Tongue tied together
By Dan Atkinson/ Staff Writer
Friday, July 8, 2005
The Watertown TAB
Starting this September, the high school’s Armenian Language and Culture
classes will condensed into one period, a move that is causing concern among
some in Watertown’s Armenian community.
“I don’t think the other levels [should] have to combine,” said Grace
Kulegian, whose son, Michael, will be taking Armenian Language and Culture
IV as a senior. “It has to be difficult for the students and teachers.”
But the low levels of enrollment are not enough to justify separate
class periods for three levels, said Headmaster Michael Noftsker. Twenty-two
students total have enrolled in the II, III and IV classes.
“You make classes based on the number of kids who signed up,” Noftsker
said.
Another factor in the classes’ combination is the dearth of certified
teachers, Noftsker said. The one Armenian teacher at the high school, Anahid
Yacoubian, is cutting back to part-time teaching and is only available for
one period of Armenian. However, the school is “in no way” looking to
eliminate Armenian, Noftsker said.
Hilda Avedisian of Watertown’s Armenian Cultural and Educational Center
said the school should have separate classes, even if only two or three
students were enrolled. Other classes have small numbers, she said, and
Watertown’s large Armenian population deserves a strong program.
“As taxpayers, we expect a second language for our kids, and for
everybody in Watertown,” Avedisian said. “There are so many things to town
spends money on for nothing, almost … this is really crucial for us.”
Instead of each level having its own period of instruction, all levels
will be taught during the same period. The teacher will have to accommodate
seniors at level IV and freshmen at level II. No level I classes are being
offered next year. While the lessons will not be the same for students of
different ability, Kulegian said she was concerned her son would not be
challenged in the class.
“Michael wants to get to the best level, to be challenged,” Kulegian
said. “My concern is if the teacher is spending a lot of time with the
freshmen, he’s not going to get that attention or be challenged.”
Noftsker said it is common for different classes of the level to be
consolidated. If both Spanish IV and V honors have small enrollments, the
class might be combined to save space and time, he said. However, he could
not think of two different levels being combined into one class.
“We’ll preserve as best we can the levels of class,” he said. “We’re
going to be able to offer it next year, that’s the most important thing.”
Part of the reason for low enrollment, Noftsker said, was the lack of a
“feeder program” at the middle school. With no Armenian classes available,
students will start studying another foreign language, and come to the high
school with a background that can deter them from looking to add a third
language. Noftsker said he would discuss bringing Armenian into the middle
school with the new principal, James “Kimo” Carter.
Kulegian said she would support earlier Armenian education. Even though
she is of Armenian descent, she and many others do not speak the language,
and cannot pass it on to their children. And knowing the language has
tangible benefits as well, she said.
“There are jobs in the State Department as ecologists and architects,
if you understand the Armenian language and culture,” she said.
Dan Atkinson can be reached at [email protected].