Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

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France by Mary Lysinger, Languages 28 W VUVUVUVUVUVUVUVUV Fontainebleau C’est Fantastique! In the winter of 1977, I spent a month living with a French family, two blocks from the English Channel. Every morning, my French sister Christine opened (out, not up!) our bedroom window to let in the fresh air of a new day and its discoveries, be they learning “le lendemain” from comic books or eating boudin for the first (and last) time. Three decades later, I am on a plane headed for France, this time accompanied by seven young students and Debbie Ronan, part-time French teacher and co-chaperone. We embarked upon what we hoped would be a trip that would not only allow our students to practice their French and see some sights, but also give them the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone. Global education has been a key element of Newark Academy curriculum discussions for several years now, and the current strategic plan reflects new global initiatives. Creating signature experiences that involve international travel and relationships with international schools and their students is a component of the strategic plan and was the jumping off point for our Fontainebleau adventure. Many Newark Academy students and families are already seasoned globetrotters. In fact, in the space of 20 minutes on a Friday night in Montmartre, our group ran into the Colizza family while buying postcards, and collided with recent graduates Gillian Javetski ’07 and Deb Anderson ’07 in the metro! For all of our travel in Paris, we used public transportation, with each student taking a turn as Uticket-buyer, and everyone working together to determine the best route. We felt that experiences such as these were excellent opportunities for using French, as well as learning a few lessons in self-sufficiency. We observed a distinct increase in the entire group’s confidence by the end of the trip, even with a relatively short immersion experience.
Upon arriving at our first sight-seeing destination in Paris, we quickly learned that some experiences require making lemons out of lemonade. We were at first encouraged by the short line waiting to climb up into the bell tower at Notre Dame. But as we waited, the sky darkened and the rain began to fall. Those of us who were prepared donned our rain gear, while the others quickly learned how to bargain with street vendors for umbrellas! As we continued to wait, we were astonished by the sight above us – the elaborate gargoyles at the top of the cathedral were spewing rain on us, serving their original purpose as rain gutters. To other tourists it may have looked as though we were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but from our perspective as explorers, it was the best place for a learning experience unique to Paris. Next, we headed to Fontainebleau, located about 35 miles southeast of Paris. This town of 37,000 is best known for the chateau and forest domains that surround it. It is horse country, on the chic side, with a large English population. At the train station, we met our host families and each of us went off in a different direction. I am not sure who was more nervous: the chaperones or the students! Within 24 hours, we had the answer: every student had slipped right into life in a new, French-speaking family. By Monday morning, everyone was ready for a “debriefing” session to compare notes. Debbie and I let out a sigh of relief – this trip was really working! 9 TRAVELERS, 9 LESSONS V VUVUVUVUVUVUVUVUV Initially conceived as a capstone experience for eighth grade students of French, logistics and interest intervened to create a beta group of one eighth grader, four seventh graders and two freshmen. “When in doubt, stop for a snack.” – Mme Lysinger “Three boys, four girls, two chaperones … okay, we’re good.” (Repeat multiple times daily!) – Mme Ronan “Hedges are not hurdles.” – Ben Olesky ”Be polite, s’il vous plaît! Merci!” – Peter Ingato ”French C vocabulary is really useful.” – Sarah McGrath ”Even if you’re sure you can’t say it en francais, try anyway!” – Emma Beecher T ”Family is central to French life.” – Camille Rosen ”For a relaxing, after-school vacation, I went … to school!” – Tara Dosumnu “Don’t fall asleep in public transportation.” – Matt Profaci 29
Page 1 and 2: outreach Donald M. Austin Newark Ac
Page 3 and 4: Contents 8 22 26 32 Features 8 The
Page 5 and 6: COMMENCEMENT On Sunday, June 10, 20
Page 7 and 8: FIRST-YEAR IMPRESSIONS OF SPIRIT WE
Page 9 and 10: FOR CURRENT SCORES AND ATHLETIC NEW
Page 11 and 12: Convocation Address William D. Gree
Page 13 and 14: today to undertake our Academy inte
Page 15 and 16: The Austin family: George, Kiki, Do
Page 17 and 18: global school must be our students
Page 19 and 20: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? JIM MANNING NA
Page 21 and 22: These and other efforts to reduce t
Page 23 and 24: sonof porridge ON OF PORRIDGE were
Page 25 and 26: Captivated by the rich textures of
Page 27 and 28: A N A M A Z I N G Natural Habitat A
Page 29: Return to the UK! Twenty-seven soph
Page 33 and 34: Two Donor Receptions Endowment Camp
Page 35 and 36: F First, and of least significance,
Page 37 and 38: 1 2 3 5 6 4 ALMA MATER LUNCH April
Page 39 and 40: POINTS OF VIEW Alumni Art Exhibit T
Page 41 and 42: OCTOBER 14, 2007 remember Newark Ac
Page 43 and 44: Class of 1967 Joe Ball, Deepti Haje
Page 45 and 46: I was now about to have my eyes ope
Page 47: Parents of alumni: If this publicat

Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

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