Last week, I wrote about how I wanted to read more during winter break–and beyond–which served as an excellent starting point for the wonderful Reading Week that has just drawn to a close at The École. A huge thank you to all the parents who dropped in as guest and mystery readers–there was excitement in the air all week! Thanks also to our Reading Week Team, Dara, Maya, Sara W., and Sophie, for coordinating this year’s event.
As is often the case, but maybe more explicitly today, this letter is inspired by my conversations with the community. Last Saturday, Ella’s mom, drew my attention to this article highlighting the pleasure we take not only in reading but also in listening to others reading to us, a pleasure long reserved for children but now accessible to everyone through audiobooks and podcasts. We had the chance to share this pleasure on Wednesday during the Read Aloud contest when students from 1st Grade to 8th delighted the audience and jury by reading–and sometimes reciting–the texts they hold dear. Among many others, we laughed with Maupassant, trembled with Harry Potter, and dreamed with Malala. Above all, we witnessed the complicity that ignites between the readers–the ones who share the books they love, who want us to hear them, who have practiced pronouncing often-complicated words, who set the tones–and the listeners–who are moved by the words that seem destined for them, touched by a voice, a pause, or a gesture, simply happy to be there and to discover that all it takes is to close your eyes and let yourself be transported by the flow of words.
A few months ago, Micah’s mom–a philosophy professor– shared an article she had recently written with me in which she explores what happens when we read a story to a child. What do we read? Why do we read it? How does it influence the development of the child’s aesthetic judgment? The conclusion to this academic article is an accessible one: reading is an act of love. She writes, ”I will advocate for reading with children as a performance that…can help trace the development of a love that can last for a lifetime.“
Now, with no transition possible, I wanted to ask you all to think of Laurence. She spent the week in France with her family after her mother passed away. Laurence, as we all know, is an exceptional person whose generosity and enthusiasm for The École inspires us on a daily basis. Knowing she is hurting breaks all of our hearts. I am certain that you all join me in sending her our love and friendship. And I feel that, without knowing it, the children all read a little for Laurence this week.
To end on a more positive note, at last night’s After-Work gathering, I learned that a rumor has been circulating among families who recently joined The École that Andria and I have only just met. You’ll find here a story of how it all began—22 years ago, in fact. I wish Carl, our 5th Grade colleague who is getting married this weekend, just as much happiness!