On May 7th and 14th about forty SDFAS students were able to come back to school and to participate in the online chess tournament organized by the AEFE. Our students played with many other students from other French/American schools in the USA and Canada.
This was a ” Premiere” and despite the complexity related to organization, connection and some players who didn’t show up, everyone enjoyed this large scale community event.
No doubt that we will participate again next year in this tournament.
The Number Race is à “Quick and Thoughtful Mental Calculation Tournament” for 5th to 10th grade students in France and students from 4th to 10th grade from the AEFE network (552 schools all over the world in 2022).
The Goal is to practice mental and reflective calculation in order to promote the knowledge of numbers, train students to organize their calculations, cultivate initiative and speed in a time limit test.
Students have to answer 30 questions in 10 minutes. Only students who have more than 27 correct answers are considered as “champions” and get the chance to participate in the second round of the contest.
We are happy and proud to have three finalists (two in 4th grade and one in 5th grade) who will attend the last round in May.
LA COURSE AUX NOMBRES
In 4th Grade the students are learning about the rich history and culture that makes up the city that they reside in; San Diego. They experienced their first virtual field trip to learn more about the tribal nations of San Diego from the director and curator of the Barona Cultural Center & Museum located in Lakeside. The students learned about the culture, history, adaptations of local nations such as the Kumeyaay before colonization and after.
-Cathleen Anderson
We were happy to welcome Sylvie Jarlov, former Pre-elementary director, and Christian Jarlov, former HOS, to visit our campus this week.
As part of our community, maintaining a strong connection with the Jarlov’s is our privilege. They helped build upon the foundation laid by André and Chandra Bordes and continued us on the trajectory of a thriving bilingual school. They know and love many of our students. They were key in the development of building our identity and are part of who we are today.
They were ahead of the trend and offered “the mindfulness program” that we continue to grow as we implement the SEL program with Responsive Classroom. Their legacy lives on as we continue with a holistic approach to education, work in our gardens, play the musical instruments outside, and marvel in the butterfly garden.
During their visit the Jarlov’s discovered the mindful ¨zen zones ̈ within our classrooms and they even participated in a coding activity in our new Innovation Lab here on campus. The 3rd graders took this opportunity to share a poem with them.
As we do every year, we have celebrated Halloween at SDFAS. After welcoming many grand-parents, following the pre-school parade, the elementary students have presented a new flash-mob.
Here is the video:
https://vimeo.com/337349196
On Thursday, March 28th, all kindergarten to grade 8 pupils took their art work out of the classrooms and displayed them outside. This event, called “The Big Laundry” is a global event organized the same day all over the world in French schools.
This is an opportunity to appreciate the extent of the creativity of all our students, from the youngest to the oldest.
Elementary students presented their last Show of the Year on Friday, June 8th. 1st to 5th graders worked for a whole quarter to make this event a success. The “Cup song”, dance, opera, rehearsal hours, placement work on the stage and lyrics to learn in French and English … a pleasure for both students and parents.
Thanks to the entire team of teachers and to the parents for their continual support.
The SDFAS Art Fair took place from June 14th-18th as a positive space to proudly display our finest art work. There were 73 entries in the Art Fair this year from students and teachers from pre K, elementary and middle school. A variety of materials were used by the artists including paint, paper, canvas, clay, recycled materials, wood, paper plates, pencils, clear tape, sunflower seeds, plaster, silk flowers, origami paper and even Shopkin toys! Excitement and joy buzzed around the auditorium-turned-museum as others viewed the work of our talented students and staff. Bravo SDFAS!
–Emily Loomis–
On February 23rd, Kindergarten to 3rd grade students were pleased to listen to the Philharmonic Wind Quintet , performing Peter and the Wolf.
Six students were invited to read as Special Guest Narrators.
At the end of the presentation, students were able to ask questions and to know more about the instruments they heard.
