On behalf of the Greek Community of Toronto (GCT) President, Andonis Artemakis, our Board of Directors, and our community members at large, I would like to extend our gratitude to Ethnikos Kyrix/The National Herald for highlighting some significant events organized and hosted by the Greek Community of Toronto in recent months.

Your regional writer, Frances Themeliopoulos, has written about our participation in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, our seminar on Taxation Issues in Greece, and our Cultural Programs.

Most recently, Ms. Themeliopoulos contacted us regarding the exciting work that is going on in our education department. We advised her that we were working on a major proposal related to promoting Hellenism in Toronto but were unable to provide specific details prior to her article deadline.

We thank you for sharing details about our recent Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs Education Department event and our work toward developing a common curriculum for Greek as a foreign language. We would like, additionally, to share some historic news we were previously unable to announce:

Stacy Ganogiannis-Reid, Chair of Education and Kostas Flegas, Manager of the Education Department put together a proposal that stressed the goals of supporting/enhancing Ontario Curriculum and improving student engagement through exposure to classical studies. On March 5, Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustees voted unanimously to designate March as Greek Heritage Month, beginning in 2015.

The motion itself was brought forward at the TDSB Board Meeting by Trustee Sam Sotiriopoulos, was seconded by Trustee Harout Manougian, and was unanimously approved. Supporting documents were provided by our Greek School Parent Councils and TDSB students who wrote essays about Greek heritage. Our Greek Consulate in Toronto provided a letter of support that was also included in the proposal.

The scope of this achievement is far reaching, since the TDSB is the largest school board in Canada and one of the largest in all of North America – with nearly 600 schools and approximately 259,000 students. TDSB educators will be sharing resources and lessons about our rich culture and heritage in schools across our vibrant, multiethnic city.

Once again, please accept our thanks for sharing news about our 105 year-old Greek Community in Ethnikos Kyrix/The National Herald. I am pleased to count myself among your Toronto readership.

Nikona Georgakopulos
Toronto, Canada

Nikona Georgakopoulos is Vice President & Treasurer of the Greek Community of Toronto.