News from San Diego French-American School

What: Baguette and other specialty breads from Prager Brothers will be sold at SDFAS every Tuesday afternoon. Baguettes will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why: To raise money for the families participating in the Dallas Theater Festival.

When: Every Tuesday afternoon from 2:45-5:00 (or until all sold; if you are unable to pick it up at this time, please ask Valérie for special arrangements).

Where: Outside on the K-8 blacktop.

Please fill out the order form if you would like to order specialty breads or large quantities of baguettes!

You can also email your order to Valérie before 12 noon on Fridays. Cash or checks only will be accepted. Make checks payable to SDFAS.

THANK YOU.

Questions may be directed to: Valérie, vasensio@

sdfrenchschool.org

Bake Goods and Crêpes Sale

We are selling delicious desserts and crêpes every Friday after school!

Crêpes, cakes, drinks available in the parent area.

Sibling Pictures

Photographies par famille

Alexandra Borbolla will be available for the sibling pictures October 10-15. The package of sibling pictures will be $95.

Click on the link for more information and to book a time and day. Slots are available before class from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. or on Saturday 10 to 11a.m.

Click

Here

Note that the school pictures with the company Lifetouch is only for the individual and class pictures.

High School Information Night

On Thursday, October 13 from 6 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., in the auditorium, we will hold an information session about the high school application process, with an overview of the options: Private/Independent, Public, AP, IB, etc. An SDFAS alumni panel will share their experiences about academics and life as high school students after graduating from SDFAS.

For questions please contact Erin Stoller, High School Placement Counselor, at

estoller@

sdfrenchschool.org

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BLOG

For Elementary School information and updates

Click

HERE

MIDDLE

SCHOOL BLOG

For Middle School information and updates

Click

HERE

VISIT OUR SDFAS FACEBOOK PAGE

Don't forget to like and follow us on Facebook!

Thank you for your support.

Follow us on Twitter

@SDFrenchSchool

Click

HERE

QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?

If you have any questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact our editor, Audrey Blanchard at

communications@

sdfrenchschool.org

Click

HERE

for the French American Chamber of Commerce website.

Class Delegate Elections Simulate Presidential Elections

L'élection des délégués de classe s'inspire de l'élection présidentielle

Valentina is choosing her favorite representative and then casts her vote at the ballot box. She also has to sign the register, in the same way adults vote on election day at the polls. Finally, the results!

This year, both the United States and France will hold their general presidential elections. Teachers have taken this opportunity to more formally organize the elections for the class representatives, working on civics and specific vocabulary.

Ceramic Workshop for 8th graders

Ateliers céramique pour les élèves de 4ème

Tanguy is assembling clay in a rectangular structure, while Angeline is dutifully preparing clay paste in her hands.

Jacob gives directions to Dylan who has chosen to work on a round box.

In the background: Caius, Adriana, Arthur and Vincent.

Every Tuesday afternoon, 8th grade students enjoy their ceramic workshop as part of their "Artist in Residence" program. Artist and Ceramist Jacob Johnston (also a parent of an elementary student) teaches various techniques to make boxes with clay.

ÉDITO

The past few years we've been working on an important aspect of the educational experience on the campus, often referred to as "school climate." The term encompasses many aspects of the learning experience and more specifically, the feelings, the emotions, the relationship with others, and the values we share. These values, such as respect, tolerance, and empathy, as well as an agreed upon set of rules, create a positive experience, both in class and on the playground. This helps children grow and to become more thoughtful, kind, independent and mature. Ultimately, it gives them the feeling of security, the feeling of being surrounded by adults and friends in a "bully-free environment," on a campus where they are comfortable and happy.

Teachers and administrators play an important role in reinforcing a positive school environment and for several years now, I've wanted to develop the concept of mindfulness, a trend we are seeing in good schools which will help students focus on the moment and to be conscious and aware. At SDFAS this term, 20 teachers and administrators are attending a series of mindfulness sessions (see picture below), brought to us by expert Lorraine Hobbs from the UCSD Center for Mindfulness, with the goal of bringing the essence of the program to the classroom later in the year. I'm convinced that, with the support of the teachers, the students will benefit from this program, and continue to learn in a safe and nurturing educational environment!

Christian Jarlov, Head of school

Chers parents,

Ces dernières années, nous avons travaillé sur un aspect important de la vie sur notre campus, souvent appelé le "climat scolaire". Ce terme englobe de nombreux aspects de l'expérience éducative et en particulier les sentiments, les émotions, les relations avec les autres et les valeurs que nous partageons. Ces valeurs telles que le respect, la tolérance et l'empathie, de même qu'un ensemble de règles de vie admises par tous, contribuent à un environnement positif, en classe ou en récréation. Ce climat aide les enfants à grandir et à devenir plus réfléchis, attentionnés, indépendants et plus mûrs. Au final, ils vivent aussi plus en sécurité, entourés d'adultes et d'amis, protégés du harcèlement et dans une école où ils se sentent épanouis et heureux.

Les professeurs et l'administration jouent un rôle important dans le renforcement de cet environnement positif et depuis quelques années maintenant, j'ai souhaité développer le concept de pleine conscience, un programme en vogue dans les bonnes écoles et qui aide les élèves à se concentrer et à vivre pleinement l'instant présent. A SDFAS, dès ce trimestre, vingt professeurs et membres de l'administration suivent une série de sessions de pleine conscience (voir photo), enseignée par Lorraine Hobbs de « UCSD Center for Mindfulness », avec pour but de transmettre l'essence même de ce programme dans la classe, dans le courant de l'année. Je suis convaincu qu'avec le soutien des professeurs, les élèves bénéficieront de ce programme et continueront d'étudier dans un environnement éducatif sécurisant et motivant.

Christian Jarlov, chef d'établissement

Mindfulness workshop

Les ateliers de pleine conscience

Pictured: On Thursdays after school, teachers enjoy a two-hour session on Mindfulness with specialist Lorraine Hobbs from UCSD.

Teacher training is based on a three-step model of skill development that will enable teachers to incorporate a mindfulness-based curriculum into the classroom: "Be Mindful, Teach Mindfully, Teach Mindfulness." This model is essential in helping teachers create a sustainable model of mindfulness teaching/practice within the school setting.

The proposed project for teachers at SDFAS includes a two-hour Mindfulness workshop, which will expose teachers to the fundamental concepts of mindfulness training and the benefits/neuroscience of mindfulness in helping students train their attention. Research demonstrates an increase in concentration, attention and emotional regulation in children who practice mindfulness in the classroom and at home. There is increasing evidence that teaching self-compassion to students with depression can decrease depressive symptoms by 30%, thereby enabling students to improve executive function.

Autumn in Kindergarten

L'automne en Grande Section de Maternelle

Pictured: Mira-Grace

Fall has arrived and the Kindergarten-A students traced and then painted some tree leaves.

After the painting project, all their hands and tables needed a good cleaning up!

Classroom Economy: financial literacy, budgeting knowledge with Barbara Regan in 6th Grade

La rentrée des classes

"The Classroom Economy," is a program that enables children to learn about financial responsibility through fun, experiential learning. It's a simple classroom economic system based on the idea that students need to earn school "dollars," so that they can rent their own desks. By bringing real-world scenarios into the classroom, students see the impact of their decisions to save, spend, and budget. The classroom economy program is an effective and enjoyable way to understand fundamental financial literacy components, in conjunction with the U.S. math class with Echo Jacoway, where students discover balance sheets.

The PK2 chorale has already started

La chorale des Moyennes Sections a débuté

Pictured : Gillian , Axl, Giulia, Martin, Yannick, Zoë

Claire Selva, PK2 teacher, has started choir rehearsal for all PK2 students, 40 children, and will also conduct the PK0, PK1, Kindergarten and 1st grade students throughout the school year. We look forward to many wonderful singing experiences this year in maternelle and elementary!

Yoga Postures with Miss Laura in Kindergarten

Les postures de Yoga avec Miss Laura en Grande Section

Pictured: S ahil, Flavio, Jacob, Graydon, Raphaël, Audrey, Tabatha, Miss Laura

In order to be able to concentrate and have a peaceful mind after an active recess, Laura Gebeau teaches her kindergarten students some yoga postures, using an award winning book written by Teresa Power.

Cross-Country Sport League

Mark your calendars to watch our die-hard endurance athletes as they race through challenging terrain to compete against eight other middle schools this season!

2016 Cross-Country Meet Schedule:

Tuesday, October 11th - 4:00 pm Lake Miramar (Scripps Ranch)
Monday, October 31st - 4:00 pm La Jolla Shores (La Jolla)
Tuesday, November 8th - 3:30 pm San Dieguito Park (Del Mar)

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
Our "home" meet will be held at La Jolla Shores on Monday, October 31st at 4:00 p.m. Bring your friends (and Halloween costumes!) and cheer on our team as they race two miles on the sand! Volunteers are also needed to help at the meet on 10/31. Talk to Ms. Seidel for more information about volunteering and community service hours!

Becoming an Actor in "La Troupe"

Comment devenir acteur avec La Troupe

Pictured: Last year in Dallas for La Troupe

"La Troupe," the SDFAS theater club, provides Middle School students with the opportunity to rehearse a play throughout the school year, which they will perform at the Dallas International Theater Festival in May 2017.

Every Wednesday, students warm up their body, mind and voice! Body percussions enable each student to tune in to the others, using their body as the "musical" instrument. Creativity, listening to others and flexibility are required to set oneself in resonance with the group.

Last Wednesday, students practiced a "ZipBamPang" routine. In this fun exercise, a ball of energy is passed around the group circle: the actor can accept it, refuse it or direct it to another person using specific coded gestures. It's all about intense focus and listening to others. After doing these exercises for the body, mind, and voice, the students are ready to move on to learning acting techniques. They learn how to walk, using the space around themselves. "La Troupe" members will also practice collective improvisation and work on their voices.

Marion Addo, "La Troupe"

Director French and Literature teacher

After School Activities: Rubik's Cube

"Rubik's Cube Speedsolving," an After School Activity (ASA) offered on Wednesday from 3:15-4:15 p.m. for 1st-8th grade.

Learn how to solve the Rubik's cube and amaze your friends! In this class you will learn some of the algorithms and pattern recognitions that some of the world's fastest speedsolvers use to achieve their solve times in under 10 (or even under 5) seconds. These are skills that help build a strong sense of spatial recognition and visual memory, which are some of the building blocks of abstract theoretical math. Each student will receive a free "speed cube" at the first class. These aren't the Rubik's cubes you find in toy stores, but rather ones especially designed for speedsolving that have been engineered to turn quickly and accurately. This is a rare opportunity to take lessons from one of southern California's top speedsolvers.

The instructor for this class, Henry Helmuth, taught himself how to solve a Rubik's cube at the age of 12. He is now a nationally-ranked speedsolver and has competed at Caltech, Berkeley, and Liberty Science Center in New Jersey. Most recently he won at the Southern California SuperComp and competed at the 2016 Nationals in Portland, Oregon. He competes in Rubik's cube, 4x4, 5x5, one-handed, and megaminx (a 12-sided puzzle). He enjoys teaching and has had a lot of experience, having coached a cubing team at Torrey Hills. He also offers cello and violin instruction to elementary and middle school students at his home studio. He is currently a high school junior, assistant principal cello of the San Diego Youth Symphony, and is pursuing his interest in genetics via his internship with the Salk Institute. He organized a SPEEDCUBING competition at UCSD last May with more than 100 competitors attending, and is currently planning another competition for December 10 at UCSD. Join his class and try to make it into the competition!

WHAT'S COMING UP

- October 5-7: Taste Week Preschool

- October 10-14: French Book Fair

- October 13: High School Information Night: 6 pm- 7.00 pm

- October 17: Giving Week

- October 20: Grandparent's Day Preschool & Kindergarten

- October 21: Grandparent's Day Elementary & Middle school

- October 21: Halloween celebration

- October 24-28: Fall Break