The Chatterbox - St. Nicholas School

May 24, 2012
Volume 4, Issue 4
Special points of
interest:
Academic Fair 1
Mothers’ Day Tea 2
Revlon Walk 3
Golf Tournament 4
Third Grade Memories 5
Solar System 6
Boston Field Trip 7
Teacher Appreciation 8
Thank- You Letter 9
Artwork 10
Gold Club Winners 11
Gold Club Winners 11
Zoe Mattan, Jonathan Torres and
Payten Majers were having a lot of
fun making Stone Soup during
Academic Fair.
St. Nicholas School
The Chatterbox
On Thursday, April 26, our students proudly presented their
hard work throughout the year. We had amazing projects that
represented all five subjects of our curriculum from history to
math, from art to music. We are so proud of their efforts and were
happy to share their accomplishments with you. It was great to see
family and friends supporting their children and having a fabulous
time. Can’t wait to see what next year brings!
Second grade made such cute Beanie Babies.
We also had puppets made out of lunch bags.
Anthony Fam and Steven Nassif preparing for
Academic Fair.

Page 2 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
St. Nicholas School
www.stnicholaseducation.com
The tables were decorated with all sorts of goodies.
Mrs. Zanjanipour enjoying her time with Mrs.
Bertelsen and Preschool teacher Mrs. Alfaro.
The sun was shining, the flowers in bloom, the tables set beautifully
and our children dressed up and ready. Our Mothers’ Day Tea was a
delightful celebration of love and appreciation of our moms. A special
thank you to Pandora Randall for the delicious scones and lemon curd,
not to mention the lovely decorations. It was so nice to see all the
mommies attend and enjoy themselves. Can’t wait for next year!
The mommies and children munched on some
yummy scones while spending time together.
More mommies and children having a good ole’
time!

Page 3 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
On Saturday, May 12, 2012 our
parents, students and staff participated in
the inspirational and emotional, Revlon
Walk for Breast Cancer. I felt honored to
be involved in such a worthy cause with
so many of our students. “Team St.
Nicholas” collected over $2,000.00 to
help find a cure for Breast Cancer. My
hope is that this amazing experience will
stay with our students and will encourage
them to continue participating in such a
worthy cause!
-Mrs. Damato
Dear Parents, Students, and Staff;
Thank you so much for your support in raising over
$2,000 for the Revlon Walk. It was such an inspiration to see
so many of you donate for such a worthy cause in my name.
It was even more inspiring to see those of you who actually
walked with me. It is all your support and prayers that keep
me motivated throughout this challenging time in my life.
As this school year soon comes to a close, I hope that
it has been a memorable one for you. In seeing all of your
hard work at the Academic Fair, I am so proud of all you
have achieved. Once again, you have shown that St.
Nicholas students, staff, and families are the best.
I think of all of you daily and miss you greatly. I
look forward to returning to work in September.
Sincerely,
Ms. Kamenos

Page 4 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
Tournament
Committee:
Steve Manios
Co Chairmen
Robert Hintlian
Ernie Kappas
Zak Nahmoulis
Jackie Pappas
Raina Peters
Maria Spirtos
Carrie St. John
Irene Diamond
To Our Community of Supporters:
Saint Nicholas School Booster Club
2012 12 th Annual Golf Tournament
On Monday, June 11, 2012, the Saint Nicholas School Booster Club will host our 12 th Annual
Golf Tournament. We are pleased to announce this year’s tournament will be held at the
prominent Lost Canyons Country Club at 3301 Lost Canyons Drive in Simi Valley, Ca. Our
goal this year is to raise enough funds to provide a comprehensive on-campus library with
computers to compliment our extraordinary school curriculum.
Saint Nicholas School is known for providing a high quality academic education that features
opportunities for students to succeed creatively, socially and spiritually. Serving the Northridge
community for over 30 years, the school offers a life-long learning experience for students from
every walk of life.
As with all non-profit organizations, fundraising events exist to respond to needs or to solve a
problem. Our 12 th Annual Golf Tournament presents an opportunity for your involvement in the
form of a tax deductible donation of an auction item, a gift certificate, sponsorship or a monetary
contribution.
We would like to receive donations by May 31, 2012 so that we may finalize preparations for
this important event. Please contact the Saint Nicholas School Office at 818-886-6751 if you
have any questions regarding donations.
For Sponsorships or player registration please contact Raina Peters(805) 501-7836 or Steve
Manios at (818) 590-1573.
The Booster Club/Golf
Saint Nicholas School
9501 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91325
We look forward to seeing you at our Golf Tournament!
With kind regards,
Steve Manios
Raina Peters

Page 5 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
I thought it would be hard in
third grade. I thought all the kids would
be in one class. I thought I would never
pass a pretest. I thought I would have a
lot of homework. I’m in third grade
now and it is very easy. We do a lot of
fun projects. My favorite was
Charlotte’s Web. My favorite subject is
math. I like third grade a lot.
By Mark Messiha
It was the day before school
started and I was nervous and very
excited at the same time. I didn’t know
my teacher was going to be or who
would be in my class. In the summer
time, I had to get school things like
pencils, markers, crayons, glue, a
backpack, erasers, and a pencil box.
In third grade everything is fun.
I have Mrs. Theodoratos as a teacher
and I met Karen.
Karen is very nice. I like doing
projects in third grade. Third grade is so
much fun!!!
By Markella Savas
Before third grade, I was curious
because I didn’t know what teacher I
was going to get.
I’m now in third grade and I still
remember my first day when the teacher
told me her name. I knew she was a
good teacher.
By Faith Stevens
Before third grade, I felt
nervous. I thought we’d get a lot of
homework. I thought I wasn’t going to
be in the same class as my friends. I
thought there was going to be hard with.
I was wrong because third grade
is a blast. I ended up being in the same
class as my friends and it was easy.
Third grade is the best grade ever!
By Julian Nunez
Before third grade, I felt nervous and scared
because I did not know anyone in there.
Now that I’m in the third grade, I do not feel
nervous and scared because I know everyone.
What I like about third grade is that we get candy.
We also watch a movie every Friday and
everyone in the class is nice.
By James Kontos

Page 6 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
Third Grade has completed their
investigation into Life Science and
Adaptations, and has now begun to study
Earth Science. In preparation for this chapter,
we have reviewed the planets of our Solar
System, and we have learned similarities and
differences between them.
We are now learning that the planets of
our Solar System move in regular and
predictable patterns around the sun, and we
are also learning that the locations of stars,
including our sun, do not change, even though
they appear to move in the sky.
Daniella Hanna
Ryan Wielage
Hailey Huffman
Stavros Psihalopoulos

Page 7 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
The fifth grade has just returned
from the exciting and educational third
annual trip to Boston. After a year of
studying American history the students
were delighted to be in “The Cradle of
Liberty” to see and experience all of the
things and places they had read about.
Highlights of the trip included walking
the Freedom Trail, standing on the
bridge at the site of “The Shot Heard
Round the World,” and climbing the
294 steps of the Bunker Hill
Monument. The students and parents
also enjoyed reenacting the debate at
the Old South Meeting House that
resulted in the Boston Tea Party.
The students were also able to
tour Holy Cross Seminary, the school
where the majority of our Orthodox
Priests received their training. While at
the seminary the students attended
Liturgy in the beautiful chapel on the
campus.
Other exciting events included a
Blue Man Group show and a Red Sox
game at Fenway Park, which
unfortunately Boston lost badly. Even
the rain could not dampen the group’s
enjoyment of the trip.

Page 8 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
Booster Club Parents,
Thank you so much for such a wonderful
Teacher Appreciation week. You spoiled us!
Breakfast was delicious and the luncheon was
amazing. We appreciate you very much.
A special thank you to these St. Nicholas
families and local businesses who donated so
generously to our Teacher Appreciation week: The
Huebsch family, the Hoo family, the Kollmorgen
family, the Kost family, the Maglaris family, the
Matar family, the Safady family, the Saroukos
family, the Wasylyn family and the Zanjanipour
family.
As for the businesses, thank you to
Encino’s Trader Joe’s, OPI Nail Products, The
Stand, Granada Hills’ Target, Granada Hills’
Robeks, Granada Hills’ Starbucks, Van Nuys’
Home Depot, Granada Hills’ Staples, Woodland
Hills’ Barnes and Noble, Granada Hills’ Fat
Burger, Education Station, Granada Hills’ Ralphs,
Granada Hills’ Western Bagel.
A thank you for all the moms and dads who
helped wash cars on Friday, May 4.
Parents,
Don’t forget about our Greek Festival this Memorial
Day weekend. Come and have fun! It will take place
here at St. Nicholas School on May 26, 27, and 28. There
will be no school on Monday, May 28 and Tuesday, May
29, as well for festival clean-up. School will resume
Wednesday, May 30.
It is almost the end of the year which means our
Eighth Graders are getting closer to graduating! On
Wednesday, June 6, we will be honoring our Eighth
Graders in a Senior Baccalaureate Service held at
9:00 A.M. in our St. Nicholas Church. On Thursday,
June 7, the Graduation Ceremony for our Class of
2012 will take place at 7:00 P.M. This is a very
special day. The Olympians will finish their many
years of accomplishments here at St. Nicholas and
will continue to blossom and challenge themselves in
high school.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
PROGRAM
June 25-July 27
Registration is now being accepted for our
Summer Enrichment Program. Workshops are designed to
strengthen fundamentals, as well as provide enrichment
work individually tailored to the needs of each child
entering kindergarten through eighth grade.
Our program includes the Half Day Program
which focuses on reading, math, language arts and an
elective of their choice. We also have drawing and
painting, preparation for high school placement test,
academic chess and dance.
Call the office for course descriptions and
registration packet at (818) 886-6751, or download the
forms from our website: www.stnicholaseducation.com
A BIG THANK YOU
To the Darghali family for their kind generosity
of providing such a yummy lunch for the school
staff at the School Picnic on Friday, May 25. It is
so thoughtful and we are very grateful to have
you as part of our St. Nicholas family. �

Page 9 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
February 12, 2012
Dear Father Anthony, Ms. Kamenos, Saint Nicholas School Board, and dedicated teachers,
It is with my utmost gratitude that I am writing you this letter. Today I received a copy of Alexander’s
HSPT scores, and needless to say, I was very happy. Alexander scored within the mid tenth grade level in Math
and Language, and the high ninth grade level in Reading. His overall score was within the top 20% of the nation.
Although Alexander is an intelligent child, without the dedication, caring, mentoring, and superior
teaching skills of the staff at St. Nicholas, I do not believe that his intelligence alone would have brought him to
where he is today. It takes people engaging that brain, challenging it, helping it grow, and filling it with knowledge
that helps him succeed
On top of his academic growth, the spiritual and moral lessons, have taught him to live life with God in his
heart and as an example of his love. He cares for others, will stand up for those unable to stand up for themselves,
and is honest in his words and actions. While these lessons are also taught at home, it is comforting to know the
importance that St. Nicholas places on them as well.
It is also comforting to know that Alexander enjoys and respects all of his teachers. He speaks highly of
each and every one of them. Mr. Wapner has captured his interest and attention in Math, Mr.Truby and Mrs.
Barefoot have helped develop a love for reading and being correct in his use of the English language, in speaking
and writing, Mr. Mormanis has given him a love of History and probably gone blue in the face trying to help teach
organizational skills. Mr. Kalcoff has helped him develop a keen interest for Science, which is now his career
path. Finally Mrs. Duschinsky has brought out more artistic talent than we thought our son would ever possess.
His elementary school teachers helped him enter middle school prepared and above grade level in all
skills. Ms. Skiani, Mrs. Samuels, Mrs. Mormanis and Mrs. Theodoratos gave him love and nurturing at a time
when he needed it the most, along with support and education in behavior, working with others, and social skills.
With one son having graduated Saint Nicholas and the other on his way out, our family will be sad to say
goodbye. There are no words to express the love and respect that we have for the school, the staff, and those that
have ministered to our children. In our eyes, this school is above all others, in every aspect. Please feel free to use
our names if you need recommendations for other families that are also seeking the best for their children.
Sincerely,
The Dinsmore Family

Page 10 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
First grade was inspired by
Georgia O’Keeffe’s flower
paintings.
They used Acrylic on Bristol
board during art class.
Alexa Stavropoulos 1-2
Ryan Younan 1-2

Page 11 The Chatterbox Volume 4, Issue 4
Gold Club Winners
Class
K-1
K-2
1-1
1-2
2-1
2-2
3-1
3-2
4-1
5-1
6-1
7-1
8-1
April 2012
Student
Sophia Hoo
Bianca Basinger
Vincent Gargaro
Katherine Pappas
Jonathan Torres
Johnny Kollmorgen
Rosemary Wielage
Maya Darghali
Xavier Acosta
Peter Fein
Jordan Guidry
Ashraf El-Touhky
Athena Bacoulis
Marina Hamati
James Kontos
Alexandra Turley
Nina Wasylyn
Jacob Huebsch
Marina Milicevic
Christina Azzuz
None
Kristine Daily
Danielle Haber
If you have any questions or comments regarding anything written in The Chatterbox, please use the following email address:
info@stnicholaseducation.com. It would be greatly appreciated if you could send us any pictures you take at the various
school events. You can put them on a disc and drop them off at the office or email them. We use photos for our yearbook,
our Chatterbox, our church bulletin (The Wonder Worker), as well as for our archives