Oyster Bay, N.Y. (May 24, 2019) -- Recently, seventh and eighth grade students from the East Woods School studying French as their chosen world language had the opportunity to enjoy an entire day of French culture throughout New York City. Students had the opportunity to experience the creation of French pastries at an authentic bakery, meet with a French diplomat, and encounter magnificent artwork at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The students started off the day by attending a baking workshop at Mille-Feuille in Greenwich Village. The famous bakery’s renowned pastry chef, Olivier Dessyn, guided students through the challenging skills of making croissants over the course of a three hour workshop. Although slightly intimidated by the newly discovered challenge, students walked away very proud and happy to have two dozen of their own creation. "Making croissants was a great challenge, but I loved it. The pastry Chef, Olivier, taught me many new French words (farine-flour)!" said seventh grade student, Anna Martinkova.
Afterwards, students went to the French Embassy and met with Attaché Culturel Dr. Fabrice Jaumont who took the students on a private tour and had an hour long conversation with students discussing his background, career, and mission of promoting the French arts, literature, and language across the US. The students spoke to the Attaché about their educational goals.
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The students then traveled to the galleries of the Modern and Contemporary Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They took in the breathtaking iconic works of Monet, Seurat and Matisse and engaged in a discussion of comparing painting techniques and styles and sharing their opinions. "I was on Fifth Avenue, but I was in France in the company of the Attaché Culturel to the Embassy and speaking French!" said eighth grade student, Jack Ceriello.
East Woods School believes that by studying world languages, students can nourish their ability to think and communicate, gain an understanding of other cultures, and begin to see themselves as global citizens. For more information on the East Woods School, please visit www.eastwoods.org