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The Archangel Michael Preschool Program
Our preschool provides children aged 2-5 years old with a nurturing, supportive, and caring environment in which to grow. Our curriculum includes age- and developmentally-appropriate activities, including instructions in Greek language and our Greek Orthodox Faith. Our early childhood instructors are New York State-licensed or CD certified and our student to teacher ratio is low, ensuring personal attention. Our students and their families are encouraged to participate in all Archangel Michael programs, activities, and fellowship events, strengthening the connection between home and school.
Archangel Michael Preschool offers the following programs:
| Toddler | 2-3 year olds | Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00-11:30am |
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| Nursery | 3-4 year olds | Monday—Friday from 9:00-11:30am or 9:00am-2:00pm |
| Pre-K | 4-5 year olds | Monday—Friday from 9:00-11:30am or 9:00am-2:00pm |
| Reading Readiness | Experience with early childhood literature develops cognitive skills and encourages imagination. An auditory introduction to Greek enhances listening skills. |
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| Arts & Crafts | Using drawing and finger-painting as well as sand, Play-doh, and water play, kids express and develop their creativity. Color Theory Art Program also holds an 8-week in-school program twice a year for Nursery and Pre-K classes. |
| Music, Dance & Creative Expression | Kids express themselves through movement and music, which also offers developmental benefits by reinforcing academic concepts and fostering logical thinking. |
| Math & Science Concepts | At multiple discovery stations, kids engage in hands-on exploration of the fundamentals through measuring, cooking, and studying nature. Snapology Program is also incorporated during the school day for 8 weeks. Snapology is a program that uses LEGO, robotics and STEM activities to teach science. This class is offered to the Nursery and Pre-K classes |
| Introduction to Religion & Language | Kids feel supported and encouraged as they learn the building blocks of the Orthodox faith and celebrate major holidays. The Greek Language is introduced through songs, books and creative activities. The older children begin learning letters and sounds with skill level appropriate Greek language resources. |
Preschool Early Drop Off, Soccer Shots, and Greek Enrichment Program
The Preschool offers an extended day for those families who would like added flexibility. You can learn more about Early Drop Off by contacting the preschool. See what Soccer Shots is all about by clicking here. We also offer an after school Greek Language Enrichment Program for Pre-K students. For details, click here. For more information about any of these programs, please email us at preschool@archangelmichaelchurch.org.
Healthy Snacks & Lunch
Please send your child with a healthy snack and lunch. We are an allergy-aware school and only nut-free foods are permitted.
| Sunshine & Fresh Air | Kids have fun climbing, swinging, and sliding in the school’s enclosed play yard. Both structured and unstructured play helps kids learn important social skills. |
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Visit Our School
Find out how the Archangel Michael Preschool can provide your child with a strong foundation for life and learning by visiting our school. Our beautiful facilities, classrooms and staff are ready to welcome you! Take a tour, ask questions, and get to know our teachers. We look forward to meeting you and your child soon. Call 516-944-3184 or e-mail
preschool@archangelmichaelchurch.org.
Meet Our Teachers
Mrs. Linda Maglaras Alimaras has been the Director of the Archangel Michael Preschool since its inception in 1996.
She attended St. John’s University as an undergraduate and graduate student where she earned a Bachelor and Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She holds permanent New York State certification in Nursery–6th Grade Greek Bilingual, English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Mrs. Alimaras has also been a Kindergarten teacher at the Archangel Michael Greek Language Institute for over 10 years. She was a former ESL teacher at Manhasset High School. In addition, she teaches ESL at BOCES as well as the Continuing Education Program of Lifelong Learning at Nassau Community College.
Mrs. Alimaras has been a member of the Archangel Michael Church since 1991. She is married to Peter Alimaras and they have 2 children.
Mrs. Elizabeth Alimaras recently retired from the New York City Department of Education where she taught Kindergarten through Second Grade. Prior to teaching with the DOE, she taught at the Pace Little School in Manhattan.
Mrs. Alimaras attended Pace University as an undergraduate student where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. She earned her Master’s Degree at Queens College where she focused on Special Education. Mrs. Alimaras holds a permanent New York Certification in Early Childhood and Special Education.
When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Alimaras enjoys Pilates, traveling, and reading a good book. She resides in Douglaston with her husband, Gregory, and her daughter, Alexandra. She is excited to teach at the Archangel Michael Preschool!
Mrs. Christine Goettelmann holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from Loyola University in Maryland and a Master’s degree in Education with an Early Childhood annotation from Hofstra University. She has permanent New York State Certification for Pre-K through 6th grade.
Mrs. Goettelmann taught 4th grade at the West End Day School in Manhattan, NY, and served as head teacher for the Nursery Program at The Garden House School, also in New York City. Additionally, Mrs. Goettelmann has extensive experience in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), having learned from preeminent behavior analysts in the field of autism.
After raising her daughters, Tatum and Kelly, while pursuing her lifelong devotion to long-distance running, she looks forward to working with young children again as a teacher at the Archangel Michael Preschool.
Mrs. Goettelmann lives in Manhasset, NY, with her husband, George, two daughters, and her beloved chihuahua mix, Dolly.
Mrs. Alexandra Zarb has been at the Archangel Michael Preschool since 2017.
Mrs. Zarb has a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Arts (Communications and Marketing) from Adelphi University. She has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education (Pre-K through 6th Grade). She worked at a number of radio stations in New York for 10 years in sales and marketing. From 2004 to 2011, Mrs. Zarb was the Pre-K Teacher at the Archangel Michael Preschool. Previous experience includes substitute teaching in Farmingdale and Levittown Schools.
Mrs. Zarb has been a member of the Archangel Michael Church since 1995. She has 2 daughters, Amanda and Elizabeth, both alumnae of the Archangel Michael Preschool.
Maria Skaliarinis has been working in the educational field for over 15 years. She loves working with young children in a field where she is making a difference in a child’s life. Mrs. Skaliarinis loves the beginning and end of each school year, seeing the growth students have made. It’s very fulfilling and rewarding. She constantly seeks out opportunities that will further her career and knowledge.
Mrs. Skaliarinis currently holds a CDA (Child Development Association Certificate) license with the State of NY.
Mrs. Skaliarinis is the proud mother of two boys, Petros & George. Both of her sons were active in the Archangel Michael Church Hope/Joy/Goya basketball program. She has been married for 30 years to her husband Paul. She loves reading, traveling and learning about different cultures of the world.
Mrs. Eleni Siaxabanis has been working as a teacher’s assistant and teacher in the Toddler Class at the Archangel Michael Preschool since 2018. She graduated from CUNY Queens College in 2009 with a degree in Speech Language Pathology. She later went on to earn her Masters Degree at LIU CW Post in Early Childhood Education/Special Education. Mrs. Siaxabanis then worked as a substitute teacher and a leave replacement teacher in the NYC Department of Education for several years.
Mrs. Siaxabanis is married to Peter Koklanos and they have two young children who attended the Archangel Michael Preschool.
Mrs. Georgia Yioupis has been working as a Teacher’s Assistant at the Archangel Michael Preschool since 2014. She has been a substitute Teacher’s Assistant in the Port Washington School District. Mrs. Yioupis also has experience in the banking industry working at Marathon Bank for 10 years.
Mrs. Yioupis is married and has two children, Nicole and James, who have attended Archangel Michael Preschool, and were active in both Archangel Michael Church HOPE/JOY and GOYA programs.
