News Archive 2007-2008

World Languages and Cultures Awards
Friday, June 06, 2008

The World Languages and Cultures Department presented awards for academic excellence, enthusiasm, and outstanding achievement in world languages to students, Friday morning, June 6, 2008. In the photo front row L to R: Sean Bowes, Conversational Spanish, Robert Chesnut, Spanish 1, Amanda Hutchinson, Spanish 2, Alfred Posis, Spanish 4. back row L to R: Rahul Chandrasekaren, French 3, Alison Woods, Spanish 2 Adv., Britta Johnson, French 1, Rebecca Sindel, recipient of the Diana Chaney award, and Kate Mueller, Spanish 3. Not pictured: Alice Richardson, French 2, Meaghan Brown, AP Spanish, and Likuvi Chebelyon, UCONN French 4.

French and Spanish Honor Societies Thursday, May 22, 2008 LHS's new French and Spanish Honor Societies inducted their first members. They are: Likuvi Chebelyon for French and Denzel Allen, Meaghan Brown, Breanna Gabriel, Emma Reim and Rebecca Sindel for Spanish. These student continue to demonstrate outstanding commitment to learning the language and culture both within and beyond the classroom.	Meaghan Brown, Rebecca Sindel & Likuvi Chebelyon

Johnson and Gracie with silver medals

Students Win Medals at Poetry Contest
Monday, April 21, 2008

In the COLT Foreign Language Poetry Recitation contest held on April 9th, Britta Johnson won a silver medal in French I and Kierra Gracie also won silver in Spanish III. Congratulations to all the talented participants from Ledyard High School, including Veronica Bernacchi , Sara Brumfield, Rahul Chandrasekaran, Kierra Gracie, Britta Johnson, Julissa Rosario, Daniel Walker, and Sarah Woodruff.

French Dinner Friday, April 04, 2008 Students in Mme Froh's French II class recently held a mock French dinner in the traditional style. Several students created authentic menus using the names of real French restaurants, while others prepared delicious desserts such as Mousse au Chocolat or provided cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.

	International Club Activity Day --Spanish Games Wednesday, April 02, 2008 For International Club's April 2nd Activity Day meeting, foreign language students played table games in Spanish such as Monopoly, Vida, Scrabble, ¿Adivina Quién?, Operando and Mexican cards. Students enjoyed themselves while taking advantage of the opportunity to practice their Spanish skills.

Host an Exchange Student Wednesday, March 05, 2008 Students from the Barcelona area of Spain come to southeastern CT every year in late June and stay for 4 weeks. If you are interested in hosting an exchange student, please read the announcement and frequently asked questions, and then email Mr. Jannke with further questions.

Semester at Sea Presentation Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Former LHS student Julianna DeWilde came to do a presentation on the "Semester at Sea" study abroad program. Julianna shared stories, experiences, pictures and objects from the many different countries she visited while traveling and studying aboard the Semester at Sea ship.

Buche de Noel Contest
Friday, January 11, 2008

On Wednesday January 9th the International Club hosted a Buche de Noel Contest. Entries were judged on their presentation, texture/color, taste, and the knowledge that each contestant had about the preparation of his/her entry. Winners of the contest were Alex James (1st place) and Jamie Salvatore and Amanda Woods (2nd place). Thanks to all contestants for their participation and a special thanks to our judges for the day: Sra./Mme Froh, Mr.Green, and Mrs. Gwin.

Un Petit Déjeuner Africain
Thursday, December 20, 2007

French 3 students have been studying about different countries in Africa where French is spoken. They have been learning about the different cultural aspects of certain cultures along with religious differences as much of northern Africa is muslim. The diet of northern Africa is quite different from the American diet so the students investigated different breakfast recipes from northern Africa. They then presented their food and told how they prepared it. They elaborated on different ingredients about which they were not familiar and the different ways of preparing certain foods.

Joyeux Noël
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Joyeux Noël is a French-made movie which takes place from Christmas Eve through the day after Christmas during World War I in 1914. The French and the Scottish are fighting against the Germans. It is about a cease-fire where the soldiers realize that they are all the same. French 2 students have been studying the imparfait and using it to describe different scenes. They have chosen 3 different scenes of the movie and must write 3 paragraphs in French describing the 3 different scenes. French 3 students are writing plot summaries, describing character development and telling about the setting of the film. They are also writing about the conflict in the film and completing their writing with an opinion paragraph. This was an excellent way to incorporate world history, talk about human nature and tie it into the curriculum of the French courses.

Une Journée Horrible
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

French 2 students in Mme Sylvestre's class were charged with creating a comic strip depicting someone who was having a bad day. Students have been studying the passé composé using both helping verbs, avoir et être. They have also been studying different expressions used in a conversation about someone's day. Putting all of the newly learned tasks together culminated in this project.

Spanish Harlem Trip Monday, December 17, 2007 Sr. Jannke took his Spanish classes to Manhattan on December 9th. Students experienced Spanish Harlem, authentic Mexican food, a famous Latino museum, and the dance and music of Flamenco. As usual, travel on Amtrak and the New York City Subway was interesting. See more pictures...	Outside el Museo del Barrio

Summer Travel to Another Country? Thursday, December 06, 2007 We are interested in learning more about the cross-cultural experiences that LHS students have during summers. If you traveled overseas this summer, send a picture and brief explanation to Mr. Jannke at [email protected].

International Club Salsa Lesson Friday, November 30, 2007 On Wednesday November 28th the International Club sponsored a salsa dance lesson taught by Alex Sparkman and Jessica Freitas of the Arthur Murray Niantic Dance Studio. Approximately 50 students, staff and teachers enjoyed learning and practicing the salsa during this event!

	Altars for Dia de los Muertos Thursday, November 08, 2007 Students in Senora Bercaw's Spanish 2 classes made altars for Dia de los Muertos. They typically include an arch, flowers, candles, incense, and personal things to remind family of the loved one that has died. The tradition began with the Aztecs about three thousand years ago.

Paté/Salsa Tasting Contest
Wednesday, November 07, 2007

On Wednesday November 7th the International Club hosted a Paté/Salsa Tasting Contest. Entries were judged on their presentation, texture/color, taste, and the knowledge that each contestant had about the preparation of his/her entry. Winners of the Paté contest were Audrey and Boothe Higgins. 1st place in the Salsa Tasting was Kyle Beglau. 2nd place was won by Erica Sheltrey and Taylor Strelevitz. Thanks to all contestants for their participation and a special thanks to our judges for the day: Mr. Gabordi, Mrs. Schultz, Mrs. Campo, Mrs. Gwin, and Mr. McCauley.

	La Voiture Tuesday, October 30, 2007 French 3 students learned additional ways of giving directions and the important things that need to be done to properly maintain one's vehicle. They put their newly learned information to work by writing a condensed version of an owner's manual. These owner's manuals can be viewed on the bulletin board outside of room 215 at the high school.

International Club Makes Sugar Skulls
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Students who participated in the International Club in October made and decorated sugar skulls in celebration of the Mexican holiday, “Día de Muertos”, the “Day of the Dead”. This is a special day of remembrance for family members and friends who have died. In Mexico, these skulls can be seen in displays and store windows and children eagerly clamor to buy them. The skulls are not meant to be eaten, but instead are used as a decoration. They symbolize death, not as something to be feared, but as a natural part of life. See more pictures.

AP Spanish Students Meet Author
Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Required reading for AP Spanish students this past summer was the Spanish version of the "One Book, One Region" selection: Across a Hundred Mountains. On September 25th, the class had the rare opportunity to attend a talk by the author, Reyna Grande, at Norwich Free Academy. The students also participated in a question and answer session and had their books signed by the writer.

France Trip Summer 2007 Tuesday, October 02, 2007 French students at the high school were given the opportunity to travel to France this summer. Nine students, one adult along with Mme Sylvestre and her family left for France on July 9 and returned the 18th. Read the full story of the trip and see many pictures on our France Trip 2007 webpage.	Tuileries

New International Club
Monday, October 01, 2007

Sra. Anderson and Sra. Feeney have restarted our International Club. They have big plans for this year. Our new club will offer activities and events in order to encourage students to appreciate the diversity and languages of other cultures in ways that are educational and fun for all its participants!

Some of the activities planned for this year are: Mexican Day of the Dead sugar skull decorating, salsa lessons with a dance instructor, salsa tasting, Spanish scavenger hunt, participation in World Language Week activities, opportunities to hear about student foreign travel and exchange programs, dinner at an area ethnic restaurant and much more!!!

The International Club will meet on Activity Days either during Activity Period or after school.

AMIGOS Program
Friday, September 28, 2007

We had four students volunteer in a Peace Corps-like program this summer in Central America. They have returned with incredible stories and pictures, which they have already begun to share with students and staff. Look for more information in Morning Meeting announcements or visit the Amigos de las Américas' website. Interested students should talk to their language teacher or see Mr. Jannke in room 211.

Les Correspondants
Monday, September 24, 2007

French 2 students of Mme Sylvestre made oral presentations based on the curriculum of Chapter 1. This project assessed whether students could speak clearly and communicate ideas accurately. Students presented their families to the entire class, describing them and telling their likes and dislikes. They were assessed on a variety of oral aspects such as pronunciation, eye contact, ease of speaking, etc. This class did a wonderful job with their projects

We Welcome New Teachers Saturday, September 01, 2007 Due to a retirement, moves and the loss of our German program, we hired three new Spanish teachers this year. Dawn Anderson joins us from Michigan, Katrina Bercaw joins us from Montville and Joan Feeney from Fitch. We are really excited to have an infusion of this much talent at one time.