proof of Ontario address.

We offer class Saturdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Ray Lewis Public School,  27 Jessica St, Hamilton, Ontario.

We offer instruction in an immersive learning environment, utilizing current pedagogical materials  and approaches, including workshops, multi-media resources, hands-on activities, and field trips. 

Chairperson - Vasilios Zougras

Secretary - Christina Kouniakis

Treasurer - Anna Makrides

Executive Council Members - Maria Stypsianos, John Stefanopouos, Natasha Papagianis and Bill Papagianis

 Volunteers play a vital role in the functioning and success of Saint Demetrios Greek School. Our volunteers enrich the student's educational experiences and help support both teachers and students in the classrooms.
 

Volunteering is a wonderful way to become involved in the community and to help others. We have had many high-school students volunteer in order to receive their required volunteer hours, as well we have had many parents, retired teachers, and community members volunteer.  

All volunteers in HWDSB schools must provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening with the acquisition of a police check. Safety is our top priority, and this is one step we take in order to ensure this. Upon completion of the police check, the Greek School Committee covers this expense with the submission of a receipt.  

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Eirini Zacharidis at 905-308-1831. 

Ο εθελοντισμός παίζει ένα ζωτικό ρόλο στη λειτουργία και την επιτυχία του σχολείου του Αγίου Δημητρίου. Οι εθελοντές μας εμπλουτίζουν τις εκπαιδευτικές εμπειρίες του μαθητή και βοηθούν στη στήριξη τόσο των εκπαιδευτικών όσο και των μαθητών στις τάξεις.
 

Ο εθελοντισμός είναι ένας θαυμάσιος τρόπος να συμμετέχει κανείς στα κοινά και να βοηθάει τους άλλους. Κάθε σχολική χρονιά έχουμε πολλούς μαθητές του λυκείου που προκειμένου να λάβουνε τις απαιτούμενες ώρες εθελοντισμού τους για την αποφοίτησή τους έρχονται και βοηθάνε στο σχολείο μας. Επίσης έχουμε πολλούς γονείς, συνταξιούχους εκπαιδευτικούς, και μέλη της κοινότητας μας.
  

Όλοι οι εθελοντές στα σχολεία του HWDSB πρέπει να βγάλουν ένα πιστοποιητικό ποινικού μητρώου από την αστυνομία. Η ασφάλεια είναι η κορυφαία μας προτεραιότητα και αυτό είναι ένα βήμα που κάνουμε για να την διασφαλίσουμε. Η Σχολική Επιτροπή καλύπτει τα έξοδα αυτής της διαδικασίας με την προσκόμιση της απόδειξης.  

Εάν ενδιαφέρεστε να βοηθήσετε παρακαλούμε επικοινωνήστε με την Ειρήνη Ζαχαρίδη στο τηλέφωνο 905-308-1831. 

Chairperson - Vasilios Zougras

Secretary - Christina Kouniakis

Treasurer - Anna Makrides

Executive Council Members - Maria Stypsianos, John Stefanopouos, Natasha Papagianis and Bill Papagianis

In the beginning of March, many people around Greece make colourful “Marti” bracelets to welcome spring. Red and white threads are twisted together to make bracelets in which people wear until the end of the month. In ancient Greece, it was thought that the bracelets protected the individual from the strong rays of sun during March. At the end of the month, the bracelets are left in blooming trees for birds to use in building their nests. The sight of the bracelet hanging in a tree is a fond memory of many kids and adults in Greece alike. Every region in Greece has their own variation of this tradition. Some people also chose to keep the “Marti” until Easter time and burn it in the fire of the resurrection candle. No matter what the region or the tradition is, this very long lasting custom is a fun and creative activity for all students.

In the Greek calendar, there is an abundance of traditions and customs that fill people’s lives with rich experiences. At the end of February (which marks the end of the Apokries), many cities around Greece partake in the tradition of the “gaitanaki” dance. The “gaitanaki” is a traditional Greek custom done during the carnival gathering or parades that involves dancing and singing. One person holds the pole and 12 dancers hold one of the 12 colored ribbons that are fixed to the top of the pole. The dancers take the ribbon and dance around in circles singing “dimotika” songs. In the process of dancing and singing, the ribbons become weaved into a beautiful pattern on the pole. Some say that the 12 ribbons symbolize the 12 months of the year. At the end of February, both Friday and Saturday classes participated in the “gaitanaki” and it was a very fun activity that brought all the students together. 

During the month of January all schools around Greece are celebrating the Three Saints of Education: The Three Hierarchs. All three of the Fathers loved education, sought knowledge, and devoted themselves earnestly to learning. The Fathers, Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople; Saint Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople; and Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, devoted their lives to education, faith, and great charitable activities. At Greek school all teachers, students, and parents attended church service and celebrated the day with the annual spaghetti lunch in the hall of the church.