Advanced topics in Spanish students share stories of their national park

Over a dozen Advanced Topics in Spanish students took a deep dive into some behind-the-scenes stories of the Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller families that all lived on the same property in Woodstock that is now a National Park Service site.

Students met with resource experts, accessed primary documents, and conducted research into topic areas of their choosing guided by essential questions such as: "How does the estate show/balance the difference between wealth and nature?", "What is the relationship between art in the mansion and MBR and why do we have that art?", and "How does the architecture and the landscape reflect the ideals of the 19th century and the philosophy of conservation of Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller?"

Not only did these students conduct research and create a 5-minute mini-tour, but they then delivered their presentations to an audience of their peers—all native Spanish speakers visiting from Madrid. This is a monumental task that takes courage, preparation, and even a little bit of humor. Students appreciated getting to know different stories about the park and connecting with this resource in a new way.

The Spanish students are visiting as part of an exchange program with Colegio Salesianos Paseo Extremadura. The teachers accompanying the students were so impressed with the project that before the day was over, they had contacted their school to suggest that their students complete a similar project in English when we visit them in April.

WUHS Language Students Welcome French Students to VT October 2024

Nineteen French students and their two teachers traveled to Boston and Woodstock from Ecole Sophie Barat, our new partner of the Woodstock French Exchange Program. The students and teachers began their adventure by spending three days touring Boston, exploring the history and culture of this beautiful city. The group walked the Freedom Trail, visited the State House and enjoyed the city’s cuisine. The students and teachers arrived in Woodstock on Thursday, October 17th, and quickly acclimated to both their host families and “siblings” as well as the school. The French students began their school experience with a full-day of orientation, meeting with Aaron Cinquemani and Tom Emery, both of whom warmly welcomed them to the high school. Cinquemani and Emery expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for this rich experience. After the orientation, the French students and teachers spent the afternoon at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Park, learning about the importance of this site to both our school and our community from Kat Robbins. For the next few days, students participated in immersive language lessons, attended daily classes as well as after school sports and activities. In the evenings and on weekends the French students were kept very busy by their host families. All of these experiences allowed the students to fully understand what it is like to be a young adult in an American school.

The French students and teachers were enthralled with the quintessential fall activities that make up life in Vermont. The host families were more than generous with their time and effort to make sure the French students partook of such things as pumpkin carving, hiking, star gazing, apple picking, and exploring corn mazes. Many of the students enjoyed a typical Thanksgiving dinner which delighted them, particularly because the meal is such a unique American cultural phenomenon. They even took a short tour of Vermont, visiting Montpelier, eating ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s, then seeing Lake Champlain in Burlington. Many of the students attended sports events, another typical part of many American students’ lives. There’s no doubt that the French students and teachers experienced much of what American culture is like.

On the last day of their stay, the French students and their “siblings” traveled to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for a tour of the aviary habitats as well as a presentation on raptors. After the morning together, Woodstock bid adieu to the group as they headed to Logan to fly home.  

In all, the French students and teachers participated in classes, experienced life in a rural community, explored the culture of New England, and made friends in Vermont. Teacher Marie Anderson and Exchange Coordinator Colleen O’Connell reflected on the success of the exchange, happy to have seen the group fully engaged, squeezing every ounce of experience and fun from each and every activity. Anderson and O’Connell are grateful to our French friends and to our school community for having had such a wonderful time together.

On the last day of their stay, the French students and their “siblings” traveled to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for a tour of the aviary habitats as well as a presentation on raptors. After the morning together, Woodstock bid adieu to the group as they headed to Logan to fly home.  

In all, the French students and teachers participated in classes, experienced life in a rural community, explored the culture of New England, and made friends in Vermont. Teacher Marie Anderson and Exchange Coordinator Colleen O’Connell reflected on the success of the exchange, happy to have seen the group fully engaged, squeezing every ounce of experience and fun from each and every activity. 

Anderson and O’Connell are grateful to our French friends and to our school community for having had such a wonderful time together.

A "Te de Jamaica" Taste-Test in Spanish 2!

On Friday, the Spanish 2 students enjoyed sampling some "Agua de Jamaica", a traditional Mexican tea made from dried Hibiscus flowers. Salud! (Cheers!)

French and Spanish Students Begin the Park Interpretation Project

Pictured above: Kat Robbins talks with Advanced Topics in Spanish students about the connection between Billings Farm and the Park.

Students from Advanced Topics in Spanish and French, and AP French students have begun work on a Park Interpretation Project. With the support of Kat Robbins and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, students are researching topics of interest at the park and crafting guided tours in Spanish and French. Research topics range from the history of conservation to specific artists and artworks at the park. 

Pictured above: Sierra Bystrak interviews Head Gardener Jordan McGee about the fountain and history of the formal gardens. Sierra commented: 'This project is a great way to really learn the significance of this place. I usually just hike to the Pogue, but now I know more about why this place is special,”

The project combines several of Woodstock’s Portrait of a Graduate skills, including stewardship and skillful communication. Students will have the real-world practice of conducting a guided tour in their target language.

Anna Megyyesi’s Advanced Topics in Spanish class will lead their tour on October 10th. 

French student Tua Shaw practices her talk on the importance of beauty and spirituality in the context of the Mash Billings gardens.

French student Joffre Legyada will be speaking about the native history of the land.

French Presentation at Marsh Billings National Park 

Thursday the 26th of September at Marsh/Billings National Park (and Rockefeller Mansion) from 11:15 --12:30, Nathalie Kramer's French AP and Advanced Topics students will be presenting their chosen topic in French! Each student will give a 4 minute presentation in their area of interest--for example, Gardens, Art work in the house, Forest History. En Français! 

French student Lucy Drebitko will engage us by explaining the invasive species and the preservation of the trees. 

Seventh graders learn the Merengue

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Seventh grade students in Señora Leibly's Spanish 1B enjoyed learning the basic steps of the merengue.

They also learned that the merengue, a style of music with a fast tempo, is the national dance of the Dominican Republic. After a few practice moves, students enjoyed swinging their hips to a few songs by Juan Luís Guerra and Elvis Crespo, two well known merengueros.