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NEWS

We are proud to announce that our School is about to start its Spring 2010 semester. We would like to thank our community for their continued support and contributions to the Turkish School in Orange County during Fall 2009. As our successful Fall 2009 semester comes to a close, we are currently gearing up for the Spring semester starting on January 30th, 2010. Registration for 2010 Spring semester has already begun. You may enroll at any time by mailing a completed registration form and the school tuition to us. Registration form can be downloaded at our school website. There will also be a registration session for those who prefer to meet our staff in person and ask questions. The registration session will be held on January 30th (first day of school) between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00 AM before the first class. For more information on the upcoming Spring registration, registration documents, tuition and mailing information, please visit our www.octurkishschool.org web page. This school is a volunteer effort looking to serve our students and our community through education in the Turkish language and culture. This school belongs to the entire Turkish community and will keep on thriving and being as successful with the continued support of our great community. We hope to see all of our current students return to the school and enroll new students.

Our Mission

Orange County Turkish School is an informal educational and cultural project developed by the Orange County Turkish American Association (OCTAA) as a service to the Turkish-American community in Orange County. The Orange County Turkish School is not intended to replace formal education.

The School’s primary goals are: (1) to teach Turkish-American children and adults the Turkish language (at varying levels) emphasizing the whole range of communication skills, speaking, writing, reading and comprehension; (2) to familiarize the students with the history and civilization of Turkish people and Turkey, its geography and people at a level equivalent to elementary/middle school education in Turkey; and (3) to teach the basics of Turkish heritage and culture including Turkish music, literature and customs.

The School is intended to teach Turkish as a second language to improve the language skills of Turkish-American children and adults, which will be taught by volunteer members of OCTAA.

The Turkish School operates based on the educational principles of a democratic, secular, and progressive society, principles of the founder of Turkish Republic: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and modeled after the schools in Turkey. Furthermore, this School’s policies are socially, politically, and religiously nonsectarian.

The School is open to all OCTAA members and the general public.
OC Turkish School fosters a Turkish identity for children ages 5 and above based on the historical, cultural and ethical experiences of the Turkish people from historical times to today. Children learn better in an environment that is fun, creative, and encourages individual and personal growth. The School curriculum includes background in Turkish history, geography, culture, government, literature, music, language, holidays, and social awareness.

Management & Oversight

OC Turkish School is led by a Director and the OCTAA Educational & Cultural Committee members who oversee all aspects of the school and are an integral part of OCTAA's leadership. They report directly to the OCTAA Board of Directors.

Educational & Cultural Committee Members:

Ayça Altıntığ (School Director & Chair)
H. Nejat Yakupoğlu
Özlem Paget
Ercan Özbek
Senar Richman

Orange County Turkish School Teachers:

Ayça Altıntığ
Şebnem Güler Demir
Reyhan Gözbak
Özlem Paget
Aslıhan Arıkan Cerny
(Director)
(Kids)
(Kids)
(Stars)
(Adult Beginner & Intermediate)