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With the encouragement of French teachers Toby Gillen, Linita Shih and Maria Trigosso, sixth through 12th grade students showed support for their pen pal partner College Montabuzard, a middle school in Ingre, France, by celebrating the French flag by sporting their finest blue, white and red outfits.
The Bronxville School District has been part of an exchange program with France for more than two decades. Every other year, the village plays host to French students for two weeks in the fall, while Bronxville students are sent to stay with French families in the spring.
“We want to show our support to the families of the victims and all the citizens of France,” Gillen said. “Especially as New Yorkers, we know all too well the threat of terrorism.
In addition to sharing their photo – complete with French flags, American flags, and peace signs – with the French schools they partner with, students have also been listening and singing along to the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise” in class.
Following the attacks in Paris, the photo from Bronxville was prominently displayed at Le Lycee Victor Hugo at the entrance to the school.
“They were so touched by it that they have the picture showing on the main television screen when you walk into the high school,” Gillen said. “Here, in class, we discussed with our students how our world has changed and how our perspective of the world in general has changed.”
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