Armenian National Committee
of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02452
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
August 22, 2005
WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL COMMITTED TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Continues To Enhance Armenian language Program
WATERTOWN, MA–After meeting with representatives of the local
Armenian-American community this past summer, the Superintendent of Schools
and Principal of Watertown Public High School have agreed that maintaining
two Armenian-language courses in the high school would better accommodate
the educational needs of the student population, reported the Armenian
National Committee (ANC) of Eastern Massachusetts.
While students were off enjoying their summer vacation, local ANC activists
learned that the Watertown Public High School was considering combining
three levels of Armenian-language students into one class with one teacher
for the upcoming school year.
After investigating the issue, the ANC learned from parents and students
that there were over 20 students of at least three levels of Armenian
language skills enrolled in the Armenian language classes, which would have
resulted in an inferior learning environment if the classes were combined.
Since this was understandably a major concern for parents and students, the
ANC of Eastern Massachusetts raised the issue at a School Committee meeting
in June, and the Watertown Tab ran a front-page story on the issue the
following week, citing the concern of parents with children enrolled in the
classes.
The ANC met with principal Michael Noftsker of Watertown High School, a
strong advocate of enriching programs which enhance Watertown’s ethnic
diversity. Principal Noftsker shared the community’s concerns but was not
sure a solution would be reached by the 2005-2006 school year.
In a subsequent meeting with Watertown Superintendent of Schools Steven
Hiersche last month, ANC representatives again outlined the issue and asked
that the matter be reconsidered. The Superintendent assured the ANC that the
decision to make the change was not related to budget restrictions nor
intended to diminish the Armenian language program, agreeing that combining
three language levels did not offer an ideal learning environment for
Watertown students, and he pledged to work with Principal Noftsker toward a
solution.
The ANC of Eastern Massachusetts was pleased to learn soon after that
meeting that the Armenian-language courses would continue to be taught as
originally intended with at least two separate classes in September 2005
addressing the different levels of students.
`We would like to thank Superintendent Hiersche and Principal Noftsker for
their commitment to the diverse educational needs of Watertown students and
for their deep understanding as we presented the concerns of parents and
students,’ stated Sharistan Ardhaldjian of the ANC.
`We are proud that Watertown students are learning in the hands of such
committed leaders. We applaud the town of Watertown and particularly the
school system. Watertown High School is the only area school that offers
Armenian as one of its language courses, in recognition of the diversity of
local cultures, and we are glad that students of all nationalities will
continue to be able to learn Armenian in the best possible environment in
the public school system,’ added Ardhaldjian.
The Armenian National Committee (ANC) is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization in Massachusetts and nationwide. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.
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Note to editor: Photo attached.
Photo caption: John Avedissian, Watertown Superintendent of Schools Steven
Hiersche, Sharistan Ardhaldjian