| PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Chers collègues,
Heureux printemps à tous! As the school year comes to a close, we have been busy making plans for next year. For our fall meeting, Fernande Davis and Joanne Silver will present Belgium and the Resistance; in January we will again have Michael Kline, who will discuss the topic of immigration in France. We are especially grateful to Emily Wagner for organizing these two programs. The location of these meetings is yet to be determined, but Act 48 credit will be available for all of the chapter’s programs. Thanks to the work of Emily Wagner, Stephanie Schechner and Barbara Barnett, the state has approved the Philadelphia Chapter of AATF as an Approved Professional Education Provider.
We are pleased to announce that the Arden Theater will have a special performance of the musical CANDIDE for students in October. For National French Week, November 5–11, we are planning another social event for French teachers and their friends and family. We hope that all members will plan to participate in as many of these events as possible.
Félicitations to our Grand Concours winners, and to their teachers who continue to encourage them. We hope to see all of you at the Distribution des Prix at Chestnut Hill College, on Wednesday, May 21 (7–8 p.m.).
Amitiés,
Elaine Danford
Kim Marucci
Honors
Emily Wagner, the PSMLA teacher of the year, was named Teacher of the Year by NECTFL a few weeks ago.Emily was chosen from nominees chosen by their respective states in the Northeast region.The selection process included examination of credentials, review of essays, student work samples and letters of reference from colleagues, students, and supervisors, and an interview with the NECTFL Teacher of the Year Committee. She is now one of five regional candidates for the ACTFL Teacher of the Year award!
Our sincere congratulations to Emily for this much-deserved honor.
Listserv Notice
Our listserv is exclusively for members of both National and Philadelphia Chapter AATF. 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 listserv and would like to be included, please send a message to josilver@erols.com. And of course, if you would like to have your e-mail removed or changed, you have that option. — Joanne Silver, Secretary-Treasurer AATF Philadelphia
Friend of French Award
A French teacher’s greatest sense of satisfaction comes from working with students with whom we can share our love of the language and the culture. However, a school without a supportive administration may do little to encourage the study of foreign languages. At the Agnes Irwin School in Rosemont, PA, Middle School Director Diana Gormley has been a “friend of French” for more than two decades. Before she retires at the end of this academic year, she should be honored for her contributions to the study of French. During National French Week, she purchases croissants and chocolat chaud for all of the Middle School. She honors students in assembly for their success on the National French Contest and encourages performances of French singing and dramatic presentations.
During a time when some school administrators around the country have discouraged the study of French, Mrs. Gormley has worked to keep it on an equal footing with Spanish. Personally, she has traveled to France on numerous occasions and welcomed French visitors into her home. At school she organized the visit of a French Holocaust survivor from Paris and the reception for a member of the French Department receiving the Palmes Académiques from the Republic of France.
But most of all, she is to be commended for her support of the students and the teachers in her institution at the Distribution des Prix at Chestnut Hill College. What other administrator in the Delaware Valley attends the awards ceremony every year? Or takes the entire French faculty out for dinner prior to the event?
She makes every French student and every French teacher at the school feel like a winner. She congratulates the students as well as their parents and makes them feel proud of their accomplishments. She is a role model for all administrators and a true “Friend of French” and should—in my opinion—be honored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the AATF.
—Barbara Barnett, The Agnes Irwin School
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
AATF Conference in Liège, Belgium July 16–19, Joanne Silver and Fernande Davis will present A Woman in the Belgian Resistance: Speaking out on “The Way It Was.” Included will be Emily Wagner speaking on her methodology for Mme Davis’ book and DVD.
Stephanie Schechner will present Assessing Learning Outcomes in Research-based Oral Presentations.
Alice Cataldi, our regional representative, will present Raconte-moi une histoire.
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The AATF Materials Center has seven promotional and teaching VHS/DVDs available for purchase. Details and ordering information are at www.frenchteachers.org and in the National Bulletin.
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National AATF advises members to look over the Advocacy information atwww.frenchteachers.org. Email Tennessee Bob at bobp@utm.edu for more information.
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Many of you may be concerned about the College Board’s decision to eliminate French Literature from the AP program. Jane Abrate, secrétaire générale of AATF, is organizing a letter-writing campaign. For more information please visit www.frenchteachers.org.
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The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French is pleased to announce that tickets are now available for
THE ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY’S PRODUCTION
OF
THE FRENCH SATIRE OF ENLIGHTENMENT, PHILOSOPHER VOLTAIRE’S
CANDIDE
For area students at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Haas Stage of the Arden Theatre
40 North Second Street, Philadelphia
Adapted from Voltaire’s classic and featuring one of Leonard Bernstein’s most legendary scores, the Arden’s bold production will star three of Philadelphia’s finest musical theater talents: Ben Dibble as Candide, Scott Greer as Dr. Pangloss, and Mary Martello as The Old Woman (with one buttock) in a musical satire with a wicked sense of comedy, a palpable sense of danger, and a daring set and unique seating configuration that places the audience in the middle of the action.
Additional information:
Length: The show will last about 2 ½ hours, with a post-show question and answer session.
Age appropriateness: The show is adapted very heavily from the Voltaire original (including the sections that deal with rape and the loss of appendages due to sexually transmitted diseases, etc.). The production maintains the satire but it will be best for high school students familiar with the source material.
Ticket price: $15.00 per attendee
Show run: If you cannot make the student show, you may purchase tickets for other performances: September 11 - October 12, 2008
Reservations and further information: Sally Wojcik, Education Director swojcik@ardentheatre.org (215-922-8900)
MAKE YOUR ARRANGEMENTS SOON! SEATING IS LIMITED!
www.ardentheatre.org
LA FETE DU MUGUET
le premier mai
Voici mai, ce beau mois,
Qui réjouit tous les couleurs
Et fait fleurir les arbres
Voici mai aux belles fleurs !
Traditionally on May 1, the French offer fresh sprigs of lily of the valley to those they love. Many people preserve the flowers they have received because le muguet porte bonheur. |
| Calendar of Events Wednesday, May 21 7–8 p.m.
Distribution des Prix at Chestnut Hill College, Sorgenti Arena in Martino Hall. Winners in the Grand Concours, their teachers, school administrators and families are welcome. |
July 16–19
AATF Annual Convention, Liège, Belgium. |
October 4
Fall chapter meeting, Joanne Silver and Fernande Davis will present A Woman in the Belgian Resistance: Speaking out on “The Way It Was”. Venue to be announced. |
October 7
Candide at the Arden Theater, matinee performance for students. |
November 5–11
National French Week. |
November 21–23
ACTFL in Orlando. |
January 24, snow date January 31
Immigration conference, Michael Kline, time and place TBA. |
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