History of PSS in San Jose, California

Polish emigration began arriving in San Jose gradually, reaching its apogee in the 1980s. Poles left the country with whole families and settled in the economically promising region of Northern California. Unlike the earlier emigration arriving after World War II, which quickly and readily assimilated into the community of native Californians, the "Solidarity" emigration tried at all costs to maintain strong ties with the homeland. Therefore, immediately after meeting the basic needs of finding a job and housing, one of the top priorities of Polish parents was to ensure that their children had access to education in Polish, so that they could communicate with their family left behind in Poland, read Polish books, and learn about the history and traditions of their homeland. This was the background for the establishment of the Polish Saturday School in San Jose. The founder and first principal of the Polish Saturday School (PSS) in San Jose was Mrs. Miroslawa Bednarczyk, a "Solidarity" activist from Poland who settled in San Jose with her family. The school's charter was approved on May 18, 1987, and PSS was registered with state and federal authorities as a legal and independently operating, tax-free nonprofit organization in the state of California. This day is considered the official date of the founding of the Polish Saturday School in San Jose. The school grew rapidly. In the first year of the school's operation, 21 students volunteered to attend PSS. With each passing year, there were more children interested in learning Polish and dedicated teachers actively involved in the school's affairs. Currently, there are about 85 children attending PSS.

From the beginning, the primary problem faced by PSS was the difficulty of premises. During the first few years of the school's operation, classes were held in three different locations:

1. Montessori School in San Jose (495 Massar Ave.)
2. Bethel Lutheran Church in Cupertino (10181 Finch Ave)
3. Queen of Apostles School in San Jose (4911 Moorpark Ave)
4. Church of the Foothills/ American Baptist Church (10160 Clayton Rd)

The need to rent rooms was associated with additional costs and inconvenience. Teachers were forced to take books, notebooks, school supplies, and other useful aids home after classes. They also had to adapt to specific schedules and imposed conditions. In 1990, Mrs. Alicja Sulczyńska took over as the director of PSS. A year later, the school obtained a favorable location at the American school near Saint Cyprian's Church in Sunnyvale (1133 W. Washington Ave). This achievement was largely due to the former pastor of the Polish parish, Fr. Andrzej Maślejak, and Fr. Stanisław Żak. The school's location situation improved significantly compared to previous years. Children now studied in well-equipped classrooms. The school had a sports field, a gymnasium, and a large fenced green area where students could safely play during breaks. The class schedule was also extended (for a period of two years) from two to three Saturdays a month. Unfortunately, during the period when classes were held three times a month, student attendance dropped, so the schedule returned to two Saturdays a month. Between 1996-1997, Mrs. Kamila Kraszewska served as the director of PSS. In 1997, at a parishioner meeting, Mrs. Barbara Stamberg was elected as the new head of PSS. That same year, it was decided to change the location of the Polish Saturday School to facilitate parents bringing their children to classes and to centralize Polish organizations around the Polish Parish Mission. For the next three years, PSS classes were held near the Polish church at the Church of the Foothills / American Baptist Church (10160 Clayton Rd).
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Soon after the consecration of the Polish church, the parishioners, observing the rising cost of renting space for the school, as well as noting the steady increase in the number of children enrolled in the PSS, decided to erect a separate building dedicated to the school in the church's parking lot. Thanks to the efforts and generosity of parishioners, the work progressed very quickly with the considerable unpaid help of volunteers, including the headmistress, teachers, parents, as well as PSS graduates. In 2000, a newly constructed school building was put into use, which further contributed to the increase in the number of children attending the Polish School.

Since then, PSS and Scouting have had their permanent premises, where school classes and scout meetings are held. The new building houses seven classrooms (some arranged "thematically" - so there is a history class, a kindergarten class, a religious class, and a scouting room) and a teachers' room. The classrooms are equipped with all the necessary teaching aids, school supplies, as well as book collections are adapted to the age of the children studying in each class. About 100 children in eight age ranges are educated in the PSS. For the youngest, a zero class is organized. Classes are held every second Saturday of the month except during vacations. In addition, there are Polish language classes for adults, remedial courses for children with poor Polish language skills, painting workshops and scout meetings. The school currently has a teaching staff of 13, and a group of parents actively involved in preparing classes and lunches. Most of the teachers have pedagogical training, so they are well prepared to work with children. Polish Saturday School is an ethnic institution. It is attended by children who have learned the Polish language at home, and at school they polish and broaden their knowledge of the language. The main emphasis is placed on learning Polish in speech and writing. The school program also includes lessons in Polish history and geography, as well as classes on selected issues of our country's culture, including its prominent representatives.

During the school year, the school management together with the teaching staff with the help of parents organize various events for children of a more general nature. Santa Claus' visit, the picnic at the end of the school year, and events related to national holidays such as the anniversaries of regaining independence and the adoption of the May 3 Constitution are already part of the tradition. Very popular is the Nativity play - a performance staged by PSS students during the traditional parish Christmas Eve. In recent years, a new event has also begun to develop, which we hope will become one of the more popular cultural events organized by the Polish Saturday School: Recitation Contest and Talent Parade. The event is open to PSS students, scouts and all Polish children, as well as youth from St. Brother Albert Parish. Contestants are judged and awarded in three age categories, and PSS families, friends and teachers provide an appreciative audience for them. The young performers often manage to make the listeners laugh, surprise and even move them. Thanks to the diverse and varied activities of the Polish Saturday School, the students have a chance to get closer to Polish tradition, culture and history - to what is dear and close to the hearts of their Parents and Grandparents.

Barbara Stamberg, Joanna Banach 05-22-2019