A cold stone. This unassuming stone stands before you. It remembers. It whispers stories of courage and sacrifice. This is the Uczniom i Harcerzom Szkoły nr 1 w Ursusie Stone. It commemorates the students and scouts of School No 1 in Ursus who gave their lives during World War II.
The school itself a long history. It opened in 1933. This was a time of rapid growth for Ursus. The Ursus tractor factory needed workers. New families arrived. They settled near the factory. Their children needed a school. Before this a simple wooden building. It lacked even basic amenities. Still it represented a giant leap forward. The school housed 314 students from several villages. It quickly became a vibrant hub. The first headmaster Stanisław Kaliski played a key role. He fostered creativity. He encouraged artistic expression. The school choir gained renown performing in Warsaw. Students went on trips. They explored Poland’s beauty. A scouting troop was formed in its first year. Patriotism was instilled in every student.
In 1935 the school was named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski. By 1936 the school had grown. It boasted 629 students across twelve classes. This rapid growth however also presented problems. Overcrowding and inadequate facilities were serious concerns. So in 1938 expansion began. New classrooms toilets and a cloakroom were added. The school was also finally connected to the sewer system. The headmaster’s apartment was upstairs. Downstairs were classrooms a workshop and a gymnasium.
World War II shattered this peaceful existence. The school was closed. Nazi occupation banned Polish language classes. History and geography were forbidden. But the school’s spirit persisted. Secret classes continued. Stanisław Kaliski’s home became a haven. It hosted clandestine lessons in forbidden subjects. He sheltered members of the Polish Teachers’ Union. The school moved around constantly to avoid the Nazis. The year 1944 brought the Warsaw Uprising. Students joined the Grey Ranks. Twenty-six gave their lives fighting the occupiers.
This stone remembers them. After the war the school reopened in its damaged building. Around 1000 students attended in cramped conditions. In 1952 Czechowice merged with Skorosze and Szamoty. Two years prior the city had been renamed Ursus. In 1961 Gołąbki joined Ursus. The city boomed. New housing blocks went up. In 1963 the school was renamed after the 1st Mechanized Tadeusz Kościuszko Division. A new standard was presented.
The old school building became inadequate. So a new building opened in 1973. It stood on the Niedźwiadek estate. Spacious classrooms modern equipment. A vibrant community thrived here. But the school continued to change. In 1977 Ursus became part of Warsaw. It joined the Ochota district. Later it would become its own district.
In 1984 the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. A plaque was unveiled to honor fallen students. A new sports hall and cloakrooms were added in 2006. Then came a new wing with six classrooms. A new computer network was established. The school also got its own ice rink. The school’s history continues. The Uczniom i Harcerzom Szkoły nr 1 w Ursusie Stone serves as a constant reminder. It is a symbol of resilience and courage. It is a place of quiet reflection and remembrance.