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ARMENIAN SISTERS' ACADEMY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/01/18/armenian-sisters-academy-looks-to-the-future/
COMMUNITY | JANUARY 18, 2013 1:18 PM
Students of the Armenian Sisters' Academy in Lexington.
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
LEXINGTON, Mass. - After 30 years of continuously serving the children
of Greater Boston and now with the possible threat of closing well
behind them, the Armenian Sisters' Academy (ASA) is planning for the
future with renewed dedication to their goal.
The Lexington-based Armenian Catholic school, founded in 1982 by
Sister Alphonsa Bedrosian of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,
has reaffirmed its school mission and plans to expand the student body
in the upcoming academic school years.
When the sisters considered closing the school, a coalition of alumni
families and parents, led by the school's advisory board, teamed
together to keep the school open.
Advisory Board Chairperson Katrina Menzigian shared, "We wanted to
show the sisters that the school was in demand in the Boston community
and that the dedication to Armenian education still existed."
Menzigian said of the school, "It has been part of this community for
over 30 years. The reality is we have turned out hundreds of
graduates. The school has a place in the greater Boston community and
a network of people with ties to the
[Armenian] Sisters' Academies around the world."
Rejuvenated by the local community's enthusiasm, the sisters agreed to
keep the school open.
The advisory board hopes that by continuing its operation, the school
will reaffirm its original mission as well as generate a new vision
for the future. Menzigian cited a plan to build up the sixth-,
seventh- and eighth-grade class sizes, whose ranks had previously
dwindled. This year's class of fifth graders will have the opportunity
to matriculate to the sixth grade in the upcoming school year.
The current advisory board members include: Chairperson Menzigian, Fr.
Raphael Andonian, Vice Principal Mayda Melkonian, Armen Arakelian,
George Barmakian, Ara Deirmendjian, Nageeb Diarbakarley, Armik
Hananian, Raffi Kotikian, Anahid Mardiros, Lalig Musserian and Shant
Parseghian.
The advisory board - composed of a combination of alumni, current
parents and parents of alumni, church representatives and faculty -
works closely with the academy's parent committee.
Menzigian said the function of the advisory board is to "support the
vision of the school, its operations and act as ambassadors of the
school in the community."
Moving forward, Menzigian said the advisory board will assume more
involvement in "certain key areas such as public relations,
fundraising, educational vision and supporting strategic planning for
the school." The sisters and teachers will continue to focus on the
day-to-day academic and spiritual education of students and help to
realize the vision for the future of school.
Menzigian said that one of the strengths of the school - as well as
unique distinctions - is its membership in an expansive network of
Sisters' Academies around the world.
"The community outside the board is also very strong and made up of
supporters from around the world and a strong parent network," she
said.
Adding to this global network, the alumni and families of alumni also
contribute to the school's enrichment. "There are a lot of ties from a
generational standpoint," said Menzigian.
The Armenian Sisters' Academy has been granted accreditation by the
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) and is a
member of Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE.)
The advisory committee of the ASA has several events planned for the
upcoming year, including their annual Valentine's Dance on February 9.
January 23 will mark the beginning of its open enrollment period for
pre-K and kindergarten classes. The academy will also
host an open house for the entire school on March 3, providing
potential students and families an opportunity to visit the school
campus
and learn about its academic programs. Plans for the annual spring
bazaar are also in the works.
For more information on the school or the upcoming open house, visit
the school's website at www.asalexington.org.
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/01/18/armenian-sisters-academy-looks-to-the-future/
COMMUNITY | JANUARY 18, 2013 1:18 PM
Students of the Armenian Sisters' Academy in Lexington.
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
LEXINGTON, Mass. - After 30 years of continuously serving the children
of Greater Boston and now with the possible threat of closing well
behind them, the Armenian Sisters' Academy (ASA) is planning for the
future with renewed dedication to their goal.
The Lexington-based Armenian Catholic school, founded in 1982 by
Sister Alphonsa Bedrosian of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception,
has reaffirmed its school mission and plans to expand the student body
in the upcoming academic school years.
When the sisters considered closing the school, a coalition of alumni
families and parents, led by the school's advisory board, teamed
together to keep the school open.
Advisory Board Chairperson Katrina Menzigian shared, "We wanted to
show the sisters that the school was in demand in the Boston community
and that the dedication to Armenian education still existed."
Menzigian said of the school, "It has been part of this community for
over 30 years. The reality is we have turned out hundreds of
graduates. The school has a place in the greater Boston community and
a network of people with ties to the
[Armenian] Sisters' Academies around the world."
Rejuvenated by the local community's enthusiasm, the sisters agreed to
keep the school open.
The advisory board hopes that by continuing its operation, the school
will reaffirm its original mission as well as generate a new vision
for the future. Menzigian cited a plan to build up the sixth-,
seventh- and eighth-grade class sizes, whose ranks had previously
dwindled. This year's class of fifth graders will have the opportunity
to matriculate to the sixth grade in the upcoming school year.
The current advisory board members include: Chairperson Menzigian, Fr.
Raphael Andonian, Vice Principal Mayda Melkonian, Armen Arakelian,
George Barmakian, Ara Deirmendjian, Nageeb Diarbakarley, Armik
Hananian, Raffi Kotikian, Anahid Mardiros, Lalig Musserian and Shant
Parseghian.
The advisory board - composed of a combination of alumni, current
parents and parents of alumni, church representatives and faculty -
works closely with the academy's parent committee.
Menzigian said the function of the advisory board is to "support the
vision of the school, its operations and act as ambassadors of the
school in the community."
Moving forward, Menzigian said the advisory board will assume more
involvement in "certain key areas such as public relations,
fundraising, educational vision and supporting strategic planning for
the school." The sisters and teachers will continue to focus on the
day-to-day academic and spiritual education of students and help to
realize the vision for the future of school.
Menzigian said that one of the strengths of the school - as well as
unique distinctions - is its membership in an expansive network of
Sisters' Academies around the world.
"The community outside the board is also very strong and made up of
supporters from around the world and a strong parent network," she
said.
Adding to this global network, the alumni and families of alumni also
contribute to the school's enrichment. "There are a lot of ties from a
generational standpoint," said Menzigian.
The Armenian Sisters' Academy has been granted accreditation by the
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) and is a
member of Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE.)
The advisory committee of the ASA has several events planned for the
upcoming year, including their annual Valentine's Dance on February 9.
January 23 will mark the beginning of its open enrollment period for
pre-K and kindergarten classes. The academy will also
host an open house for the entire school on March 3, providing
potential students and families an opportunity to visit the school
campus
and learn about its academic programs. Plans for the annual spring
bazaar are also in the works.
For more information on the school or the upcoming open house, visit
the school's website at www.asalexington.org.