News & Weekly Letters

When it comes to describing the current state of the world, one word continuously resurfaces: uncertainty. This uncertainty destabilizes us because there’s nothing more reassuring than thinking we can predict what’s ahead. I imagine everyone deals with uncertainty differently – I, for one, am currently getting daily doses of rationalization from Philippe! As for me, I usually turn to philosophy for answers, not only to stave off panic but also to find inspiration—inspiration that I strive to put to work at The École to make sure we always stay on course no matter what the environment is. Here are a few examples that have helped me in the past.

While the greatest concern of heads of schools and all educators is ensuring that what we are doing today is sufficiently future-proofing our students, in my experience, the main concerns for parents are understanding where their children stand in terms of their education and seeking reassurance that their children are learning what they should be learning. Schools like ours that end at 8th Grade have a small toolkit available to demonstrate children’s achievements (or shortcomings!) to their parents: report cards, various test results, and concrete examples of work in notebooks—but even then, it can be difficult to understand what students are being measured against.

From time to time, I confess, I find myself feeling pretty smug about the work accomplished at The École. I look at some objective data, like the growth in our student numbers, the MAP test results, the top-notch high schools our 8th graders are admitted to, and our low staff turnover, and I tell myself I could perhaps rest a little on my laurels. It’s a sensation that lasts, on average, for a millisecond because I know in my heart that it’s a lure.

Today, Sophie and I had the pleasure of welcoming Olivier Quénis–a very important figure for us–the inspector responsible for all French primary schools in the United States and Canada. His role involves, among other things, ensuring that reforms devised in France are implemented here, supporting primary heads in their pedagogical leadership, and making sure that teachers receive regular training, including visiting their classrooms to provide guidance on their teaching practices. Today, Olivier had the opportunity to see the 1st graders working with Sarah, the 4th graders with Adeline, and 2nd Grade during bilingual class with Nicolas and Catherine.

The reception at the French Consulate last night in honor of Philippe receiving the National Order of Merit medal gave The École community an opportunity to once again gather–under an ornate chandelier–over a drink to celebrate a project that belongs to each and every one of us.* At the heart of this project, as we know, lies bilingualism and biculturalism and the desire to give our students access to a double culture where they can draw from the best of two education systems that will equip them with unique skills and abilities.