On va en France!

In less than two weeks, we will be traveling to France. Although I have taken students to France on many trips, there are many unique "firsts" about this trip that promise to make it memorable and even unforgettable. Here is an impressive list of firsts:

1. This is the first trip of our Amiens partnership, connecting Westmoore High School and Lycée Jean Racine.


2. I will finally meet my partner teachers Virginie and Laure-Hélène face-to-face. My students will also meet their student partners with whom they have been communicating all year.


3. My students will get to experience a week-long homestay experience and attend classes at our partner school.


4. While we have honored Oklahoma soldiers buried in France who died there during World War II for several years, this will be the first year for my students to honor Oklahoma soldiers from World War I.


5. I have always organized trips with student travel companies, but this year we will travel on our own with all reservations and itineraries suited to our schedule.


6. We will be in Normandy for the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Hopefully, we will be able to attend the huge commemorative ceremony at which President Barack Obama will speak.


7. If all goes well, this will be the beginning of an ongoing exchange that can last for many years to come.