Category Archives: Culture

Final Day of Travel in France!

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Thursday was the final full day of travel for our French adventurers! Once again, a huge “Thank You” to our chaperones Jean-François Henley, Jason Craven and Arlene Kuchcicki!

Mr. Henley provided the following update of the day’s activities:

Day 5: Remembering the War

Although there will be a last quick excursion into Paris on Friday, Thursday marked the last full day in France. This was a day for reflecting and remembering the past and those who fought for us. We visited the Pointe du Hoc, which is an untouched battle site where American Rangers successfully overtook German positions near Omaha Beach. We then made our way to Omaha Beach and then to the WWII American Cemetery. It was a very sobering experience.

Day 5 and Day 6 in France for our Wheatley Travelers!

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Jean-François Henley, Wheatley’s French teacher extraordinaire, has shared the following update about our 23 intrepid travelers in France!

Day 5: Chenonceau and Chambord Castles

On this fifth day, the students visited the castles of Chenonceau and Chambord, with an extended pit stop in Amboise because of our bus’ mechanical problems (things don’t always go as planned when traveling!). This unexpected stop allowed the travelers to visit the Clos Lucé, where we saw the room where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last few years of his life (he would also die in the room). While there, the students were able to see replicas of some of da Vinci’s inventions.

Day 6: Normandy and Mont Saint-Michel

The Wheatley travelers left Tours and drove four hours to the Normandy region and visited the beautiful Mont Saint-Michel. What a sight! The bus then took them to Saint-Malo where the hotel sits inside the walled city. Students had a wonderful time walking the wall and exploring the cobble-stoned streets of the old city.

 

Wheatley Travelers Spend Day 3 and 4 in France!

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Our 23 student travelers (and three chaperones) continue to enjoy their time in France. Here is a summary of their recent activities. [Thanks to Jean-François Henley for the descriptions and photos!]

Day 3: Versailles and Shopping in Paris!

On this third day in France, students visited Versailles and explored its gardens. The travelers then split up into two groups: one group visited the Fragonard Musée du Parfum followed by shopping at Galeries Lafayette, while another group visited the Père-Lachaise cemetery (where famous French figures like Édith Piaf, Jean de la Fontaine and Molière are buried). The day ended with students having dinner in smaller groups at a restaurant of their choice in the Quartier Latin.

 

Day 4: Cooking Class and Chartres!

The students started their day with a cooking class at L’atelier des Chefs in Paris where they learned how to make papillotes of apples, raisins, cinnamon and maple syrup, chocolate soufflé with caramel sauce along with crepes and chocolate fondue. The travelers then drove to Chartres to admire the incredibly impressive cathedral and finished the day with a great exploration of the city of Tours.

 

Wheatley Students Begin their Trip in France!

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On Thursday, 15 February, a group of 23 Wheatley students boarded a bus to head to JFK International Airport for the beginning of their nine-day trip to France! Accompanied by Wheatley Teachers Jean-François Henley and Jason Craven—as well as Willets Road nurse Arlene Kuchcicki—the travelers will experience all sorts of French language and cultural experiences.

Here is an update on some of the activity, beginning with the departure. [Thank you to Jean-François Henley, some parents and some students for the photos!]

Day 1: Departure from Wheatley (2/15)

There was a lot of excitement when the end of the day arrived and students were finally able to board the bus for the airport. Many parents came to the school to see their children off!

Day 1: Arrival in France

After a smooth flight and check-in, the students explored the Rue des Martyrs for their first lunch experience. After a wonderful time and satisfying dinner, they took a metro ride to l’Arc de Triomphe. The students climbed up the Arc for nighttime views of the City of Lights and concluded the evening with a walk down the Champs-Elysées.

Day 2: Visiting Paris

On a busy day in Paris, students visited the Eiffel Tower, les Invalides, Notre Dame and then had a sketching tour on Île Saint-Louis. The students then had the time to visit the Louvre followed by dinner in Montmartre (featuring escargots)!

8th Graders Visit the Tenement Museum!

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Mr. Eckers’ and Mr. Clarke’s 8th grade social studies classes braved the cold on Wednesday and took a trip to the Lower East Side of Manhattan, home to generations of immigrants to the United States.  The trip coincided with the eighth grade study of immigration, urbanization, and the Progressive Era.

Students spent most of the day learning at the Tenement Museum, a fantastic New York City resource.  They were able to see, first hand, what life was like in the ethnic enclave before and after the turn of the last century.  The museum brought to life the stories and photos that the students have read and analyzed in their social studies classes.  After the museum, the group went on a short walking tour of the neighborhood and got to sample some of its traditional foods such as pickles and homemade bagels.  Students saw the Forward Building, the Essex Street Market, and other sights along the way.

Thanks to Mr. Clarke, Mr. Ardito, Ms. Seferian, Mr. Eckers and Mr. Chisholm for accompanying the students for the day!

[Thanks to Mr. Eckers for the photos and write-up!]

Wheatley’s Summer Opportunities Fair Draws a Huge Crowd!

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With a wide-range of exciting opportunities, Wheatley’s Summer Opportunities Fair provided attendees with nearly thirty different options for enriching summer activities. The range of activities included academic, athletic, service and cultural arts programs for students of all ages. Travel opportunities abounded, with many programs combining language enrichment with service learning.

Wheatley is thankful for the efforts of our wonderful PTO for all of the efforts needed to put together this wonderful program!

For a listing of participants, click here: Wheatley SoF-exhibitors-2017

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