Yellow Jacket students may experience the French life

Jennifer Heaslip Herald News Editor

ROANOKE RAPIDS - Before long, there may be a Yellow Jacket in Paris.

Several Yellow Jackets, if a French foreign exchange student program is developed between Roanoke Rapids High and a French school.

RRHS French teacher Jeffrey Pageau described the details of the program he wants to start to board of education members Tuesday evening during a work session. A group of RRHS students would spend a few weeks in France, and a group of French students would travel to Roanoke Rapids at another time.

This exchange will enhance the high school's French program, Pageau said. And learning French is just as important as learning Spanish.

With tourism and Carolina Crossroads, he sees a lot of French Canadian license plates, and his students tell him that when they work at their jobs around the interstate, they speak French with their customers.

Because of the location of Roanoke Rapids, his students lack seeing the relevance of French in their lives and this opportunity would really bring it home, Pageau said.

During the exchange, the students would be completely immersed in French, attending a French school and living with a French family.

Twelve students have taken applications for the program so far, Pageau said, showing “there is a definite interest in the program.”

The trip would be taken over the Easter holiday next year so students wouldn't miss a lot of school. They would also attend school in France from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., taking courses such as French history and the arts.

Board members were receptive to the idea, and Assistant Superintendent Greg Little said the district wants to give students the opportunities to experience a global world. The French student exchange was inspired by the district's current Danish exchange program, which has been successful.

To fund the cost of hosting the French students, Pageau is planning two fund-raisers. If there is additional money, it could be used toward the cost of the trip for students who could not afford to go.

One fund-raiser would be a Les Misérables concert at Lakeland Cultural Arts Center, and the other would be a performance by nationally-known magician Misty Lee. Both would be held in November, and more details will be released at a later date.

Board members are expected to vote on whether or not to approve the program at their Tuesday, May 15 meeting.