January 23rd, 2024

Bonjour,

With January well underway, we've begun considering the upcoming school year! Returning families were invited to submit their re-enrollment packets for the 2024-2025 school year. The priority window for current families will remain open until February 14th. Do not hesitate to ask the office any questions during this exciting time!

Summer Camp Enrollment for the 2024-2025 season is also now live! We will offer summer childcare/camps from June 24- August 23, 2024. Please note that no camp will occur during the week of July 1-5.) Enroll by the week, and feel free to invite friends who may not attend L'Ecole during the school year!

Take advantage of the upcoming Showcases in Fabien's classroom this week! Anaelle's Showcase has been postponed and will be rescheduled in the coming months. Be sure to check back!

We are still looking for host families for French student-teachers Clémence Bouteiller and Célina Ravier, who will be with us from February 26 to March 15, 2024. Please consider welcoming these wonderful student-teachers into your home for this short period. Your hospitality will help us offer this excellent cultural exchange opportunity. We are also asking host families to consider housing Summer Camp Counselors arriving from France for the season. Even for a week or two, this is a wonderful way to invite cultural exchange into your family! If you are interested in assisting with this, please get in touch with us. Thank you!

Our 2024 Sugarloaf Fridays are halfway over! We've had a blast at the first and second events and look forward to more days on the slopes with the EFDM group. Thanks to all for helping make these memories special! For those who remain at school on these Fridays, special projects and certain fun are the name of the game!

If you have any questions or need more 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

• Jan. 26th: Sugarloaf Friday
• Jan. 23rd: Grade 1 Showcase with Fabien at 8:45 am
• Jan. 24th: Grade 2 Showcase with Fabien
• *POSTPONED!* was Jan. 25th: Grades 3-4 Showcase with Anaelle
• Feb. 2nd: Sugarloaf Friday
• Feb. 13: Grade 2 English Showcase with Sarah at 8:45 am
• Feb. 14: Grade 3-4 English Showcase with Sarah at 8:45 am

2023-2024 School Calendar*

* Please note, the calendar linked above and on our school website have accurate April vacation dates of the 15th-19th

2nd Semester Events Calendar

Priority re-enrollment is now open for current families! The 2024-2025 school year is already shaping up. Thank you to all for working with us through the hiccups of our recent system change; if you have any questions about re-enrollment, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Although today we are fully enjoying our sledding luge on the playground, it's already time to begin thinking about summer camp! Our camp enrollment will remain open until spaces fill. This year, we have a new crew of summer camp counselors planning to spend the season here from France. Enroll as soon as possible to ensure your spot, using the link here.

A new semester of showcases is on the calendar! Be sure to stop in to see what the classrooms are doing. Showcases are an effort to invite families into the classroom and see things in action while still getting to work at a reasonable time. You can plan to remain at school no longer than 20 minutes after drop-off and be well on your way by 9 am!

Coming up next week:

• Tues. 23rd: Grade 1 Showcase with Fabien at 8:45 am
• Wed. 24th: Grade 2 Showcase with Fabien at 8:45 am
• Please note that Anaelle's Showcase was originally scheduled for Thurs. the 25th. It has been postponed and will be rescheduled soon. Be sure to check back!
• Tues. 13th: Grade 2 English Showcase with Sarah at 8:45 am
• Wed. 14th: Grade 2 English Showcase with Sarah at 8:45 am

Merci!

For the group of students who opted to stay at school on these Fridays in January, things have been quite exciting! From science projects of slime to marshmallow structures, hikes in the woods and of course lots of sledding!

Our English teacher, Sarah Hotham, has been visiting many classrooms this week to work on some fantastic projects in English! This week, students continued their learning from the visit from the EcoMaine specialist. They completed a project on composting with Sarah, creating posters to hang throughout the halls. They sorted and discussed what can and can't be composted. Well done to the students, and many thanks to Sarah!

From left to right: Jennifer Priouzeau, Preschool Assistant; Anaelle Marret, Grades 3 & 4 teacher; and Sarah Hotham, English Language Arts Teacher, at the top of Whiffletree on the happy trails of Surgarloaf.

Thank you to all our families and teachers who are making this season at Sugarloaf one of the best ever! We still have two more chances to enjoy the slopes with the EFDM crew. Read on for more info, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Upper Timberline trail near the summit of Sugarloaf at 4200 ft, photo Willy LeBihan

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 February 23, 2024 and March 16, 2024.

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

Meet Clémence Bouteiller, a 23-year-old Student Teacher-in-training from Chalon sur Saône, France. She is passionate about teaching young children and has gained experience through various internships, including in schools and hospitals.

Clémence is also a keen athlete, enjoying sprinting, cross-country, swimming, climbing, and hiking. She's not much into team sports but likes watching basketball and soccer. Besides sports, she loves music, especially pop and R&B, and is learning to play the ukulele.

An adventurous spirit, Clémence loves exploring, traveling, and experiencing different cultures. She's also a nature lover, particularly enjoying beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Clémence is excited to use her energy and knowledge in the classroom to inspire and educate young minds.

Célina Ravier is a 21-year-old from Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Eastern France. Born in Besançon, she's studying Elementary Education in her first year of a Master’s program. Célina aims to become a primary school teacher, inspired by her love for children's curiosity and learning.

She's a talented dancer, enjoying hip-hop, dancehall, and Afro styles, and she also sings and plays the synthesizer and guitar. Célina participates in various sports like basketball, swimming, climbing, and canoeing. A lover of travel and languages, she's fluent in English, improved by travels in Ireland and the UK, and proficient in Spanish, enhanced by a 6-month stay in Valencia, Spain. Célina is a passionate, multi-talented individual with a global perspective.

We are thrilled to introduce our new summer camp counselor, Quentin Gallardo, who is pursuing a Business Management degree at the University of Lyon.

Hailing from Lyon, a city with a rich history as the former capital of Roman Gaule, Quentin grew up immersed in a culture renowned for its contributions to cinema, the charming Guignol puppetry, and the culinary delights of traditional Bouchons restaurants, famous for dishes like quenelles, andouillettes, and praline desserts.

Quentin is not only dedicated to his academic pursuits but has also achieved his BAFA degree, certifying him as a qualified camp counselor. His passion for working with children and his love for the outdoors make him an ideal fit for our camp. Quentin engages in various creative and active pursuits in his leisure time, including writing, drawing, and playing musical instruments like the guitar and piano, where he is a beginner. He is also an avid tennis player.

With his friendly demeanor and eagerness to explore new cultures, Quentin looks forward to making this summer an unforgettable experience for everyone at the 2024 Bilingual Summer Camp. He is excited to meet and interact with new people, sharing his diverse interests and experiences. Welcome aboard, Quentin! 

Do not hesitate to contact Willy for more information about hosting Quentin during the summer or part of the summer: wlebihan@frenchschool.me

Les familles disposant de faibles revenus peuvent demander une aide à la scolarité sous forme de bourses scolaires (de la petite section de maternelle à la classe de 6ième) pour leurs enfants inscrits dans notre établissement relevant de l’AEFE (Agence pour l’enseignement français à l’étranger)

Les enfants de nationalité française âgés d’au moins 3 ans, inscrits avec leur famille au registre des Français établis hors de France (plus communément appelée inscription consulaire) et scolarisés ou en voie de scolarisation à l’Ecole française du Maine, homologuée par le ministère de l’Education nationale peuvent prétendre à l’attribution d’une bourse sous conditions de ressources :

Dans tous les cas, les demandes de bourses scolaires doivent être renouvelées chaque année pour chaque enfant concerné. La date limite de dépôt d’un dossier de bourse est fixée au 16 février 2024

==> Formulaire de demande

Consulat de France à BOSTON

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.