Annual Report for 2012 - Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Washington State
Office of Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Recteur of the
Académie de Nantes, France
ANNUAL REPORT JUNE, 2012
FOR THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE RECTEUR OF THE ACADÉMIE DE NANTES, FRANCE
AND
THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
INTRODUCTION
On April 27, 2010, representatives of the Académie de Nantes, (hereafter referred to as “the Académie”),
and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State (hereafter referred to as
“OSPI”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the mutual benefit of both the State of
Washington and the Académie de Nantes. One provision of the MOU was Program Evaluation by which
representatives of OSPI and the Académie would assess the progressive implementation of any programs
developed and subject to this MOU annually. This annual report might propose changes and
improvements if necessary. A copy of this annual report was to be sent to the French cultural Services at
the Embassy of France in the United States, as well as to the OSPI and to the Académie.
This is the annual report for the academic year 2011-2012.
FRAMEWORK OF THE MOU
The OSPI and the Académie:

acknowledge the importance of the English and French languages as a means of communication
among individuals as well as countries and the crucial role these languages play in the exchange
of ideas in the fields of economics, science, and culture;

are driven by the same desire to strengthen ties between the citizens of their respective
communities and to cooperate in the efforts that both agencies are exerting to design an
educational model for the new millennium, of which intercultural understanding will be an
essential element;

are convinced of the possibilities that collaboration on both sides can offer in the fields of
education, culture, and professional training; and

wish to further expand the established links between OSPI and the Académie and develop new
relationships so that students, teachers, and other educators and administrators can benefit from
them.
June, 2012
Page | 1
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The objective of this MOU is to establish the terms of a cooperation concerning the development of a
range of joint educational activities in order to:

support the teaching, learning, and understanding of our respective languages, cultures and their
contributions to history and contemporary issues;

promote a better knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of our respective educational
systems;

provide students, teachers, and other educators and administrators with educational opportunities
and resources, both linguistic and cultural, that prepare them for future personal, academic and
professional success; and

incorporate international dimensions and comparative approaches in teaching, learning, training
and research, and the evaluation of these areas.
The programs established as a result of this MOU and in both countries apply to all levels of education
(preschool through secondary).
Alignment with curriculum and current programs in both countries is a prerequisite, with the expectation
of maintaining high academic standards for all students involved
This agreement is to be maintained in accordance with all state and federal legislation and regulations in
each country concerning personnel and students, such as confidentiality and safety.
PROGRESS TO DATE ON AREAS OF COOPERATION
The basic principles of cooperation between the Académie and OSPI will be implemented through the
following means:
1. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOLS
OSPI and the Académie will create a process for connecting schools and school districts around
specific pedagogical projects, sharing resources or findings, creating teaching materials, or other
activities covering all subject areas, both academic and non-academic or technical. The individual
schools will be responsible for carrying out the projects.
Results to Date:
Nine partnerships were established between schools in Washington state and Nantes, facilitated by
Misa Bourdoiseau of the AATF Northwest (American Association for the Teaching of French).
AATF provided a link to an application form on their website:
http://www.aatf-northwest.org/events.html. See Appendix B for a list of schools.
Some of the projects completed by the schools included:
-
Connecting for video conferences via Skype
-
Exchanging emails and mail and communicating via Facebook
-
Exchanging messages with an English teacher in Nantes
-
Carrying out a penpal exchange
-
Sending a teacher to Nantes (Marci Bass from the Stillaguamish Valley school in Arlington, a
homeschool program) to be hosted by a program at Jules Vernes in Nantes
June, 2012
Page | 2
2. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
OSPI and the Académie will facilitate meetings or exchanges of teachers and educational
administrators intended to improve the quality of education and encourage exchange of information,
knowledge and educational expertise of common interest to both parties for the benefit of all. These
meetings and exchanges will enable teachers, heads of school, and other personnel of the educational
system to improve their skills through training in the state of Washington and the Académie de
Nantes. The methods and objectives of such meetings and exchanges remain to be defined.
Results to Date:
Misa Bourdoiseau (AATF) organized and hosted a meeting of educators from many of the
participating schools with the delegation from Nantes on December 6, 2011. See Appendix C for
pictures and summary.
3. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS
OSPI and the Académie will encourage increased proficiency in languages to enable the students to
develop intercultural professional experience and abilities and to acquire a better understanding of the
world they live in.
Results to Date:
Both Blanchet High School and North Kitsap High School were able to host students from Nantes
during the 2011-2012 school year. Northwest School was able to travel with students to France, as
was North Kitsap High School. Several other schools are researching the possibility of hosting
students from Nantes in their schools in the coming year.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
With the intention of resigning the MOU in 2012, these are some of the areas of future opportunity:

Increasing the number of partner schools

Hosting a Jules Verne Guest Teacher at one of the schools in Washington

Hosting students from Nantes on brief (less than 3-month) visits in Washington

Collaborating on professional development for language teachers through webinars on current
best practices in language learning and teaching
WEBSITES
Information about the MOU and opportunities are found at:
http://www.k12.wa.us/InternationalEd/PartnersFrance.aspx
http://www.aatf-northwest.org/events.html
June, 2012
Page | 3
APPENDICES
Appendix A : MOU Signed 4/27/2010
Appendix B : List of School Partnerships (Washington and Nantes)
Appendix C: Some Reports from Teachers
Appendix D: Reunion of Teachers and Delegation from Nantes 12/6/2011
June, 2012
Page | 4
Appendix A: MOU Signed April 27, 2010
Washington State
Office of Superintendent
of Public Instruction
Recteur of the
Académie de Nantes, France
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE RECTEUR OF THE ACADÉMIE DE NANTES, FRANCE
AND
THE OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
BACKGROUND
In 2008, representatives of the Académie de Nantes, (hereafter referred to as “the Académie”), and the
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State (hereafter referred to as “OSPI”)
began a dialogue to discuss the details of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the mutual
benefit of both the State of Washington and the Académie de Nantes.
FRAMEWORK
The OSPI and the Académie:

acknowledge the importance of the English and French languages as a means of communication
among individuals as well as countries and the crucial role these languages play in the exchange
of ideas in the fields of economics, science, and culture;

are driven by the same desire to strengthen ties between the citizens of their respective
communities and to cooperate in the efforts that both agencies are exerting to design an
educational model for the new millennium, of which intercultural understanding will be an
essential element;

are convinced of the possibilities that collaboration on both sides can offer in the fields of
education, culture, and professional training; and

wish to further expand the established links between OSPI and the Académie and develop new
relationships so that students, teachers, and other educators and administrators can benefit from
them.
June, 2012
Page | 5
RESOLUTION
Consequently, an educational MOU based on the contents presented herein, and mutually approved by the
two partners, is officially signed. Hence, we, the Académie and the OSPI, agree on the principles
described below.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
The objective of this MOU is to establish the terms of a cooperation concerning the development of a
range of joint educational activities in order to :

support the teaching, learning, and understanding of our respective languages, cultures and their
contributions to history and contemporary issues;

promote a better knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of our respective educational
systems;

provide students, teachers, and other educators and administrators with educational opportunities
and resources, both linguistic and cultural, that prepare them for future personal, academic and
professional success; and

incorporate international dimensions and comparative approaches in teaching, learning, training
and research, and the evaluation of these areas.
The programs established as a result of this MOU and in both countries apply to all levels of education
(preschool through secondary).
Alignment with curriculum and current programs in both countries is a prerequisite, with the expectation
of maintaining high academic standards for all students involved
This agreement is to be maintained in accordance with all state and federal legislation and regulations in
each country concerning personnel and students, such as confidentiality and safety
AREAS OF COOPERATION
The basic principles of cooperation between the Académie and OSPI will be implemented through the
following means:
3. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOLS
OSPI and the Académie will create a process for connecting schools and school districts around
specific pedagogical projects, sharing resources or findings, creating teaching materials, or other
activities covering all subject areas, both academic and non-academic or technical. The individual
schools will be responsible for carrying out the projects.
The Académie and OSPI agree to explore:
June, 2012

creating a process for connecting schools (e.g., sister schools, Internet-based exchanges,
video-conferences, etc.) around collaborative projects, which the individual schools will
be responsible for carrying out;

discussing additional computer-assisted technologies for connecting classrooms and
community partners in Washington and France;

discussing the establishment of exchanges between school districts in Washington and the
Académie;
Page | 6

sharing Washington's historical and cultural reality to enrich exchanges between school
districts in Washington and the Académie;

creating opportunities to establish and support French immersion programs in
Washington’s public schools and English immersion programs in the Académie; and

discussing the establishment of partnerships in visual and performing arts in the
Académie and Washington State.
4. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
OSPI and the Académie will facilitate meetings or exchanges of teachers and educational
administrators intended to improve the quality of education and encourage exchange of
information, knowledge and educational expertise of common interest to both parties for the
benefit of all. These meetings and exchanges will enable teachers, heads of school, and other
personnel of the educational system to improve their skills through training in the state of
Washington and the Académie de Nantes. The methods and objectives of such meetings and
exchanges remain to be defined.
The Académie and OSPI agree to explore:

potential opportunities for developing and/or enhancing exchange and visiting programs
for K-12 teachers and administrators;

the development of seminars in the fields of pedagogy, methodology, culture or other
fields of interest, which would reinforce in-service teacher training by means of new
technologies or with one trainer going to each partner region with the objective of
disseminating information on teaching practices to a wide range of teachers in each
region.
4. CONNECTIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS
OSPI and the Académie will encourage increased proficiency in languages to enable the students
to develop intercultural professional experience and abilities and to acquire a better understanding
of the world they live in.
The Académie and OSPI agree to explore:

ways to facilitate student visits in the Académie and Washington State and implement
short-term and/or long-term exchanges;

the possibility of providing an opportunity for students from universities of the Académie
(future language teachers) to do internships in Washington’s schools;

ways to develop activities for the promotion of vocational or technical education in
schools, including company placements or internships in Washington and the Académie
by developing links with businesses that have existing ties with both regions.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Representatives of OSPI and the Académie will assess the progressive implementation of any programs
developed and subject to this MOU annually. This annual report may propose changes and improvements
if necessary.
June, 2012
Page | 7
The OSPI and the Académie agree that representatives of both administrations will evaluate the programs
which are the subject of this MOU at annual meetings, which will take place through the use of webbased information and communications technologies or, when possible, alternatively in one region or the
other.
A copy of this annual report will be sent to the French cultural Services at the Embassy of France in the
United States, as well as to the OSPI and to the Académie.
DURATION AND CONDITIONS OF CANCELLATION OF THE MOU
The term of this protocol will be two years, beginning on the date of signing by parties. At the end of this
agreement, terms of renewal will be discussed unless either party desires that the agreement should not be
renewed.
During the time the MOU is in effect, both parties being in agreement may submit in writing and execute
addenda that improve its effectiveness. Unless otherwise stipulated, any addendum to this MOU will take
effect when signed by the OSPI and the Académie.
This MOU may be terminated by either the OSPI or the Académie if such a decision is reported to the
other signatory by written notice six months in advance.
This MOU is equally valid in the Washington State and in the Académie de Nantes.
Signed in ……………………….. on ……….…………………….
Representing the Académie de
Nantes,
Representing the Office of
Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Washington State
Randy I. Dorn,
Superintendent of Public
Instruction
M. Gérald Chaix
Recteur de l’Académie,
Chancelier des Universités
Representing the French
Embassy in the USA,
Kareen Rispal
Conseillère Culturelle
June, 2012
Page | 8
Appendix B: List of School Partnerships
Niveau, âges Établissements de l’Etat de
Washington
Établissements de l’Académie de Projet
pédagogique
Nantes
1
Federal Way High School
Secondaire, 30611 16th Ave S
15 à 17 ans. Federal Way, WA 98003
Principal: [email protected]
French teacher:
[email protected]
Lycée Jules Verne
1 rue du Général Meusnier BP
14217 44042 Nantes Cedex 1
02.40.12.27.10
Proviseur :
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet :
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
2
International School
Secondaire, 445 128th Ave SE
15/16 ans.
Bellevue, WA 98005
425-456-6500
Proviseur : Dr Peter Bang-Knudsen
Echange
Lycée St Stanislas
2 rue St Stanislas BP 40905
culturel et
44009 Nantes Cedex 1
linguistique.
02.40.20.17.50
Proviseur : M. Toumoulin Hervé
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet : Mme
Mouray Frédérique
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet : Bob Ellis
[email protected]
3
Roosevelt High School
Secondaire, 1410 NE 66th
15/16 ans.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-252-4810
Proviseur : Brian Vance
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet : Sybille
Stadtmueller
Lycée Jean Perrin
20 rue du château de Rezé
44400 Rezé
02.40.32.44.00
Proviseur : Mr Schenker Denis
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet :
[email protected]
2nde :
comparaison
des modes
de vie,
stéréotypes.
1è : partage
d’une
expérience
avec un
corresponda
nt (lieu,
personnage
…).
Pouvoir
discuter de
ses points
communs et
différences.
[email protected]
4
Cheney High School
Secondaire, 460 N. 6th Street
16/17 ans.
Cheney, Washington 99004
Principal: [email protected]
French teacher :
[email protected]
Lycée hotelier Daniel Brottier La
Chemin du couvent
gastronomie
44340 Bouguenais
et la vidéo.
02.40.65.29.90
Proviseur : [email protected]
Coordinatrice du projet :
[email protected]
June, 2012
Page | 9
Niveau, âges Établissements de l’Etat de
Washington
Établissements de l’Académie de Projet
pédagogique
Nantes
5
North Kitsap High School
Secondaire,
16/17 ans.
Lycée Aristide Briand
10 BOULEVARD PIERRE DE
COUBERTIN
BP : 418
44606 ST NAZAIRE CEDEX
LYC PUBLIC
Tel : 0240002525
Fax : 0240002500
Prov: Mme Castagne
Adr électronique :
[email protected]
Coordinateur : Mme Bellorge
[email protected]
6
Okanogan High School, Okanogan
Secondaire, Middle School, Virginia Granger
15 ans et +. Elementary School
PO Box 592, Okanogan, WA 98840
Principal :
[email protected]
Prof coordi :
[email protected]
Lycée Jean Moulin
1 place Jean Moulin
49017 Angers Cedex 2
02.41.96.63.60
Proviseur : Mr Chodkiewicz
Cyrille [email protected]
Coordinateur du projet : M.
Bogue Patrick
[email protected]
2de : La vie
citoyenne.
BTS :
l’environne
ment et le
développem
ent durable.
7
Highline High School
Secondaire, 225 S. 152 St.
17 à 19 ans. Burien, WA 98148
206.631.6700
9-12
Principal
Mike Fosberg
[email protected]
prof coordi:
Kathy Hazen
[email protected]
Lycée Ludovic Ménard
Place des Tilleuls BP 756
49800 Trélazé
02.41.96.19.20
Proviseur : philippe.paul@ac-
Les énergies
renouvelable
s pour une
société
durable :
passé,
présent et
avenir.
June, 2012
nantes.fr
Coordinateur du projet :
[email protected]
Page | 10
Niveau, âges Établissements de l’Etat de
Washington
Établissements de l’Académie de Projet
pédagogique
Nantes
8
The Northwest School
Secondaire, 1415 Summit Ave
15 à 18 ans. Seattle WA 98122
Principal:
[email protected]
French teacher :
Françoise.Canter@northwestschool.
org
[email protected]
rg
Lycée Emmanuel Mounier
1 passage Robert Schuman
BP 63045
49017 Angers
02.41.43.96.61
Proviseur : Catherine.gay-
9
En attente de partenaire
Secondaire,
15/16 ans.
Lycée Victor Hugo
4 rue du Général Lemonnier
53200 Château-Gontier
02.43.07.11.00
Proviseur :
[email protected]
Coordinateur du projet :
[email protected]
Environnem
ent et
développem
ent durable.
10
Bishop Blanchet High School
Secondaire, 8200 Wallingford Ave. N.
15 à 17 ans. Seattle, WA 98103
206.527.7711
principal:
Dr. Kris Brynildsen-Smith
Prof coordin:
Margaret Newcomb
[email protected]
Lycée Ste Marie du Port
BP 20376
85108 Les Sables d’Olonne
02.51.95.12.40
Proviseur : M. Vallantin
Christian [email protected]
Coordinateur du projet : Olivier
Brochard [email protected]
« Ici on
enseigne
l’art de la
rencontre ».
June, 2012
[email protected]
Coordinateurs du projet :
[email protected]
[email protected]
Perfectionne
ment
linguistique.
Connaissanc
e de la
culture et
des
organisation
s
américaines.
Page | 11
Appendix C: Some Reports from Teachers
From:Francoise Canter ([email protected]) Sent:Mon 6/13/11 8:46
AMTo: Misa Bourdoiseau ([email protected])Cc: David Montero
([email protected])
Chere Misa,
Notre partenariat a commence des septembre avec un blog et 2 video conferences avec Skype.
Les eleves de premieres ont alimente regulierement le blog et ont donc etablit des contact avant
notre sejour. Nous sommes alles a Angers du 9 au 22 avril. Les eleves (14) ont ete heberge par
les familles de leur correspondants. Ils sont alles en classe et ont participe a des activites
diverses. Les professeurs (David, Sarah et moi) ont egalement participe a des cours. Nous avons
aussi explore la ville et fait un peu de tourisme aux alentours. Nous avons passe un week-end
tous ensemble (Francais et Americains ) a Nantes. Nous avons etabli un programme solide et les
francais vont faire tout leur possible pour venir l'annee scolaire prochaine (probablement en
fevrier). Il n'ont pas beaucoup de moyens financiers mais ils vont essayer de frapper a toutes les
portes. Nous avons passe 4 jours dans une auberge de jeunesse a Paris a la fin du voyage et avons
fait beaucoup de choses...(c'est ma ville!). Grand merci Misa de nous avoir aide a mettre ce
projet en route. Telephone-moi si tu veux plus d'informations. (206-634-9327). Je suis a Seattle
jusqu'a la mi-juillet. Si tu as des idees pour les aider financierement envoie-nous les contacts.
Bien amicalement
Francoise
Bien amicalement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------RE O avec Nantes
To Misa Bourdoiseau
From: Haveman, Lola ([email protected])
Sent: Sat 6/25/11 6:37 PM
To:
Misa Bourdoiseau ([email protected])
Bonjour Misa,
Je suis très contente de tout ce qui s'est passé cette année entre notre lycée (North Kitsap High
School) et Lycée Aristide BRIAND à Saint-Nazaire. Nos élèves se sont écrits par email, par
Facebook, et par lettre presque tous les mois depuis janvier dernier. L'année prochaine nous
espérons accueillir nos amis français pendant deux semaines en février, et puis plus tard quand
on sera à Paris pour les vacances de printemps on espère passer un jour ou deux à Saint-Nazaire.
Bonnes vacances cet été, si vous en avez.
Lola
________________________________________
June, 2012
Page | 12
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: MOU with Nantes
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:02:49 -0700
Chère Misa,
Je m’excuse. Ces derniers jours étaient vraiment comblés. Notre communication avec St. arie
du port cette année fonctionnait pour le plupart de nous faire connaissance. ne classe d’anglais
à St. arie du port a envoyé des messages à mes élèves, et ils ont répondu. J’ai échangé
beaucoup de e-mails avec le directeur adjoint, Olivier Brochard, et j’ai expliqué l’idée du
partenariat à l’assemblé de profs à Bishop Blanchet High School, explication suivie d’un
sondage pour déterminer l’intérêt de tout le monde à participer dans l’échange, soit de recevoir
des élèves français dans leurs cours, soit de développer une leçon avec un professeur français,
soit de voyager en France avec nos élèves. Le résultat était assez positif, et notre directrice est
d’accord de commencer les préparations pour recevoir 30 élèves chez nous en mars 2012. ( Et
puis mon père est tombé malade, et il est mort il y a six semaines, et mes sœurs et frères et moi
ont dû prendre soin, d’abord de lui, et après, de ses affaires. Je vais bientôt recommencer mes
efforts au sujet de cet échange.) Nos deux lycées comptent à trouver des moyens de
communiquer et de travailler ensemble avant l’échange. C’est un de mes projets pour cet été !
À part ça, je viendrai chez vous, merci, ce vendredi.
À tout bientôt,
Margaret
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Bonjour Misa!
I ended up doing an penpal exchange with Saint Michel school in Annecy. They send their
students here every spring through ANDEO and this year I started the exchange with one of their
English teachers. We compile our students letters and email them to
one another. Many of our students have continued to correspond through Facebook. It was a
great experience and we plan to start again in the fall with a new group of students.
Tina L. Irish
French Teacher
Decatur High School
2800 SW 320th St.
Federal Way, WA 98023
(253)945-5329
-------------------------------------------------------------------------June, 2012
Page | 13
Hi Misa,
Tina didn't end up doing the project with us, because we had just the right amount of students
here. We set up a pen pal exchange and matched our students up with students at Lycee Jules
Verne. Students wrote back and forth on paper and did two
exchanges. Next year, I believe we will do it again, probably starting over since we will have
different students. We used paper because getting email addresses here was very complicated,
which we did finally achieve, only to discover that the lycee in
France has only one email address for the whole lycee. Students enjoyed getting paper letters (it
was quite a novelty!), and then often connected with their new friends through facebook or email
on their own.
Thanks for providing us with this opportunity!
Meghan Schumacher, Federal Way Public Schools
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Subject: RE: Partenariat ( MOU) avec Nantes- reunion 6 decembre 2011
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2011 13:13:01 -0800
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Greetings Misa:
I have been working with Francis Bogue at Lycée Jean Moulin. We started by having students
blog basic introduction information. My French students wrote in French and his students wrote
in English. We gave each other pointers on colloquial American and French vocabulary and
structures. Last year we also created a joint web pages based on a current issues. American
students also created personal web pages. This year we have a number of projects in the works.
Currently, we have sent introductions and the students in Angers have begun to create personal
pages with blogs so students can comment and make suggestions for their work. I’ve been a bit
behind due to technical difficulties but I hope to have all of my English 10 students involved this
year as well as my French language students. We also hope to publish student critical work on
poetry and literature to open a dialogue about literature and arts. We will be revisiting our
current issues assignments as well as sketches or dialogues of social situations. Currently,
Francis is facilitating one of his students coming here to Okanogan for a three month stay in the
spring. I have gotten the approval of my principal and I’m currently working on a home stay
situation. I hope to send a student to Angers next year but finances are the key obstacle in our
impoverished area.
Dennis P.O'Connor, NBCT
English, French
Okanogan High School
PO Box 592 Okanogan, WA 98840 509-422-3770, ext. 3665
-------------------------------------------------------------------------June, 2012
Page | 14
From Bishop Blanchet High School
Bishop Blanchet has had the honor and joy over ten days’ time of welcoming 31 students , three
teachers, and the principal from St. ary of the Port, a Catholic school in Les Sables d’Olonne,
France.
31 Bishop Blanchet families have opened their doors to give the French students a true
immersion experience of Green-and-Gold hospitality. The French students share the life of their
American hosts, going to classes with them and attending after-school activities. Our French
guests are fascinated by our rich array of choices for extra-curricular participation. They’ve
watched play rehearsals, attended soft-ball practices, watched games and track meets, seen the
choirs, the band, and the orchestra in operation. They’ve compared notes, to find that each
BBHS student’s day is unique in some way.
Mr. Michael Pierce picked up the French group from the airport in royal fashion Monday
evening, arch 26, providing them with a big yellow bus, shining like a chariot, “Bishop
Blanchet” emblazoned in big green letters on the side. Their BBHS host families streamed from
the school to meet them upon arrival, matched up students, and hurried them along to what
would be their home for the next ten days. Principal Kris Brynildsen-Smith welcomed the
exchange students at an after-school party at the end of their first full day at BBHS.
American and French students have quickly formed new friendships. Differences in language
and culture turn into occasions for education and personal growth. With little effort, language
skills grow and communication deepens. Nothing printed in a textbook or even recorded in the
best inter-active language program can compare to actual person-to-person experience
throughout the full expanse of everyday routines. In class , the French students learn firsthand
the differences between their school day and ours, but they—and we—also discover the common
human traits that provide great hope for future understanding and will work to dissolve walls of
prejudice.
Thanks in large part to parent help and generosity, the French students have spent their
afternoons exploring Seattle history, arts, culture, and technology. Ed Foster and Mike Henshew
led the group on tours of downtown Seattle, Seattle Center, the EMP, Pike Place Market, and on
a ferry ride to Bainbridge. Blanchet teachers have taken the group by bus to Carkeek Park and to
the Boeing Factory in Everett. Each host family has individually provided rich experiences for
its guest, including a wide variety of local opportunities.
Principal Dominique Duhamel of Sainte Marie du Port looks forward to welcoming our BBHS
students to Les Sables d’Olonne next spring, opening the bridge between our sister schools and
making the big world just a little smaller.
Margaret Newcomb
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Sister Schools: Nantes and Bellevue
For fourteen years the private school St. Stanislas in Nantes and the International School in
Bellevue have been cultivating a solid sisterhood/exchange program that has become a unique
distinction and attraction for our schools overall. This relationship has certainly evolved over the
years, but as teachers, students, and the program have changed, the foundation has remained
strong and the bene-fits continue to grow. Now that we have an official relation-ship through our
respective governments, we can also antici-pate more support in developing greater potential in
our cross-continental relationships.
Every year twenty-four students from Nantes and twenty-four students from Bellevue embark on
a year-long adventure that fuels anticipation and excitement, contagious to all the students, staff,
and families around them as whole communities play integral roles in the success of the program. By late fall the students have been carefully matched by the concerted efforts of the
teachers at each school. From the moment students receive the name and contact infor-mation of
their correspondents there is a flurry of exuberance as they exchange introductions, stories,
shared interests, and photos via the Internet, now mostly Facebook. Suddenly twenty-four
students along with their friends and families in America are curiously inquiring about twentyfour students in France and vice versa. Whole French classes are just as worked up about
meeting the ―Frenchies‖ as the lucky twenty-four students, planning adventures in which
everyone can participate, reading their letters and collaborating on their correspondence. Since
the Americans write in French and the French correspond in English, stories circulate frequently
about what the French students write, for example, ―I hate to see you!‖ (The direct translation
J’ai hâte de te voir !) We can only imagine the awkward translations on the other end!
International School is first up for the three-week hosting experience beginning in late January,
so our students do all they can to create the most memorable stay possible in winter with the
intent to foster a long-term reciprocal rela-tionship. Of course the families are an integral part;
the parents exchange E-Mails with each other and help orchestrate activities. Everyone wants to
be gracious as hosts to cultivate a strong, trusting relationship in both countries so that all
students have an enduring positive impression. Inevitably, the three-week stay ends too soon for
everyone, but the anticipation for our trip in the spring is like an electric charge in our twentyfour students.
Six weeks later we are off to France! Over the three weeks, one week is spent exploring and
discovering as much as feasible, making the language and culture students have studied for years
come vibrantly alive. But without fail, what the students find to be the definitive denouement is
the two-week family stay. In these two weeks, we teachers become celebrities at the school as
teachers and students alike rave about the American students. Everyone is impressed by their
French speaking, touched by their enthusiasm and intrigued by their differences and similarities
to themselves. Our students have the unique privilege of living as members of French families;
from the meals to the bathrooms at home to the social life and school life; they see the world in a
whole new way. When the time comes to leave our dear friends, not even the most stoic student
can refrain from an emotional goodbye. This is a moment of profound joy for the teachers; to
witness students living the target language and culture in a real-life friendship across continents.
It is impossible to imagine a more relevant culmination of our students‘ learning.
Yet the potential is increasingly boundless. Following our own discoveries as teachers/learners in
technology, such as the myriad of opportunities presented in the WAFLT/COFLT conference
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only weeks ago, there seems to be no limit in possibilities to nurture student engagement and
relevancy in the curriculum. While this may occasionally seem daunting and overwhelming, it is
tremendously exciting to make learning more alive than it ever was for us in school. Most
teachers today, as younger learners, used books to learn about francophone countries and
cultures; today we can catch up-to-date news from Senegal, listen to the latest music happening
in Martinique, and even drive vicariously
St. Stanislas hosts a community gala dinner to welcome us to Nantes.
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Appendix D: Reunion of Teachers and Delegation from Nantes 12/6/2011
Let’s get better acquainted!
Tuesday December 6, 2011 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
MOU between Académie de Nantes and Washington State
Meeting for all teachers already participating and potential participants
Northeast Branch Library, 6801 35th Avenue NE – SEATTLE
(Wedgewood area, close to University Village) See attachment for directions.
Come and meet Laurence Emile Besse, Jean-Paul Pacaud from the DAREIC of Nantes
and representatives from Washington State.
- Share with your colleagues your experience in the partnership with the French schools.
- Bring your plans/ideas for 2012.
- Any pictures? Documents, you would like to share?
- Refreshments and light snacks
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Résumé de la rencontre:
 Host and moderator: Misa Bourdoiseau (AATF- WA/AK/BC/AB)
 Guest speakers: Laurence Emile Besse, Jean-Paul Pacaud (DAREIC – DAAC, Nantes)
 (Kelly Martin & Michele Aoki from OSPI /WA were not able to attend, nor
representatives from French consulate)
 Invited guests: Tom Bennett- (S-N Dollars for Scholars) and Marie- Pierre Koban
(SNSCA)
 Professeurs presents: Lola Haveman, Bob Ellis, Kathy Hazen, Megan
Schumacher, David Montero, Francoise Canter, Michelle Pounder, Margaret
Newcomb, Marci Bass.
 Professeurs absents: Rhonda Eastman, Rachel artin, Dennis O’Connor,
Sybille Stdtmueller.
Après petite réception de bienvenue, accueil des invités d’honneur : Laurence Emile Besse,
Jean-Paul Pacaud, et lecture du message de Kelly Martin par Misa Bourdoiseau, chaque
professeur a présenté son programme et partagé ses expériences avec anecdotes et photos à
l’appui.
Laurence Emile Besse, et Jean-Paul Pacaud (DAREIC-DAAC) ont ensuite présenté les
raisons de leur mission à Seattle et le double projet qui pourra être mis en place à partir de
l’automne 2012 dans le cadre du MOU :

saison culturelle française à Seattle à laquelle participeront les lycées partenaires
(novembre 2012- concert + vidéo- conférence avec les
2 directeurs de symphonie :
Ludovic Merlot, français à Seattle et John Axelrod, américain à Nantes)

projet de bourses de 3 mois pour les étudiants nantais dans un lycée américain avec
réciprocité (projet pilote)
Chacune et chacun sont repartis plein d’énergie et d’enthousiasme à l’idée de ce projet
fédérateur qui demandera cependant bonne réflexion, préparation et coordination pour sa
mise en place.
Misa Bourdoiseau – Janvier 2012
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