NEO ::magazine

Greek School in Whitestone Celebrates March 25th
	The Holy Cross Efstathios and Stamatiki Valiotis Greek Afternoon School in Whitestone New York honored the 25th March, Greece’s Independence Day, with a beautiful program consisting of patriotic poems, songs, short plays and traditional dances. Children, some featuring costumes from various parts of Greece, proudly celebrated their heritage continuing a long held tradition that was transplanted in the US after various waves of Greek immigrants established Hellenic presence here. The Greek language afternoon school program in Whitestone, covers grades K-8. Current enrollment is approximately 160 students. Classes are held twice a week 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Emphasis is on teaching children the Hellenic language, reading, writing and Hellenic culture, history, and values with a Greek Orthodox background. The school has a 100% passing grades record for all pupils who have taken the NY State Greek Regents Examination. The newly constructed Efstathios and Stamatiki Valiotis School and Community Center, located in the corner of 150th Street and 12th Avenue, on the side of the recently inaugurated Byzantine style church, is state of the art. The new structure has a library, gymnasium and stage which also serves as a community center for all cultural and social events. For more info on the school and the parish the website is www.holycrosswhitestone.org