CESC PARIS

ACWO - American Catholic Womens Organization in Paris

MESSAGE PARIS

Message is the oldest association for English Speaking Parents living in and around Paris - a diverse, inclusive community of members from over 60 countries.
The rentrée was a very busy time for us. After successfully pivoting to a strong virtual presence during the first lockdown - we organized 138 online events during the period of mid-March to end of June including 44 support events, 29 Message Talks and weekly recurring events such as Story Times, Dance Parties and Online Check-Ins - we were thrilled to go back to offering more in-person events. Most of these were smaller play-groups involving our Bumps2Babies and Wobblers and Toddlers groups.
We continued to offer a strong catalogue of virtual events as we had received great feedback, and the ease of access was much appreciated by our members. Some of our offerings, such as the weekly Message Maternal Mental Health support group, moved to a hybrid format where members had the option of attending either in person or dialing in via Zoom online. Probably the biggest disappointment surrounding the new lockdown was the need to cancel our annual Trick or Treat event on October 31st - generally one of the biggest and most loved events on our Event Calendar. However, we had anticipated this possibility and had already planned a series of virtual Halloween-themed events as well. Apart from cancelling some playgroups, we have once again moved our other offerings back to online platforms.
Other challenges for this lockdown include not being able to organise our Message Market (Bring & Buy) and our Holiday Party - which are usually very well attended. We do realise that there are other organisations who are even more affected than we are since we are lucky that our key membership base is quite tech savvy and willing to interact online. Message is always open to exploring ways to collaborate with our fellow associations, and we hope to continue strengthening the connections and sense of community that is built through these CESC meetings.  https://www.messageparis.org/
 

AAWE, the Association of American Women in Europe, aims to help members Connect, Engage and Thrive during confinement and beyond. Current president is Beth Austin, and current projects include the Les Historiennes series of talks, discussions and walks around the French Second Empire (www.aaweparis.org/historiennes), an exciting new project to update our famous AAWE Guide to Education in France (www.aaweparis.org/ad); Beyond the Bac, an invaluable book on higher education in France and abroad, particularly since students cannot travel to university Open Days (www.aaweparis.org/books). Plus we have gorgeous gifts, masks and more - handmade by Americans here in Paris (www.aaweparis.org/handicrafts)

9th edition of the AAWE Guide to Education in France
For 35 years, AAWE has published the Guide to Education in France, serving bilingual families and schools. This is the first new edition in eight years, and will be a bright and positive resource for bilingual families for several years to come.

Schools, don't miss this opportunity to showcase your talent to a targeted and motivated audience of bilingual parents! There is no better way to reach bilingual parents in France, and families relocating from overseas. www.aaweparis.org/ad

GiF - Gifted in France

GiF is a support group for parents of gifted, talented and twice-exceptional children living in France. Our aim is to help parents, caretakers, educators, mental health professionals and community leaders understand the educational, emotional and social needs of this population. We do this through meetings for adults, especially by sharing webinars and other resources from experts in the field.

Over the last 13 years, our small association has also created, organized and supported enrichment activities for children including the annual Paris Spelling Bee, the France Brain Bee (FBB), creative writing courses, the Little Mad Scientists Club, photography workshops. We are proud of our collaboration with other amazing non-profit institutions such as the American Library in Paris, Paris Brain Institute (ICM) and the American University in Paris as well as AAWE and Message.
We have 2 exciting news. After the 2020 France Brain Bee contest was canceled last March, our official partner ICM transitioned the event to a successful online contest in June. Now, as the France Brain Bee is continuing to grow across the country, we have signed a formal agreement for the Paris Brain Institute (ICM) to be the official host, sponsor and organizer of the France Brain Bee. With their strong leadership and global presence in neuroscience research, ICM is perfectly poised to give this international contest the support it needs so that more students have a chance to participate in the annual competition.
Lastly, after a one year break, GiF will soon start a virtual support group for its members. More information will be posted on giftedinfrance.org.