Exchanging the U.S. for Ukraine

They may be suffering from jet lag, but it will take a lot more than fatigue to dampen the enthusiasm of the 10 North Hollywood High School students who returned Saturday from a three-week visit to Ukraine.

The ninth- and 10th-graders began their journey in Kiev. After two days of sightseeing, they traveled by train to Rivne, where they were welcomed by their Ukrainian counterparts at a colorful school ceremony.

The students were treated to meals prepared by their host families, whose children will visit North Hollywood later this year.

“Our kids were amazed at the beauty of the ancient buildings, especially the Orthodox churches, and were thrilled to be able to sound out the [Ukrainian] street signs,” said foreign-language teacher Stacy Ordona, who accompanied the teens on the trip. “They represented their school and country so well. I’m very proud of them.”

Besides attending Ukrainian- and Russian-language classes, the students visited cultural and historical sites, were interviewed for television by Rivne’s mayor and met with Steven Pifer, the American ambassador to Ukraine.

“I didn’t want to leave,” said 14-year-old Niaree Hopelian. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brought all of us much closer together. I’m looking forward to [the Ukrainian students’] visit here in October.”

KUDOS

Never Too Late: San Fernando Middle School recently graduated its first group of 26 adults from the popular “Parent Expectations Support Achievement” classes. The course’s six sessions teach parents how to help with their children’s homework and how to encourage them to go to college. The parents were accompanied by their proud children to the graduation ceremony.

Physics Day: Viewpoint School’s physics whizzes racked up some impressive wins at the recent Physics Day competition sponsored by Magic Mountain. The Calabasas students won four of the seven contests, which attracted 7,000 high school students. Viewpoint senior Geoff Plitt earned one of the two highest scores ever on the Fermi Quiz, which tests students’ general physics knowledge. Classmates John Kogel and James Smith tied for third place in the eclectic contest.

EVENTS

Looking Back: With the new millennium approaching, Glendale Community College is holding a faculty symposium Thursday on the most significant breakthroughs in medicine, math, the arts, religion and other areas over the last 1,000 years. The noon event is free and the public is welcome to attend.

College Bound: More than 700 high school students will attend Valley College’s High School Senior Days next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students from about 20 Valley high schools will attend workshops that focus on the Valley Glen college’s programs and services. A campus tour and lunch are scheduled at the all-day event. For information, call (818) 947-2633.

Concert: The Kadima String Quartet will perform the “Mendelssohn Quartet in D” and other popular pieces at 7 p.m. Sunday at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills. The concert to benefit the Kadima Hebrew Academy will feature music by the school’s choir and by guest pianist Marina Gushansky. For reservations, call (818) 346-0849.

Class Notes appears every Wednesday. Send news about schools to the Valley Edition, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax it to (818) 772-3338. Or e-mail them to diane.wedner@latimes.com