joie de vivre

Photos provided.

King George Public School
News Release

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Many English schools are joining in on the French carnival fun...and King George Public School is no exception.

The Junior Core French students, under the direction of Joan Bidal, hosted their own cafe, on Wednesday the 11th of February. English speaking parents were assigned a student translator to help them understand the French Menu. The translators would order for the parents, or would teach them to order for themselves in French. Francophone volunteers, Natalie, Jeanne and Moise Laberge, along with Victoria Bidal provided the food donated by the parents to the grade five and six waiters and waitresses when they asked for it properly in French. Specialty items on the menu included croque-monsieur and croque-madames as well as creme caramel, just as is served at the cafe "Les Deux Magots" in Paris, France. The cafe also had thirteen student artists who would draw anyone wishing to have their portrait done. A King and Queen of King George Public School were chosen and the honours went to Matt Meney and Cacye Thorogood. There was also a raffle to win a French carnival tuque, bandana and wristband, and a supersized, cafe-style teddy bear.

The third annual cafe was a huge success and opportunity for English speaking children to experience the "joie de vivre" of the French culture. The Bonhomme Carnaval's annual visit to the cafe lit up the faces of children and parents as all clapped and danced with Bonhomme, engraving memories that will last a lifetime. It's one thing to learn a second language...it's another to live it!!!

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