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LAUSD May Pick Armenian Liaison

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  • LAUSD May Pick Armenian Liaison

    LAUSD MAY PICK ARMENIAN LIAISON
    By George B. Sanchez

    Los Angeles Daily News
    http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_10832216
    Oct 28 2008
    CA

    The Los Angeles Unified School District could appoint its first-ever
    official liaison to the Armenian community by next week.

    The district's personnel commission is looking at the issue after
    a public outcry from the Armenian community over the decision to
    cut eight parent-community facilitators in local District 2, which
    covers part of the San Fernando Valley. Among those laid off is Shakeh
    Ayvazian, who worked with Armenian families in the East Valley for
    four years.

    Nearly 6,500 LAUSD students come from homes where Armenian is the
    primary language, according to a district survey. More than half of
    those - 3,338 students - are in local District 2.

    Nearly two dozen people urged the commission at its meeting Monday
    to create an Armenian-speaking parent-community facilitator position
    to help with meetings and family issues.

    Board member Tamar Galatzan wrote a letter in support, stating
    that the district has a duty to help families overcome language and
    cultural barriers.

    "Given that there are 3,338 Armenian students and parents within local
    District 2, the absence of such position would create a huge void,"
    Galatzan wrote. "In addition, the district would be sending a message
    to the Armenian community that their needs are not important."

    The commission postponed its vote.

    Only a representative for the California School Employees Association
    asked to wait for more information before the three-member commission
    votes.

    Liza Go, the union representative, said she is not against creating
    the position, but asked that district officials review reports on
    recently laid-off facilitators as well as the legality of the layoffs
    before a new position is created.

    Alma Pena-Sanchez, superintendent for local District 2, said the
    union's concerns were unrelated to the new facilitator, which she
    said she would fund with her own discretionary money.

    Currently, parent-community facilitators aren't required to speak a
    language other than English, though more than half of all facilitators
    are bilingual.

    District officials considered using an Armenian translator to serve
    as a parent facilitator, but translators are not expected to respond
    to immediate issues nor do they have established relationships with
    the Armenian community, according to a district report.
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