LA RENTREE (Back to School!)

Voila! Today marks the first day of French school. Spencer, Olivia, Clara & Lilly are all beginning a new adventure. The three older kids are in a French public school with an Anglophone section. That means 75% of their school week is taught in French and 25% in English. Spencer is in the college (middle school) so he does not actually start until tomorrow. We made sure everyone had new school clothes for La rentree. (After all, we are living in France and we want to be fashionable!)







Olivia and Clara anxiously awaiting the opening of the big metal gate. French schools are very strict about when the school doors open. Everyone waits outside on the sidewalk until 8:20am. At that time the big metal gates open and the children can enter the school yard. On the first day of school parents are allowed into the school yard to help the children find their name on class lists which are posted on the outside of the school. At 8:30 the bell rings and students go into the school for class. No Parents Allowed! It is good-bye and GOOD LUCK!





The Ecole Internationale is exactly that. A very international school. There were probably over 25 new families from all over the world just beginning at this French public school today. Luckily we have had the opportunity to meet some of these families. It made waiting at the gate not so intimidating.
(Mark, Alison, Olivia, Clara, Thomas, Kate)


We were told it would be very chaotic trying to read all of the lists. It was crowded, but not necessarily chaotic. The children gathered in groups in front of their class signs and then waited for the teachers to come take roll and introduce them to the classroom. Clara was lucky enough to get the best teacher in her grade, Madame Buisson. Olivia has a split teaching group. Both girls knew at least two people in their classes. We gave hugs and then said, "au revoir!" Away they marched into the school.


After the older girls were off to class we took Lilly to the CAB where she will attend pre-kindergarten. Yesterday she had an orientation so there were no big surprises as we arrived at school. Here she is in the coat room putting on her slippers. At least we know she will have cozy warm toes during the school day! Lilly's teacher is Madame Elisabeth and she speaks very little English. Lilly speaks very little French so we are crossing our fingers that they will be able to understand one another.