- Not a dinner course
- Not the regurgitation of a dinner course
- Nothing sexual
- Not something you wouldn't talk about with your gramma
- Practically nothing scholastic in any way.
It is, in fact...the first day of school here in France. And it's a big deal. I can't tell you how many news programs spent over half an hour every night talking about it, for a week before and a week after. It's mounting cost for students, parents, and teachers alike, who's looking forward to it, what the government is doing about education, etc.. Also, great montages of piles of notebooks, pens and highlighters and people walking in and out of stores. Great stuff. Real artsy cinematography.
So the hype got me pretty worked up. (Which for me is the equivalent of raising an eyebrow, maybe two if I'd had a good breakfast). I mean gosh, I know the news stations are grappling for something to throw on the screen, because it's quite obvious there isn't a whole lot going on of note in the world--no natural disasters, wars, or political scandals of course--but how could the first day of school require such an extensive media drumroll? Was the french school system really going to be as strange a thing as my expectations? Were my classmates going to be so tricked out in back-to-school attire and accessories, that my American-style notebooks and thrice-used binder would immediately attract attention to me, an overall inconspicuous person?
Well I have to say, La Rentrée was greatly over exaggerated. Because it wasn't La Rentrée to be concerned about. It was the impending demonstration of the French spirit of free speech and public manifestations.
Let me explain:
My first day of class went like this:
I was dropped off at school at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The flock of eager students, eager at least not to be late, were crowded around two pages posted on the lobby wall. These pages, complete in size 10 font, listed the name, class, and room number for all the students in my grade. Thankfully, after the only girl I had previously met confirmed my suspicion that no, I was not on the list, and no, we did not know the room number, we went together to the French equivalent of an assistant principal, and got our information.
My principal teacher was very nice, very helpful, very welcoming, and absolutely just as confused as I was about most of the things going on in the school. She passed out papers with a random smattering of boxes, names, and numbers, which was explained to be our schedules. And with the pent-up energy of twenty-three just recently vacationing teenagers (and I say twenty-three because I was too confused to say anything), the great argument of the l'emploi du temps, which has yet to be resolved, began.
And boy did it remind me of home.
So you thought OV was crazy? So you thought OV had problems? So you thought OV had some boring teachers? So you thought only at OV could you find food that defies all laws of physics and morality?
Oh non!
First of all:
All of the teachers were very unhappy with the administration. (remind you of anything?)
Second:
All of the students were very unhappy with the fact that they were at school
Thirdly:
All the administration had absolutely no information that was helpful (a few years ago, sounds familiar?)
Thirdliest:
The only people who were prepared were the students (that part was a shock.)
So the schedule for me looks like this:
Yeah. I don't get it either.
You know how the 4 block scheduling got really boring?
Boy do I miss it.
The school day is technically 8-6. In addition, there is a week 1, and a week 2. But I still don't comprehend which classes change each week. There is also a group 1, and group 2, so sometimes I randomly don't have class because I'm in group 2. Also, there are optional classes. And finally, I'm actually not on any of the class lists (even though the school signed off on my Rotary documents in May), so I suppose I could sort of pick and choose which classes to attend. but it's strange how vacant my schedule is of actually interesting content. Lots of language (that's good) but absolutely no courses that specialize in anything. It's like 8th grade all over again. You feel old and you want to be able to choose classes, but everything is rather bland, and decided for you.
Most days I start at 8:00. Most days I finish between 4:00-6:00 PM. However, in between I generally have 2-5 hours off. It's absurd.
I have a theory that this type of scheduling is the main cause of teen smoking in France. They have nothing to do for an hour, except sit outside the school, talk with their friend, listen to shitty American pop songs, and smoke in excess of four cigarettes per hour. It's incredible. Oh, and because of this, the very beautiful school is transformed into a trash heap of sorts.
Anyway, this absurd schedule was also one of the main causes of the strike that happened on Friday. (Long weekend!) Teachers had had enough, and were obligated to band together against the Directrice (principal) whom apparently everyone dislikes.
And La grève (strike) isn't over. There are still teachers missing (which is why I got to school at 9 today and didn't have class until 2:30), and there is still a lot of tension between the staff departments. I can update you when I know whats happening. As for now, tomorrow is uncertain. Either the schedule will completely change, or there will be another strike, and no courses.
On a humorous note to end this ridiculous rant of a blog, I have a video blog about what I did instead of hanging around school on Friday during La grève. Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukduXyMQ_vk
Other than that, we shall see, we shall see.
Another video blog perhaps by the weekend.
à tout à l’heure!
Will
ps. Sorry if there are typos. I don't proofread. It's not my thing.
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