ASP Gives Back: Continued Restos du Coeur: An All-School Event For the last 10 years, around American Thanksgiving time, ASP students have been collecting non-perishable food items for needy families in the greater Paris area. This activity traditionally took place in the Middle School and Lower School but for the first time this year, all school divisions took part in this worthy project. The goal to collect 1000 cans of food was over-accomplished – thanks to the generosity of our ASP families. This outpour of kindness filled a lot of heavy boxes – a good thing our strong maintenance staff was ready and eager to help! They carried all the food that had been collected over to the St Cloud branch of “Restos du Coeur”. This initiative, founded by French comedian Coluche in 1985, operates houses all over France and in other European countries, providing people below the poverty line with meals and accommodation. Special thanks go out to Chantal Papin who is ASP’s liaison to the organization. As a reaction to our students’ engagement, the St Cloud manager of Restos du Coeur sent a thank you letter to the school. He also paid students a visit to share the history and the purpose of the project and explain how ASP’s donations make a difference in the lives of families. We are proud that our students are learning to be responsible members of the community and that they contribute to the greater good.
Lower School O.K. Chorale Brings Mid-Winter Cheer to Local Retirement Communities For more than 20 years, the O.K. Chorale has visited local retirement homes to entertain the elderly residents. Fourth and fifth grade students, under the direction of Chris Chater, LS Music teacher, shared their talents again this year to the audience of seniors. The children also collected and presented wrapped gifts to bring cheer to their appreciative audience. Accompanied by Jean-Pierre Heussaff, LS French teacher on guitar, and Gilles Croulard of the Maintenance Team on accordion, the performance included some pop music of today and some classic tunes in French – much to the delight the mesdames and messieurs. A few residents even got up to dance with the students.
“At the end of our show when we went to say goodbye one lady held my hand tightly and told me in French that she was grateful for what we’d done for them. She had tears in her eyes and I knew this was really important to her.” — Kahleah, Grade 5
“When the music started all of the people were smiling and very happy. When we handed out the presents, a woman couldn’t really take it with her hands so I laid it on her lap. When we left, I felt proud, happy and I had so much JOY in me! It was so much fun I would LOVE to do it again!” — Iris, Grade 4 The Chorale members practiced during recess and put in a dedicated effort to the collection of gifts – even making an appeal at Middle School and Upper School assemblies. Thanks to Linda Franco, EAL faculty, for her supervision of the gift collection and wrapping, the LS student council for their efforts, and the ASP community for gift donations.
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