CHERRY HILL, NJ – On September 8, the Saint Thomas Hellenic Afternoon School students, families and staff began the 2022-2023 school year with the Agiasmos blessing. After the Blessing of the Water service, Metropolis of New Jersey Chancellor Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis, St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill presiding priest Fr. Avgoustinos Psomas, and Chairman of the Education Committee Anastasios Efstratiades welcomed the students, parents and teaching staff.

The Hellenic School of Saint Thomas starts the new school year with 105 students and nine teachers. The new principal Margarita Zografos Vrettos assured everyone that the school was in good hands because of the support, love, and cooperation that she has witnessed from the Metropolis of New Jersey, Fr. Psomas, parish council members, teaching staff and parents who are dedicated to promoting and preserving the school and the Hellenic language. The previous principal Panagiota Delimaris and Mrs. Vrettos have been working together for the smoothest transition possible for the students and staff.

After the Agiasmos blessing, students and families were invited to the Danielle Kousoulis Cultural Center for a meet and greet with the classroom teachers. The evening ended on a sweet note as the St. Thomas Hellenic School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), led by the new PTO President Athena Poulathas, treated the Greek School families to a special visit from the Kona Water Ice Truck.  Classes begin on Monday, September 12.