TODAY’S WORD: la rentrée
: the return to school, work, and everyday life after the summer holidays
PRONUNCIATION: lah rahn-TRAY
EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
La rentrée des classes est arrivée.
The new school year has begun.
LA RENTRÉE DES CLASSES by Jacqueline Espinasse
For some odd reason, the month of September has always felt like new beginnings. Back when I was a little girl, it was the start of school, la rentrée des classes, which I looked forward to mostly because I got my parents to buy me brand-new clothes.
That month is also my birthday, which means I will soon turn twenty-nine, and I will strongly say I’m twenty-nine even the minute before I turn thirty, in a far, far, far future.
September is also a change in temperature. You can start feeling a cool, crisp breeze in the city. In La Ciotat, families from up north go back home after enjoying the beaches all summer, playing, screaming, hiding their babies’ diapers under the sand. They leave, and leave room for the busy entrepreneurs and retired folks to enjoy a peaceful sea, served along with beautiful, freshly raked sand beaches.
I can’t recall two Septembers every being alike. Every year was a new chapter. There was always something new: moving back home from Florida, graduating, quitting my master’s degree, or flying to New York.
This September, I moved up a notch at work, going from assistant teacher to co-teacher. I have the strong feeling of being thrown into la gueule du loup. Mostly because half of the staff quit and the people remaining are few.
It’s exciting and terrifying, mostly because the news came really late. I went back to work only a few days ago, and we have exactly one week to prepare our own classes. Mon binôme, whom I really like, and I started to build a strong to-do list.
“Create a birthday calendar.”
“Write welcome letters.”
“Make a magic box.”
“Print pictures.”
“Sharpen pencils.”
And that is a small part of the list…
It reminded me of La Ciotat six years ago, when I got hired to be part of the reopening of a hotel with a bar and restaurant. It was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. So I keep telling myself this will be one too.
This time, I am not designing a cocktail menu. I will be helping shape a kid’s avenir.
BARTENDING IN FRANCE
Or, “from bartender to teacher.” If reading by email, click the blog link at the top of this letter to see the following video of Jackie in the online post.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
la rentrée = the return after the summer holidays; the back-to-school season
la rentrée des classes = the beginning of the school year; back to school
la gueule du loup = the wolf’s mouth
se jeter dans la gueule du loup = to throw oneself into the lion’s den
le binôme = partner; teammate; the person one works alongside
l’avenir (m) = the future
REMERCIEMENTS
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Kristi here. I hope you enjoyed Jackie’s story. I’m so happy my daughter is back, writing again for la rentrée and for this blog.Yay! Here’s a short story from many years ago found in the blog archives. Enjoy!
LA RENTRÉE — BACK TO SCHOOL
Last night, on the eve of la rentrée scolaire, our Citroën pulled into the loading zone of l’école primaire and came to an abrupt halt. Its four passengers burst out of the car in a race to the school’s entrance. The iron doors, still closed and locked as expected, displayed a dozen computer printouts in a horizontal line that extended from les portes across the outer wall of school.
Max and Jackie hovered in front of each sheet of paper like Mediterranean bees moving from one fragrant lavender bud to the next. When Max located his name on the second to last class list, he shouted “Ouais!” Next, he began to bounce up and down like a French pogo stick.
“All my friends are in my class!” he said, catching his breath. “On va S’ÉCLATER !”
EXTRA VOCAB
la rentrée scolaire (f) = back to school
l’école primaire (f) = elementary school
la porte (f) = door
ouais(oui) = yes (slang)
on va s’éclater! = we’re going to have a blast!
La rentrée. My own grade school memories, above. Twenty-eight of us. That’s me in the yellow shirt, center. Mr. Allison was a wonderful teacher! I had a crush on Doug (top row, third from right). Renée, beside Doug, was the smartest girl in class. Eunice, Tracy, Amy, J.D., Derek, Bobby, Sean, Greg, Stanley…my classmates names are just coming back to me.
A NOTE TO TEACHERS
Over the years, many teachers have invited their students to read French Word-A-Day for extra credit—and for a glimpse into everyday French language and culture, along with photos like this one, which captures the local vibe! If you teach French, I hope you’ll consider incorporating these stories and vocabulary lessons into your syllabus. They offer students a chance to discover French as it is woven into real life—one word and one story at a time.
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I love the picture of Max and Jackie! Our daughter was the same waiting for her brother to get home. I smocked for our daughter and all the grandchildren…boys until they were 3. The girls always started school in smocked jumpers in the South. Good for you for you for taking the picture, it is fabulous. Caroline
I started reading this blog 20 years ago in French class for extra credit – and have stuck around to keep learning!
Hi Kaitlin, What a joy to know you are still reading after all these years—and reading all the way to the end, where my message was posted! I’m truly touched! Thank you for taking the time to let me know 💕.
When I was still teaching French at Bishop McNamara (in Illinois), I used one of your posts for teaching reflexive verbs. It was a post about Jackie (maybe written by Jackie) wanting to wear makeup in middle school. It was charming and felt real.
The sad part of my story is that when I was ready to retire, my school could not find a replacement for me (ie: someone who would be willing to teach French I, II, III, and IV, as well as an English class for a five preps a day schedule. In my heyday, I also coached the Scholastic Bowl Team.
I said I would put off retirement long enough to phase out the French program and my job, which I did, retiring in 2019.
Our dears Kristi and Jackie,
You two ladies are not only quite a team,but your posts( and pictures!!! As in these more than darling ones today!)( and not forgetting always wonderful vocabulary !!) never fail to both capture our imaginations and wrap themselves around our hearts!
Thursday has become a special day to look forward to ( plus any other ones you gift us with which make those days extra special too!)
Thank you ,nos cheres! Blessings always!
Arms tight around you
Love
Natalia
Thank you, chère Natalia. Every one of your cheerful messages wraps itself, to borrow your expression, right around my heart! 🩷
Salut Jackie, I remembered the buried baby nappies in La Ciotat beaches ca 2014…shocking to see them and wonder why they were there…so French!
What wonderful photos! This is a very nostalgic time of year for me. I always buy some new pens and a notebook-even though I am not in school. It is a reminder for me to keep on learning every day.
Autumn is my favorite season. It is colorful yet fleeting. A reminder to savor each day and the joy that it holds. To hang on to what our hearts find dear and let go of what doesn’t work in our lives, like the leaves that fall off the trees. It is the cycle of life that goes out with a burst of glory before sleeping to awake in spring with new insights and experiences. Much happiness to all of you in this season of release and renewal
Such inspiring and lovely thoughts. Thank you, Jo-Anne. 🍁🍂
Happy birthday to Jackie and congratulations on your job promotion!
“on va s’éclater!” I can see you saying that to your little ones, Jackie. They’re very lucky to have someone of your depth, knowledge, and ability to make life fun. Mama Photographer Kristi, that is the sweetest picture ever of Max saying goodbye to his little sister! How do you always manage to capture the perfect moment?
Dear Jackie: First of all, having another birthday is a great reason for a celebration. In addition, your new promotion will promise to be very rewarding both to you & the children. You will give them an education, encouragement, support, attention & even, affection. your bartending career has prepared you well for your school career. Many congratulations on all fronts. Love all the photos as well. Your smile has never changed!!! Amicalmente, Ann
That first photo of Cadman Plaza and Brooklyn Borough Hall brought back so many memories. I started working at Brooklyn Law School in July 2001 and stayed for 17 years. Loved walking through Brooklyn Heights especially in the Autumn and Winter when owners of the Brownstones decorated for the changing seasons. Thank you for the memory.
Jacqueline,
i know very well what you feel, in this “rentree des classes.
i am French from Nice, i have read the emails from your mother for a long time and read yours also with the same interest.
your grandmother’s birthday is late September, mine is on the 18th, same year as your grandmother. what is your date (not year)?
HI Kristin,
As a 30 year teacher of Third graders, this time of year always makes me want to put up new bulletin boards and start new projects. I have been retired for many years now, but the time of year always brings fond memories. I loved this entry and thanks for your ideas for children taking French.
Best to you, Hugs,
Cerelle and my two miniature poodles, Cozette and Clicquot
to Jackie, You’ll do fine. It brought back memories of my first teaching assignment. I was only 22 and I took over from a teacher on maternity leave in January, 35 kids! I was so nervous I nearly threw up. Made it though. 8 year olds. They are the best.
Wishing you all kind of success! Eleonore Mayer Miller, ret. teacher in CA
I’m so happy for you Jackie! Believe this or not, I met you when you were about 10 or 11 as your Mom and Dad graciously offered to meet my sisters and momma (sadly left us 2023) at Rouge Blue during harvest time 2009. It was incredible. I could go on and on. It was a highlight I will never forget and your mom took our picture there overlooking the vineyard!