La Rentrée is pronounced “la ron-tray” and it means “back to school.” Except the meaning is more precise than that, because it means the first day of school or the first week of school – precisely.
Once, a parent to one of my English students scolded me because she showed up to class the first week after the New Year and no one was there, even though the first class in January was clearly noted on their information sheet as falling on the second week.
She objected, “But I said, ‘See you at la rentrée‘ and you didn’t correct me!” which was as specific for her as if she had mentioned the date.
Petit Prince is still in Maternelle, which is the equivalent to pre-school and kindergarten combined. Public school starts at age 3 (or 2 ½ if your birthday falls before December 31). The first year is Petite Section. Then you go to Moyenne Section, and then Grande Section. (This means, Small, Middle, Big Section).
Following Maternelle, you go to Elémentaire.
You’re big now! You’re going to have homework.
At age 6 (or nearly 6) you’re in CP (Cours Préparatoire).
Then you go to CE1, and following that CE2.
That’s Cours Elémentaire 1st Year, then 2nd Year.
And when you’re 9, you attend CM1, followed by CM2. That’s Cours Moyen 1st and 2nd year. Then you’re finished with elementary school and all those confusing letters.
Then you go to college, which is really collège (it means junior high) from grades 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3d. Yes, they count backwards here.
Then you go to lycée, which means high school, for three years: 2nd year, 1st year and then Terminal, as in “terminal illness,” which you’re totally going to feel like you have as you prepare for the BAC.
The BAC is an all-inclusive exam that decides your entire future for you. A one-week stressful exam that you pass or fail, and which decides if you go to university or not, and which decides if you have a successful life or not. Or just about. This exam is so important, when you talk about your college degree, you say “Bac plus 4” (which is equivalent to a BA or BS) or “Bac plus 5” (which is a Masters).
Honey - flip that little sign around.
But we’re not there yet, thank goodness. The school day is from 8:30 to 4:30, and lunch (from 11:30 to 1:30) is either at the cantine or at home.
In the first year of Petite Section, a large part of the afternoon is devoted to a nap. At Young Lady’s school in our old neighborhood, they even had miniature bunk-beds – so cute. You are not required to leave your child the whole day for the first year. And in fact, school is not legally required until age 6, but everyone sends their children at age 3 anyway.
By Moyenne Section, it’s expected you’ll leave your child the whole day. Lunch is either at the cantine, where you pay about 5€ per kid, or you bring them home for lunch. You’re not allowed to send a bagged lunch for them – either you pick them up, or they eat what everyone else eats. This stays the same throughout all the grades. 
In Petit Prince’s class, tears are diverted by the discovery that there are toy horses in this new classroom, just as there were in last year’s classroom.
It’s a big day for Young Knight. He’s excited to learn how to read.
Young Lady is glad to see that she’s in the same class as an old friend of hers. (I never realized how much this school needs renovation – the town hall is good about these things, and I’m sure they’ll get to it soon).
Young Knight has Young Lady’s teacher from the last two years. She had her in CP, and then the teacher asked if she could keep her another year because it was going to be a split class. I said of course – that I considered it a compliment that she would ask.
And then she confided to me that she was going to request Young Knight (who happens to be buddies with her son, who is also in her class this year) because she wanted to ensure she would keep getting those delicious birthday cupcakes I make. Naturally, that endears her to me as a teacher.
And so that’s it. They’re off to school. It’s back to the days of hard labor as a stay-at-home mom.
No, no .. I’m just recovering from a cold and sore throat. Really. I never do this any other time. Because that would be, like sooo lazy. Completely unacceptable.
I hope you feel better soon! I hope they have a lovely la rentree!
Thanks Angela. Already feeling better today.
I love this post…so informative AND adorable photos.
The little girls all look so ‘fashion forward’…tre chic!
Thanks OTG. It’s fun sometimes, when I step out of my life, to think that I have French kids.
I’m absolutely confused by all the letters and the fact they count backwards with the grades.
But yay, back to school! (yay, right?) Get better soon.
You can only figure out those letters when you actually have kids in the system. I never could before.
I hope that they have a wonderful first day back! And I think that you’re allowed to go back to bed sick or not after a busy summer with kids!
I noticed that there is little difference in kids… how they look, dress, and appear to interact with friends. It looks just like another day at my daughters school!
It’s true. I think the biggest difference is that girls greet each other with two kisses on the cheek and boys with a handshake, and that starts quite young.
Lovely! The kids are just adorable!
Thank you, dear Anna.
Those adorable faces! Enjoy the time!
You sound like one who has come through to the other side. 😉
Fascinating to hear about the schools there! Enjoy your days!
I figured people would like a glimpse into how it works here. 😉
They were so hyped up with excitement yesterday I sent them to bed without a story. I couldn’t take it anymore. 🙂
I AM proud of you, you brave girl. It’s not easy. I think this is the first year I didn’t get all choked up.
Love this. And I hope you are feeling better. xoxo
Beautiful children! And I have a nasty end of summer cold too. Waiting for my meds (even went to the doctor!) to kick in. Hope you are feeling better soon!
I think I see a smile in spite of the cold. All the mothers I know are happy at this time of the year.
Every time I come here, Jennie, I go back and read and re read your entries and wonder the same thing, “How do you do it?”
How do you mix all this sophisticated information in with a style that makes me want to sit and have a cup of something warm with you forever.
How do you do it? Present the life that you have as so typical but still allow the pride and gratitude and disbelief of all that you’ve been blessed with, shine through.
As I read along, I hear between the lines “Pinch me, I must be dreaming” along with a sense of the things that must be done even though they’re a challenge.
There is the beauty in the perseverance, in the gratefulness, of a soul who can’t believe the bounty placed at her feet.
How do you do that, Jennie??
HOW?
I loved your comment, my dear friend. It warmed me to the tips of my toes. And I have no answers – I’m normal. Sometimes I think “I’m dreaming” and other times I’m just getting by like all the other moms out there (fueled by guilt for all I’m not doing).
I loved this post!! What Alexandra said about you is so true 🙂
I was in France for CM1 and CM2. Such wonderful memories.
Sending love your way ladyjennie 😉 We hope to see you guys next time we are there! (sooner rather than later, I do hope!)
Yes – please do come, and with family in tow. Remember how your son and my daughter were due on the same day? But I think you beat me by a day or so.