On a recent afternoon at Cedar Hill Preparatory School, the dress code was simple: a beret. Red, navy, black, every color imaginable. Middle school students in the school’s French program wore them proudly as they celebrated National French Week, an annual nationwide celebration of the French language and the many cultures that share it.
The afternoon began with students stepping up to the microphone. One by one, they presented what they had learned in French class, from everyday phrases to the cultures of the Francophone world, which spans Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and beyond. For many, it was a chance to speak a new language in front of an audience, and they did it with growing confidence.
Then came the main event: a spirited French Kahoot! challenge. Cedar Hill Prep’s four student houses, Cherokee, Lenape, Ramapo and Shawnee, competed on vocabulary, geography and culture. Teammates huddled over their answers, and cheers filled the room as the scores climbed.
The celebration was led by French teacher Sherine Gergesse, who brought her classroom to life with an event that felt more like a festival than a lesson.
Moments like this reflect Cedar Hill Prep’s approach as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School, where world languages are a window to the world rather than just a subject. Learning to communicate in another language helps students build confidence, curiosity and the international-mindedness that prepares them for a connected future.
Félicitations to the students on a magnifique celebration!
About Cedar Hill Preparatory School
Cedar Hill Preparatory School is a Preschool to 8 International Baccalaureate Candidate School located at 152 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ. Learn more at cedarhillprep.com or call 732-356-5400.