First City Gymnasium Web-site

1996 I am so excited to visit your school and to meet so many new friends. Your warm smiles and the ways you have received us ahs just melted my heart. This visit has made me realize that people in general are very much alike. We all need each other to survive. I love each of you sincerely and thank you so much for your gift. I will cherish it forever. God bless each of you richly and maybe one day we will meet again if not on this earth but in Heaven. Thank you again I love you Valeria Stiles 202 Joe Cloninger Rd. Bessemer City, North Carolina 28016-7707 Dear Teachers and Administration and Students It is a great pleasure to return for a second time to your wonderful school. I have great memories of my first visit in 1995, and this one has been even better. I am so glad that my wife, Jayne, was able to join me this time and experience your fine school for herself. The excellence of your students is amazing. We know it could not happen if your staff was not also excellent. Both you and your students deserve high praise, not only for your talents but for your dedication and hard work. May you continue to have success in all your endeavors. We hope someday to visit you again - or to see some of you in America. All the best, Daniel and Jayne Taylor 24.04.96 September 27, 1997 Dear Nadia, It was a real pleasure to come to your wonderful school. I have the impression that we share many common values and I hope that we will have many contacts in the future. I was so impressed with the talented students we met and the great work you doing here. I wish you all the best and I pray and work for a better future in Cherkasy and Ukraine. Best wishes, President Ukraine Kyiv Mission Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Cherkasy Feb 25, 97 Dear Teachers and Students of the First City Gymnasium in Cherkasy, As I write this little note I am still growing with the joyful feeling of our brief meeting today. I have travelled to many countries, and met many people, but I have rarely had the experience of being in a room with so many talented and devoted people as I have today. The warmth of your words and music, your smiles and your eyes have made a lasting impression upon me on what had promised to be an average boring working day. The hope of this country, indeed of the world, lies in classrooms such as yours, and in the true desire to learn and teach which shines forth, and in great contrast to the difficulties around you. Thank you again. I leave you with the words of T.S. Eliot, which have always proved true to me in my journey, and maybe will for you as well. "We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to return where we started And to know the peace for the first time." Chris Mrozowski, Project Director, US Peace Corps We have our difference. Now it is time to celebrate our differences. In this celebration we may discover areas of agreement and global peace. Always, W. John Koepsell 1625 Yuma Lane Minneapolis, MN 55447 Dear friends at First City Gymnasium! It is a great pleasure to return to your school for the second time and to your city for the sixth time! We have less than 1000 days now till the turn of the Century and the millenium. Our organization encourages you to discover the Pathways to Peace and to seek optimistic Earth dreams for the 21st century! Canada and Ukraine have built strong bridges of friendship. May many walk both ways across this bridge now. Stephanie Cax "Light the Way" Children's Fund Int. April 18, 1997 It is a privilege to visit Ukraine and your school. There are many talented students here and we enjoyed their performances. I have enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of your people and hope to return some day. Lynn Gallant, April 18, 1997. "Light the Way". Elene Hertweck, Peace Corps Volunteer from Florida, Group # 17 - Business Educators My visit to First City Gymnasium was very helpful and interesting. It was evident by the spontaneous response from the students that the faculty is dedicated to the students and respects their influence on their knowledge. Thank you for allowing me to work with your students and faculty. Sincerely, Elene. I would just like to quickly say thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the very cooperative people who have helped my colleagues and myself these past two weeks. Thank you especially to the students who took time out of their vacation to attend our classes. Most of you probably do not know this, but the first teaching experience of my life was here at your school and you will always hold a special place in my heart. You are all very bright students and I wish you the best of luck in the future. My warmest wishes, Tamar Campbell, Peace Corps Volunteer З великою вдячністю колективу Першої міської гімназії м. Черкасиб вчителям, гімназистам за незабутній прийом з нагоди вручення Сертифікату асоційованої школи ЮНЕСКО. Голова Національної комісії України у справах ЮНЕСКО, заступник Міністра закордонних справ В. Хандогій 20.12.96 Глибоко вражений коротким перебуванням у Першій Черкаській міській гімназії. Велику державну працю робить педколектив цього навчального закладу. Прекрасні вчителі, прекрасні діти! Бажаю подальших успіхів керівникам, педагогам, учням гімназії! Велике Вам спасибі за Вашу благородну і таку необхідну, і таку самовіддану працю! Перебуваючи у вас, до добрих сліз проймаєшся гордістю за нашу неповторно-прекрасну Батьківщину - Україну, за її талановитий і працьовитий народ, часткою якого є й ви! Мошков В.В. Головний спеціаліст Головного Управління загальної середньої освіти Міністерства освіти України 07.02.97 Найкращі враження від прийому в Вашому учбовому закладі, пані Директор, залишаться назавжди. Ви навчаєте дітей з великим мовним і культурним потенціалом. Прийміть мої вітання і побажання надалі розвивати Вашу діяльність з такою ж якістю і ентузіазмом. Дякую за важливий внесок і сприяння розповсюдженню французької мови в Вашій країні. Аташе по лінгвістиці Посольства Франції в Україні Робер Неро 09.10.97 Dear Students, Administration and Faculty! I enjoyed all the classes and the students' openness to meet Americans. Thank you again. Joseph Gastz Barrington, Rhode Island, USA I was very impressed with the teachers and students. I hope I can someday teach this well. Derek Adams San Jose, California Thank you for sharing your faculty and amazingly talented students with us today. Sunita Patel Rochester, New York The faculty are hard-working and it is evident that students respond with all their talent and dedication. Sara Lawes Tacoma, Washington This was a wonderful introduction to the Ukrainian school system. Both the students and faculty are impressive. Thank you for having us to your school. Jennifer Hogan Richmond, Virginia 19.11.97 Cherkasy is a wonderful city with warm and gracious people. Your students welcomed us warmly with songs and readings. Thank you. Larry Eisenhuwer, Judge Des Moines, IA, USA I have truly enjoyed this wonderful institution of learning. Your students and faculty are an outstanding example of what teaching and learning should be. It is an international model of excellence. Ann Olsen Schodde Iowa Council for International Understanding Des Moines, Iowa I am tremendously impressed by your students, teachers and administration. It is a wonderful school! Congratulations, and accept my best wishes for your future. Steven J. Dickinson Des Moines, Iowa 20.11.97. Колектив голiв профкомiв Шполянського району Щасливi познайомитися з роботою колективу гiмназiї м. Черкас. Вдячнi за теплоту i щирiсть прийому. Радi мати дружнi, творчi зв'язки. Бажаємо щастя, здоров'я, нових творчих зв'язкiв, здобуткiв. Голова профспiлки району В. Денисенко 20.03.98 Перлина Черкаського краю - гiмназiя №1 вражає своєю високою культурою дiтей та педагогiчного колективу, творчим потенцiалом, новаторським пошуком, об'єднаних любов'ю до дiтей однодумцiв, великим вкладом в миротворчу дiяльнiсть України. Це воiстину лiнгвiстичний коледж! Хай не згасає творчий вогник в серцях вчителiв та вихованцiв! Хай джерело талантiв не вичерпнеться в цьому колективi! Гордимося вами! Вiдповiд. Секретар Укр. Руху Педагогт за мир та взаєморозумiння Віце-президент Укр. Асоцiації асоцiйованих клубiв ЮНЕСКО В.Дзябенко Зичу Вам всiм добра та любовi! Шануймося, бо ми того вартi! Анiкiн М.Г. 3 April 1998 To the First City Gymnasium of Cherkassy - Thank you for the wonderful welcome to your school and to Cherkassy. It is clear from the performance that both the students and teachers are doing a tremendous job at language training. I wish you all success and success to the continued relationship between Cherkassy and Santa Rosa. Sincerely, Steven Pifer To the staff and students of School Number One! The first time, I visited the school, Gill and I went home impressed by your talents and enthusiasm. I did not think you could better. I was wrong! On this, my second visit, you have impressed me even more by your humour, vision and warmth. Thank you all. ………………… 20.04.1998 17April 1998 Mr. Volodymyr Dragun Superintendent, City Education Board Dear Sir! In the course of my recent stay in Cherkassy (serving as a Доброволець Корпусу Миру) I have had the opportunity to meet persons in many segments of the Community. Consequently I have become aware of the serious conditions which confront the various social segments (such as teachers and students preparing for work) as Ukraine struggles to achieve its national destiny and advance its economic goals. Among the various social groups it is the student body which appears among the most vital forces in the struggle. It is in their faces that one observes most clearly the opportunities for a resurgent Ukraine. I have had the privilege of making presentations at various schools and institutes in the city. My subjects addressed both academic and social issues. In every instance there was evident on the faces the readiness to consider "new" (different really) views for progressing toward the future welfare in both the private lives and the hopes for the land. It is their generation which will prevail over what the present generation endures. These thoughts occurred to me today as I observed the students at First City Gymnasium. These are eager students, and they have the good fortune to be in the custody of gifted, and devoted teachers and school administrators. These students can again nurture dreams, harbor ambitions and embrace with confidence a better future both for themselves … and their Land. My best wishes for the future, Wolfgang Price 27 April 1998 Gary Stimson Baynards, Tiptree, England Today I have observed 3 lessons in English and 1 English test. The overall impression that I have gained from this day is one of hard-working and dedicated staff and pupils; and people working together in an atmosphere of pure joy for teaching and learning. The pace of the lessons was always fast yet time was taken for challenge and re-enforcement of new words and concepts. The children were always polite and pleased to see their teachers. A variety of teaching techniques and strategies were used; music, pictures, drama; questioning and answering, poetry, history and, most impressively debate concerning the environment and how we have a duty to protect our planet. In one song the children sang: "Listen to the wind of change" and the line: "the children of tomorrow …". Indeed, the children of Cherkassy's First City Gymnasium are trully "children of tomorrow" living here with us today. You should feel proud of such a wonderful school. 15 травня 1998 року Група творчо працюючих директорiв Хмельницької областi, члени клубу "Спiвробiтництво". Ми маємо за честь зробити записи в вашiй книзi. Дякуємо за зразок сучасної школи. З такими учнями, такими вчителями i керiвниками нашу країну нiхто не здолає! Ми завжди будемо пам'ятати вас i гостинний прийом в вашiй школi. 8 жовтня 1998 р. Черкаси На мене - виступи дiтей i молодi школи - Першої гімназії у Черкасах зробили велике враження. "Ave Maria" молодої спiвачки надзвичайно добре, iншi музичнi, хоровi точки дуже добрi. Менi було дуже приємно познайомитися з вчителями, з панi директор школи. Учнi школи роблять дуже гарне вражіння, вiдчувається, що вони з приємнiстю вчаться. Трудно передати всi мої почування. Я дуже рада, що мала нагоду побувати у Першiй мiськiй гiмназiї Черкас. Ольга Тритяк Заступниця голови Союзу Українок Америки i Адмiнiстратор конкурсу "Природа i ми" It was a great pleasure to visit your school today. Your teachers were the most enthusiastic and creative teachers I have observed in Ukraine. It is apparent that the children very bright and are so interested in learning. We will try to find a sister school for your school. With appreciation, Jeremy Brow and Linda ……………. 10 North Oak Rd. North Oaks, MN, 55127 November 5, 1998 I have enjoyed a delightful morning at Gymnasium #1 meeting faculty and students. I am so impressed with the high quality of the language skills of all the students who I met in the class discussions. I look forward to returning to Cherkassy in the future and returning to this excellent school. Best wishes, James Xlich November 17th/98 Please thank all the students we met at your music program for sharing their talents with use. I, personally, enjoyed it so much and hope to be able to see you on my next visit to the Ukraine and your city of Cherkassy. Robert McKee 1701 Woodland St. Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A. 50309 December 24, 1998 To the administration, teachers, parents and students at 1st City Gymnasium in Cherkassy: My eight-year-old daughter, Kara, and I will never forget Christmas Day, 1998, with all of you at 1st City Gymnasium. There are so many things that impressed me that I don't know where to begin. The thing that most impressed me was the extraordinary high level of English spoken by the staff and the students. Also, the play - it was so well done and the costumes were so creative. My daughter was born in Donetsk and this was her first trip back to her homeland. Your presentation of a certificate and gifts have made her visit so memorable! Such a lovely Christmas lunch it was! Due to your hospitality, we were not at all homesick on this American holiday. I also deeply appreciate the teaching techniques I learned from the teachers during Saturday morning classes. As you know, I am here in Ukraine to adopt a daughter. I now have a three-year-old daughter from Yalta who I must teach English. I will use the techniques that I observed during Saturday classes. My daughter and I so enjoyed the special program for us performed by such talented students. If any of you get to Washington, D.C., please come to visit us so we can repay your wonderful kindness. Katherine Gibney Kara Gibney Ми, спiвробiтники Iнституту психологiї ім, Г.С. Костюка АПН України, з великою приємністю спiвпрацюємо вже третiй рiк з колективом Першої мiської гiмназії м. Черкас. У нас склалось дуже хороше враження про роботу педагогiчного колективу гiмназії. Учнi добре пiдготовленi, мають розвинутий пiзнавальний iнтерес, активнi на уроках, з цiкавістю ставляться дл навчання. Школа добре працює і в цьому заслуга директора Кирилової Катерини Миколаївни. Щиро бажаємо величезних творчих успiхiв. З повагою: доктор психологiчних наук Кульчицька О.I. Кандидат психологiчних наук Третяк Т.М. 03.03.99 р. Вiдкрив для себе Черкаську гiмназiю, як колись Хр. Колумб вiдкрив Америку… Враження - глибокi та аргументованi. Бачив цю школу 16 рокiв тому. Змiни вражаючi: маю на увазi насамперед змiст роботи, що має мiсце в школi - творчий, результативний, ранiше, на жаль, мною нiде не бачений, хоч вiдвiдав багато рiзних типiв шкiл у рiзних регiонах України. Спасибi всiм за надану можливiсть побачити певну реалiзацiю тих планiв, до яких я йшов усе життя. Мене вразили знання учнiв з iспанської мови як другої іноземної. Молодцi! Як науковцю менi iмпонує науковий, розумний пiдхiд керiвництва гiмназії до здiйснення навчально-виховного процесу. Творчiсть, науковiсть, демократизм, як менi здалось - ось основні напрями дiяльностi колективу. ¡Adelante! ¡Monton de exitos!¡Suerte! Дивує, чому нiхто з учителiв не вiддає себе по-справжньому науковiй роботi (?) Є про що писати, є що дослiджувати, є чим дiлитися з iншими …, немає лише iнiцiативи до позитивного вирiшення цього питання. Шкода! Сподiваюсь на змiну поглядiв на цю проблему. Всiх благ школi та її колективу! В.Г. Редько К.п.н., завiдувач лабораторiї методики iноземних мов Iнституту педагогiки Академiї педагогiчних наук України 12.03.1999 р. Дорогi вчителi, колеги, друзi! У такий знаменний час для всiх присутнiх день дуже приємно бути разом з вами, роздiлити з вами радiсть свята. Колись гiьназiя, потiм середня школа, зараз знову гiмназiя - але завжди перша! Навчатися у цьому закладi було завжди престижно, i випускники її досягли великих успiхiв, зробили чимало на користь України. 30 років прожитого життя пiсля школи - дає право проаналiзувати пройдене. Життя - дуже складна рiч i не завжди можна знайти правильну вiдповідь на запитання часу, особливо зараз, коли високi технологiї, уявлення i цінності змiнюються надзвичайно швидко. Лише знання, постiйне прагнення до вдосконалення, вмiння адаптуватися до сьогодення, наполеглива праця i вмiння користуватися надбанням людства дає можливiсть бути в авангардi. Користуючись нагодою хочу побажати молодi більш серйозно ставитися ддо життя, правильно визначити для себе прiорiтети i орієнтири, навчитися вiдрiзняти головне від другорядного, дiйсну красоту i цінність вiд тимчасової і химерної. Нехай вашi здобутки у життi стануть найкращим подарунком вашим вчителям. З теплотою i вдячнiстю завжди згадую своїх вчителiв, якi назавжди залишились у моїй пам'ятi як високопрофесiйнi фахiвцi, чуйнi i поряднi люди. З кожним з них пов'язанi незабутнi чудовi миттєвостi життя. Низький Вам уклiн. В.М. Коваленко, консул Посольства України в ПАР To the staff and students of Cherkassy May I thank all the staff and students of the gymnasium for making my visit to your school so memorable. Not only was it a pleasure to see so much enthusiasm but the quality of your language skills was extremely high. Your joy in communication was obvious to a visitor such as myself. Both Gill and I hope to return to see you all again - once the weather improves so that we can stay longer. I hope that the contacts we have now established will increase and that many more of you will have an opportunity to visit Great Britain. We will do what we can to help. Again, many thanks for your hospitality, for the entertainment you provided and the warmth of your welcome. All success in whatever you do or wherever you go. Roy Reeve From a former teacher, many congratulations on the quality of the work you are doing here. Thank you for letting us see it. Gill Reeve Дорогие друзья! От всего сердца поздравляем коллектив первой городской гимназии г. Черкассы со 120-летним юбилеем. Для нас это большая честь и удовольствие поздравить коллег от имени одной из старейших школ Крыма: общеобразовательной школы №3 с углубленным изучением иностранных языков с первого класса г. Севастополя, которой в 2000 году исполняется 125 лет. Восхищены высочайшим мастерством учителей, на уроках которых мы смогли побывать. Ваша преданность детям, делу процветания Черкасс и Украины вдохновляет нас на поиски новых путей совершенствования учебно-воспитательного процесса. Спасибо за приглашение на юбилей. Всегда ждем вас в нашей школе и надеемся на дальнейшее сотрудничество. Подписано: Директор школы и заместитель директора по научно-методической работе As a Peace Corps trainee, I was very fortunate to have my practicum at First Gymnasium. Vice Principal Nadiya Ananieva welcomed us with lunch in the school cafeteria and then invited us to a marvelous concert performed by talented students in many different languages. In all the classes, I observed that the students were well behaved, well prepared, and proficient in English, which reflects in a positive way on the Administration and faculty. Thanks especially to Anatoliy Stepanenko who prepared our schedules and gave us valuable assistance, and to all the teachers who cooperated with us. Wini Yunker Business Educator Peace Corps Group 17 April 2000 I want to thank all of the teachers and students who cooperated with us during our visits. Especially the students who came in during their break. My experiences before Peace Corps did not include teaching experience. So this was my first experience as a teacher. I am so impressed with the level of knowledge of English as well as economics. I am excited by all the enthusiasm I see here and wish all of you the best of luck, this school year and beyond! Emily Bahler Business Educator Peace Corps Group 17 April 2000 When I first came up to the school - First City Gymnasium - my thoughts were racing about what there ten days would hold for me. Many of you had the opportunity to see the photos of the high school in which I teach. So upon seeing First City Gymnasium for the first time - the tiles off the exterior, the reconstruction in the entry, I must admit I had many thoughts. But as we say in the U.S., "don't judge a book by its cover!" For with every introduction I've had in your school, I was greeted with such an overwhelming feeling of welcome it has made my heart warm - and all the more difficult to say goodbye. Beautiful bricks and tile do not make a quality school. What I saw in the first class I spoke to, and then in every class thereafter, were the bright smile of pupils who see the importance of an excellent education and enjoy learning. These smiles and the quality work I've seen at First City don't just happen. It comes from high quality, dedicated teachers, led by a team of seemingly tireless assistant principles. All of you, inspite of the many hardships you face in your jobs, give everything you have for the pupils. Therefore, it is within these walls that the future of Ukraine is being shaped - and not up the street!! My fondest wish is that each pupil at First City Gymnasium will make the very best of the knowledge these teachers have given you and work to reshape your new country to the greatness that it once was. Richard C. Looze Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin USA 26.10.2000 To the teachers, staff and students: First of all we want to thank for the invitation to visit your school and your country, and for the tremendous hospitality you have shown us during our visit. Secondly, and of equal importance, we want to complement you on the high quality of the education we have witnessed at First Gymnasium. It is a tribute to the finest and most dedicated teachers and most brilliant students we have ever encountered. What we have witnessed here gives us optimism for the future of Ukraine. We wish each and every one of you, your school, and your country the very best of good fortune in the future. Barry and Donah Hidel 27.03.2002 Dear Administrators, Staff and Students; My two-week visit to Ukraine and First City Gymnasium is quickly coming to an end. I'm pleased that I have been asked to jot down some impressions of my visit. First, I must thank Nadia for welcoming our students and myself with such warmth and openness. I can only begin to imagine the work that went into planning our itinerary. The diverse activities allowed us to experience the rich cultural and historical background of the country. I also enjoyed the educational experience of spending time with First City's students in and out of the classroom setting. The intelligence, sincerity, integrity and warmth of your students makes me believe that the future of your country rests in very capable hands. I also treasure the time spent with teachers and other administrators here at First City. The fervor and enthusiasm of these professions has ignited a renewed desire to commit myself to teaching when I return to the United States. I have never met a group of individuals so committed to their profession. Thank you also to the families who opened their homes and hearts to us. The motto of this country should focus on the hospitality of its people. It is beyond compare. I wish only the best for my counterparts, students and families here in Cherkasy. I look forward to a continued relationship with the many wonderful people I have met on my visit to First City Gymnasium. Sincerely, Dana Linde 27-03-02 March 27, 2002 To the Teachers, Staff and Students of First City Gymnasium, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet you and spend time at FCG with all of you. My heart is full of memories of everything from your welcoming smiles and gifts, your fine meals, your excellent academic standards, and your openness to our "American" ways. Thank you for opening your hearts and your school to me and our students. I invite you to visit us in the future. I wish you every happiness always. Sincerely, Victoria Looze Luther School Firt Atkinson, WI U.S.A. To My Dear Friends and Colleagues at F.C.G., Thank you again for showing me such a wonderful and generous time. I'm so happy I was able to establish sister school relations with you. I hope it will last long into the future as well as our friendship. Love to all of you. Rich Looze Fort Atkinson High School. 2-2-2003 to 4-24-2003 It is always hard for me to write or to say "Good-bye" because "Good-bye" is to me the saddest word spoken in the English language when I have to say it to such marvelous students, teachers and staff. My heart is full of happiness, and it is also filled with sadness. (As you can see, I don't even like spelling that word; or maybe it is the native American Indian in me because when my Indian ancestors made anything, they always made or hid a mistake in their weaving or art work because only the Great Spirit was perfect.) I have had such a memorable time with your staff and students. I have come to love them all greatly, which makes saying "Good-bye" so hard. I have always treated every student as if he or she were my own son or daughter. I see in every child the most precious thing on earth, and I want them to treat themselves as such so they know how to treat others. Please protect them for me with this message about their value. My best always. Jerry Pierce, 1995 Iowa Teacher of the Year Jpierce95iatoy@aol.com I cried as I wrote this. You are all so special.