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Watertown: St. Stephen's preschool opens

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  • Watertown: St. Stephen's preschool opens

    Watertown TAB & Press, MA
    Nov 19 2004

    St. Stephen's preschool opens
    Friday, November 19, 2004

    The preschool addition of St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School
    formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 150
    parents, teachers, students and dignitaries last month.

    Construction began on June 14 and was completed by August, ready
    for the start of the school year in September.

    "Since 1997, the student population of the school has increased
    tremendously," Principal Houry Boyamian said.

    At first, she said, all students in preschool through fifth
    grade were taught at the school's main campus, housed at the Armenian
    Educational and Cultural Center on Nichols Avenue. Because of the
    increase in student population, the board decided to renovate the
    church-owned building behind ACEC, previously rented by Project Save
    Armenian Photographic Archives.

    The preschool building currently has 75 students, and with the
    addition of another large classroom, can accommodate more children
    next year.

    Ara Krafian, the parent of three students and an alumna, donated
    his professional services to the addition, from planning through the
    construction phase. Another parent volunteer, Karnig Ostayan, donated
    services and materials and assisted with the management of the
    construction phase. John and Alice Karnikyan and Nadia Karnik of
    Stormtite donated all the siding for the addition in memory of their
    parents.

    Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of
    the United States, presided over the ribbon-cutting following church
    services at St. Stephen's Armenian Church. Following the
    ribbon-cutting, Choloyan and the Rev. Antranig Baljian of St.
    Stephen's blessed the Preschool Afeyan Building.

    "It almost makes me wish I were a child again so I could go to
    school here in this beautiful building," said Choloyan.

    St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School was founded in 1984
    with a handful of students. Today it has 186 students. The school is
    celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a series of programs
    and a special gala at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge on Jan.
    29.

    For more information about the school or to make donations visit
    www.ssaes.org, or call 617-926-6979.

    Submitted by St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School
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