The OWL - July 2019 - Featuring Manolis Papasifakis, Class of '74

"My connection to ACS Athens actually dates from... before I was born!

This is because my mother, Mary Aniston by maiden name, Mary Papasifakis when she married my father and came from the U.S. to live in Greece as a young newlywed, found employment at what was then, in the mid 1950s, still called the "Anglo-American School" of Athens, then still a small school operating out of a house in Filothei, which soon evolved into ACS Athens. Her college degree was not in the field of education, but things were different in those days -- this school needed native English-speaking elementary school teachers, she showed an affinity for the job, and indeed this was her start in what was to be a long and very successful career in education, and what also turned out to be a lifelong association with ACS. In a sense I was actually born into the ACS environment, then -- my mom continued to teach there after my birth, and in factmy Godmother, Penelope Chiakulas, was a fellow ACS elementary school teacher in those early founding years of the school... like my mom at the time, a newlywed Greek-American who had come with her husband to live in Athens. Some of the other teachers at that early period of ACS will be familiar to many of those ACS alums and friends of my ACS "generation" -- David King, Dede Allsebrooke, Millie Panopoulos, Mary Zoumpos, Vicky Chappen, Sophia Mezitis come to mind.

Manolis (aka Emmanuel) as a Junior

ACS was, during my time there, a very particular environment. An unusual one in many respects even, because of the mix, the particular diversity of its student body and its teachers and administrators. And a high quality of primary and secondary school education it offered too -- high quality by any standard, something I came to see and appreciate only much later, once I was a college

student at Oberlin and even later, when I saw in how many ways ACS prepared me well for my future endeavors. I know that ACS retains a high standard of excellence as a school -- times have changed though, and I doubt it has quite the tone and diversity it had during my time there, when it served, as an American overseas school, a wide community that by now has dispersed or even doesn't quite exist anymore.

Brother Mark, class of '76 and his daughter, mother Mary Aniston McLeod and Manolis

Sunday May 17th of this year, my mother's ashes (she passed away in October, 2017) were scattered into the sea here in Piraeus, near her home in which she had resided for the last almost twenty years and where she died. Mom left ACS while I was in college, now Mary McLeod from her second marriage, to Dr. Jack McLeod, to continue work in the field of international education alongside Dr. McLeod, for many years at Beirut's International College and later in Baghdad and Bahrain, returning permanently

to Greece in 1991 after Jack McLeod's death.

But she, and my brother and I too, always retained contact with ACS and the ACS "circle" among which number a lot of good and longtime friends.

In 2006 Mom re-met, after many years, with Hurley Hanley, onetime principal of ACS Elementary School, while he was on a return visit to Greece. It was a fortuitous reunion -- a life-partnership developed which lasted until my mother's death. Hurley, now back in the U.S., could not be present at the deposition of my mother's ashes, but apart from immediate family two other ACSers were present, dear friends Richard and Ginger Apple. Richard (Dick) had long ago been a gym teacher and for a time Vice-Principal at the ACS Middle School. Ginger had come to ACS first as a student teacher from Miami University, and later returned to ACS as a regular teacher.

Both now retired, the Apples now retain an apartment here in Piraeus, as a second home.

For myself and my family, but also for so many people who were either alumnae or worked at ACS Athens for a longer or shorter time, it seems ACS and its community forged strong, lasting bonds, something special that doesn't happen with so many schools. May ACS Athens continue to thrive and be this way!

Alums and friends Chris Moukas, Costas Iraclides, Johnny Vavouras and Manolis Papasifakis

Career Manolis showed musical talent at an early age and began piano lessons at just over five years old, under the tutelage of Elijah Yardumian, (noted musical pedagogue, founder and director of the Drexel Hill Conservatory, and brother of acclaimed composer Richard Yardumian). Later he enrolled at the Athens Conservatory for study with noted pianist and teacher Aliki Vatikioti.

Manolis Papasifakis with felllow pianist Dimitris Vezyroglou, four-hands piano recital at the Athens Conservatory.

Following college studies he moved to New York City and embarked on what would become a diverse musical career as a solo pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, chamber music player and, occasionally, conductor. In 1989 he was a finalist in the New York International Chopin Competition.

Based in his native Greece since the early 1990s, Manolis is now known as one of the country’s prominent classical musicians. Either as a piano soloist or as a collaborative artist he has performed at many of the country’s leading classical music venues and summer festivals. For many years the official accompanist of the Grand Prix Maria Callas Competition for singers, he has garnered an international reputation as a vocal coach and accompanist, collaborating regularly with many of Greece’s leading classical singers, and remains much in demand as a teacher/coach to young aspiring singers. He is a regular faculty member at the Musical Odyssey Masterclasses held every summer at Nafplio, which hosts internationally renowned guest teachers of piano and voice, and where he coaches both piano and voice students in the art of collaborative music-making.

Below: Manolis Papasifakis, Rosa Cappon Poulimenou, Ioanna Karamolegou, Ioannis Kavouras and George Matheakakis.

Widener University and ACS Athens Institute offer groundbreaking hybrid undergraduate, graduate and doctorate courses on Educational Leadership

Starting in 2019, ACS Athens IIC further expands its portfolio of activities to provide online high school courses, leadership programs for students and adults, and online undergraduate courses.

Within this scope, IIC has signed an agreement with Widener University (Chester, PA) to develop collaboration on three levels: Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral.

Read more here

ACS Athens Seniors say their final goodbyes as they do their Senior Walk around campus.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019 on their graduation June 14! We welcome new Alumni to the international community of ACS Athens Global, and extend our warmest wishes of success and happiness for their futures! _______________________________________________________

Congratulations Academy Principal, Dave Nelson!

Equity Maps is proud to be recognized among the best apps for teaching and learning in 2019. Thank you @aasl ! #socraticseminar #spiderwebdiscussion

Communications & Alumni Officer

Department: Communications Reports to: Director of Enrollment Management & Communications School year: 2019 - 2020

Basic Function and Scope of Tasks:

The Communications & Alumni Officer of ACS Athens has a key role to play in planning and delivering communications to key publics, such as the ACS Athens community, faculty, students, staff and the wider international community in Greece. The Communications & Alumni Officer writes, edits, co-ordinates and publishes content across various channels, including the school websites, social media, and print and online marketing materials. He/she also plans and implements communications and marketing campaigns to raise awareness or funds for specific projects, events or initiatives, while progressively improving organizational understanding of what works for different audiences.

The Communications & Alumni Officer is responsible for the planning and implementation of programs and projects that strategically engage alumni in strengthening programs and provide tangible benefits to alumni and current students.

Serving as an ACS Athens ambassador, the Communications & Alumni Officer is charged with inviting and securing commitments from alumni and the wider school community to provide professional expertise and volunteer service; collaborating with colleagues in the administrative offices (including, but not limited to Admissions, Development, Public Affairs and Student Affairs) and the schools to create and maintain pathways for community participation that advance the goals of the Institute; partnering with Development colleagues to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni giving; and serving as a liaison between the Alumni and community groups with the academic and administrative leadership.

Key communications responsibilities: Press •

Maintain a current list of media outlets relevant to the subject of interest the school is

• • • • •

promoting;

• •

Maintain social media accounts and initiate campaigns and awareness;

Write and edit articles, press releases and statements as per the communications strategy of the school; Coordinate with the Creative Coordinator for advertisement artwork and concepts Monitor publicity and exposure and assess effectiveness of media campaigns Digital Media Coordinate with Web Administrator and Creative Coordinator on developing, manage and updating of content for website; Plan and create multi-media communications materials.

Events • • • •

Produce, edit and distribute updates and materials for external and internal audiences; Provide communications support for campaigns and events; Help market and communicate events, such as seminars, conferences, and events for the public; Provide creative, editorial and operational support for communications projects and report on progress;

Brand • •

Ensure consistent branding is used, as it pertains to the vision and mission of the school; Coordinate with the Data Protection Officer regarding matters related to Data Protection policy and processes

Alumni Affairs • • • •

Initiate, plan and coordinate Alumni focused activities, events and campaigns aiming to attract interest and support from the international Alumni community of the school Act as Liaison with ACS Athens Global, Alumni Social Media and ACS Athens Owl (news/announcements/events); Update & maintain Alumni section on ACS Athens website; Create and maintain an up-to-date ACS Athens alumni database (in conjunction with Registrar/Global and FB administrators), sortable by year, house, profession, school/university attended, current geographical location);

Qualifications and experience • • •

Minimum a Bachelors degree in a relevant field is required, preferable in communications, journalism, marketing, etc.

Substantial publications experience in one or more communications and marketing disciplines.

A proven track record of delivering quality work in a changing environment using a variety of channels.

Knowledge, skills and abilities • • • • • •

Excellent communication skills, oral and written, in English and Greek; Substantial experience in writing and editing; online, offline, internal and external; Ability to identify and clearly communicate key messages to a variety of audiences; Sound judgment about appropriate language; Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence others as required; Proofreading skills and a keen eye for detail;

• • • • • •

Ability to prioritise, manage projects and meet strict deadlines; Ability to effectively work with a range of internal and external stakeholders; Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office; Good understanding of website management and social media; Good administration skills; Strong understanding and knowledge of the ACS Athens history and unique culture

Personal traits • •

Strong team player with ability to work across departments ; Highly organised and self-motivated with ability to plan and manage own work area and meet deadlines.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered for this vacancy, please reference job title and your last name in the subject line (e.g.

RE: COMMUNICATIONS_SMITH), and submit in English:

• • •

Cover letter, which should include a statement of your educational philosophy; Resume; The contact information for three professional references.

Submit the above required information to jobs@acs.gr.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Deadline: July 12, 2019.

PTO's lastest issue of SHARE here!

2019 ACS Stateside Alumni Reunion San Antonio Texas

Contact Ann Lappas-Stiles for complete details. $232 per person or a-la-cart Fees: 2 dinners, a barge ride with cocktails and finger food, free time to see the sights, hospitality suite stocked with snacks, soft drinks and wine and beer.

Hotel fees are $119 per room with 1 in room; $129 with 2 persons in room Includes buffet breakfast at hotel

All alumni and friends and family are invited!

ACS ATHENS MEGA 2020 Reunion in Athens

Mark your calendars for the MOTHER of all reunions---Athens, June 2020. Plans are still being processed but the big party will be Saturday night June 13, 2020.

Tour of the city--free time--a cruise of several islands---a trip down to the Peloponnese. A-la-cart pricing and package pricing will be available. Airfare to Athens is separate. Start making your plans. Invite your friends and family. You will not regret it.

Pass this along to all you are in contact with.