Armenian Mesrobian School’s first day of the 2016-2017 school year began on Monday, August 22, 2016
PICO RIVERA, California—A bustling crowd gathered under the cool shade of the central lawn as Armenian Mesrobian School’s 2016-2017 school year officially began on Monday, August 22, 2016 with enrollment increasing for the fourth consecutive year.
Community members and organizations present were Reverend Father Ashod Kambourian of the Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral;
Reverend Ashod Kambourian
Goharik Gabriel, Chair of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral Board of Trustees; Boghos Sassounian and Ara Malazian of the ARF Montebello Dro Gomide; Mesrobian School Board members Hratch Arezouyan, Berj Papikyan, Frank Tabbakh, and Vahe Rupchian; Sona Fundukian of the ARS Nairy Chapter; Khatoune Pakraduni, a long-time former Mesrobian faculty member; as well as alumni, parents, grandparents, and families of the school.
Principal David Ghoogasian (Class of 1982) officially commenced the school year with the ringing of Mesrobian Kindergarten’s first school bell from 1965, when Mesrobian opened its doors as the nation’s first full time Armenian Elementary School.
Principal David Ghoogasian (Class of 1982)
Principal Ghoogasian also had exciting news: Mesrobian school had grown again, with new students are coming to the school by way of the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, Pasadena, Orange County, Whittier, and Chino Hills.
Father Kambourian opened the ceremonies with a prayer and blessing for the upcoming academic year and read the message of His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
Associated Student Body President Alex Manoukian and Vice President Anush Ghoogasian gave their messages for the new year in Armenian and English respectively.
Associated Student Body President Alex Manoukian
“This year is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to grow and spend time with my old friends and to make new ones,” said Manoukian, who is an incoming senior.
Associated Student Body Vice President Anush Ghoogasian
Following the opening ceremony, the Mesrobian Senior Class of 2017 walked their Pre-School peers, hand-in-hand, to their first day of class at the Ron and Goharik Gabriel Pre-School, which received a colorful makeover over the summer.
The Mesrobian Senior Class of 2017 walking their Pre-School peers
“We are creating an environment where students are motivated to maximize their growth potentials, and it’s already starting to make a huge difference,” said Haig Shahinian (Class of 1998), the school’s Information & Educational Technology Director.
Shahinian and the school administration have spent the summer working with education consultants honing the school’s innovative approaches which have already caught the attention of students and parents, along with educators from across the nation. This includes a transition to standards-based grading and the continuation of mindfulness training for all students and staff, use of Google Chromebooks for 6th-12th grade students, and with the adoption of various other progressive, research-proven cognitive neuroscience principles at Mesrobian.
While so much felt new and different on Mesrobian’s opening day, some moments felt timeless: A young scholar huddled with friends, all smiles and giggles, after being apart for the summer. A parent looking on with excitement and emotion watching their child from afar. A teacher greeting pupils, eager to cultivate the latent potential of minds fresh from summer. A nostalgic Senior walking into their last First Day of School. Bright-eyed toddlers entering their first First Day of School, hand-in-hand with parents.
Principal Ghoogasian officially commenced the school year with the ringing of Mesrobian Kindergarten’s first school bell from 1965.
Armenian Mesrobian School, established in 1965, is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has Ron and Goharik Gabriel Preschool (which serves students 2-5 years old), Elementary, Middle School and a college preparatory High School on the same campus. A major convenience for parents who may have children at multiple ages, Mesrobian offers a unique perspective and opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to grow together, and for students to get the attention and nurturing they need to be successful in school and in life. The High School curriculum is certified to the University of California. Mesrobian’s Alumni Network and Mentorship Program connects students with five decades of alumni who have distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as education, science, business, medicine, music, law, dentistry, chiropractic, politics, art, marketing, engineering, veterinary medicine, and psychology.
If you are interested in scheduling a campus visit or enrolling your child, please contact the school at (562) 699-2057 or (323) 723-3181, or email info@mesrobian.org.
Source: Asbarez
Link: First Day of School at Mesrobian Shows Growth for Fourth Year
