Category: 2018

Dr. Jeannine Topalian was recently appointed to the California State Board of Education’s Advisory Commission on Special Education. The commission provides recommendations and advice to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the legislature, and the governor in new or continuing areas of research, program development and evaluation in California special education.

“I am honored to have been appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon to the Advisory Commission on Special Education on April 30. I’m excited to take on this role and very appreciative to have been given this opportunity. It’s an honor to take on this challenge especially during a time when special education is evolving,” said Topalian who is the secretary and treasurer of that California Association of School Psychologists.

“The dedication and passion of the commissioners advocating for the rights of students with special needs was very evident during my first meeting. Moreover, the decisions and recommendations that the Commission makes can have long lasting impact on all students, their families, and school districts throughout the state. Therefore, these suggestions may also impact our field as well.”

Dr. Topalian’s experience includes over 15 years as a practicing school psychologist in PreK-12 schools and three years as a part-time adjunct university trainer of school psychologists at the master’s and doctoral level. She has extensive knowledge of and works specifically with students with special needs and is certified to evaluate, asses, and service students with specific learning disabilities, neurological disorders, intellectual delays, autism, emotional disturbances and other health impairments.

“This is a great opportunity to give back at a state level and be a liaison to share information about the role school psychologists play in schools and helping students with special needs. I know this will also be a great learning opportunity,” she said. “All in all, my first meeting in June was exhilarating. I’m looking forward to the next one in August.”

The ACSE addresses numerous issues related to California Special Education as defined in Education Code Section 56000, including: student outcomes, incarcerated youth, positive behavioral interventions, interagency agreements, teacher credentialing, parity for parents/families, and integrated services.

Members serve on the ACSE for four-year terms (with a maximum of two terms) and commission meetings, open to the public, are held for a minimum of four times per year with additional subcommittee or task force meetings as budget permits.

SACRAMENTO—The California Armenian Legislative Caucus added two new members to its ranks: Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel and Luz Rivas. Gabriel and Rivas join fellow members: Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Kevin de León, Senator Anthony Portantino, Senator Scott Wilk, Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, Assemblymember Kansen Chu, Assembly Republican Leader Brian Dahle, Assemblymember Heath Flora, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian.

“The Armenian-American community has contributed so much to the San Fernando Valley and the State of California. I am proud to be an honorary member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, and look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that Armenian-Americans have a seat at the table and a voice in the policymaking process.” Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel

“I am honored to have been awarded the privilege of joining the Armenian Caucus. I look forward to learning more about the culture, and to cultivating relationships with leadership both in the Capitol and at home in the district. The Armenian community has faced persecution for far too long, and I hope to protect and promote the goals and ideals of such a resilient culture throughout California.” Assemblymember Luz Rivas

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from the California Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Armenian Americans and develop and empower the Armenian American community throughout California. The Caucus encourages advocacy and participation in cultural, educational, governmental, and community efforts in California. Through advocacy, the Caucus strives to ensure that California Armenian American’s voices are heard and given a platform.

YEREVAN—Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Parliament Speaker Ara Babloyan on Monday held a rare meeting, during which the upcoming special parliamentary elections were discussed with the two leaders summing up their talks with a bullet-pointed announcement.

Babloyan, who is a member of ousted prime minister Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia recently has voiced his criticism of the Pashinyan administration as it relates to the case against former president Robert Kocharian who has been charged with breaching Armenia’s constitutional order in relation to the post-election standoff between protesters and police on March 1, 2008 when eight civilians and two police officers were killed. Kocharian was remanded to custody but was later released following an appeal by his attorneys.

For his part, Pashinyan has maintained that his administration, unlike his predecessors, does not intervene in the judiciary. On August 17, during a rally marking his first 100 days of office, Pashinyan had terse words for certain segment of the judiciary, hinting that some judges remain on the so-called payrolls of political forces in Armenia.

The following is a four-point announcement that emanated from Monday’s meeting, setting the stage for complex discussions and negotiations over the special parliamentary elections, that Pashinyan has signaled will take place sometime early next year.

Regardless of political views everyone in Armenia has the right to freedom of _expression_ and differing opinions;

Independence of the judiciary is a key guarantee for ensuring justice in the country; therefore the separation and balance mechanism of legislative, executive and judicial powers should not be undermined in any event;

Armenia’s judicial system has not yet exhausted itself with all its tools in the implementation of justice. However, if the sides come to a conclusion based on political discussions that there is a need to initiate “transitional justice” mechanisms, it should be carried out through amendments to the Constitution and the respective legislation and must not harm the justice system in any way;

According to the Government’s program, approved by the Parliament on June 6, 2018, the snap parliamentary elections must be held at least within a year. In the event that snap parliamentary elections are to be held through Constitutional changes, instituting a referendum can be the most democratic option since the Constitution was adopted through a referendum. Nevertheless, the choice of either option on this issue should be made based on broad public and political discussions. Such opportunities are not exhausted both in the Parliament and within civil society circles.

President Armen Sakissian was quick to welcome the Pashinyan-Babloyan meeting and through a statement expressed hope that sides carryout the agreement they have reached.

“Assessing as vital the need for all the branches of the government to act within the framework of the Constitution and the powers it grants them and to display respect to each other, the President of the Republic expects from all the political forces to be guided by the understanding of national security of our country and the sustainable and stable development priorities. National interest, the country’s security and the respect towards the rights of every citizen are a priority for all of us,” said an announcement from the presidential press service.

“The President of the Republic reaffirms his position that the best way to solve issues is through dialogue and negotiations, given that the sides respect the agreements by consistently taking actions to fulfill those agreements and taking lessons and recording achievements during the process,” continued the announcement.

ISTANBUL—Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament representing the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) on Saturday found himself on the front-lines of a clash between peaceful protesters and police and himself was attacked and dragged by law enforcement when he tried to prevent the police from arresting Hrant Dink’s son, Arat who had also joined the protest.

The event was a gathering of families and friends of those who disappeared in police custody known as the “Saturday Mothers.” The group comprised of mainly Kurds and Alevis, has been gathering at a park near Taksim Square in Istanbul for 700 consecutive Saturdays.

Dink and Paylan had joined the peaceful sit in when riot police arrived to break up the gathering, which had been banned citing the group’s supposed ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey.

Paylan, Dink and other had urged the police to reject violence, but in turn they were pushed back as they formed human shield to protect the protesters. Instead the police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and according to Turkish media reports some 20 people were arrested.

The scuffle reached its peak when police attempted to arrest Arat Dink, the son the assassinated Agos editor, Hrant. Paylan successfully intervened and blocked the police effort to arrest Dink. He was also physically dragged and shoved.

The police attempted to arrest Paylan as well, however, he told them that he is a member of parliament and his immunity prevented the police from taking the opposition leader into custody.

YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia announced that its slate of candidates for the upcoming September 23 special Yerevan municipal elections will be led by Mikael Manukyan, thus becoming the party’s candidate for mayor.

Manukyan, who heads the Armenian National Forest Service, has served as a member of parliament in the ARF bloc and has been a past president of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia.

The ARF announced on Friday that it will take part in the Yerevan municipal elections under the banner of “Together in the name of Yerevan.”

In his youth, Manukyan took part in the Artsakh Liberation struggle. He was arrested during the government’s crackdown on the ARF in 1994, decreed by then president Levon Ter-Petrossian.