Ray School French Club - News

Ray School PTO Newsletter - December 2003

The Ray School French Club is a new after-school program that started in September. Sixty-three Ray School students meet on Tuesday afternoons to learn French and have fun. According to one second grader, “French Club rocks!”

It all started last June, when several parents met to discuss second language opportunities for Ray School students. Some were parents of bilingual children, and wanted them to have an environment where they could work in French at an advanced level. Other parents had younger children, and wanted them to start before Grade 4. These parents agreed to find a way to expand second language opportunities for Ray students. Since the parents spoke French, and French was already available to 4 th and 5 th graders, the Ray School French Club was born. By late-September, enrollment exceeded what was expected. Space and staff were limited, so the Club had to cap the numbers. In January, the Club hopes to accommodate the waiting list of interested students in addition to the continuing students.

The goal of the Club is to teach French to Kindergarten through 5th Grade, and to encourage interest in a second language and another culture. From the beginning, it was felt that the pupil teacher ratio should be small, so the Club employs three teachers:
- Kristin Sullivan, French teacher at the Ray School
- Allison Litten, French teacher at the Marion Cross school
- Gloria Finkelstein, substitute French teacher at the Ray and Richmond schools
There are also five paid aides, mostly Dartmouth language students, and a number of parent volunteers. Typically, this provides a ratio of 5 children to 1 adult.

Very popular with the students has been the snack, provided by a group of dedicated parent volunteers. Often with a French theme, the snack vocabulary is incorporated into the lessons. “We’ve also had great support from the Ray School. Several staff members have let the Club use their classrooms on Tuesdays. Principal Williams has provided advice and assistance when needed," said Bill Mlacak, co-coordinator of the Club.

Early in the fall, the Club walked to Storrs Pond, sang French songs and played games.

Kristin Sullivan, the head teacher, says “French Club is more than a continuation of school. It’s a chance for the students to have fun using a different language. The Montshire Museum field trip last week was a fabulous opportunity for the children to explore a familiar space using French. My students had a great time doing their scavenger hunt and learned something in the process.”

The planning for the 2004 session of the French Club is already in progress. It is tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays from January 27th to May 18th. For more information, please contact co-coordinator Joanna Whitcomb at Joanna@RaySchoolFrenchClub.org.