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National Conference for the Social Studies November 13-15, 2015 Polish Perspectives Exhibit New Orleans, Louisiana Ernest N. Morial Convention Center report by: Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki

The American Council for Polish Culture participated in the Exhibit called Polish Perspectives at the 96th National Council for the Social Studies Conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Warehouse District, New Orleans, Louisiana. This was the 16th year that the ACPC participated. The Polish Perspectives exhibit was located in the International Alley.

Participating this year were Debbie Majka past president of ACPC, Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki (see bio sketch) and Jason Franzen from Minnesota.

1. International Alley Sign Our address, right there

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2. Jason Franzen, Ray Glembocki, Debbie Majka at the ACPC booth

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3. Jester - symbolic of New Orleans Fun is a serious business

At this particular conference, there were 3,679 educators in attendance with 190 exhibiting organizations. Teachers were from Alaska, Tenn. Miss, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, Alabama, New York, Georgia Wisconsin Maryland, Virginia and California all with the same requests -- seeking materials for their classes in World History, Holocaust Studies, American History, and Social Studies classes. We were equipped with educational materials for teachers and received many comments about the amount of material available and the effort we made to make the booth come alive with customs and traditions.

4. A Display of Aquila Polonica Books

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5. Polish candies are always a favorite

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6. Our ACPC Booth

Many teachers remembered the Polish confectionaries from previous years, The Polish Wooden Pisanki donated by the late Paul Bosse were a very sweet remembrance of all the donations that Mr. Bosse had made over the years. Teachers were thrilled to receive his special gift of a wooden pisanki.

Many local teachers charmed us with Let the Good Times Roll but in French Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez as this is Cajun expression. The local teachers were charming and eager to gather books, bookmarks and items as they didn't need to worry about traveling back with heavy bags. Teachers were especially pleased with the series of posters that were recently developed by Raymond Glembocki. They were acquainted with famous people as Madam Curie, Pulaski. Kosciusko and Paderewski but little did they know that Martha Stewart, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Marie Curie were of Polish descent.

Teachers of American History focused upon the Jamestown craftsmen and the glass production that they developed. Book marks (200) supplied by Dr. Andrej Pronczuk and the Polish American Alliance. Book marks with Jamestown Craftsmen or that the Craftsmen were the leaders of the first civil rights protest in America that provided the right to vote.

7. Ray Glembocki with teachers

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8. Debbie Majka, Jason Franzen, Cecilia Glembocki at the ACPC booth

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9. The Kosciuszko-Pulaski Poster

The theme of this year's conference was The Core of Teaching and Learning. The cost of the booth was $1,300 and rental of the tables was $309.00. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Poland helped with the costs of the booth.

The newly developed CD of Contributors of Polish Heritage was a huge success. The actual 11 x 17 posters were presented on story boards. Each teacher found something of interest whether it was about the history of Poland, the U.S.-Polish Constitution Comparison or the Journalists and Congressman. Each teacher found one or more that they could supplement their course of studies with one of these easy to read posters. We had distributed 300 CDs through the course of two days with a waiting list of those who specifically wanted this CD. An additional mailing will be made to send them our list of materials and lesson plans made available through the ACPC web site.

10. Debbie presented an ACPC CD to exhibitor Norm Conard

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11. Display of our materials

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12. Cecilia shares leaflets with a civics teacher.

13. Polish Customs and Traditions

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14. CD's and materials ready to be handed out

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15. Easter customs poster

THE CD HAS 27 POSTERS OF "CONTRIBUTORS OF POLISH HERITAGE TO SCIENCE ARTS AND FREEDOM"
TWO AMERICAN MOST DECORATED WORLD WAR II HEROES ORCHESTRA CONDUCTORS AND PIANISTS CONTEMPORARY SPORTS STARS

MATHEMATICS AND MEDICAL RESEARCH TELEVISION HOSTS AND ACTORS RIGHTEOUS AMONG THE NATIONS

SAINTS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PHYSICS AND MEDICAL RESEARCH PAINTER, MURALIST AND PATRIOT
THE END OF COMMUNISM IN EUROPE AMERICAN AND POLISH CONSTITUTION

AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

GRAPHIC ARTISTS BUSINESS CRYPTOLOGISTS

SPORTS LEGENDS ASTRONOMERS ASTRONAUTS

NATIONAL SECURITY LEADERS OF ARMIES CLASSICAL COMPOSERS

SAINT JOHN PAUL II ART, SCIENCE, MUSIC JAMESTOWN COLONY

WRITERS JOURNALISTS POLITICAL REPS

WOJTEK -- THE BEAR THAT WENT TO WAR

16. Ray Glembocki with teacher and Artur Szyk print

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17. Debbie Majka ia alway ready to answer questions at the ACPC booth

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18. Teacher was happy to get some candy

JAMESTOWN BOOKMARKS Compliments of Dr. Andrej Pronczuk Boston affiliate
HANDOUTS JPII BOOKMARKS, POSTERS -- Friends of John Paul II Foundation of Washington

POLISH CONFECTIONARIES Complement of ACPC
MAPS OF POLAND Embassy of Poland
MAPS OF KRAKOW Embassy of Poland
POLAND TRAVEL BOOKLETS Embassy of Poland

20 Copies of a game Monte Casino cooperatively developed by Jason Franzen from the Polish National Archives, as well as the 2 games Defense of Lwow and 10 of the Defense of Warsaw from the Instytut Pamieci Narodowej. (Institute of National Remembrance)

AQUILA POLONICA - 3 copies of the following books:
THE MERMAID AND THE MESSERSCHMITT
THE ICE ROAD
303 SQUADRON
THE AUSCHWITZ VOLUNTEER
THE COLOR OF COURAGE

3 copies of the "SIEGE" DVDS
30 copies for the Educators Guide for book - "THE COLOR OF COURAGE" WHICH CONFORMS TO THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS

Aquila Polonica publishing company and Terry Tegnazian, President were so gracious as to supply us with many books. The teachers could hardly believe they were a gift from the publisher. It was as though they received a Christmas gift early. The WOWs and thanks were heartwarming to know we gave them a valuable piece of history to read and discuss with their students.

The Karski Lesson plans that followed the Common Core Curriculums standards were extremely popular. These lessons plans are accessible through the ACPC's web site. The Karski Educational Foundation supplied Karski Lesson plans, CDs and educational leaflets.

19. Ray Glembocki and Debbie Majka at the booth

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20. poster display at the ACPC booth

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21. Display of Aquila Polonica books

The American Council for Polish Culture supplied teachers with a special Polish confectionary. Yearly the teachers come by because they know we always have these at our booth. The chocolate candies are perfectly fresh and an unusual treat like no other booth on the floor.

The Christmas wafer, the Oplatek was displayed as well as our lovely pisanki with a decorate palm that was used to bless the Easter baskets.

Many people claimed to be Polish and remember so fondly the traditions that Babcia had every Easter and Christmas. There were booklet that were distributed that described Polish custom and traditions for Wigilia.

Arthur Szyk, a famous Polish graphic illustrator, often displayed his love of Polish people by portraying them in a variety of settings. The illustration on the cover of our Myths and Facts brochure was by far the most popular item for teachers. There were answers to questions about Poland and Poles. These were question one might have if being introduced to Poland for the very first time.

More than 100 copies were distributed to these educators. Mr. Szyk's art work was also featured in the Jamestown Craftsmen poster, Polish American Fraternity, and the Statute of Kalisz.

Many elementary teachers who teach American history in the fourth grade were fascinated by our information about Jamestown. (Poles in Jamestown history) The glass factory was featured in the book marks along with the first civil rights action in America. The bookmark that described the first work stoppage for the right to vote amazed teachers. This fact of history never known to teachers. As 2019 approaches, we will focus on this fact and emphasize this fact for future booth themes.

By having an attractive display of our traditions and customs, many teachers remarked as it was a draw into the booth. Many were pleased to discuss their travels to Poland with us. They all had positive comments and would that they travel again. They were very positive about the country and its people. Such Positive comments were shared with other teachers who planned on going.

The travel brochures were a valuable leaflet to share the sites of Krakow and Warsaw. These maps and travel brochures were provided by the Embassy of Poland.

22. Wide angle wiew of the booth

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23. Jamestown Poles display and Polish Mint coins

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24. Debbie shares some important information about Polish pisanki

The Washington DC chapter of the Friends of the John Paul II Foundation made available 30 CD's of the John Paul II Foundation, 25 posters and Relic Leaflets about John Paul II. This Informational CD had a summary of the Friends of John Paul II Foundation's activities as well as St. John Paul II posters, St. John Paul II book marks, Illuminated Manuscript Lesson Plans, Relics leaflet and the Interesting Facts leaflet about St. John Paul. Teachers could easily download these images and produce 11x17 posters for their bulletin boards. A lesson plan was included about the DVD Nine Days that Changed the World. Many educators from Catholic Schools were thrilled to receive this information.

Debbie Majka shares one of our CDs with a gentlemen who had a booth on Irena Sendler. We featured her on a poster in the 27 topics that were in the CD. He was pleased to have that so that he easily use this format of a poster to describe his work in promoting his project about Irena Sendler.

In previous years, he was able to send us books which we distributed on his behalf to tell the story of a courageous woman who saved thousands of Jewish children.

Supporters:
$1,500 Embassy of the Republic of Poland Foreign Ministry Department.
$200 PAAA of Washington DC
$100 Mr. and Mrs. Marion Winters
$100 Jackie Kolowski
$100 Debbie Majka
$100 Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford
$100 Dr. Wanda O'Brien Trefil
$200 Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia
$100 Patricia Skurzynski
$250 Anonymous Donations
$500 Friends of John Paul II Foundation Washington, DC
500 Bookmarks - Polish Cultural Foundation, Inc. Boston
Rulers - Polish National Alliance of the United States
Books - Barbara Lemecha

25. A teacher happy to get books for his class

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26. Jason Franzen is never too busy to answer questions

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27. Cecilia and Ray Glembocki with an Arthur Szyk graphic

The Polish Perspectives committee will be soliciting for funds to exhibit at the 2016 National Conference for Social Studies which will be in Washington, DC. Support for this project will continue promoting Polish Culture, Traditions, Customs, Historical Facts, Myths and Facts about Poles and Poland. Teachers return to our booth for information about Poland since many of these educators visit or will be visiting Poland.

The future schedule for National Council for the Social Studies will be in the following locations:
2016 NCSS Washington DC December 2-3
2017 San Francisco, California November 17-18
2018 Chicago, Illinois November 30-Dec. 2
2019 Washington DC 100th Anniversary

The Program Directory has our booth listed in the International Alley section.

This exhibit is designed and sponsored by the American Council for Polish Culture with the goal of inspiring educators to examine Polish contributions to the western civilization. The materials provided will send you on a journey of exploring, understanding and appreciating their historical value. There are lesson plans, posters, brochures and other resources designed to enhance educators' understanding of Poland's participation in these landmark events.

Raymond and Cecilia Glembocki -- NCSS Co-Chairs, ACPC

Next year's event will take place in Washington DC, December 2 - 3, 2016
You are most welcome to join us and tell your story, share your Polish Culture.

To assist our mission and to "Keep Our Heritage Alive", please make checks payable to ACPC/NCSS and mail to:

Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki e-mail: virginiaegg@cox.net
ACPC NCSS (National Conference for Social Studies)
911 Saddleback Court
McLean, Virginia 22102-1317

tel: 703-790-1984, cell: 703-501-6152

Donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Thank you!

27. Ray Glembocki at the booth

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29 The Polish Christmas Customs display.

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30. Books from Polonia Aquila

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