Richard Philiposki established the Portland Polish School in October 1994 with administrative support of teacher Olga Kruger and with the help of the Polish community. There were 12 students divided into 2 groups: one for kindergartners, and the other for older children. During the next academic year (1995-96) there were approximately 20 students, with classes taking place on Saturdays from 10am t
o 2pm in the Church Rectory and Polish Hall. The textbooks were shipped from Poland, and Principal Jadwiga Witkowska and teachers Wladyslawa Drozdowska and Alicja Stawarz created the curriculum. The number of grades increased and included a preschool, and more teachers were hired. The school news was published in the bulletin "Nasza Szkola" (Our School). The Polish dance group "Sobotka" was established and led by Elzbieta Szewczyk and Marek Stepien. Richard Philiposki established a Polish language class for adults, which was taught by Paula Gadowski. During the years 1997-2002 the Polish school continued to grow and prosper. The school bylaws were created on September 10th 1997 and were the first official declaration of the Polish School's goals/charter. From 1998-2002, the school collaborated with other American Polish schools, and with the help of the Association of Polish Teachers in America in Chicago introduced a new curriculum, teaching techniques, and textbooks. The number of students increased to 88, while the number of grades increased to 8. The Polish School also took over organization of many church and cultural events like the Parish Christmas Eve with Nativity Story program, Carnival Balls, Feast of St. Nicholas, Easter Egg Painting and Palm competition, the Polish Constitution Day celebration, Mother's Day, Senior's Day, and family summer camps. From the very beginning the Polish School participated in the organization of the Polish Festival by having the kids perform folk dances, arts and crafts booths, and making treats to sell. From 2002-2007 the Polish School continued to mature and expand its influence. Starting in 2002 both teachers and the PTO have been representing the Polish School at the Polish Teachers and Parents Council Committee Members Conferences. Renata Dajnowska became the school’s Principal in 2005. The Polish School started corresponding with an elementary school in Platerow, Poland as well as sending Christmas gifts and financial support to an orphanage in Letownia. The Polish language exam was held on February 3rd and 17th 2007, and the committee members were Maria Tarnawska, Jadwiga Witkowska, and Renata Dajnowska. During the same year the Polish School started a fundraising event "Carnival Ball with Silent Auction" and also raised funds at a Polish Festival stand. Slawomir Badowski designed the school's logo, which is still in use and is printed on t-shirts and other items sold at the Polish Festival. The Semper Foundation from Poland donated books and study materials a few times as a gift to the school. Among the most important highlights of the 2008-2011 years are articles about the school published in Polish emigration magazines and Catholic magazines as well as interviews of both current and former Principals by Polish Radio. An interesting online article was written by the Society "Wspolnota Polska" entitled "The beginning of the school year in the Polish School in Portland". The Polish School organized cultural events such as family theater tours and coordinated plays and art performances. The Polish School sponsored the Polish softball team from Wroclaw at the international playoffs in Portland. The school celebrated its 15th anniversary in October 2010 during which the emblem "Friend of the Polish School" was awarded to institutions and private persons. Medal of the Komisja Edukacji Narodowej was granted to Jadwiga Witkowska and Marek Stepien. The dynamics and structure of the school substantially changed from 2012 to the present when it was transferred to the PLBA (Polish Library Building Association) and changed its name to Komisja Kulturalno – Oswiatowa (Polish Cultural Enrichment Program). During this period the Polish School started collaborating with a Czech and Hungarian school resulting in the creation of the Visegrad Group PDX. The first festival by Visegrad Group PDX was held in November 2013 and was a great success. The three schools sung Christmas carols together at the Portland Revels stage, which were recorded by KBOO radio. Portland State University hosted Renata Dajnowska with a lecture "Preservation of Heritage Language at Community- Based Program at the Polish School in Portland, Oregon" in May 2013. In the past few years, we collaborated with the McMenamins White Eagle Restaurant to organize the Polish Heritage Day. In April 2017, we also organized the 1st Family Night at White Eagle to raise funds for the Polish School. Children of the Polish School started to travel to Seattle to perform at the Polish Festival in Seattle. In addition to that we collaborated with the Alternative Elementary School in Cieszyn, Poland. Our school was also selected to organize and host the XVth US Conference of Polish School Teachers and Parent Committee members. It will take place on May 25-28th 2018 in Portland, OR. It is an incredible distinction for both our school and the entire Polish community in Portland. Today the Polish School is still active in the cultural life of local Polish immigrants and more than 60 teachers contributed to sustaining and sharing knowledge of Polish language and culture to future generations. We had a pleasure to host many distinguished artists from Poland and United States such as Ewa Kuklinska, Michal Grzybowski and Igor Lipinski among many others who read books to our students. WHY SHOULD YOU BRING YOUR CHILD TO POLISH CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AT PLBA? WHAT WE OFFER:
1) We teach Polish, history and geography.
2) We help improve speaking, reading and writing skills.
3) We teach Polish culture.
4) We teach Polish values.
5) We celebrate Polish traditions (St. Andrew's Day, Christmans carol singing, Christmas Eve Dinner, Easter palms).
6) We teach Polish songs.
7) We teach Polish folk dances.
8) We organize art competitions.
9) We prepare for performances during events.
10) We offer lots of fun events (St. Andrew's Day, St. Nicholas Day)
11) We offer the opportunity to make new friends.
12) We have access to Polish Library.
13) We use professional textbooks and materials. WE ALSO OFFER:
1) Learning in small groups.
2) Individual work with students.
3) Classes in Polish.
4) Low tuition and rabates for families bringing more than one kid to our school. TEACHERS' EXPERIENCE:
1) Qualified and friendly educators.
2) Native speaking Polish teachers.
3) Pedagogical education gained in Poland.
4) Many years of teaching experience.
5) Teachers fluent in both Polish and English.
6) All completed "Called to Protect" program and background check.
