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American Council for Polish Culture - Polish Perspectives Exhibit
National Conference for the Social Studies 2019

Austin, Texas - Austin Convention Center
November 22-23, 2019

Report by: Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki

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1. This large sign greeted arrivals to the NCSS

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2. Cecilia Glembocki and Monje Atlow from Conroe, Texas

The American Council for Polish Culture sponsored an exhibit booth called Polish Perspectives in the International Alley of the convention for the National Council for the Social Studies. This was their 99th year of NCSS hosting a social studies convention, and the 19th year for ACPC's participation.

3. Deborah Holland from the D'Evelyn Jr/Sr High School in Denver, Colorado with Cecile Glembocki and Debbie Majka

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4. Some of the books donated by the Aquila Polonia publishing company

There were 287 exhibitors and over 4,000 educators in attendance at this conference. This year's conference was attended by Cecilia and Raymond Glembocki. They have participation for the past 9 years. Debbie Majka, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland from Philadelphia was in attendance for many more years as the ACPC's participation has been for the past 19 years.

5. Ray Glembocki shows one of the books to an interested teacher

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6. The display included not only books and information but also Polish cultural items like the "szopka"

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7. Tara Guysky from Michigan State University in Lansing MI with Ray Glembocki.

The exhibit focused on the 400th Anniversary of the House of Burgesses setting up a representative Government in the Jamestown Colony. The focus of the exhibit was that the Polish Craftsmen staged a civil rights action for the right to vote. The right to vote was given to the Polish Craftsmen on July 21, 1619. To commemorate that event, the Governor of Virginia Mr. Ralph Northam, granted the American Council for Polish Culture a Proclamation that the Poles received the right to vote on July 21, 1619. They were also the first to set up an apprenticeship program in the new colony of Jamestown. In addition to the proclamation, the Department of Tourism accepted 10,000 leaflets about the Polish Craftsmen in Jamestown in 6 welcome centers near the Jamestown site.

8. (l. to r.) Hon. Consul of the Republic of Poland Debbie Majka; Rebekah Miller-Levy from Stephenville, TX who was also a presenter at the conference; Raymond Glembocki - President of the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC);

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9. (l. to r.) Raymond Glembocki - President of the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC); Hon. Consul of the Republic of Poland Debbie Majka; and Cecilia Gembocka.

There were many types of educators who attended and more varied than in previous years. There were many more department heads than in previous years. Some of the District Chairpersons took 30 packets of book marks (50 book marks in each set) for a total of 1,500 bookmarks for all their 4th grade American History classes in their district. Many Department administrators were present requesting additional materials. More than 35 educators signed up for additional materials from our exhibit booth.

10. Andrew Kubic from the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, DC and Cecilia Glembocki

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11. A large poster of the Jamestown Poles formed a corner of the booth

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12. Yanet Olesini from Mc Allen, TX with Debbie Majka

Hundreds of educators were presented CD's about Notable Poles, and the newly developed Jametowne CD specifically about Jamestowne and the Polish Craftsmen. This included the Jamestown Project, the lesson plans and posters, bookmarks and power point presentation developed by Henrietta Nowakowski.

Aquila Polonia publishing company headed by Terry Tegnazian, graciously supplied hard cover books about World War II, free of charge as did the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington, DC. The following is a list of books that Aquila Polonia graciously donated:

Two copies of each of the following books:

303 Squadron: The Legendary Battle of Britain Fighter Squadron
The Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery
The Color of Courage - Boy at War (the World War II Diary of Julian Kulski)
Echoes of Tattered Tongues: Memory Unfolded
The Icy Road: An Epic Journey from Stalinist Labor Camps to Freedom
Maps and Shadows (paperback)
The Mermaid and the Messerschmitt: War though a Woman's Eyes 1939-1940 Siege DVD
Four hard cover copies of Fighting Auschwitz: The Resistance Movement in the Concentration Camps, which was just released last month.

13. Melissa Blohm from La Vernia, Texas, and Cecilia Glembocki

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14. Book display featured a poster of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Coin

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15. Ray Glembocki at the booth

The Friends of the John Paul II Foundation of Washington, DC supplied CDs and DVDs about the Pope who will be celebrating his 100 birthday in 2020. Coloring books about John Paul II were also distributed.

There were many more educators who were of Polish decent than any other parts of the country where we had exhibited. Many more were so proud that we were represented at this convention. They were pleased and definitely intended to include the information about the Polish craftsmen gaining the right to vote and stage a civil unrest to get the right to vote. They wanted to be sure that part of their heritage was accurate and would be taught in their American History Classes. There was a great deal of excitement for these history teachers to realize that the Polish Craftsmen had a significant part in the establishment of a representative government in 1619.

16. There were plenty of CDs and books in sight

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17. The Jamestown Poles and St. John Paul II were not overlooked

The cost for the 2019 booth was $1,400 which was paid in advance by ACPC so that a corner space could be reserved for the convention. The cost of an additional $300 for CD's was allowed through the Grant request to the Polish Foreign Ministry.

20,000 Jamestowne bookmarks were printed to cover the Williamsburg Virginia Conference for Social Studies and the NCSS in Austin, Texas Exhibit booth. In addition to that expense there was an additional cost of Jamestowne CDs. The total due from the foreign ministry of the Polish Embassy is $2,200. Receipts attached are from the NCSS payment of $1,400. Receipts attached for printing of the Jamestown Posters and the CDs developed for the Jamestowne Project.

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The next conference will be in Washington, DC - December 4-6, 2020.
SEE YOU THERE!

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!

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