An Overview of Our Program
Our school year calendar includes several other events including a Fall Sundae Coffee Hour, the annual Christmas Pageant, the annual Open House, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Youth Sunday, and many other youth activities sponsored by our parish at various holidays. Young boys are welcomed into the altar as early as Kindergarten, and children interested in learning the hymns of our liturgy are welcomed into our Jr. Choir starting in Grade 2. In addition, our youth ministries extend to our JOY and GOYA youth groups; JOY is for students in grades K to 6; and GOYA includes students in grades 7 to 12. Each youth group holds monthly activities where students continue to build on their friendships and develop common interests as Orthodox Christians. Last but not least, we are so fortunate to have a library with a great selection of books for our students to sign out to take home. All our teachers participate in youth safety training annually, and complete a background check.
Interested in enrolling (your child) in our Sunday School program? Click HERE! It is never too late to register a child! Our faith cannot only be taught, it must be caught; in other words the greater effects are when the children are here in worship at 9:30AM, and continue to class with their teachers and peers learning and practicing our faith. Join us for an exciting journey of spiritual growth and understanding of Orthodoxy.
Nursery and Preschool Grades
Our Nursery program is for infants and children who are under the age of 2.9, not yet toilet trained or who are not yet ready for our Preschool program. The Nursery program provides some activities that are centered around our faith, for the children and provides an environment where they will hear the songs, words and other prayers that are recited during the Divine Liturgy. We keep to a very flexible environment and with little structure. The only requirement is that at least one parent must accompany the child during the program.
Our Preschool program then follows for the next age groups until the child enters Kindergarten. In this program, there are short lessons about Jesus, our Saints, Bible stories and related craft activities to supplement the lesson. We offer a fun activity every week where the children also have a chance to talk about their day-to-day lives and family and friends. Our teachers and assistants for this program have been with us for several years and have great experience working with the youngest of our age groups. Our Nursery and Preschool Sunday School Classes are designed to nurture the faith of infants to 3-year-olds and provide an opportunity for families to connect with others in similar stages of growth. At the same time, by worshipping with other little ones in church, the children become accustomed to being attentive during the liturgy or passing the time with a book or other quite activity along with their peers and teachers. We invite you to join us and see your little one grow in their faith alongside you. Our class is ideal for infants, crawlers, and toddlers and allows for children to learn and grow with their peers.
Kindergarten – 1st Grade
Our Kindergarten-1st Sunday School class is designed to introduce young children to the Orthodox faith through interactive and fun activities. We read Bible stories, learn about icons, pray, sing hymns, play games and do crafts. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation of the Orthodox faith while making it an enjoyable experience for your child. We welcome parents to stay with their younger children if needed. Our class provides an opportunity for families to learn and grow in their faith together and for the children, an exciting and interactive learning experience that will help shape their spiritual journey and provide a strong foundation in Orthodoxy.
2nd Grade – 8th Grade
These classes are designed to deepen the understanding of the Orthodox faith and its traditions through interactive and engaging activities. They are split into three classes: 2nd–3rd grades, 4th–5th grades, and 6th–8th grades.
We use icons, stories of Saints, and the life of Jesus to create a memorable learning experience. In the lower grades, we use resources including ORTHODOX ABC and PEBBLES Activity Sheets, The Children’s Word (Orthodox Christian Network), Sunday’s Gospel for Children—Let Us Attend, and various other resources published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese including the ZINES focused on a variety of themes: the Mystical Supper / Holy Eucharist, The Divine Liturgy, the Journey through Lent and Holy Week, and The Birth of our Lord. Our curriculum includes the study of icons, learning of Church prayers, diving into theological discussions and participating in fun and creative crafts. It's an excellent opportunity for children to make new friends, grow in their faith, and discover the beauty of Orthodoxy while learning more about God in a fun and interactive way.
High School (Grades 9 – 12)
This group grade is designed to provide an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the Orthodox faith and its relevance in the real world through discussions and dialogue with their teachers and peers. Our curriculum builds on the foundation of what students have learned in previous Sunday School grades and is designed for students who are ready to challenge themselves and each other to a higher level of knowledge and discussion. The class curriculum includes a focus on Holy Bible information, knowledge of other beliefs, Church history, and social topics that are relevant to this age group, preparing students for adulthood. In addition to some of the resources noted in the earlier grades, The Orthodox Christian Teen Survival Guide Brochure Series is used. This series offers teens information they need to navigate through tough issues, including Peer Pressure, Bullying, Gossip, Managing Stress and Drug & Alcohol Abuse to name a few.