Administration Speaks Issue # 5
Special Points of Interest:
Editorial By Dr. Yeprem Mehranian Dear Parents and Readers,
• The Achievement Gap:
High School graduation rates in the U.S. are 70%. A sampling of other countries: Denmark— 96%, Japan—93%, Poland—92% and Italy— 79% • Winter Wonderland:
For this year’s event we brought in over 1600 pounds of snow.
On behalf of the KZV administration and the KZV Times Editorial Board I would like to congratulate you on the arrival of the year 2009. With this newness, and with President Obama in office, also comes the promise of a new era
in US politics, subdued as this promise is by news and predications of a prolonged period of economic hardship for many citizens of this land. With the news of anticipated changes to the various facets of life within American society, education too is bound to begin a
new growth. Although it is often the nation’s public schools that feel the impact of federally mandated policy, occasionally private institutions of learning are also affected, albeit indirectly. We hope that the future course of events in our society will result in abetting the educational and cultural solvency of our school and help buttress it against the perils of an imploding economy. Cont. on page 2
Trends in Education The Achievement Gap II Editorial Board Adina Haun, Editor and Trends in Education Yeprem Mehranian, Administration Speaks Tutu Heinonen, News Around the School Garine Panossian, Armenian Corner Hasmik Mehranian, Layout/Publisher
By Adina Haun The December newsletter article delineated the achievement gap occurring between boys and girls, offering suggestions on how to bridge the gap in order for boys to reach their highest academic potential. This month’s newsletter article addresses another gap that is
relevant to the global issues facing future generations of students. According to Tony Wagner (Global Achievement Gap), our current educational system is obsolete in that antiquated expectations and methods are standard fare for nearly all our students. These outdated approaches
place our students at a distinct disadvantage vis-à-vis students in other countries, as well as putting our democracy and global ecosystems in peril. The following facts communicate the U.S. educational deficiencies, adding urgency to the formulation of reforms to redirect our energies in a more productive and useful direction. Cont. on page 8
KZV Armenian School, SF, CA © 2008
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January
News from Around the School: Middle School students at KZV attend a lecture by Dr. Der Kuireghian Ms. Lala Demirdjian In December 2008 Armenians all around the world commemorated the 20th anniversary of the devastating Spitak Earthquake that hit Armenia in 1988. On the 5th of December, Professor Armen Der Kuireghian, from the University of California/ Berkeley, was invited to give a lecture to the Middle School students at KZV. The lecture was planned as part of the Armenian Identity Education course. Cont. on page 3
Administration Speaks: Speaks continued As you all know, in less than two months KZV will receive its longawaited WASC reaccreditation visit. Until then, our school community will need to bring together its concerted efforts to bear positively on the WASC process. In the February issue of KZV Times an article by Ms. Nahabedian, the KZV WASC Coordinator, will update you on the work that has been done to prepare the school for the impending visit by the WASC Visiting Committee. Beyond WASC, we plan to turn our focus to the work of upgrading many other educational features of our school, the KZV library and web site, to the stubborn challenge of increasing enrollment, to the critical test of improving homeschool relations, and finally, to the ultimate challenge of enriching the quality of our students’ social and educational experiences in this school.
For us, the members of KZV Times Editorial Board, the process of conceiving, planning, writing, editing and publishing the five issues we have been able to produce has truly been an intellectually and socially invigorating and gratifying experience. We feel positively about what we have done, and we look forward with anticipation and excitement to what still remains to be done. Let me sign off by listing several interrelated goals we wish to accomplish during what is left of the current academic year. 1. To diversify the topics we feature, as we recruit a larger number of persons to write about them. 2. To dedicate a new section in the newsletter to KZV alumni.
3. To devote more space to articles written about and by KZV students, as well as to issues of interest and import to their families. 4. To solicit a stronger participatory stance on your part as readers by actively seeking your response to the choices of topic and content we offer you with each issue of the Times, and by asking for your feedback on the directions you would like this newsletter to pursue. We appreciate your readership and we look forward to cooperating with all of you on the idea of building a community of readers and writers at our school.
Be well and stay well.
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January
News from Around the School: School: continued Lecture by Dr. Der Kuireghian During the lecture, Dr. Der Kuireghian showed a video through which students were able to visualize the massive destruction of the cities and obtain an idea about the international aid that was sent to Armenia following the aftermath. Scientific explanations about the causes, effects, and preventive methods of an earthquake were given to the students. The professor lectured from the viewpoint of a first hand eyewitness. Being an expert in earthquake engineering, Dr. Kuireghian was one of the first people who went to Armenia just a few weeks after the Earthquake and since, he has followed up on the reconstruction process. As one of the leading figures of the American University of Armenia, Dr. Der Kuireghian emphasized the significance of the opening of the University as a major step towards development during a very difficult time for Armenia and the Armenians.
The lecture ended on an optimistic note about the prosperity and development of our nation and its people. We would like to thank Dr. Der Kuireghian for sharing his thoughts and knowledge with our students.
Spelling Bee On Friday, January 23 KZV held the annual spelling bee in the Saroyan Hall. The monitor of the bee was Siran Nahabedian and the judges were Emily
This years winners: Lori Zadoorian first place, Serouge Panossian second place, and Aida Geojayan third place. Congratulations!
Gertmenian, Adina Haun, and Mannik Kostanian. This year's finalists were from fourth grade: Aida Geojayan, Evan Ugarte, and Ani Chouldjian; Fifth grade: Lisabelle Panossian, Shant Kilijian, and Anthony Avanessian; Sixth grade: Nicole Lazarev, Lori Zadoorian, and Raffi Samurkashian; Seventh grade: Tamar Deirmendjian, Julie Avetisyan, and Mikhael Alayan, Eight grade: Serouge Panossian, Armen Samurkashian, and David Avetisyan. Good job everyone!
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January
News from Around the School: School: continued Golden Thread Performance By Tutu Heinonen On Tuesday December 9 at 4 pm our Golden Thread after school program students performed in front of their parents and peers. The performance was a taste of what the students had been working on in the past 12 sessions. The audience got a glimpse of some of the groups’ warm-up routines such as “Peel Banana” and the ever popular improvisation routine “What Are You Doing?” The performance ended with an Armenian Heritage vignette written and performed by Tamar Deirmendjian, Izek Avanessian, and Garin Derounian.
Interview with the new KZV teacher By the 6th grade students
Interview with Ms. Mehranian:
1. Where were you born (Marsel)? I was born in Vanadzor, Armenia. At the time it was the second biggest industrial city in Armenia. My parents moved there to take part in the establishment of new Industrial Robots and Robotic Automation Systems research and production complex.
2. Do you like teaching better than working as an engineer (Diana)? I like my engineering profession and also I like teaching. That is why I am working on my PhD in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, so I can combine my passion for both by teaching engineering. 3. What advice would you give to a person who wants to become an engineer (Diana)? Engineering profession requires a set of skills that is best to develop as early as possible. It requires a great deal of discipline, self confidence, and an innovative mind. You can build these skills by doing about anything, just keep focused on your goal.
4. What is your favorite thing about KZV (Marina)? KZV is a fun place to be: to study and to work. It is small and friendly and a very busy place. There is always something going on: the spelling bee, the science fare, screening of inauguration ceremony, trip to the Washington D.C. and Yosemite, writing contest in the library to list just a few. Also, I like the fact that in KZV we have youth from diverse Armenian families.
Cont. on page 9
January
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News from Around the School: School: continued Pre-K News Knarik Shahijanian, Pre-K Director Welcome back, parents! After a long Christmas break, we’re back and ready for action! We started 2009 with 3 new students and we couldn’t be happier! We welcomed Sophie Bezdjian and Aram Tendoukjian to Yellow Group and Arda Tazian is joining us in Red Group. We’re so glad to have you here, Sophie, Aram, and Arda! We also had a visit from one of our former students. Satineh
Kassarjian came to visit us all the way from Armenia and we all had so much fun during her visit. This month, we have been learning how to tell time using our own classroom clock. We know the hours now and it’s exciting for us to announce our lunch hour or recess. We practice every day and we are getting very good at it! We are also learning to announce the weather. This way, we feel prepared for the day!
Winter Wonderland Annie Bavoukian This year marked the third year of Winter Wonderland! The idea of Winter Wonderland came easily for me. Growing up in NJ, I was used to a constant blanket of snow during the winter months. Moving to California was a big change for me, especially at Christmas time. I wanted to bring some of my childhood winter festivities to KZV! The first thing I did was fill our courtyard with real snow! For
this year’s event we brought in over 1600 pounds of snow. What a sight that was! The weather was chilly that night and the snow lasted for quite a long time. Children kept busy crafting keepsake ornaments and writing letters to Santa. The highlight of the evening was a visit from Santa himself. The kids got to sit with Santa and get their pictures taken too! Overall, this year’s Winter Wonderland was great fun and I hope to continue this “new” KZV tradition for many years to come!
We are also learning to write our names in Armenian. It’s hard work but with practice, we are really getting the hang of it! We practice our numbers and shapes all the time. Next month is a very special month and one of the most fun events of the year – our Pajama Party! We are allowed to come to school in our pajamas and bring our very favorite stuffed animal with us! We can’t wait! Until next time…we wish you happy and safe January!
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Armenian Corner: continued
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Armenian Corner: continued
January
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Trends in Education: continued •
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Back Page Story Headline students need to apply the High School graduation rates in the U.S. are 70%. A sampling of other countries: Denmark— 96%, Japan—93%, Poland—92% and Italy— 79% 40% of all students who enter college must take remedial courses. High school tests— primarily multi-choice assessments—do not prepare students for the rigors of college or for jobs in the global economy. 85% of jobs require a post-secondary education. Our students will not be able to compete with skilled workers around the world. We are in a global “knowledge economy” in which all students will need new skills. If these skills are not developed, our students will be at a competitive disadvantage.
What are the new skills that are currently not widely taught in American schools? Due to the challenges in the workplace, as well as looming global environmental disasters, students must be able to reason, analyze, weigh evidence, problemsolve, think creatively, and communicate effectively. All students must develop these skills, not merely a handful of “gifted and talented” students. Our current textbooks and tests are not designed for reasoning and analysis. The intellectually unchallenging nature of most curricula fosters boredom in many students, contributing a high drop-out rate. Our
scientific method in Science, not merely regurgitate facts. Students of history need to be taught to examine facts in the context of larger historical significance, not as a litany of names and dates to memorize. Our schools cannot wait until the students are in high school to shift their focus; rather elementary and middle-school students are capable of developing these skills. Here, in brief outline, are the seven survival skills deemed most relevant to our students’ future success: • Critical Thinking and Problemsolving: teams attempt to find solutions that are not prescribed. Kids need to be encouraged to be much more curious, rather than learning to pass tests. They “need to learn the inquiry process.” • Teamwork: our students need to work across diverse cultures and religions in a spirit of mutual respect. • Agility and adaptability: our students will need to be able to make constant readjustments as job requirements change; these skills will be more important than technical skills. (Clay Parker of BO Edwards) • Initiative and Entrepreneurialism: the ability to seek new opportunities and strategies for improvement will be highly prized. Teamwork, again, will factor in as students solve problems and come up with better solutions. • Effective oral and Written Communication: expression
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which is clear, concise, energetic, and passionate is an essential requirement in today’s world. (Mike Summers) Accessing and Analyzing Information: the ability to process huge amounts of information, sift out important details, and form game plans will be all-important. Finally, Curiosity and Imagination: creative solutions to problems, new designs, and services require inquisitive and engaged students of the “Net Generation.”
Insofar as the educational establishment shifts from test-taking and regurgitating correct answers to this new paradigm, our students will be prepared for a bright, globally- oriented future. This shift will require a new type of teacher training, including an ongoing support system. New assessments will need to be developed for the skills that really matter, not standardized multiple-choice tests. Progress is being made as more educators and parents are alert to the danger of sticking with a system that was designed for a different reality than what our current students will face. Not only will the new educational paradigm allow our students to move confidently into adulthood, but their student years will be more interesting and engaging, hopefully stemming the disenchantment many students feel today.
January
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News from Around the School: School: continued KZV Armenian School
825 Brotherhood Way San Francisco, CA 94132 PHONE: (415) 586-8686 FAX: (415) 586-8686 E-MAIL: office@kzv.org
We’re on the Web! See us at: www.kzv.org
5. What is your favorite food (Raffi)? I like good food and I am happy to try something new every time I have a chance. I grew up with Armenian and western European cuisine. Later I learned Persian cooking. While in graduate school, I had friends form India, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, Mexico and Germany. I asked every one of them to teach me their favorite “home” dish. And now our KZV community gives me the opportunity to learn about Lebanese and Syrian dishes and add more entries to my favorite foods list.
7. If you were a flower, which one would you be and why (Lori)? I would like to just be me, the Hasmik (Jasmine). As far back as I can remember I liked my name. Jasmine is a type of shrubs with evergreen leaves and sweetly-scented small white flowers. It grows almost everywhere and makes a great tea! The online dictionary of meaning of flowers lists friendliness and cheerfulness as well as wealth, grace and elegance represented by White Jasmine. That is about everything I can wish for!
6. Where in the world would you like to visit (Lori)? I am curious about the all the countries and cultures in the world. I would like to visit at least one country on each continent: Canada, Argentina, South Africa, India, Australia, Russia and more. I would like to learn about the everyday lives of the people living there; learn about their history, culture and art through the eyes of my friends who live there.
Dear Reader, A vital and informative newsletter is compromised unless its writers and readers truly interact. We encourage you to not only read the KZV Times, but also respond to what we choose to include in each of its issues. Help us raise the quality of our final product by sending in your letters. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, KZV Times Editorial Board