“School closed = village in distress”. For more than two months, braving the wind and rain, the banner hung by the parents of students under the entrance sign to the town of Neuil has been hanging. “We will leave it as long as it lasts: we will not disappear in silence”promises the president of the parents’ association (APE) of the Pierre-Perret school, Julie Ollivier.
The demonstration organized on January 13, 2024 will not have saved the Neuil school, the closure of which was recorded by the school map adopted in February. A hard blow for this village of 436 inhabitants, which lost its last business around ten years ago. Refusing to let their community die out, residents try to preserve meeting places.
School, “a place of socialization”
The demographic decline which affects the entire living area was felt at each school year. With numbers divided by two less than ten years, the closure of a class had become inevitable. “We knew it could happenrecognizes the director, Morgane Frébault. Even if until now, the academic inspection has favored the maintenance of the school. »
This year 2023-2024, the school still welcomes twenty-three students spread over two multi-level classes, from the small section to CM2. “There have been steps taken with neighboring municipalities to create an intercommunal educational group (RPI) dispersed, who would have maintained one or two classes in the village. But it didn’t come to fruition.”notes the school teacher.
“Here, we were able to set up a cooperative approach, with collective projects: we also have things to bring to the students of Saint-Épain”argues the one who has made the little Neuillois classy since “twelve returns”.
Opened in the 1960s, the Pierre-Perret primary school in Neuil then had more than sixty students.
© (NR Photo, Mariella Esvant)
Negotiations between elected officials are now focusing on the terms of integration of Neuil students into a “concentrated” RPI in Saint-Épain. “We know that our children will go there, but we don’t know anything else”regrets the president of the APE.
On the municipal side, the mayor, Natalie Sennegon, prefers to remain silent. Just like that of Saint-Épain, “out of respect for his colleague” : “Closing a class, and even more so a school, for a mayor is difficult”supports Florence Boullier, who refers to the decisions of the municipal council for practical details.
“We would really like there to be a school bus,” hopes Alexia Maillet, one of the parents of the students. Not so much for the 4 km that separate the town of Saint-Épain as for “preserve this dynamic moment where we meet, where we exchange informally”. Because the school, in Neuil more than elsewhere, “it’s also a place to socialize”recalls Morgane Frébault.
A planned community library
There are these small gatherings at entry and exit times, the sales of sandwiches organized in the courtyard to finance the outings, Christmas day and the school party. “It creates connections throughout the year”, appreciates Julie Ollivier, whose two children go to school in Neuil. It was also a few parents who together created one of the four associations in the town – undoubtedly the most dynamic.
Created at the end of confinement “to promote social bonds and eco-citizen gestures”, Neuil ou-vert, which brings together 228 members on its Facebook page, maintains the sector’s events calendar and has already created a book box and a donation box. Obviously shaken by the closure of the school, the association has already made proposals to the town hall to reinvest the classrooms.
“Every time I write the date, I have the feeling that it’s the last time,” feels Morgane Frébault, director of the Neuil school for twelve years.
© (NR Photo, Mariella Esvant)
“The children wonder what their school will become and if they will still have a place to meet in the town. We do not have a playground or multi-sport field, reports Alexia Maillet, who is also the president of Neuil ou-vert. The school could become a place for associations: we have proposed installing the library that we are planning there. »
The teachers are up for it, ready to give up their stock of books. “Symbolically, it makes sense, but the locals are at the town hall, it’s up to them to decide”, recalls the director. She has the delicate task of preparing the students for their change of school.
“Say goodbye to their school”
Some already know the Saint-Épain school, where they are welcomed at the Wednesday leisure center. For others, the half-day integration session planned for June will be an opportunity to discover their new establishment. Before the school celebration, which will take on a very special meaning this year.
“Children want to say goodbye to their school”, smiles Nathalie Maison, one of the three teachers. A theme which will inevitably mingle with the more official theme of insects. “We want to have a great party”, projects Julie Ollivier. With songs, dances, gifts to the teachers, as is the tradition. And especially ” a lot of emotions “.
2024-03-30 13:42:05
#IndreetLoire #Neuil #village #faces #closure #school
