T G Masaryk Czech School, Cicero, IL

The Tomas Garrigue Masaryk School in Cicero, Illinois was founded in 1921:

Facade of the T G Masaryk Czech School, Cicero, IL

Trilingual reserved parking sign at the TGM School

Detail from the facade of the TGM School

To this day, it provides a space for both children and adults from the Chicagoland Area to come and learn the Czech language.

The school takes its name from the first Czechoslovak president, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk. To celebrate his birthday on March 7, some of the school’s students decorated the classrooms with scenes from his life:

Drawing of Tomas Garrigue Masaryk as a particularly muscular blacksmith

The school also has a comprehensive library, and is home to a number of local Czech and Slovak organizations:

During the summer, children can attend Czech-language summer school. On Wednesdays, Czech-American Pavlina Parks runs a music class for toddlers:

Pavlina Parks at the TGM School

The school has a large garden, in which pupils grow vegetables and where they can play:

School caretaker Sharon in the TGM playground

In her interview with Recording Voices & Documenting Memories, teacher Irena Cajkova discussed her involvement with the T G Masaryk School:



For more information on the T G Masaryk Czech School, visit the organization’s Facebook page or call (708) 656-9810.