The
Odyssey Begins…
AHEPA-Supported
Greek Language Charter School Opens Its Doors
WILMINGTON,
Del.—Members of the
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the
largest and oldest American-based Greek heritage grassroots membership
organization, celebrated the opening of Odyssey, Delaware’s first Greek
language and mathematics immersion charter school, on Monday, June 12,
2006.
AHEPA
President Gus J. James, II, members of AHEPA Wilmington Chapter 95, and
state and local government officials marked this historic occasion with a
ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches at the school.
“Education
is a key element of AHEPA’s mission,” James said. “We are proud and
excited that such a monumental task has come to fruition and that our
chapter in Wilmington was a catalyst in making this
happen.
I would encourage our chapters to explore the prospects of establishing a
charter school in their communities with the hopes that we can get more
opened nationwide. ” According to school officials, the students will be
taught in both Greek and English. Each school day
will
be longer than average because of two additional classes: a Greek language
course and a math course taught in Greek. According to studies, children
at a young age develop a higher level of learning and
problem-solving
skills when taught in a language immersion program.
For
more information about Odyssey Charter School, please visit,
http://www.odysseycharterschooldel.org/.
The mission
of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education,
philanthropy,
civic
responsibility and family and individual excellence.
The
AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope,
Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.
For
more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact
AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300,
or visit www.ahepa.org/joinahepa.
For instant information, visit www.ahepa.org.
