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Maironis Lithuanian Community School 
Institution name: Maironis Lithuanian Community School
Address: 14911 127th street
Lemont, IL 60439
Telephone: (630) 257-0888
Extension:
Fax:
Web address: http://www.maironis.org
 
Name: Goda Misiunas
Title: Principal
Address: 14911 127th street
Lemont,  IL  60439
Email: gmisiuniene@maironis.org
Telephone: (630) 257-0888
Extension:
Fax:
Purposes and goals of the program:
 Maironis Lithuanian School works to foster young American Lithuanians’ (immigrants or children of immigrants) love for the Lithuanian language, traditions and culture, to encourage their love for Lithuania, to develop their creativity, to provide students with multiple ways of learning through educational and enrichment experiences and opportunities.  Maironis Lithuanian School provides students with an opportunity to learn and maintain the Lithuanian language and culture through play, art, song, grammar, celebration of traditions, friendships with local community members, travel and participation in Lithuanian festivals, sports championships, and camps.
Program origin:
The Maironis Lithuanian School was founded in 1959 by a group of
dedicated parents committed to preserving the Lithuanian language and culture
for their children and future generations. Parents, volunteers and staff during
the last 55 years have organized and operated this school dedicated to
providing education in the Lithuanian language, cultural heritage and
customs.  The school enrollment has grown to over 600 students offering programs from preschool to 10th grades.
Program funding:
The program is sponsored by the Lithuanian Foundation in Chicago, IL (http://www.lithuanianfoundation.org). Additional funding comes from tuition, the Kazickas Family Foundation (www.kff.lt ), from the Lithuanian Rotary Club, local businesses and fundraising (gift card sales, pizza sales, concert’s and t-shirt sales).
 
Languages/dialects taught:
  • Lithuanian
    •
    Program type:  School-Based
      Elementary
         Grades taught: Pre-school-to 6th grade
      Secondary
         Grades taught: 7th to 10th grade
      Adult
    Average enrollment: 640
    Total contact hours per week: 4.5
    Times per week classes meet: 1
    When meetings take place:
    32-33 Fridays and 32-33 Saturdays per year. ( Parents and students have opportunity to choose Friday or Saturday shift)
    Where meetings take place:
    Lithuanian World Center in Lemont, IL
    Parents' or guardians' expectations of the program:
    Parents' primary expectation is for their children to be able to understand, speak, read, and write Lithuanian, be familiar with Lithuania’s culture, history and geography, to know Lithuanian songs, dances and traditions. Parents are looking for other children and families with whom they can interact in Lithuanian and relate to.
    Parents' or guardians' involvement in the program:
    The school parent committee is actively engaged in continuous fundraising efforts throughout the school year, gift card sales, pizza sales, concert’s and t-shirt sales. Parents volunteer their time and/or resources for the annual school year opening ceremony, All Saint’s Cemetery visit, Christmas celebration, trips to Balzekas Muzeum at Chicago, Lithuania’s Independence Day, Mardi Gras, Easter, Mother’s day and End of the School year celebrations. Parents help their children with their weekly homework and reading assignments
    Instructors' expectations of the program:
    To motivate students to love their families and Lithuanian heritage, to motivate them to make an effort to learn about it and preserve it, to learn Lithuanian. For students to complete their weekly homework assignments and be prepared to participate in class, to be proactive in the Lithuanian community on the local, national and international levels. Having in mind how fragile Lithuania's Freedom has been, to value Freedom, Democracy and Peace. To participate in raising and educating global citizens with love and respect for their own cultural identity.
    Number of instructors in the program
    Full-time instructors: 35
    Part-time instructors: 6
    Volunteer instructors: 0
    Languages in which instructors are proficient:
    Lithuanian, English, Russian, Polish
    Educational backgrounds and credentials of instructors
    (e.g., diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, certificate):
    master's and doctorates in unrelated fields, master's in Lithuanian Language education from Lithuania's Universities, master's in Education in the US.
    Professional development opportunities instructors have:
    Lithuanian Educational Council of US (http://www.svietimotaryba.org/) organizes teacher continuous education seminars. Once a month teachers have 1h CE class.
    Professional development opportunities instructors need:
    Curriculum, lesson planning and course development
    Students' expectations of the program:
    For Lithuanians as members of a small nation, learning languages has been a pure necessity for survival. Students from the American Lithuanian Community are proud to learn Lithuanian as their second, third or even fourth language. As a result students are able to communicate with their relatives in Lithuania, to understand history and culture, to participate in summer camps and festivals, form friendships with people they can relate to. These programs give opportunities to become informal ambassadors of Lithuania.
    Student background
    First-generation immigrants:
    Second-generation immigrants:
    Third-generation immigrants:
    Children of interethnic marriages:
    Children of interethnic adoption:
    Indigenous students:
    Others:
    Students' countries of origin:
    US, Lithuania
    How the program identifies heritage language speakers:
    Teachers determine student's written and oral skills of the Heritage language.
    Average enrollment: 640
    Approximate percentage of students who complete the program:
    Approximate percentage of students who continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Possible reasons that students continue to study the heritage language after completing the program:
    Total contact hours per week: 4.5
    Times per week: 1
    Student grouping (e.g., proficiency level, grade, age):
    by grade and age.
    Language skills taught in the program (e.g., reading, writing, speaking, and listening):
    reading, writing, speaking, and listening
    Aspects of culture included in the program (e.g., history, literature, traditions):
    Grammar, literature, history, geography, folk dancing and folk singing, arts and crafts, customs, traditions and beliefs.
    Other content taught in the program:
    Instructional methodologies used in the program:
    refer to the webpage of the Lithuanian Educational Council (http://www.svietimotaryba.org/newsite/gaires.htm)
    Levels of language proficiency reached by the end of the program (e.g., ACTFL proficiency levels, language tasks able to perform):
    Textbooks:
    Manuals and workbooks:
    Self-designed materials:
    Films, videos, and DVDs:
    Music:
    Technology:
    Standardized tests used:
    Other assessments used:
    Connections with local schools or other organizations:
    Students take part in essay writing and drawing contests organized by the Lithuanian Educational Council of the US. Students participate in Neringa Lithuanian Heritage, Scout's Rakas, Ateitininkai Dainava summer camps, Lithuanian song and dance festivals,
    Credit received from formal education system:
    Types of support received (e.g., financial, time from parents or volunteers):
    The school parent committee is actively engaged in continuous fundraising efforts throughout the school year, gift card sales, pizza sales, concert’s and t-shirt sales. Parents volunteer their time and/or resources for the annual school year opening ceremony, All Saint’s Cemetery visit, Christmas celebration, trips to Balzekas Muzeum at Chicago, Lithuania’s Independence Day, Mardi Gras, Easter, Mother’s day and End of the School year celebrations. The program is sponsored by the Lithuanian Foundation in Chicago, IL ( http://www.lithuanianfoundation.org). Additional funding comes from tuition, the Kazickas Family Foundation (www.kff.lt ), from the Lithuanian Rotary Club, local businesses and fundraising (cookie sales and special events).
    Additional support desired:
    Any expertise that would help to develop a well rounded Heritage Language Community program covering all six categories: curriculum, instructional practice, assessment, district support, professional practice and parent/community involvement.
    Challenges faced by the program:
    Continuous school challenges include: physical space limitations, updated classroom educational materials, furniture and equipment. The main difficulty is finding sufficient time slots for teachers to share the computers. The computer and equipment is such a needed resource in the classroom that all the teachers would like to be able to participate in using this technology. The schools plan and goal is to continue to seek funding and participate in fundraising so that all classrooms are technologically current.
     
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