LITTLE ARMENIA—The Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School recently received a $40,000 grant by The Armenian Academy of Los Angeles (AALA) to fund the establishment of Armenian Learning Labs throughout the School.
Each learning lab will include a SMARTboard, projector, new versatile furniture, and softwares necessary for their lessons. The goal is to create an environment where students can utilize technology not just to research their heritage, prepare projects, and create new learning opportunities, but to reach out to other Armenian communities and engage in collaborative learning. With the implementation of this grant, Pilibos will create an environment that is not only technologically advanced, but also will encourage innovative thinking and application of ideas learned in the classroom to further the enhancement of various areas of the Armenian subject. Students will use technology to work collaboratively on issues and projects, and help establish 21st century solutions to Armenian issues by creating Armenian global communities, forums, and Apps to be utilized for Armenian subjects and issues.
The Armenian Academy of Los Angeles was created to provide opportunities for the Armenian Youth of today. “The mission of the Academy is to provide an academically challenging, culturally intense, and thought-provoking environment in which students are enriched with the broad knowledge, imagination, attitudes, and moral values that promote personal achievement, enhance the potential of our community, shape our collective future, and benefit society as a whole.” Keeping their mission in mind, Pilibos aims to provide the same kind of opportunities for students through the acceptance and implementation of this grant. Principal Alina Dorian said, “We are very excited and appreciative of the generosity of the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles towards our School and students. It is because of this grant that students will have the opportunity to bring a modern and current perspective to the study of the Armenian language, culture, and history.”
Years ago in Los Angeles, a group of community residents came together with the noble idea of creating a world-class and innovative academic institution serving the needs of the Armenian students of the Greater Los Angeles area, and called it the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles.
From day one, the vision of the Board of Directors was to create an environment that fosters high academic achievement, nurtures the Armenian spirit, and builds noble character within each student. With the belief that a generation of well-educated and forward-thinking Armenian youth is a vital requirement for a dynamic Diasporan community, fully engaged in the life of its community as well as that of Armenia.
During its active years, the Board of Directors introduced the project to the community by meeting with organizations’ representatives and community leaders, by organizing meetings with concerned individuals and parents, by meetings with professionals, educators, and donors. It also secured pledges for the Academy totaling $91,000 including the donations made by board and committee members themselves. An additional $9,000 as net proceeds was generated from the introductory gala banquet. During these organizational years, there were expenses for different projects and events totaling $60,000, broken down as follows: $29,000 for several very elaborate and exclusive brochures, pamphlets, folders, and mailers; $20,000 for the preparation and publication of a professional PR DVD about the academy including interviews with renowned personalities from around the world; and $11,000 general miscellaneous expenses for the website, professional expenses for artists and technicians, advertising, mailing, surveys, etc.
After several years of due diligence and preparation, the Board came to the realization that the effort for this massive project needed a larger scope of participation, expertise, and financial commitment, which it was unable to secure from our community. At this stage, it was the decision of the Board that the development work of the Academy be put on hold and the financial resources at its disposal be awarded out to a worthy Armenian academic institution as stated in the bylaws of the Academy. Thus, the Board of Directors decided to donate the remaining funds of $40,000 to Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School for a very unique project that harmonizes with the vision of the Academy. We believe that the project will be a success under the leadership of the school’s principal.
The Board of Directors thanked and praised all the members of the community that supported the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles over the years. We believe that the idea of the Academy inspired many people and as a result many educational institutions strived to better themselves and achieve higher standards. And now, with your support a miniature Academy: “Armenian Learning Laboratory” is founded at Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, for which we wish success and high achievement of its goals for the enrichment of the Armenian culture and youth.
