Student Council News

By George Nikolakoudis
Student Council President
         The Student Council offers students with a variety of in-school and after-school events. Already, we have organized two school dances, a bake sale, spirit week, and Secret Santa. The student council also takes teacher and student concerns and tries to solve them.  With the money we earn from the events, we can have better dances and for the 8^th graders, a great prom! If you have a concern about the school or have an idea for an event, you can contact the Student Council. Each grade has a representative; I have them listed below:

Faculty Advisor: Edward Woolbert
President: George Nikolakoudis
Vice President: Kyriakos Petrakos
Secretary: Alexia Alexopoulos
Treasurer: Ares Adam

8^th Grade Representative: Maria-Louisa Pelidis
7^th Grade Representative: Zeena Shawa
6^th Grade Representative: Tommy Lynch



Eighth Graders Adopt the Brown Bear at Attica Zoo

       During first quarter the eighth graders took a vote to adopt the brown bears at the Attica Zoo.  They will do fundraising during the school year in order to raise 500 Euros, which is the required amount in order to support the animals for 1 year and become “Gold Friends of the Zoo.”  They will make a trip to the zoo in the spring to give the money to the staff.
        In the year 2009-2010 ACS adopted the chimpanzees and in the year 2008-2009 they adopted the tigers.
                             Please support them in their efforts! 

Stock Market Expert Visits the Middle School

By Alia Burgan & Siba El-Saleh
            Mr. Karayiannis, a parent and business professional, paid a visit to Ms. Protopsaltis’ math classes this January. The visit was very helpful. He came into our class and we understood the stock market project more. We learned so many things from his visit. His presentation was entertaining as well as educational. I enjoyed it and I am sure everyone else did too! It was nice to see how math can be used in a job. We hope to see him and maybe other professionals in our classes.



Touche! Touche! The Middle School's been hit with great achievements... On guard!

      

Fencing anyone? At the 1st Greek National fencing games for kids (ages 3-12) held at the Olympic stadium last Sunday, Fotis Emery's team was awarded the gold medal.   There were teams from Crete to Florina, but there was only one lined up for gold! Fotis Emery, a 7th grade Middle School Student, was able to help his team win the first place. 



Eighth Grade Reflections on Hatzipaterion

Middle School Community Service  
         For the last ten years, the Middle School 8th grade students have been fundraising and providing community service to the Hatzipaterion Rehabilitation Center for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Athens.
        Last May, the NESA (Near East South Asia) Council of Overseas schools recognized ACS Athens’ contribution and awarded a $750 grant to the Middle School.  The check was then delivered to  Hatzipatereion in order to support their speech therapy and psychology departments.

                      Reflections from our class visit in November 2010

By Jason Panagiotou
        I felt very proud of myself and so sad for the poor children, in what they are going through and how they feel when they see kids like us. We are perfect and sometimes we are still not happy. Then you look at them and they are happy the way they are and they do not want thousands of material things like us.
        Every minute that we stay, play and observe what these children do, it is worth it because it makes them happy.  We have thousands of ideas in our pockets, but do we use them? Unfortunately not therefore it is time to use them to help these children that need every idea that floats through our minds.

By Christina Maxouris
       So far in my thoughts, people with special needs were always adults. I never thought of them as children. After our visit, I felt very thankful for everything, for being healthy and being able to understand and do everything I can do.
       I believe that our field trip was worthwhile, but I think that we could have made it a little longer and we should have spent more time with the children.      
       I think that to help the Hatzipaterion Center we could donate more and stay there longer to help them more.

By Aris Adam 
       I believe that these children were loved and happy where they were. They had teachers who care a lot about them and treat them well. I think that the field trip could have been longer so we could spend more time with the kids. The 8^th grade could raise money and donate it to the Hatzipaterion Center to buy more toys for the kids. I liked the field trip, and I am looking forward to the next one.

By Ioanna Rigas
       I felt very happy for the children at this center. I understand how difficult it is for them, their parents and the faculty. One child that I specifically “visited” would not answer or even look at us. However, this student showed affection by petting my hand. I was very touched by this and impressed by this enormous amount of strength he kept inside him. The boy was about six years old, looked like he was ten and thought like he was one.   
        Our visit was definitely worthwhile. I learned and saw the advantage that I have as I am able to move every single muscle in my body. I wish I could have stayed for longer so I could appreciate and meet more children.

By Achilleas Vriniotis
         When we walked in they all had a smile on their faces. It is nice to brighten up another's day. I felt sorry though that they can't live a "normal" life, especially since you only live once, and this isn't their fault.
         Also, I think that they face discrimination from people. I like to think that most of the time. I believe they will be treated nicely. Another problem is how to get around. Not every stairwell, not every place is made for wheelchairs. How can we help them?