December 12th, 2024

Bonjour,

As the first snowflakes begin to fall, the sight of snow outside our classroom windows is always a magical moment. The joyful choruses of "Il neige!" (It's snowing!) echoing through the hallways mark the beginning of winter and is a favorite memory for many of us each year.

In this edition, we celebrate the achievements of our Suzuki students, whose performances in late November showcased their continued growth and hard work, and left us anxious to attend their next concerts this spring. Bravo to all EFDM musicians!

We are also proud to share that Willy LeBihan and Jennifer Lemaire represented our school at the AEFE seminar in Toronto earlier this month. This important gathering brought together leaders from French schools across North America, fostering collaboration and sharing innovative ideas to enhance French-language education worldwide.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce that over 75 of our students will take to the stage at the Franco Center in Lewiston on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m, for a special performance of "Le Coeur de Lewiston-Maine." This original play, written by Jennifer Lemaire, explores the rich history of Lewiston's Franco-American community through a vibrant animal kingdom, offering an engaging and family-friendly celebration of cultural heritage.

Additionally, we are delighted to welcome two French graduate students from University of Dijon, Emma Bois and Loane Pomnof, who will be joining us for internships this spring. As we prepare for these future educators to join us in our classrooms, we are currently seeking two host families to welcome them during their stay March 3rd to March 21st. 

We look forward to seeing you all at our Winter Celebration Performance this Friday, December 13th, from 2 to 3 PM at the Community Hall across from L'École! Students have been practicing their repertoire and are eagerly awaiting your attendance for this delightful performance. We are immensely proud of how much effort they have put into this event and hope to see you all there on Friday. 

Information for our Ice Arena Fridays and Sugarloaf Fridays are also included below as we kick off the winter season.

For any questions or further information, please feel free to contact us at office@frenchschool.me. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Warm regards,

Emily and Willy

Upcoming dates to keep in mind

• Dec. 13th: School Winter Performance 2-3 pm
• Dec. 20th: Early Release: Dismissal at 11:30 am - Ice Skating at Troubh 12-2 pm
• Dec. 23rd-Jan 5th: Winter Break - No School
• January 6th: School resumes at 8:20 am
• January 10th: Sugarloaf Friday
• January 20th: MLK Jr. Day: No School
• January 24th: Sugarloaf Friday
• January 28th: Showcase Grade 1 FRENCH at 8:45 am
• January 29th: Showcase Grade 2 FRENCH at 8:45 am
• January 30th: Showcase Grade 3-4-5 FRENCH at 8:45am
• January 31st: Ice Skating at Troubh 12-2 pm
• March 13th: "Le Coeur de Lewiston" at 11am at Franco Center Lewiston

2024-2025 School Calendar

2024-2025 Events Calendar

We are so proud of our young musicians who performed together at the recent Piano, Cello, and Violin Suzuki concerts. It is such a treat to watch the growth and dedication of our talented and passionate students! Merci to our music teachers Peter, Mary, Ben, and Shaina, for all of their hard work and encouragement! Bravo everyone!

You are all hereby invited to attend EFDM’s Winter Performance on Friday, Dec. 13th from 2-3 pm at the Community Hall across the street from the school. Each classroom will perform a vast repertoire including songs within the Music Together and Chorale programs. Students have worked very hard to put this show together. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and thankful of your continued support. À demain! Merci :)

In their continued quest to identify the ways humans resemble and are different from other members of the animal kingdom, la Petite Section met with animal expert and soon-to-be vet (and EFDM alum) Zoé LeBihan, a junior in Biology and Animal Sciences at Eckerd College in St. Pete Florida. She was accompanied by her faithful canine assistant Winnie LeBihan, who was thrilled to meet the class, more than happy to let students pat her and listen to her heartbeat (and really really enjoyed the copious amounts of treats- especially as she's supposed to be on a diet). 

A key question which had been troubling the Petite Section was do animals also go to the doctors? Thankfully, Zoé and Winnie were happy to provide some answers and even brought along a stethoscope so that students could listen to Winnie’s heart. Winnie may have a heart, eyes, ears, mouth and teeth (and bad breath) but she has fur, and a tail not to mention four legs and no thumbs…so the case of human vs animal is not closed yet. 

After their interview with Winnie and Zoé, La Petite Section invited another favourite animal expert to this unit: Chickens. This visit was especially special as it allowed one of our very own Moyenne Section students to become a unit expert and share her fantastic pets with the class. The chickens brought with them a new question: do humans have eggs? Stay tuned as the class tries to answer the age old question...

Merci once again to all of the animals (and humans) who made these visits possible!

First and second graders have embarked on a journey through space and time in both their English and French, by discovering the secrets of space through the stories told throughout human history through their current unit: Stories help us understand other points of view in the transdisciplinary theme of Who We Are.

In English, students voyaged through the stars as they explored the constellation Orion and delved into the fascinating world of Greek Mythology, discovering how ancient myths helped shape the names and stories behind the constellations we see in the night sky. 

Inspired by their newfound knowledge, our young researchers then channeled their creativity to design their own unique constellations. To bring their celestial creations to life, each student wrote an imaginative short story, weaving together characters, adventures, and the mysteries of the stars. It was a perfect blend of science, mythology, and storytelling!

In French, students also wrote their own star stories and looked at the star stories from other cultural points of view such as the Mohawk take of how the coyote placed the stars in the sky: Coyote dispose les étoiles dans le ciel. They also worked on their very own solar system mobiles! 

"My constellation is a dog that is very close to the Sun. I love my constellation. It's in the southern sky. It's a little constellation. It's so cute."

But les CP/CE1 aren’t the only ones at school examining the cosmos and our role within it. The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are still going strong with their unit on How the World Works titled: Life on Earth is tied to its place in the solar system and the universe. 

In English, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders teamed up in pairs to research the planets of our solar system. Each pair was assigned a different planet to explore in depth and using the unit library and a range of printed resources, the students dug into fascinating facts from its size and composition to its unique features. Once their research was complete, the pairs presented their findings to the class, sharing their newfound knowledge and sparking curiosity about the wonders of our solar system. It was a fantastic collaborative learning experience, blending teamwork, research, and presentation skills!

Both classes eagerly await our exciting space expert next week as the school welcomes Northern Stars Planetarium next Thursday!

As the semester wraps up, students in our fall afterschool clubs are weaving in the ends of their crocheted scarfs, wrapping their leather and jewelry creations as holiday gifts for family, and practicing their relaxation skills from yoga.

But clubs are far from over, as our staff are already busy adding the final touches to a whole new session of clubs that will kick-off in the new year! Sign-ups will be shared first thing in January, (with priority given to those who may not have had the chance to enroll in the fall session). 

If you don't want to miss your chance to join one of our upcoming clubs, be on the lookout for the sign-up link in the coming newsletters, (or reach out to Emily directly to get on the priority waitlist!)

Thank you once again to the teachers for sharing their passions and making this fall such a wonderful club session! We can't wait to see what is coming up next this winter!

The AEFE (Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger) seminar took place on December 6 and 7 in Toronto, uniting leaders from 64 French schools across North America. This gathering offered an essential platform for educational professionals to exchange ideas, share best practices, and renew their commitment to delivering exceptional French-language education worldwide. 

As part of a global network of over 500 schools, the AEFE operates under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ensures alignment with the French national curriculum. The seminar highlighted the importance of this prestigious label of excellence for both families and educators and provided a valuable opportunity for educational leaders to collaborate on advancing French education across North America.

Special recognition is extended to Barbara Martin for hosting the event in the charming (and snowy) city of Toronto. Additional thanks were given to the Ambassador of France to Canada, Michel Miraillet; Madame la Directrice Générale Claudia Scherer-Effosse; Régis Raufast; Georgina Morat; Olivier Quenis; and the entire AEFE team for their efforts in organizing this impactful conference.

Photo caption:

From left to right: Willy LeBihan, Head of School at the French School of Maine; Olivier Quenis, Inspector of French Schools in North America, based at the Embassy in Ottawa; Jennifer Lemaire, Curriculum Coordinator at the French School of Maine; Colin LeBihan, Head of School at the French American School of Tampa Bay; and Sebastien Roguiez, Curriculum Coordinator at the French American School of Silicon Valley.

Claudia Scherer-Effosse, Director-General of AEFE since 2023, led the discussions during the seminar. Previously, she served as Ambassador to Argentina (2019–2023) and Estonia (2016). She is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris and INALCO. A seasoned diplomat since 1990, she has held various roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in international postings, including assignments in China, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Argentina.

Willy LeBihan, Head of School, discussed with her the recent changes in Maine's climate, economy, and demographics and extended an invitation to visit our school in Maine.

The Petite Section has been busy exploring the magic of lines—both vertical and horizontal! Recently, they've dived into the world of vertical lines with a splash of creativity. Using a fun drip painting technique, they let vibrant colors flow down their paper, creating beautiful, rainbow-like lines. Once the masterpieces dried, they jazzed them up by placing colorful gommettes (little sticker dots) carefully along the lines.

Next, they will be transforming their creations into whimsical rainy day scenes with glue and soft, fluffy cotton clouds to the top of the paper. They will finish off this oeuvre by then adding a charming picture of themselves holding umbrellas at the bottom.

By the time they’re done, it’ll be like stepping into a storybook of their very own making! 

L'Ecole Française du Maine is an official partner of the Teacher Training Institute (INSPE: Institut National Supérieur du Professorat et de l'Education) at the University of Burgundy at Dijon, France.

This coming semester, we are delighted to welcome two French graduate students pursuing Master's Degrees in Elementary Education. Completing an Internship is an essential first step in the program of study leading to the Teaching Certification of Professeur des Ecoles by the French Ministry of Education (MENJS) ).

Willy LeBihan, Head of School, and Pascale Crispin, Professor at the University of Burgundy, will supervise these two internships.

We are looking for two host families, internships will be between March 3rd, 2025 and March 21st, 2025.

Hosting a French Student Teacher offers a rich cultural exchange and language learning opportunity. Please meet our interns with their biographies below. Do not hesitate to contact Willy for more information about hosting a graduate student: wlebihan@frenchschool.me

Loane is a curious, passionate, and open-minded individual with a deep love for exploring the world. Whether it's discovering new countries, diving into fascinating cultures, or savoring a variety of cuisines, she sees every journey as an opportunity for growth and learning. Her strong enthusiasm for American culture has made her eager to embark on the enriching expedition of her upcoming Maine adventure. 

In addition to travel, sports hold an important place in Loane’s heart along with her family who provide her immense happiness and inspiration. Loane firmly believes that being adaptable and easy-going are important tools on any adventure and essential to fully embracing new situations and appreciating the small joys of everyday life.

On Thursday, March 13th 2025 at 11:00 am, over 75 students from L'École Française du Maine will present "Le Coeur de Lewiston-Maine" an original play in French by Jennifer Lemaire, at the Franco Center in Lewiston. This performance marks the school’s return to the Franco Center after a hiatus since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming a cherished tradition of annual performances that began in 2005.

Set in an imaginative animal kingdom, the play narrates the history of Lewiston's Franco-American community through characters like a wise lion, a diligent bear, and a migratory deer, each symbolizing facets of the city's heritage. The production features engaging dialogues and songs, offering a family-friendly portrayal of Lewiston's rich cultural tapestry.

The Franco Center, located at 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston, is a premier performing arts venue celebrating Franco-American heritage and diverse cultures through music, dance, and theater.

This event is part of Maine's "Quinzaine de la Francophonie," a two-week celebration in March honoring the state's French-speaking heritage and the global Francophone community. With French being the second most spoken language in Maine, such events highlight the enduring influence of French culture in the region.

"Le Coeur de Lewiston-Maine" showcases the talents of L'École Française du Maine's students and pays tribute to the resilient spirit of Lewiston's Franco-American community, making it a significant cultural event for the city.

"La Cachette du Français" in March 2008, a production of

L'Ecole Française du Maine at the Franco Center of Lewiston.

Listen to students tell how they’ve become stronger, more caring, and courageous in the PYP. The learner profile encourages the development of these social and emotional skills, among others. The PYP ignites curiosity and encourages learners to ask questions. In this video, PYP teachers and students explain how inquiry and critical thinking skills are used in the classroom and beyond.