District welcomes Ukrainian students for day of learning about American education

Osseo Area Schools welcomed a group of approximately 20 Ukrainian teenagers Sept. 9, spending a day to share all about what education looks like in the district. 

The Ukrainian students are spending five weeks in Minnesota through a program called YouLEAD, which provides an immersive learning experience on the state’s businesses, non-profits, government systems and education. 

YouLEAD students began their day at Park Center Senior High School, where they met student leaders who are part of the school’s Link Crew leadership team. They attended classes with Link Crew students and spent time talking to Park Center classes about Ukrainian life and culture. The group then ate lunch in the high school cafeteria before boarding a bus to Aspen Ridge Elementary School, where they took tours of the new school, interacted with students and learned about the education system at the elementary level. 

Lastly, the Ukrainian students sat down for a roundtable discussion with Superintendent Dr. Kim Hiel, where they learned more from her about education at Osseo Area Schools and had the opportunity to ask questions. 

“At Park Center, I learned about the American education system, and I enjoyed how positively teachers interact with students,” shared Yeva Mohylevska, a 16-year-old student from Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyy region.
 
“I loved the building, resources and atmosphere of love and learning the children get to experience at Aspen Ridge,” added 18-year-old Anya Mishchuk from Kviv.