Current Shifts in Education
Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Association for the AAIE global leadership conversation in Washington D.C. In addition, I am honored to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for the council of overseas schools in our region of the world. Thus, I also attended our winter Board meeting in D.C.
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In both the conference and the Board meeting, there were a number of fundamental shifts in language that I observed throughout the week that indicate current shifts in educational best practices.
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From respect to dignity
From diversity to belonging
From differentiation to personalized learning
From special education needs to inclusion
From IT (information technology) to AI (artificial intelligence)
These provide us with rich avenues for discussion at Pinewood as we continually focus on what's best for children today.
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We have already received a lot of bags and boxes from our families and Pinewood will continue to collect donations for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. You can bring your contributions to the reception area of the Elementary or Secondary campus.
- Medical supplies: bandages, gauze, antiseptics, pain relievers, first aid boxes, sterile solutions, masks, gloves, etc.
- Clothing: warm clothes for adults and children, blankets, winter jackets, etc
- Baby products: powdered milk, baby food, wet wipes, diapers, bottles, etc.
- Non-perishable food items: canned food, energy bars, instant noodles, condensed milk, nuts
- Hygiene supplies: soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, towels, etc.
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In their IB1 English A Language & Literature classes, Ms. Darya Kostikina and Dr. Ourania Chatsiou observed Black History Month as part of their literary unit on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel
Americanah (2013), a coming-of-age story or bildungsroman set in a post-colonial/migratory frame, which amongst others focuses on the evolution of racism, the tension of adaptation and resistance to white norms, the re-writing of black-female sexuality, and the concepts of Afropolitanism and a hybrid/transnational identity.
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Congratulations to Oleksandr Mykhailiuk G10!
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Congratulations are in order for our G10 student, Oleksandr Mykhailiuk, who qualified for the final round of the PANGEA International Math Competition, which will take place on February 18. He scored 64 points when only 40 were required to qualify!
Oleksandr is from Odessa but due to the war, he had to move to Thessaloniki with his mom and brother last spring. He was able to join Pinewood with a full scholarship thanks to the trust and generous support of our Board of Trustee member, Mrs. Kennie Bissel Grogan, who committed to supporting him until his graduation. |
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Valentine's Day at Pinewood
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The Elementary Student Council wishes you all a Happy Valentine's Day! In the famous words of Mother Teresa, "We wish you all spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving you happier."
The 11th and 12th students who were part of the Valentine committee did a wonderful job preparing and delivering all the loving orders. We want to thank our Pinewood community for their support to help make the prom an unforgettable experience.
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Congratulations to all of our students who took part in the Anatolia College Model United Nations Conference (ACMUN) last week at the mother of battles.
The event kicked off with an inspiring speech from Salina Rico, Deputy Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate General Thessaloniki, who talked about the need for economic empowerment of women worldwide as an agent of positive change. |
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Seniors
Akritidis Theodoros
Juniors
Valentina-Olga Stefanou
Mea Tela
Christina Tsaousi
Ilektra Kokkora
Galini Efraimidou
Emmanouil Kareklas
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Sophomores
Marios Katzigkas
Alexandros Mentesidis
Lahiri Paolell
Henry Richard
Alexander Vershinin
Freshmen
Anna Oganian
Duru Ceylan
Varvara (Vera) Vlachou
Omar Hnaiti
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Our MYP 4 and MYP 5 students have completed the planning for their selected community projects and, during the next four weeks, will be engaging with the community in a variety of ways to actively complete their service-learning experiences.
As outlined by IBO, there are numerous benefits for students to complete such a project. These benefits include things such as:
- Participating in community action decreases stress levels and promotes wellbeing.
- It can help build the interests and talents of students.
- It builds approaches to learning skills.
- It provides a more low stakes 'practice' of skills and organization to prepare for the required personal project.
- It further develops the IB’s mission statement that “encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners”.
- Seeing the transformation students go through when they realize they can make an impact in the world is an incredible thing to witness.
We wish all 9th and 10th grade students luck in the community project action phase and know you will make the Pinewood community proud!
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International Greek language Day
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We celebrated “International Greek language Day”, on February 9. This date was selected in 2017 as it is the official date commemorating the Greek National Poet, Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the Greek national anthem, “Hymn to Liberty”.
The Greek language, with its different forms, spans a period of 4000 years. Countless Greek words enrich other languages, culminating in the international medical terminology in which about 80 percent of the scientific terms have a Greek root. Among other projects, students in Grade 4 designed heart-shaped papers with their selection of Greek words that are used in English.
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Pinewood creates opportunities and shapes a week for students that are looking for a way to grow as persons and as entrepreneurs. Ambitious, driven people - curious creative thinkers!
This coming week, students will be inspired, get information, share and grow their ideas and learn about how to expand their network with people that may be valuable for the development of their idea.
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FEB 20: Entrepreneurship Fair - Our Students man their own business stands!
FEB 21: Entrepreneurship & Circularity - Why is Circularity important for Business?
Featured Guests:
FEB 22: Career Day - 30 Guest Speakers to share their experience with us.
FEB 23: Entrepreneurship Course Demo Day - Our Students present their Business Ideas, Shark Tank-style.
FEB 24: Reflection - Take a moment to consider the main learning of the week.
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As they enter High School, the question of what to study, and where can that lead careerwise, is increasingly featured in our Students' priorities. To support them on this journey, we have invited 30+ professionals on our Thermi campus, who will share their career paths and answer student questions. Through this interaction, our aim is twofold: to offer real, on-the-ground, information as to what a job entails, and, also, reinforce the message that there is not a single way to success, and most people find their own unique path to their chosen profession.
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Students observe how studies and professions are connected, but also, how skills and attitudes they learn at school translate into real-world advantages.
An immense thank you to our prestigious speakers, who generously offer their precious time and support to make this day a success. Connecting our students to professional communities remains at the heart of what makes Pinewood special : Close and authentic Relationships.
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Jewelry Art Club Exhibition
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Pinewood's Jewelry Design After School Club, led by Ms. Katerina Siganidou, will host a 4 days exhibition from February 28 to March 3 at the Elementary campus. The students will showcase their jewelry designs and the items will be available for purchase.
You can book your piece of jewelry and donate any amount once the exhibition is finished. |
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Basketball and Soccer tournaments
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Our Middle School Boy's Soccer team will participate in the Junior Aegean Tournament, which will take place at the Anatolia campus.
Friday, Feb 17
19.00 Pinewood - Anatolia
Saturday, Feb 18
13.00 German School - Pinewood
Sunday, Feb 19
12.30 Vassiliadis - Pinewood
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Our High School Boy's Basketball Team will participate in the ACS Athens International Basketball Tournament (Feb 17-19). The team is under the direction of our basketball coach and professional basketball player Mr. Konstantinos Kakaroudis.
Friday, Feb 17
11.00 ACS Athens - Pinewood
Saturday, Feb 18
9.30 AIS Bucharest - Pinewood
12.30 ACS Cobham - Pinewood
Sunday, Feb 19
10.30 Final
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Congratulations to the following students for their NEW college acceptances:
Agustina Walker Castro for her acceptance to :
St Johns University with a $21,000 scholarship
American University of Paris
University of Antwerp
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Christina Sakali
Fairleigh Dickinson University with a scholarship of $9,000
Nova Southeastern University with a scholarship of $15,000
Widener University with a scholarship of $35,000
Jack Stowell
Tilburg University
Melina Ilia
Maastricht University
Nestor Karchkhadze
Widener University with $25,000 Scholarship
Nikoleta Michailidou
Swiss Hotel Management School
Ioannis Markidis
St. Edward's University with a scholarship of $21,000
Ioannis Potsis
Saint Leo University with a scholarship of $12,000
Widener University with a scholarship of $27,500
Xiang Ji
University of Groningen
Leiden University
Eindhoven University of Technology
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ELEMENTARY
Feb 16: Kindness Day ESC
Feb 16: Creative Costume Contest (Carnival)
Feb 17: Professional Development Day
(no school)
Feb 27: Clean Monday (no school)
Feb 28: Students' Jewelry Exhibition
Mar 2: Bookmark Competition Winners
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SECONDARY
Feb 17: Professional Development Day (no school)
Feb 17-19: Junior Aegean Tournament and International Basketball Tournament
Feb 20-24: Entrepreneurship Week
Feb 22: Career Day
Feb 27: Clean Monday (no school)
March 3: NHS Ceremony
March 10: End of Term 2
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