PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 2020-2021

Dear Saturday School parents,

Welcome to St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School’s 65th academic year! Administration and staff are ready and anxious to begin the 2020/2021 school-year.

This year, we will begin Kindergarten to Grade 8 classes online as of October 3, 2020.

The High-school Credit Courses will begin online on October 17, 2020.

The Toronto District School Board made the decision not to open on-site classes before the year-end for all Saturday programs. The Board will inform us if that decision is reversed.

I appreciate the sacrifices you make for your children. I acknowledge that this year, not only are we feeling the normal back–to-school butterflies, but also we are facing the stress of the unknown when we return to classes, either virtually or physically. But let us continue working together towards creating a supportive and positive learning environment, at home and at school, so that we challenge the intellect of children and develop their keen interest and deep love for learning.

Thank you for all of you who have sent us their pre-registrations, which helped us secure our continued partnership with TDSB.

★ Even if your children will not participate in the Fall program, please register them for the year so that arrangements are made and support is received from the ministry. Each class must have 23 registered students to insure that an instructor is assigned to a class and is funded to teach.

– No fee for online classes. If we return to on-location schooling, we will inform you as to the new fees.

– Face-to-face instruction will be for 30-40 minutes, ounce a week followed by independent work and communications through Google Classroom with the teachers.

Instructors will provide you the necessary details of teaching times, etc.

– Online school days: October 3, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 21, 28; December 5, 12, 19

– Online registrations with TDSB are open from September 12—26, 2020. Please go to https://ereg.tdsb.on.ca/public/ilelogin.aspx and complete the form so that you receive an @TDSB.on.ca email account at a later date for the Google Classroom use.

It is recommended to use Firefox or Microsoft Edge, but if you encounter challenges, please call their help desk.

Registration will not be complete without an Ontario Education Number (OENs are found on students’ day-school report cards). If your children go to a private school and do not have OEN, please call Carmela at International Languages (416) 254-8521 for manual registration.

The 2020-2021 registrations for Armenian Language Credit Courses LYRBD1 (Level 1) and LYRCU1 (Level 2) are open until October 9, 2020 only.

www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Going-to-High-School/Night-School-and-Summer-School/Saturday-Credit-Program

– TDSB students have to click to Login to e-Reg to complete their registration.

– Non-TDSB students have to complete the Registration Form first; then the students will receive an email with further instructions.

If you encounter challenges, please call their help desk, or contact your instructor, Arminé Zirakyan at armine_zirakyan@yahoo.com

– When registration is complete, students will receive an @TDSB.student.on.ca email account to join the classes through Google Meet.

– Instruction times: Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm. You will receive the necessary details from your instructors.

** It is important that you register NOW, even if you are not sure that you will participate fully. At this time, if the enrolment number is less than 25 students, a class will not be opened.

Throughout the year, please check the school’s webpage regularly (armenianschool.ca) for important announcements. If you have not yet viewed or downloaded the school’s 2019-2020 Yearbook, go to https://issuu.com/stsahagstmesrobarmenainschool/docs/yb20_issuu_20200725

I look forward to collaborating with you and ensuring a successful and happy academic year. Please remember to self-care and stay healthy and happy.

Dr Arpi Panossian Muttart (B.A., B.Ed., TESOL, M.Ed., PhD)
Principal of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Saturday School

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 academic year extends from September to June. The school operates a total of 33 or 34 Saturdays. School hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and extracurricular classes from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

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).

Years of legacy

students

0 +

Graduates

ADMINISTRATION & SCHOOL COUNCIL

Send us a message – sc@armenianschool.ca

Dr Arpi Panossian Muttart

Principal

Ara Ter Haroutiunian

Vice Principal

Betty Panossian

Associate Principal

Garny Kafessian

Site Assistant

Armineh Boyadjian

Treasurer

Hayk Nar

Associate Treasurer

Arpi Sarmazian

Pedagogy

Elina Sinanian Panossian

Administrative Assistant

Kristine Khancharyan

Registrations and Records

Mary Darakjian

Parents Committee

Mosi Minassian

Social Media and Yearbook

STAFF

Arminé Zirakyan & Mosi Minassian, Credit Course 1

Arda Der Hagopian & Ruzanna Grigoryan, Credit Course 2

Anna Movsisian, Grade 8

Gayané Ispiryan, Ani 8

Vanda Kafessian, Grade 7

Arminé Zilfugharyan, Ani 6-7

Betty Panossian, Grade 5-6

Angela Harutyunyan, Ani 5

Loucine Mangassarian, Grade 4

Anna Tonoyan, Ani 4

Maria Panossian Abajian, Grade 3

Turvanda Hakobyan, Ani 3

Irma Geukjian, Grade 2

Arminé Hovhannisyan, Ani 2

Lena Torossian, Grade 1

Tamara Shahverdyan, Ani 1

Sossi Barounian, JK SK

Julieta Khachatryan, Ani JK SK

CURRICULUM

The curriculum is developed by Armenian educators and it is reviewed yearly. The administration and the teaching team continually strive to improve instructional materials and methods. The styles of instruction are based on the theories of interactive, collaborative, emergent, and project-based teaching. Classroom instructions focus on Armenian language oral communication, reading, comprehension, and writing. Students are taught Armenian language, history, geography, music, virtues, culture, and community service. Extracurricular activities include chess, drawing, drama, dance, and sports; these sessions take place weekly from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

CURRICULUM

9:30am - 1:30pm

Regular classes (Language, History and Culture, and Music) will start on September 14, 2019, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and will end on June 13, 2020.

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.

9:30am - 1:30pm

Regular classes (Language, History and Culture, and Music) will start on September 14, 2019, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and will end on June 13, 2020.

LANGUAGE

HISTORY AND CULTURE

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 2, 2019, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, and will end on May 23, 2020.

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

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.

About Us

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 2020-2021

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

Academic Year

Finances

Facilities

ADMINISTRATION & SCHOOL COUNCIL

Dr Arpi Panossian Muttart

Ara Ter Haroutiunian

Betty Panossian

Garny Kafessian

Armineh Boyadjian

Hayk Nar

Arpi Sarmazian

Elina Sinanian Panossian

Kristine Khancharyan

Mary Darakjian

Mosi Minassian

STAFF

CURRICULUM

CURRICULUM

9:30am - 1:30pm

Regular classes (Language, History and Culture, and Music) will start on September 14, 2019, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and will end on June 13, 2020.

LANGUAGE

HISTORY AND CULTURE

9:30am - 1:30pm

Regular classes (Language, History and Culture, and Music) will start on September 14, 2019, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, and will end on June 13, 2020.

LANGUAGE

HISTORY AND CULTURE

MUSIC

1:30 - 2:30pm

Extracurricular activities (Dance/Drama, Chess, Drawing, and Sports) will start on November 2, 2019, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, and will end on May 23, 2020.

DANCE/DRAMA

CHESS

DRAWING

SPORTS