Photo Gallery
Vasilopita Blessing and Cutting
On January 8th, 2025, Stars Academy celebrated the New Year with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita (New Year’s cake). Fr. Nicolaos was on hand for a New Year’s Blessing in honor of St. Basil (Agios Vasilios), whose Feast Day is celebrated on New Year’s Day. The cake has a coin in it and the one who finds the coin is said to be blessed for the year!
Christmas Celebration
On December 18th, Stars Academy hosted their Christmas celebration. The children were visited by Santa Claus in their classrooms and received a small gift. Afterwards, they presented a short Christmas concert, followed by a family sing-along of traditional Greek Kalanta (carols). A family -wide Christmas party followed, which included refreshments and Christmas crafts.
Karavaki Lighting / The Christmas Boat
On December 6th, the Stars Academy students celebrated the tradition of lighting the Christmas Karavaki. As is the tradition in Greece, on the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, a boat is lit to symbolize the official beginning of the Christmas Holiday Season. (St. Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, which is a very important part of Greece’s culture.) After attending Liturgy, students and their parents built model boats and learned about the tradition before going to light the Karavaki in front of the school. The Karavaki remained outside until January 6th, the Feast Day of Epiphany.
Books Come Alive!
On October 31st, Stars Academy students celebrated Literacy with Books Come Alive! The children dressed up as their favorite characters from books and participated in a costume parade. Afterwards, they enjoyed fall activities and refreshments with their families.
Homemade Cookie Day/Making Koulourakia
On October 1st, Stars Academy students celebrated Homemade Cookie Day in a tasty way: by making koulourakia! Our special activity started with a read-a-loud of “If you give a Mouse a Cookie” followed by making traditional twisty Koulourakia cookies and learning the “Koulourakia” song.
School Blessing/Agiasmos
Rising Stars PreK Graduation and Little Stars Moving Up Ceremony
Family Mingle
Stars Academy hosted its yearly Family Mingle. Families were invited to spend time in the classrooms with their child, reading books, exploring their child’s favorite center or seeing some of their in-class work. It also gave parents the opportunity to meet other children’s families and friends.
Protomagia (May Day)
In celebration of Protomagia (May Day), Stars Academy hosted a parent-child activity in which families were invited to help make Stefania (wreaths) for Protomagia. These flower wreaths are traditionally hung on the front door on May 1st, celebrating the welcoming of Spring!
Pascha (Easter)
Pascha (Easter) is celebrated at Stars Academy throughout the days of Lent. The children participate in a variety of activities leading up Holy Week, including learning about Kyra Sarakosti (Lady Lent), who doubles as a calendar countdown to Easter and even dying our own red Easter eggs.
Career Week
During the week of 4/15, our Stars Academy students celebrated Career Week! Our classes were delighted to be visited by a priest, an event planner, two physicians, a software engineer, a social worker, two pharmacists, an accountant, an attorney, an FDNY EMT and a nurse. The children learned about the many different careers they can be when they grow up. Thank you to all who volunteered their time!
Annunciation/Greek Independence Day
March 25th is a double holiday in Greece. To celebrate, Stars Academy first attended church services for the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Following Liturgy, our students participated in their own mini-Greek Independence Day program for their families. The event featured a parade and traditional songs from our students.
Popcorn Day
Holy Cross Stars Academy recently celebrated National Popcorn Day with a visit to a commercial kitchen. Our visit helped support our curriculum units of study on buildings and brushes, as well as a fun way to celebrate this tasty treat!
