By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- Canton Central students will join Potsdam Central students this year for the French Exchange Program after last year’s trip to France was cancelled because of terrorist attacks.

This will be the 27th year of the exchange.

For the past several years, Potsdam Central has alternated running the program with Canton Central, Potsdam Central Superintendent Joann Chambers said.

Due to the incidents in France last year and Canton’s decision not to travel, about ten CHS students and two chaperones will join Potsdam’s group this time in April.

Families have been encouraged to purchase travel insurance for many years. Exchange advisors provide all necessary information.

Trip organizers found a policy that allows for trip cancellation and reimbursement due to terrorist incidents. After the Paris incident, the French Exchange Program decided to enroll in the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and will continue to do so each time an exchange takes place.

The trip to France will take place April 4-18.

“There is no better way to immerse yourself in a language than spending time in the country and experiencing the culture,” Chambers said.

Students will live in a youth hostel and spend time visiting as many historic places as possible in France including Normandy, The Louvre, castles, and cathedrals.

Other time will be spent with French families and at least one day at the sister school Nogent-Le-Rotrou helping to teach English and experiencing school life in another country.

It is a good experience for students to see the common home life and learn about different cultures and traditions, she said.

“They get a more robust experience by living with families,” Chambers said.

Prior to that, students from France will visit the United States and Canada and spend time living with families in St. Lawrence County.

French students fly into New York City where they visit tourist sites there and make stops in Ottawa, Lake Placid and other North Country attractions.

“In the past they have joined our students on a ski trip to Titus Mountain,” Chambers said.

Students who have completed level three of four in French are eligible.

The cost is $1,600 per student. The money can come from students, their families, scholarships, and fundraising.

“The most popular fundraiser for the trip is the annual Snowflake Sale,” Chambers said.

Chambers noted that teachers make students aware of the trip early on in their academic career so that families can save and plan for the trip.

“Kids can save their allowance, birthday money and begin planning for several years,” she said.

She also noted that the cost of a trip to France through travel agencies ranged from $3,000 to $5,000.

Most of the cost of the trip is for the flight over and back.

No student is turned away due to inability to pay; scholarships may be offered and collection of funds, such as “dress-down days,” take place as needed.

“The trip is an incentive for students to continue with the French program,” Chambers said.

Potsdam Central teachers Patricia Moosebrugger, Danielle Wilson and Emily Brouwer will serve as chaperones.

Chambers said she is grateful the school is able to offer the experience and appreciates the teachers who take on a huge responsibility of watching over students while on the trip.