Ski Day for the 9th graders at Mireille Choisy Middle School

In less than 24 hours, they went from the beaches of Saint-Barthélemy to the ski slopes of Les Gets, in Haute-Savoie. It was a dramatic change of scenery for the sixty-six eighth-grade students from Mireille Choisy Middle School. Yesterday, Thursday, March 26, accompanied by seven adults (five teachers and two parents), the 37 girls and 29 boys boarded the Great Bay bound for Sint Maarten before flying to Paris and then traveling by bus to Les Gets. A two-week adventure that will be athletic, fun, and educational. Because it goes without saying that the teens will continue to study their lessons throughout the trip.
They will stay at the resort of Les Gets until April 3. On the agenda: skiing, of course, but also many other activities. The group will notably attend the Alta Lumina Festival. Starting April 4, in Paris, the middle school students will meet with the Compagnons du Devoir, visit the Latin Quarter, the Cité des Sciences, the Eiffel Tower, the Army Museum, and the Senate, among other highlights.
The organization of this trip was made possible largely thanks to a collective effort involving the Parents’ Association (Apel), parents, teachers, and the middle school students. “This project could not have come to fruition without the remarkable commitment of the entire educational community,” emphasizes Apel. “The students’ involvement, the parents’ tireless efforts, the support of the teaching staff, and the backing of our partners all demonstrate a true spirit of solidarity. Everyone, in their own way, has contributed to making this project a reality.” ” The cost of the trip amounts to over 176,000 euros. Initiatives carried out since the start of the school year (market stalls, belote tournaments, garage sales, running bars at festive events, etc.) have raised nearly 65,000 euros. Added to this sum were 24,600 euros in donations (from individuals and businesses), 30,000 euros in contributions from parents, 18,000 euros in grants from various organizations (Febecs, FDVA, Guma), 12,000 euros from the school’s funds, and 36,000 euros from the local government. “Beyond the funding, this collective adventure illustrates the power of working together and the values of sharing, mutual aid, and commitment,” emphasizes Apel. “These are essential principles that the students will carry with them long after this trip.”
It is now up to the students and their chaperones to make this trip a success—so that it becomes a permanent fixture on the school’s calendar.