February 11th, 2025

Bonjour,

These days, the line for the luge stretches out as children celebrate the long-awaited playground sledding season, which, thanks to the continuous snow, is far from being over anytime soon. It's been wonderful to enjoy winter this year, complete with a sprinkling of snow days and delays. Please reach out to the office to opt-in to the text alert system the school has in place if you have not done so already, to receive the earliest notification of a weather-related announcement.

If you're longing for warmer days and would rather have a break from the cold and snow, this newsletter includes the links to enroll in our 2025 Summer Camp! This season's enrollment is rolling in quickly, so be sure to reserve a spot in the weeks of your choosing ASAP. Summer Camp is open to families not enrolled in our school year program, as well as those who may be joining us for the first time next fall. It's a wonderful transition to the school year and a great way for interested families to learn a little more about L'Ecole!

The priority window for existing EFDM families to re-enroll for next year is coming to a close soon. Be sure to complete your 2025-2026 school year re-enrollment to secure your student's spot in school for next year. Enrollment will be open to new families starting February 14th; families who have come in for a tour and recently completed an application will be receiving their invitation to complete enrollment very soon! More information on how to begin the enrollment process and/or apply can be found below.

This a reminder that February Vacation kicks off with an early release day next Friday, February 14th, dismissal for all students will be at 11:30 am (no need to pack a lunch!) The final Ice Arena event at Troubh in Portland will also take place on the afternoon of this half-day-- meet your friends at the rink and enjoy a great wintertime community event! We will host a small February Vacation "camp" for those families who require childcare during the school closure. If you have yet to enroll, please reach out to Emily for more information.

With the short month of February well underway, we have our sights set on the March 13th Franco-Center performance in Lewiston. All current students are practicing and will participate in the event. Details are included below, and a special invitation newsletter will be shared soon!

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

• February 12th: Showcase Grade 3-4-5 English
• February 13th: Showcase Grade 3-4-5 French
• February 14th: Early Release at 11:30 am & Ice Skating @ Troubh 12-2 pm
• February 17th-21st: February Break (Vacation Camp Option)
• February 28th: Pineland Farms Day Grades 1+
• March 7th: Early Release at 11:30 am & Parent Teacher Conferences
• March 13th: "Le Coeur de Lewiston" at 11am at Franco Center Lewiston
• March 14th: Final Sugarloaf Friday

2024-2025 School Calendar

2024-2025 Events Calendar

The CP-CE1 have stepped into uncharted territory with their new IB unit under the theme of Where we Are in Space and Time featuring the central idea: "We create tools to situate ourselves in the world".

Across their French and ELA classrooms, the CP-CE1 have examined ways we orient ourselves in our immediate surroundings, like the classroom, as well as in the world. In French, the students started by building models and drawing maps of their classroom before looking at hiking maps for local trails.

In English, students started their study of navigational tools with maps, examining Maps of Freeport and using their skills (and map) to answer scavenger hunt questions. Next, the class examined other forms of navigation, specifically those that are useful when not on land, but underwater...

As a special guest, Riley's partner, a mechanical engineer at the naval shipyard in Portsmouth, came in as an expert to present to the class. In Portsmouth, he works on submarines and has even gone out to sea on them to complete testing. During his visit, the class focused on the line of inquiry: "How tools can show us where to go and help us find one another". They discussed how submarines use sonar as an underwater navigational tool. Merci beaucoup!!!

With the help of our expert, the CP-CE1 are now ready to venture 20,000 leagues under the sea!

We are excited to offer once again this year our summer childcare/camps from June 23, 2025 to August 22, 2025.

Enrollment is now open and space is limited!

If you are looking for a safe and enriching place for your kids to enjoy the summer, please join us! Mornings filled with fun French activities, and afternoons of arts & crafts, games, and plenty of time for free play, the Bilingual Summer Camp is l’ultime Maine summer fun! (Early Childhood children will be offered time for rest in the afternoon.)

Open to children ages 3-12.

Hours: 8:30 am -3:30 pm, with extended day offered from 3:30 pm -5:30 pm.

For a detailed description of weekly themes, please read more on our website!

The Moyenne Section class has been very busy working on their diagonal lines before getting started on writing their diagonal letters. 

In this very "à propro" winter activity, they are using their diagonal lines to design "sapin" trees (pines). Using different mediums, yet all featuring the key diagonal lines, the Moyenne Section first built les sapins, then arranged the same shape on white boards before featuring the sapins in their oeuvres d’art ! 

We have had a blast this EFDM ski season up at Sugarloaf! Thank you to all families for meeting us at the mountain come snow or sunshine. If you haven’t had the chance to come out on the slopes with us, fear not as there is one final Sugarloaf Friday remaining this season for all who want to enjoy a day with us on the 'loaf!



Students age 7+ are able to join our Outdoor Experience group on Friday March 14th! Please keep Emily in the office posted if you plan to join the next and final trip of the year.

Dear Families,

It's re-enrollment time, and we look forward to another year in partnership with your family!

L'Ecole Française du Maine continues to grow, and our successes have been noticed! We are proud to be an approved IB World School offering the PYP Programme and accredited by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). These prestigious accreditations, along with our continued recognition by the Maine Department of Education, validate the dedication and hard work of our team and the unwavering support of our community.

Interest in the French School continues to grow, and we anticipate strong student enrollment for 2025-2026. Families from across the country and internationally inquire about admissions for all grade levels, which is exciting news for the future of our school.

French nationals can also apply for scholarships through the French Consulate in Boston; please contact them for more information on French Bourses. Additionally, our website provides details on all available financial aid programs.

Thank you for your trust and commitment; it is a privilege to work with your family!

Sincerely,

Beth LeBihan

Founder & Admissions Director

Admissions Online with FACTS

To re-enroll your student for 2025-2026:

Please log into the FACTS Apply and Enroll account and renew your child's enrollment for the upcoming year. You can sign the enrollment contract, choose your payment plan, and upload any requested materials through the FACTS platform. If you have more than one child enrolled, you do not need a separate tuition account for each child, just one per family.

1. Click ==> Create an Account:

To begin the application process, please click the "Create an Account" tab at the top of the page to create an application account. From there, you will be instructed to create a login and password and verify your email via a message to your email account.

2. Click ==> Start the Application 

You can log in and out of your application account without losing your data, as it will autosave. Once you have completed all required fields, each section will have a green check mark.

3. Review and Submit & Pay Application Fee

Once all required fields of the Application are complete, you must select "Review & Submit." You will then be instructed to pay the non-refundable application fee of $50.

L'Ecole Française du Maine admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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.