Spelling is in the air! In January, Fantis is sending our two finalists to compete in the final competition of the National Scripps Spelling Bee with our sister schools, which will be presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Then our students will continue to study for the inaugural A. Fantis School Greek Spelling Bee in early March.

The community we live in and the people that work to keep it safe are an important part of preschool life. Last month, firefighters from Engine 226 came to A. Fantis, and our Prek classes greeted them with a special "Thank You" to acknowledge all they do to protect people, pets, and property from fire in our community. The students were so excited to meet firefighters and go inside a real firetruck! Thank you, firefighters! We appreciate your difficult and dangerous work!

Our new elementary science curriculum has ignited curiosity and passion in our classroom. A students-first approach is based on a firsthand exploration of phenomena, where students develop their ability to think scientifically with active investigations and multisensory learning.

Back in October, we relaunched our Buddy Days program, a favorite amongst our students pre-pandemic! K-8 classrooms are paired together and meet once a month to get to know each other better with guided activities. Last month our seniors read a story to their younger buddies. Through a series of activities built into our SEL curriculum, our students learn from each other, create strong bonds with peers across grades, and develop leadership skills.

Clubs are a middle school favorite for good reason: student choice with a variety of options. From murals to chess, musical theater to basketball, there is something to entice all middle schoolers—where they can explore a hidden talent or nurture a passionate interest.

After two long years, we are thrilled to have after-school clubs return to A. Fantis School! We have partnered with premier vendors to provide our students with an amazing after-school experience. From soccer and tennis to ceramics and comics, there is something for everyone and of every age! The full menu is available under the Parents Tab.

ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΗΜΕΡΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΓΛΩΣΣΑΣ! On February 9th, A. Fantis celebrated Greek Language with our 2023 Greek Spelling Bee and, for the first time, welcomed The Cathedral School to the contest. We are so proud of the hard work and dedication our students invested in the Spelling Bee! Not only did we celebrate Greek language, but also team spirit and a community that encourages students to rise above the bar.

Fantis students have been applying what they have learned in civics class to this year’s student council. After successfully initiating the popular Pizza Friday fundraiser, the student council turned its focus on reopening the school store. They have finished revising their business plan, which included marketing, inventory, and bookkeeping for a February opening. Proceeds will help fund their initiatives this year, which they will solicit from their ‘consitutents’.

Ms. Hana, our 2nd-grade teacher, taught her students how to build a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge out of recycled materials. Bringing NYC into the classroom, the students learned about one of our city's most iconic landmarks and applied scientific concepts to complete the project. Everyone enjoyed the lesson, and the result was stunning!

New Fantis Families can join the PTO at A. Fantis School this month for an informal meet-and-greet. There will be a light breakfast, free play, and a school tour!

We celebrated Greek Independence Day with a twist this year—an immersive "Wax Museum" experience throughout our halls filled with Greek heroes and Philhellenes who worked together to promote the values of freedom and fought the Greek War of Independence. K-8 students delighted us all with an astounding performance! Ζήτω η Ελλάδα!

K-8 students put in incredible work to make International Day 2023 a resounding success! They showed curiosity and passion about other countries and cultures and presented their classmates and faculty with an impressive display of facts, iconic objects, and local foods. We can't wait for next's year's edition!

Second graders took up recycling as part of their service learning unit and opinion essay writing. They started by making these fantastic recycling bins! Each floor will have one to encourage all school members to recycle paper. In addition, 2nd-grade students visited each class to give a quick presentation on what these bins are for and why we should recycle!

During the last Town Hall, the Student Council presented the work in progress and participated in a Q&A session with their peers. Our students are showing exceptional leadership skills, working hard on advocating for their constituents, and working with the administration to improve the student body experience! Since the meeting, the new water fountain was installed in the gymnasium. Within the first week, 81 plastic water bottles were saved.

The senior trip is the culmination of their studies and it’s proof that all the efforts are well worth it. Students were able to practice their Greek language skills in real-life situations. Among the highlights of the trip: walks by the sea, Saint Nektarios Monastery, and iconography studio, touring Athens, and enjoying live music!

Philotimo is one of our school’s core values. The meaning behind the word combines the love of honor and kindness. Why? Just because! In other words, philotimo is tied to altruism, showing hospitality, generosity, and patriotism because it feels right! On May 22nd, our school celebrated the first A. Fantis Philotimo Day with creative activities promoting selflessness and helping each other.

When mythology, literature, and art come together! Fourth-grade students analyzed Greek myths through "The Lightning Thief." They studied the concepts of quests, heroes, and the themes present in myths and were stunned to find out that Greek mythology still impacts society today. They further explored the theme during art class. Students were excited to present their findings and artwork during the Mythology Wax Museum!

Did you know you can create a levitating track powered by magnets? If you had joined the Primary School Science Fair 2023, you could have witnessed this incredible project in action! A BIG THANK YOU to Ms. Kathy for organizing this amazing event and to all the teachers who supported their students in doing some outstanding work!

This fall our students will be able to use the new Garden Patio! Thanks to our families generous contribution to last year's Annual Fund and grant funding, our students will be able to utilize this private outdoor space for gardening, storytime, science activities, and more. We can't wait to see it green and full of color!

During the High School Roundtable last week, representatives from Xavier and Notre Dame visited our 5-8 grades, sharing valuable insights about their schools and high school life in general. It was heartwarming to see two Fantis Alumni now attending these schools, joining the roundtable, and sharing their experience with our students.

The PTO Welcome Back was a great hit once again! Families and faculty came together for a lovely social gathering. Beyond the joyous moments shared, attendees also experienced an exceptional tour of our Cathedral!

The Fall Frost Valley trip is one of our students' favorites for many reasons: the adventure goes beyond a simple field trip for our students—it's a journey of bonding, forging new friendships, and making discoveries that extend far beyond the confines of the classroom. From team-building activities to heartwarming moments, our students participate in a journey of self-discovery and nature exploration!

Our fantastic Student Council has worked tirelessly to bring back the beloved school store! From curating a delightful selection of snacks to handling orders and designing a mouthwatering menu, our student leaders have shown incredible responsibility with money and demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. The school store is always a massive hit with our fellow students, and the proceeds will go towards supporting exciting school initiatives, making every purchase a contribution to the betterment of our school community.

Get ready for a burst of creativity as Mr. Taso's Mural Club returns with an exciting new project dedicated to our Falcons Team! They've chosen a prime spot in the gymnasium to bring the team's logo to life. The gym is buzzing with artistic energy, and we're eagerly anticipating the stunning final result. Stay tuned for a visual treat that celebrates our Falcons spirit!