As LFNY families waited for their graduating fifth-graders to enter the school auditorium on Thursday, June 20, the atmosphere backstage was tense. “I am so nervous,” said one student, adjusting her blue cap and gown. “I hope I will sing okay,” said another. “I just need to get through this the first time, and everything will be okay,” said a teacher, who was participating in her first fifth-grade graduation at the Lycée.
And, as we all now know well, that nervous energy was channeled into a beautiful bilingual ceremony organized with great care and heart by Mrs. Kaston, Director of the Elementary School.
For the students, represented eloquently by their fifth-grade class delegates, it was an opportunity to say thank you to the teachers, staff, their classmates and their parents, who had made this final year in Primary so special.
For the teachers and staff, it was an opportunity to remember why so many teach in the first place…because of the students, of course!
Said Vannina Boussouf, Director of Primary, in her speech to the students, “We are often talking about what we (educators) teach you. Today, for the first time, I would like to tell you about what you teach me. You teach me to not be afraid of my emotions, to dare to cry when I am sad, to laugh out loud when I am happy, and to jump for joy…to accept others, to believe in something. You teach me how to play and how to do nothing, and that it’s okay(!)… You teach me how to dream and to believe in my dreams. All these things you teach me everyday.”
Indeed, throughout the ceremony, the students showed us how much they know, how well they observe, and how thoughtful they can be. Each class was asked to select one quote from a student or a famous author to be read by teachers in the English department.
They deserve repeating:
“A novel is not, after all, a historical document, but a way to travel through the human heart.” – CM2 ELL by Julia Alvarez, author of In the Time of the Butterflies.
“Building your knowledge is like building a skyscraper. You need a good foundation in order to stand strong.” – Nicolas T.
“You don’t choose the future; the future chooses you.” – Théo R.
“The biggest risk in life is not taking a risk!” – Olivia L.
“The future belongs to those who are bright and love what they do in life.” – Moreira D.
“From 76th to 75th, we hug our friends goodbye, but greet them on the other side.” – Lola D.
The ceremony closed with a concert of five songs in French and in English. Some 100 students of the fifth grade took the stage to sing together, accompanied solely by their fifth-grade classmates on piano, guitar, bass, xylophone, violin, viola, and drums. “Je suis réellement fier de tous les CM2 qui ont accompli une performance incroyable et de très grande qualité! Bravo à tous!” said music teacher, Mr. Tomasini.
“But everybody’s changing, and I don’t feel the same…” the students sang in a song by British rock band Keane. Yes, dear students, we see you grow up; we learn from you; and we are proud of you, even as we ourselves struggle to let go.
Parents, you can view videos and musical performances on the Primary blog at: primary.lfny.org.
About the Author :
Elisabeth King joined the Lycée team in November 2011 as the school’s first director of communications. A francophile at heart, Elisabeth spent her junior year of college in Paris, and held her first job at the French Trade Office here in New York. She brings to the Lycée over 15 years of experience in media and communications in non-profits, government, news and business. She was previously executive vice president and director of strategy at ABI, Inc., a boutique public relations agency, and she worked as associate editor on two books co-authored by Todd Brewster and the late ABC News anchor Peter Jennings.