News
Creating Connections Between France and Parker
By Languages and Cultural Studies Department Co-Chair Dr. Cynthia Marker
Thirty-seven sophomores from Saint-Augustin, a private school outside of Paris, traveled to Chicago accompanied by four chaperones, including their school principal, for the first round of an exciting new exchange launched by our French program.
Many Saint-Augustin students stayed with amazing Parker families in all divisions. They thoroughly enjoyed their stay, which featured daily outings, the shadowing of Upper School students and a festive, full group gathering with favorite American fare—pizza, hot dogs and fried chicken!—hosted by Parker parents Debbie Lund and Ikram Goldman. The Saint-Augustin contingent attended an evening orchestra concert and a reception in the courtyard with the new friends they made this week.
Upper School French students will have the opportunity to complete the exchange with a visit to Saint-Augustin school and families during next April Recess. Stay tuned for more details and merci beaucoup for the warm welcome that everyone in our community showed them.
Ils adorent Chicago et Parker!
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Ils adorent Chicago et Parker!
The week after their sophomores’ visit to Parker, Saint-Augustin sent 31 of their 6th graders to Chicago. While this group didn’t stay with Parker families, they took time out from their daily sightseeing tours to spend a morning at Parker. After a brief visit with a section of Nikki Joseph’s 6th grade Spanish class, they spent some time in Upper School French classrooms having snacks and playing Mad Libs in English. They then attended a very entertaining Middle School Spirit Week Morning Ex, which included lively competitions between teachers and students who volunteered for a trivia quiz, a spelling bee and “name that song” rounds.
The Saint-Augustin middle schoolers very much enjoyed themselves and look forward to hopefully returning to Parker soon. A big merci to 8th grader Charlie Gilligan and the rest of his Middle School Student Council team for being such great ambassadors and giving a kind shout-out to our grateful French visitors.
The Saint-Augustin middle schoolers very much enjoyed themselves and look forward to hopefully returning to Parker soon. A big merci to 8th grader Charlie Gilligan and the rest of his Middle School Student Council team for being such great ambassadors and giving a kind shout-out to our grateful French visitors.
Click here for photos.
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.