PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 2022-2023

Welcome to St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School’s 68th academic year!

Administration and staff are ready and anxious to return to Forest Manor Public School on September 24, 2022, 9:30 am-1:30 pm.

The mission of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School is “to create an environment where students have the opportunity to connect with and immerse in their Armenian heritage by exploring its dimensions through the study of the Armenian language, literature, history, music, arts, and culture”.

We continue working with the International Languages Program of the Toronto District School Board (ILE TDSB). We greatly appreciate TDSB’s support and supervision of our Saturday morning program.

The administration and the teaching team work collaboratively to improve the Saturday program. Our instructors continue planning interactive and project-based activities in order to make classes engaging and student-centered.

I am grateful for your ongoing support and dedication to making our beloved school a true Armenian community. I appreciate the sacrifices you make for your children and I admire your persistence in helping them reach their full potential. Let us continue working together towards building a school where the environment is always happy and comfortable for everyone, where we come to learn enthusiastically, where our students’ intellect is challenged, and where they develop a keen interest and a deep love for all things Armenian.

I value parents’ involvement in their children’s school activities, both in monitoring their learning progress and in enforcing the code of conduct of the school. Working together will help us in continuing to sustain a community where we come to create, learn, teach, and socialize in meaningful ways, and thus strengthen our Armenian identity.

I encourage all parents to get involved in the activities planned for this year, such as celebrations and special school events. Let us aim to have parent representatives from each of our K-10 classes! Please fill out a Volunteer Form online or on registration day at school.

I suggest that you check the school’s webpage regularly for activities, important dates, announcements, volunteering tasks, etc.

If you would prefer to avoid the in-person registration rush on September 24th, please register online. Upon registration, you could sign up your children for extracurricular activities and hot lunches as well.

I look forward to collaborating with you and working towards a very successful and happy year.

Dr Arpi Panossian Muttart
Principal of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School

ADMINISTRATION

Send us a message – admin@armenianschool.ca

Dr Arpi Panossian Muttart

Principal

Ara Ter Haroutiunian

Vice Principal

Betty Panossian

Associate Principal

SCHOOL COUNCIL

St. Sahag St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School is governed by a School Council appointed by the Parish Council of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto. Send us a message – sc@armenianschool.ca

Armineh Boyadjian

Treasurer

Hayk Nar

Associate Treasurer

Arpi Sarmazian

Pedagogy

Mary Darakjian

Parents Committee

Elina Sinanian Panossian

Administrative Assistant

Garine Bedrosian

Administrative Assistant

Mosi Minassian

Admin & Yearbook

TEACHING STAFF

The staff consists of 26 instructors and over 6 teaching assistants. Alumni student volunteers are welcome.

Natalia Navasardyan, Music
Arminé Zirakyan & Mosi Minassian, Credit Course 1
Arda DerHagopian & Ruzanna Grigoryan, Credit Course 2
Anna Movsisian, Grade 8
Gayané Ispiryan, Ani 8
Maria Abajian, Grade 7
Arminé Zilfugharyan, Ani 7
Nanor Karaian, Grade 6
Anna Tonoyan, Ani 6
Shoghig Jelladian, Grade 5
Angela Harutyunyan, Ani 5
Loucine Mangassarian, Grade 4
Marianna Stepanyan, Ani 4
Titar Jorbajian, Grade 3
Turvanda Hakobyan, Ani 3
Irma Geukjian & Nanor Kaloustian, Grade 2
Arminé Hovhannisyan, Ani 2
Lena Torossian, Grade 1
Tamara Shahverdyan, Ani 1
Sossi Barounian & Maria Dawdian, JK SK
Sona Jorbajian, JK
Julieta Khachatryan, Ani JK SK

Mission Statement

The mission of the School is to create an environment where students have the opportunity to connect with and immerse in their Armenian heritage by exploring its cultural dimensions including Armenian literature, history, and culture through the study of the Armenian language.

Vision Statement

The vision of the School is to promote Armenian education in order to preserve the Armenian language and culture and to prepare the future leaders of the community who take pride in their Armenian heritage and make valuable contributions within their communities.

Academic Year

The 2022-2023 academic year extends from September to June (K-8 from September 24, 2022, to June 24, 2023; Credit Courses Level 1 and Level from October 15, 2022, to June 3, 2023). The School operates a total of 30 Saturdays. School hours are from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and extracurricular activity groups from 1:30 to 2:30 such as chess, arts, sports, dance/drama.

Finances

A modest yearly fee is collected from parents in order to cover the cost of daily expenses of the school such as materials, equipment, rent, and staff wages. Two yearly fundraising events are organized as well as donations are accepted from community members to further develop and enhance the School program.

Facilities

Forest Manor Public School, located at 25 Forest Manor Rd, Toronto, ON M2J 1M4. The facility is part of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).

CURRICULUM

The curriculum is developed by Armenian educators. We continually strive to improve our teaching materials and methods employing interactive, collaborative, and project-based styles of teaching. Classroom instructions focus on Armenian language oral communication, reading, comprehension, and writing. Students are taught the Armenian language, history, geography, music, religion, and culture. The 2022-2023 academic year extends from September to June (K-8 from September 24, 2022, to June 24, 2023; Credit Courses Level 1 and Level 2 from October 15, 2022, to June 3, 2023). The School operates a total of 30 Saturdays. School hours are from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and extracurricular activity groups from 1:30 to 2:30 such as chess, arts, sports, dance/drama.

9:30am - 1:30pm

Regular classes (Language, History and Culture, and Music) will start on September 24, 2022, and will end on June 17, 2023.

LANGUAGE

Language is the foundation of one’s identity. The Armenian language program implements the communicative approach of teaching. The overall goal for our students is to develop oral and literacy skills in the Armenian language and to inspire in them the love for the Armenian language. Teachers, students, and parents collaborate to create opportunities for meaningful communication and engagement with the Armenian language.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

The goal is to instill the pride of the Armenian heritage in our students. Armenian history and culture solidify our students’ Armenian identity. Through interactive methods, such as drama and storytelling, teachers engage their students in learning not only the ancient history of Armenians, but also encourage students to learn about their own family histories.

MUSIC

Learning Armenian songs and being part of the school choir is mandatory for all students. Music is part of our efforts to teach Armenian culture and the arts. “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato

1:30 - 2:30pm

Extracurricular activities (Dance/Drama, Chess, Drawing, and Sports) will start on November 5, 2022, and will end on May 13, 2023.

DANCE/DRAMA

Dance and drama are part of our physical education program. This activity provides students the opportunity of speaking Armenian with like-minded peers. Students express themselves not only orally, but are also given the opportunity to enhance their non-verbal communication skills and refine their creativity. Furthermore, students learn public speaking skills and overcome the fear of performing in public.

CHESS

Chess develops logical and critical thinking of students and in turn, expands their capacity to learn. Students learn to concentrate, to be patient, to be courteous, to be responsible, to solve problems calmly, to build self-esteem, to experience the consequences of good and bad decisions, and to set goals and work towards accomplishing them.

DRAWING AND CRAFT

Students learn when they are interested and actively involved. Art classes expand imagination and provide students a space to interact with like-minded peers. Students are given the opportunity to learn about Armenian art and develop their own style of expression. Learning to draw is learning to see, understand and make sense of one’s environment.

SPORTS

This program is designed based on the interest of students. Students are given the opportunity to play organized sports, to learn to follow instructions, to compete fairly, to strengthen their muscles, to develop their endurance, to make new friends, and of course, to express themselves in the Armenian language through an activity that they are interested in.

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