GARGACH newsletter

October 2009

Armenian Cultural Month

This month we will celebrate Armenian Cultural Month with many planned activities. Our students will learn about famous Armenians and will create beautiful artwork honoring our rich culture. Also, there will be a “Book Fair” during the week of October 5^th. We will be selling Armenian books and various items; a portion of the sales will benefit our school. We encourage your support at the book fair.

Walk & Learn

Our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will take part in a “Scientific Walk” field trip on Friday the 2^nd. The little explorers will travel up and down Sinaloa Avenue with cameras in hand. The students will use magnifiers to freely observe natural objects they encounter on the walk. It will cultivate curiosity and challenge our students to think and act like scientists as they explore!

After School Enrichment Program

We are thrilled to announce the 2009-2010 “Little Angels” dance program.

Mrs. Marine Sogomonyan (Yellow group/Pre-K teacher) will begin teaching an Armenian Dance class for students in the Pre-K (Yellow) and Kindergarten classes. The “Little Angels” will perform at the school’s Christmas and end-of-year programs.

Classes are set to begin on Tuesday, October 6^th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For those of you interested in signing-up your Pre-K or Kindergarten student, please sign-up in the office ASAP! Classes will take place every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The dance fee is $50 per month. Please submit a separate check payable to “Tavlian Preschool” along with your school tuition at the beginning of the month.

Parent Support Committee

Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7^th in the school’s office.

We strongly urge you to be involved as active members of our school community. We work hard to provide opportunities for children that go above and beyond what our tuition dollars provide. In order for the PSC to offer these opportunities, we require your support.

Room Mothers

This year’s room mothers (parent helpers) are:

Kindergarten – Nyree Arabian (Sarene’s mom), Adrine Beudjekian (Nicholas’ mom),

Sofia Haroutounian (Natalie’s mom), Mirey Mitilian (Angie’s mom)

Yellow – Hasmig Demirdjian (Aren’s mom), Silva Khatchikian (Angelina’s mom)

Red – Nyree Arabian (Meliney’s mom), Lisa Derderian (Vauna’s mom),

Lara Tchakmakjian (Andrew’s mom)

Purple – Nairy Kasbarian (Lara’s mom)

Restaurant Fundraiser Night

Come join us for a fun, flavorful evening with families from Tavlian! We are hosting a restaurant night at the Pasadena Panda Inn restaurant on Thursday, October 8^th. Panda Inn will donate 20% of the sales from our group to benefit Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten. We encourage family and friends to attend the restaurant night. You may dine-in or take out; please be sure to submit your flyer to the restaurant upon payment.

Holy Mass

Rev. Father Khoren Babochian will visit our school on Friday the 9^th at 10 a.m. Our students will congregate and celebrate Holy Mass.

Staff Development: “The Techniques of Storytelling”

The Prelacy Armenian Preschools has organized a wonderful workshop for our teachers. The gifted children’s author and storyteller, Alidz Aghbabian, will share her storytelling style and method geared toward preschool-aged children. Please note that the workshop will take place on Friday the 9^th, which is an early release day. Student pick-up time is 11:45 a.m.

Suzan & Kids: Reading about Columbus

Our beloved volunteer Ms. Suzan will visit our school and read a book to our students on Columbus Day, Monday the 12^th.

Field Trip to the Library

On Thursday the 15^th our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students will board a school bus and head over to the Hastings Branch Library for an educational field trip! A librarian will present an interactive story time. Students will also have time to explore the children’s area.

Hearing test

The HEAR Center of Pasadena will visit our school on Wednesday the 21^st. They will perform age-appropriate hearing tests on our students. Parents must complete an authorization form in order for his/her child to be screened.

Lunch Box Day

On Friday the 23^rd please pack and send a nutritious lunch for your child in his/her favorite lunch box. Please keep in mind to avoid items with berries and nuts, as they pose a serious health risk to some students.

Our school has a fabulous Fashion Show scheduled for Sunday, October 25^th at the Altadena Country Club. Our very own students and moms will be modeling children’s fashion apparel by Gap, as well as ladies’ fashion apparel by ABS.

Save the date and spread the word. Fathers, family and friends are welcome to attend! Tickets are $60 for adults and $35 for non-participating children.

This is one of our school’s largest fundraising events, please support our school and reserve a table. Help our PTSC raise money to help fund all of our wonderful activities planned to enrich your child’s life!

If you are interested in signing-up your child to participate, please contact our PTSC President Sofia at sofiah_920@yahoo.com. Flyers with additional information will be distributed soon.

Suzan & Kids: Reading about Halloween safety

This month we are fortunate to have a second visit from Ms. Suzan. She will read a book to our students on Monday the 26^th. The topic will be Halloween awareness and safety.

Annual Pajama Party

Our students will have a fun-filled day during our annual pajama party on Friday the 30^th. Students may wear their favorite pajamas to school (please no Halloween costumes).

Annual Halloween Bash

Our Halloween Costume Bash is set to take place on Friday, October 30^th! This adult event is open to Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten parents and their friends. The Nazarians (parents of Bella – Kindergarten class) will graciously host the costume party at their home in Pasadena. Please save the date and plan on attending. Details will follow.

Retirement Party for Oryort Maggie

A retirement celebration was held in honor of Oryort Maggie Toutelian. Our beloved Purple class teacher will be sorely missed. She has touched the lives of so many students. We appreciate and value her contributions and service over all the years of her involvement in our school. Our words of gratitude are small measure to celebrate her memorable legacy. We wish her all the best!

Tavlian School in the News

Lradou Armenian Television aired a segment about our school’s opening ceremony on Horizon Armenian TV and Charter Pasadena channel 56. The news clip can viewed online. http://www.lradou.tv/episodes/2009/09/lradou-249/

Box Tops For Education

The Tavlian PSC is excited to let you know about our participation in the “Box Tops for Education” fundraising program. Box Tops is a program that allows consumers to clip small coupons off of hundreds of food products and donate them to a school. Schools are then able to redeem them for 10 cents apiece. It’s an excellent way for parents, grandparents, friends & neighbors to help contribute. Every little bit adds up to a HUGE difference. This program is one of the easiest, fun, and rewarding we have organized. Please start clipping and saving the box top coupons. Flyers with additional information will be sent home soon.

Donations & Acknowledgements

We thank Alec Hyeler, a friend of Tavlian Preschool, for generously donating office supplies to our school. Thank you for your thoughtful contribution; your kindness is greatly appreciated.

Donations have been made to Tavlian Preschool (in lieu of flowers) in memory of Azkanoush Zahterian by the following people:

Zohrab & Sona Kalayedjian, Ardaches & Sossie Ohannessian, Raffi & Zabel Sivazzian, Elizabeth Telian, Marie Terterian, and Sarkis & Chochan Manoukian.

We thank you for your kindness, consideration and generosity.

Bake Sale Sponsors

We are seeking sponsors for our monthly Bake Sales. If you are interested in contributing, kindly inform the school’s office.

Neighborhood Block Party Tavlian Preschool participated in the “Sinaloa Avenue’s 1^st Neighborhood Block Party.” This fun event helped cultivate mutually respectful relationships with our neighbors.

OCTOBER DATES TO REMEMBER:

Book Fair

– week of October 5^th

Our PSC will be selling children’s books, cookbooks, DVDs and CDs. Items will be for sale during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Bake Sale

– Wednesday the 7^th

The first Wednesday of every month we have a “Bake Sale” for the students. Each student purchases his/her breakfast for $1.00 a piece (please remember to send the money with your child).

Early Release

-Friday the 9^th

School will close at 11:45 a.m. due to a staff development workshop.

Pumpkin Sale

– Wednesday the 14^th through Friday the 16^th

The PSC will be setting up a “pumpkin patch” with pumpkins for sale. Please plan on purchasing your pumpkins from our school.

Birthday Celebrations

– Thursday the 22^nd

Students with a birthday in October will collectively celebrate their birthdays with their classmates on October 22^nd. Parents are encouraged to view the festivities as the children sing “Happy Birthday” and eat their own cake made from scratch. Please ask your child’s teacher for details.

Children’s & Mothers’ Fashion Show

– Sunday the 25^th

The Fashion show is set to take place at the Altadena Country Club at 11 am. Mark your calendars.

Sharing Days

Students are allowed to bring a book to school on the first Friday of the month. The following Fridays they are allowed to bring either a book or a toy to share with their classmates. Please label your child’s items.

We welcome your suggestions, feedback and questions.

You may send emails to Director@TavlianPreschool.org

Best wishes for a wonderful school year!

Nyree Arabian (mother of Sarene – Kindergarten class and Meliney – Red class)

Parent Support Committee