Public school in Poland - experience with my kids

Someone asked me to tell of my experience putting my kids in public school. So, I thought I'd say just a few words and let you ask questions.

It wasn't very hard in the first place we lived because we lived in the area and had our zameldowania there. The second place (Jozefow), the director didn't want to take us because she was convinced we were some sort of cult and she was afraid of us. How silly. But that's another topic. After a couple of years, we had a mechanic friend who lived in the area speak up for us, and they let us register the next year. Our kids have been in Polish public school since then.

They let them go, even though they were a bit older, into a younger class. I have several kids, so some of them have started in the right age category, but the older ones had to go down some just to be able to start with reading and writing Polish. This helped since they didn't understand too much Polish.

We've kept them in 6 years of Polish elementary school and then taken them out and home-schooled them. My oldest two are in college now in the US and doing fine. The youngest is still in Polish public elementary school (4th grade).

It was not terribly difficult to put them in school. The children were troopers, and in spite of not being able to understand at first, they didn't cry, pitch fits, or anything. So, if you have any more questions, please ask. I'll be glad to answer them.

What do I think of the system? It is rapidly changing. I went to a school meeting last night and for the first time in 8 or 9 years of Polish public school, I came home with a printed out piece of paper with information on it. I wasn't expected to take so many notes...they handed out the information and I could write it on my calendar. I was so pleased. It is humorous to me that we are so behind other parts of the world in this way, but I'm glad it is finally changing.

In our elementary school, the worst problems seem to be running in the halls and noisy kids. If these truly are the worst we have to worry about, then the problems are relatively minor. As far as I know, we don't have a drug problem, or a morality problem. I did hear, however, how some kids had their own black market in cell phones...selling 2500 zl cell phones for 50 zl. last year. So ??? not sure what was going on there. Maybe raising young Mafia members! :)

ill admit that was me lol


that would be appreciated by all i think ... :)

Pupils rob teachers of their phones and sell them in the black market as cheap as dirt.

I was willing to write you an email and keep it private, but I couldn't find any email address. ...

Hello Beck in Jozefow,

I am thinking of moving to Poland in the summer and I have a 7 year old daughter. Neither of us speak any Polish and I am curious about the experience you had placing your children into Polish public schools. We do have family in Poland who are more than happy to help us (not to mention practice Polish).

There is not a lot of information that I have found just yet, but from what I have read so far a non Polish speaking child receives 60 (45 minute) Polish lessons arranged through the school (usually twice a week). Is this true? If so, what happens with the student for the duration of the school day? Was this your experience and was that enough language instruction for your children to be able to function in class?

Thank you for any help you can give me.

I have a 7 year old daughter. Neither of us speak any Polish and I am curious about the experience you had placing your children into Polish public schools.

Same situation here. My daughter has 7, my son has 5 and my youngest daughter has 3.
Only I speak a little bit of polish since I'm taking courses, but my kids only speak english and spanish.
I'm very curious to learn about other's experiences as far as the language barrier.
Thanks.