About

About the Program

The Ukrainian Language Arts Program at Austin O’Brien High School was launched in 1983, with the first graduating class in 1986. The program teaches Ukrainian Language Arts 10, 20, and 30 in addition to Ukrainian Religion 10, 25, 35 throughout grades 10-12. The Ukrainian Language Arts Course is a combination of literature, language development, culture and traditions.

Students of the Ukrainian Language Arts Program also write the L’viv State Proficiency Exam in the Ukrainian Language (B1 Level). Majority of the students complete the exam and receive a certificate of completion from the L’viv State University.

Annual Activities and Events

Austin O’Brien’s Ukrainian students are given opportunities to partake in numerous excursions and experiences that are unique to the program. At the start of every school year the students are invited to attend the opening Divine Liturgy at St. Josephat’s Cathedral. The outstanding voices of students in the program ranging from kindergarten to grade twelve ring through the cathedral along with the Bishop’s and the clergies’.

On December 6^th, the students walk over to St. Nicholas church for Divine Liturgy. Afterwards they are treated with hot breakfast and treat bags from St. Nicholas.

In the past, students in ULA 30 went on a Kalyna Country Tour that ties in to their unit on the Ukrainian immigrant experience in Canada. In coming years this will be replaced with a trip to the Enemy Aliens, Prisoners of War: Canada’s First World War Internment Operations 1914-1920 exhibit in Banff.

During the first week in March AOB hosts their open house. The Ukrainian program is strongly represented with a student organized “mini hopak” they perform. Their red boots never fail to impress!

On March 8^th the students celebrate the birthday of our beloved Taras Shevchenko. Pana Porochiwnyk organizes a party where the students recite his poetry and are treated to tort and other goodies.

Twin School

In 2008 the AOB Ukrainian Program formed a partnership with the Lviv Gymnasium of International Relations. Students from the twin schools exchanged correspondence to initiate the connection. The next step was to meet in person. Students from AOB twice had the opportunity to take part in sessions with the twin school in Ukraine on trips that took place in the spring of 2009 and 2011. In the fall of 2011 a group of students from Lviv travelled to Edmonton and were hosted by families of AOB students. In 2012 there was an exchange of flash mob videos recorded by students of each school. Correspondence between the students still continues today through social media. Unfortunately, all school travel to Ukraine is currently suspended.

Matura

This is an event that every Ukrainian program graduate looks forward to for twelve years. Matura! This is the equivalent of a Ukrainian grad complete with a prayer service, banquet and (of course) a zabava! On this night the students celebrate their “coming of age” as they receive certificates for completing twelve years in the bilingual program. It is a night full of laughs, happy tears, dancing and fond memories. It is a well deserved reward for all their hard work.