What's in this issue:

  • Winter session syllabus

  • New programs for adults

  • Upcoming parties and celebrations  
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Bonne Année 2017!
Happy New Year, or as we say in France, “Bonne année!” I wish good health and a prosperous 2017 for the entire Aux Petits Soins family. I am looking forward to seeing you all again when classes resume next week, and hearing all about your holidays — in French, of course!

A Note from Gaëlle
For Aux Petits Soins, 2016 was primarily a building year. After settling into our permanent location in October 2015, we spent most of the year accumulating books, toys and learning materials. We also worked to transform the space into an interactive activity and culture center complete with a classroom, a playroom, and a reception room with a snack area. The newest piece is the addition of a library with books for kids 0-6. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much to be done.
 
This growth would not have been possible without the support of you, the students, parents, supporters and volunteers. Aux Petits Soins is many things ­— a French language immersion program, a French culture center, a play area, a meeting space — but above all it was designed to increase appreciation of and respect for other cultures. So thank you for embarking on this journey with us, and for valuing the power that comes from being open to new ideas.


Winter session (Jan. 9 - March 26)
Our aim is 2017 is to offer opportunities for all ages to be part of Aux Petits Soins, and we are happy to announce new programs to make sure anyone can be included, no matter your age or language level.

Programs for babies, toddlers and kids.
Classes will resume on Jan. 9. During this 12-week session, kids aged 0-12 will have the opportunity to enroll in one of our language immersion programs or get a membership to have access to our facility. Full descriptions for the programs are available here.

The syllabus for each level has been carefully developed and constantly refined to maximize comprehension. The winter session will have three monthly themes: J'aime la galette in January, C'est la chandeleur! in February and Vive Vaval! in March. During this session: 
  • The Day Trippers will be learning new hand songs to sing during their daily routines;
  • The Explorers will learn new vocabulary words about shapes and opposites. I will still rotate in things we learned in the past sessions to keep them fresh in everyone’s minds; and
  • The Travel Bugs will learn conversational vocabulary words pertaining to activities and hobbies from their everyday life.
French for adults
You requested it, we worked to make it happen. In 2017, Aux Petits Soins will launch an adult activities calendar. We’ve also started working with some of Lansing’s other French-themed businesses and restaurants, such as For Crepe Sake, the Creole and Bridge Street Social. Stay tuned for special events and discounts, designed to strengthen Lansing’s French community.
 
Also this year, the Aux Petits Soins adult language program will debut. This will consist of private lessons and special interactive get-togethers that will allow native French speakers living in Lansing to speak in their mother tongue, and allow novices to get some world-class practice in. The possibilities are endless. Evening happy hour meet-ups and morning breakfast socials are being envisioned to accommodate both 9-to-5ers and stay-at-home parents. Please contact me at gaelle@apsfrenchclass.com if you would like to be kept in the loop as these bimonthly meetings are announced, and also if you have any suggestions for locations or themes.


Winter celebrations with Aux Petits Soins
One of Aux Petits Soins’ primary goals is to promote French culture in Lansing. Our philosophy about learning a new language is that it's like getting a passport to another culture. In this spirit, we have been working hard to be able to host monthly authentic cultural family events that will provide yet another opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic French culture. Three major French holidays occur during the upcoming session: Epiphanie, Chandeleur and Carnaval. As with most French holidays, they all involve lots of food and drinks.

In January, Aux Petits Soins will host its first family event, a King Cake Party. Full description of the event is available here.

And please save the dates for the next two — the Chandeleur Party on Feb. 26 and the Carnaval Celebration on March 26. Make sure to come back to the Aux Petits Soins Facebook page and our website for more information.

As always, if you have any suggestions or would like to get involved, email me at gaelle@apsfrenchclass.com or leave me a message on our Contact Us page.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Winter session 2017: 1/9 - 3/26
King Cake Party: 1/29
Chandeleur Party: 2/26
Carnival Celebration: 3/26

CLASS SCHEDULE
Day Trippers (up to 6 months):
9 a.m. on Saturdays
Explorers I ( 6-24 months)
5:15 p.m. on Tues., 10:30 a.m. on Fri. and 9:45 a.m. on Sat.
Explorers II ( 2-4 years)
5:15 p.m. on Wed., 9:30 a.m. on Fri. and 10:45 a.m. on Sat.
Explorers III ( 4-6 years)
9:45 a.m. on Wed. and 5:15 p.m. on Fri.
Travel Bugs II (6-9 years)
6:15 p.m. on Wed.
Travel Bugs III (9-12 years)
6:15 p.m. on Fri.

OTHER PROGRAMS
French Playtime (up to 5 years)
9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & 4-6 p.m. on Tues., Wed. and Fri.; and
9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays
French Club (6-12 years)
2-4 p.m. on Saturdays


 
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