Bulletin # 118
THE HELLENIC LINK, Inc.
Member Update- BULLETIN
Editorial Committee: Achilleas Adamantiades, Alex Economides, Christos Efthymiopoulos, Dean C. Lomis, Gerasimos Merianos, Panagiotis Siskos Contributing Editor: Evangelos Calamitsis Associate Editor: John Angelidis, Acting Editor: Costas Efthymiou
No. 118, June, 2014 |
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Café of Ideas Celebrating Modern Greek Language: A Living Classic
(A Report on Efforts to Upgrade Modern Greek Studies in America)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
We are pleased to present in this issue a summary of ideas presented on the occasion of completion and submission to the American Council for Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) of the drafted document on “Standards for Teaching/Learning Modern Greek.” This document, as is known, was drafted under the guidance of ACTFL by an ad hoc Task Force of volunteer Greek Educators, organized under the auspices of the Advisory Council on Hellenic Education of the Hellenic Link, Inc. Coordinator and managing director of the Task Force project since even before its formal inception has been Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis, Ph.D., Member of the Advisory Council. She presents this Report on behalf of many. The “Standards” document, which is the culmination of a three –year endeavor, was submitted at the Annual Meeting of ACTFL in Philadelphia PA, November 2012. On the sidelines of the ACTFL Meeting, the completion of the Draft was observed by the Hellenic Link and the Task Force with a celebratory dinner in which the attendees as part of the program offered ideas, suggestions or reports of relevant activities on one of the basic educational concepts promulgated by ACTFL, COMMUNITY. Venue for this event was “ESTIA”, a Greek Mediterranean Restaurant in Philadelphia, in the evening of Friday, November 16, 2012
The Hellenic Link, as indeed the Hellenism as a whole, can be hopeful for the vision, united conviction, close cooperation, and determined commitment to the cause of Hellenic Paideia the Task Force Members and their colleagues exhibited with their presentations. Along with our thankful congratulations to all contributors, we wish to express the hope that more Greek educators will join in pioneering the scientific and pedagogic advancement of Teaching Modern Greek, aiming at a genuine renaissance of Hellenic Education, of which the event being reported is but an auspicious harbinger. CJE
Café of Ideas
Following brief greetings from the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, the Hellenic Link, and others, the dinner guests took up the focal Theme: “Gift of Community,” which is the Living Classic connecting the ancient with the modern; “when we live and function in community we prosper and create continuously, whereas when we live and function as individuals or as separate institutions, we become self-destructive and flounder”. The presentations that follow were offered as Gifts for the Community by the respective attendees. In each case, along with a summary, pertinent links or references were cited for additional information.
Dr. Peter Bien, Professor Emeritus, Dartmouth College; a Task Force Member and the primary editor of the drafted National Standards of Modern Greek; co-author of Greek Today http://www.upne.com/1584650338.html As a fitting example of how to “educationally build community,” Dr. Bien pointed to the “American Farm School” (in Thessaloniki, Greece), the graduates of which are true stewards of the land, leaders in their communities, and responsible global citizens” http://www.afs.edu.gr/greeksummer He cited also as a resource “The Modern Greek Studies Association” (MGSA), founded in 1968, an American-based, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Modern Greek studies in the United States and Canada. Interdisciplinary in orientation, it seeks to stimulate the discovery and diffusion of knowledge about the language, arts, history, politics, economy and society of modern Greece” http://mgsa.org/ Dr. Peter Bien’s new translation of “Zorba the Greek” is finished and now being copy- edited by Simon & Schuster for publication in 2014.
Mr. Dimitri Dandolos, Board Member, Odyssey Charter School, Wilmington, DE http://www.odysseycharterschooldel.org/, elected Member of the Hellenic Link, Inc.’s Board of Directors. Mr. D. Dandolos emphasized the importance of utilizing the Greek language as a vehicle to a deeper understanding of all disciplines, especially the classical roots and fundamentals of English, of mathematical concepts, philosophical underpinnings, language arts, the arts, science, and social studies. Speaking from experience in implementing an exchange program between schools in Greece and the USA, he suggested that this activity is extremely rewarding as the educational, cultural and professional development opportunities are too numerous to list! In this context, almost four years ago the Odyssey Charter School of Wilmington, Delaware established this type of program with schools in Argolis, Greece, under the auspices of Harvard University and the coordinating efforts of Harvard’s Center of Hellenistic Studies (CHS) in Nafplion, Greece. More specifically, the School’s teachers and pupils have been collaborating in common projects (interdisciplinary, cross-thematic and multicultural) with schools in Argolis, Peloponnese, developing personal relationships, exchanging letters and utilizing web-enabled opportunities to speak with one another and present their findings to the entire group. To assist in this effort, Harvard and the CHS have created access to Harvard’s proprietary, web-based collaboration platform, where ongoing work is stored and shared, to all participants. Concluding his contribution, he said “we are still at the early stages, as our long term plans include student and teacher exchanges through various academic and professional development opportunities, aiming to enhance and strengthen the bonds between participants. Although we are fairly busy with this ongoing program, we would definitely entertain a discussion with the school in Athens (PSPA) and, at a minimum, we would very much enjoy sharing our experience with others who are willing to participate in such meaningful and rewarding opportunity”.
Dr. Christina Dimitriou, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management, School of Education, Drexel University. Full of energy and enthusiasm for honesty, φιλοξενία, and the Hellenic spirit, she shared that the core curriculum concept of hospitality and honesty create community.
Stella Economou, Assistant Professor, Norwalk Community College, Department of Modern Languages; previously, Vice Principal of the Foreign Language Department at the Bronx High School of Science, NYC (Editor’s note: educationally advanced, this School is proud for the 6 Nobel Prize Winners among its alumni!), she offered many examples of what the Bronx High School Greek Language Department has been doing, which she had on display for this occasion http://www.bxscience.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=3722&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=223958 .(See also: A Hellenic Education Plan for America, Hellenic Link, Inc. NY 2005, pp28-32).Ms. Economou brought for the occasion copies of the book by Marianna V. Vardinoyannis entitled: Labouring with the Challenges of Female Identity: Insights into Minoan Society ( ISBN: 978-960-14-2300-5), to distribute to a number of University and Public Libraries by participants of the event. Ms. Economou is also fostering an inter-generational partnership with St. Michael’s Home of the Aged (of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese) by developing a grant for Greek language schools and cultural organizations that produce archives of cultural and musical DVDs after interviewing and recording the lives of the Home’s residents. Students from these schools are to visit on a monthly basis to conduct and record the interviews. They are then to produce as tangible outcomes DVDs or You-Tube clips capturing the rich cultural history of these seniors and sharing it with the community
Dr. Maria Hnaraki , Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Folklore and Ethnomusicology, as well as Director of Greek Studies, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA; a Task-Force Member for the development of Modern Greek Language Standards; she offered her article, We Speak What We Eat “A hungry bear does not dance...” http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article11130901.aspx; also, Embassy of Greece interviews of Dr. Maria Hnaraki about Drexel’s unique Greek Studies and minor program: http://us5.campaignarchive.com/?u=6cb2d297ff616984b41ff4bae&id=ad81d891b2&fb_action_ids=10152039467390399fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582 Maria Hnaraki’s latest book: Sing in Me, Muse, and through me Tell the Story: Greek Culture Performed ( http://zorbapress.com/?page_id=1052)
Vasilis Keisoglou & Leftheri Kostans of CosmosPhilly – Community based Greek WebTV, offered this video link: http://cosmosphilly.com/videos/modern-greek-public-schools/In addition, they shared with us how they help inform and connect community using 21st century methodologies and technologies.
Dr. Eleni Miltsakaki, (Computer & Information Science Faculty, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania) has created and offered Choosito! This is the next generation, content duration platform, supported by advanced natural language technology and fueled by the community. Its purpose is to help teachers, students and parents find educational resources on the web quickly, by reading level and subject parameters. Innovative search and learn-platform for schools that helps us filter web pages by grade level and subject area. Sign-up is free. (http://www.choosito.com/)
Fr. Emmanuel Pratsinakis, Director of Greek Education, Metropolis of New Jersey http://www.newsbomb.gr/prionokordela/rokanidia/story/250012/i-teleytaia-lexi-poy-tha-akoystei-sti-gi-tha-einai – ixzz2BU4NPKjL Fr. Pratsinakis shared a program developed by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey for Pre-Service Teacher Training Program for Hellenic Afternoon School Education, including the overall program introduction, a Pre-Service Teacher Portfolio application, Lesson Mid-Term Evaluation Form, Pre-Service Teacher Evaluation of Mentor form, Lesson Evaluation Form. This project leads to the development of Greek Language Teacher Certification requirements. [See attached zip file]
Fr. Emmanuel Pratsinakis’ parish of Saint Thomas’ Greek School, Cherry Hill, NJ website is: http://stthomasgoc.org/wordpress/?page_id=129 Check out their Student Handbook in English or Greek on their web and Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey, Clergy-Laity Assembly, Greek Education Presentation, Monday, May 13, 2013 on the attached PowerPoint Presentation handout.
Maria Sandilos, ESL Teacher, Greek Language Teacher at the Annunciation Church, Elkins Park PA School, stressed the importance of bringing the best of what is learned in public schools and educational research in general, and applying it in our Greek Language schools.
Maria Stamoolis, Greek Education Director of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, PA, offered two powerful examples of the Foreign Language standard of Community. First, how the Greek language students of the Metropolis are connecting with the children of an orphanage in Thessaloniki (by sending cards and Christmas gifts, letter exchange, Skype, and soon to launch a fundraiser to help the orphanage), and how this language exchange has initiated a community service exchange from the students themselves. Second, how the Metropolis Greek Education office offers community service by a booklet entitled, “Greek for Caregivers” given to nursing homes and assisted living facilities that have Greek speaking patients but no Greeks on staff, to help them communicate and serve each other’s needs more effectively. http://pittsburgh.goarch.org/ministries/greek-education The Metroppolis of Pittsburgh also promotes a metropolis-wide Greek Language Vocabulary Bee
Dimitra (Mika)Tsekoura, Modern Greek Instructor, University of Pennsylvania, offered a dynamic example of incorporating all 5 standards for learning foreign languages, as well as all 5 senses: http://media.sas.upenn.edu/watch/130147
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/moderngreek/
Dr. Georgia Triantafillou, Director of Greek Pre-K at the School of St. George in Trenton, NJ; Professor of Math at Temple University, Philadelphia PA http://cosmosphilly.com/videos/bilingual-preschool-st-george-church-trenton/ ST. GEORGE GREEK-AMERICAN PRE SCHOOL “The full day bilingual Greek-American Preschool for 3 and 4 year old children on our grounds is providing a safe, warm, nurturing and cheerful learning environment that develops the whole child by 1) providing educationally structured and age-appropriate learning activities, 2) creating opportunities for the development of social skills, and 3) promoting the Greek Language and cultural and spiritual values in conjunction with the church. OUR ADVANTAGE: Bilingual Education; Children learn Greek, the original language of the Gospels and the universal language of science and higher learning; spiritual emphasis, church time, concern for others; Mythology – adventurous, uplifting stories; warm and vibrant Greek Orthodox Community of St. George; Cultural Events (Dances, Theme Parties, Sunday Fellowship hour after church, Greek Independence Parade, Greek Festival, Field trips, etc.); Science Experiments, Visits by Ph. D. scientists; Library time, and much, much more!” Call: Dr. Georgia Triantafillou at 609-558-0356.
Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis Task Force Coordinator/Director for Modern Greek Language Standards has offered the following “Symbaloo” that is continually updated:
Modern Greek: A Living Classic via a Symbaloo = a unique visual bookmarking tool that helps users keep their favorite or thematic links in order. Web mix collections give users access to a variety of collections for quick & organized access to links of focused interest. Available free to the community. These educational innovations fulfill the Foreign Language & 21st Century Community & Technology standard. In addition, she has been working on a Live Binder, an electronic binder of Elementary level Modern Greek lessons, and another Live Binder on Greek Holidays and Holy Days
http://edu.symbaloo.com/mix/moderngreeklivingclassic
Upon reflections generated at the Cafe of Ideas, three model themes focused: International Communication Outreach, Intergenerational Connections, and Community Cultural Celebrations were merged into one presentation proposal, submitted to, and accepted by ACTFL, entitled: “Service Language Learning at its Best” during the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Convention, Orlando, FL on 11/23/13. The three presenters would love to share it with any educational community engaged in teaching Modern Greek, from Pre-K to 12, and beyond. To set up a community presentation and discussion, please contact: Stella Economou stellairene2@yahoo.com, Maria Stamoolis mstamoolis@verizon.net, and/or Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis HEANJvasiliki@verizon.net.
OTHER REFERENCES:
ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)
Preparation for Foreign Language Teaching:
http://www.actfl.org/professional-development/actfl-caep
Linking the Standards for Learning Languages with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics
Report Compiled by Vasiliki Tsigas Fotinis, Ph.D.
CONTACT: HEANJvasiliki@verizon.net
Queens College Celebrates 40 Years of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies
The Queens College Center for Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies at the end of this Academic Year has celebrated 40 Years of Service to Greek Letters. The following page is a review of this unique academic service offered by the Center:
“The story of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies is one in which we can all take great pride. It is a story of challenge and sacrifice, of patience in times of adversity, and of slow but certain progress in laying the foundation required to make a vision a reality. It began in 1974, the year the Center was established on a trial basis at Queens College by the late Professor Harry J. Psomiades. The impetus for its creation was largely provided by student initiative and by the growing interest of students in studying the language, history, institutions, customs and culture of the Greek people from late Byzantine times to the present. It was sustained by a student body that today includes over 1,000 students of Greek ancestry, a number unknown in any other institution of higher learning outside of Greece. Since its inception, over 16,000 students have passed through our program.
The specific purposes of the Center are to initiate, support, and coordinate the teaching of Byzantine & Modern Greek subjects at Queens College, to promote Byzantine and Neo-Hellenic scholarship and
publications, and to relate academic research and teaching to the needs and interests of the Greek community of Queens and beyond.
In support of these goals, the Center sponsors visiting scholars; provides library support for the Byzantine & Modern Greek collection at Queens College: organizes conferences, special lectures, exhibits, and seminars; and offers fellowships and emergency financial assistance to students.
Queens College takes great pride in the efforts and support that have culminated in the creation of the most important and unique university endeavor outside of Greece for the promotion of Neo-Hellenic studies.
The Center has published 16 scholarly works of immense importance to understanding the problems confronting Greece and the Greek Diaspora, plus 30 volumes of the Journal of Modern Hellenism. Queens College offers the only comprehensive BA program in Byzantine & Modern Greek Studies in the United States.
For the celebration, the Director and Advisory Council of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies extended an invitation for participating in the
40th Annual Certificate of Achievement Awards Dinner and the
Harry J. Psomiades Memorial Lecture
Speaker: Nikos Christodoulides ’97, Ph.D.
Director, Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic of Cyprus
Topic: Restoring Icarus’ Wings: A New Mythology for Cyprus
Venue: Student Union, Fourth Floor Ballroom, Queens College, CUNY
Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 6:30 pm
During the formal procedure, thirty four students received Scholarships and Achievement Awards from twenty six different Sponsors! The response of the community to the brilliant work of the Center was indeed wide and substantial on this occasion and for this reason very commendable.
Γράμματα των Αναγνωστών μας—Letters from Our Readers
Mrs. Evangelia Georgoulea forwarded to us the following ePetition:
Subject: 100th Anniversary of the Genocide of Thracian Hellenism
A hundred years ago, our ancestors were forced to endure the 20th century’s first Holocaust, alongside Ottoman Armenians and Assyrians. Masterminded by Otto Liman Von Sanders and the Ittihadist Ottoman Government, the Ottoman Greek Genocide saw the extermination of Thracians, Bithynians, Ionians, Cappadocians and Pontians. April 6th, or as it was referred to in 1914 “Black Easter” commemorates the deportations and massacres that initiated in Thrace, and later spread to Asia Minor and Pontos. This often-forgotten phase of the Ottoman Greek Genocide is commonly referred to by Thracians as “the Genocide of Thracian Hellenism”.
Today, we remember and commemorate not only the Genocide of Thracian Hellenism, but the beginning of the Ottoman Greek Genocide, as a whole. We honor the victims from all effected regions, more than 1.4 million men, women, and children, who were brutally exterminated at the hands of the Young Turks. On this day of remembrance, in honor of those who were massacred in Rodosto, Adrianople and throughout Thrace, we urge all Thracian Associations, world-wide, to unite and launch a coordinated effort to force all the G20 Countries to fully recognize April 6th, with the same respect as May 19th.
We will never forgive
We will never forget
Sign the ePetition and send a message to all G 20 leaders.
Εκατό χρόνια πριν, οι πρόγονοί μας αναγκάστηκαν να υπομείνουν το πρώτο ολοκαύτωμα του 20ου αιώνα μαζί με τους Αρμένιους και Ασσύριους της Οθωμανικής Επικράτειας. Ενορχηστρωμένη από τον Otto Liman Von Sanders και την τζιχαντιστική Οθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, η Ελληνική Γενοκτονία είδε την εξόντωση των Θρακιωτών, Βιθυνών, Ιώνων, Καππαδόκων και Ποντίων. Η 6η Απριλίου, ή όπως αναφέρθηκε το 1914, “Μαύρο Πάσχα” τιμά τη μνήμη των εκτοπισμών και των σφαγών που ξεκίνησαν στη Θράκη και αργότερα εξαπλώθηκαν στη Μικρά Ασία και τον Πόντο. Αυτή η ξεχασμένη περίοδος της Ελληνικής Γενοκτονίας ονομάζεται από τους Θρακιώτες “Γενοκτονία του Θρακικού Ελληνισμού”.
Σήμερα, θυμόμαστε και τιμούμε τη μνήμη όχι μόνο της Γενοκτονίας του Θρακικού Ελληνισμού αλλά και την αρχή της Ελληνικής Γενοκτονίας από τους Οθωμανούς στο σύνολό της. Τιμούμε τα θύματα από όλες τις περιοχές, τους πάνω από 1.4 εκατομμύριο άνδρες, γυναίκες και παιδιά οι οποίοι εξοντώθηκαν βάναυσα από τα χέρια Νεαρών Τούρκων. Αυτή τη μέρα μνήμης τιμούμε όλους όσους σφαγιάστηκαν στη Ραιδεστό, στην Ανδριανούπολη και σε όλη τη Θράκη και καλούμε τις Θρακικές Οργανώσεις από όλο τον κόσμο να ενωθούν και να ξεκινήσουν μια συντονισμένη προσπάθεια να αναγκάσουν όλες τις χώρες της G20 να αναγνωρίσoυν πλήρως την 6η Απριλίου με τον ίδιο σεβασμό όπως την 19η Μαΐου.
Δε θα συγχωρήσουμε ποτέ
Δε θα ξεχάσουμε ποτέ
Υπογράψτε το ePetition και να στείλετε ένα μήνυμα σε όλους τους ηγέτες της G20.
Contact for signing the Petition: “G20HumanRights”, 2842 Finch Ave East 87-088, Toronto, ON M1W 3Z1 tel. 416-321-27198, fax 647-723-0287, e-mail info@G20humanrights.com
News From and About Our Association
This is appropriate time to remind the members of the Hellenic Link that the tenure of the current Board of Directors is about to expire and that soon they will be receiving updates from the Election Committee. In connection with the procedure of voting for a new Board, we must reiterate that according to our bylaws the right to vote is contingent on payment of the annual dues; therefore, only members in good standing will be allowed to vote. Accordingly, we urge the members who have not yet satisfied this requirement of membership for 2014 to fulfill it in time for participation in the voting, as well as for continuance of the right to exercise influence in the course of HL affairs.
This is also time of dire necessity to invite all non-member readers who have been receiving the digital edition of the HL Bulletin by e-mail to consider becoming members. There is plenty of room to accommodate new associates or co-workers in on-going and future activities of the Link. Especially, whoever appreciates the goals of the HL and the efforts being exerted to implement them should change his/her status of “interested spectator” to that of energetic and dedicated member. This participation will enable HL to increase its beneficial impact on the community and avert the curtailing of its programs (including the size of its mailing list) due to financial exigency. Those who wish to accept our invitation should let us know by requesting a Membership Application Form. We will be happy to send it. Contact information for the request: e-mail info@helleniclink.org or tel. (718) 217-0430. CJE
A Proposed Cooperation of Hellenic Oranizations in Offering a Series of Public Lectures
Mindful of the significant costs that a series of public lectures may burden the budget of a single organization as well as the limited success experienced when the size of audience falls below the expectation of the organizer, the Hellenic Link came up with the idea to propose to sister professional and fraternal organizations with which it shares common ethnic and cultural objectives, to co-sponsor lecture events of common interest. Co-sponsorship would reduce the per event cost to the participating organizational entities and synergistic efforts would presumably draw sizeable audiences from their memberships and the community. The formation of a joint committee to select carefully lecture themes and the most suitable speakers would be the instrument of choice to handle this collaborative project. Such project could go a long way to satisfy the needs of the community for enlightenment on important and frequently burning ethnic or cultural issues. Currently, we are making contacts for this purpose with Hellenic Organizations in Greater New York and our proposal has been taken under advisement. We hope that there will be agreement which we see as very beneficial for the community as well as for conservation of resources on the side of the nonprofit cultural organizations active in the NYC area. The HL will be ready to play its part in this collaborative endeavor. CJE
THE HELLENIC LINK, Inc.
A NON PROFIT CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION
OF HELLENES AND PHILHELLENES
INCORPORATED IN DELAWARE
Suite No. 278, 38-11 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, New York 11105
Web Site: http://www.helleniclink.org Email: info@helleniclink.org
Contact Telephone: (718) 217- 0430