AU JARDIN

As a new school year awaits most Ontario children next week, kids in Ottawa's French schools headed back to the classroom today.

Our granddaughter Isla began senior kindergarten this morning or as she likes to say,

"I'm in le jardin now Papa."

I continue to be amazed at how a child whose French vocabulary consisted only of the phrases "Oui, silver plate" and "Non, mousie" has transformed over a period of twelve months into a critic who has the ability to discern whether a speaker's French accent is authentic or not.

According to Isla, Uncle Derek's rendition of' le pantalon brun just doesn't cut it. And she calls my attempt at saying brown pants in French just OK.

I'm more than a bit surprised by the early start of school here in Ottawa and most of Quebec. I've been told that it has to do with the feast of John the Baptist, that the French school year has to end before the June 24 feast day of this revered saint.

Not sure why or when this tradition started but for many, like Isla parents, it means a return to more organized schedules including consistent bed times.

For me, September is a time for a reset; a bit more personal discipline when it comes to diet and exercise as well as the challenge of taking a French class at York University.

After all, at this point, my French accent needs a bit of work according to one young expert.