Nothing is as usual, this back to school, for the 529 students of the Dora-Maar college in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis). First, because they were not able to start the school year in their establishment. And for good reason: the latter is located in the heart of the Paris 2024 Olympic village. Until September 16, they are therefore welcomed in the grounds of a school in Saint-Ouen. Then, because in return for this start of the school year “not like the others”which represented a real logistical challenge, according to the principal, Cécile Lacrosse, the national education system distributed a thousand tickets to the students. “Everyone has the opportunity to attend two events” Paralympic Games, explains the main one. One is compulsory and during school time, the other optional.
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All students in 3e went to the Stade de France on Wednesday, September 4, to watch a para athletics event. The trip through the neighborhood, between the Anatole-France school in Saint-Ouen (on the edge of the athletes’ village) and the Stade de France, is already an opportunity to take stock. “In terms of sports facilities, we are pretty well off in this college”recognizes Cassandra Grasso, a physical education and sports (EPS) teacher, who accompanies her class.
“Not all the establishments in the area can say that. We have a stadium with two stages, just behind, she indicates, pointing in the direction of the Olympic Village, and also a PE room adjoining the college… But that also means that we had classes for two years amidst the noise of jackhammers.”
Technical explanations given amidst the noise
Once there, in the still highly charged atmosphere of the Paris 2024 events, the teacher smiles. Of course, middle school students have paid a high price for preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPG), with noise pollution and journeys to sports facilities extended by roadworks blocking the roads. “But there’s a great atmosphere, it’s still good to start the year like this”, smiles Cassandra Grasso.
The Stade de France is full of children, many of whom have come with their class or sports association, and, it seems, from all over France: in the neighbouring stands, schoolchildren are waving flags from the Normandy region. “People came from all over to see the Games, and for us it’s right next doorAya, a 3rd grade student, will later congratulate herselfe from Dora-Maar College. It’s still a chance.”
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