TAFSUS

Turkish American Friendship Society of US





Mission

ATA School is an informal educational program offered by TAFSUS as a service to the Turkish-American community in the greater Philadelphia area. Its primary goal is to teach Turkish language and culture to children with Turkish heritage who wish to learn Turkish. In addition to basic language skills in speaking, reading, writing and comprehension, the curriculum includes Turkish history, geography, government, literature, music, theater, holiday traditions and social customs.

ATA School encourages diversity among its teachers and students and does not have any social, political or religious affiliation.

Download Brochure and Registration Form


Turkish School Program

Two separate classes are offered to children ages 4-14 based on age and proficient level. Learning takes place in a fun, yet structures environment where students are encouraged to work on creative projects and to socialize with each other, further developing their language skills.

Program includes, language (Speaking, reading, writing grammer), social studies (History, geography, government, etc.), culture (Art, music, theater, holiday traditions, customs, etc.).

In addition to basic language skills, the program is designed to help students better understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of Turkey in a fun and creative environment.


Class Schedule

Classes take place at the Montgomery County Community College (see directions below) on Sundays, from 11 am to 2:00 pm, starting October 7, 2012 and ending May 19, 2013. Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Missing three consecutive classes will result in a dismissal.


Tuition and Enrollment

Tuition for the 2012- 2013 Academic year (October 7, 2012- May 19, 2013) is $430 per first child and $300 for each sibling. There is an additional $75 TAFSUS Membership fee per family per year. Parents who are interested to enrol their child(ren) must download the brochure, complete the registration form and send it, along with the tuition check to:

Ibrahim Onaral, TAFSUS Treasurer
3 N. Columbus Blvd. Unit #103, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Registration and Enrollment Deadline is September 28, 2012.



Elma Şekeri: A monthly newsletter for the community

Elma Sekeri, Cover, April 2009 Elma Şekeri is a monthly newsletter created by volunteers among the ATA School community. The first issue has been released in April 2009 and is available here in pdf format. We would like to thank our parents Asuman Ozturk, Cevher Dogan and Kubilay Bekirogullari for their efforts in preparing the issues.

Elma Şekeri is in Turkish and intended to encourage and help students to read in Turkish. It includes news and information from the community. If you would like to contribute, please contact ATA School Director, Dilek Arig.

Here's the list of available issues:


On the news

On February 17, ATA School received a welcome visit by 11 teachers from the New York Ataturk school for an exchange of ideas on language education of children in the Turkish American community. News and pictures from this event can be found in the links below.

www.atkb.org
turkishny.com
turkishjournal.com







Graduation Day

May 18, 2008 marked the last day of ATA School with a graduation party for all the children who successfully completed their first semester. You can see all the pictures taken from the event by one of the proud fathers, Suat Eraslan.

Photo Album



23 April Children's Day Ball

You can see all the pictures from the event here.





Directions

ATA School classes are offered at Montgomery County College, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike

Take Exit 333 at Norristown. Go west on Germantown Pike to Route 202. Turn right and go north. Look for College sign on right, 1/2 mile north of Route 73.

From the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76)

Alt. 1) From I-76 Exit 331B, take I-476 (Blue Route) north to Exit 20, Germantown Pike West. Go west on Germantown Pike to Route 202. Turn right and go north. Look for College sign on right.
Alt. 2) Get on Pennsylvania Turnpike at Valley Forge and go east to Exit 333, then follow directions listed above.
Alt. 3) Get off Route 202 North exit, stay on Route 202 North through Norristown and north. Look for College sign on right, 1/2 mile north of Route 73.

From Chester County

1) Take Route 202 north through Great Valley, King of Prussia and Norristown and north. Look for College sign on right.
2) Take Route 422 east to Route 29 interchange. Take Route 29 east to Ridge Pike. Turn right on Ridge Pike, bear left at intersection to Germantown Pike, take Germantown Pike to Route 202. Turn left, take Route 202 north. Look for College sign on right.

From Bucks County

Take Routes 309 or 202 south to Montgomeryville. Take Route 202 south to Morris Road intersection. Look for College sign on left.


From Delaware County

Take I-476 (Blue Route) north to Exit 20, Germantown Pike West. Go west on Germantown Pike to Route 202. Turn right and go north. Look for College sign on right.


By Public Transportation

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) operates two bus routes directly to the Central Campus. They are

    -Route 94 from Chestnut Hill to Flourtown, Fort Washington, Ambler, Lansdale, Montgomeryville (Mall), and return.
    -Route 94 connects with SEPTA Routes 23, L, and R8 in Chestnut Hill and with Regional Rail R5 service at Fort Washington, Ambler, Pennlyn, and Lansdale stations.
    -Route 96 from Norristown to North Wales, Montgomeryville (Mall), Lansdale, Hatfield, Souderton, Telford, and return.
    -Route 96 connects with SEPTA Routes 91, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100, and R6 service at the Norristown Transportation Centerand with Regional Rail R5 service at North Wales and Lansdale stations.

Please refer to SEPTA webpage for further information. SEPTA information is available in College Hall (Security Office) or by calling 610-279-8400. Timetables can be obtained through the mail by calling 215-580-7777. Both numbers operate daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.