Teachers from the Janta-Połczyński Polish Supplementary School in Lakewood met for their annual methodological workshops. On the agenda: changes in Polish spelling, cybersecurity, and integration with a snowman.
New Polish spelling rules from 2026 — how to teach children overseas?
The weekend workshops began with a topic that electrifies every Polish diaspora teacher — changes in Polish spelling effective from January 2026. Teachers discussed the new regulations with specific examples and “was – is” comparisons, looking for ways to convey them to students clearly and without causing stress.
For children learning Polish in the USA, where the Polish language functions mainly at home and in Saturday school, every rule change is a double challenge. The discussion showed how important it is for the teacher to feel confident with the new rules before facing the class.
Cybersecurity in a teacher’s work — a topic that cannot wait
The second block of workshops concerned digital threats in the daily work of the school — from document storage to secure communication with parents. The exchange of experiences revealed how much concern the internet space raises among teachers working with student data.
The discussion was so engaging that it could have lasted much longer. It was summarized by a quiz on the Kahoot platform, which, in a light, competitive atmosphere, helped consolidate the most important rules.
Snowman, walks, and Polish cinema — Polish diaspora integration
Workshops are not just about content. The winter weather encouraged walks and building a snowman together — a moment of joy appreciated by everyone, regardless of their length of service. In the evening, teachers engaged with Polish culture: they recognized fragments of film adaptations, guessed musical pieces, and recited literary classics. Charades based on school readings provoked bursts of laughter and proved that Polish culture can still connect generations — even thousands of kilometers from home.
Polish school in Lakewood invites you
The Aleksander Janta-Połczyński Polish Supplementary School in Lakewood is one of many Polish diaspora institutions that have been ensuring for years that children of Polish families in America maintain contact with the language and culture. Classes are held on Friday evenings.
More information: www.psdlakewood.com
Polish supplementary schools operate in dozens of cities across the USA — from Chicago to New York, from New Jersey to Florida. If you run or know a Polish diaspora school and want to share your story, write to us at poland.us. The Voice of Polonia is your voice.
