—_ NORD VANCOUVER

Hurray for Student Exchanges!

This spring, the Grade 7 students of André-Piolat School
in North Vancouver enjoyed a francophone student exchange
with a class from La Patrie, Quebec, sponsored by the
Association canadienne d'éducation de langue frang¢aise
(www.acelf.ca).

From 6 tol4 April, our 11 students, along with Principal
Danielle Arcand and teacher Julie Théberge, flew to Quebec
where they toured Old Quebec, got to know the night sky over
Mount Megantic, and visited local industry, including the
Guitabec guitar manufacturing plant. They were warmly
received and they were thrilled with the typically Quebec
hospitality. The students discovered many cultural
treasures, especially the delights of the sugar shack and the
excitement of francophone living both at home and at school.
Everyone came home with a smile on their lips and a wealth
of new knowledge, new accents, and good friends.

Back home in British Columbia, with the help of their families,
Mme Arcand, Julie Théberge, and numerous parent chaperones,
our students in turn had the pleasure of welcoming the 21
Quebec students, along with their principal and two teacher
chaperones. The return visit, from 4-12 May was truly outstanding!
We were happy and proud to share our daily routine and
introduce the visitors to our natural and cultural West Coast
treasures from Whistler to Victoria, via Britannia Beach,
Stanley Park, and the anthropology museum, to name but a
few. Wide-eyed appreciation, amazement, and expressions of
delight were ever-present during this formidable adventure.
The trip ended with a show that entertained hosts and visitors
alike. Participants received an impressive souvenir album as
a memento of their stay.

The benefits of this type of exchange between francophone
youth from various parts of the country are immediate and
tangible: it fosters our pride in our French language,
demonstrating that we can learn, laugh, and dance in French.
As proof, the Grade 7 students spent significantly more time
listening to francophone music following the exchange.

The fruits of such an exchange can be seen in the new
expressions added to a student's vocabulary, like charms
on a souvenir bracelet, or in the funny situations that our
young people love to describing, sharing them and keeping
alive. An exchange provides an outstanding opportunity to
forge our identity, discover ourselves, explore the diversity
of Canadian Francophony, and make it our own.

Of course, a student exchange does not happen all by itself. I
would like to point out the dedicated, unflagging efforts of
the parents at every stage of the project from the preparation
of application documents, to the many fund-raising events, to
the hosting of participants in their homes. Many thanks to
Danielle Arcand for her faith in the project, for her support
and assistance every step of the way. Thanks to Julie Théberge
for her outstanding involvement and organizational ability
during the exchange. A special thanks to the ACELF, the
CSF, and Paul Ardagh for their financial support. Thank you,
everyone who contributed, directly or indirectly, to making
this exchange project a success.

Marie-André Roy, APE Parent

—- NORD VANCOUVER ——

The parents of André-Piolat School have entered this
school year with a great deal of hope and energy. This
is the year that we begin construction of our new school
in North Vancouver. For the moment, the students are housed
at two separate schools, Cloverley and Lonsdale.

The APE expects to play an active role in the life of the
school, by organizing school-related and social events,
maintaining good communications, and fostering school
spirit. For information, call me at (604) 984-8602 or by
email at parentspiolat@canada.com.

Christophe Simon, APE President
TSAWWASSEN

Papillon Santerre of Bois-Joli

This could be the title of a lovely story-in fact, these words
mark the beginning of the true adventures of two new
teachers who arrived at Bois-Joli School in September.

Our small, 40-person school has three educators this
year, including founding teacher Carole Casey. It has
been four years now since Carole launched our school
in the Tsawassen district of Delta, BC. She is also our
school principal and, this year, her staff has tripled in
size! The new arrivals bring with them a wealth of
experience gained through their various travels-a definite asset
that can only enrich our children's lives.

At the head of the Grade 2-3 class is Daniel Papillon.
Following his studies in communications and journalism
at Laval University and his teaching year at UBC, Mr.
Papillon taught at our school for the first time, then spent
his second year in Taiwan.

What did he learn from this teaching experience and
the two months of travel in Southeast Asia that
followed? He developed a new appreciation for North
American teaching methods, which foster team spirit
and initiative. He also became convinced that even very
young children can learn far more than we generally
think possible.

Thérése Santerre is entering her twentieth year of
teaching and brings her experience and love of sports
to our Grade 4-5 class. For six years, Thérése directed
a sport study program for elite athletes-a program that
she herself developed. She was a swimming coach for
20 years, 12 of those at national level. "Everything is
tangible in sports; we can see immediately what a student
has grasped," says Mme Santerre. This, along with some
experience at the high school level, has influenced her
teaching style; however her first love, and the focus of
her studies at Laval University, has always been primary
school education.

The APE is thrilled to welcome these experienced
travelers. We also wish to welcome Mr. Dennie, who
substitutes for Mme Casey one day a week.

Danielle Marcotte, APE Parent

INFO-PARENTS PAGE 15