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Dinner & Auction Fundraiser for Language School

The Annual Barbórka Ball will be held Saturday, November 7 ^th 2009 from 7:00pm at the Pleasant Hill Recreation Center located at 320 Civic Drive, Pleas anton Hill, California. There will be a traditional Polish holiday dinner buffet, a full bar and live entertainment. A silent auction and raffle will be held in support of the John Paul II School of Polish Language and Culture.

Wszyscy rodzice, nauczyciele, czlonkowie starego zarzadu szkoly oraz wszyscy powiazani z Polska Szkola sa serdecznie zaproszeni na zebranie zarzadu ktore odbedzie sie 3 pazdziernika zaraz po apelu szkolnym. Planowany jest wybor nowego prezesa i nowego zarzadu szkolnego, prosimy aby rodzice zglaszali siebie lub mieli inne kandytatury.

SCHOOL STARTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009

Pragniemy powiadomic wszystkich o rozpoczeciu nowego roku szkolnego ktory zaczenie sie Msza Swieta o godz. 9 00 rano w Kosciele United Methodist (nie w kaplicy). Nastepnie zapraszamy wszystkich na apel oraz rodzicow na udzial w zebraniu Zarzodu Szkoly.

Wszyscy rodzice sa zaproszeni do brania udzialu w Zarzadzie Szkoly. Istotny jest udzial licznych rodzicow-potrzebujemy ochotnikow, ktorzy wzbogaciliby sklad naszego zarzadu.

We are happy to announce the commencement of our school year at 9:00 a.m. with Mass in the United Church followed by assembly and School Management meeting .
Our school is looking for new volunteers to take active part in management and organization for this school year. We encourage all parents to take active role and participate in many school events and activates. Remember, this is our chance to help our children to understand and value Polish culture and language.

Poetry Recital and Competition: Polish Language

Martinez, California

The John Paul II School of Polish Language, based in Walnut Creek, California will host its annual Poetry Recital and Competition on Sunday, April 26 at 11am at the Polish Community Center and church at 909 Mellus Street in Martinez, California. For more information about attending the event or to contribute prizes, please contact the school Principal, Tomasz Kotlinski at kotomek@sbcglobal.net.

Students attending the school will each recite poems in the Polish language, organized by grade level. A panel of judges will preside over the students’ delivery technique, expression, articulation and native pronunciation. Prizes will be awarded.

Poetry has a long and rich history within Polish culture. “Show us your literature that we may judge of the actual state of your civilization, your character and your general qualifications,” quotes Paul Sobelski in his compilation of Poets and Poetry of Poland.

Poland was often occupied by invading foreigners who required the use of their own language and versions of history to be taught for generations. It was the persistence and dedication of the Polish people to continue Polish language and cultural education, sometimes in secret and at great risk. Poetry is a highly developed form of literature and an art. In the case of much of the cherished poetry of Poland, it documents the history through the actual experiences of the Polish people. These accounts paint a different portrait of Polish civilization and culture than do the histories which were manufactured by tyrannical oppressors. As spoken by Birgitta Trotzig, of the Swedish Academy, when awarding a Nobel Prize in literature, “…poetry, as a response to life, a way of life, of the word-work as thought and responsibility.”

Romance, whimsy, wit and charm can all be found in literary prose. Pan Tadeusz, written by Adam Mickiewicz, considered the “national poem” of Poland, documents the first partitioning of Poland and the hopes pinned on Napoleon’s call-to-arms of Poles to rise up and take back their country. While this work is clever and full of whimsy and romance; it has staying power. It is a historical documentary which speaks to the hearts and minds of Poles and others around the world. It is no small detail that it was developed while Mickiewicz was in exile.

Czesław Miłosz emigrated to the United States in 1960 and became a Professor of Polish literature at the University of California, Berkeley and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Miłosz lived in Warsaw, Poland during and after the Second World War. It was during this time that Miłosz put to pen The Captive Mind. It was a piece described as one of the finest studies of the behavior of intellectuals under a repressive regime. Miłosz’s work was banned under communist rule in Poland. A poem by Miłosz appears on a Gdánsk memorial to protesting shipyard workers who had been killed by government security forces in 1970. This poem, originally composed in 1950, talks to those “who hurt a simple man”.

Wisława Szymborska, a poet from Krakow, Poland participated in underground lessons during the Second World War in order to continue her studies of Polish language and literature. She published her first poem in March 1945, the Szukam słowa (I seek the word). In 1996, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and her works have been translated into many different languages. Her literary works include oppositional poetry and essays which could not be published in Poland, but rather were done so in other countries and then smuggled into Poland. In 1964, she is known to have demanded the freedom of speech in a piece developed for the The Times in the United Kingdom.

The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a non-profit organization and has been chartered with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967. Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish-American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Please read more about John Paul II School of Polish Language at www.polishschool.org.

Polish School Celebrates 40 Years

Walnut Creek, California

The John Paul II School of Polish Language, based in Walnut Creek, California will celebrate 40 years of language, culture and arts education on Saturday, March 15^th at 4:30pm at the Diablo Room at Rossmoor in Walnut Creek. Current faculty, former teachers, and graduates will all gather to share memories and honor those who have contributed to the success of the school. Coffee, tea and desserts will be served. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The school opened in 1967 offering children and adults living in American society access to Polish language and cultural education. Enriching their lives with Polish history and heritage provides with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Since the opening of the school, more than 1000 students have enrolled. 90% of graduates have moved onto higher education using their foreign language credits during college entrance. 200 students at the school have participated in worldwide folk dance competitions and exhibitions, including such events at World Day in Dublin, California and dance festivals in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Poetry and other literary arts are a large portion of the curriculum and students of the school have participated in five theatre performances within the San Francisco Bay Area. The school boasts among its alumni such professionals as engineers, doctors and even an opera performer.

Children as young as three years old are enrolled in the Polish language and culture classes at the Walnut Creek campus which assembles every other Saturday from September to June. Statistically it has been proven that children who learn a second language under the age of ten are more likely to speak it natively and will retain it better over the course of their lives than those who learn later. There is also considerable data which supports the concept that learning a second (or third) language early in life promotes more successful learning in a child’s native language (English). Higher SAT scores, advanced problem-solving skills and even higher mathematics achievements have all been cited.

The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a non-profit organization and has been chartered with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967. Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish-American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Children Present Christmas Story in Polish Language
Walnut Creek, California

The annual celebration of Wigilia (vee-GHEE-lee-uh), or Polish Christmas Eve will be held Saturday, December 13th 2008 at 5:00pm in the Rossmoor Hillside Clubhouse in Walnut Creek, California. The evening is hosted by the John Paul II School of Polish Language and Culture. Advance-purchase tickets are available now for $20.  A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.  Everyone is welcome.

After a blessing to begin the event, the Oplatek (Oh-pwah-tek) will be shared.  The sacred white wafers, much like those used for Holy Communion, are shared with each person present.  During the exchange, good wishes are expressed. This is the most emotional time of the Christmas season for the Polish family. The evening includes a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner of pierogi, fish, cabbage with mushrooms, beet soup and freshly-baked cakes.

During the feasting, the £owiczanie folk dancing troupe will perform the dynamic time-honored National dance from the ancient capital of Cracow – the Krakowiak (Kra-koh-vee-yak). This will be followed by the students of the school performing the traditional Christmas Story in the Polish language. The audience will be transported to Bethlehem and will witness again the birth of Christ including visits from angels. The children, ages 3-17, will deliver their lines in the language of Polish. The entertainment finale will be the children taking the stage to perform two variations of the famous “Krakowiak” dance in authentic period costumes. These historical folk dances originated in Cracovia – a Southern region of Poland admired for its great beauty and romantic history.  The night will close with a visit from Santa Claus with gifts for the children.

To purchase tickets, please contact Basia Szlachta at bszlachta@hotmail.com.

About £owiczanie
Lowiczanie Polish Folk Dance Ensemble was formed in 1975 to research and present authentic programs of Polish traditional music song and dance to Polish and non-Polish audiences. The Ensemble performs throughout the Bay Area and California, and has traveled to present its dynamic repertoire in Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and Washington as well as in Poland. Lowiczanie dancers are dedicated to its non-profit mission of exploring, preserving, teaching and presenting Poland’s rich cultural heritage through presentations of public programs that include concerts, festivals, workshops, classes and private events such as weddings and anniversaries. Lowiczanie’s achievements were recognized by the Polish government in 1989 with the Oskar Kolburg Award for the exemplary service in preserving the cultural traditions of Poland for audiences outside the country’s boundaries, and again in 2000 with a special citation for promoting cultural activities, awarded by the democratic Republic of Poland. For more details visit www.polishfolk.org.

About the Polish School
The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and has been chartered with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967.  Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions.  These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish-American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Children as young as three years old are enrolled in the Polish language and culture classes at the Walnut Creek campus which assembles every other Saturday from September to June.  Children attending the school gain access to appropriate Polish grammar, history, culture and religion.  Fine arts including music, theater, dance and poetry are all part of the rich curriculum.  All contributions are tax deductible.

Please read more about John Paul II School of Polish Language at www.polishschool.org.

Annual Barbórka Ball

Dinner & Auction Fundraiser for Language School

The Annual Barbórka Ball will be held Saturday, November 22 ^nd 2008 from 7:00pm to 1:00am at the Pleasant Hill Recreation Center located at 320 Civic Drive, Pleas anton Hill, California. There will be a traditional Polish holiday dinner buffet, a full bar and live entertainment. A silent auction and raffle will be held in support of the John Paul II School of Polish Language and Culture. Advanced-purchase tickets are available now for $50. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $55. Everyone is welcome.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jacek Wagner at 510.531.7456 or wejherowo@earthlink.net. Donations and auction items are being received by Kathy Janikowski. All contributions are tax deductible.

Several regional and “national” dances will be performed by the renowned Lowiczanie Ensemble of San Francisco, Mary Kay Stuvland, Artistic Director. Selections will include the dynamic “Krakowiak,” a fiery and evocative “Kujawiak/Oberek” duet, a suite of delightful dances of “Old Warsaw” from the inter-War period, the earthy and wild dances of the Rzeszow region of southeastern Poland, as well as the elegant and melodic dances from Cieszyn, a charming Renaissance city in southwestern Poland.

The Barbórka is a traditional Polish feast day in honor of St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners, fire-fighters and militia. St. Barbara was a beautiful maiden imprisoned in a high tower by her father for disobedience. While there, she was tutored by philosophers, orators and poets. With help, she converted to Christianity. She was disowned and murdered for her religious convictions.

The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a non-profit organization and has been chartered with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967. Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish-American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Children as young as three years old are enrolled in the Polish language and culture classes at the Walnut Creek campus which assembles every other Saturday from September to June. Children attending the school gain access to appropriate Polish grammar, history, culture and religion. Fine arts including music, theater, dance and poetry are all part of the rich curriculum.

Please read more about John Paul II School of Polish Language at www.polishschool.org.

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Polish Heritage Festival

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

The annual Polish Heritage Festival will take place in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, October 12^th from 10am-to-5pm. This celebration is hosted by the Polish-American Congress-Northern California Division and will be filled with live music, dancing by costumed folk performers, Polish food, original art and jewelry displays and activities for children. The food menu includes kielbasa, pierogi (stuffed dumpling), kapusta (a sauerkraut dish), golabki (cabbage rolls), and potato pancakes, desserts and pastries, and of course authentic Polish beer! Entertainment will be provided in the Gallery Room of the San Francisco County Fair Building. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Children ages three to seventeen from the John Paul II School of Polish Language, based in Walnut Creek, will be performing historical dances including two variations of the famous “Krakowiak” dance in authentic period costumes. These historical folk dances originated in Cracovia – a Southern region of Poland admired for its great beauty and romantic history.

Several regional and “national” dances will be performed by the renowned Lowiczanie Ensemble of San Francisco, Mary Kay Stuvland, Artistic Director. Selections will include the dynamic “Krakowiak,” a fiery and evocative “Kujawiak/Oberek” duet, a suite of delightful dances of “Old Warsaw” from the inter-War period, the earthy and wild dances of the Rzeszow region of southeastern Poland, as well as the elegant and melodic dances from Cieszyn, a charming Renaissance city in southwestern Poland. Performances will start on the hour, 1pm- 4pm.

The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a non-profit organization and has been charted with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967. Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish- American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities. Please read more about John Paul II School of Polish Language at www.polishschool.org.

Łowiczanie Ensemble of San Francisco now has over 20 national and regional suites, and features approximately 10 pieces in its active repertoire in any given season. The Ensemble often works with live musicians, produces concerts and special events, tours throughout the western United States, and creates unique educational and entertainment programs for presenters as varied as the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Polish community-based festival organizers, public and private school teachers, wedding planners, and individuals. Please read more about Łowiczanie at www.polishfolk.org.

The Polish American Congress is a National Umbrella Organization, representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish descent and origin. Its membership is comprised of fraternal, educational, veteran, religious, cultural, social, business, political organizations and individual membership. The Polish American community prides itself on its deeply rooted commitment to the values of family, faith, democracy, hard work and fulfillment of the American dream. We are present in every state and virtually every community in America, on various social, business and economic levels. Please read more about the Polish American Congress at http://www.polamcon.org/index.html.

Children to Perform Polish Folk Dance at World Day

Day-on-the-Glen Event in Dublin, California

Students of the John Paul II School of Polish Language, based in Walnut Creek, California will be performing at the City of Dublin’s “A World of Fun: Day-on-the-Glen” on Sunday, September 21^st at 11:00am. The World of Fun event celebrates worldwide cultures and features fun for the entire family including carnival attractions, a petting zoo, face painting, wild animal shows and entertainment. The festival will be held both Saturday and Sunday, September 20^th and 21^st, respectively. It will be open from 10am to 5pm.

The children from the Polish School will be performing two variations of the famous “Krakowiak” dance in authentic period costumes. These historical folk dances originated in Cracovia – a Southern region of Poland admired for its great beauty and romantic history. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The John Paul II School of Polish Language is a non-profit organization and has been chartered with the education and continuation of Polish language and culture since 1967. Enriching the lives of the children and adults within the Polish-American community with Polish history and heritage provides them with a closer identity to their roots and family traditions. These experiences also create links and bonds with others within the Polish-American community which can lead to travel, higher education and career opportunities.

Please read more about John Paul II School of Polish Language at www.polishschool.org and the City of Dublin’s Day-on-the-Glen at www.dayontheglen.com.