The Beit Project set up its resources from May 13 to June 7 in Sarcelles for the second consecutive year. Located in Kennedy Park and Pasteur School, the nomadic school facilitated the interaction of 118 students from various institutions in Sarcelles (Groupe Scolaire Emile Zola, Groupe Scolaire Saint Exupery, Collège Gallois, Collège Saint-Rosaire, IME de Sarcelles). The final presentation took place on June 27 at the Les Sablons Social Center in Sarcelles.
Feedback from Cécile Chassang, Local Coordinator of the Event
Locations and Partners:
This year, the project took place outdoors in Kennedy Park. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Grands Ensembles in 2025 and in partnership with the town hall, the park serves as a key space. It is one of the few green lungs of the city, located in the heart of the Lochères, one of the oldest and largest housing complexes.
This area is close to the Flanades neighborhood and its shopping center, which is the hub of activity and is bordered by the iconic Lochères Market that extends to the Garges-Sarcelles train station. We also established a partnership with Pasteur School and the youth center connected to the Les Sablons social center to provide shelter in case of inclement weather and calm, comfortable working conditions for some activities.
We spent most of our time working outdoors to take advantage of the time outside school walls and allow the young people to familiarize themselves with the park. We also felt the essence of the Beit Project in the interactions between our cabins and the park-goers. As the sessions progressed, we got to know the neighbors, shopkeepers, employees, etc., who even lent us a helping hand, stayed to observe, asked questions, and shared their joy in seeing the students learn outside. One gentleman even lent us his airport cart to make it easier for us to handle our materials.
Daily Routine:
Every morning, starting from my home at 7:45 a.m., I meet with a municipal agent for a weather check to decide whether or not to set up the tent. At 8:15 a.m., the entire team meets at Romain Rolland. We have coffee or tea and discuss the day ahead. I provide them with information, then let them organize in pairs and discuss among themselves. I take care of their materials. Each pair has a pouch containing all their materials and archives, for which they are responsible for two days. At 8:40 a.m., we transport the Beits to Kennedy Park in a cart. We welcome the students, and I engage in discussions with the teachers. The day can start with a large circle, in which I participate. During the sessions, each pair is responsible for their group. I primarily intervene at the beginning of the session to ensure the teams have everything they need, during breaks for restroom trips, at lunchtime before and after the break, during film shoots, and in case of various issues.
What strikes me is the arrival of the young people and the two blocks that form, where each class sizes up the other. Then, thanks to this circle, we come closer together. I found the young people curious and comfortable with speaking. They participated a lot and right away. There were no major conflicts, apart from the usual moments of separating best friends.
The sessions with the IME particularly impacted me. On the one hand, we chose to completely revisit and adapt the project: I facilitated the sessions on my own while they integrated into their group, allowing for very careful and attentive follow-up for these young people with language or sensory difficulties. So we all stayed together as Group A. The young people were very optimistic; we had a great day. However, they need resting times, shorter itineraries, and more focus on playing, experimentation, and verbal expression.
Feedback from Teachers
