School Update
Both Luke and Charlie are adapting well, each bringing their own unique approach and style to the experience. Luke is determined to excel at school. Despite the challenge of not being fluent in French, he strives to be his "best". You know, it's all about that "fake it till you make it" spirit! Every morning, he throws on his backpack and heads off to school with a positive attitude, and each afternoon, he starts his homework as soon as he walks through the door. He completes all of his assignments, just so he can proudly declare on Thursday, "Guess what? I've got all my stuff done up to Tuesday!" Forget about Ms. Keaton's “DALBEN” – he's all about being way ahead. Some of the assignments have been a real head-scratcher for him, and it's not because of the content – it's simply because it is all in French. So DeepL or Google Lens have been quite useful. However, I make him write at the end of his work "J'ai utilisé DeepL". We remind him that even though things might seem easy now, the real academic hurdles are yet to come. Most importantly, we keep hammering home the idea of being kind to himself and being humble. This is NOT easy.
Students start to use Pronote beginning in sixth grade. Pronote is an educational platform, like Google Classroom, that serves as a communication and organization tool among teachers, students, and parents. It’s for tracking grades, distributing assignments, and teacher-student-parent communication. Luke uses Pronote to check his assignments and homework meticulously. Pronote and Google Classroom both manage grades, assignments, and teacher-student communication, yet they are different. Google Classroom is just for the teacher-student and doesn’t include things like a live schedule or what’s on the menu in the cantine. Pronote has all the info you need as a student and parent. I wonder if CHS has something like this? Here is a screenshot of Luke’s Pronote homepage. I was able to keep my version translated in English.
Computers aren't a central focus in the primary and middle schools. Charlie's school does not use computers, a move that seems geared towards ensuring equity among students. For Luke, his computer usage is confined to checking Pronote at home since most of his assignments are completed with pen and cursive writing in his workbook. I wonder if computer use begins in high school.
Even though Luke is killing it, he does need extra support. So we were glad to hear from his school. First, a call from the school about Spanish class. The school recommended that Luke join a specialized class for students who are new to Spanish. Luke was so upset by this. He argued that he already has a strong Spanish vocabulary, but the problem is understanding the instructions delivered in French. We clarified that this additional support isn't solely about improving his Spanish but also a means to enhance his French skills. With dedication and time, he can bridge the gap. The tricky part is that this class is scheduled during his lunch break on Tuesdays. Luke astutely pointed out that his two-hour lunch breaks are when he learns the most French, courtesy of conversations with his friends. We assured him that it's only on Tuesdays, and if he genuinely embraces this learning opportunity, he might outgrow the need for this extra class in a few months. Then came another call from the school, suggesting that Luke could benefit from additional French support. Uh, yeah! We were relieved by this proactive approach and gave permission to add this to his schedule. We are so happy with the level of support the school offers, even as a public institution serving 600 students. It's safe to say that, for Luke, Tuesdays have become his least favorite days.
Charlie, on the other hand, dances to a different school beat. His favorite day of the week is Wednesday, the one day when there's no school. Charlie might proclaim his dislike for school, but we're suspect he likes it. Each morning unfolds with the battle cry of "I don't want to go to school!" as he grudgingly exits his cozy cocoon. Yet, like clockwork, he eventually drags himself out of bed, and we embark on our daily walk to school. Upon arrival, he strolls into the schoolyard, as if he's been doing it effortlessly all along. He keeps saying it's easy, but I know he's just not keen on admitting that it's hard. It's a full-blown mountain to climb! That being said, Charlie is an observer, soaking up every detail of his new environment like a sponge. I think that once it all clicks in his brain, he'll start speaking perfect French with an ease that'll astonish us all. I love watching him silently absorb his new world. However, when it comes to homework, we are trying to figure out the method behind matching the homework sheet to the corresponding date in his Cahier de Agenda. Yet, a recurring issue persists - Charlie often forgets his workbooks at school. We get a daily WhatsApp ping from a parent with a request for homework photos. It never ceases to amuse me, knowing that Charlie isn't the lone forgetful student. But it also leaves me questioning whether he does it intentionally, perhaps hoping to avoid his homework, or if it's a case of not quite grasping the directions. Feeling a bit lost, we decided to reach out to Mr. Zubieta for a quick meeting. In that conversation, he clarified the French education system's myriad folders, notebooks, loose papers, and assignments. Now Gabe has become an efficient homework assistant for Charlie. I occasionally eavesdrop, resisting the urge to jump in and offer my assistance, recognizing that my intervention tends to be counterproductive. When I initiate with "Hey Charlie, let's go over your homework for tomorrow," he typically responds with a look, “Ah No.” Oddly enough, when Gabe echoes essentially the same thing, Charlie springs into action. I suppose my timing may be a tad off. Nevertheless, between the two of us, at least one parent successfully motivates Charlie to tackle his assignments, even if it feels like we're pulling teeth.
A month in, it is clear that Charlie doesn’t get all of the classroom instructions. I also imagine the challenge for the teacher, repeatedly halting the lesson to provide explanations. Charlie recently shared that his teacher has begun providing English translations of certain assignments, with an ironic twist - Charlie completes these tasks quickly, leaving him with idle time while his classmates are still working. I suggested that he ask for assignments in both English and French so that he can use the extra time to read them in French. He responded with, “Mom, why would I ask for more work?" It's my hope that he matures in this aspect and comes to embrace the opportunities to learn. 🤞
Gabe had a chance to catch up with Mr. Zubieta during the last beach safety field trip (while Mr. Z was casually smoking and keeping an eye on the kids from a distance—jajaja), and it turns out Charlie is doing really well. Not only is he playing during recess, but he's also speaking more French than we'd imagined. That news just warms my heart—way to go, Charlie! Mr. Zubieta also shared that he told the kids that English isn't on the menu during recess, and he's all ears and eyes, so they better watch their language. He also asked everyone to speak slowly to help Charlie understand. It's clear that this guy loves being a teacher. He has a genuine affection for the kids and a strong desire to see them succeed. We couldn't have asked for a better match for Charlie. Mr. Zubieta truly sees him and won't let him slide with a lazy approach. He said that there will be times when he's not Charlie's favorite teacher, but that's okay because he knows that Charlie just needs clear and firm redirection, even if he doesn't want to hear it. Amen.
I can't help but find it funny and somewhat strange, especially as an American, that the teacher can smoke on duty during a field trip. It's like seeing a teacher back in the States sipping on a cocktail or taking a nip from a hidden flask in their coffee cup while on the job – something you'd never witness. Yet, here on this beach, with the kids under the watchful eyes of lifeguards, there's the teacher, casually indulging in a smoke. This cultural difference certainly stands out to me.
Charlie's perspective on his teacher is equally entertaining. He often mentions that his teacher talks too much. During Back-to-School Night, the teacher explained that his storytelling is a deliberate teaching style designed to help the children remember the material. However, Charlie has openly admitted to feeling somewhat bored in class. In a few months, as he becomes more fluent in French, I think he will appreciate and even enjoy the stories. Our afternoon walks home with Evie add a dash of amusement too, as she regales us with tales from the classroom. One favorite is of Mr. Zubieta, who always has three socks. I hope to learn more about this!
Stacey recently shared this story through a text message: "I have the funniest thing to tell you guys. Last night, as I was putting Evie to bed, she started recounting some 'drama' at school involving a girl and two boys vying for the affection of a new girl. She said that both Charlie and Evie had been off to the side during recreation, watching the scene unfold, and were commenting on how 'the French are melodramatic compared to Americans.' I responded, 'Evie, they live life passionately; that’s why their baguettes taste so good.' She thought this explanation made perfect sense and drifted off to sleep." Oh, the French, they love so hard!
The boys have their own unique paths. Luke's determination and commitment continue to fill us with pride. Meanwhile, Charlie's distinctive perspective and the challenges he bravely confronts keep us endlessly impressed. Only one month in, and this year is already shaping up to be full of life lessons and unforgettable moments for both of them as they confidently navigate this whole new school life.
