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5 THE SHEPHERD • NOVEMBER 2022 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL Χαίρετε! Hérete! At the Greek School, we take our mission seriously and feel it is crucial to invest ener- gy and resources in order to deliver the best possible educational circumstances for the students. Our teaching team is working hard during the Fall and we have implemented several changes in the teaching structure and Greek School curriculum, aiming to engage our students to an enhanced and immersive learning experience. • Introducing meticulously structured sylla- bi for every level • Focusing on increasing Greek vocabulary • Securing xed timeframe per class for speaking • Introducing midterm examinations • Introducing parent-teacher conferences in the middle and end of each semester • Introducing detailed progress reports at the end of each semester We will be on anksgiving break starting Tuesday, November 22nd to Friday, No- vember 25th . Classes will resume the week of November 28th. To learn more about our work, join our class- es, and/or support our e orts by graciously submitting a donation, visit our website at: www.stspyridongreekschool.org Favorite Greek Destinations in November: Μeteora / Μετέωρα A few kilometers northwest of the essalian plain, in the town of Kalambáka, is one of the most impressive landscapes of Greece, the rocks of Meteora. Many centuries ago, these huge rocks were formed that exceed a height of 600 meters and in which the her- mits found refuge, establishing one of the most important monastic communities in Greece. Meteora is a unique place and a top travel destination because it is a complex of huge Paleolithic rocks and Byzantine monas- teries on their steep peaks with unique relics and frescoes. Today eight Holy Monasteries are preserved, of which six are in operation. eocharis Papatrechas Greek Language School Director Prophets, and so much more. On October 30th, the 4th/5th grade class passed out glow sticks to all of the students, to encourage them to show the Light of Jesus to the world on Halloween. November 1st, our Sun- day School classes through 5th grade, built ankful Trees! is month, the Middle and High School Classes explored the four W’s of Service – Why, Where, Who, and When. eir rst Service Sunday Project was in our church parking lot! Did you see the beautiful chalk drawings? eir goal was to bring a bit of beauty, joy, and faith to you all. We hope you enjoyed it! Sunday School is looking for classroom helpers and once per month Sub- stitute Teachers. Call/text 619-940-5167 or email sundayschool.stspyridon@gmail.com Kids' C n Our Kids’ Corner is open each Sunday a er Holy Communion. Families, babies, and tod- dlers can come and play. Co ee for parents and toys for kids provided. It is a great place to hang out with other parents of young children! If you have gently used baby and toddler toys you would like to donate, please email youthministries@stspyridon.org Sunday! On October 2nd, our Middle and High School groups participated in Service Sunday and began to dig deep into serving the Church and our community. Also on October 2nd, our TK-5th grade classes par- ticipated in our rst eme Sunday! As our theme this year is the “Light of Jesus” mem- bers of our Youth Choir and Adult Choir taught the classes the hymn, “O Gladsome Light, which is sung during Vespers. e lyr- ics are beautiful: O Gladsome Light of the Holy Glory Immortal Father, heavenly holy blessed one, Jesus Christ. Now that we have come to the setting of the sun And we see the evening light, We praise Father Son and Holy Spirit God It is worthy at all times to praise You with loud voices O Son of God, the giver of life For this the Universe Glori es You 4 YOUTH MINISTRIES During this time of anksgiving, we rst “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1. We also give thanks for our families, our church, our priest, our deacon, and our friends. is newsletter I would like to give thanks to our bookstore volunteer sta . ey are a wonderful group of ladies that are al- ways giving of their time a er church to keep our bookstore running so ef ciently. With- out their help, ideas, and cheerful personali- ties, I wouldn’t be able to keep the bookstore functioning. In this newsletter, I would like to thank Mary Mastorakos, Pat Tsopanoglou, Collette Pepelis, and Francesca Captain. I am so grateful to you ladies, wishing you all a blessed anksgiving season! Please stop by the bookstore and say a quick hello to our volunteer sta . ey are always willing to help you choose a new book to read or gi . Additionally, it is never too soon to start your Christmas browsing or buying. e bookstore has a gi for any age. And one more note of “thanks”, an anonymous cash donation was received last month! ank you to our gi giver for your generosity; your donation was much appreciated and will be put to good use. anksgiving blessings to you all! Stephanie Mourafetis BOOKSTORE