Welcome to Week 5 of The OPIE Zone Newsletter. Here the important events happening during the fifth week of the semester. We hope you’ll join us for some of them.
Letter from the Director: Featuring Becky Challenger
Dear Students,
This week we have two interesting holidays. The first is Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday that signifies the end of Ramadan. In the United States, this day will fall on Friday, June 15. How do Muslims celebrate this day? Well, the best way to find out is to ask your classmates! Please ask them about Eid al-Fitr.
The next holiday is Father’s Day on June 17. In America, this holiday is celebrated on the third Sunday in June. The purpose of the holiday is to recognize the role fathers play in their families. How do Americans celebrate this holiday? Well, the best way is to ask your teacher or an American friend!
Rebecca Challenger
Now, I would like to switch topics from holidays to curriculum. What does the word “curriculum” mean? To help you understand, ask yourself any of the following questions:
- Why does OPIE organizes its classes with a core class, reading class, and writing class?
- How does OPIE decide the textbooks we use?
- What are the goals and objectives for each class? How are these objectives decided?
These questions are about curriculum. The OPIE faculty member who is responsible for coordinating the OPIE curriculum is Becky Challenger. Becky leads our curriculum committee, a group of dedicated OPIE lecturers who meet regularly to discuss and refine our curriculum.
Becky started working in OPIE in 2009. Her title is Academic Coordinator and Assistant Director for Outreach and Curriculum. She is from a small town in eastern Pennsylvania called Pottsville and has also lived and worked in Philadelphia before moving to Athens. She has traveled to more than 12 countries, taught English in Wuhan, China, and studied in Antigua, Guatemala.
Her favorite things in Athens are walking on the bike path, going to the Athena Cinema, and meeting the wonderful students in OPIE and the people who live in Athens.
If you have any suggestions for the OPIE curriculum or special programs for students from your country, contact Becky.
Congratulations to all the OPIE students who will be celebrating Eid al-Fitr this weekend. Eid Mubarak to you all! Also, happy Father’s Day! And don’t forget the OPIE picnic on Monday, June 18.
Best regards,
Dr. Gerry Krzic
P.S. The winner of last week’s question was Hameed Aldawsari. He correctly identified Kim Young’s birthday as June 21. But Hameed has not come to the OPIE office to claim his prize yet! The question for this week is: When is Becky Challenger’s birthday? Email me your answer to win a prize.
International Conversation Hour
Tuesday, June 12, from 6-7 p.m. in Jefferson Hall, Room 160
International students and domestic students meet to talk about various topics. This is a good opportunity to make friends and meet people from all over the world. Free beverages and snacks are provided.
Summer 2018 OPIE Picnic
Monday, June 18, from 3-8 p.m. at Strouds Run
OPIE students, staff, faculty, families and friends come together to share a happy time. Food and drinks are served. There are different games, boat rides and kayaks.
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