GARGACH newsletter

 SEPTEMBER 2009

Dear Parents,

 

Welcome to the 2009/2010 school year! We are looking forward to an exciting and academically successful year. We would like to thank you for entrusting your child to the care of Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten.

We are fortunate to have strong, committed relationships with both parents and members of the community. It is through these relationships that we are able to provide an amazing educational environment geared toward our students.

Opening Ceremony                                                         

On Friday the 11th, our official “Opening Ceremony” began with a very festive Armenian folk band playing traditional Armenian music. Students enthusiastically danced together and with their teachers. The blessing of the school took place with the participation of His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and Rev. Father Khoren Babochian.

The Opening Ceremony will be televised on Horizon Armenian TV on Sunday the 20th at 11 a.m. and on PCAC (Charter Pasadena Channel 56) on Thursday the 17th at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.  as well as Saturday the 19th at noon. The broadcast can also be viewed on www.lradou.tv and will be posted on the website this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to School Night/Teachers’ WISH Lists

 

The majority of our parents came to our “Back to School Night” on Friday the 11th.  Parents were informed about the curriculum, classroom policies and procedures. Their presence was encouraging and was proof of their interest and concern. We thank and appreciate those parents who donated educational and manipulative games and furniture.

 

 

  World’s Finest Chocolate Sale

Our annual chocolate fundraiser is taking place this month. We are selling World’s Finest Chocolate to raise money for programs and activities for our students. The success of this program depends on everyone’s participation. Each family is given a box of chocolate bars to sell. Extra boxes of chocolate are available in the school’s office. The deadline for the chocolate sale is September 29th. Prizes will be awarded to the top three sellers!

Thank you in advance for your much-needed support!

 

 

Suzan & Kids: Talking about the American Flag            

Our beloved volunteer Ms. Suzan visited our school and read books to our students on Monday the 14th. We applaud her dedication to our school and students!

 

 Kindergarten Fingerprints

The Pasadena Police Department will visit our Kindergarten class on Tuesday the 15th for fingerprinting.

 

 

 Fire Department Demonstration

The Pasadena Fire Department will visit our school on Wednesday the 16th. They will demonstrate firefighter safety gear, and will provide our students an up-close-and-personal look at a fire truck. Our children will see first hand all of the tools firefighters use to fight a blaze.

 

 Talking about the Armenian Flag                                             Lucy Joukhajian, a dear friend of Tavlian Preschool, will visit the school on Thursday the 24th. She will teach our students about the Armenian Flag.

 

 K9 team

On Friday the 25th at 2:15 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department’s K9 unit will visit our school. They will provide the students with an overview of the K9 unit and a demonstration of the dog’s abilities.

 

 Neighborhood Block Party                                                  Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten will participate in the “Sinaloa Avenue’s 1st Neighborhood Block Party.” This fun event will take place on Sunday the 27th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Officer McGruff

On Tuesday the 29th, “McGruff the Crime Dog” and the Pasadena Police Department are set to visit Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten. They will teach our students lessons about personal safety.

 

Yearbook                                                       The Tavlian yearbook for the 2008-2009 school year is expected to be distributed the last week of this month!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Parent Involvement

Consistent communication between home and school is essential to promote the best interests of your child. We encourage you to become involved and to contact your child’s teacher or the office if you have any questions or comments throughout the year.

 

Volunteering at events will help maintain and improve the environment where our children spend many of their waking hours learning the academic and social skills that will be the foundation of their future. We would like to encourage parents to participate in their children’s activities in the Preschool.

 

We would like to encourage the families of our school to play an active role in the Parent Teacher Support Committee. Our school is only as outstanding as we make it. We are always in need of volunteers and urge parents to become involved in the PTSC and our School. The PTSC sponsors numerous functions throughout the year that require volunteers; you can join a committee or just to provide an hour of your time. The PTSC contributes to the wonderful environment our children experience at Tavlian and also keeps our tuition costs down. Know that the time and effort we all put in benefits our children and our school.

 

 

 

 

 New Parent Teacher Support Committee Officers for the 2009-2010 School Year

We welcome the incoming PTSC Executive Board Officers for the 2009-2010 school year.

President – Sofia  Haroutounian (Natalie’s mom – Kindergarten)
Vice President – Liz Haroutonian (Emma’s mom – Kindergarten)
Treasurer – Mirey Mitilian (Angie’s mom – Kindergarten)
Secretary – Lara Tchakmakjian – (mother of Andrew - Red class & Christian – Purple class)                                                                                                                           Field Trip Coordinator – Sylva Khayalian (Hagop’s mom – Red class)                                                      Public Relations – Lisa Derderian (mother of Vauna – Red class, Krikor – Purple class, & Lori – Purple class)

They were elected at the June PTSC meeting.

 

  NAEYC Reaccreditation

Tavlian Preschool & Kindergarten is proud to be an accredited program, recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards. We are the first Armenian Kindergarten to be accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children.

To earn the NAEYC's Accreditation, we conducted a self-study to determine how well we are meeting the standards of developmentally appropriate practice in the areas of teacher-child interactions, curriculum planning, environmental set-ups, meals, professional development and health and safety. A validation visit was set, and we were observed last May. Our re-accreditation notification came in July. This prestigious recognition was achieved by our dedicated staff and volunteers!

 

 

Bake Sale Sponsors

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

 

 Donations & Acknowledgements                                                              We are truly blessed with the generosity of many special people. This spirit of generosity reflects the community support that is so critical to our school.

We are sincerely grateful to Hindoyan Meat Market for their monthly donation of ground beef kebab for our entire student body.

Thank you to Maggie Ilanjian of Garo’s Basturma for her generous monthly donation of eggs for the school.

Vrej Pastry donated a book-themed cake for our school’s opening ceremony.

Sarkis Pastry donated the delicious pastries for the opening ceremony and back-to-school night.

We thank you all for your kindness and generosity. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your donations!

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

 

Parent Support Committee meeting

-Wednesday the 16th at 8:30 am

Please join us and learn more about the Tavlian community. The PSC will be having its first regular meeting in the school’s office. Meetings generally last about an hour. Room mothers (parent helpers) will be selected at this meeting. We encourage all parents to join and bring ideas and suggestions.

 

Birthdays

-Thursday the 17th

We will celebrate the birthdays of children born during the month of September on Thursday the 17th. The birthday kids will make special hats for their birthday.  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.

 

Open Forum

-Wednesday the 23rd at 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

We encourage your participation in the Open Forum regarding “Ages & Stages.” Parents will be given a questionnaire to complete regarding observations about your child at home. This will assist with creating a portfolio for your child.

 

Sharing Days

Fridays

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 an educational toy to share with their classmates. Please label your child’s items.

 

No School

Monday the 21th – Armenian Independence Day

 

 

You can read the “Gargach Newsletter” online on our school’s website: http://www.tavlianpreschool.org/

 

 

We welcome your suggestions, feedback and questions.

You may send emails to Director@TavlianPreschool.org

 

Best wishes for a healthy, happy and safe year!

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

Parent Teacher Support Committee