Amazing and high energy on Sept 17th at EFGH for the students’ 1st day of Saturday Morning School.
We were very happy to see returning families and also meet new families that are now part of EFGH community.
EFGH in 2016
141 students enrolled including 56% returning students
99 families
Over 15 nationalities
5 employees
24 teachers and assistants
15 volunteers
We are currently looking for volunteer based positions. A chance to give something back to the community and make a difference. Also an opportunity to develop new skills and build on existing experience and knowledge. Please contact us at candidature@efghouston.org
Volunteer and Event coordinator
Website coordinator
Newsletter / communication editor
The 2016 EFGH Christmas market will be held on December 3rd. A great opportunity for you to find unique gifts, crafts, food and also to support EFGH. Tickets will be sold for the raffle starting on Oct 22nd at $5 each or 5 for $20.
The market proceeds will be used to purchase textbooks and educational materials, fund scholarships and pay rent on our Memorial Elementary location where we hold classes for 141 students every Saturday morning.
EFGH would like to thank each and every one of you who can help us make this Christmas market a success. Your contribution makes a difference. Thank you, one and all!
Another exceptional upcoming event on November 19th to the MFAH which is the only U.S venue for the Degas: A New Vision… Check out your inbox and make sure to sign up your child for a French guided tour.
Nevertheless another exciting year is on its way and I am very happy to share those special moments with you.
Enjoy reading this issue!
Martina Nerrant
BACK TO SCHOOL
Seventh back to school for EFGH on September 17th. It was a pleasure to share coffee and French pastries with new and returning families.
The teaching team was looking forward to returning to school. With an average of 9.4 children per class, we choose to provide our students with a nurturing learning environment that will respond to their individual needs.
Thank you for your trust in EFGH!
We wish a fantastic year of French learning to all of our students !
EDUCATION
Some clues about learning
Researchers have found that we have two fundamentally different modes of thinking. Here, we will call them the Focused and the Diffuse modes.
We're familiar with focusing. It's when you concentrate intently on something you're trying to learn or to understand. But we're not so familiar with diffuse thinking. Turns out that this more relaxed thinking style is related to a set of neural resting states.
In the focused mode: you're able to figure out the problem you're trying to solve, or the concept you're trying to understand that's related to something you're rather familiar with. We are litterally building neuronal paths in our brain during our training.
It represents a familiar thought pattern. Maybe involving something simple like adding some numbers, or more advanced ideas like literary criticism or calculating electromagnetic flows. You think a thought, and it takes off, moves smoothly along the path.You're able to figure out the problem you're trying to solve, or the concept you're trying to understand that's related to something you're rather familiar with.
In the next newsletter, we will see more in depth the Diffuse modes.
EFGH CHRISTMAS MARKET
On December 3rd, EFGH will hold its annual Christmas Market from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Memorial Elementary School 6401 Arnot St., Houston, 77007.
Lots of great booths will be proposed: jewelry, French books, needlework, leather bags, among others.
Raffle tickets will soon be available for sale from president@efghouston.org and j.ciesielski@efghouston.org.
If you wish to donate a raffle prize and become a sponsor of the Market, please contact j.ciesielski@efghouston.org.
We are looking forward to seeing you and thank you for supporting EFGH!
EFGH STUDENTS AT MFAH
EFGH is pleased to propose to your children cultural visits in French at the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston.
Delphine Paixach, MFAH docent, Art Teacher and Graphist, and Catherine Gallet, MFAH docent, will walk the children through artworks of the MFAH upcoming exhibition,"Degas : a new vision", on Saturday, November 19th after class.
This art exhibit will open in October and will gather more than 200 artworks from French artist Edgar Degas, famous for his paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. MFAH will be the only US museum to host this exhibit. Not to be missed!
EXHIBIT
DEGAS: A NEW VISION
EFGH NEEDS YOU !
If you are interested in volunteering in a non profit,
EFGH has opportunities to put your skills to work!
We invite EFGH parents and friends to participate actively in the association to help keep the high level of education and costs low for tuition. If you have a bit of free time and would like to volunteer, we are currently asking for your help in several areas. Please, check the hiring page of our website for more details.
Teachers and assistants (paid positions)
Events and volunteers coordinator (volunteer position)
Website coordinator (volunteer position)
Newsletter / communication coordinator (volunteer position)
Activities in French for October and November. Don't miss these events and spread the word. All together, we are the best ambassadors for French language and culture!
The French speaking groupe Et Voilà Théâtre is pleased to present its new play, J'aime beaucoup ce que vous faites (I love your work), starting on November, 5th at Talento Bilingüe de Houston. This comedy by Carole Greep has been a succes in Paris for the last 14 year and over 4,000 performances. Don't miss it!
The French Institute of Houston will take you for a tour of the Beck Building at MFAH on October 28th. The tour is for adult and will be in French. Click here for more details.
Beaujolais nouveau 2016
Event organized by the French American Chamber of Commerce on November 17th at the Astorian. All information here.
Home Sweet Home
The art exhibition “Home Sweet Home”, that is part of the “Live with art” series, recently opened and features the works of art of artists from around the world including France. All EFGH families are welcome. For more info on this please see here.
NEW! EFGH NOW PARTICIPATES IN THE RANDALLS'
GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM
Support EFGH through the AmazonSmile, KrogerPlus
and Randalls Good Neighbor programs.
Amazon, Kroger and Randalls give EFGH a percentage of your purchases,
at no additional cost to you!
If you wish to support EFGH’s fundraising campaign, do not hesitate to contact your networks. This year, we launch the “$7 for EFGH’s 7th birthday”. Yourself, your friends, colleagues or family can participate. A $7 gift may be done once or several times a year either through yourself or our website https://www.efghouston.org/efgh/giving/. These funds will be used to buy curricular materials and for operational cost necessary to achieve our mission. Thank you!
Looking forward to seeing you on October 15th for class!
