Q: What appealed to you about the JCDS Head of School position here in Rhode Island? What has left an impression on you?

Sarkisian: I came here because I believed that I could help the Jewish Community Day School remain an integral part of this community. In fact, I feel more deeply about this now than ever before.

I’ve been profoundly influenced by everyone who has rallied around the school and has wanted to show their support. What I’ve also found impressive is how many people have said they wouldn’t have moved to this neighborhood had it not been for JCDS. That tells me that this school is as vital to the community as the community is to the school.

Q: This has been a tough year for JCDS. Has the community played an important role in keeping you optimistic?

Sarkisian: Absolutely. We all acknowledge that the past year hasn’t been easy. I certainly don’t feel good about the sadness that has been caused by the closing of the middle school for those parents, children and staff. I don’t feel good about any cuts that have been made, even though they have been essential to keeping the school afloat.

However, I want to stress that I haven’t lost one iota of enthusiasm for what I’m doing here and why, and I am happy to continue serving in this role for as long as I am needed. I feel very supported and energized by those who have continued to give generously of both their time as well as money to help the school. There is a great support system in place here, and it’s very uplifting.

Q: Moving forward, what do you envision for the future of JCDS?

Sarkisian: One thing in particular I’d like to see put in place is a technology plan. We’re working on a very innovative strategy, and we have some great minds working on making this goal a reality.

Above all, I want the upcoming months and years to be about moving forward, thinking positively and strategically, and working to become leaders in elementary education, focusing on grades pre-K through 5. Our goal is simple – make this school strong and make the community proud of us.

We also have a strong returning staff that will be building on what we have, and I can’t wait to see all the great things they will accomplish next year. I frankly can’t remember in my career having a stronger group of people coming back. Rabbi Kaunfer said that this was possibly the strongest staff the school has ever had.

Q: Would you say JCDS is actually experiencing a revival?

Sarkisian: That’s how I see it. If you’re talking about pre-K through fifth-grade, we’re projecting 85 students for the upcoming year, an increase from last year. This may be only the second time in a decade we’re showing an increase in the student body – which is so encouraging.

We’re also cutting attrition by almost two-thirds from last year. Besides this staff stability and attrition reduction, we’ve found a first-rate assistant head of school who is joining our team – Mrs. Irene (Renee) Rudnick.

We also have an incredible board of talented, hard working people led very artfully by Bruce Wolpert.

I couldn’t have done what I am doing without Bruce – and everyone else on the board. We’re developing our board through people such as Hershey Rosen, who is heading governance. Hershey, among other achievements in his life, was chair of the board of overseers of Moses Brown School.

The last thing I wanted to acknowledge is our current weak economy, which, as we all know, is affecting all institutions, big or small. Through the incredible fundraising efforts of Hope Hirsch and Alison Walter, we will have raised more than $200,000 this year, which is significantly higher than what we raised last year.

Q: Any closing thoughts?

Sarkisian: This entire experience has been an incredible collaborative effort. First of all, we’ve spent a lot of time with JFRI leaders so that we can be better partners with them. We are so appreciative of all their support, both financial and moral, that has been given. Also, we’re continuing to reach out to former leaders, former families, the R.I. Board of Rabbis and individual rabbis – because we want everyone to feel this is their community school.

We want them to be proud of the school and to feel like they have a stake in the direction in which it’s headed.

Most importantly, we want to give the community the school it deserves, and we need the renewed and increased caring and support of everyone in the Jewish community for that to happen.

If nothing else, we want to reach people and encourage them to take action. There’s no question that a school like JCDS cannot make it without the community’s investment, but I’m confident this community, and certainly the school, is up to the challenge.

The Jewish Community Day School is a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Rhode Island.