Spring Break is usually a moment for me to sketch out the broad strokes of the coming school year. In a school that is suddenly so quiet, I analyze all the information gathered this year, take stock of student and staff needs, evaluate the options—ones we have readily available and ones we have to imagine—identifying gaps that need to be filled and, of course, finding the necessary responses while balancing logistical and budgetary constraints.
For several weeks now, I have been conducting interviews with prospective colleagues and discussing their practices in an effort to attract a diverse range of talent. I’ve been attending conferences and seminars, learning and understanding more about how other schools operate. Stéphanie Antoine and I have been meeting with families interested in joining The École, and I’ve been reading into their questions and uncertainties in order to identify areas we could reinforce and initiatives we could introduce. As I wrote recently, I review the parent and staff satisfaction surveys. And as I often mention, my breakfasts with parents are valuable moments every month when I can take the community’s pulse. Over the past few days, I have taken the time to sit down with each of our teachers, either individually or with Sophie. These annual reviews are always highly instructive; they reveal deep attachments to The École and unwavering commitment to professional growth for the benefit of our students. These individual conversations touch at the heart of classroom practice, reveal shared questions, and paint a picture of a school that is constantly evolving and never satisfied with stereotypical or standardized responses.
It is still a little too soon for me to reveal all the details, but I’m pleased to share some news with you—this being a request actively campaigned for since the Maternelle winter shows—Ryan Langlois will be joining us on a full-time basis next year and will spend more time developing our music program with his trademark energy and enthusiasm. And, as part of the growth of our Middle School, I am also delighted to announce the arrival of a new teacher in a hybrid role—a French History & Geography teacher in 6th Grade and member of STRIVE. This dual role will not only allow us to strengthen the STRIVE department, which continues to grow in popularity, but also to harmonize the transition from 5th Grade to Middle School, thanks to this teacher’s extraordinary experience of both elementary and secondary education (it is, full disclosure, someone I know very well and quite simply one of the very best teachers I have ever seen in the classroom). Finally (for today at least), I have also decided to boost our Sport Department with the recruitment of a French sport teacher. This will allow us to offer more sports clubs, continue developing the Falcons Athletics program with the possibility of creating B teams (if we can find the space to train!), and also enable Coach Way to expand her cheerleading program.
Beyond these new arrivals, I will have the opportunity in the coming weeks to present the main directions for the school’s development next year. In the meantime, I wish a wonderful break to all those who are taking one. Andria and I will be spending a few restful days in the sun in Puerto Rico the week after next (thank you, Monxo, for the recommendations!). But for now, we begin with camp on Monday!
I look forward to seeing everyone again on April 27. As you may have read in the Memo, we will be welcoming a new 3rd Grade student, Adèle. Thank you in advance for giving her and her parents, Flora and Brice, a warm welcome.