Lithuanian-American Children Gear up for "Lithuanian" School

Regina Kucas is the president of the Lithuanian American Community, Inc.'s Lithuanian Educational Council and the Lithuanian World Community's Education Commission.

"Girl with Dove"
by
Domicele Tarabildiene.

Forty-eight years ago, after the end of World War II, Lithuanian immigrants settled in the United States and began establishing Lithuanian schools to insure the younger generation with strong patriotic values through education. Since the Lithuanian American Community, Inc. (LAC) and therefore, the Lithuanian Educational Council (LEC) were not yet established, schools were being started by teachers and parents.

The LEC was founded February 21st, 1959, after the inception of the Lithuanian-American Community, Inc. The LEC designed the Lithuanian school system and its programs, provided funds and educational tools, and prepared teachers for the eight primary grades and the four upper classes (high school) Ö a 12-year program. Eventually enrollment began to decline in the high school level by the early 1990's. On December 3rd, 1992, the LEC approved a 10-year educational system consisting of six primary grades and four high school classes, and a correspondence course. The LEC continuously reviews and revises curriculum programs upon requests from teachers.

A major concern of the LEC is finances. With no government funding, parents were burdened with the financial responsibility for school maintenance, renting costs, educational material preparation and printing, and teacher salaries. By 1965, the Lithuanian Foundation came to the rescue with generous donations enabling schools to operate professionally and with quality as a priority. The Foundation's donations are consistent even now. In 1988, the LEC established a yearly fall fund drive to further increase the quantity and quality of Lithuanian education in the United States.

Another major concern is the lack of educators. For the love of the Lithuanian language and country, parents are teaching at the schools. Because they lack certain teaching skills, new teaching materials are prepared to help them in the classrooms. In addition, the Educational Ministry of Lithuania assists Lithuanian-American schools with new primers, workbooks, storybooks, and supplementary materials.

The LEC pays great attention to preparing teachers in educating their students. Workshops are held annually in Chicago. Every summer, the Lithuanian Teachers' Camp operates in Camp Dainava, Michigan, with round table discussions, lectures, hands-on workshops, and seminars.

The LEC stresses the importance of the continuous usage of the Lithuanian language not only in school, but also at home, so that the child can benefit in the fluency of the language through proper use of grammar. The individual schools act as support communities for parents and their children as they nurture their child in their bilingual household. The levels of language proficiency vary greatly within the classroom and the home; from exceptionally fluent (newly-settled immigrants) to the minimally-speaking (2nd/3rd generation) students.

The LEC maintains an editorial in the Pasaulio Lietuvis (World Lithuanian) monthly magazine informing the Lithuanian-speaking public of its current programs, school reports, and future plans. This information section is prepared by Regina Kuciene. The LEC also publishes a children's magazine, Eglute (The Little Fir), which was originally published and edited by The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Putnam, CT, from 1950 to the early 1990's. Its editor since 1995 is Regina Kuciene. The magazine is specifically designed for children and their interests. It is being used not only in Lithuanian-American schools but, also widely-read in Lithuania.

The LEC has shown considerable concern to those Americans of Lithuanian heritage seeking to learn about the country and language of their forefathers, and to the non-Lithuanians travelling to Lithuania for business purposes.

As Lithuanian-American children gear up for school this fall, they will also fill a separate book bag with textbooks inviting them to explore, understand, and become enthralled with their heritage and a small yet, fascinating country called Lithuania. u

A Look at the Lithuanian
Educational Council's Busy Year

The LEC sponsored the 10th annual competition for writing and drawing among Lithuanian school students in early spring. 219 students participated. Winners were presented with certificates of recognition and monetary awards. The Council is very grateful to their benefactor, Rev. Juozas Prunskis, for generously funding the awards.

The LEC supported the A.P.P.L.E. teachers' seminars with five scholarships bestowed upon Lithuanian rural teachers enabling them to participate in the seminars.

On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, the Lithuanian Institute for Advanced Studies received financial support and congratulations from the LEC.

A conference for Lithuanian teachers to enhance their skills took place at the Lithuanian World Center on July 24th to the 26th with participants from Los Angeles, Detroit, Omaha, and local schools in Lemont and Chicago. A well-planned agenda and excellent lecturers contributed to its success. Mrs. Regina Kuciene, LEC president, introduced teachers to a catalogue of new books and manuals published in Lithuania and available to Lithuanian-American schools.

The LEC's successful children's magazine, Eglute, is available for $15.00 a year in the U.S., and for $20.00 abroad, including Lithuania.

For more information, please contact the Lithuanian Educational Council at the following address:

LEC/Mrs. Regina Kucas
13648 Kickapoo Trail
Lockport, Il 60441