Back to school

Published: Saturday September 08, 2007

September 1 is the first day of school in Armenia. Photolure

If it's September, it's time for school. Children everywhere are preparing their school clothes, selecting their pencils, notebooks, and perhaps notebook computers, and heading out to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic - and to also make new friends, learn new social skills, and more.

Young adults are heading to college. Some are preparing to live away from home for the first time; they will begin to learn the sweet and sour lessons of independent - or semi-independent - living.

Those of us who are parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles take joy in these moments and yet we worry: Will our children be well prepared for the challenges they will face in 2025, 2050, and beyond? Will their teachers be competent and supportive? Will their classmates be decent kids? What are the values that will be instilled in them away from our immediate gaze?

In communities with a critical mass of Armenians, there are Armenian schools. For many parents, an Armenian school is a viable option only if its academic standards and performance are as good as or better than those of other local schools. We can be proud that such is the case with almost all Armenian schools in the United States.

Parents may consider the lack of ethnic diversity of Armenian schools as a disadvantage to weigh against the obvious advantages of studying Armenian and making Armenian friends. That said, no one can be under the illusion that being with Armenians insulates children from the social challenges they would face in other schools.

These challenges faced by our schools - and other challenges, such as providing for students with special needs - are among the most important we face as families and as a community. School boards, administrators, and teachers require our support and our involvement as informed and contributing citizens of our communities.

For our part, as a news organization, we plan to continue highlighting the activities of our schools and, indeed, keeping their strengths and challenges in focus. We urge our readers likewise to be engaged in their local schools through volunteer work and mentoring, and through donations.

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Meanwhile, this is a good time to thank all those whose generosity is helping make possible the college or graduate education of thousands of young Armenians today.

Access to higher education remains a challenge for many Armenians, especially those living in Armenia and the Middle East. Scholarships for study in the United States and in institutions of higher learning in Armenia are investments in our nation's human potential. Many of the Armenians who make us proud today got their start with scholarships. Endowing scholarships through an Armenian organization is a surefire way to make a positive impact on future generations.

Not surprisingly, having had the benefit of an excellent education, many Armenians from Armenia find opportunities to thrive elsewhere. As Armenia continues its robust economic growth, it is trying to recruit Armenian professionals from around the world - including Armenian emigrants - for challenging jobs in Armenia.

Internships and volunteer opportunities in Armenia for Armenian students in the United States help reinforce ties with the homeland while providing students with hands-on experience. The several organizations that make these opportunities available are all performing an invaluable service. So are the many Armenian professionals in the United States who open their workplaces to Armenian interns to give them a head start. More of us ought to do so.

Our best wishes to all on the start of a new school year.