kzv newsletter - january

8/14/2019 KZV Newsletter - January

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KZV Armenian School, SF, CA 20

Issue # 5

Special Points ofInterest:

The Achievement Gap:High School graduationrates in the U.S. are 70%.A sampling of othercountries: Denmark96%, Japan93%,Poland92% andItaly79%

Winter Wonderland:For this years event webrought in over 1600pounds of snow.

Editorial Board

Adina Haun, Editor andTrends in Education

Yeprem Mehranian,Administration Speaks

Tutu Heinonen, NewsAround the School

Garine Panossian,Armenian Corner

Hasmik Mehranian,Layout/Publisher

Dear Parents andReaders,

On behalf of the KZVadministration and theKZV Times EditorialBoard I would like tocongratulate you onthe arrival of the year2009. With thisnewness, and withPresident Obama inoffice, also comes thepromise of a new era

dministration Speaksdministration Speaksdministration Speaksdministration Speaks

Editorial

By Dr. Yeprem Mehranian

The Decembernewsletter articledelineated theachievement gap

occurring betweenboys and girls, offeringsuggestions on how tobridge the gap in orderfor boys to reach theirhighest academicpotential. Thismonths newsletterarticle addressesanother gap that is

in US politics, subduedas this promise is bynews and predications

of a prolonged periodof economic hardshipfor many citizens ofthis land.

With the news ofanticipated changes tothe various facets oflife within Americansociety, education toois bound to begin a

new growth. Althoughit is often the nationspublic schools that feethe impact of federallmandated policy,occasionally privateinstitutions of learninare also affected,albeit indirectly. We

hope that the futurecourse of events in ousociety will result inabetting theeducational andcultural solvency of oschool and helpbuttress it against theperils of an implodingeconomy.

Cont. on page

relevant to the globalissues facing futuregenerations ofstudents. According to

Tony Wagner (GlobalAchievement Gap), ourcurrent educationalsystem is obsolete inthat antiquatedexpectations andmethods are standardfare for nearly all ourstudents. Theseoutdated approaches

place our students at distinct disadvantagevis--vis students inother countries, as weas putting ourdemocracy and globalecosystems in peril.The following factscommunicate the U.Seducationaldeficiencies, addingurgency to theformulation of reformsto redirect ourenergies in a moreproductive and usefuldirection.

Cont. on page

Trends in EducationTrends in EducationTrends in EducationTrends in Education

The Achievement Gap IIBy Adina Haun


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As you all know, in less than twomonths KZV will receive its long-awaited WASC reaccreditationvisit. Until then, our school

community will need to bringtogether its concerted efforts tobear positively on the WASCprocess. In the February issue ofKZV Times an article by Ms.Nahabedian, the KZV WASCCoordinator, will update you onthe work that has been done toprepare the school for theimpending visit by the WASCVisiting Committee. BeyondWASC, we plan to turn our focusto the work of upgrading many

other educational features of ourschool, the KZV library and website, to the stubborn challenge ofincreasing enrollment, to thecritical test of improving home-school relations, and finally, tothe ultimate challenge ofenriching the quality of ourstudents social and educationalexperiences in this school.

dministration Speaksdministration Speaksdministration Speaksdministration Speaks: continued

For us, the members of KZVTimes Editorial Board, theprocess of conceiving, planning,writing, editing and publishing

the five issues we have beenable to produce has truly beenan intellectually and sociallyinvigorating and gratifyingexperience. We feel positivelyabout what we have done, andwe look forward with anticipationand excitement to what stillremains to be done.

Let me sign off by listing severalinterrelated goals we wish toaccomplish during what is left of

the current academic year.

1. To diversify the topics wefeature, as we recruit alarger number of personsto write about them.

2. To dedicate a new sectionin the newsletter to KZValumni.

3. To devote more spaceto articles written aboand by KZV students,as well as to issues ofinterest and import totheir families.

4. To solicit a strongerparticipatory stance oyour part as readers bactively seeking yourresponse to the choicof topic and content woffer you with eachissue of the Times, anby asking for yourfeedback on thedirections you wouldlike this newsletter topursue.

We appreciate your readershand we look forward tocooperating with all of you othe idea of building acommunity of readers andwriters at our school.

Be well and stay well.

News from Around the School:News from Around the School:News from Around the School:News from Around the School: Middle School students at KZattend a lecture byDr. Der Kuireghian

Ms. Lala Demirdjian

In December 2008 Armenians all aroundthe world commemorated the 20th anniversary ofthe devastating Spitak Earthquake that hitArmenia in 1988. On the 5th of December,Professor Armen Der Kuireghian, from theUniversity of California/ Berkeley, was invited togive a lecture to the Middle School students atKZV. The lecture was planned as part of theArmenian Identity Education course.

Cont. on page 3


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During the lecture, Dr. Der Kuireghian showed avideo through which students were able to visualize themassive destruction of the cities and obtain an ideaabout the international aid that was sent to Armeniafollowing the aftermath. Scientific explanations aboutthe causes, effects, and preventive methods of anearthquake were given to the students. The professorlectured from the viewpoint of a first hand eyewitness.

Being an expert in earthquake engineering, Dr.Kuireghian was one of the first people who went toArmenia just a few weeks after the Earthquake andsince, he has followed up on the reconstruction process.

As one of the leading figures of the AmericanUniversity of Armenia, Dr. Der Kuireghian emphasizedthe significance of the opening of the University as amajor step towards development during a very difficulttime for Armenia and the Armenians.

The lecture ended on an optimisticnote about the prosperity and developmentof our nation and its people. We would like

to thank Dr. Der Kuireghian for sharing histhoughts and knowledge with our students.

News from Around the SchoolNews from Around the SchoolNews from Around the SchoolNews from Around the School:::: continued

Lecture by Dr. Der Kuireghian

Spelling Bee

This years winners:Lori Zadoorianfirst place,Serouge Panossiansecond place, andAida Geojayan

third place. Congratulations!

On Friday, January 23 KZV held the annual spelling

bee in the Saroyan Hall. The monitor of the bee wasSiran Nahabedian and the judges were Emily

Gertmenian, Adina Haun, and MannikKostanian. This year's finalists were from

fourth grade: Aida Geojayan, Evan Ugarte,and Ani Chouldjian; Fifth grade: LisabellePanossian, Shant Kilijian, and AnthonyAvanessian; Sixth grade: Nicole Lazarev,Lori Zadoorian, and Raffi Samurkashian;Seventh grade: Tamar Deirmendjian, JulieAvetisyan, and Mikhael Alayan, Eight gradeSerouge Panossian, Armen Samurkashian,and David Avetisyan. Good job everyone!


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On Tuesday December 9 at 4 pmour Golden Thread after school programstudents performed in front of their parentsand peers. The performance was a taste ofwhat the students had been working on inthe past 12 sessions. The audience got aglimpse of some of the groups warm-uproutines such as Peel Banana and theever popular improvisation routine WhatAre You Doing? The performance endedwith an Armenian Heritage vignette writtenand performed by Tamar Deirmendjian,Izek Avanessian, and Garin Derounian.


Golden Thread PerformanceBy Tutu Heinonen

Interview with the new KZV teacherBy the 6th grade students

Interview with Ms.Mehranian:

1. Where were you born(Marsel)?

I was born in Vanadzor,Armenia. At the time it wasthe second biggest industrialcity in Armenia. My parentsmoved there to take part inthe establishment of newIndustrial RobotsandRobotic Automation Systemsresearch and productioncomplex.

2. Do you like teaching betterthan working as an engineer(Diana)?

I like my engineering professionand also I like teaching. That iswhy I am working on my PhD inIndustrial Engineering andOperations Research, so I cancombine my passion for both byteaching engineering.

3. What advice would you give

to a person who wants tobecome an engineer(Diana)?

Engineering profession requires aset of skills that is best to developas early as possible. It requires agreat deal of discipline, selfconfidence, and an innovativemind. You can build these skills bydoing about anything, just keepfocused on your goal.

4. What is your favoritething about KZV(Marina)?

KZV is a fun place to be: tostudy and to work. It is smalland friendly and a very busyplace. There is alwayssomething going on: the spellin

bee, the science fare, screeningof inauguration ceremony, tripto the Washington D.C. andYosemite, writing contest in thelibrary to list just a few. Also, Ilike the fact that in KZV we havyouth from diverse Armenianfamilies.

Cont. on page


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Welcome back, parents!After a long Christmas break,were back and ready for action!

We started 2009 with 3new students and we couldnt behappier! We welcomed SophieBezdjian and Aram Tendoukjianto Yellow Group and Arda Tazianis joining us in Red Group. Wereso glad to have you here,

Sophie, Aram, and Arda! Wealso had a visit from one of ourformer students. Satineh

Kassarjian came to visit us allthe way from Armenia and we allhad so much fun during her visit.

This month, we havebeen learning how to tell timeusing our own classroom clock.We know the hours now and itsexciting for us to announce ourlunch hour or recess. We practiceevery day and we are gettingvery good at it! We are also

learning to announce theweather. This way, we feelprepared for the day!

We are also learning towrite our names in Armenian.Its hard work but withpractice, we are really gettingthe hang of it! We practice ou

numbers and shapes all thetime.

Next month is a veryspecial month and one of themost fun events of the year our Pajama Party! We areallowed to come to school inour pajamas and bring our verfavorite stuffed animal with usWe cant wait!

Until next timewe wis

you happy and safe January!


Pre-KNewsKnarik Shahijanian, Pre-K Director

Winter WonderlandAnnie Bavoukian

This year marked the third yearof Winter Wonderland!

The idea of Winter Wonderlandcame easily for me. Growing upin NJ, I was used to a constantblanket of snow during thewinter months. Moving toCalifornia was a big change forme, especially at Christmastime.

I wanted to bring some of mychildhood winter festivities toKZV!

The first thing I did was fill ourcourtyard with real snow! For

this years event we broughtin over 1600 pounds ofsnow. What a sight that was!The weather was chilly thatnight and the snow lasted forquite a long time.

Children kept busy craftingkeepsake ornaments and

writing letters to Santa.

The highlight of the eveningwas a visit from Santahimself. The kids got to sitwith Santa and get theirpictures taken too!

Overall, this years WinterWonderland was great funand I hope to continue this

new KZV tradition for manyyears to come!


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Armenian Corner:rmenian Corner:Armenian Corner:rmenian Corner: continued


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Armenian Corner:rmenian Corner:Armenian Corner:rmenian Corner: continued


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High School graduationrates in the U.S. are 70%.A sampling of other

countries: Denmark96%, Japan93%,Poland92% and Italy79%

40% of all students whoenter college must takeremedial courses.

High school testsprimarily multi-choiceassessmentsdo notprepare students for therigors of college or for

jobs in the globaleconomy. 85% of jobs require a

post-secondary education.Our students will not beable to compete withskilled workers around theworld. We are in a global

knowledge economy inwhich all students willneed new skills. If theseskills are not developed,our students will be at a

competitive disadvantage.

What are the new skillsthat are currently not widelytaught in American schools?Due to the challenges in theworkplace, as well as loomingglobal environmentaldisasters, students must beable to reason, analyze,weigh evidence, problem-solve, think creatively, and

communicate effectively. Allstudents must develop theseskills, not merely a handful of

gifted and talentedstudents. Our currenttextbooks and tests are notdesigned for reasoning andanalysis. The intellectuallyunchallenging nature of mostcurricula fosters boredom inmany students, contributing ahigh drop-out rate. Our

Trends inTrends inTrends inTrends in Education:Education:Education:Education: continued which is clear, conciseenergetic, andpassionate is anessential requirementin todays world. (Mike

Summers) Accessing and

Analyzing Informationthe ability to processhuge amounts ofinformation, sift outimportant details, andform game plans willbe all-important.

Finally, Curiosity andImagination: creativesolutions to problems,new designs, and

services requireinquisitive andengaged students ofthe Net Generation.

Insofar as theeducational establishmentshifts from test-taking andregurgitating correct answersto this new paradigm, ourstudents will be prepared fora bright, globally- oriented

future. This shift will requirea new type of teachertraining, including an on-going support system. Newassessments will need to bedeveloped for the skills thatreally matter, notstandardized multiple-choicetests. Progress is being madeas more educators andparents are alert to thedanger of sticking with asystem that was designed for

a different reality than whatour current students will face

Not only will the neweducational paradigm allowour students to moveconfidently into adulthood,but their student years will bemore interesting andengaging, hopefully stemmingthe disenchantment manystudents feel today.

students need to apply thescientific method in Science, notmerely regurgitate facts.

Students of history need to betaught to examine facts in thecontext of larger historicalsignificance, not as a litany ofnames and dates to memorize.Our schools cannot wait until thestudents are in high school toshift their focus; ratherelementary and middle-schoolstudents are capable ofdeveloping these skills.

Here, in brief outline, are theseven survival skills deemedmost relevant to our studentsfuture success: Critical Thinking and Problem-

solving: teams attempt tofind solutions that are notprescribed. Kids need to beencouraged to be much morecurious, rather than learningto pass tests. They need tolearn the inquiry process.

Teamwork: our students need

to work across diversecultures and religions in aspirit of mutual respect.

Agility and adaptability: ourstudents will need to be ableto make constantreadjustments as jobrequirements change; theseskills will be more importantthan technical skills. (ClayParker of BO Edwards)

Initiative and

Entrepreneurialism: theability to seek newopportunities and strategiesfor improvement will behighly prized. Teamwork,again, will factor in asstudents solve problems andcome up with bettersolutions.

Effective oral and WrittenCommunication: expression


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KZV Armenian SchoolKZV Armenian SchoolKZV Armenian SchoolKZV Armenian School

825 Brotherhood WaySan Francisco, CA 94132

PHONE: (415) 586-8686FAX: (415) 586-8686

E-MAIL: [email protected]

Were on the Web!

See us at:

www.kzv.org

Dear Reader,

A vital and informative newsletter is compromised unless its writers and readers truly interact. We encourage youto not only read the KZV Times, but also respond to what we choose to include in each of its issues. Help us raisethe quality of our final product by sending in your letters. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

KZV Times Editorial Board


5. What is your favoritefood (Raffi)?

I like good food and I am happyto try something new everytime I have a chance. I grew upwith Armenian and westernEuropean cuisine. Later Ilearned Persian cooking. Whilein graduate school, I had friendsform India, South Africa, Spain,Colombia, Mexico and Germany.I asked every one of them toteach me their favorite homedish. And now our KZV

community gives me theopportunity to learn aboutLebanese and Syrian dishes andadd more entries to my favoritefoods list.

6. Where in the worldwould you like to visit(Lori)?

I am curious about the all thecountries and cultures in theworld. I would like to visit atleast one country on eachcontinent: Canada, Argentina,South Africa, India, Australia,Russia and more. I would like tolearn about the everyday livesof the people living there; learnabout their history, culture andart through the eyes of myfriends who live there.

7. If you were a flower,which one would you beand why (Lori)?

I would like to just be me, theHasmik (Jasmine). As far backas I can remember I liked myname. Jasmine is a type ofshrubs with evergreen leavesand sweetly-scented smallwhite flowers. It grows almosteverywhere and makes a greattea! The online dictionary ofmeaning of flowers listsfriendliness and cheerfulness

as well as wealth, grace andelegance represented by WhiteJasmine. That is abouteverything I can wish for!

kzv newsletter - january

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