XpatAthens

Wednesday, 11 March 2020 17:51

Teaching And Learning Continues At ACS Athens Despite Challenges

Learning continues for all 1100 students of ACS Athens, using diverse and innovative educational technology mediums. By utilizing Moodle® learning management system, set up and utilized since 2013, students in grades 5-12 continue their synchronous and asynchronous learning in collaboration with their peers and teachers. Students in grades K-4 continue to have fun learning through Google Apps for education, e-documents, video conferences, and other digital tools.

ACS Athens (American Community Schools) founded in 1945, is an innovative educational institution with 1100 students from 63 different nationalities, that follows the American educational philosophy, offers the American High School Diploma and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. The school launched yesterday its Virtual classrooms for the entire school so that learning can continue during the school closure.

All school operations, classroom activity, support services and programs assisting students with learning differences continue to take place. According to the President of ACS Athens, Dr. Peggy Pelonis, “despite some technical difficulties, due to the high traffic on the virtual platforms across the world, ACS Athens faculty deliver lessons and students complete the work necessary. It is important to note that these lessons are not review lessons but rather the continuation of the curriculum and truly meaningful learning.” Dr. Pelonis added: “Such an innovative endeavor required long term planning from administration and faculty and the ACS Athens educators and students have taken on the challenge and proved to be very prepared.”

For the first time since 1990, ACS Athens had to stop its on-campus operations and close the facilities for a full 2 weeks, starting March 9 until March 24. The closure was ordered by the Ministry of Education as a case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) was verified in a Pre-K class of the school.

The on-campus operations had to close... but the school continues to function online through its ACS Athens Virtual platform, for most of its grades. According to Julia Tokatlidou, ACS Athens Dean of Academics and key point person of the ACS Athens Virtual, “our school has been ready to transition to the online realm for many months now, as we have offered a number of our accredited high school courses online. The only additional step was to extend this platform to grades 5-12, train our teachers in the most modern tools of e-learning and prepare our families for this eventuality, due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus.” Students in grades Kindergarten - 4 depend on e-learning tools, teacher sites, documents, videos and activities that require the collaboration of the parents.

The ACS Athens Virtual platform is powered by Moodle® open-source learning management system used by schools and universities worldwide, which hosts all the courses offered by the school in the form of webpages called “shells”, one for each course. Teachers maintain and update their course material daily, which is directed to every classroom they teach. Students meet in a synchronous and asynchronous way, in pre-determined times and at their own availability to see assignments, submit classwork, ask the teachers questions, collaborate with their classmates, do research, and be assessed for their learning. Other than Moodle, ACS Athens educators utilize Google Apps for Education, KhanAcademy, Screencastify, VoiceThread, etc.

Outcomes of ACS Athens Virtual operation will be shared with our community as we proceed with the program.

IB English teacher Dr. Syropoulos mentioned to his students: “This is one of the classes I enjoyed the most!!!! You were very well prepared, that's why our backup plan worked so well! It was fascinating to visit your shared docs and see your thoughts unfolding. You perfectly grasped the idea of narrative omniscience and applied it to Ms. Austen!”

Ms. Mente, one of our First Grade teachers said to her students before the first online day of school: "We want to make sure that your day is productive and that your “school time” is well spent! We also want to make sure that you are staying healthy – mind, body and soul! So keep your hands clean, your body nutritiously fed and your soul energized with the things you love to do during your free time.”

David Nelson, the Academy Principal has stated: "When everyone else in Athens stopped learning, we started ... in a different way!”

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Thursday, 29 October 2020 22:22

Paper Moon By Michalis Reppas & Thanasis Papathanasiou ~ The National Theatre Of Greece

Michalis Reppas and Thanasis Papathanasiou return to the Rex Theatre with a new musical commissioned by the NTG. With a score by Nikos Kypourgos and lyrics by Aphrodite Manou, Paper Moon is about all that is beyond words and comprehension; about a secret land where opposites embrace and pain and pleasure complement and complete one another; where suffering and happiness become one in the utopia of love: that inaccessible cloud cuckoo land that only poets can visit without paying a price.

It is the 1960s on Astydamantos Street in the Athenian neighborhood of Pangrati. In a neoclassical house - one of the thousands that will soon be torn down and replaced by apartment blocks - our young protagonist narrates a year of his life. He talks about himself, his family, his friends, and Greece itself, in a coming-of-age story set against the dramatic events of the time.

Note: With supertitles in English on Wednesdays & Fridays (from 28/10 - 27/11)
Note 2: Wearing a mask is obligatory

XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of The National Theatre of Greece

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Wednesday, 11 March 2020 21:47

Lessons Of War III ~ The National Theatre Of Greece (English Supertitles)

IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - Performances are cancelled until March 26th!

Following the great success of Lessons of War I and II among audiences of all ages, but especially teenagers, Lessons of War III comes to the National Theatre of Greece. This third part of the Lessons of War trilogy is again based on ancient Greek history, but while the first two parts dramatised episodes from Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, Lessons of War III takes Xenophon’s Hellenica as its source. This time, the focus is on the main events at the end of the Peloponnesian War, which mark the end of Athenian hegemony and Athenian democracy. Our aim is to make experiential teaching, which is, in any case, an important aspect of NTG productions, not only entertaining but also a tool so that audiences can become familiar with texts.

The play includes the most dramatic events of the last years of the 5th century: the defeat of the Athenians at Aegospotami and the impact on their city, the demolition of the walls of Athens, the suspension of democracy and the imposition of a harsh oligarchy, the brutalities of the regime of the Thirty Tyrants, and the political coups and civil strife until democracy was finally restored.

As the title suggests, the aim of the production is above all educational, but the power of the theatre is harnessed so that the teaching takes place in an active and entertaining way.

Schedule

Fridays, Saturdays at 21:00

Sundays at 19:30

With supertitles in English: Every weekend from the 14th of March to the 12th of April

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Vasilis Athanasopoulos, Aliki Alexandraki, Paris Alexandropoulos, Manos Vavadakis, Antonis Giannakos, Nadia Katsoura, Stathis Koikas, Nefeli Maistrali, Vasilis Papadimitriou, Katerina Patsiani.

BOX OFFICES

ZILLER BUILDING, 22-24 Agiou Konstantinou Str.

Wednesday to Sunday 9:30-21:30

REX THEATRE 48 Panepistimiou Str.

Tuesday: 9:00-16:30

Wednesday to Sunday 9:30-21:30

TICKET SERVICES Pesmazoglou Arcade – 39 Panepistimiou Str.

Monday/ Wednesday: 9:00-17:00
Tuesday/ Thursday/ Friday: 9:00-20:00
Saturday: 10:00-14:00

XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of The National Theatre of Greece

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Tuesday, 16 March 2021 07:00

No Screen Boredom Busters For Kids

Schools have been closed for a while now, and unfortunately, both kids and parents are finding it rather challenging to discover ways to stay entertained during times of social distancing. Here are some fun activities to tackle boredom and keep kids entertained while schools are closed!

1. Make Mug Cakes
Most kids love helping out in the kitchen, so cooking and baking activities will probably be accepted with excitement, especially if the recipe calls for sugar, Nutella, and cocoa! Mug cakes don't require a hot oven; don't create a huge mess, and what's more, is that older kids can make them themselves. For a delicious mug cake mix 4 tablespoons self-raising flour, 4 tablespoons sugar and 3 tablespoons each of milk, oil, cocoa powder, and Nutella, and 1 egg. Divide the mixture into 2 mugs and microwave for 90 seconds or more if needed. Add a topping such as whipped cream or icing sugar and enjoy!

2. Enjoy Your Favorite Board Games & Puzzles
It's challenging to be stuck indoors due to weather (or virus) conditions but with a bunch of snacks, and a stack of games and puzzles staying indoors can be a ton of fun! On the upside, surely you'll stimulate family bonding and create some happy family moments!

3. Make DIY Puffy Paint
Painting is fun, but painting with puffy paint is even better. Young kids love this sensory paint and will spend hours creating their puffy masterpieces! For DIY puffy paint, you will need 3/4 cup shaving cream, 1/4 cup white glue, 1/4 cup flour, food coloring. Mix the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined—Color the paint with food colorings. Use squeeze bottles for delicate artwork or paintbrushes for a thicker texture. Make sure to use thick cardstock instead of plain paper– to avoid sogging–and to let the artwork to air dry for a few hours.

4. Make Rock Candy
Rock candy is a delicious, fun recipe that also doubles as a science experiment because you get to watch the sugar crystals form. Get creative with endless flavor and color combinations that will delight children and grownups alike! One of the best things is that it takes time and patience. It can take up to a week for the rock candy to form, which makes it an ongoing project for the next few days! Learn how to make rock here.

5. Have Fun With A DIY Indoor Bowling Game
This DIY indoor bowling game is fun to have on hand as a great boredom buster. Children can help out with making the pins and use their counting skills to set up the game. Create a simple bowling game with recycled bottles for some stay-at-home fun! The only things you'll need are 10 small water bottles numbered from 1 to 10 with stickers or labels, and a small ball. Place the water bottles in a triangle shape in the garden or at the end of a hall.

6. Make Salt Dough
Use 1 cupful of plain flour (about 250g), half a cup of table salt (about 125g), and half a cup of water (about 125ml). Knead the dough, cut out different shapes, and cook in the oven for 3 hours in low heat. When your creations have completely cooled down, paint them with colors and glitter to create little masterpieces!

7. Make Rainbow Rice
Follow these easy steps to create colored rice without using rubbing alcohol. You will need 1 cup of long-grain white rice, 1/2 tsp vinegar, several drops of liquid food coloring, and a food storage container. Put the rice, food coloring, and vinegar in a food container and shake very well. Open the box and leave the rice to dry for a couple of days. You can make batches of different colored rice. Rainbow rice is excellent for sensory bins and craft projects.

8. Make A Sensory Ice Bucket
Add water in a plastic food container or bucket and toss in small plastic toys such as plastic animals or lego bricks. Let it freeze in the freezer and then ask your children to break the ice and discover what's hidden inside!

9. Make An Indoor Obstacle Course
Use your creativity to put together an obstacle course inside your home. The goal of an obstacle course is to get your child moving. Use any variation of the items below for your toddler's obstacle course. You can use pillows, blankets, sofa, chairs, masking tape, a basketball and hoop, boxes, step stool, a tunnel, and a ball pit. While setting up your obstacle course, include activities such as shooting a ball into a basket, climbing on pillows, crawling under a row of chairs and through a tunnel, and much more. The indoor obstacle course will keep your little ones happy for a long while!

10. Get Reading
Being read to is usually a toddler's favorite time, while older kids also love diving into a good book. Make an effort to read your way through The Book Trust's 100 Best Books– a list of the 100 best children's' books from the last 100 years.

11. Make A Habitat Diorama

Kids love to learn and explore, so help them recreate the habitat of their favorite animal, think of its natural habitat, its food, and its habits. Not everything in a habitat diorama needs to come from nature, leaves can be made out of paper, trees might be made of plaster, and the entire animals can be made from plastic! Use a shoebox, glue, and all your favorite materials to make something truly wonderful.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Published in Kids Life

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Saturday, 21 March 2020 19:57

Important Coronavirus Update - Schools Close Nationwide

School Closures in Greece - Updated on March 21, 2020

On March 10th, 2020, the Greek Ministry of Health announced the closure of all schools and universities as part of the preventative measures taken to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Greece. The measure applies to private and public schools, kindergartens, preschools, universities, and cram schools, and it aims to reduce the spreading of the virus.

The Greek Ministry of Education announced the extension of the closure of all educational institutions until April 10 as a measure to counteract the coronavirus pandemic. Niki Kerameos, the Minister of Education, has not ruled out an extension to the school and academic year so that students do not lose their year or semester.

To learn more about how to stay protected or if you believe you may have been infected please CLICK HERE.

Important Notice from XpatAthens

It is important to remind our readers that XpatAthens is not in any way a media source. While we do our best to keep our readers informed, we advise you to consult Greek media outlets such as ekathimerini.com, amna.gr, naftemporiki.gr, and protothema.gr and/or international news sites for up-to-the-hour updates on the coronavirus. Be wise and stay safe.

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Monday, 09 March 2020 07:00

How An 'Abundance List' Can Change Your Life

There are people among us who maintain their optimism even though they may be going through challenging times. People who continue to offer their care to others, although their situation may not be rosy. People who look you in the eye, smile at you and ask if they may be of help. Some people are successful - not necessarily because they are at ease financially or because they have everything in life - but because they live in the now and are grateful and happy with what they have. These are the people who know what their priorities are; who wake up in the morning and are thankful simply because they are healthy. They are grateful to have a roof over their head. They are grateful to have even one friend. They are grateful to see each day as a new beginning.

Here's a question for you: How do you start your day? Do you tend to think about what you have or about what you don't have? It's a good test to take for yourself. Do the test for a week and then add your pluses and minuses. Even if the scale tilts towards what you have (although it usually tilts towards what you don't have), start making your own 'List of Abundance.' Record everything you own; however big or small, material or non-material. Keep adding and watch your list grow day by day. Read your 'List of Abundance' every night before going to bed; every morning when you wake up, even during the day, if you want. Keep adding to it–there's so much more–and watch your life transform step by step. ❤️

If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit mywebsite. Because this is your life!

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Monday, 09 March 2020 07:00

When To Watch The Supermoon In Greece

The second out of the 4 supermoons of 2020 is expected tonight. Its elliptical orbit will bring the Moon closer to the Earth; tonight at 19:48, the full Moon will appear larger and brighter than it usually does. Compared to an average full Moon, supermoons are 7% larger and 15% brighter.

The next supermoon will be on April 8. Native Americans called the March full moon, 'worm moon,' because in March, the soil begins to soften causing earthworms to resurface.

The Moon follows an elliptical orbit, and so its distance from the Earth is not fixed. The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 384.400 kilometers. However, this distance increases by approximately 5% at the apogee and decreases by around 5% at the perigee.

It is worth noting that the word supermoon is not a scientific term, but a name probably devised by astrologers.

Originally posted on newsbeast.gr.

Translated by XpatAthens.

Published in Local News

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Monday, 09 March 2020 12:40

Athina Luxury Suites ~ The Place To Be In Santorini

Athina Luxury Suites hotel is designed for discerning guests looking for a perfect combination of serenity and luxury on the island of dreams, Santorini, Greece.

Each one of the perfectly designed suites provides its own unique set of super-luxury amenities, astonishing caldera views and the top service you deserve while on vacations.

Additionally, an unforgettable dining experience awaits you at Esperisma bar-restaurant, where you may enjoy Mediterranean and Greek cuisine inspired by the freshest local ingredients available. Note that Esperisma Bar-Restaurant was this year’s winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the category of Luxury Restaurant in Greece.

Moreover, you may experience the ultimate rejuvenation of body and soul in the brand-new Aphrodite’s spa, while you can spend some time relaxing with your refreshing cocktail in the fully renovated new infinity heated swimming pool with a pool bar, admiring the perfect view to the Caldera of Santorini.

Last but not least, Athina Luxury Suites is the perfect setting for your special day too: Imagine your wedding or honeymoon in Santorini with the caldera and volcano as a backdrop... In the courtyards of the island’s churches and on our terrace, Athina Luxury Suites offers couples a real-life fairytale wedding venue each year.

With all that being said it wasn't, of course, a coincidence that Athina Luxury Suites with its breathtaking views and world-class services in Fira was awarded as the Best Wedding Hotel in Europe, Best Destination Wedding Hotel in Greece and Best Romantic Hotel in Greece by the Haute Grandeur Global Awards on October 19th, 2019 at The St Regis, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Athina Luxury Suites also triumphed at the World Luxury Hotel Awards winning the title of the Best Luxury Honeymoon Hotel in Europe, at the 13th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards ceremony held on October 12th, 2019, at the Arctic Tree House Hotel, in Finland.

Looking for an unforgettable stay in Santorini? Search no more as you have already found Athina Luxury Suites!

Published in Travel Greece

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Tuesday, 10 March 2020 00:00

Remembering Greek Immigrant Women Pioneers

In the wake of Women's Day on March 8, this video is a tribute to pioneering Greek Women Immigrants. This inspiring video describes the life and accomplishments of some of the most open-minded, hard-working, and fierce women immigrants that immigrated to the USA at the beginning of the 20th century.

Even though it is impossible to recount the heroic Greek immigrant women, speaking of just a few invokes the memory of all of them.

It is certain that whatever heights the Greek ethnic community has attained today, is much owed to the love and labors of these extraordinary women!