The French Heritage Club at ETHS was created this year after a grant from the Albertine Foundation was given to start the club. The club aims to represent those who are underrepresented in the ETHS community. 

Since their founding, they have appeared at the ETHS open house and recruited students who come from francophone countries. The club seeks to offer non-native English speakers a community with others who have shared similar experiences.

“We support students transitioning into a new culture/school by providing them with a buddy to walk them through their schedule for a few days. We provide care packets and check in with them to make sure they are settled in.”  Says Ms. Parisien, the club sponsor.

Every Tuesday and Thursday the club meets and catches up, discussing how the students are adjusting to a new life and new school away from the countries they grew up in. They incorporate the French language into their meetings as well. The club creates a community for students who feel isolated from their homes and cultures.

Many students in the club don’t primarily speak English and come from a variety of francophone countries. 

It’s important to Ms. Parisien, the club sponsor, that the students have this space to meet and talk to each other and also share their unique cultures with the ETHS community.

“The French Heritage Club is important to me because as a club we get to showcase our culture, language, art and uniqueness,” quoted Ms. Parisien.