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School History

1954, wrzesień

Meeting of Rev. Dr. Tadeusz Nagengast, Mrs. Wanda Buska and Mrs. Janina Jankowska-Zygiel.
The decision was made to organize a Polish school.

1954, 9 październik

The first classes were held in the Polish House, provided by the Polish-Canadian Society. The older group was taught by Mrs. J. Zygiel, the younger group by Mr. W. Buska. About 80 children signed up.

1955, May

Pierwsza akademia szkolna. Dzień Matki. "Szkółka" nabiera uznania w oczach Polonii.

Pierwsze zebranie rodziców. Ustalenie opłaty za szkołę, wynagrodzenia dla nauczycieli oraz przyjęcie nazwy: Szkoła Polska im. Henryka Sienkiewicza.

1955, summer

Scout and school colony at the rectory of Rev. Prelate Józef Kochan on Flat Lake.

1955, September

A kindergarten is established, run by Mrs. Zofia Lukasiewicz.

1956

Pani W. Buska rezygnuje z pracy w szkole. Zaczyna prace p. Maria Chrzanowska. Przedszkole prowadzi
p. Stefania Wawrzynowska.

1960, February 19

Powstaje Komitet Rodzicielski. Pierwszą przewodniczacą zostaje Pani Hanna Bednarska.

1963

1963 - The school principal, Mr. Andrzej Kupski, together with members of the Congress, develops the SCHOOL STATUTE and REGULATIONS.

1964

Mr. Andrzej Kupski returns to Poland. Management is assumed by Ms. Maria Chrzanowska.

1965, 13 wrzesień

Mr. Michał Jędrasik initiates the formation of a dance group at the school.

1969

The dance group was handed over to Mr. Zbigniew Filipowski.

1965, September 13

Mr. Michał Jędrasik initiates the formation of a dance group at the school.

1970

First course for teachers in Kashubia, Ontario.
5 people were delegated from Edmonton.

1970

Youth meeting from Alberta on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of FRYDERYK CHOPIN.

1972, September

The school receives premises in
SACRED HEART COMMUNITY SCHOOL.

1972

Arrival of the Sisters Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Edmonton.

1972

2nd National Canadian Teacher Training Course.

1973

Siostry Służebniczki NMP rozpoczynają pracę w szkole.

1979

25th anniversary of the school. Publication of the Songbook for children and youth in the YEAR OF THE CHILD.

1980

The school becomes a member of AELTA, later NAHLA, currently IHLA.

1981

Introducing amendments and changes to the SCHOOL STATUTE and REGULATIONS.

1982

School participation in the sports festival organized by AELTA.

1984

Introduction of the bilingual (English - Polish) John Paul II curriculum
in an all-day school (currently St. Basil School).

1986

Ks. Dr Teofil Szendzielarz organizuje przy szkole Młodzieżowy Klub Dyskusyjny, który następnie prowadzi
o. Mieczyslaw Fidyka OMI.

1984

Mrs. Maria Chrzanowska resigns from her job at the school
(after 31 years). The school management is taken over
Ms. Alicja Stasiak-Teletynska.

1987, October 27

A school student, Magdalena Tomczak, dies a martyr's death.

1988, October 21

Introducing the following changes
to the SCHOOL STATUTE and REGULATIONS.

1990

The number of children at the school exceeds 300. During the year the school is directed by Ms. Bogumila Szulc.

1990, September

In the southern part of the city, a second Saturday Polish school named after Maria Chrzanowska is being established.

1992

Introduction of Teachers' Day celebrations with the participation of three Polish schools in Edmonton.

1992, June

As part of the Children's Day celebrations, the Parents' Committee brings a Krakow actor with a performance of "Winnie the Pooh". An invitation to a joint performance of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts from Edmonton troops.

1993

Establishment of the Edmonton Branch of the Polish Teachers' Union (the core members are teachers from our school).

1994, maj

Mother's Day. Polonia could watch the verbal and musical montage at school, after the meeting of the Polish-Canadian Society in the Church of the Holy Rosary or hear it on the radio in the "Angelus of the Lord" broadcast.

1994, October 15

Joint school and scouting banquet at the Polish House
on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the scout school and scouts
in our city. Exhibition of the achievements and history of the school.

1994, October 22

First place in the collective recitation category in the recitation competition organized by the Federation of Polish Women in Canada.

1995, January 27

On the initiative of the Parents' Committee, a charitable organization, the Society of Friends of the Polish School, was established.

1995/1996, grudzień

Credit Rate (until mid-June), for the first time
in our school.

1998

Mr. Andrzej Proczkowski will take over the duties of the school principal until the end of the year.

1998, September

The school principal, Ms. Alicja Stasiak-Teletynska, is once again handing over the functions of the school principal.
Mr. Andrzej Proczkowski.

1998, December 2

Funeral of Mrs. Alicja Stasiak (ten-year school principal).

1999

Sponsoring of the Alicja Stasiak Challenge Cup for exemplary student attitude and involvement in school life by the Parents’ Committee.

2000, February 26

Recitation and art competition for Polish children
on the occasion of the Millennium. The prizes were funded by the Parents' Committee.

2000, October 31

Registration of the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School Parent Association in Alberta
(former Parents' Committee).

2001

School participation in the recitation and art competition organized by the ZNP Edmonton Branch and the Magda Tomczak Children's Aid Foundation.

2001, June 30

Kierownikiem szkoły zostaje mianowana p. Krystyna Dembowska.

2001, September

The school moves to Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School.

2001, September

Ninth grade introduced for the first time
to the entire program.

2001, September

Increased study time: from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

2001, December 24

Approval of the statute of the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School Parent Association.

2002, luty

Zabawa Walentynkowa pod nazwa "Nasze serduszka dla Babci i Dziadka" dla wszystkich dzieci z Polonii.

2002, June

Dwudniowa wycieczka do Drumheller i okolic w celu poznania Zabytków Klasy Zerowej UNESCO.

2003, September 1

Obtaining permission to run the Polish 15, 25, 35 program and grant loans. Obtaining the status of an accredited school. Introduction of extracurricular activities

in the so-called Art Circle.

2004, March

Participation in a recitation competition organized by the Federation of Polish Women, Branch No. 3 and the Magda Tomczak Children's Aid Foundation.

2004, September 25

Reunion 2004 at the Veterans' Home.

2004, November 6

Bankiet 50-cio lecia szkoły.

School achievements

2008

Martyna Stryjski, an eighth-grade student, won third place in the prestigious, international Sienkiewicz Competition in Sosnowiec, Poland;

2014-2019

two students won the winners' awards, i.e. a trip to Poland – "the trip of a lifetime";

Several times

first and second places (including a trip to Poland) for students as winners in the "Being Polish" competition;

2022

zakwalifikowanie się uczennicy kl. 5 do reprezentowania Kanady w Konkursie Recytatorskim „Słowem Polska”;

2022

udział 8 osób (nauczyciele i członkowie KR) w XVI Zjeździe Nauczycieli Polonijnych i Komitetów Rodzicielskich Ameryki Północnej w Toronto;

2023

2 pierwsze nagrody w 53 Konkursie Recytatorskim organizowanym przez Fundację im. Wł. Reymonta
w Kanadzie- wyjazd do Polski;

Other achievements

Increase in teaching hours (3.5), creation of grade 9 and then secondary school grades (10, 11, 12)
with the possibility of granting loans for the Polish language;

Polish 15 - 5 credits, Polish 20 - 5 credits, Polish 25 - 5 credits on the certificate
matriculation examination;

Obtaining the status of an "Accredited School" and registering it with the "Private Schools in Alberta" Department.

On-site teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic!

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