Even though we’re settling into new routines, we are still making discoveries in our new space. For example, yesterday evening, while fiddling with a button, trying to figure out what it was, someone accidentally set off an alarm during After-School. The good news is that everyone who was in the building immediately took the necessary steps. It was the second time an alarm rang out yesterday at 115—earlier in the day, the whole building had a fire drill. Again, everyone did as they should. Proof that, unlike me—who still barges into Mireille’s office every five minutes thinking it’s mine—everyone is finding their bearings in the building.
The return of some of our favorite traditions helps us feel more at home, too: birthdays are celebrated on the welcome screen, and House points are displayed on Friday mornings in the lobby (the Red House is off to a strong start!). It’s our 4th year of Houses at The École—I announced their creation here, seeing them as one of the key drivers of transformation for our Middle School. I’m delighted to see how our students have embraced the House system and how it has become an integral part of our school and its identity. Maternelle families might not feel the impact yet, but believe me, you will soon!
We continue to work—led by Dara and Sophie—to make sure the House initiative carries more meaning for our students and also for the adults who guide them, especially by ensuring that House time is more closely linked to what happens in class. There is still plenty to do and to develop, but we are already very happy to see House achievements such as genuine connections between older and younger students, a sense of pride in wearing House colors, and belonging to a group that goes beyond the class or grade level. And this afternoon, during the first House meetings of the year, the candidates for House Captain gave their campaign speeches to convince their housemates that they are the right ones to lead them to victory, and the all-important House cup.
I am so proud of these young people who have the courage to put themselves out there and to speak in front of their friends from 1st to 8th Grade. Over the years, we have had remarkable House Captains who stood for strong values and developed leadership, communication, and empathy skills that served them especially well during their applications and interviews for the high schools of their dreams. Next week we’ll find out who will succeed Louise, Chloé, Yael, and Ella, but we already know that whoever wins, they will be outstanding students—and now it’s time to vote!
After the victories of the White House led by Miguel—who is now back in New York and whom we were thrilled to see at the picnic—the Red House led by Zohar—who still comes back to The École regularly to work in the library—and the Blue House led by Louise—who stops by to see us every morning since she doesn’t start school until 9 a.m.!—we will see who wins this year.
The skeptics claim that the Yellow House will finally be victorious this year, since they haven’t won yet, but despite the rumors doing the rounds—I know, I hear them!—we don’t cheat with the points. This is all far too serious to be taken lightly!
So, I wish the best of luck to the four Houses and to our eleven candidates: Aneilia, Elle, Emily, Gabriel, Jeanne, Kyla, Layla, Pierre, Rachel, Sofia, and Xul.