School!

         As I mentioned in my last (first) post, we are going to jump ahead here and talk a little bit about Le General's plan to infiltrate the local school system. 

          First, let me tell you a little bit about the intended target:  Ecole Primaire Publique Jules Ferry, the only public elementary school in town.  Location:  approximately ten minutes from home, next to the river Ouvez.  Student body:  grades K-5 (two grades per class with some mixed classes).  We speculate that, in addition to Vaison children, kids from outlying towns (too small for their own elementary school) come to this one.  Here is a photograph of the school's exterior, with a small child standing in front:

          Now let me tell you some more facts about this school as published in a top secret communique I recently translated:

• School commences at 8:30 a.m.  There is a two hour lunch break from 11:30 to 1:30.  During lunch the children may go home or go to the canteen where they are served a meal in courses if you wish to pay 2 euros at the mayor's office.  School then resumes from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• No school on Wednesdays.
• In keeping with the evil socialist nature of this country, there is free care for children begining at 7:45 a.m. and until 6:00 p.m. should parents desire it. 
• Each parent must secure for their child scholarly insurance.
• Pursuant to the mandate of Article 19 of the department, elves must present themselves in good hygeine and without the presence of parasites.
• Infants may not bring bonbons to school.
• Habitually retarded children may be suspended.

          Our children where apprehensive and frightened about going to this foreign school as you can see from these pictures taken on the morning of the mission:

Boy Showing Understandable "Nerves" on Morning of School Invasion

Girl on Her Way to  School -- "Stop Your Crying!"

          Surprisingly, the French people put up little resistance.  They thought they could deter us with a simple sign asking us to "stop."  We just laughed at them and kept walking right into the school!

          Then it was time to enter the courtyard of the school and stand around for a long time and look as though we belonged and knew what we were doing.  There is newsreel footage of this part.  It is dull and boring.  Probably only my mother is interested (she will watch it several times) but here it is anyway. . . notice that the people really do speak a totally different langauge:

          The children ate their lunch at the school on this day.  Unfortunately, the French have not discovered that children should have their choice of various junk foods.  Hopefully they will wake up some day and realize that it would be cheaper to just to put vending machines in the schools sponsored by multi-national snack and beverage companies.  No wonder they are so skinny!  Until then, here is the menu for the week:

M:  green salad, organic chicken, organic vegetable puree, organic yogurt, baguette, water.

T:   organic pate, sauteed beef, organic green beans, organic fruit, baguette, water.

W:  No school remember?

Th:  organic chic peas, roasted pork of Mt. Ventoux, organic zucchini, organic cheese, fruit, baguette, water.

F:   organic tomato salad, fish fillet, organic rice pilaf, organic cheese, baguette, water.

          School went well!  At the end of the day, they came out of the door they had entered to begin the day.  Mercifully for them and for you, we forgot our camera.  Asha asked if we could stay an extra year.  We said no.  Ford said school was "so easy!"  And it is true that he excels, particularly during the daily English lesson, where he has learned to count to ten and say "What is your favorite color?"