School Year 2024/25
Kindergarten Class Celebrates Grandparents’ Day
On Saturday, the kindergarten class, under the guidance of their teacher Monika Wiecek and with the help of Paulina Gal, organized a special celebration for Grandparents’ Day.
The youngest students of our school enthusiastically recited poems and shared heartfelt wishes.
“Grandma, Grandpa, what can I do?
I have just one heart for you!
And inside it, roses bright,
May you live in joy and light!”
We thank all Grandparents for attending. Your love and care are the greatest treasures.
Recitation Contest “School Can Be Fun”
This past weekend, our school hosted the exciting Recitation Contest “School Can Be Fun.” Students showcased their talents, proving that recitation is a true art and that the Polish language holds remarkable beauty.
Over the two-day competition, young reciters amazed with their interpretations, creativity, and stage confidence. Congratulations to all participants and winners!
Friday’s Winners:
I place: Zosia Stopka (Grade 6) – “Learning”
II place: Veronica Kalata (Grade 3) – “Our School”
III place: Karol Urbańczyk (Grade 7) – “Empty Promises”
Saturday’s Winners:
I place: Amelia Szczygieł
II place: Nikka Głogowski
III place: Liam Vranicar
IV place: Liliana Rams
We thank the teachers, parents, and judges for their dedication and support, and a special thanks to Ms. Grażyna Pikul from the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union for her invaluable help. Together, we created a remarkable celebration of Polish literature!
First Graders’ Induction Ceremony
This past Friday and Saturday, our first graders officially became part of our school community during their special induction ceremony!
The event kicked off with a fantastic artistic program where the kids recited poems and sang songs. The highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic induction with a giant pencil, followed by the presentation of diplomas and gifts, and of course, a celebration with snacks and treats.
A huge thank you to Mrs. Grażyna Pikul from Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union for her presence and support! We also appreciate our teachers and parents for helping make this day so special.
Congratulations to our first graders—we wish you all the best on your school journey!
 |
 |
Prom in Chicago – A Magical Night!
In the Chicago metropolitan area, the prom for Polish schools is a true celebration, where all Polish schools come together to mark this special time. There’s dancing, awards for the best of the best, and everything is done in grand style!
This is the last big party 100 days before final exams – then it’s time for serious studying.
This year, the top students from our school were selected as:
✨ KINGA STRZAŁKA from the Saturday class
✨ JAKUB WESOŁY from the Friday class
Congratulations to our winners!
Our seniors arrived at their prom in a limousine, ready for an unforgettable night. We wish them a fantastic time and success in their preparations for final exams!
We’re rooting for you!
This year’s Prom Sponsors:
“Santa’s Head” Contest – Holiday Creativity in Action!
Before the holidays, our classes enthusiastically prepared collective artworks representing “Santa’s Head.” The results of this hard work exceeded all expectations – the creativity of the students amazed both teachers and parents!
All the artwork was on display at the Polish-Slavic Federal Credit Union during the holiday break. The winning classes were rewarded with a pizza party sponsored by the board, and all participants received a sweet treat in the form of a lollipop.
We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the students for their dedication and fantastic ideas! We can’t wait for the next contest, where we’ll once again see your creativity!
Check out the gallery to see these amazing works!
Christmas Concert and Christmas Eve.
We wrapped up the year 2024 at the John Paul II Polish School with a bang! The Polanie Dance Group performed an awesome dance, the kids sang Christmas carols loudly and joyfully, and the atmosphere was filled with holiday warmth. Thanks to everyone for your participation and the wonderful moments.
A special thanks to Mr. Myron Cislo, Director of Polish Roman Catholic Union of America – PRCUA District 8, for your presence and support. We’re so glad we could share the joy of our children’s performances with you. Your involvement and presence mean so much to us!
Santa Claus Visit to Our School!
On December 1st and 2nd, our school had a special guest – Santa Claus, who came with Mrs. Claus and some elves. These were two days filled with holiday joy, singing together, and surprises!
On Friday, the kids greeted Santa with Christmas carols and beautiful artwork. In return, they received delicious treats, and the older students enjoyed gift cards and chocolates. Santa was so taken with the atmosphere at our school that he came back on Saturday morning to sing more Polish carols and pastores.
Thanks to Santa and his helpers for the magical time and presents, and to the students for their beautiful carols and smiles!
Independence Day Celebration
On November 10th and 11th, we celebrated Independence Day. It was an important occasion to remind everyone about Poland’s history and to celebrate its freedom.
The students wore white and red, and during the ceremony in the gym, we sang the national anthem together.
Check out the gallery to see how this ceremony looked!
Halloween – Merging Traditions!
Halloween isn’t just a time for fun, but also an opportunity to talk about how diverse and interesting the traditions of different cultures are. Living in America, our students naturally participate in this Celtic tradition, which has evolved over centuries and become one of the most recognizable holidays in American culture.
On October 27th and 28th, the youngest students, dressed in colorful costumes, participated in a school parade and trick-or-treated, while the older students cheered them on. Halloween is a great opportunity to discuss Polish traditions, like Dziady, which had a similar symbolic meaning – connecting the living with the spirits and reminding us to honor our ancestors.
This meeting of traditions is a perfect way for kids to better understand their roots and learn to respect other cultures.
Patron’s Day – A Celebration with Pope John Paul II
On October 20th and 21st, we celebrated Patron’s Day at our school – Pope John Paul II. The Polish School, named after the Polish Pope, was officially opened on January 24th, 1980, just after Karol Wojtyła was elected pope. This event inspired a group of Poles from Lemont to establish the school, with the goal of preserving Polish identity among children in the diaspora.
For Patron’s Day, we encouraged our students to wear school shirts that reminded us of our heritage and strengthened our sense of community. Celebrating this day together became an opportunity to reflect on the values Pope John Paul II passed on to us – respect for the past, responsibility for the future, and love for our country.
Teacher’s Day Celebration – A Gesture of Gratitude for Teachers
On Teacher’s Day, celebrated on October 14th, we expressed our gratitude for the constant effort and unwavering commitment of our teachers. It’s a day when we thank all educators for their daily work, patience, and dedication to the growth of our children.
To mark the occasion, we organized a reception for the entire teaching staff to symbolically honor this special day. We thank our teachers for their passion, professionalism, and the heart they put into educating and shaping our students.
Your work means so much – you are not just teachers, but guides who help young people discover the world and shape their future.
September 28, 2024: Students from grades 2-5 participated in the play “The Mischievous Flea” by Jan Brzechwa, performed by actors from “Teatr Nasz”.
Want to hear a fairytale? Here’s one:
There once was a Mischievous Flea.
An unbelievable thing, really,
For someone so small and silly
From such a lowly flea family
To pull off such pranks and tricks,
Like this flea, folks, just watch her do her thing…
Directed by: Agata Paleczny
Costumes by: Patricia Stepniak
Featuring: Magdalena Miskowiec, Aldona Olchowska, Aga Sarrafian, Kasia Zytkiewicz, Iwona Szewczyk, Lili Totten, Andrzej Krukowski
School Year 2023/24
This post is also available in: Polish
Grzegorz Karkoszka
