caption:

 

Visitors

Students from Senegal visited Woodstock Academy for 18 days recently. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

Academy-

Senegal 

exchange

a success

By Merry Burke, Senegal Exchange Coordinator and French teacher, Woodstock Academy 

Woodstock Academy welcomed a group of 15 girls and their three teachers from Mariama Bâ School of Education in Senegal for an 18-day exchange program in September. Fifteen WA students and their families greeted their new “sisters” with warm hugs and excitement for The Academy’s fifth cultural exchange between the two schools. “From the moment they stepped off the bus, it was like old best friends meeting again,” Sophomore, and host student, Breana Weidele, of Woodstock, stated; she had been corresponding with her guest since April of 2015.

Our guests spent most of their two weeks shadowing Woodstock Academy students, attending their classes, watching our athletic games, and experiencing life as an Academy student. M. Babacar Diba, history teacher at Mariama Bâ and program coordinator, delighted students with his expertise and humor while teaching an Academy French class. In addition to teach

ing French and English classes, Madame Djenaba Ndao, Mariama Bâ French teacher, and Madame Atta Ba, Mariama Bâ English teacher, shared some Senegalese recipes with Mrs. Gray’s Cooking classes. Students’ enjoyed the new flavors of the Senegalese cuisine! 

“Having the Senegalese students in classes, where they can get together and talk with American students, is a wonderful way for them to learn about another culture and reflect and compare it to their own culture.” said Señora Jayne Collins, Woodstock Academy’s co-coordinator of the Senegal Exchange. “What they realize is that they have a lot in common and that they can have fun together.” The well-equipped classrooms at The Academy impressed students from Mariama Bâ. “Woodstock Academy gives students a unique opportunity to learn, every morning they have a reason to wake up and say I’m going to school,” Anta Dieng, a student from Mariama Bâ, commented.

The students from Senegal were fully immersed in the American culture during their visit. They visited the Woodstock Fair where they enjoyed the rides, attended their first American concert, and ate s’mores at a bonfire hosted by one of the WA host families. Mariama Bâ students also played dodgeball for the first time during an in-school dodgeball tournament where Academy students encouraged their new friends who caught on very quickly. “Dodgeball is not a sport or game played in Senegal,” Madame Merry Burke, exchange coordinator, explained. “But based on the enthusiasm on the court in the WA gym, that may change!” 

The students enjoyed local daytrips to Woodstock’s Pink House and the Woodstock Orchard as well as trips to New York City, the Yale Pequot Museum, and Boston. While in Boston, students from Senegal visited City on a Hill, a Public Charter School, where they were welcomed by their new friends and Kim Jalet, former WA teacher and coordinator of the Boston contingent of the Exchange. “All students benefit when we group urban and rural American students with students from Senegal,” Jalet commented.  

Students from Mariama Bâ shared their culture not only with Woodstock Academy students, but with students from the surrounding area. They visited Brooklyn, Canterbury, and Union’s middle schools where they presented their culture through song, dance, and games. Dance and percussion masters Tony Vacca, Massamba Diop, and Abdou Sarr gave lessons and delighted all students and teachers with their world rhythms during an in-school performance. “The entire auditorium was buzzing during the performance,” Headmaster Sandford stated. “It was absolutely wonderful to see our students having so much fun with our guests and enjoying a valuable cultural experience.”

Mariama Bâ students presented a taste of Senegal to community members, by cooking authentic Senegalese dishes with their host families. The dinner was followed by a Cultural Evening where the teachers and students from Senegal performed in traditional dress, songs, and dances. 

The exchange between the three schools has been highly successful, allowing students to make life-long friends and explore new career possibilities. The academy is now preparing the second part of the exchange: Woodstock Academy students will travel to Senegal in April 2016 to visit and reconnect with their friends at Mariama Bâ school.  

 

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Check In

Putnam Lion Dianne Tremblay checks in Sandy Navarro & Nancy Gaspar after 30-mile ride. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

PUTNAM — Members of the Putnam Lions Club hosted the club’s second Fall Classic Bicycle Ride Oct. 4 raised more than $2,000.

Over $2000 was raised during the event.  The Fall Classic was truly a community event and the funds raised will go back to benefit the community and Lion’s charities.  Many Putnam Lions, Putnam II Leos and additional volunteers worked at various stations along the routes and at the Marketplace Pavilion.  The Putnam, Pomfret, Dayville and Woodstock Volunteer Fire Departments provided coverage at critical intersections to ensure riders’ safety.  The Pomfret Rod & Gun Club opened their facilities for use as a rest stop. 

The support of local businesses including Charter Oak Credit Union, Gates Auto Group, & King Cadillac GMC, as well as all the participants, made this bike ride a successful fund-raising event.  

Riders were given a choice of a 30 mile or a 15 mile route, starting from the Putnam Riverview Marketplace Pavilion on Kennedy Drive.

Riders enjoyed the scenery through Putnam, Pomfret and Woodstock & Killingly. In addition, refreshments and snacks were provided for the riders both before and after the ride.

Lions members thank everyone who contributed to this important work. “You are truly helping Lions make a difference in our community.”

 

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Donation

TLGV Chief Ranger Bill Reid, left, and Executive Director Lois Bruinooge, center, accept a donation from Savers Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph A. Coderre. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Bank donates 

to 'rangers'

Savers Bank has donated $2,000 to The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) in support of its Ranger Program.   Savers Bank’s donation will enable TLGV Rangers to attend community fairs, festivals, events, and civic meetings, providing information and inspiration to residents and visitors seeking to learn about our region’s unique cultural and natural resources.  

With over a century of business in south central Massachusetts, Savers Bank believes in outstanding customer service, commitments to the community, an ultimate mix of consumer and commercial products and expertise for all of its customer’s financial needs.  “Our commitment to the community is integral to our mission to actively contribute to the overall well-being of our region, and The Last Green Valley is equally committed to preserving and protecting our region’s resources.  The Ranger Program helps to raise awareness and encourages stewardship of this special place we call home,” said Joseph A. Coderre, Savers Bank president and CEO.

“We are grateful to Savers Bank for supporting the TLGV Ranger Program,” said Lois Bruinooge, TLGV executive director.  “Savers Bank’s contribution will help us care for, enjoy, and pass on The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor.”