Difficult to believe in the return of the students because there is an Olympian calm in the schoolyard. You can even hear the chirping of birds coming to drink in the small Louis XIV canal that borders the establishment. “They are usually around 500 at recess at the same time, recognizes the principal of the college, and logically make a lot of noise since the courtyard is encased in the middle of the class buildings. "
Like some 185,000 middle school students from sixth and fifth of the regions in the green zone - and while those of the four regions in the red zone, including Île-de-France, have to wait until the end of the month to find out they will be able to return to school - there are 45 this Monday morning to find their way back to their college from Val-de-Voise to Gallardon, a commune of Eure-et-Loir, a few kilometers north of Chartres and border with the south of the department of Yvelines.
Is it the fear of rubbing shoulders and risking catching the virus, or rather that of not respecting correctly, under penalty of sanction, the draconian rules of the health protocol? Gallardon students demonstrate surprising calm and rare discipline throughout this first day of school.
The arrival of the first school bus, at 7.45 am, sets the tone. Far from the morning hustle and bustle, each device frees the students, all already masked, drop by drop, at the rate of two or three maximum per vehicle. Parents take over, dropping offspring in the car. Some, like Anne, Leon's mother, worry about the very strict rules in place. "I hope they will not be too harsh even if I understand that they have a big health responsibility. But it must not turn into too prison atmosphere . "
"A test to find out if everything is working"
This is not, however, the spirit with which the principal prepared this new return to school. “We did everything by following the protocol and to ensure the health security of everyone, says, serene, Alexandre Treuillard, 37 years old. This first day is a test to see if everything works as we imagined. At 8:05 am, the 6th grade English class begins. They are only 7, against 25 usually, installed in the science room in which they will stay for all the courses to follow. "They will be eight others of the same class next week," explains the principal. We were able to welcome all the children from families who wanted to and the aim is to attract even more in the coming weeks. "
Before starting her course with a quiz, Valérie Couvreux, English teacher, first reminds the rules to follow. Always wear a mask, stay away from each other, wash your hands. The pupils do not flinch, nod, the air a little struck by so many instructions. "It is a little odd to have so few students in front of you, but I am happy to have my classes and to be able to continue learning English following the established program before and during confinement explains the teacher. I have colleagues in other establishments who are forced to only provide tutoring to students in mixed classes. "
"I was afraid I couldn't speak"
At 9:40 am, rather than the traditional ringing, it is a voice which resounds in the loudspeakers: "The pupils of 6th A and of 6th D can go to recreation". We expect a horde of students running down the stairs to find the open air ... Failed. Once in the courtyard, the groups are formed in affinities of three or four but, again, no outbursts or voices. We talk about confinement at home, we look at ourselves a bit like an earthenware dog, keeping our distance well under the watchful eye of the supervisors.
"Usually, we meet up with friends and sit on a bench," explains Elsa. There, we do not really know what to do. The hardest part is not having my best friend, Lana, with me, because she stayed at home. Etan, in 5th D, breathes behind his thick cloth mask. "It's horrible, I have to slide my thumb underneath to pull a little above and let some air pass. "
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The canteen menu - penne salad with pesto, ham, tuna vegetables and Mont Blanc cream - gives a smile and a good dose of confidence to students who are gradually taking their marks. “I was afraid of not being able to speak but in fact, even with the distance and the places allocated, it's okay, reassures Abel, 13 years old. I'm happy to be back, for my friends of course, but also for the lessons. "
VIDEO. Schoolchildren return to Eure-et-Loir
