ENSEMBLE News
Thank you to those who have responded to our February survey. Based on parents’ responses, ENSEMBLE is now planning the remainder of the year’s activities. You can look for many things to come: a Francophone celebration in May, a newsletter, a newcomer’s package, a movie of the month starting in March and more. We look forward to seeing you; please join us! The summary of the results follows:
ENSEMBLE Survey Results
Process
The survey was created by ENSEMBLE members and e-mailed to 400 families with children in the PS French track or taking French in MS and/or US. We received 83 responses by February 6 for a 20.7% response rate; the input came from across all grades 4K–12.
Overall Survey Results
Ranking of importance of ENSEMBLE’s role (those rating it extremely/very important):
- Academic – 62%
- Cultural/Social – 53%
- Parent Education – 50%
- Recruiting – 22%
Role Definition/Suggestions
Academic – Work hand in hand with the teachers and staff to meet the needs of all children in the French program. Generate new ideas, offer improvements, identify needs and help fill them.
- Create extracurricular French language based activities (i.e., CAS, summer/weekend exchanges)
- Help supplement grade-specific French resources (books, movies, computer software)
- Provide feedback on French teacher quality/consistency
- Ensure French curriculum quality (i.e., strengthen homework assistance program, provide avenues for advanced students, enhance PS program equal to French/Belgian program)
- Represent French section in school discussions (i.e., PS Specials in target language, assigned resources)
- Assist French families whose children are interested in attending French/European universities
Parent Education – Provide a venue (at AIS or nearby) and instructors for parents to both learn and practice French. Ideally, provide a combination of traditional classroom and informal conversation at various levels and at various times (after morning carpool or before afternoon carpool for those able to attend; evenings or weekend mornings for those who work)
Cultural/Social – Complement the school curriculum by providing exposure to Francophone cultures and activities at AIS and around Atlanta
- Celebrations (eg. Mardi Gras, La Bastille, Beujoulais Nouveau)
- Classes (cooking, dance, book club)
- Events (films, concerts, sports, theatre, supper clubs, restaurants)
- Travel (to French speaking countries)
- French speaking play dates
- Newcomer’s Program – Guide to US/Atlanta/AIS for new French speaking families
- Speakers (history, daily life of Francophone countries)
- Newsletter – Quarterly French newsletter on current events, local cultural activities, French resources and educational material)
- Outreach – to Francophone immigrant communities in Atlanta
Other noteworthy events around Atlanta this month: “LES CHORISTES” - winner of Best Foreign Film. Appropriate for children grade 2 and up. French with English subtitles, at Midtown Cinema. Great reviews from ENSEMBLE members who have seen it!