Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Susie Pickering

Oak Lane Day School

137 Stenton Ave, Blue Bell, PA 19422

Phone: 610-825-1055

Fax: 610-825-9288

Email: spickering@oaklanedayschool.org

A French Luncheon at Oak Lane Day School

Social Studies units at Oak Lane Day School tend to be highly dynamic, interactive, and, in the case of the First Grade's study of the French culture, very delicious. Each year, as the culminating project of this social studies unit, the First Grade classroom is turned into a charming French café complete with red and white checked tablecloths and “wine” glasses. The French fare is simple: an assortment of cheeses, baguettes, pâté, fruit, sparkling water, and, for dessert, Swiss and Belgian chocolate. “The food being served is typical of a traditional French supper. It's a lighter meal than what we are accustomed to here in the United States,” reports First Grade teacher Carol Finer. Regardless of its “simplicity”, the children's excitement is palpable as they, their teacher, and their guests gather to partake of the meal.

Two special guests are invited to this gathering each year. During the course of the French unit, the children study the art and music of the country, and their teachers of these subjects are native French speakers themselves. Art teacher Armand Mednick comes from Belgium, and Music teacher Marlis Kraft-Zemel is Swiss. Conversation is lively in the classroom café as the teachers and students discuss their favorite French artists and debate which of the two kinds of chocolate is superior. Marlis can always be counted on to bring along her guitar and lead the group in singing French songs.

The French Luncheon is great fun every year, but it also has the larger purpose of expanding children's horizons. At Oak Lane aspects of different cultures are explored with the view of appreciating that which is interesting and beautiful and striving to understand and accept that which seems strange. From mastering a song sung in another language to tasting pâté for the first time, the students are heartily encouraged to reach beyond their everyday experiences and discover the wonders of the world.

Oak Lane Day School Information

An independent elementary school, founded in 1916 and located in Blue Bell, Oak Lane Day School serves a diverse population of boys and girls. Oak Lane honors each child's unique individuality while fostering intellectual, creative, academic, and personal growth within a diverse community of active, engaged learners. Small class sizes and an atmosphere that encourages children to develop their academic and social skills are priorities at Oak Lane, where learning is a meaningful and joyous pursuit. Oak Lane's country-like property of 30 acres along Butler Pike and Stenton Avenue boasts a stream, pond, woods, meadows, and specimen trees as well as athletic fields and playgrounds.

Oak Lane Day School is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS).