Following the opening of Albanian schools in Staten Island this year by “Alba Life” Nation’s Ambassador, the success continued in Bronx, Queens, and Online. The teachers and staff of the Albanian Schools “Alba Life” can proudly say that they had a successful first day of the Academic Year 2023-2024, reminding me of the popular wisdom: “A good start is half the work.”
This week was packed with first-day ceremonies, and naturally, it was impossible for the board to attend all schools. Specifically, in the Bronx, we went as a couple, while in Staten Island, Dr. Valbona Zylo Watkins participated, with classes under the care of professional teachers Entela Muda and Elona Shkreta. The schools start on Saturdays at 10:30 am.
The Bronx was buzzing, with a large number of students and parents attending the American public school: “Columbus” Middle School, a member of the Foundation for Excellent Schools since 1997. “Alba Life” School continues teaching the Albanian language, folk dances, and songs from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, three teaching hours. The sky was slightly cloudy, and I felt a slight drizzle when we took out the alphabet books from the car, along with other necessary school and media equipment. Earlier, some parents had arrived with their excited children ready to start school.
The opening ceremony was magnificent, beautiful, and emotional, marked by tears from grandparents. It began with the National Anthem, which included the lines: “Only he who is born a traitor flees from the war/ A real man is not afraid/ He dies, he dies like a martyr!” Mr. Qemal Zylo, founder of TV and “Alba Life” Albanian Schools, Nation’s Ambassador, wished everyone a successful year and expressed his pride in our collective national mission. He thanked all the dedicated teachers who work with dignity, such as teachers Mehrije Shala and Kade Lajqi, and staff members Edona Gjidiaj and Erlinda Shala who assist in Albanian activities and dances.
He introduced the new teacher, Helena Ujkaj, an experienced educator with a master’s degree from her home country and integrated into American education. He expressed pride in these teachers, the new generation who want to contribute. Teachers Mehrije, Kade, and Helena promised to work professionally and passionately to teach students Albanian at this prestigious school.
Naturally, some children cried, missing their mothers by their side, but from experience, they adapt quickly, eagerly awaiting Saturdays to attend school, thanks to the care of the teachers and staff.
The program continued with the well-known and beloved song UÇK, often sung by the “Alba Life” Albanian School in NY, Nation’s Ambassador, performed by the talented student Diellor Lajqi. It was magical to see students singing for their homeland, dancing hand in hand. This school was honored by the participation of three wonderful artists, Luan and Rejhan Bexheti, who brought their lovely daughter Besa, and Valbona Peraj. The charming artist Valbona Peraj gathered all the students and sang “Xhamadani Vija Vija”, accompanied by the well-known national symbol, the eagle. We were proud to have them among us. Valbona Peraj has always been close to this school, and we thank her for her contribution, especially her recent artistically successful song “Mëkat”, well-received by her vast audience.
After the artistic program, the teachers took their students to their comfortable, clean, and very suitable classrooms.
Brooklyn, Queens, Online began the Academic New Year 2023-2024. “Alba Life” Albanian Schools in NY continued in Brooklyn for the Academic New Year 2023-2024. Although it was a day with heavy rain, major floods, and many schools closed, we did not stop. For example, teacher Fatlinda had taken her daughter out of school early, Adelina, as a parent, after wishing us well, said she couldn’t bring Rilind due to the weather. Our school in Brooklyn’s website wrote “closed”, and many other episodes especially confused new parents. Naturally, we welcome them next time.
Meanwhile, a parent who brought their 13-year-old child to school today told me: My daughter always criticizes me for not enrolling her in the Alba Life School when she was five, as she has a close friend who speaks Albanian and dances thanks to this school’s team…
It’s a blessing to start the Academic Year 2023-2024 with the National Anthem. Mr. Qemal Zylo introduced the newest teacher of the Albanian School in Brooklyn, Rozeta Hyseni, who is continuing in the doctoral program, an experienced teacher from Albania. Congratulations, teacher Rozeta, and we’re delighted you joined the National Mission at the “Alba Life” Albanian Schools, Nation’s Ambassador. We’re confident you’ll spread the light of knowledge filled with culture. Congratulations to you, teacher Fatlinda Gashi, for your professionalism and love for the nation, contributing to this school.
We’re proud to have two qualified teachers full of culture and dignity with licenses from the Universities of Prishtina and Tirana, with master’s degrees and candidates for doctoral defense.
Congratulations to our beloved students and parents! When I’m with you, I don’t tremble, I revive, your eyes warm like the sun, with the ABC, your lips never stop, hence they say God speaks Albanian in heaven… I add that with so much passion and professionalism, other schools in Queens and Online also operated with experienced licensed teachers from their home country, like Vjollca Skënderi and Gresila Basha. Teachers Skënderi and Basha have worked hard in this program, whether with individual teaching, scheduled teaching, classroom or parallel work, and homework. In interaction, students collaborate with each other and their classmates, speaking Albanian to make them more confident. Naturally, the teacher’s word prevails in the teaching process. The content is presented as the teacher’s lecture and as a controlled speech. They have managed professionally the teaching objective, articulating the Albanian language beautifully, setting tasks, and giving results; all attention is directed to the students, and for this, we have words of praise from many students and parents in these 16 years of work and Albanian throughout New York and Online.
The successful start of the New Academic Year 2023-2024 is a good omen for the smooth running of the teaching process, for which we are very committed to achieving the objectives and purpose of this National Mission.
TV “Alba Life” will soon bring a chronicle specially prepared for these schools, filmed by Mr. Zef Ujkaj at the school in the Bronx, and will broadcast it on television channels./Dielli
