Today, at “Usum” School, the admission process for first graders of the 2026–2027 academic year officially launched in a newly redesigned and organizationally updated format, marking the beginning of a new educational journey for our future Usum students.
The admission process will be conducted in two stages. The first stage, which commenced today, will continue on March 1 and conclude on March 14–15. The second stage, conducted in an interview format, will take place between March 23 and March 26.
While the children were participating in the first stage of the admission process, their parents were engaged in a comprehensive and in-depth seminar organized within the framework of the school’s proprietary “Conscious Parenting” platform. The seminar, titled “First Time in First Grade,” symbolized the understanding that a child’s entry into school represents a new beginning not only for the child but for the entire family.
The seminar was opened by platform member and homeroom teacher Hasmik Nazaryan, who presented the essence of parenting, its various approaches, and its role in the modern educational environment. She emphasized that parenting is not a random process, but a conscious and value-based choice, where the primary focus lies in shaping the child’s individuality and unlocking their potential. She particularly stressed that education begins within the family, while the school serves as the continuation and reinforcement of that foundation.
The school psychologist, Hasmik Harutyunyan — psychologist and psychotherapist at World Vision Armenia — addressed the mechanisms behind the formation of children’s motivation, highlighting how proper encouragement and support cultivate intrinsic motivation for learning. She also examined a commonly used disciplinary approach — depriving a child of a favorite activity or subject — analyzing its possible consequences. The discussion further covered the issue of adaptation to the school environment, emphasizing that first grade is a crucial psychological transition period in a child’s life, requiring patience, understanding, and collaborative support.
During the interactive segment of the seminar, Ani Gevorgyan conducted a practical exercise with parents, demonstrating through experiential learning how essential proper motivation is in preventing childhood trauma. Parents presented their work, shared examples, and engaged in an active and meaningful discussion. This segment evolved into a dynamic platform for dialogue, where participants not only listened but also analyzed, compared, and re-evaluated their own experiences.
Platform member and Teach for Armenia program expert Karlen Nazaryan underscored the importance of establishing a constructive and trust-based relationship between parents and teachers. He emphasized that the educational process requires moving beyond personal perceptions and focusing instead on delivering meaningful, value-oriented education. It was highlighted that school and family must operate as one team, guided by a shared goal: the comprehensive development of the child.
Platform founder Anzhela Manasyan discussed the similarities and differences between the roles of teacher and parent, noting that in both cases, love, consistency, and responsibility form the essential foundation. She also presented the content of the school’s proprietary manual, currently in the publication stage, and provided parents with guidance on navigating the vast informational landscape, encouraging continuous self-education and conscious parenting.
In the concluding segment of the seminar, platform members Mary Petrosyan and Anna Manasyan, through both theoretical and practical activities, demonstrated the necessity of possessing a wide range of pedagogical tools grounded in the understanding that each child is an individual — with a unique character, pace, emotional world, and mode of perception. The speakers emphasized that identical actions may yield different outcomes for different children, therefore each child requires a personalized approach and respect for their uniqueness.
At the end of the seminar, participating parents noted that it was an effective initiative to become acquainted not only with the applicant but also with the parents, which would ease the adaptation process for both the child and the family. Participants highlighted the warm, constructive, and impactful atmosphere of the seminar, which transformed it from a simple informational meeting into a platform for value-based reflection and meaningful collaboration.
In her closing remarks, platform founder A. Manasyan reaffirmed that the school remains committed to the principle that education is a shared journey. When family and school move in the same direction, they create an environment in which a child feels protected, confident, and inspired to fully realize their potential.
To not think freely is to not think at all!
