CABLE SHOW BRINGS SCHOOL INTO HOMES.

Byline: Jennifer Hamm Staff Writer

GLENDALE - In an effort to offer a glimpse into public schools, a program called ``A Day in the Life of a Middle School Student'' will premiere on cable Monday.

In the first show of its kind in Glendale, the one-hour program profiles eighth-grader Armen Yekyazarian starting his day at Toll Middle School at 7 a.m. and follows him through an entire day of class.

``We realized that many people don't have the opportunity to go into our schools,'' said Board of Education member Pam Ellis. ``We wanted to use our portions of the time on the channel to bring the school to the homes.''

School officials decided to highlight middle school life because of the transition adolescents go through when they leave elementary school, Ellis said.

``If you would ask parents their greatest concern, other than kindergarten, (it) is middle school,'' Ellis said. ``They're leaving that safe environment of the elementary school. . . . There are so many changes going on with that child. All of a sudden, you don't know if you know your own child.''

The program includes all parts of a middle school student's school day: Poetry composition in computer lab. Walking the halls. A quiz in American history class that is more like the game show Jeopardy. And perhaps the most important event in the middle school day, lunch.

Yekyazarian, 13, said he was thrilled when Principal Hasmik Danielian asked him if he would like to be profiled.

``Being on TV, that's like a great feeling,'' he said. ``Everybody sees you.''

Yekyazarian and Danielian hope viewers will see that middle school students are hardworking and care about school.

``I honestly hope that people will understand that there are really great things happening on our campuses,'' Danielian said.

The show also features commentary by a teacher, counselor and other school officials.

Profiling student life is the most recent project of the school board's decision two years ago to use its cable time to teach the public about the district and its schools. Since then, it has begun broadcasting board meetings and panel discussions.

A program featuring art teachers and classes is also scheduled to air in coming months.

``A Day in the Life of a Middle School Student'' will air on Charter Cable Channel 15 at 7 p.m. Mondays and 12:30 p.m. Sundays through February.