What began as an initiative driven by a group of committed parents has grown into a meaningful community project, bringing Polish families together and giving their children an opportunity to connect with their roots.
In an interview with Ada Janiszewska, Kasia Grimm shares the story behind the school, the dedication and hard work that keep it running, and the challenges of passing on a cultural identity far from one's homeland. Because preserving Polish heritage is about much more than learning a language or celebrating traditional holidays. It is about belonging, building connections and making sure that the next generation knows where it comes from.
The school’s roots go back to 1967, when members of the Polish community in the San Francisco Bay Area came together with a shared vision: to create a place where children could learn Polish and stay connected to their heritage. Today, the school continues that mission, helping young people develop their language skills while exploring Polish history, geography, literature and folk traditions.
But this is about much more than lessons in a classroom, says Kasia. The school provides a space where children from Polish families can build friendships, develop a sense of belonging and discover a connection to the country of their parents or grandparents. Through cultural celebrations, performances and activities involving families, Polish heritage becomes something they can experience and share, rather than simply learn about.
To learn more about the John Paul II Polish School in Walnut Creek, visit polishschool.org.
(aj)