Bonjour mes collègues!
SPECIAL MESSAGE
You are already aware that SHF sponsors
have been having trouble getting through to the person at the national
office who was in charge of the SHF with their questions and orders. As you
have learned from our Executive Director, Jayne Abrate, that individual is no
longer an AATF employee and the current staff is working hard to expedite the
back orders as well as those coming in at this very busy time for
SHF chapters. Several new
office policies have been established and a special email address to handle longstanding
questions or concerns has been created. If you know of any teacher who didn't receive an order back in February or March or prior, please direct them
to: aatfpriority@frenchteachers.org This special address is, however, not for current
orders or questions.
What is so distressing is that the missteps of
this individual have caused some members to lose trust in our
organization. For me personally,
however, what I find so painful is that this situation could undermine the
ongoing efforts of chapter leaders like yourselves who are working so hard to
support the members of your chapters and that it is you who are likely to
receive the justified complaints. Please feel free to let me know if there is a
particularly aggrieved teacher in your chapter who might benefit from a message
from me.
SPRING
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| My husband Dirk's "Dutch' tulips |
Hope that you all had a refreshing Spring Break and are finding ways to enjoy these last weeks/months that include so many "extras" such as awards, ceremonies, and outings as well as the projects and exams to grade.
ADVOCACY
These past months, some teachers may have had to confront disappointing administrative decisions based on the enrollment figures for the 2016-2017 school year in their institutions. When there are cuts or anticipated cuts, please encourage the teachers involved to contact you and also the chair of the AATF Commission on Advocacy, Kathy Stein-Smith, cathysteinsmith@gmail.com., You can then send a supportive message to that teacher and any resources that you think would be helpful as well as forward that info to me as your RR and a member of the AATF Commission on Advocacy. It can be very helpful for all of us to be aware of what is happening, to gather information, and to respond with support and resources. While changing a decision that is already a "fait accompli" is often difficult, it is possible. But more important, is what can be learned from these situations. Having teachers share with us their situation can also create the "sense of urgency" that we as individuals and as an organization need to motivate us to create the initiatives and resources that our members need!
VIDEO CONTEST WINNER
Just heard from Martha Behlow, President of the Chicago/N IL Chapter, that the student of a Naperville North H.S. (IL) French teacher has won the 1st prize in the AATF National French Week Video Contest. Members can be encouraged to show this to their students as an example of what they might do themselves next Fall. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFhuo93ylVM&index=1&list=PLFDrP46BqQHauNPY9FdhBPtcgMPNdHeOX
Just got back from a weekend trip to Madison,
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| A table! |
WI and Friday lunch at The French House there. It was such a pleasure to see all the young people there, many working on advanced degrees as well as the local Francophones and people like myself who come there to enjoy having French conversation. This is a treasure for high school teachers who want to show their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & AP students what awaits them at the college level. Can you let me know if this kind of opportunity exists in your areas? IOWA
The AATF of Iowa chapter offered its support for a new initiative from two teachers at Central College in Pella, IA. In spite of great efforts on the part of all, the event for students was cancelled due to not enough student registrations. Pulling together students and teachers in states where towns, and their schools, are spaced far apart is a challenge that is not limited to Iowa. Any ideas on what kinds of activities are likely to attract students and their teachers to travel long distances to be together?
What a pleasure it was to be a part of the gathering of French teachers in Kansas City in February. A presentation on the plans for Regional reform in France by Claudine Evans that she had given at our AATF Convention last summer as well as a presentation on the film "La Petite Jérusalem" by Michael Foster that will be part of a presentation on cinema at our AATF Convention in Austin this next July. Lunch at a authentic Swiss restaurant with a French speaking waiter was, of course, delicious but a great opportunity for all to enjoy speaking French with colleagues. Meeting this real need for camaraderie that includes linguistic and cultural elements is one of the best things that we can do for our members.
STUDENT IMMERSION DAY
Over 100 students from area schools participated in the 8th annual Journée Intensive en Français of the AATF of Chicago/N IL, an all-day event on a college campus full of opportunities to speak French from 7:45 am to 4:00 pm. After a French breakfast, students passed through customs, played games, attended classes, created skits, went an a treasure hunt, and danced to authentic African drum rhythms. This event was done with the support of Dominican University in terms of providing the location and with financial support from the Alliance Française du North Shore for the African dancer and drummers. Here's a video showing the dancing.
The Minnesota Chapter held their annual meeting just days ago that included the election of Christine Lac as the new president of the AATF of MN, the "dégustation de fromages et plateaux de hors d'oeuvre variés" as well as a visit with Haitian author, Kettly Mars. The members were also invited to a workshop the following day with Kettly Mars, a writer with whom the outgoing chapter president, Joëlle Vitiello, is well acquainted and whose work is one of Joëlle's specialities.
Another activity promoted by the the AATF of MN was the showing of the film "Mariam" on April 25. Great opportunity for members to experience an enriching cultural and linguistic experiences.
COMMUNICATION IN WISCONSIN
The AATF of WI now has a "Reminders and Announcements" section of their webpage that includes http://www.aatfwi.org/#!announcements-and-reminders/pn8mm. "Francofocus" is an initiative that asks college/university teachers for information re their French programs to be used to publicize their offerings to high schoolers. The more elementary, middle, and high school teachers know about what lies ahead, the more they can encourage t students to continue to take French at the post-secondary level.
CONCOURS ORAL
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| "Champions d'Expression" 2015 |
ST LOUIS
Coming up this Friday, April 29 is the annual meeting and NFC Prize Pick up for the AATF of Greater Saint Louis. This chapter's annual collaboration with the local Alliance Française and Webster College resulted in another essay contest for local French students.
Last February at a meeting of their Executive Council, the AATF of Greater Saint Louis took up the topic of recruiting new members and is compiling a list of names of teachers in their area who are not members. They wonder if changing their chapter name from "Greater St. Louis" to "Eastern Missouri" would encourage more teachers living in other areas of the state to join the chapter and its activities. This could also help increase the number of schools participating in the Grand Concours.
The leadership of the Greater St Louis Chapter is also interested in promoting more communication with the members in the Greater Kansas City chapter.
N'oubliez pas: St Louis will be the site of the 2017 AATF Convention.
SOUVENIRS DE SAUGUENAY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6pUWixuoII
Here's a great way to remember the sights and sounds of the convention in Saguenay. There was a great ambiance that collectively carried us along during those days spent together. Looking forward to that same feeling in Austin, July 3-6.
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| Austin, Texas |
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
P.S. No doubt, I've inadvertently left out some of your chapter activities. If you let me know, I'll be sure to rectify that!!!
