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5 THE SHEPHERD • JULY 2025 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Sponsored Announcement CLEANINGS • MAINTENANCE PREVENTION • FAMILY CARE PEDIATRIC CARE • COSMETICS ORTHODONTICS • PRESERVATION DR. BARR INGTON FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY STEPHAN BARRINGTON DDS 6398 DEL CERRO BLVD, SUITE 1 SAN DIEGO, CA 92120 619.286.1181 DRBARRINGTONSD.COM RETURNING TO ST. SPYRIDON GREEK SCHOOL OF SAN DIEGO It is with great pride and a deep sense of purpose that I return to St. Spyr- idon Greek School of San Diego and take on the role of its Director. First- ly, I would like to thank our previous director, Dr. Nancy Provataris for all her hard work the past two years and wish her all the best for her new en- deavors. As someone who believes passion- ately in the value of language and culture, I am committed to guiding our school in a direction that places a strong emphasis on helping stu- dents not only learn to speak Greek, but to live and breathe the language and the heritage that comes with it. In today’s world, maintaining a con- nection to our roots and faith can be both a challenge and a gift. Our goal at the Greek School is not simply to teach vocabulary and grammar, but to create an environment where stu- dents feel confident communicating in Greek and are inspired by the rich- ness of our culture. This includes cel- ebrating our traditions, faith, music, history, values, and community spir- it—all within a modern and engaging classroom setting. The Greek School, as with our parish’s other wonderful ministries such as Sunday School, Dance, and Choral, are not extracur- ricular programs — they are a corner- stone of our local Greek and Ortho- dox community. They provide a space where people come together, friend- ships form, and children learn what it means to be part of something larger than themselves. They reinforce our identity and strengthen the ties be- tween generations and the ties with our heritage and our faith. Through these programs, we pass on not just a language, but a way of life rooted in philotimo : live and reverence. As Greek School Director, I will strive to collaborate with other ministries to create an inclusive and synergistic learning environment. Part of this vision includes updat- ing our curriculum to make it more interactive, immersive and conver- sation-focused. We will introduce cultural workshops, experiential learning activities, and partnerships with Greek organizations to ensure that the experience is a holistic, ed- ucational and rewarding experience for all our students. We will not only educate our students, but we will support our teachers by providing seminars on new immersive teaching methods for secondary languages. We want our students and teachers to feel proud of their heritage and empow- ered to carry it forward. But we cannot do this alone. The strength of our school lies in the support of our community — par- ents, grandparents, and parishioners who understand the importance of nurturing the next generation. Your involvement, encouragement, sup- port and presence makes all the dif- ference. I warmly invite you to join us in this journey. Whether through volunteering, enrolling yourself or your children or simply spreading the word, your support will help us build a Greek School that not only preserves our traditions but also strengthens the very heart of our community. Together, we can ensure that the Greek language and culture continue to thrive in San Diego for generations to come. Together, I be- lieve, we can build something truly meaningful. To conclude, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Parish Council and Greek School Board for their trust and unwavering support and Father Andrew, for his spiritual guidance and counsel. I would also like to thank the teachers, the corner- stones of our school, and all the direc- tors that came before me. Dr. Eleni Sinopoulou San Diego Greek Language School Director GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL