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Easter Celebrations
Easter celebrations and customs were celebrated in our schools throughout March and April including pysanky-making, paska-making and the blessing of Easter foods. The promise of spring and the significance of this religious holiday in our Byzantine faith is always emphasized in our school calendar year. Special thanks go to Father Rendy, our teachers and fellow parents for their extra time and assistance to make all of these activities possible.

Shumka Student Matinee
On March 19th, all of our students from Sadochok to Grade 9 took in the SHUMKA 50th ANNIVERSARY STUDENT MATINEE at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. A great time was had by all! The students enjoyed performances ranging from a Kupalo Suite, to regional dances and the crowd-favourite…Hopak. Each student took home a resource book with them after the performance and dancers mingled with the audience in the lobby following the show. Anxious autograph-seekers were able to meet the dancers up close. The junior high students were even able to snap a photo with some Shumka Dancers who are alumni of the Sherwood Park Ukrainian Bilingual Program (including David Clennin, Stephanie Bahniuk, Vanessa Shewchuk and Katrusia Pohoreski).

Jr High Mural
In the fall of 2009, our JV students in Grades 7 to 9 were busy working on a mural for the front entrance of the school. Proudly sponsored by BUCPS, the process involved an artist-in-residency with Iryna Karpenko and Valeriy Semenko, two very talented artists from Ukraine who now call Edmonton home. The colourful mural – full of Ukrainian cultural, historical and theological symbolism – was unveiled on January 22, 2010 with many special guests in attendance. Father Rendy blessed the mural for its posterity. Students’ self-designed initials frame the mural. It is a beautiful legacy for the Ukrainian Bilingual Program! 

 

Grade 6 Malanka
On January 22, 2010 at FKK School, our Grade 6 students and their families celebrated Ukrainian News Years or “Malanka.” The students put on a wonderful Malanka skit, a Ukrainian meal was shared amongst the guests, and Pan Moroziuk’s band – Millennia – entertained into the evening. Another wonderful event bringing many magical memories! (Notice the beautiful new Malanka costumes sewn by parent, Kathy Dewhurst for this and future celebrations.) 

 

Jr High Sviat Vechir & Malanka Skit
On January 22, 2010, the Grade 9 students shared a traditional Sviat Vechir with family, faculty and special guests at JV School. The students were busy several days in advance preparing the varenyky, holupchi, borscht, kutia and other traditional dishes. The meal was delicious…and the students took time to explain the significance and symbolism of this special Ukrainian celebration. Following the meal, the Grade 8/9 Ukrainian Creative Arts students performed a Malanka skit for the guests…with a cast of colourful characters which they created. The students had speaking parts in the play as opposed to having a narrator tell the story. It gave them a chance to work on Ukrainian language skill through a cultural component. A good time was had by all!

 
 
Feast of Jordan
On January 19, 2010, students of FKK and JV Schools attended the Feast of Jordan celebrations at The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. On this special day, the students commemorated the baptism of Christ, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. Activities included a church service, a water blessing ceremony at an ice cross and a didukh burning ceremony. Students could be seen leaping over the didukh – which symbolizes a ritual purification - as they head into the new year.  

   

Ukrainian Christmas Concert
December 15, 2009 marked the annual Ukrainian Christmas Concert at Father Kenneth Kearns School. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 sang and performed skits to honour and celebrate our rich cultural traditions. The gymnasium was packed to the rafters with proud parents, grandparents, families and friends. The students were also recorded by World FM for our annual Christmas Special that aired over the holiday season and for the first time, were professionally videotaped so parents could order a keepsake DVD of the performance.
 

St. Nicholas Visit
St. Nicholas made his annual visit to our three schools on December 17, 2009. With treat bags in hand, he blessed our students and left them with candies and Christmas ornaments to hang from their trees at home.  
 
  

Ukrainian Cartoon Festival
Our elementary and junior high students attended the Ukrainian Cartoon Festival on November 18, 2009 at the Citadel Theatre. The students giggled along to an interesting cast of characters directly from Ukraine!  
  
 
Family Fall Zabava
The second annual BUCPS Family Fall Zabava was held on October 9, 2009 at Ardrossan Hall. Over 200 students, staff, family and friends attended and had a wonderful time. A sumptuous dinner, fun dance, entertaining kolomeyka and silent auction made the event a great way to kick off the 2009-10 school year together!  
 
 

Victor Mishalow
Students at FKK School were treated to a visit by renowned banduryst Victor Mishalow on October 2, 2009. Mr. Mishalow performed a selection of traditional and more contemporary songs on his bandura, and provided a brief “history” of the instrument. Mishalow has performed widely throughout Australia, North America and Europe. He has been associated with a variety of artists, and artistic groups such as the Toronto Symphony, the Sydney Theatre Company, the Ukrainian Banduryst Chorus and numerous dance companies. He has been awarded the title of Merited Artist of Ukraine.  
 

Opening Liturgy
All of the Sherwood Park Ukrainian Bilingual students and those of the Edmonton program, gathered together on October 2, 2009 for the annual Opening Liturgy at St. Josaphat’s Cathedral. Celebrated by most of the clergy in the Edmonton Eparchy, this special mass is held to bless the new school year for students, teachers and families alike. Special guests from government and school boards were in attendance and monies were raised by the students for charities in Ukraine.
 

Camp Warwa
Over 30 junior high students took part in the 2009 Fall Tabir September 25-27, 2009 at Camp Warwa. In addition to archery, zip line, wall-climbing and night hikes, the campers were engaged in faith discussions with Father Greg Faryna and learned a new craze in Ukraine called the “Boryavy Hopak”…a mix between Ukrainian dance and martial arts. The last day of the three-day program included a mass with Father Paul Lysak and a scavenger hunt. A great time was had by all!

  

Haydamaky
In September, students at Jean Vanier School were treated to a very exciting visit from Ukrainian rock stars “Haydamaky.” The group of award-winning musicians answered questions, signed autographs and played a few songs for the students, teachers and guests in attendance. Many of the students also attended an evening concert put on by the group. It was a “brush with fame” that will not be forgotten!

 

Mural by Oksana Zhelisko
In commemoration of Father Kenneth Kearns School 40th Anniversary, BUCPS was proud to partner with SAC to sponsor a mural in the newly revamped school library. Painted by artist Oksana Zhelisko over the summer months,the beautiful mural is a beautiful addition tothe school.

6-9-11 Farewell
The 2009 “6-9-11” Farewell took place on June 6, 2009 atArdrossan Hall. Ourgrade 6, 9 and 11 students prepared memories to share with the room full of family, friends, teachers and supporters of the Ukrainian Bilingual Program. A dinner, dance, and award, certificate and gift presentations were part of this very special evening. Congratulations to our “grads” on your achievements in the program!