Saturday morning in Whippany, New Jersey, was filled with children’s voices, songs, and joyful commotion – after the summer break, the Lesia Ukrainka Ukrainian Saturday School, part of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center, resumed its work. This is a place where the Ukrainian language, culture, and identity live far from the homeland, in the midst of the American suburbs.
This year, the school gathered many students of different ages – from preschoolers to teenagers. Parents and teachers say that the growth in the number of students is an important sign: the diaspora is not only preserving its cultural roots but also actively seeking ways to pass on its heritage to new generations.
The festive start of the year took place in the church hall, dedicated to prayer and blessing. Children and adults joined together in a communal prayer, and the priest – fully aware of the importance of the moment – blessed the school year, wishing patience, wisdom, and inspiration. Smiles, hugs, and kind words filled the room – everyone felt that this was not just the beginning of another academic year, but something deeper and symbolic.
The school offers classes where children study Ukrainian language, literature, history, geography, and culture. Religious education is also present – lessons dedicated to traditions, singing, prayer, and festive rituals. Teachers design the curriculum in such a way as to combine formal education with hands-on cultural experience – folk crafts, embroidery, and community celebrations.
Although the school operates only on Saturdays, for most children this day is one of the few opportunities to immerse themselves in a Ukrainian-speaking environment. Parents emphasize that at home they often speak mostly English, or a mixed language, and it is precisely the school that gives children the chance to practice Ukrainian regularly.
One of the important innovations this year is an updated events calendar and an increase in extracurricular activities. Students prepare performances, concerts, and theatrical sketches, take part in Ukrainian creative competitions, make decorations, paint pysanky (traditional Easter eggs), and attend cooking workshops of Ukrainian cuisine. All of this helps not only to absorb knowledge but also to build a sense of belonging to the community.
The school administration notes that providing resources is always a challenge: the need for textbooks, well-equipped classrooms, and art materials, which are not always easy to bring from Ukraine. But the efforts of the community, volunteers, and parents make it possible to overcome these limitations.
The festive September gathering was full of symbolic moments: the first bell, the joint singing of the national anthem, group photos, and the exchange of greetings. Children dressed in embroidered shirts, holding bouquets of flowers – just as in childhood in Ukraine. And after the official part came informal conversations, laughter, discussions of plans for the year, and new friendships among students.
Background
The Lesia Ukrainka Ukrainian Saturday School (Ridna Shkola Lesia Ukrainka) in Whippany is part of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey. The school operates every Saturday and is located at 60 North Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ. Its main mission is to teach children the Ukrainian language, history, literature, and culture, to maintain a connection with traditions, and to foster a sense of community and identity.
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