School in Chełm Named in Honour of Irena Sendler
The naming ceremony began with a Mass at the Christ the Redeemer church in Chelm. The school’s community were joined by guests from the local government and other educational and cultural institutions, among them being the Deputy Speaker of the Lubelski Province, Krzysztof Grabczuk, the Mayor Agata Fisz, the City Council Chairman Zygmunt Gardziński, as well as a standard bearers representing other Chelm schools.
Proceedings then continued at Elementary School No.11. A plaque was unveiled in memory of the school’s new patron, the pupils were presented with a standard by school Director Iwona Ceret, a multimedia presentation was shown depicting the life of Irena Sendler, followed by an artistic performance by the pupils themselves.
Guest of honour at the naming ceremony was Sendler’s daughter, Janina Zgrzembska. Also at the ceremony was Irena Sendler’s carer, Monika Chruściel, as well as Dorota Szałajka, representing the ”Children of the Holocaust” organisation in Poland.
Elementary School No.11 in Chelm is the 23rd school in Poland to carry the name of Irena Sendler.
