TENAFLY, NJ - At the recent "Fall Tea" sponsored by the Executive Committee of the Kirikian Armenian School of St. Thomas Armenian Church, Mrs. Ani Capan, Principal of the Kirikian Armenian School, noted that enrollment at the school has reached the impressive number of 114 students. The Executive Committee and the teaching & administrative staff are truly delighted. Undoubtedly, this success is due to the high academic standards the school sets and the special attention paid to tailoring the curriculum to the specific needs of each student.

Mrs. Seta Yavru, Executive Committee Chairman, briefly explained the goals of the school. She said that "we are committed to quality, which we can reach by first improving our academic performance, and then by attaining financial stability.

To improve the academic performance, the school uses the Diocesan Language Lab and Resource Center (ALLARC) guidelines as the basis for its curriculum, and supplements these with enriching additions and innovative improvements. In order for our students to be more fruitful, Mrs. Ani Capan, Principal, makes adjustments, modifications, or institutes educational additions, which improve the academic standard of the school.

Financial stability is reached by organizing various fundraising activities. These activities are organized and finalized by the members of the Executive and the Parents Committees. Thanks to both of these hard-working committees, last year was a financially stable school year.

It is noteworthy to reiterate that our school does not double up two grade levels with one teacher, as other schools do in order to save funds. The Kirikian Armenian School spares no expense. Based on Mrs. Capan's suggestion, the school has two sections for every grade level: one for Armenian-speaking children and the other for the non-Armenian-speaking children. Both sections cover the same material but, in the non-Armenian-speaking class, the teacher has the added responsibility to teach conversation as well.

The school staff and administration are indeed very encouraged by this positive indication that all the work and extra effort has been noticed by our community with such a positive result.

Congratulations to Mrs. Ani Capan, the entire staff, and Executive Committee for such a superlative outcome.