News
For many years and many reasons, Lithuanian Heritage schools students were not getting Lithuanian language credits on their High school transcripts. Finally, the KFF's AKGP program celebrated victory as Southampton Public school (NY) granted 3 credits for one of their students who had been attending Alexandra Kazickas Lithuanian school of Aquebogue, NY for 9 years.
Six out of 25 Lithuanian Heritage schools, participating in AKGP 2014 program, received their checks during a Lithuanian Heritage School Converence in Boston, MA. The rest of the schools will receive their financial support once they meet AKGP request to have their schools registered with the CAL database, and will contribute to the KFF e-center for Lithuanian schools.
During the Kazickas Family visits to Lithuania in September and October of 2014, talks were continued on the Adamkus Presidential Library Museum.
Dr. J. P. Kazickas (1918-2014) was a Board Member of the Lithuanian Foundation (LF) for 13 years. In commemoration of his passing the Kazickas family asked for donations to be made to the Lithuanian Foundation. As of Oct. 1, 2014, the Foundation has received $10,200. For more information how Dr. Kazickas's legacy will live on through the memorial donations in his name to the LF please read LF website.
Photo courtesy of Mantas Satkus: Dr. J. P. Kazickas (East Hamtpon, NY 2008)
In the fall of 2014, St.Caherine's (named after Dr.J.P.Kazickas's mother) Chapel celebrates its 10th anniversary. It was built in Chornaya Padina (Saratov, Russia) in 2004 upon request of Mrs. Albina Vilutis, local Lithuanian, and was funded by the Kazickas Family.
Thanks to prof. Daina Litvinskaite of University of Illinois, nine representatives of the U.S. Lithuanian language schools participated in a networking conference for program administrators, teachers, parents, and researchers involved in community-based language programs and bilingual schools.
American Ambassador to Lithuania (2009-2012) Anne E. Derse and Miriam Parel, Chief Strategy and Development Officer of the American Councils met with representatives of Lithuanian Heritage Schools (Washington DC, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York area) to discuss ExCEL . Peter Kazickas, the Kazickas Family member, and Liana Vazbiene, Political and Science Counsellor of the Embassy of Lithuania in U.S. were also at the meeting.
Peter Kazickas met with the members of the State Department and the Lithuanian Ambassador in the U.S. for "Power of Basketball" program in Lithuania to address social issues of suicide, alcoholism and social exclusion of physically and mentally disabled.
The book "Odyssey of Hope"/ "Vilties kelias" will be published in Germany as “Wege der Hoffnung“. Foreward to "Wege der Hoffnung" by J.P.Kazickas was written in March of 2014. "I think his willingness to include a personal note to potential readers says a lot about his character, his kindness, his true love of humanity" - his daughter Jurate Kazickas wrote.
Boston Lithuanian School (BLS) celebrated its 65th School Year Anniversary. The BLS, one of 37 Lithuanian Heritage schools in the U.S., is among 25 schools supported by AKGP. The BLS is attended by 114 school age students and 6 adults who learn Lithuanian language, culture and history of Lithuania for four hours a Saturday, 33 Saturdays a year. Neila Baumiliene, the KFF NYC director, attended the ceremony and gave a congratulatory speech.