FAQ

Classes at the school begin in the last week of September and end in the first week of June.

The school is open to children who have reached the age of 5 years no later than August 31 preceding the start of the school year.

At PSS, we offer education for children of preschool age, but not younger than 5 - this is "kindergarten".

Registration of a child for school is done throughout the year. You should send your child's application by e-mail, stating his/her name and date of birth. Enrollment of a child is not equivalent to enrollment in the list of students. Confirmation of your child's enrollment in the school for the school year will be sent in August, at which time you must pay a registration fee of $50.00 (the registration fee is non-refundable) Parents of all students attending the school are required to submit an annual registration form.

Classes at PSS are held 22 times a school year, on Saturdays according to a predetermined schedule from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Classes are held in a building located on the grounds of St. Brother Albert Parish. There are seven classrooms in the school building. The classrooms are equipped with all the necessary teaching aids, school supplies adapted to the age of the children studying in each class.

At the Polish Language Saturday School the children learn Polish verbally and in writing in a friendly atmosphere through play. Curriculum covers aspects of culture, traditions and Polish customs, as well as the rules of spelling, grammar and punctuation applicable to the Polish language.

The school program also includes lessons on Polish history and geography, as well as classes on selected issues of our country's culture, including its prominent representatives.

Children are assigned to classes based on their age and Polish language skills. Most children start at grade zero and continue through grades 1-8. Older children have a short interview, during which their fluency in speaking and reading Polish is assessed. On this basis, they are initially assigned to the most suitable class for a trial period. After its completion, the teacher, in consultation with the Director, decides on permanent assignment to the class, or transfer to a higher or lower class.

The curriculum at the Polish School is based on the program approved by the Association of Polish Teachers in North America. The methodology of teaching Polish as a second language, requires different teaching principles. Children studying at our school are surrounded by the English language, which they hear and use almost everywhere - at school, in the store, on the radio, on television, in extracurricular activities, and interacting with their peers. We have to remember that for our children, English is quickly becoming the dominant language and Polish often comes as a second language.

The classes are taught by female teachers with many years of experience in teaching children. Most have higher education in Polish or humanities, as well as a teaching background. Currently, the PSS has a teaching staff of 12. Our teachers are characterized by great commitment and joy in working with children and young people.

The number of children per class varies between 10 and 12. Usually the youngest classes, i.e. kindergarten and first grade, are the most numerous.

Learning the Polish language is no different from learning other subjects, and therefore must be based on classroom work and work at home. Students have homework that allows them to master or consolidate the material learned in class at school. In addition, it is worth noting that the success of children studying at our school depends largely on the involvement of their parents, how much they help their children with their studies and homework, and, above all, on their consistent use of the Polish language in everyday life.

Learning Polish does not interfere with learning in an American school. Many years of research in the fields of developmental psychology, neuropsychology and linguistics emphasize that children's bilingualism has a positive impact on their intellectual development and overall level of intelligence.

All students will receive a set of textbooks on the first day of the new school year. The textbooks are multi-year and in order to reduce the cost of teaching materials they are loaned to students for the duration of the school year. Reading and history books are returned by students in June, exercises are kept. If a textbook is lost, a parent will be able to purchase a new copy from the school.

$650.00 for 1 child
$1100.00 for 2 children
$1500.00 for 3 children
Payment for school tuition can be spread over two installments, 1st installment when the child enrolls in school, 2nd installment by January 30 of the following year. Non-refundable registration fee is $50.00Families not enrolled in St. Brother Albert Parish pay school fees $50.00 higher.

The forms of payment accepted by PSS are checks made out to Polish Saturday School and cash.

PSS does not have the right to issue certificates on outlined prints as in Poland. PSS issues its own certificates, which really only have commemorative value for the child.

The school does not organize transportation of children to and from school.

Parents, by enrolling their child in the School, undertake to work 10 hours for the School, The Polish School is a non-profit organization, subsisting solely on tuition fees and donations. In order to cover budget shortfalls, the Board of Directors of the Polish School organizes income-generating events during the school year at which the help of parents is necessary. When enrolling children in the school, parents declare what kind of community service they want to engage in. Social work for the Polish School may include: helping to prepare the school picnic, helping to organize additional events, such as the Nativity play, Santa Claus' visit, searching for Easter eggs. Participation in meetings for parents and active involvement in the activities of the Polish Saturday School is indispensable for the existence of the school.

If a child suffers an accident, parents will be notified immediately. For minor injuries, a teacher or school leader trained in first aid will provide assistance at school. The child will remain in the care of the teacher until he or she can return to class, or until picked up by a parent. For injuries requiring medical attention, an ambulance will be called. No medication will be administered to the child without prior parental consent. Parents are required to declare at the beginning of each school year any chronic illnesses ( epilepsy, allergies).

Since the day PSS was established, catechesis lessons were held as part of Polish Saturday School classes. In 2011 they were moved to Sundays and are conducted regularly every Sunday from 11:45 am to 12:30 pm. The religious education is not mandatary, and is not a part of the curriculum of the Polish Saturday School. The condition for admission to catechization is formal enrollment in the parish and completion of a form. Catechization will be offered to children from the age of 5 who are fluent in Polish.

PSS does not publish the image of children for commercial purposes, nor does it sell or share materials containing personal information. When filling out the application form, parents declare whether or not they consent to the publication of the student's photo for educational purposes.