The 5th grade delegation on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall
President Hollande, along with a group of French entrepreneurs, visited San Francisco with the goal of establishing stronger ties between French and Bay Area tech industries.
When Hollande arrived at San Francisco’s beautiful, grand City Hall, INTL’s 5th grade representatives were on hand to enthusiastically welcome him. Students stood on the front steps, each waving four different flags – the French flag, the American flag, the California flag, and the flag of the City of San Francisco.
Students prepare for the President's arrival.
INTL students were also invited to prepare a welcome letter for the president. Students gave their letter to City Hall, to be delivered later to the very busy president.
The President gave a speech in City Hall, followed by a reception, where Head of School Philippe Dietz was able to meet President Hollande. Philippe says, "I was able to exchange a few words with the President, reiterating the importance of French-American education in California."
5th grade French teacher Agnès Fleury, who accompanied the students on the trip, also got to shake the President’s hand. Agnès says, “President Hollande was very nice – very busy but very nice. I never expected I would ever meet the President of France, especially not in California!”
Students were excited just to be in the presidential welcome party, and no one was expecting what happened next. As the 5th graders waited to depart for home, they received a surprise personal greeting from the President!
INTL students (foreground) are personally greeted by President Hollande.
Alex K. recalls, “The President was going out to his car, then for some reason he turned around and came to us!”
Hollande personally shook each INTL student’s hand. Due to the fact that the other French-American schools had already left, INTL students were the only ones to receive this special greeting, which was captured by French and American news cameras.
Alex K. continues, “I was on TV! There were cameras and microphones all around. The President asked, ‘Do you speak French?’ We all said yes!” It was truly an exciting moment for INTL when our students were able to speak, in French, with the President of the French Republic.
A note of thanks, to INTL, from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.
Nick B. says, “We all got to shake the President’s hand! Only us and not the adults…we were really lucky!”
Caroline B. adds, “We were all super excited that he came back to shake our hands!”
Maya K.'s excitement and awe perfectly sums up the experience, “When the President left, we all couldn't believe what had happened! He shook my hand!”
Philippe could not be any more proud of the students. He says, "It was a great privilege and moment of pride for me, and for INTL, to see our students interact and talk with President Hollande."
Take a look at some of the media coverage of President Hollande’s arrival!
French news, INTL students appear at 1:02 -
Local news, INTL students appear at 1:20 -
*In 2020, the International School of the Peninsula (ISTP) formally changed its name to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) to better reflect its bilingual programs, location, and international values.
