by Demetrios Rhompotis

“Plato’s” parents, many of them the school’s alumni, can count for support on the wider Greek American community as the recent, inaugural fund raiser, held at Staten Island’s spring scented South Shore Country club, showed. “Together with some contributions coming through the mail, we raised more than $100,000,” renown pharmacist and inventor George Drogaris told NEO magazine. “We did very well, we started on the right foot!” Asked if this is the best of times to undertake such a project, when uncertainty over the economy hasn’t been cleared, Drogaris, the ever optimist, said that “there is never perfect timing for anything. We have faith in our people and we are confident that the Greek American community will respond. Tonight’s message is crystal clear.”

According to Spiro Geroulanos, himself an alumnus, who serves as Real Estate Acquisition and Construction Chairman, the new building have to be approximately 17,000 to 22,000 square feet in order to have 9 classrooms, 2 offices, a library, a conference room, an auditorium, gym, aafeteria, storage and utility rooms, elevator and all the amenities that a 21st century school entails. “The first step of course, is property acquisition,” said Geroulanos. “We are targeting properties in Bay Ridge only. We are currently negotiating for an 8800 sq. ft. lot with potential for 17,000 sq. ft. buildable and we are also looking at an existing school building with an existing 4500 sq. ft. structure and potential for a build out of a total of 20,000 sq. feet. We have been and continue to be working with the local real estate brokers and a local architect to find the ideal property for the school.”

Asked when he expects the plan to be materialized, Geroulanos is very realistic. “We anticipate this project will take approximately 6 years to complete, one year to raise money to purchase property, three years to raise money for construction and two years to build the new school. “ Moreover, the new building will be designed and built to exceed the NYS energy requirements. It will be built “GREEN” to USGBC standards. The new school will be known not just for its academic achievements, its Hellenistic roots, its cultural events, and its communal presence, but also for its contribution to the environment.”

The school has been from the beginning a real people’s institution. In 1977, with the need for an independent afternoon Greek School growing in the area of Brooklyn, about 63 Hellenes, from various fields of endeavor and levels of wealth, came together and put the seed money that allowed the school to rent, for one year, classrooms at a local church ("Union Church"), purchase mini-buses to shepherd young minds to and fro, and make its first down-payment towards, what was, the original home of the school - 79th street and 3rd avenue. According to Mr. Alexandros Hatzakis, member of the School Board, afternoon classes in Greek Education had already started, but it was when it moved to its own, rented facilities, that the school began to formulate itself into the remarkable institution is has come to be. “During that same time, on the second of July, the community of Plato elected its first Board of Directors and representatives were charged with safeguarding the Hellenic democratic spirit and Plato's commitment to quality, independent education. Those principles paved the road upon which directors, who followed, carried forth the torch of service for 34 consecutive years.”

With much work and dedication, the school has continued to grow, as it did throughout the 80's and 90's toughing through any economic setbacks it may have faced, enduring all obstacles in the pursuit of its mission: promoting Hellenic heritage through afternoon schooling and programming to new generations of Greek-American students in the greater Southwest Brooklyn area.

Today, The Greek School of Plato, a 501(c)3 organization, enrolls a total of 210 students, from Pre-K to 9th Grade, with 9 educators. Although classes on Greek Orthodox Faith are included in its program, the school is independent from the Archdiocese’s system and it’s not connected to any particular parish. “Plato works by engaging a large force of volunteers - parents and friends - as well as imploring our community's youth to take up civic duty and develop leadership skills,” says Hatzakis.

“It is a big family and I consider myself privileged to be with these people and their kids,” Eleftheria Ikouta, the school’s Principal for the last five years and the driving force behind its vigorous Greek education program, commented in an interview with NEO. “The school undertakes a score of activities, we have singer groups, a dancing troupe and our well known throughout the community marching band. Without the constant participation from parents and friends who love Greek education, all that would simply have not existed.” For Ikouta, this family environment was an additional reason why she decided to stay in the school, after her five year contract with the Greek government to teach Greek abroad expired. Before she assumed the duties of principal, she worked five years as teacher and she became well acquainted with the institution and its people. “I am grateful to all. They embraced me and supported my work along the way. It’s a wonderful feeling and indeed the kind of moral boost that makes me and all educators here to go the extra steps that our service to community requires all the time.”

John Demetriades is not just the School’s Board President, but also an alumnus. “From its inception, ‘Plato’ had the highest of educational standards – it taught us not only the Greek language but the history, geography, mythology and religion of our homeland,” he recalled visibly moved. “And not just that: there was Greek dancing, Christmas caroling, a marching band, volleyball, soccer, dances, picnics and the unforgettable theatrical performances that included ancient Greek tragedies.” It was a holistic experience that made their having to go there, “while other children our age spent their afternoons and Saturday mornings playing at home,” a much easier pill to swallow. “We created lasting friendships and countless memories. Many of us, including myself, were fortunate enough to have been married within the ‘Plato’ community.” And the saga goes on: “Today, while other children spend their free time watching TV or playing video games, our children are, once again, together at ‘Plato’ creating lasting friendships and countless memories. Second and third generation Greek Americans, are learning to appreciate their culture and they are preserving the principals and ideals of our Greek heritage that formed the basis of this country as well.”

“Plato”s Greek School is located at 1703 86th Street, in Brooklyn. For information on its academic and expansion programs the phone number is (718) 621-2226