Dear Parents, Having reached the midpoint of the 2012-2013 school year, we are pleased to inform you that so far this year we have made progress in all aspects of school operations and are looking forward to the future with confidence and a positive outlook.

The Preschool division has record enrollment and a wait list in several sections. The children are happy and cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. The Elementary program is flourishing with students engaged in learning under the care of passionate and dedicated teachers. The Middle and High School division continues to excel with the incorporation of new initiatives such as the Focus Groups, student led clubs, outstanding VPA productions, and of course, our competitive college-preparatory curriculum taught by our professional and highly qualified faculty. It has been a pleasure to work with our dedicated office staff, cafeteria and custodial staff, as well.

Christmas and the New Year are occasions to reflect and appreciate all those without whose collaboration the school would not continue fulfilling its mission. First and foremost, our gratitude goes to the AGBU Central Board of Directors for their continuous moral and material support, as well as our school Board of Trustees for providing us with leadership and guidance to continue charting new grounds for our school. We owe a debt of gratitude to all our stakeholders, especially our parents for trusting their precious children to the care of AGBU MDS.

At this time, please take note of two important dates in February – the annual Open House on Saturday, February 2 and the PTO Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, February 23. As a school community, we believe it is the duty of all of us to support and encourage this celebratory and festive event, the proceeds of which will be dedicated to help meet the various needs of our school. You will be receiving your invitation, including ticket and sponsorship opportunities, by mail shortly. We encourage you to support this event and look forward to being together at the Banquet.

In closing, we wish you and your loved ones all the best during the coming year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Warmly, School Administration

A.G.B.U.

MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL 6844 Oakdale Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91306

Phone: (818) 883-2428

JANUARY 2013

Created by Mrs. Teni Halburian, Director of Communications

JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 8 School Reopens from Christmas Break

Friday, January 11 DHS 2nd Trimester Midterm Progress Report

Monday, January 21 No School—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 15 Coffee with the DHS Vice Principal, 5th Grade Parents at 8:30 AM, Library

DHS Awards Ceremony at 6:00 PM, Auditorium

Make-up Picture Day

Friday, January 18 Registration for Winter Enrichment Classes Due (K-5)

9th Grade, Technology/Engineering Focus Group Field Trip—Tesla Motors

Saturday, January 19 DHS Winter Formal

Tuesday, January 22 PSAT Scoreback Meeting (Grades 9th-11th) at 6:00 PM, Auditorium

Junior Class Meeting at 7:00 PM, Auditorium

Friday, January 25 PTO Sponsored In-n-Out Lunch

Tuesday, January 29 Coffee with the DHS Vice Principal, 8th Grade Parents at 2:30 PM, Library

Week of January 28 Winter Enrichment Classes Begin (K-5)

Preschool Classroom Visitations

For Café’ 08’s January cafeteria menu, click here.

ALUMNI VATCHE G. AGOPIAN, M.D. (CLASS OF 1994) SPEAKS WITH

9TH & 10TH GRADERS

On December 4, Alumni Vatche G. Agopian, M.D., (class of 1994) visited the

9th and 10th grade DHS students. Dr. Vatche Agopian spoke about the field of

medicine and about his current career being an Assistant Professor of Surgery

at UCLA in the division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation in the

Department of Surgery. Students were given an insight about Dr. Agopian’s

career path, followed by a question and answer session.

After graduating from AGBU MDS in 1994, Dr. Vatche Agopian attended UCLA for his undergraduate studies where he

double majored in Philosophy and Physiological Sciences. He expressed a strong interest in medicine from the beginning of his

college career.

In 1999, Dr. Agopian graduated UCLA with a B.S. in Physiological Sciences and Philosophy and attended medical school at

Columbia University in New York (College of Physicians and Surgeons). He had a keen interest in surgery from the start,

fueled by his love for anatomy and the satisfaction of using his hands to effect a change. In 2003, he graduated medical school

and began a seven-year residency in general surgery at UCLA. The training was intense, and the hours worked even more so.

Despite the grueling nature of the work, he loved it. After completing his general surgery residency, he chose to pursue an

additional two years of specialty fellowship training at UCLA, specializing in liver transplantation. “In retrospect, AGBU MDS, as a microcosm of life, prepared me for my subsequent journey,” stated Dr. Agopian. He

continued “Being an alumnus has really served me well, both professionally and personally. Compassion, empathy, patience,

bonding, compromise, problem-solving, facing challenges, fighting through struggles- these are all skills that I learned at

MDS. What is more? For me - my life-long partner, my son, and of course life-long friends…”

Page 2 A.G.B.U. Manoogian-Demirdjian School

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

SCHOOLWIDE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SING ALONG & TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

On December 14, the PTO hosted the annual Christmas Sing Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Our talented

students (preschool through high school) performed a beautiful array of Christmas songs in Armenian, English,

Spanish, Latin, and German under the direction of music teacher, Ms. Arus Andreassian. The third grade students

presented The Day of Jesus' Birth through a dramatic play with the guidance of Mrs. Carolyn Jibilian and Mrs. Houry

Khechoumian.

Hearing all the wonderful performances, Santa dropped by to commend our students' Christmas spirit! The party then

moved outside where one of Santa's reindeer delighted young and old alike. A student built robot, from the DHS Lego

Robotics club, did the honors of lighting up our Christmas village, while our DHS students showcased their singing,

acting, and dancing talents directed by of the VPA department teachers.

Guests sipped on complimentary hot chocolate and nibbled on holiday cookies provided by the PTO while enjoying the

Christmas ambiance. It was a magical and frosty holiday night. The PTO wishes the entire AGBU MDS family a

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

Volume 1, Issue 5 January 2013

ARTEMIS NAZARIAN PRESCHOOL

Page 3

ELEMENTARY

CHARACTER AWARDS

On Friday, December 14, Ms. Stuart was honored to be able to present awards to those students in grades K – 5 who best exemplified the

character trait for FRIENDSHIP! These students were selected by their teachers for demonstrating FRIENDSHIP daily. Here are just a few

of the ways they showed how FRIENDLY they can be: “She is sensitive to the needs of all around her, and supports all her friends

faithfully.” “He is a very loyal friend.” “He will make anyone smile and is always ready to lend a hand.” “She is a vibrant, positive, and

charming individual who always tries her best to be a good friend, and to make everyone around her happy. “He is a good friend and wants

the best for his friends and classmates.” “He he truly enjoys helping others and follows the ‘Golden Rule’.” “Her genuine feelings for her

friends are limitless.” “He always encourages his friends to be the best they can be both as a friend and student.” “She always shows

compassion and kindness towards her friends and peers.”

Congratulations to these very FRIENDLY students:

KN: Andre Kassabian, Bianca Keshishian, Melanie Minassian, Serj Petrossian, Anthony Rostami, Ashley Whitehead; 1st: Andreas Celik,

Sarin Mamian, Gerard Sinanian, Alexa Svadjian, Nicole Zibdea; 2nd: Alexander Charukian, Lory Kankababian, Artem Sarkissian, Nicole

Shakhikyan, Michael Tanielian, Grace Tavidian; 3rd: Sofia Akopyan, Sophia Celik, Mary Kankababian, Andy Mashserejian, Alexia

Mitilian; 4th: Elizabeth Nenedzhyan, Michael Papazian, Mary Zhamkochian, Anthony Culhaoglu 5th: Maneh Begi, Amelia Jibilian, Hagop

Khatcherian, Paulina Martirossian, Natasha Meyer, Nikita Tanielian.

HYE VOKEE AWARDS

Last Friday, the elementary school also awarded the Hye Vokee Award to students in grades K – 5 who best exemplified the Armenian

spirit! Each month students will be selected by their teachers for proudly showing their vokee! Here are some ways they showed how

spirited they are: “He has shown great improvement and dedication in reading in Armenian.” “She is always willing to provide her

musical talents to showcase and highlight Armenian music.” “He shows great enthusiasm when reciting poetry in Armenian.” “He always

is ready to promote Armenian culture.” “She is very enthusiastic during Armenian class, and participates to the discussions with

excitement.”

Congratulations to December’s Hye Vokee recipients:

KN: Nathan Ghookasian, Sevag Halburian, Claude Joukjian, Aren Konyalian, Sophi Kaloustian, Armand Mansourian; 1st: Christian

Akhoian, Lucas Fung, Alex Oghoorian, Sevannah Soukiasian, Elina Terzyan; 2nd: Atam Aivazian, Areg Gevorgian, Haig Jibilian, Evan

Kevorkian, Jacob Meyer, Shant Sinanian, 3rd: Alin Khacherian, Garin Khachatoorian, Natalia Keshishan, Arne Begi, Lana Safarian, Emma

Toursarkissian; 4th: Daniel Bebekian, Natalie Chirishian, David Kolanjian, Lara Papasian; 5th: Talia Festekdjian, Robert Ghotanian, Atam

Kevonian, Vasken, Chalvardjian, Vachag Voskian, Emil Asatryan.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT ANP

The holiday season began with an angelic blast for our preschool children. On Friday, December 14 , the children participated

in the PTO Christmas Sing Along and Tree Lighting ceremony. The room was filled with the wonderful voices of our children

singing traditional Christmas songs. To their delight, Santa made a surprise visit and joined in on the fun singing and dancing.

After the performance, family and friends alike gathered around our Christmas village sipping hot cocoa and nibbling on

treats. Santa also managed to coax Rudolph on over as well! The children ooed and awed as Rudolph took pictures and enter-

tained us all! What a night to remember!

On Monday, December 17, the Bob Baker Marionette show came to visit the Preschool students. The children enjoyed a wide

variety of marionettes each singing and dancing to very special Christmas songs. The children laughed, sang, and clapped as

the beautiful marionettes twirled and danced and sang for us all. It was a treat for all ages!

Page 4

DHS

A.G.B.U. Manoogian-Demirdjian School

COURTROOM DRAMA - MOCK TRIAL

On December 3, 4, and 5, our middle school Mock Trial

students participated in a criminal trial dramatization,

complete with prosecution and defense teams. Under the

guidance and direction of our parent, Mrs. Julia

Aghishian, Esq., they have been learning about courtroom

procedure, the various roles involved, and the terminology

used in the legal world. Mock Trial students enacted their

faux murder case in front of an audience of their peers—

6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. A special thanks goes out

to Mr. Ara Aghishian, Esq., for presiding as judge over

the case and balancing real-life experience with hands-on

instruction as “lawyers,” “witnesses,” “defendant,” and

“jury,” played their roles.

ATTENTION SPELLERS: GRADES 3-8 STUDENTS! On December 12, 3rd to 8th grade students participated in the annual school Spelling Bee by first

attempting the written bee! 62 students participated in the written bee and of the 62, 32 will move onto

the oral bee in January. The oral bee will be held in the Agajanian Auditorium on January 14, 2013 at

6:30 pm. Parents and guests are invited to watch at this time.

Congratulations to these very good SPELLERS and we wish them luck next month on the oral bee:

Kafadarian, Lina (5th Grade), Kochumian, Natalie (5th Grade), Aprahamian, Armen (8th Grade), Mesropian, Alec (8th

Grade), Arakelian, Matthew (3rd Grade), Geozian, Gabrielle (8th Grade), Safarian, Tatiana (8th Grade),

Begi, Maneh (5th Grade), Ghotanian, Robert (5th Grade), Harutiunian, Alex (5th Grade), Kevonian, Atam (5th Grade),

Bagdasarian, Daniel (4th Grade), Ajemian, Raffi (5th Grade), Akopyan, Tatiana (5th Grade), Chalvardjian, Nicole (5th

Grade), Kafadarian, David (5th Grade), Shaljian, Tiffany (6th Grade), Keusseyan, Pierre (4th Grade),

Asatryan, Emil (5th Grade), Kaprielian, Christina (5th Grade), Galoustian, Alex (6th Grade), Pezikian, Ashley (7th

Grade), Gharibian, Alex (5th Grade), Aksoy, Grace (4th Grade), Patatanyan, Nairi (4th Grade), Besnilian, Emilie (5th

Grade), Hazarian, Jordan (5th Grade), Martikian, Jessica (5th Grade), Meyer, Natasha (5th Grade),

Nalbandian, Gregory (5th Grade), Tanielian, Nikita (5th Grade), Kederian, Anthony (6th Grade)

“OUR TROOPS” CLUB

SUPPORTS

OPERATION GRATITIDE

On December 15, members of DHS student club

"Our Troop" which supports Operations Gratitude,

visited the Armory to promote goodwill during this

holiday season. The students, along with their club

advisor, Mrs. Musurlian, spent an entire day

volunteering and packing supplies and goods for the

troops. The club was founded by an 11th grade

student, Natalie Sumian, to give back to our

dedicated troops throughout the year. Club

members and volunteers participated in assembling

and packaging over 200 boxes of candy which will

be shipped to the men and women serving our

country this week.

At the Armory, our school was recognized in front

of hundreds of people and our students were

acknowledged for their time, effort, and volunteer

work. The next project of "Our Troop" will be a

letter writing drive for the troops scheduled for

2013.

Volume 1, Issue 5 January 2013

EFFECTIVE LISTENING Inside the Classroom

During the month of December, as part of the guidance curriculum, grades K-2 learned about Listening Skills. We discussed the importance of lis-

tening at home, school, and on the playground; talking about how listening makes a person feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. Ver-

bal and non-verbal communication was explored through interactive activities and games. Our goal is to help students develop good listening skills

so they can have academic success, interact positively with classmates, and become well-rounded individuals.

How Can Parents Foster Effective Listening Skills in Children

Explain to your children the importance of listening as well as your expectations for them to listen and obey when asked to do something. Chil-

dren usually like to please their parents. If you set the bar for listening, they will likely rise to meet it.

Make sure that you have your kids' attention when you speak. Children can be easily distracted, so if the television is on or they are heavily

engrossed in a game they may not hear you. Overcome this issue by asking them to respond when you speak to them. For instance, when you

call your child's name he/she could respond by saying "Yes, daddy." This way you will know you have your child’s attention and can continue

on with your request, knowing that he/she is listening to you.

Maintain eye contact, to the degree that you all remain comfortable and show your attentiveness through body language.

Teach your children to listen and respond to you the first time you say something. If you ask your child to do something and he/she does not

listen, do not keep repeating yourself. If you ask your child to do something five times before he/she complies, you will be teaching your child

that you really do not mean what you say the first four times you say it. You will be reinforcing his/her behavior by asking again and again.

Reinforce good listening skills. You could create a star chart and have your children earn stars that could lead to goodies for listening well. The

more motivated your children are to listen, the more likely they will develop the skill quickly.

Play games that reinforce listening. Games, such as Simon Says and Red Light, Green Light, require children to listen and pay attention in

order to be successful. The more you play listening games, the more your child's skills will be refined.

Tell your children stories, ask them questions and engage them in conversation. The more you share and relate to your children, the more likely

they will be to respect and listen to you.

Source: How to Teach Children Listening Skills | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4882873_teach-children-listening-

skills.html#ixzz2FQyD52e5

Suggested Links

http://learninglab.org/life_skills/listening/

Upcoming Parent Workshops/Assemblies

Prevention of Driving Under The Influence (High School) - January

Positive Parenting Workshop (K-5) - February

Counselor’s Corner By Irina Stepanyan, School Counselor

Page 5

ATHLETICS

On December 9, 117 of our athletes participated in the KAHAM games "Track and Field." Thanks to all the parents and families who at-

tended and encouraged our dedicated athletes by cheering them on by using Titans' branded cheering materials supplied by our Booster

Club! Congratulations to all of our athletes and a special thanks to all the coaches for their dedication. For results, visit the athletic depart-

ment's website or click here.

To access the complete game schedule for the TITANS for the month of January, click on the following link.

Beginning January 10, San Fernando Valley Private School League will start from 3rd—8th grade boys basketball, and 7th and 8th grade

boys soccer.

On Saturday, January 26 KAHAM table tennis and chess tournaments games will start. Check the athletic department schedule for

additional details.