October 4h, 2024

Bonjour,

Here we are, already a month of school behind us, and the first flames of autumn can be seen on the trees as the playground alights in the magical blaze of yet another beautiful fall season! With troves of new information and classroom news featured in this newsletter, be sure to read the details below for upcoming events and reminders.

This year’s Bike Trips have been some of the most successful ever! Last Friday, thanks to the awesome skills of the riders in first grade, the entire elementary crew rode all the way to the State Park to enjoy some hiking and a picnic lunch. We would like to thank, once again, all our generous chaperones (and awesome staff) for guiding our expert riders during these outings. Our last Bike Trip of the season at the new location of Pineland Farms is off to a great start; we'll see if students can recall these same trails when we host our cross-country ski trip at Pineland later this winter!

In order to take advantage of the beautiful peak foliage, as well as account for any traveling families on the upcoming long-weekend, we have rescheduled Picture Day to Thursday October 10th. On Picture Day, all students will have individual photos taken, as well as sibling photos for those with brothers and sisters at the school. Freeport Photographer, Sharon Peavey, will then provide a link for each family to order any prints or downloads of your photos for holiday cards, gifts, and home keepsakes. More info below!

October Vacation is just around the corner. We will be hosting a small "camp" for childcare purposes; if you previously expressed interest in enrolling, you should have already received the link to sign up. If you are interested in signing up but have not done so yet, don't hesitate to contact the office so that you can register ASAP.

As always, please contact the office with any questions at office@frenchschool.me

Merci beaucoup!

Emily and Willy

Upcoming dates to keep in mind

• October 4th: Final Bike Trip for grades 1 and up, at Pineland Farms
• October 10th: School Picture Day! *DATE CHANGE*
• October 11th: Early Release, dismissal 11:30 am
• October 14th: Indigenous People's Day - No School or camp
• October 14-18: October Break - Camp offered for those who enroll
• October 22nd: Grades 3-4-5 Showcase with Jenny at 8:45am
• October 23rd: Moyenne Section/EC4 Showcase at 2:45pm
• October 24th: Grade 2 Showcase with Fabien at 8:45am
• October 29th: Grade 2 Showcase with Riley at 8:45am
• October 30th: Grade 3-4-5 Showcase with Riley at 8:45am
• October 31st: Halloween Parade at 2pm !

2024-2025 School Calendar

2024-2025 Events Calendar

Mark your calendar for this year's School Picture Day, coming up on Thursday October 10th! We rescheduled this date to allow families taking off early for the long weekend to attend the photo sessions (and to make most of Maine’s peak foliage). 

Individual portraits, as well as full class and sibling photos, will be taken for all students. Downloads, beautiful prints as well as personalized items will be available for purchase directly from the photographer, Sharon Peavey-- please check her website for more info!

We could not have asked for better conditions for this season's bike trips-- truly some of the best rides we have ever had!

This fall, EFDM’s elementary students have been eager for adventure so teachers have decided to change things up for the final trip of the season. Today, Friday October 4th, Grades 1 and up are biking today at Pineland Farms! With new terrain to explore, we look forward to hearing how today's trip compares. We are so grateful to be able to enjoy the many local options for outdoor fun our neighborhood has to offer.

Thank you to all grade 1 and up families for accommodating drop-off and pick-up routine changes to make these trips possible!

La Petite Section, Grande Section, and CP have all presented their "Showcases" to families and visitors. These brief visits into the classroom (at the convenient time of drop-off or pick-up) have been a wonderful way to see learning in action, hear some adorable songs, and witness "regroupment" rituals like the daily check in of the calendar and weather. 

Please note, Moyenne Section’s Showcase is being held at the end of the school day whereas Grades 2 and 3-4-5 will be at drop-off! There are also separate sessions in English and French classes for les grands. Please consult the schedule below to find your student’s classroom’s next Showcases!

• October 22nd: Grades 3-4-5 Showcase with Jenny at 8:45am
• October 23rd: Moyenne Section/EC4 Showcase at 2:45pm
• October 24th: Grade 2 Showcase with Fabien at 8:45am
• October 29th: Grade 2 Showcase with Riley at 8:45am
• October 30th: Grade 3-4-5 Showcase with Riley at 8:45am

We have been having great fun learning new skills and delving into new crafts with our teachers as they share their passions and hobbies during After School Clubs. From jewelry making to crochet, EFDM Clubs are keeping those little hands busy and happy! As a reminder, Leather Work club begins next week, Oct. 8th.

If you've missed out on clubs this session, be sure to reach out and get priority for the next session of clubs in the winter season!

We were so pleased with the turnout of families who accompanied us on the Petite and Moyenne Section apple-picking field trip last week! Hansel's Orchard was the perfect local farm to learn about growing apples (not to mention eating them fresh off the tree) as well as beekeeping and many more Maine fall activities. We love this seasonal tradition and thank everyone who shared the experience with us.



Back at school, students in both classes practiced peeling, cutting, preparing, and, of course, tasting their homemade"compotes" with the fruits they picked themselves! 

What a yummy treat!

While the weather is still fair, Peter has been teaching his General Music class outside on the playground for some extra fun! Not only does this allow friends to sing along at their heart’s content while les petits have their rest time, but it also allows Peter to teach fun folk dances that accompany the music he teaches. Be sure to ask your students to show you their moves, including the do-si-do (which, of course, comes from the French for "back to back" or dos-à-dos!).

We are so thrilled to begin another year of Music Together with Lindz! The Maternelle classes enjoyed their first music sessions and could be heard humming the catchy songs for hours afterward!

As two new PYP units begin in CP-CE1 and CE2-CM1-CM2 under the transdisciplinary theme of How We Organize Ourselves, classrooms from Moyenne Section onwards are preparing to cast their ballots for their class representatives: les délégués de classe. 

In this French tradition, students vote for two members of their classroom who will speak on their behalf at the Conseil des Écoliers (The Student Council), where delegates and school staff discuss projects, proposals, and issues at school. 

This coincides perfectly with both the PYP Unit of les grands: Systems of government impact how citizens make decisions in their daily lives as well as the unit in CP-CE1: We depend on one another.

Both units have a key concept of responsibility and a learner profile attribute of principled, an attitude and outlook which can be seen in campaign strategies of candidates in both classrooms. Firstly, none have shied from the responsibility of the title as both CP-CE1 and CE2-CM1-CM2 are brimming with numerous candidates (read everyone) to choose from. Due to the number of candidates representing themselves, classes will be hosting several rounds of elections, just like in France. They even have special classroom ballots ready to be cast à la française.

We are immensely proud of the sheer number of students who volunteered to be delegates, not to mention the time and care put into their campaign posters. With campaign programmes and promises such as: I listen to others, and Vote for me and be happy, we are certain all candidates will be up for the challenge of representing their friends in the Conseil des Écoliers.

Agency is a keystone of the PYP as it allows students to take learning outside the classroom. Students with agency have the voice, choice, and ownership to take meaningful and intentional action, acknowledging the rights and responsibilities of individuals and supporting the voice, choice, and ownership of everyone in the learning community.

Student-initiated action can be as small as changing opinions on a subject after reflection or as large as contacting local authorities about an important issue. The size of the action is far from what is important as what really matters is how action and agency, along with the other elements of the PYP framework work to strengthen students’ confidence in their capacity to make a positive change in the world.

What does Action look like? 

• A change in attitude
• A consideration or plan for action in the future
• A demonstration of responsibility
• A commitment to leading or participating in a youth advocacy group
• An engagement in school decision-making
• An expression of support in community, local, and global decision-making.

Ways to Support Student Action at Home:

• Acknowledging and celebrating the various forms of action that occur
• Guiding students to reflect on their actions and adjust their course of action when necessary
• Planning for inquiry that supports making informed choices
• Providing opportunities for skills development that facilitates action.
• Helping students connect action with personal experiences
• Celebrating student action with others
• Encouraging students to consider the appropriateness and impact of their actions
• Supporting students in establishing and maintaining connections to local and wider communities.
• Engaging students in dialogue around what action is
• Acknowledging the various forms of action with lived/personal experiences
• Analyzing the scope of possibilities for action
• Supporting students in establishing and maintaining connections to local and wider communities by providing service learning opportunities in response to need, such as volunteering.

The parade will be split into two groups: Jenny's and Fabien's classes will start at 2 PM, followed by the classes of Anaelle, Raphaël, and Beth at 2:10 PM. These groups will remain separate throughout the event. The parade will make three stops: the first is at the Village Market, which has prepared treats for the students. The second stop will be near the intersection of Main Street and Middle St. at the residence of Claire and Jonathan Ellis, current parents. The final stop is at Brewer's Marine in South Freeport on the waterfront, hosted by Stephanie and John Brewer, former parents of l'Ecole, where more treats will be collected. Parents of preschoolers are encouraged to park near the marina before the event for the convenience of tired little ones returning by car. 

Thank you to our guests and hosts!