WE ARE 401: Keeping Cultural Bonds Strong Through Polish School

In our new “WE ARE 401” video we meet EPHS students who have strengthened their own cultural heritage through years of attending Polish School. Some of the students are recent graduates of Polish School, such as junior Max Ryczek and seniors Wiktoria Pijar and Ewelina Swiderski. Others are still attending, such as juniors Veronica Konarkowski and David Platkowski. For all of them, Polish School has helped shape their cultural and personal identity.

Polish School — “Polska Szkola” — is an important part of Chicagoland’s Polish-American community, with 46 area schools and 1,000 teachers educating 13,000 students.

Students can begin classes in preschool or kindergarten and continue for 12 years through high school. Instruction is held Friday afternoons/evenings or Saturday mornings, with classes covering Polish language, culture, history, geography and religion.

In May 2025, 11 current EPHS students graduated from their respective Polish School: current sophomore Maya Gabrys, current juniors Max Ryczek, Mateusz Tolwinski and Martyna Turek, and current seniors Michael Kopacz, Patryk Lowisz, Wiktoria Pijar, Gabriel Rozanski, Eric Sierak, Ewelina Swiderski and Karolina Wojdyla. Join us as we learn more about Polish School and its importance to members of our community!

"WE ARE 401" is a video series highlighting those who have a connection with Elmwood Park Community Unit School District 401, past or present, and whose stories help illustrate who we are.