Discount Card Offers Savings, Helps Students

NORTH EAST — Save a few dollars and help students raise funds for a class trip to Martinique in the meanwhile — it’s a win-win situation that Webutuck French teacher Cheryl Benken hopes will pay off.

"It benefits the merchants because it gets people in their stores and restaurants — it’s like free advertising for the merchants — and every time you use the card you save money," Benken said, adding that on top of everything the $15 cards are a great fundraiser for her French students. "It’s a way for the merchants to show support for the school system too."

Come Easter time the students will be practicing their linguistic skills in the French-speaking island of Martinique, where they will visit volcanos, mangroves and rainforests. The itinerary is very similar to Benken’s last class trip that went to Guadeloupe a couple of years ago for a similar experience.

"It’s really the same thing," she said. "It’s a French state that’s a little more upscale and touristy. I wanted to compare the two of them, they’re only two islands apart, and they have exactly the same things happening as far as the islands and climates."

It will cost the group a little bit more to do the comparison, as the trip to Martinique is slightly more expensive than the one to Guadeloupe was.

But that’s not deterring the youngsters who are setting their sights on the vacation island. There are 19 students going on the trip. The students are from Benken’s French III and French IV classes. Two parents and two teachers are also going on the trip, which will run from March 29 through April 7.

Benken said while all of her students will likely enjoy the freedom and fun of their adventure, they will also be learning other important lessons.

"There will be an understanding and appreciation of and an enthusiasm for another culture," she said, adding that as far as the language lessons it will be "total immersion."

"It’s also a chance to do exciting things, speak another language, eat great food, meet new people and be on an island paradise," the French teacher added.

This year the school had 500 cards printed up, which the high school students had first crack at selling. Now middle school students are trying to sell the cards to everyone they know, all in an effort to raise money for their class trip to Quebec City next autumn.

Those interested in buying a card should contact a middle school student or call Benken at the high school at 845-373-4106 and leave a message.

The discount cards offer savings to area stores and restaurants including: Freshtown; McDonalds; Broadway Pizza; Melissa’s Hair Magic; Video Forum; Golden Wok; Country Gardeners Florist; Mane Street Salon; and Taro’s Pizza Restaurant.

The card is good until Nov. 30.