Thirty years ago, the Armenian Evangelical College Students Association of America had a vision to create an environment, outside of the home, where Armenian children could come together once a week, to learn the Armenian language and culture. This vision became a reality in 1978 when the group founded the Sipan Armenian School of Paramus, NJ.
For the past thirty years, Armenian children in the northern NJ area have been coming to the Armenian Presbyterian Church (APC) in Paramus, NJ, every Friday night to attend the Sipan School and learn about their rich heritage. At the end of each school year, the school puts on a hantess, where the students perform Armenian folk dances, recite poetry and sing patriotic songs.
This year’s Recital, which took place on Friday, June 6, was another successful one. The program began with the invocation of Rev. Berj Gulleyan, the pastor of APC. Over a hundred parents, family and friends enjoyed the program, which was dedicated to the Armenian School and the Armenian language. All the students did a wonderful job and each part of the program showed the hard work the students and the teachers had put throughout the year.
At the end of the program, students who excelled in their performance entire year received trophies. Louisa Janbazian, the president of the Sipan Armenian School Board thanked the teachers and the principal for preparing a "beautiful and well prepared program," the parents who believing in the importance of the Armenian language and Armenian education, with much sacrifice brought their children to the school every Friday evening, and finally the Armenian Presbyterian Church and its Pastor, Rev. B. Gulleyan, for their continuous support and encouragement. Since this year marked the 30th anniversary of the school, the recital was also a celebration. The program concluded with the children singing "Happy Birthday" to the Sipan School while a cake was brought out to the front. A reception followed where everyone celebrated the school’s year-end and birthday.
"The Armenian School is the heart of the Armenian communities. May we keep it alive so that the Armenian children are filled with the Armenian spirit," Sipan School Principal Arpi Kevorkian stated in her opening remarks of the program.
Sipan Armenian School offers Pre-Nursury to seventh grade instruction. All classes are bilingual for those who do not know how to speak Armenian very well. The classes are held on Friday evenings at the Armenian Presbyterian Church of Paramus, NJ from 5:45-8:15 pm. The first day of classes and registration for 2008-09 school year will be on Friday, September 5, 2008. For registration or for more information, you may contact Principal Arpi Panossian Kevorkian at 201-497-5096.