I naturally must begin by wishing you a wonderful 2025, full of the things and people you love. The new year started with a cold snap but also with a double victory for the Falcons in their first basketball games of the season. We are so proud of them and are looking forward to seeing them play in Madison Square Garden on Monday. I consider their victory an excellent omen for The École to kickstart what will be a busy year for us with the move on the horizon.
I hope you were able to get some rest over the holidays and to enjoy quality time with your families and friends. I was lucky enough to spend ten days in Lyon, with my mom and dad, and my sister and her family. I am truly fortunate that everyone is in good health and living close to each other, allowing me to see plenty of them and relax at the same time!
Before leaving for France, I set a few goals for myself: post some well-crafted updates on LinkedIn, read at least four books (the New York Times recently published its entirely subjective list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century and I have to admit to some serious gaps), and even, why not, write a little (a personal project I am forever postponing). In reality, the very idea of connecting to LinkedIn over the holidays turned my stomach (though the chocolate overdose may have been partly to blame). I managed to read only two books, one of which—the incredible Bel Canto by Ann Patchett—I’ve been recommending to all and sundry. And, it will come as no surprise because it happens every year, I didn’t write a line of my Great French Novel (working title: All the Fries You Ever Stole From Me.)
That said, I did get to spend some time with my 16-year-old nephew (now twice my size) talking about his life, his dreams, and his middle school years (I learned a lot about what teenagers take away from that time). I played cards with my parents, watched TV game shows with them, and spent studious breakfasts in their company (my mom plays the French equivalent of Wordle avidly every morning–when I’m in New York I get a daily message from her at around 3 a.m. but in France I got to see the live version.) I went shopping with my sister, who prepares a sumptuous Christmas dinner for us every year–words fail me when it comes to thanking her, because not only is it a delicious dinner, but it creates memories that last the entire year. So no regrets here about how I spent my holidays. Andria was with her family in Ireland and I missed her—something that doesn’t happen often because we are always together—so meeting up with her again in New York was pure joy,
I would like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome four new students—Céleste (5th Grade), Joseph and Louis (2nd Grade), and Mina (1st grade)—who have just begun their journey at The École. I know I can count on everyone to welcome them and their families as warmly as we always do here.
Finally, I cannot end this letter without a thought for the communities of our partner schools in Los Angeles, the Lycée Français de Los Angeles and the International School of Los Angeles (formerly LILA), and for those from The École community who have family in L.A. They are going through very difficult times due to the wildfires devastating the region, and we know that some of them are being severely affected. On behalf of The École, I send them strength and courage to face this ordeal.