ENCINO–Members of the Armenian National Committee Western Region–West Valley Chapter on Feb.3 attended the campaign kick off party for Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member, Jon Lauritzen a strong supporter of the Armenian community and specifically the San Fernando Valley, is up for re-election on March 6 in a closely contested election. Jon Lauritzen has been embraced by the Armenian community for his leadership on Armenian issues in the public schools. Some of his initiatives include introducing the Armenian Genocide Education Project to all 10th grade World History students by incorporating Armenian Genocide curriculum in public school text books. In addition, when ethnic tensions arose between Armenian students and other minorities in the public schools, Jon Lauritzen reached out to the Armenian community and organized committees with the ANC-WR West Valley Chapter to ease tensions between Armenian students and other students in public schools including Grant High School. Importantly, Jon Lauritzen along with Board Member Julie Korenstein have consistently supported the use of public school facilities by Armenian organizations including athletic events such as Homenetmens annual Navasartian Games. Nareg S. Kitsinian, ANC-WR West Valley Secretary stated "During his tenure as a Board Member, Jon Lauritzen dedicated an enormous amount of his time to the priorities of the Armenian students in the public school system. At the same time, he has solicited the support of the Superintendent and other board members in pledging their commitment to the development of programs which address the needs of the Armenian community. He is to be commended for his leadership for including the Armenian Genocide Curriculum in public school text books and his efforts to establish interrelations between Armenian students and their peers at Grant High School." Jon Lauritzen is up for re-election on March 6, 2007. His district covers the greater San Fernando Valley public schools.
