Raise your hand if you’ve ever seen a pair of scissors the size of the ones used last night to cut the ribbon at the Inauguration ceremony for our new building. And yet, those same enormous scissors suddenly seemed minuscule when the moment came to do the deed. We felt the collective strength of the community, as if the 300 people present—as well as those who couldn’t make it—were holding the scissors along with Philippe and the Consul General.
That sensation of the entire community united behind their school will no doubt stay with me once the memories of the champagne, oysters, foie gras, and entertainers that illuminated the wonderful celebration orchestrated by Christophe have passed. United and proud to have contributed, in one way or another, to the success of this project that is undeniably and eternally theirs. I found it particularly touching to see so many former parents show up, not only to see what The École has become, but also to stand alongside Philippe and Laurence at this special moment—out of friendship for them. We say it often, and last night proved it: The École is not just the students and the families who are with us today; it is also all those who have helped build its (his)story.
The presence of so many members of The École team—and even former staff members, including Christelle and Evelyn, our previous 5th Grade binomes—also sent a powerful, palpable signal of how much everyone wants to be involved in this beautiful tale as it unfolds. The pleasure our staff took in showing the new learning spaces to their partners and the families present spoke volumes about their commitment and dedication to The École.
Despite the whirlwind that carried me from one floor to another and from room to room all evening long, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to people’s memories and starting to think about the future as I answered questions. I realized, once again, how fortunate I am to be the head of this wonderful school—wonderful not only because it has a beautiful and brand-new building, but because of the people who bring it to life.
Somewhere, there are photos of me, shovel in hand, at a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of a construction project (my mother reads this letter, so I should clarify that they were staged photos and are collector’s items, as she knows full well I can rarely be seen holding a tool of any description). I never witnessed the completion of that particular project—the work took a long time, as often happens, and between unforeseen events, unexpected obstacles, and shifting visions, it wasn’t finished until after I had moved on. That’s one of the reasons why I am profoundly aware of how much I owe Philippe and Laurence, whose vision continues to inspire me. I hope I will be by their sides for many more projects to come.
Philippe asked me to read his speech ahead of yesterday’s ceremony; he was struggling a little with the conclusion. He had a clear idea, but couldn’t find the words to express it. We went back and forth without ever really hitting on the perfect ending. In the end, it was clear last night that Philippe has no difficulty finding words; what he needed was your presence and your support, expressing better than any turn of phrase ever could just how precious the gift he and Laurence have given us truly is.