End of the School Year
On May 17th and 18th, our school hosted the end-of-year celebrations, bringing together families, students, and teachers to celebrate the achievements of the past year. Friday evening and Saturday morning were filled with formal ceremonies for awarding certificates, thanking teachers, and a performance by the “POLANIE” dance group. Teachers, who passionately and devotedly support the development of our students, were honored with symbolic gifts as a token of appreciation for their unwavering effort and dedication.
Thank you all for another successful school year! We wish you sunny, safe, and joyful holidays. See you in the new school year!
Graduation and Special Events for Grades 8 and 11 – Spring 2024
Final Exams
On April 19th and 20th, the written final exams took place, while oral exams were held on May 3rd and 4th. Congratulations to all the 11th-grade students who completed this important stage of their education!
Mass
On May 5th at 11:00 AM, a special mass was held at the SSCM Church to celebrate the graduation of the 8th and 11th-grade students.
Graduation Ball
On Saturday, May 5th, at 5:00 PM, the unforgettable Graduation Ball took place at Crystal Grand in Lemont. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of the 11th-grade students with family and friends.
Brunch for 8th Graders
A brunch was organized for the 8th-grade students, which took place on May 12th at 10:30 AM at Crystal Grand. It was a special event where we celebrated their achievements and wished them the best for the years ahead.
A big thank you to everyone who helped organize these events!
May 3rd Parade 2024. Students from grades 5-10 and the “Polanie” dance group participated in the May 3rd Parade. Younger children were also able to join the parade with a parent. The school again marched under the patronage of PRCUA, which sponsored the school buses. Thanks to this, participation in the parade was free for our students. You can find the parade report here.
Costume Ball – Carnival Fun for the Young Ones!
It wasn’t just the parents who had fun during carnival – the kids had their very own special party! This year, tradition met fun as we combined “Fat Thursday” with a colorful costume ball for our students. Everyone, regardless of age, received a delicious donut, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy!
The little ones dressed up as their favorite characters, and older students painted beautiful butterflies on their faces. There were also attractions – together, we made balloon swords and animals, which brought big smiles to the kids’ faces.
Charity Carnival Ball for Parents – Retro Vibes and a Great Time!
On Saturday, February 3rd, the parents of our students had a blast at the Charity Carnival Ball, which took place at Crystal Grand in Lemont. It was not only a fantastic party but also a unique opportunity to support the school and our community.
This year, the ball had a PRL (People’s Republic of Poland) theme – memories from the past came alive on the dance floor and at the cold table, which featured classic items like pickled cucumbers and pretzel sticks. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, music from the DJ, and an open bar that set the carnival mood.
Thanks to the generosity of the parents and sponsors, an impressive $5,865 was raised! These funds will be used for holiday gift packages, treats for school events, and prizes for competitions, making learning even more fun for our students.
Charity events like this help us minimize extra costs for parents while also creating opportunities for community bonding and celebration. A big thank you to everyone who participated and supported our school.
Check out how we enjoyed this unforgettable evening! Can you spot your favorite retro outfits?
Student Enrollment Ceremony – Welcoming First Graders!
On January 19th and 20th, our school hosted an emotional ceremony – the Student Enrollment Ceremony. A new group of enthusiastic, energetic, and smiling first-graders joined our school.
The children presented a beautiful artistic program, after which the traditional enrollment ceremony took place. The principal officially made each child a student using a symbolic large pencil.
After this special moment, the first-graders received diplomas, gifts, and a sweet treat, which made for a perfect ending to this exceptional event.
Congratulations to all our youngest students! We wish you a school experience full of success, unforgettable moments, and wonderful friendships.
Check out the photo gallery (Friday, Saturday) and see how beautiful these special moments were!
Prom 2025 – A Celebration for Graduates and the Success of the Best!
On Saturday, January 28th, our high school seniors attended the prestigious Prom, which gathered students from Polish schools across the Chicago metropolitan area. The event took place at the elegant Drury Lane banquet hall in Oakbrook Terrace.
At the prom, as part of the prestigious “Best of the Best” initiative organized by the Polish Teachers Association in America, outstanding students were recognized for their achievements and dedication. Representing our school were Alexander Lazarowicz and Sebastian Gryglak, who received prestigious monetary awards.
It was a wonderful, unforgettable evening. Thank you to the students, teachers, and parents who participated!
Christmas Concert and Christmas Eve. Just before the holiday break, Christmas Eves were held in the classrooms, followed by a Christmas performance by the “Polanie” group in traditional folk costumes for the parents. After the classes ended, a Christmas treat was organized for the teachers.
On December 1/2, Santa Claus and his assistants handed out gift bags filled with sweets (gift cards and chocolates for older students) funded by the school to the children.
Independence Day (November 10-11): The school commemorated Independence Day, and students came dressed in white and red. During the ceremony in the gymnasium, the national anthem was sung.
Trips to Poland
In the 2023/2024 school year, we managed to return to old traditions and organize two trips to Poland. The seniors visited southern Poland in November, while the eighth graders explored the treasures of Polish culture and history scattered across northern Poland. The trips were packed with fascinating educational content, offering our students unforgettable experiences.
Halloween Following the American tradition, we celebrated Halloween at school on October 27/28. The younger students dressed up in their favorite costumes, proudly parading them through the school hallways. Older students cheered them on, while board members and school management handed out candy to the kids.
NEXT Conference (October 28): High school students participated in the NEXT Talks for Future Generations conference.
October 21, 2023, students attended the show “Beauty is Within You” at the Copernicus Center in Chicago. It was a musical performance for children prepared by the Little Stars Theater Workshops. The script (by Piotr Kukuła) was filled with humorous and witty scenes, full of instructive and touching moments. The performance featured debut songs as well as classic favorites passed down through generations, such as “The Strange Duck,” “Welcome to Our Fairy Tale,” and poems like “The Locomotive” and “The Self-Praise.”
The school participated in a contest organized by the Polish-Slavic Federal Credit Union (PSFCU). Students Nicolas Tomala and Gabriela Kuruc placed 3rd in their respective age categories. Congratulations! The school also received a special award for outstanding involvement in the contest, which was used to purchase two educational televisions for the school’s needs.
Patron’s Day (October 20-21): We celebrated Patron’s Day with a formal ceremony for the students. To commemorate this day, students were encouraged to wear school t-shirts.
Teacher’s Day Celebrations (October 14) – In the spirit of Polish tradition, we expressed our gratitude for the ongoing effort and unwavering commitment of our teachers. A special treat was organized for the teaching staff.
October 14, 2023, students from grades 2–5 attended the performance “Pippi” at Saint Patrick High School in Chicago, presented by the Modjeska Theater Studio. The show “Pippi Longstocking” was an unforgettable encounter with the charming nine-year-old heroine from Astrid Lindgren’s novels. Her carrot-colored hair, wild imagination, and remarkable courage took our 2nd–5th-grade students into a world full of adventure and fun.
This post is also available in: Polish
Grzegorz Karkoszka
