It's a big a thing there, and it goes hand in hand with the other rentrée, when people return from their long summer vacations. Maybe it was just our excitement for being in Paris, but it seemed there was a special energy and excitement around la rentrée, something I never felt around this time of the year in other places I've lived. Everyone is back from the national August vacation, rested and energized (and sun tanned), the city starts coming back to life, store displays are adjusting to the new season—it just felt like a time of renewal and new beginnings, very similar to the New Year or the arrival of spring. So much so that you are constantly wished a bonne rentrée—a happy return, to your normal routine, or perhaps to reality.
When we decided to come to Paris, people would tell us what a great experience it would be for the kids. Half jokingly, we'd say, "The kids? We're doing this for us!" But since we had to bring the kids along, we figured it would be nice if they learned some French. That's why we chose Ecole Active Bilingue-Monceau (now Ecole Internationale Bilingue-EIB Monceau). They have a great adaptation program for international students that helps them adapt to the French language and school system .......
Most were in French, and from the very first day the teachers spoke to them only in French, ensuring that all the kids learned French at about the same pace. That's what real immersion looks like, and seemed to be pretty unique to this school. They guaranteed that after four months the kids would speak some French and that by the end of the year most kids would be speaking French fluently and would graduate to the following grade. After their first year, students in the adaptation track would move into the regular French classes without having to repeat the year.
We had explained to the kids that the way this school worked, all the new kids were put in the same classroom, so they weren’t going to be the only new kids in the class, everyone was going to be new in their class. And nobody else knew French either, so they were all in the same situation. I think this made things easier for them and they did not seem stressed or nervous as we made our way to school.
The school does not have a proper uniform, but kids must use only the approved colors: blue, white, and grey; blue jeans are allowed. Little ID cards travel in their back packs every day.
The adaptation classes of EAB Monceau were located in a beautiful Haussmannian building on Rue Alfred de Vigny. Walking to the school took us ten minutes. They had sent us little cards for each child to identify which classroom to go to. We walked up to the second floor and through a narrow hallway that creaked with every step. It was an old building and the classrooms are tiny; they held about 15 kids per class.
The school does not have a proper uniform, but kids must use only the approved colors: blue, white, and grey; blue jeans are allowed. Little ID cards travel in their back packs every day.
The adaptation classes of EAB Monceau were located in a beautiful Haussmannian building on Rue Alfred de Vigny. Walking to the school took us ten minutes. They had sent us little cards for each child to identify which classroom to go to. We walked up to the second floor and through a narrow hallway that creaked with every step. It was an old building and the classrooms are tiny; they held about 15 kids per class.
First we met Madame Zwillanger, the 2nd grade teacher, who had a bienvenue sign hanging across the room. A nice touch, no matter how low tech it was. Madame Gross, the 3rd grade teacher, used a computer and a projector.
It's at this very instant that we wonder if this was the right thing to do, to put the children through such a big change just because we wanted to live in Paris. Perhaps they wonder the same. With heavy hearts, we said our good-byes and left, not looking back.
The school day goes from 9 to 4, and we were there early, waiting with anticipation for the doors to open. At 4 PM teachers and their students start appearing; first Madame Gross and Andrea, then Madame Zwillanger with the twins. Everyone must shake hands with their teacher before being released. How great that they also teach good manners.
And just like that, the first day is over, as are our fears and doubts. Everyone looks happy and reports having had a good day. And then, to Parc Monceau.
