Polish Alma Mater Inc. (Polska Macierz Szkolna)Teaches Polish language, history, geography, culture and traditions
by Gene Harubin Zygmont (Based on information supplied by Wanda and Janusz Pyter, Zofia Adamowicz, Kazimierz Cybulski and Zbigniew Kowalski.)
Polish schools in the Los Angeles area were organized intermittently at various locations from 1908, but until World War II the Polish community in the area was not numerically significant, was not concentrated in any one area and had no central meeting place. However, in 1944, it had grown large enough to purchase a sizeable property on West Adams Boulevard and build the Church of Our Lady of the Bright Mount, known as the "Polish Parish", which then became not only a religious but also community meeting place.
After World War II, there was a mass influx of Poles into the Los Angeles area. These were mainly Polish servicemen who had served in the Allied cause, or repatriates from Siberian and German slave labor camps, who could not return to a communist dominated Poland. The majority were in their twenties and early thirties, married, starting families or with one or two small children. And, they were concerned that their children should maintain Polish culture far from their mother country.
Thus, in 1952, under the leadership of Zofia Wojciechowska, a new Polish Saturday School was established at the Polish Parish, whose purpose was to provide children with knowledge of the language, history, culture and traditions of their homeland. A model curriculum was established for the school which officially took the name Polska Macierz Szkolna (Polish Alma Mater).
The main course of study was Polish language, written and oral. The students also studied Polish history, geography and literature. In 1962, Polish language classes for non-Polish speaking children were added to the curriculum to accommodate second and third generation Polish Americans. By 1966, the school had 115 pupils, between the ages of 6-14 and, of these, 75% were immigrants.
In 1961, a Polish Summer Camp was organized for the students under the direction of Zbigniew Kowalski; 28 children attended the first session which was held at Richard's Farm near San Juan Capistrano. Succeeding camps were held in the area of the San Bernardino Mountains at locations which offered opportunity for a more expanded sports program. The camp also gave instructions in crafts plus other activities. In 1962, Tadeusz Nowicki became the Director of the Summer Camp and remained in that position until his death in 1989. Parents served as cooks, instructors and handled administrative tasks. The Summer Camp has remained an integral part of the Polish Alma Mater to date.
In 1972, Dr. Franciszka Tuszynska became the new Director of the Polish Alma Mater. Under her aegis, a new school program was adopted and changes made in the curriculum. The school now concentrated on teaching and expanding knowledge of the Polish language; study of Polish history, geography and literature. The students also studied Religion and prepared for First Holy Communion.
In 1990, through Dr. Tuszynska's initiative, the school was registered in the State of California as an independent, non-profit organization under the name Polish Alma Mater, Inc. Administrative Directors, chosen annually by the parents, together with the teaching staff, oversee the overall program of activities. The school has seven grade levels and a kindergarten class which accepts children at age 4. It is held on Saturday from October to June from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The average number of children is 150 with 8 teachers.
From its inception, the school has been financially solvent, thanks to the support it has received from membership dues, Polish organizations, private donors and yearly fund raising activities.
In 1992, the Polish Alma Mater, Inc., celebrated its 40th anniversary. Over the years, dedicated individuals: parents, teachers, administrators and others too numerous to mention, have worked to develop the Polish spirit and to enhance the lives of these young Americans with the knowledge of their forefather's culture and tradition - indeed, the culture and tradition that is also theirs.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.