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Presidents’ Message
Winter 2010
Nous vous souhaitons à tous de bonnes fêtes et une excellente Année 2010 ! Now that the
academic year is in full swing, we know you are looking forward to the holidays and some time
off. We are certain that you have included classroom activities that feature some of the
many traditions celebrated in France and the francophone world at this time of year: songs,
food, stories, etc.
2010 AATF National Convention
Preparations are well under way to make the upcoming 83rd AATF Congrès a memorable one.
We hope you will make it a point to include the convention and the array of Philadelphia
specific activities an integral part of your summer plans. Be sure to consult the National
Bulletin and our website for updates and pertinent information:www.aatfphila.org
AATF CONGRÈS 2010
July 4–7
PHILLY FUN!
CELEBRATE THE FOURTH
WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
IN THE CITY WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!
As always, we encourage you to read the newsletter carefully and consult the website
regularly. Many thanks to all who have contributed to the content.
En espérant vous voir le 23 janvier…
Amitiés,
Rita Davis rdavis@agnesirwin.org
Susan Ledieu susanledieu@gmail.com
Listserv Notice
Our listserv is exclusively for members of both National and Philadelphia Chapter AATF and a
service included in the $8.00 chapter dues. We send reminders of meetings and other
French-related events, as well as news to supplement the most recent newsletter.
The complete Listserv Policy is on our site,www.aatfphila.org. Members can request that open
French positions be posted. If you are not on the listerv and would like to be included, please
send a message to Joanne Silver at BEACHLLOYD@erols.comIf you would like to have your
e-mail removed or changed, please let Joanne know.
Fall Meeting and Program
We began this academic year at the Agnes Irwin School with a lively presentation of Le Café
Français by Paris Granville on Saturday, October 3. We were thrilled to have a good turnout
of members. All came away with a new perspective on how to present a thematic unit on the
French café, complete with a « dégustation » of several different café drinks using authentic
sirops Teisseire. Our sincere thanks go to Rita Davis and Barbara Barnett for graciously
hosting the event at their school.
National French Week, November 4-10 2009
How did you you celebrate National French Week ? Beyound the classroom, on Saturday,
November 7, our members convened at Bistrot La Minette in Philadelphia, where they were
treated to a delicious lunch and a chef’s sampling of each of the desserts on the menu. Many
ideas were exchanged and a cordial time was had by all. Grand merci to our Vice-President,
Chris Kimball-Kelly, for organizing the event.
Alliance Française Gala Dinner honoring Leslie Caron
Chris was also fortunate enough to attend the tribute to the French actress and dancer
Leslie Caron. Chris reported: “Among the interesting facts learned is that Leslie Caron
is believed to be the only female dancer to have danced with the four most well-known
male dancers of the 20th Century—Rudolph Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Fred Astaire
3
and Gene Kelly. Those in attendance were also told that the newly released version
of GIGI not only has restored and enhanced film and sound qualities, but Leslie Caron’s
previously dubbed songs have been restored in her own voice. Also interesting to note
is that her mother was born in Topeka, Kansas, and that on Thanksgiving Day of 2007,
Ms. Caron became an American Citizen.”
Le Grand Concours
It’s time to register your students for the National French Contest! Please check the website: www.frenchteachers.org/concours or www.aatfphila.org for details. The dates for administering the Concours in your respective schools will be from March 3–March 9,2010. FLES dates are February 15–26, 2010. For more information, you may also contact Sister Mary Helen Kashuba, our local administrator at 215-248-7124 or email: kashubam@chc.edu.
In order to keep the Contest affordable, we will maintain the same costs as last year—
$5.00 for each student of AATF members, $7.50 for non-AATF members. There is a
$10.00 charge for mailing exams. CDs are $6.50, and you will need one for each level.
You should submit your orders by January 25, 2010. Small numbers can always be added
after that. It is important that we ensure that your order will be sent on time.
Cajun Music
On November 14, 2009, a small but enthusiastic group of AATF members and guests
took a dance lesson and tried out their steps to the fiery, highly talented and youthful
"Feufollet" Cajun band (www.feufollet.net).
The venue, TK (Tadeusz Kosciuszko) Club at East Hector & Apple Sts., Cohshohocken,
regularly engages Zydeco, Creole and Cajun bands to enjoy a very energetic evening.
To be on the listserv of the organizing group, "Allons Danser," email
allonsdanser@msn.com (http://www.allonsdanser.org).
AATF PHILADELPHIA WINTER CONFERENCE
 | BLEU, BLANC, ROUGE, NOIR :
La France et ses soldats de couleur
January 23, 2010,
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Strath Haven Middle School |
Back by popular demand, Professor Michael Kline of Dickinson College will speak
about the role of soldiers of color who fought for France, their treatment, and
their fate after the wars. The topic includes colonialism, French notions of
égalité, and the French need to come to grips with collective memory, particularly
concerning Algeria. This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to revisit this
important aspect of French history and bring ideas back to the classroom to
enhance their lessons.
In preparation, it is recommended that participants read Guy de Maupassant's short story, Tombouctou to provide background for the presentation. Check it
out at http://un2sg4.unige.ch/athena/selva/maupassant/textes/tombouc.html.
Please pre-register via e-mail to Emily.Wagner@germantownacademy.org,
to be assured a handout.
National & local AATF members, no charge; all others $10
(If your dues were $55 for the calendar year, you have National membership only.)
(2 hours Act 48 credits available –bring your PDE number!) * * * * *
Watch for upcoming details about a « vide-grenier », an opportunity to unload your unwanted
holiday gifts!
Philadelphia Accueil
If you have never heard of this organization, it’s worth investigating if you’d like to have some
contact with French expatriates here in Philadelphia. It is a very active group. If you are
interested in knowing more about Philadelphia Accueil, consult their website at
http://www.philadelphieaccueil.com.
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Calendar of Events 2010
January 23, Saturday 9:30-12 noon, Strath Haven Middle School
Michael Kline, Bleu, blanc, rouge, noir : La France et ses soldats de couleur.
2 hours Act 48 credits available
January 25 – deadline for Grand Concours orders
February 15-26 FLES section Grand Concours
March 3–9 Grand Concours all levels but FLES
March 20, Saturday 9:00 – 10:15 Chestnut Hill College (AATF and MLAPV offerings)
Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris
1 hour Act 48 credit available.
March 25, Thursday (Alliance Française and AATF)
Barbara Pope: Women, Art and the Law in Cézanne’s Quarry.
March 25-27
NECTFL at the New York Marriot Marquis.
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