French cheeses, crumbling soil and an eight foot tall silver linden tree were all on display at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School yesterday evening. The newly planted sapling serves as a symbol to mark a 30-year sister city relationship with Albi, France.
The tree-planting ceremony was organized by Neighbors Abroad, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Sisters International and working with Palo Alto since 1963. The sister city relationship connects two cities in different parts of the world in a long-term relationship between the two communities.
In attendance were: JLS Principal Chris Grierson, Canopy tree planting volunteers, district French teachers, Palo Alto Mayor Greer Stone, and members of the organization that helped establish the partnership with Albi in 1994. They, along with JLS French students, parents, and other members of the community helped plant the tree outside the JLS gym.
According to Neighbors Abroad president Sarah Burgess, the event celebrated the local and international community.
“I’m really happy to be able to do this and celebrate the relationship at a school like this,” Burgess told the crowd. “At its heart, Neighbors Abroad is about kids … so to have a tree like this planted here, with a thriving French program and with students, is just wonderful for us.”
JLS principal Chris Grierson said he was looking forward to celebrating the tree and the opportunity it represents, including a student exchange with Albi that Neighbors Abroad is organizing.
“I’m fortunate in that I get to show up, say some words and celebrate the joy that is this partnership,” Grierson said. “I’m looking forward to more opportunities of having exchange students come here and having Palo Alto students go to France.”
Following the tree planting was a potluck dinner for families part of JLS’ French program. Organized by longtime JLS French teacher Jacqui Kandell, the event marks the third anniversary of the event. More than 100 students and parents attended the event, along with the district’s two new French teachers: Julia Angeles at Gunn High School and Kirsten Tasker, who teaches at Fletcher Middle School and Gunn.
“It’s so fun for me,” Kandell said. “I look forward to having a chance to connect with the families and seeing these students connect with each other and see them connect outside of school.”
JLS French student Brody Melius said that the event was a fun gathering.
“Today we’re having a potluck for our French class, and people are bringing different foods from French culture for people to try,” Melius said. “There’s also games and music, so it’s a really fun party.”
The night was marked with celebrating old ties with members of the local and French community. According to Kandell, seeing the community participate in the event was rewarding.
“It gives me a lot of joy to see people having fun together, and that I can bring them together to do that,” Kandell said.
Editor’s Note: The Paly Voice adviser, Paul Kandell, is married to JLS French teacher Jacqui Kandell. This article was produced independently of the adviser.
