NEW COUNCIL: Angela Mancini won a second mandate as chairman of the English Montreal School Board, defeating her opponent Anne Lagacé Dowson by a margin of 11,069 votes to 7,086 . There was a total voter turnout of 21.2 percent. Team Angela Mancini won seven seats while Team Lagacé Dowson won two and there is one independent. For the final results click here.
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| The EMSB`s first father and son team as commissioners, Rosario and Joe Ortona. |
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| Mordechai Antal |
NOTICE OF HEARINGS: Notice is hereby given that the Council of Commissioners of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) will hold a public hearing meeting on the Major School Change for July 2015 regarding the proposed closure and relocation of programs of Options I High School to Options II High School and Venture High School. The meeting will be held on Wednesday December 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Laurence Patterson Conference Room in the Administration Building, 6000 Fielding Avenue. A hearing has been scheduled for the Board’s consultative partners, consisting of the Central Parents’ Committee, school and centre governing boards, municipalities and boroughs which may be affected by the proposed recommendations for July 2015 that submitted a brief by the November 10 deadline and have expressed the intent to speak to their brief. Scheduled consultative partners have been allocated 30-minute time slots which include 20 minutes for their presentation and a 10-minute period for Commissioners to ask questions. A 45-minute period has been set aside for interested parties for their questions and comments at the end of the hearing.
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| Education Minister Yves Bolduc is welcomed to the Mackay Centre School. |
In a meeting with senior EMSB representatives, he agreed that the present-day premises are not adequate to meet the needs of the clientele. One classroom he visited was a converted secretary’s office. He pledged to go back to the Treasury Board to seek the necessary funds.For more than three years, the EMSB has been working with the MELS towards the acquisition of the property. The EMSB is now requesting funds for a brand new facility to build on land it already owns in NDG.
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The EMSB deposited their 2013-2014 Audited Financial Statements, for the year ended June 30, 2014, at the November 26 Board meeting. The Financial Statements reflect total revenues of $287.8 million and total expenditures of $282.5 million, resulting in a net excess of revenues over expenses of $5.3 million. The Accumulated Operating surplus at June 30, 2014 is $45.1 million.
ENROLMENT: Preliminary figures for enrolment in the EMSB youth sector is 19,693, a decline of 165 students. This is much lower than the original forecast of a drop of 400 to 500 students. Meanwhile, the Adult Education and Vocational Services Department has seen its numbers explode to nearly 20,000 students, bringing the overall EMSB enrolment to close to 40,000. This makes us the largest English public school board in the province.
SUCCESS RATE: The EMSB has recorded the highest success rate in the entire province of Quebec among public school boards, figures released by the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports (MELS) show. The 87.8 percent mark is based on a seven year cohort, meaning it followed the progression of students from 2006 to their graduating year in 2013. It is significantly higher than the 82.3 percent registered in 2013. In its Partnership Agreement with the MELS, the EMSB had a goal of 86 percent for graduating class of 2013 and 88 percent for 2020. To put the EMSB’s present numbers in better perspective, the average success rate among all Quebec schools (public and private) is 75.8 percent while it stands at 71.9 percent for public schools only. The complete listing of how each board in the province did can be viewed on the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.
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| TAV College was one of the new exhibitors at the Career Fair. |
CAREER FAIR: The 15th annual EMSB Career Fair took place October 29 and 30 at St. Pius X Career Centre in Ahuntsic for more than 2,000 Secondary IV students. Jack Dym of Pipe and Piling Supplies Ltd. and RBC Royal Bank were the event’s title sponsors. Among the special guests were RBC sponsored Para-Olympic para-cycling competitor Marie-Claude Molnare. Several on air personalities from 92.5 The Beat FM and Global TV were also on hand to talk to students about careers in broadcasting. Harriet Cohen from EMSB Adult Education and Vocational Services is the Career Fair chairperson. The Student Services and AEVS Departments of the EMSB coordinate this program. Ms. Cohen notes that the main objective of the Career Fair is to provide students with an in-depth exposure to the various educational opportunities available to them. All students took part in a brief general information session in the St. Pius X auditorium. Students then had the chance to visit the various exhibition/information booths staffed by representatives from English vocational centres, CEGEPS, universities, new exhibitor Air Canada and some private business colleges. See this spunky video starring charismatic Laurier Macdonald High School student Divya Aery as the interviewer.
INSPIRATIONS NEWSPAPER: The fall/winter edition of Inspirations Newspaper is now online, with hard copies being distributed across the Greater Montreal, Laval and South Shore areas. It has now been six years since this very well received special needs publication made its debut. The 40 page issue features stories on the Teacher of Inspiration, a Resource Page, radio personality Nat Lauzon sharing information about her hearing loss, the Miriam Foundation, The Galileo Adult Education Centre, travel, sports and much more.
OPPOSING BILL 10: The EMSB Council of Commissioners has unanimously adopted a resolution against Bill 10. If passed, Bill 10 would eliminate an entire layer of bureaucracy - namely, the province’s 18 regional health agencies and by doing so limit English representation.
OPPOSING BILL 10: The EMSB Council of Commissioners has unanimously adopted a resolution against Bill 10. If passed, Bill 10 would eliminate an entire layer of bureaucracy - namely, the province’s 18 regional health agencies and by doing so limit English representation.
REMEMBRANCE DAY: There was a wide array of activities at EMSB schools prior to and on Remembrance Day. Because of the violent acts in St. Jean and Ottawa, the EMSB decided to be prudent and called off any field trips and participation at public events related to Remembrance Day ceremonies. Among the more interesting stories was about Westmount High School history teacher Chantal Clabrough`s Grade 10 students who have been working on soldier profiles for Remembrance Day
Students have been honouring their own fallen Westmount High School students from World War II by creating a profile using iPads and pages. They are researching the fallen soldiers lives, war duties and Westmount High School history and scanning the original soldier pictures the school has, along with their school year book entry (1930s). Some even included their tombstone and obituaries in the profiles. They presented their work on November 11 in the company of Mayor Peter Trent. “Westmount High is probably one of the few schools in the province where this type of project is doable because of our long history,” says Principal Michael Cristofaro. “Kids have actually tied together names on the war memorial, to photos we have of the men, to their picture in the year books that go back to 1910, to where they are buried - all on an electronic profile that they will compile in an electronic scrap book if you will. I think it is an amazing project where the names on the memorial becomes more that just names.” Here is the CTV report. You can also see this EMSB TV report, featuring Mayor Trent.
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| Westmount Mayor Peter Trent met with students at staff to learn about the project. |
Two EMSB students, Divya Aery from Grade 11 at Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard and Jordyn Sugar from Grade 6 at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West, were guests on CBC Radio Noon with Shawn Apel on Remembrance Day and spoke eloquently. Here-https://soundcloud.com/emsb109/students-radnoon-ok-2014-11-11.
EMSB IN THE MEDIA: The EMSB would like to point readers to the media clippings section of our website where we provide links to newspaper articles about our Board or relevant to the local education system. You can click here to access all of the links.
EMSB TV: The EMSB posts links to television and radio reports, as well as videos produced in-house on our website. EMSB TV is hosted by Vimeo and we have sections for EMSB TV Coverage, EMSB Videos and others.
EMSB RADIO GUIDE: EMSB Radio can now be heard via SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform SoundCloud can be accessed anywhere using the official iPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps built on the SoundCloud platform.
PSBGM CULTURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Proceeds from the sale of a collection of paintings have been used to create an endowment fund for the purposes of providing scholarships in perpetuity to EMSB students in the youth and adult sectors. For a period of more than 30 years the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (PSBGM) Cultural Heritage Foundation had maintained a collection of paintings. These works of art had been acquired over a period of time through the generous donations of various benefactors, as well as the purchase of some. They generally related to works of art by Canadian artists or subjects of general Canadian interest. In 2013 the greater part of the collection was sold through auctions.
Some paintings were donated to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Canadian War Museum, the Black Watch –Royal Highland Regiment of Canada and the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery at Concordia University. The latter has already benefitted EMSB students through access benefits. A partnership agreement with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts allowed all EMSB schools free access to educational activities for a total of 5,000 students/teachers. Foundation Chairman George Vathilakis has announced that at this stage a total of 29 scholarships of $1,000 each have been handed out to high school and adult education students and 45 of $100 each to elementary school students. These recipients were honoured at school graduation or awards assemblies. A few schools will wait until 2015 to take part in the program. Please see the complete press release.
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| DDG Paola Miniaci presents a scholarship at Vincent Massey Collegiate. |
BT AT EAST HILL: Wilder Weir from City’s Breakfast Television will broadcast live from Easy Hill Elementary School in RDP on Friday, December 19. The theme of his remote reports will be to talk to students about what their plans are for the winter holiday break.
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| Jessica "Snow White" Laventure with Edinburgh students. |
HALLOWEEN BROADCASTS: City’s Breakfast Television (www.btmontreal.ca) broadcast live from Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve for Halloween. Here is a clip. Meanwhile, Global TV was live at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West.
Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School in Montreal West put an educational spin on Halloween as teacher Ali Lydynia encouraged staff to dress up as a collective word wall. Ali's goal was to help spread literacy throughout the whole school. This is the first pitch for the school`s annual "I Love to Read" month, which takes place every November. Everyone involved was a different letter and had words plastered all over their bodies which began with that letter!
HALLOWEEN SAFETY:Spiritual Animator Rocco Speranza and the Knights Of Columbus Council 14693 worked with The Missing Children’s Network Halloween Safety Campaign- entitled Sweet” Reflexes or Bons Réflexes to ensure student safety and community involvement. Students in the younger levels from Edward Murphy School received The Missing Children’s Network specially designed Halloween “Candy-Catcher” Bags that feature reflective tape to ensure that children are visible at all times as they trick-or-treat on Halloween night. Students also received Halloween Safety Workshops. The goal of this annual campaign is to raise funds for the network's critical mission to sensitize families and children regarding personal safety issues and help them develop the awareness needed to ensure their own personal safety, both in the real world and online. Mr. Speranza has facilitated and built relationships within the local community with programs that promote safety, strong character values and good citizenship. If you wish to aid The Missing Children’s Network with this campaign, they can be reached at 514) 843-4333.
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STUDENTS THRIVE AT WOODSHOP ACTIVITIES: John Grant High School in Côte Saint-Luc has a diverse and multicultural student body and specializes in programs of study that help students struggling academically or with mild to severe learning difficulties. Since 2010 John Grant has been offering the Work Oriented Training Pathway’s three year Pre-work Training Program. This has been a great success due to its focus on academics and work skills. The curriculum enables students to continue their academic learning in the classroom while also preparing them for the world of work. Tatiana Lednow is one of many teachers at John Grant responsible for preparing students to be safe, efficient, and autonomous future workers. When not teaching science, she can be found in her second classroom: a fully equipped woodshop. Here Ms. Lednow introduces students to many important and fundamental skills that will aid them in the work force. Students are taught how to use and maintain modern tools and equipment. They learn and practice important safety measures and procedures when working alone or as part of a team. The students take great pride in the knowledge that what they are doing will be directly transferable to their everyday lives. A photographic exhibit of the students’ hard work and amazing results is currently on display at the EMSB Administration Building. Read our detailed press release here.
ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA: Twenty lucky students can benefit from the EMSB`sEncounters With Canada subsidies. The EMSB will aid in the cost of a weeklong adventure of a lifetime at the Terry Fox Youth Centre in Ottawa. Encounters with Canada provides an excellent opportunity for our youth to experience Canada’s diverse cultures, perspectives, ideas, heritage, and contemporary issues. In one exciting week, their eyes will be opened to the vast potential of their lives, their communities, their nation, and the world. More than 98,000 youth from across Canada have lived the Encounters with Canada experience. This unique experience is made possible by allowing students from across the nation to meet and discover their country through exclusive hands on programs. Students may choose from twelve different programs offered throughout the school year. Each program is one week long and has its own particular theme. A few of the themes EMSB students participated in last year were: Science and Technology, Medicine and Health, Journalism and Communications, Arts and Culture, and Sports and Fitness. Students also participate in other diverse activities that include learning about Canadian institutions, meeting famous and accomplished Canadians, exploring exciting career options, and developing their civic leadership skills. Encounters with Canada is open to all students aged 14 to 17, and approximately 130 from across the country take part every week. EMSB offers 20 subsidies each year with a maximum of two students per school. For information about the 2014-2015 programs visit their website https://www.ewc-rdc.ca/en/home.html and contact your school’s guidance counselor or Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant, Career Development at thall@emsb.qc.ca or (514) 483-7200, ext. 7318.
TAKE OUR KIDS TO WORK: Every November, the EMSB’s Personal Orientation Project (POP) students joined other students across Canada to participate in The Learning Partnership’s Take Our Kids to Work program. The program supports career exploration by inviting parents, friends, relatives, and volunteers to host them at workplaces for a day. This year, The Learning Partnership offered a unique and exciting opportunity to Selena Laneuville, a student at Royal West Academy in Montreal West. She was invited to accompany Kristin Armstrong, the vice president and general manager of Kiehl’s Canada and L’Oréal Canada. Selena joined Ms. Armstrong for a full day that included touring the head office and visiting the many departments: Graphic Studio, Scientific Affairs, Digital, and the laboratories for testing formulas. Selena had the opportunity to meet and dine with the various teams, learn about what they do, and receive free consultations. Lynn Bourdeau, one of the Royal West’s POP teachers commented on the opportunity: “Selena had a fantastic day! She was especially proud because two of the people she met at l’Oréal gave her their business cards and it made her feel the day was really part of something in her future. It is definitely the highlight of her POP course and I could see it made a huge impact on her.” This is only one of the many opportunities available to students that choose to take the POP course offered at EMSB’s high schools. POP focuses on the important subject of career development and insuring students make connections between school, the world of work, and their own futures. Royal West further promotes this goal by offering the course in French so that students are better prepared for the bilingual job market they will be entering. For more information on the Personal Orientation Project (POP) or Take Our Kids To Work Day, please contact Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant for Career Development, at THall@emsb.qc.ca.
STUDENTS THRIVE AT WOODSHOP ACTIVITIES: John Grant High School in Côte Saint-Luc has a diverse and multicultural student body and specializes in programs of study that help students struggling academically or with mild to severe learning difficulties. Since 2010 John Grant has been offering the Work Oriented Training Pathway’s three year Pre-work Training Program. This has been a great success due to its focus on academics and work skills. The curriculum enables students to continue their academic learning in the classroom while also preparing them for the world of work. Tatiana Lednow is one of many teachers at John Grant responsible for preparing students to be safe, efficient, and autonomous future workers. When not teaching science, she can be found in her second classroom: a fully equipped woodshop. Here Ms. Lednow introduces students to many important and fundamental skills that will aid them in the work force. Students are taught how to use and maintain modern tools and equipment. They learn and practice important safety measures and procedures when working alone or as part of a team. The students take great pride in the knowledge that what they are doing will be directly transferable to their everyday lives. A photographic exhibit of the students’ hard work and amazing results is currently on display at the EMSB Administration Building. Read our detailed press release here.ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA: Twenty lucky students can benefit from the EMSB`sEncounters With Canada subsidies. The EMSB will aid in the cost of a weeklong adventure of a lifetime at the Terry Fox Youth Centre in Ottawa. Encounters with Canada provides an excellent opportunity for our youth to experience Canada’s diverse cultures, perspectives, ideas, heritage, and contemporary issues. In one exciting week, their eyes will be opened to the vast potential of their lives, their communities, their nation, and the world. More than 98,000 youth from across Canada have lived the Encounters with Canada experience. This unique experience is made possible by allowing students from across the nation to meet and discover their country through exclusive hands on programs. Students may choose from twelve different programs offered throughout the school year. Each program is one week long and has its own particular theme. A few of the themes EMSB students participated in last year were: Science and Technology, Medicine and Health, Journalism and Communications, Arts and Culture, and Sports and Fitness. Students also participate in other diverse activities that include learning about Canadian institutions, meeting famous and accomplished Canadians, exploring exciting career options, and developing their civic leadership skills. Encounters with Canada is open to all students aged 14 to 17, and approximately 130 from across the country take part every week. EMSB offers 20 subsidies each year with a maximum of two students per school. For information about the 2014-2015 programs visit their website https://www.ewc-rdc.ca/en/home.html and contact your school’s guidance counselor or Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant, Career Development at thall@emsb.qc.ca or (514) 483-7200, ext. 7318.
TAKE OUR KIDS TO WORK: Every November, the EMSB’s Personal Orientation Project (POP) students joined other students across Canada to participate in The Learning Partnership’s Take Our Kids to Work program. The program supports career exploration by inviting parents, friends, relatives, and volunteers to host them at workplaces for a day. This year, The Learning Partnership offered a unique and exciting opportunity to Selena Laneuville, a student at Royal West Academy in Montreal West. She was invited to accompany Kristin Armstrong, the vice president and general manager of Kiehl’s Canada and L’Oréal Canada. Selena joined Ms. Armstrong for a full day that included touring the head office and visiting the many departments: Graphic Studio, Scientific Affairs, Digital, and the laboratories for testing formulas. Selena had the opportunity to meet and dine with the various teams, learn about what they do, and receive free consultations. Lynn Bourdeau, one of the Royal West’s POP teachers commented on the opportunity: “Selena had a fantastic day! She was especially proud because two of the people she met at l’Oréal gave her their business cards and it made her feel the day was really part of something in her future. It is definitely the highlight of her POP course and I could see it made a huge impact on her.” This is only one of the many opportunities available to students that choose to take the POP course offered at EMSB’s high schools. POP focuses on the important subject of career development and insuring students make connections between school, the world of work, and their own futures. Royal West further promotes this goal by offering the course in French so that students are better prepared for the bilingual job market they will be entering. For more information on the Personal Orientation Project (POP) or Take Our Kids To Work Day, please contact Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant for Career Development, at THall@emsb.qc.ca.
CARLYLE POLITICS: The Grade 6 students at Carlyle Elementary School in Town of Mounty Royal were hard at work, preparing for their school elections which took place last month. Students in Cycles 2 and 3 elected their representative for the TMR mini town council. Every elementary school in the town elected one student to work as a councillor with Mayor Philippe Roy. Last year, the town council worked to address the pressing issue of bee extinction. The council successfully modified town laws in order to obtain several beehives! This year’s five candidates worked diligently with their group of consultants. Each elective had a campaign coordinator, two marketing experts and a speech specialist, to train and prepare the campaigners. The results were close, however one winner was elected and crowned as Carlyle’s representative. Congratulations Michael Aoun!
ST. MONICA BENEFITS FROM PROGRAM: A new slogan is being whispered in downtown Montreal: “One for One. Eliminating Hunger. Everyday. ”Well that’s exactly what new Montreal start up Hungry Box is doing. Located in the underground network near Place Ville Marie, gourmet quality sandwiches, salads and soups are flying off the shelf. Ingredients are purchased locally, everything is made from scratch daily and the best part, for each meal sold, Hungry Box personally donates a meal to a young child at school or anyone they find on the streets at night. One for One. “What a great initiative” said Valerie Basile of St. Monica’s Elementary School in NDG. “We are now able to provide lunch to the kids who need it the most.” Hungry Box delivers the first 50 percent of meals being donated to children at local elementary schools like St. Monica’s. The remainder is donated throughout the parks and metros and through local charities like the Mission Old Brewery.
Hungry Box is also a top-notch corporate catering service, whereby the same benevolent business model applies. A simple corporate lunch or a large get together can have a huge impact on the local community. Hungry Box is the best alternative to the traditional pillars of the food court and truly allows customers to feel good about their lunch in terms of their own health and the overall health of their community. In a city of such abundant wealth, no one should go hungry, ever.
MUSLIM HERITAGE DAY: Students at Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Park Extension (right) celebrated Muslim Heritage Day during November. Students had the opportunity to take a glimpse into traditional Muslim culture through food, dance and song throughout the afternoon.
WE SCARE HUNGER: As a finale to the “We Scare Hunger” food drive, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North once again took their message to the community with their Walk to End Hunger recently.Throughout October, students collected non-perishable goods as part of the “We Scare Hunger” campaign.
The walk served as the culmination of the campaign and was a symbolic gesture to raise awareness throughout the Montreal North community. The entire student population raised pledges of food items and began their day November 4 with a police-escorted walk in the community. In all, they were able to collect over 1,500 food items that will benefit residents of our own city. “Hunger is a real problem in our community and every year more are struggling and need the support of food banks in order to put food on their tables,” said Pela Nickoletopoulos, Principal of Lester B. Pearson High School. “They could be your neighbours, the people you pass on the street or even friends. As a school community, we are working together to collect all that we can to make a tangible difference as well as raise awareness to ensure the campaign continues well beyond October.”
EMSAC ON THE MOVE: Here is a look at what the staff and students had to say at the last English Montreal Students Association Committee (EMSAC).
The walk served as the culmination of the campaign and was a symbolic gesture to raise awareness throughout the Montreal North community. The entire student population raised pledges of food items and began their day November 4 with a police-escorted walk in the community. In all, they were able to collect over 1,500 food items that will benefit residents of our own city. “Hunger is a real problem in our community and every year more are struggling and need the support of food banks in order to put food on their tables,” said Pela Nickoletopoulos, Principal of Lester B. Pearson High School. “They could be your neighbours, the people you pass on the street or even friends. As a school community, we are working together to collect all that we can to make a tangible difference as well as raise awareness to ensure the campaign continues well beyond October.”
EMSAC ON THE MOVE: Here is a look at what the staff and students had to say at the last English Montreal Students Association Committee (EMSAC).
SPOOKLAND: CTV Montreal visited Lester B. Pearson High School as some students were given some background about GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid) and other date-rape drugs. This is all part of the school`s efforts to include dossiers related to sex education on the agenda. It was also in reaction to the discovery of a 16-year-old girl at a Halloween party in Quebec who was found naked with traces of GHB in her bloodstream. The incident occurred at the Spookland Halloween party at Mont Cascades Ski Resort & Water Park in Cantley, Que., just north of Ottawa. In total, six girls and three boys were taken to hospital. While police continue to investigate the incident, one partygoer told CBC News that someone was handing out pills on her bus as she was heading to the event. Anne Marie De Silva, pedagogical consultant for sex education, has this suggestion for teachers: “See if your students can generate some ethical questions regarding date-rape & underage drinking, such as ‘Who is responsible?’ ‘To what extent do social norms contribute to situations like this?’ ‘Is there ever a context where drugging someone without their knowledge is acceptable?’ She cited the movie The Hangover, which has been criticized because the main characters are drugged without their knowledge – and it is presented as hilarious. “Why does stuff like this happen? What can society do to prevent it from happening? ‘What can individuals do to prevent it from happening?’ The CTV report will air in December.
PED SERVICES DAYS: The Pedagogical Services Department of the EMSB was pleased to present many opportunities for teacher professional development during the three regional workshops in October. Region 1 was held at Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Region 2 at LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent; and Region 3 at Marymount Academy in NDG.
For these professional development days, a palette of 30 workshops and learning opportunities were provided for our teachers in elementary and secondary schools. This time teachers were given choices that were not necessarily subject- or level-specific. Some of the choices included topics like: Enhancing Parental Engagement, Social Justice, Digital Storytelling and Differentiation. There were approximately 600 teachers in attendance on each one of the days. These workshops were facilitated by educational consultants of the Pedagogical Services Department as well as external professionals from the MELS and other domains and fields of interest. “It is always great to connect with the teachers,” stated Athina Galanogeorgos, Assistant Director of Pedagogical Services. “We would like to thank everyone involved, especially the student volunteers. These students were truly remarkable. Their positive attitude along with their excellent people skills and work ethic added greatly to the success of our professional development days.”
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| Marymount students volunteered for the program. |
TERRY FOX CHALLENGE: Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent raised over $6, 400 for the Terry Fox Foundation 2014. Three staff members lost their hair for the cause, at the Wrap-up/Pennant Presentation assembly on November 17. Terry Fox Ambassador Peter Sheremeta, the Quebec Provincial Director/National Run Organizer, was in attendance. Cedarcrest set certain goals before the campaign. Two teachers dressed as clowns because $3,000 was surpassed; Principal Nadia Sammaro and staff dressed as opposites for a day (women as men and men as women) because they surpassed $4,000. Because they eclipsed $5,000, one teacher shaved the hair on part of her head while another clipped off all. Music teacher Ian Hanchet shaved his facial hair and for every $1,000 raised he cut one inch of his hair.
ROYAL WEST RAFFLE: Back by popular demand, the Royal West Academy Foundation will once again hold a raffle—a bigger and better raffle! In addition to being able to win a pair of Habs 2015–2016 season tickets (first prize is a pair of tickets to watch 20 games; 10 games for second prize and five games each for third, fourth and fifth prizes), they have added sixth, seventh and eighth prizes! Lucky winners could walk away with a 52” HDTV, a pair of Giant Simple Single bicycles, or two three-day passes to Osheaga 2015. Tickets are now on sale. The early bird draw for the Osheaga passes will be held in May 2015, and the final draw in September 2015. Tickets are $40 each. Organizers are counting on parents to help sell all 4,500 ticket which would net over $150,000, providing the funds needed to move ahead with phase two of renovations to the school auditorium (air conditioning and new chairs). Every donation takes the school closer to transforming its 80-year-old auditorium into a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre . Here is a video of a recent school celebration before the cold weather hit us.
ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE MASSACRE: On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre, Social Studies students at Royal West Academy (189 Easton) in Montreal West will hear from the police photographer who was among the first on the scene. Harold Rosenberg will visit the school on Wednesday, December 3 (1:15 p.m.) along with TV producer Frank Opolko who recently collaborated with him on a video about those events. For 45 minutes on Dec. 6, 1989 an enraged gunman roamed the corridors of Montreal's École Polytechnique and killed 14 women. Marc Lepine, 25, separated the men from the women and before opening fire on the classroom of female engineering students he screamed, "I hate feminists." Almost immediately, the Montreal Massacre became a galvanizing moment in which mourning turned into outrage about all violence against women. Social Studies teacher Angelos Diacoumacos notes that none of his students were even alive when this occurred, but it is a sad part of Montreal history that they should know about.
BILINGUALISM IN QUEBEC AND CANADA: The launch of the Ici Anglais-French Video at Laurenhill Academy in St. Laurent last spring has inspired The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Quebec Region, to do a series of classroom discussions on bilingualism in Canada and Quebec, using the video as a discussion starter. In an hour-long interactive and informal session, with a group of 20 to 30, the students will have the opportunity to share their views and learn on : the challenge of learning a second language and keeping it up; the benefits of bilingualism; our language rights as Canadians; the vitality of Francophone minority communities; and Quebec’s English-speaking communities and the language situation in Quebec “We will also be discussing strategies and tips to help them maintain their French proficiency all through CEGEP and university,” says senior communications officer Solange Gasana. These sessions will be held in February and March. The Grade 10 class of Catherine Goudreau at Royal West Academy will participate.
THE SPIRIT OF GIVING: In preparation for the holidays, the EMSB will once again be teaming up with the Canadian Armed Forces to support CTV Montreal’s annual “Spirit of Giving” campaign, which brings much needed assistance to the less fortunate throughout Montreal. In early December, non-perishable food, toys and miscellaneous items, such as soap and cleaning supplies, will be collected, sorted and donated to Share The Warmth, West Island Assistance Fund, Renaissance Montreal, Multicaf, Parc Extension Share Store, Le Bon Dieu Dans La Rue, Batshaw Youth and Family Services and the N.D.G. Food Depot. In all, the combined efforts of the EMSB, its schools and facilities will hopefully generate over 600 boxes of non-perishable food, and over 40,000 toys and miscellaneous items. Marymount Academy International in NDG will serve as the main hub for the collection. Principal Elizabeth Lagodich is thrilled to have her facility assume the role of the main hub for the very first time. Many of the participating EMSB schools will organize a series of events set to encourage donations, and a number of schools will be featured on CTV Montreal’s mid-day and nightly news programs throughout the duration of the campaign. Marymount will be featured in a live broadcast at 6 p.m. on December 10. Here is the broadcast schedule. For the detailed press release and list of participating schools, click here.
TOY TEA: Students from the EMSB will once again work towards collecting new toys for the 23rd annual Christmas and Chanukah Toy Tea, to be held at Tudor Hall, on the fifth floor of Ogilvy’s Department Store on December 3.The toys will benefit over 5,000 children who are being sheltered and protected from abuse, or violence, as well as other children’s charities. This will be the 12th year of the EMSB’s involvement in the Toy Tea Campaign, which is an initiative of former Spiritual, Religious and Moral Education Consultant, Irene Miller. Student representatives from each school, along with their respective spiritual community animators, teachers, administrators and parent volunteers, will attend the event to drop off their donated toys and receive special certificates of participation from Claire Kruyt, the Toy Tea’s chairperson, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event will also feature the singing of Christmas carols by several school choirs. “The Toy Tea is a good fundraiser and a good cause, because everyone understands where the toys go to,” said Dora Cesta, the EMSB’s Assistant Director of Student Services. “What’s so beautiful about it is that no matter how many students participate in it, the commitment is always there, and the schools mobilize themselves to help out with the drive.” Schools can participate by collecting new non-violent toys. While non-violent toys are preferred and can be delivered unwrapped to Tudor Hall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on December 3, donations and cheques endorsed to the Toy Tea would also be greatly appreciated. Log on to www.toyteamontreal.org for more information.
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM: Farah Islam, a graduate of St. Dorothy Elementary School in St. Michel, wishes to reach out to the English Montreal School Board Community to help find individuals to participate in a project of the McGill Health Psychology Lab. Farah is currently a full-time student studying psychology at McGill. She works part-time in Dr. Barbel Knauper's Health Psychology Lab as a research assistant. Her duties include: data entry, literature reviews, and assisting groups for the healthy weight program. One of her colleagues is Virginia Rogers, whose father teaches at Rosemount Technology Centre. The Lab is presently looking for individuals to participate in their weight loss clinical trial. The aim of the study is to improve eating and exercise habits by teaching people how to develop new and lasting eating and exercise habits. This Healthy Weight Program will be delivered over one year and consist of 12 weekly core sessions, four transitional sessions over three months and six monthly support sessions offered at different time slots on varying days each week for convenience. The group size will be about 10 people and sessions will last approximately one hour. Trained lifestyle coaches will be leading the sessions, as well as providing guidance and support. The program is free for men and women aged 18 to 75 who are overweight or obese. Dr. Knauper is particularly encouraging men to participate. Please call 514-398-1399 or email mcgillhealthyweight@gmail.com.
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| Commissioner Joseph Lalla presides over the ceremonial opening faceoff. |
CONCORDIA-EMSB PARTNERSHIP: More than 800 students from the EMSB were in attendance for a special day-time regular season Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Women’s Hockey game on Wednesday, November 19 when the Concordia Stingers hosted the Carleton Ravens at the Ed Meagher Arena. Students from nine schools took part in this pedagogically themed field trip: Royal Vale, Willingdon and St. Monica in NDG; Elizabeth Ballantyne and Edinburgh in Montreal West; Coronation in Côte des Neiges; Gardenview and Cedarcrest in St. Laurent; and Perspectives I High School in St. Michel. Autobus Transco served as a sponsor of this event, which kicked off a new program aimed at creating a consistent link between the university athletes and local schools that extends beyond an annual hockey game. Here is our own video from EMSB TV. Student athletes from multiple Concordia teams will join EMSB students throughout the year at a variety of in-school and after-school activities and events. Here is a fantastic CBC TV report by Ainslie McLellan.
PODCAST PROGRAM: While students at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West study history this year, they will have the latest technology in their hands via the recording of podcasts. Work will highlight different historical venues in Montreal West and neighbouring Côte Saint-Luc. The school introduced the initiative during Media Literacy Week. Its official theme this year was Youth and Social Networking: Creative, connected and collaborative, encouraging teachers and parents to work with young people to promote the wide range of activities they use daily on social platforms. With the help of teachers Pina Trengia and Jean-Michel Brunet, along with Commissioner Joseph Lalla and Pedagogical Consultant Kish Gue, the Cycle 3 students will visit different historical places in each city and create podcasts highlighting the importance of each venue. The goal of the project is to allow students to appreciate their surroundings, as well as give other indvidiuals the opportunity to do the same. Once completed, Mayor Beny Masella of Montreal West has indicated that QR codes to the podcasts will be placed in strategic areas to ensure visitors can appreciate them as well. Visitors will be able to scan the QR code on their smartphone and be immediately linked to the podcast. Edinburgh Principal Sonia Marotta hopes to introduce more podcasting this year. Broadcaster Zack Rath will soon visit the school to mentor students.
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| Author Lisa Bowes, students Max Ceasu and Jordyn Sugar showcases the book with the athletes. |
OLYMPIC STARS AT EDINBURGH: One week before the Short Track ISU World Cup in Montreal, Olympic medalists Marc Gagnon, Mathieu Turcotte, François Hamelin and Robert Dubreuil took part in the launch of a children’s book titled Lucy tries Speed Skating. It took place at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West. Gagnon, Turcotte and 1992 Long Track Olympian and executive director of the Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec, Dubreuil, now all fathers, as well as Hamelin, read this bilingual book to students and this story which promotes fair-play, participation and friendship through speed skating. Thanks to financial support from Olympia Trust Company, more than 1,000 copies of this new book will be donated to a number of EMSB primary schools, including Edinburgh, to encourage youth literacy. Lucy tries Speed Skating is the second book in this collection from the author and CTV Calgary sports anchor Lisa Bowes. The first story, “Lisa tries Luge,” was launched in 2013. Here is a clip from CBC. We also have this excellent video from EMSB TV,
MONIQUE POLAK VISITS: Author Monique Polak visited Royal Vale Elementary School in NDG recently and spoke to two of Wendy Frank’s classes. The topic was about being an author for children. There was also a writing workshop. Ms. Frank says that her students learned so much about being an author. The visit was made possible through the "Culture in Schools" program initiated by MELS.“I am just home from a happy visit to Royal Vale School, where I worked with Ms. Frank's two Grade Five English classes,” Monique wrote on her blog. “When I first meet students, I always ask, ‘How many of you enjoy writing?’ -- but I have never had so many answer ‘Yes’ to that question. In the first group, 20.5 students out of 24 said they enjoy writing. The .5 reflects one young man who could not quite decide!) We talked about some of my favourite subjects such as trouble and secrets. When I suggested to the students that they try to uncover their grandparents' secrets, a student named Imani gave me a great big smile. Later, Imani told me she and her grandmother Alanna are super close and that she happens to be seeing her grandmother later today! Here is her blog entry.
MONIQUE POLAK VISITS: Author Monique Polak visited Royal Vale Elementary School in NDG recently and spoke to two of Wendy Frank’s classes. The topic was about being an author for children. There was also a writing workshop. Ms. Frank says that her students learned so much about being an author. The visit was made possible through the "Culture in Schools" program initiated by MELS.“I am just home from a happy visit to Royal Vale School, where I worked with Ms. Frank's two Grade Five English classes,” Monique wrote on her blog. “When I first meet students, I always ask, ‘How many of you enjoy writing?’ -- but I have never had so many answer ‘Yes’ to that question. In the first group, 20.5 students out of 24 said they enjoy writing. The .5 reflects one young man who could not quite decide!) We talked about some of my favourite subjects such as trouble and secrets. When I suggested to the students that they try to uncover their grandparents' secrets, a student named Imani gave me a great big smile. Later, Imani told me she and her grandmother Alanna are super close and that she happens to be seeing her grandmother later today! Here is her blog entry.
MOVEMBER AT ROSEMOUNT: At Rosemount High School the third annual Movember campaign this month was held to raise awareness and funds for research into prostate cancer and men’s health issues. Teachers and students (males of course!) were challenged to grow a mustache throughout the month during this worldwide fundraising initiative. Again this year, through online donations, a dress-down day, and a TCBY sale, Rosemount was pleased to have raised over their target amount of $1,000 to donate to Movember Canada in support of this important cause.
TAYLOR MATHEWS RETURNS: On November 18, Rosemount High School welcomed back American singer-songwriter Taylor Mathews, who was accompanied by emerging artist Kyle Reynolds.Taylor first gained popularity when he made it to the finals of season five of America’s Got Talent. Both artists performed for the school’s music students and shared their immense passion for music and song-writing in a more intimate setting. Last year, Taylor visited and performed for the entire school.
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| Students get to meet Taylor Mathews. |
GOOD LUCK MATT JORDAN: The EMSB and Honoré-Mercier Elementary School is saying good-bye to a special family. Matt Jordan was the goalkeeper for the Montreal Impact soccer team. When he retired, he moved into the front office. The family settled in St. Léonard. Matt’s wife Lori became the president of the Honoré-Mercier Home and School Association, where the couple`s two children were enrolled. Last spring Matt came to the school as part of the All The Way With The Impact program and facilitated a very well received event in which he spoke about the importance of getting a good education and how important that is to fall back on even for those who find a career in professional sports.
In September, when a group of Sports-Études students from Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North attended an Impact game, he met with each one of them and even stepped in as an interviewer for EMSB TV. The Jordans are off to Houston now where Matt has been named vice-president and general manager for their Major League Soccer franchise. “I'll be going back and forth for the time being and Lori and my kids will be staying in school until we can transition them,” Matt told us. We wish him luck. His successor for the Impact is Adam Braz, who attended Royal Vale School as a youngster and has visited EMSB schools regularly over the years.
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| Principal Donna Manos (right) is seen here with the Jordan family when Matt spoke to the students last spring. |
LAURIER MACDONALD GIVES BACK TO BENEDICT LABRE HOUSE: On December 4, Secondary IV and V students’ from Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard participated in its annual community action program called “LMAC GIVES BACK” with the guests of the Benedict Labre House. This program is spearheaded by Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce, CLC Coordinator Gina Bergantino, and Vice-Principal Miranda Serrecchia,. The intent of the visits to the Benedict Labre House is to expose our students to the homeless situation in Montreal and become proactive citizens by volunteering their time and giving back to the community. This is a soup kitchen and day shelter, located on 308 Young street in the Griffintown area of Montreal. This year's long initiative will be culminated with John Paul I and Laurier Macdonald’s Mural creation in the main hall of the Benedict Labre House. The Media Departments of both schools in collaboration with Mr. Lacroce will be overseeing its compilation with the help of members of the Benedict Labre House.
BOMB SQUAD DEMO: As part of the new robotics program at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Rosemount, the school recently welcomed the Sûreté de Quebéc bomb squad and their high-tech robot. Organized by French teacher Patrick Charland, the students welcomed Officer Mathieu Deguise who explained to them his duties in the bomb squad in the classroom, which was followed by a live demonstration in the gym by the robot. In addition to the live demonstration, students were able to get up close and personal with the robot and examine all of its moving parts. The robotics program is new for the 2014-2015 academic year at Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Charland has begun to introduce the students to robots as a component in his French classes and used this visit as a way to demonstrate how robots are used in every day life. Here is a video.
SHAVE TO SAVE AT NESBITT: Watch this inspiring video of Elli, a student at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount, who raised over $2,000 for Breast Cancer research as part of Virgin Radio's Shave to Save Campaign.
SHAVE TO SAVE AT NESBITT: Watch this inspiring video of Elli, a student at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount, who raised over $2,000 for Breast Cancer research as part of Virgin Radio's Shave to Save Campaign.
FIRST BOOK CANADA: Coronation School in Côte des Neiges became the first elementary school in Canada to launch First Book Canada’s First Read Program recently. TD Bank and First Book, a charity that has distributed over 100 million books to inner city schools in Canada and the United States, will be teaming up with local author Marie Louise Gay to hand out books to students from Kindergarten to Grade 2. Born in Quebec City, Gay is the award-winning author of the Stella and Sam series of children’s books. Over the course of her career, she has earned multiple Governor General Awards as well as the 2005 Vicky Metcalf Award, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Mr. Christie’s Book Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. In addition to the new books, 30 employees from TD Bank will be on hand to read to the children as well. In May, Coronation Elementary School was one of 20 schools across Canada to receive the “Love of Reading” grant from Chapters/Indigo. Chapters/Indigo CEO and Founder Heather Reisman and The Love of Reading Foundation donated $60,000 to the school. The school has already begun using the grant to purchase new books for the school’s library. See the video.
SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY THE HOLOCAUST IN ISRAEL: Teachers and spiritual guidance and community involvement animators can now apply for a three week all expenses paid scholarships to take part of the 2015 Yad Vashem International Seminar for Educators in Jerusalem, Israel. As part of the 10th anniversary of the Riva and Thomas O. Hecht Scholarship, Teaching of the Holocaust for Educators Program, participants will take part in a professional development program under the direction of the Faculty of the Yad Vashem Seminars for Educators from Abroad, International School for Holocaust Studies. The goal of the program is to provide professional development activities to teachers for teaching about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism to students in the youth Sector. Each recipient will be asked to create at least one teaching unit or module developed within the context learned. This will be the ninth year for the program, with 27 teachers and one spiritual animator having gone through it with full scholarships. All of the information teachers need to apply is here.
DISNEY LIVE: The EMSB and Evenko have teamed up to offer Kindergarten and Grade 1 B.A.S.E. Daycare students an opportunity to win one of eight family-four packs to the English premiere of Disney Live: Mickey's Musical Festival on December 26 (6 p.m.) at Théâtre Saint-Denis. Kindergarten and Grade 1 students are asked to draw their favourite Disney character with a holiday twist! The contest runs from November 24, 2014 to December 15, 2014. However, given the holiday season, we have upped the deadline to December 8, 2014. See the flyer on the EMSB website.
DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT: On November 5, four students from Mackay Centre School in NDG.,as well as three students from Bancroft School in the Plateau, were part of a group of 173 children from Montreal, Quebec City, Trois Rivieres, Baggotville and Lac Megantic who took part in an unforgettable day at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida as the Montreal chapter of Dreams Take Flight embarked upon its milestone 20th anniversary trip to the Magic Kingdom. The seven EMSB students who made the trip to Orlando were Faith and Destiny Ewere, Zachary Corbett Des Roches and Eshaan Grover from Mackay Centre, plus Julian and William Burns, and Konstantinos Floros from Bancroft. The group departed from an aircraft hangar at the Air Canada
base near Trudeau Airport at 6:30 a.m. and arrived in Orlando three hours later; when they arrived at the Magic Kingdom, they spent a magical day taking in many of the park’s rides and attractions; meeting several Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Cinderella, Rapunzel, as well as Anna and Elsa from the hit Disney feature “Frozen;” munching on burgers, chicken nuggets, fries and Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bars; shopping for Disney souvenirs; and catching the Main Street Electrical Parade and closing fireworks show at Cinderella Castle, before they returned home to Montreal later that same night. Established in Toronto in 1989, Dreams Take Flight is a charitable, volunteer-driven initiative of Air Canada. Throughout the year its eight chapters across Canada take thousands of physically, socially and mentally challenged children for a day of fun and magical memories to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
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| Julian Burns |
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| A group shot with Mickey Mouse that includes Mackay Centre students Destiny Ewere (middle row, far left), Zachary Corbett Des Roches (middle row, second from left), Faith Ewere (middle row, next to Mickey Mouse) an Eshaan Grover (middle row, in front of Mickey). |
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING PUBLICATION CASE: At the EMSB Administration Building on Fielding Avenue, you can now find a selection of publications in a new display case right next to the security desk and across from the elevator. This includes brochures from our Adult Education and Vocational Services Department. Please take a moment to browse what is there and take some papers home with you.
JUMP ROPE: Schools are being encouraged to participate in the annual Jump rope for heart program, offered to primary schools in Montreal. Supporting kids' health for more than 30 years, Heart and Stroke Jump Rope for Heart™ encourages kids to get active by skipping rope while they collect pledges for heart disease and stroke research. The program givesHere is a poster which describes the program. Here is the link to their new video as well. For more information, contact Jessica Liberatore at 514 871 8038 #240 or email jessica.liberatore@fmcoeur.qc.ca and log on to fmcoeur.ca or heartandstroke.ca.
CENTAUR FOR SCHOOLS: Centaur Theatre Company is proud to present its Theatre of Tomorrow (TOT) Program for the 2014-2015 season. The TOT program makes live English theatre accessible to high school students at a discounted price. Further program benefits include a teacher’s guide providing background information, discussion topics and improvisation activities; talkback sessions are provided following the performances where students meet the cast, voice their comments and ask questions. For more information or to book a group, please email groups@centaurtheatre.com or call 514-288-1229 ext 245. Visit our website for a list of dates at http://www.centaurtheatre.com/highschools.php The TOT Program is supported by Great West Life, London Life, and Canada Life. For details, email Vanessa Rigaux at groups@centaurtheatre.com. Here is their letter to schools.
CORPUS –STORY ON THE HOLOCAUST: Montreal’s Teesri Duniya Theatre has inaugurated its 2014-2015 season with the Quebec premier of Corpus. Presented by the MAI (Montreal Arts Interculturels) as part of their 16th performing arts season, the play will run until November 30 at 3680 Jeanne Mance. The storyline revolves around Megan White (Westmount High School graduate Holly Gauthier-Frankel), a brilliant Canadian genocide scholar who obsessively collects the stories of war crimes through the internet. She stumbles across an unlikely relationship between a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz and the wife of a Nazi officer. While investigating their dark and seductive history, Megan is spurred on her quest for academic fame by the unexpected charms of her online lover. Corpus is described as a Holocaust story with a twist, one in which the third generation must confront the legacy of retelling the personal stories. Post performance panel-discussions will take place each Sunday matinee. In class activities for schools, with artists from the production and Teesri Duniya Theatre are also available. The play is directed by Liz Valdez and also stars Davide Chiazzese (a Michelangelo International School and Lester B. Pearson High School grad). Here is the flyer.
HUNTSMAN MARINE CENTRE: During the summer of 2015, from July 20 to 24, the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick will beoffering All Things Marine, a hands-on marine experience for teachers, families and friends. Join them as they explore the unique environment of the Bay of Fundy and diversity of life it supports. For more information email laura.barrett@huntsmanmarine.ca. See the flyer.
NO ONE LIKE HUGH: Hold on to your non-gender-specific hats because Playwright Hero Productions is presenting their second original show of their fourth season. No One Like Hugh is an homage to and parody of Shakespeare's mistaken-identity comedies. Cross-dressing, ‘identical’ twins, a misunderstood fool and dark sorcery are but some of the knavery you can expect. No One Like Hugh transports the audience to an alternate medieval England, ruled by the eccentric but caring King Archontakis. In this land of mishaps, Hugh, a noble craftsman, pursues Lavender, the sultry princess. Disaster strikes when Hugh's evil ‘identical’ twin, also named Hugh, plots to steal his brother's bride and England's throne. Also at hand: Hubert, the austere Friar with a big secret; Lactacia, the lady in waiting with her own mysteries; Hugo, sycophantic manservant to the evil Hugh; and the wise-cracking Fool, the only character who can see the blatant physiological and verbal differences between the purported twins. Shows continue until November 29. Tickets are $15 general and $12 for students. To purchase call 514-849-3378 or online at www.mainlinetheatre.ca/en/spectacles/no-one-like-hugh.
QPAT CONVENTION: The EMSB will once again have an information booth at the annual Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) convention at the Palais des Congrès November 27 and 28. Come visit us at Kiosk #7.
ADMINISTRATOR PHOTOS: There is a new section on EDocs (the EMSB internal online document sharing program) with administrator photos. Those with access can go to this link and place their user name and password.
CENTRAIDE CAMPAIGN: These days, under such stressful economic circumstances, more and more people are turning towards community organizations and social service agencies to give them a hand when times are tough. This is where Centraide comes in. This year, 362 agencies and organizations across the Greater Montreal area are reaching out to people who are enduring the sting of poverty (over 500,000 residents in the Greater Montreal area live below the poverty line), as well as dealing with other urgent concerns such as domestic violence, child abuse, and improving the quality of life of our growing senior population. Until December 1, the EMSB will conduct its annual Centraide campaign. Last year, we raised $3,200 for Centraide, and our objective this year is to increase our employee participation rate. The money that is raised benefits such local agencies and organizations as Action centre-ville, La Table Ronde de St. Léonard, the Park Extension Youth Organization, Project T.R.I.P., Moisson Montreal, and seven neighbourhood YMCAs across the island of Montreal. Donations can be made as either one lump sum, or through payroll deductions beginning in January 2015. Employees are also encouraged to stage their own fundraisers to benefit Centraide. Also, for security reasons, this year’s donation forms do not contain the employee’s home address and phone number, just their name and respective school/centre/department affiliation. All completed donation forms must be sent to Stuart Nulman in Room 114 of the Administration Building by no later than Monday, December 1. For more information, please contact snulman@emsb.qc.ca.
SEGAL CENTRE OFFERS: The Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Snowdon is committed to giving its audience the most engaging theatre experience possible. For families and students of all ages, they offer a number of public programs for each season show free of charge, including their Sunday @ the Segal series, Monday night talkbacks, Study Guides, and behind-the scenes videos and insights on their blog. Students can attend for up to 50 percent off the price of an adult ticket. Call 514-739-7944 for more information or to reserve, or buy your tickets online at segalcentre.org. In addition, school groups are welcomed for weekday afternoon performances, including reduced ticket prices, private tours, and talkbacks. Log on here or contact Lucie Lederhendler (llederhendler@segalcentre.org) at 514-739-2301 ext. 8360 for more information
SEGAL CENTRE OFFERS: The Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Snowdon is committed to giving its audience the most engaging theatre experience possible. For families and students of all ages, they offer a number of public programs for each season show free of charge, including their Sunday @ the Segal series, Monday night talkbacks, Study Guides, and behind-the scenes videos and insights on their blog. Students can attend for up to 50 percent off the price of an adult ticket. Call 514-739-7944 for more information or to reserve, or buy your tickets online at segalcentre.org. In addition, school groups are welcomed for weekday afternoon performances, including reduced ticket prices, private tours, and talkbacks. Log on here or contact Lucie Lederhendler (llederhendler@segalcentre.org) at 514-739-2301 ext. 8360 for more information
ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
TASTE CANADA COOKS: Three students from the St. Pius X Culinary Institute in Ahuntsic,– Constantino Giannarakis, John Raptis and Loredana Baita – recently finished a strong second in the annual nationwide Taste Canada Cooks the Books Student Competition, which pairs professional cooking students with veteran cookbook authors. The competition’s aim is to find Canada’s Best New Student Chef by inviting students from across Canada to create a dish that will impress the panel of judges. The Pius silver award-winning entry was a fried chicken dish from Toronto author David Ort’s cookbook, The Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook. Under the guidance of their school’s chef instructors Giulia Civitarese and Michael Young, the students trained intensively for weeks. In Toronto, they were then mentored by Ort on stage in front of a live audience where their hard work paid off. Judges, event organizers and fellow competitors commented on their amazing performance and creativity. To view a photo gallery of the event, visit Pius’ Facebook page by clicking on this link.
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| Pius Students from Professional Sales, Hotel Reception, Accounting and Culinary. |
THE NEW PIUS: St. Pius X Culinary and Business Centre prepares students for a wide range of careers from trades to professional practitioners in Accounting , Food and Beverage Services, Hotel Reception, Pastry Making, Professional Cooking, Professional Sales, Starting a Business, Secretarial Studies, Secretarial Studies/Legal and Travel Sales. With such a diverse array of students, Pius’ new business centre has been bustling since it opened its doors this past July. It offers many choices and was one of the main attractions at the 2014 EMSB Career Fair.
ST. LAURENT EXPRESS: Students at the St. Laurent Adult Education Centre, along with the English Department, have been working hard at creating the school's first ever newspaper...the St. Laurent Express! It is being offered in both print and an online version, which includes special features. The website ensures that the paper is accessible to the entire student community and provides the school with the ability to administer student surveys, polls and receive submissions online. So far, the feedback we have received has been positive and productive! To see the most recent fall 2014 edition of the online paper click here. Creating, reporting and producing authentic newspaper stories and articles has not only improved students' knowledge and skills of English and French, but it has also allowed them to become more effective users of ICT and has promoted teamwork. It is such a rewarding extra curricular activity for students because they become so involved in building a sense of community and displaying their educational accomplishments.
Meanwhile, the St-Laurent Adult Education Centre is proud to present their short film A Christmas Carol. It was produced by the St-Laurent Theatre Group, a collaboration between students and Lisa Parente, a Math and Science teacher. This project combines the fun of film-making and student participation, proving that Adult Centres are not just for getting a high school diploma.Enjoy the nine minute film by clicking on this link
PEOPLE’S POTATO: In what is now becoming a tradition, Common Core Basic Education (CCBE) Literacy students from Nootan Kumar’s Community Life course at Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North joined forces with students from Peggy Chrisovergis’ Level 6 course at John F. Kennedy Adult Education Centre in St. Michel to volunteer at the People’s Potato, a community kitchen and food bank. The experience served up more than food – students practiced their English language skills with each other and the staff, while also helping to peel vegetables enough for the 400 people served daily! Galileo and JFK adult students also learned about health and inclusivity related to vegan food, as well as how collective organizations operate without hierarchy. As always, students were rewarded for their efforts with a dinner feast and good fun!
Meanwhile, students from Mr. Kumar’s Community Life course at Galileo bonded over food at a multicultural potluck party organized in honour of one of their classmates, who is expecting a baby verysoon. With great love and a sense of pride, students prepared their traditional ethnic food and presented the dish to the class. The party was held in the gleaming Galileo kitchen, which was opportune for the students to practice their kitchen and cooking vocabulary! Always aware of their course theme of Community Life, the students generously shared their abundant food with students from other classes. Much fun – and delicious food – was enjoyed by all!
PLEINS FEUX SUR FIELDING
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ÉDITION DU 27 NOVEMBRE 2014 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM
NOUVEAU CONSEIL: Angela Mancini a remporté un second mandat de présidente de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal. Elle a défait son adversaire Anne Lagacé Dawson par une marge de 11 069 votes contre 7 086. Le taux de participation s’est élevé à 21,2 pour cent. L’équipe Angela Mancini a remporté sept sièges, l’équipe Lagacé Dawson deux sièges et un siège a été remporté par un candidat indépendant. Pour les résultats finaux, cliquez ici. Rapport CBC-- http://vimeo.com/111362481.
COMITÉS DE LA CSEM: Faisant suite à son assermentation le 17 novembre, le nouveau conseil des commissaires de la CSEM a élu les président(e)s, vice-président(e)s et membres de comités. Sylvia Lo Bianco, vice-présidente et présidente du comité des ressources humaines; Syd Wise, président du comité exécutif; Mordechai Antal, président du comité de l’éducation; James Kromida, président du comité de vérification et des affaires financières; Rosario Ortona, président du comité consultatif de l’éducation des adultes et de la formation professionnelle; et Joe Ortona, président du comité d’éthique et de déontologie. Pour une liste complète, cliquez ici…
VISITE DU MINISTRE DE L’ÉDUCATION: Les représentants de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) sont plus optimistes que jamais qu’un nouvel établissement sera construit à NDG pour recevoir les écoles du Centre Mackay et de Philip E. Layton, suite à des propos très encourageants tenus par le Dr Yves Bolduc, Ministre de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec. Le Dr. Bolduc a fait sa première visite à l’établissement du boulevard Décarie, le 7 novembre. Il a visité le bâtiment et s’est entretenu avec les élèves et le personnel. Lors d’une réunion avec les cadres supérieurs de la CSEM, il a convenu que les locaux actuels n’étaient pas adéquats pour combler les besoins des élèves. Une des classes qu’il a visité était un bureau de secrétaire converti. Il a promis de s’adresser au Conseil du Trésor pour demander le financement nécessaire. Pendant plus de trois ans, la CSEM a œuvré avec le MELS pour l’acquisition de la propriété. La CSEM demande maintenant un financement pour construire un nouvel établissement sur un terrain qui lui appartient déjà à NDG. Mme Mancini était accompagnée à la réunion par la vice-présidente, Sylvia Lo Bianco, le commissaire Joseph Lalla, la commissaire représentante de parents et présidente du conseil d’établissement de l’école du Centre Mackay et présidente de l’ACSES, Joanne Charron, les directeurs généraux adjoints, Roma Medwid et Angelo Marino, le directeur du Service des ressources matérielles, Daniel Hogue, la directrice Patrizia Ciccarelli et la directrice adjointe, Joe Anne Desir des écoles du Centre Mackay et de Philip E. Layton.
INSCRIPTIONS: Les chiffres préliminaires des inscriptions au secteur des jeunes de la CSEM s’élèvent à 19 693, soit une diminution de 165 élèves. Ce chiffre est considérablement inférieur à la prévision originale d’une diminution de 400 à 500 élèves. En outre, les Services de l’éducation des adultes et de la formation professionnelle ont vu leurs inscriptions s’élever à plus de 20 000 élèves, portant les inscriptions de la CSEM à près de 40 000.
JOUR DU SOUVENIR: Il y a eu de nombreuses activités dans les écoles de la CSEM avant et pendant le Jour du Souvenir. À cause des actes violents à Saint-Jean et à Ottawa, la CSEM a décidé de faire preuve de prudence et d’annuler toutes les excursions et participations à des évènements publics reliés aux cérémonies du jour du Souvenir. Parmi les divers évènements, les élèves de 10e de l’enseignante d’histoire Chantal Clabrough de l’école secondaire Westmount ont travaillé à établir des profils de soldats pour le Jour du Souvenir. Ils ont honoré les élèves de l’école, tombés au champ d’honneur, durant la Deuxième guerre mondiale en créant un profil à l’aide de iPads. Ils ont fait des recherches sur les vies de ces soldats en numérisant les photos originales en possession de l’école ainsi que celles de l’album d’école (1930). Ils ont présenté leur travail le 11 novembre, en présence du maire Peter Trent. « L’école secondaire Westmount est probablement l’une des quelques écoles de la province où ce type de projet est faisable à cause de notre longue histoire » a déclaré le directeur Michael Cristofaro. « Les élèves ont relié les noms du monument aux morts aux photos de ce que nous possédons, à leur photos de l’album scolaire qui remonte à 1910 et au lieu où ils sont ensevelis – le tout sur un profil électronique. Je pense que c’est un projet merveilleux qui permet aux noms du monument d’être plus que juste des noms. »
JOURNÉE DE L’HÉRITAGE MUSULMAN: Les élèves de l’école primaire Sinclair Laird de Parc Extension ont célébré la journée de l’héritage musulman en novembre. Les élèves ont eu l’occasion d’avoir un aperçu de la culture traditionnelle musulmane par le biais de nourriture, de danses et de chants tout au long de l’après-midi.
DÉFI TERRY FOX: L’école primaire Cedarcrest de Saint-Laurent a recueilli 6 400 $ pour la Fondation Terry Fox 2014.Trois membres du personnel ont rasé leurs cheveux pour la cause lors d’une assemblée qui s’est tenue le 17 novembre en présence de Peter Sheremeta, directeur provincial pour le Québec de la Fondation Terry Fox. Cedarcrest avait fixé certains objectifs avant la campagne. Deux enseignantes ont revêtu des vêtements de clowns lorsque 3 000 $ ont été recueillis. La directrice Nadia Sammaro et le personnel ont échangé leurs vêtements (femmes habillées en hommes et hommes habillés en femmes) lorsque la levée de fonds a dépassé 4 000 $. Après avoir passé la limite de 5 000 $, une enseignante a rasé une partie de ses cheveux tandis qu’une autre les a rasés complètement. L’enseignant de musique, Ian Hanchet a rasé sa barbe et pour chaque 1 000 dollars recueillis, il a coupé un pouce de ses cheveux.
LOTERIE DE ROYAL WEST : À la demande générale, la Fondation de l’Académie Royal West organisera à nouveau une loterie – une plus grande et meilleure loterie ! En sus de pouvoir gagner une paire de billets pour la saison 2015-2016 des Canadiens (le premier prix est une paire de billets pour assister à 20 parties; 10 parties pour le deuxième prix et 5 parties pour chacun des troisième, quatrième et cinquième prix), ils ont ajouté un sixième, septième et huitième prix ! Les heureux gagnants pourraient remporter une TVHD de 52 pouces, une paire de bicyclettes Giant Simple ou deux laissez-passer de trois jours à Osheaga 2015. Les billets sont en vente dès maintenant. Le tirage lève-tôt pour les laissez-passer Osheage aura lieu en mai 2015 et le tirage final en septembre 2015. Le coût des billets est de 40 $. Les organisateurs comptent sur les parents pour vendre tous les 4 500 billets qui permettraient de recueillir plus de 150 000 $ pour la phase deux des rénovations de l’auditorium de l’école (air conditionné et nouveaux sièges). http://rwaf.ca. Chaque don rapproche l’école de son objectif de transformation de l’auditorium de 80 ans en un centre ultramoderne.
SPIRIT OF GIVING: En préparation pour la période des Fêtes, la CSEM collaborera à nouveau avec les Forces armées canadiennes pour appuyer la campagne annuelle « Spirit of Giving » de CTV Montréal qui offre une aide très appréciée aux moins nantis de Montréal. Au début de décembre, des aliments non périssables, des jouets et des articles divers, tels que savons et fournitures de nettoyage, seront recueillis, triés et donnés à Partageons l’espoir. Le Fonds d’aide de l’Ouest de l’île, Renaissance Montréal, Multicaf, Park Extension Share Store, Le Bon Dieu Dans la Rue, Les centres de la jeunesse et de la famille Batshaw et le Dépôt alimentaire de NDG. Les efforts combinés de la CSEM et de ses écoles généreront plus de 600 boîtes d’aliments non-périssables et plus de 40 000 jouets et articles divers. L’Académie internationale Marymount servira de centre principal de collection. La directrice Elizabeth Lagodich est enthousiasmée par le fait que son établissement assumera le rôle de centre principal pour la première fois. Plusieurs écoles de la CSEM organiseront des évènements visant à encourager les dons et un certain nombre d’écoles seront mises en vedettes aux programmes de nouvelles de CTV tout au long de la campagne.
PROGRAMME DE PERTE DE POIDS: Farah Islam, diplômée de l’école primaire St. Dorothy désire s’adresser à la communauté de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal pour qu’elle l’aide à trouver des personnes désireuses de participer à un projet du laboratoire de Psychologie de santé mentale de McGill. Farah est actuellement étudiante à temps plein et elle étudie la psychologie à McGill. Elle travaille à temps partiel au laboratoire de psychologie de santé mentale du Dr Barbel Knauper en tant qu’assistante de recherche. Ses fonctions incluent : la saisie de données et aider des groupes qui participent au programme de poids sain. L’une de ses collègues est Virginia Rogers dont le père enseigne au Centre de technologie Rosemont. Le laboratoire est actuellement à la recherche de participants à son programme d’essai clinique de perte de poids.
Le but de cette étude est d’améliorer les habitudes alimentaires et d’exercice en enseignant aux participants comment développer de nouvelles et permanentes habitudes alimentaires et d’exercice. Le programme de Poids sain sera dispensé sur une année et consiste en 12 sessions hebdomadaires de base, quatre sessions de transition sur une période de trois mois et six sessions mensuelles de soutien, offertes à des horaires et des journées différents. La taille du groupe sera de près de 10 personnes et les sessions seront d’une durée approximative d’une heure. Des entraîneurs de mode de vie formés mèneront les sessions et offriront aussi conseils et soutien. Le programme est gratuit pour des hommes et des femmes âgés de 18 à 75 ans qui sont obèses ou qui ont de l’embonpoint. Le Dr Knauper encourage particulièrement les hommes à participer. Veuillez appeler au 514-398-1399 ou adresser un courriel à mcgillhealthyweight@gmail.com
PARTENARIAT CONCORDIA-CSEM: Plus de 800 élèves de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) ont assisté à une partie de hockey féminin dans le cadre de la saison régulière du Sport Interuniversitaire canadien le mercredi 19 novembre (10 h 30) alors que les Stingers de Concordia recevront les Ravens de Carleton à l’aréna Ed Meagher. Des élèves de neuf écoles ont pris part à cette excursion à thème pédagogique : Royal Vale, Willingdon et St. Monica de NDG; Elizabeth Ballantyne et Edinburgh de Montréal-Ouest; Coronation de Côte-des-Neiges; Gardenview et Cedarcrest de Saint-Laurent et l’école secondaires Perspectives I de Saint-Michel. Les autobus Transco ont été le commanditaire de cet évènement qui a lancé un nouveau programme visant à créer un lien constant entre les athlètes universitaires et les écoles locales, qui s’étend au-delà d’une partie annuelle de hockey. Des élèves athlètes de multiples équipes de Concordia se joindront aux élèves de la CSEM tout au long de l’année pour une variété d’activités et d’évènements scolaires et parascolaires.
ÉQUIPE DE DÉMINAGE: Dans le cadre du nouveau programme de robotique à l’école primaire Pierre Elliott Trudeau de Saint-Léonard, l’école a reçu récemment l’équipe de déminage de la Sureté du Québec et son robot de technologie de pointe. La visite a été organisée par l’enseignant de français, Patrick Charland. Les élèves ont accueilli l’agent Mathieu Deguise qui leur a expliqué ses fonctions au sein de l’équipe de déminage et qui a ensuite fait une démonstration du robot au gymnase. En sus de cette démonstration, les élèves ont pu s’approcher du robot et examiner toutes ses pièces mobiles. Le programme de robotique vient de commencer en 2014-2015 à l’école Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Patrick Charland a commencé à introduire les élèves aux robots en tant qu’élément de ses classes de français et a utilisé cette visite comme moyen de démonstration de l’utilisation des robots dans la vie de tous les jours
CAMPAGNE CENTRAIDE: Ces jours ci, avec de telles circonstances économiques stressantes, de plus en plus de personnes se tournent vers les organismes communautaires et les agences de services sociaux pour leur demander de l’aide et c’est là, le rôle de Centraide. Cette années, 362 agences et organismes à travers le Grand Montréal viennent en aide aux personnes qui endurent la pauvreté (plus de 500 000 résidents de la région du Grand Montréal vivent au-dessous du seuil de la pauvreté et font face aussi à d’autres préoccupations urgentes, dont la violence domestique, la maltraitance des enfants et l’amélioration de la qualité de vie de notre population croissante d’aînés. La CSEM mènera sa campagne annuelle Centraide jusqu’au 1er décembre. L’an dernier, nous avons levé 3 200 $ pour Centraide et notre objectif cette année est d’augmenter le taux de participation de nos employés. Les fonds recueillis iront aux agences locales et organismes, tels Action centre-ville, La Table Ronde de Saint-Léonard, l’Organisation jeunesse de Parc Extension, Projet T.R.I.P, Moisson Montréal et sept YMCA de l’île de Montréal. Les dons peuvent être faits en un versement unique ou par le biais de déductions de salaires à compter de janvier 2015. Les employés sont aussi encouragés à organiser leurs propres levées de fonds pour Centraide. Pour des raisons de sécurité, les formulaires de dons de cette année ne donneront pas l’adresse et le numéro de téléphone des employés, mais juste leur nom et celui de leur école/centre/service. Tous les formulaires de dons remplis doivent être adressés à Stuart Nulman, au bureau 114 du centre administratif, pas plus tard que le lundi 1er décembre. Pour plus de renseignements veuillez appeler au poste 7429 ou adresser un courriel à snulman@emsb.qc.ca.
SERVICES DE L’ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE
LE NOUVEAU PIUS: Le Centre culinaire et d’études commerciales St. Pius X prépare les élèves à une vaste gamme de carrières en comptabilité, services alimentaires, réception d’hôtel, pâtisserie, cuisine professionnelle, ventes professionnelles, démarrage d’entreprise, secrétariat et ventes de voyages. Avec une telle diversité, le nouveau centre a été très animé depuis son ouverture en juillet dernier. Il a été l’un des centres d’attraction de la Foire de carrières 2014 de la CSEM. Les élèves passionnés et engageants du Centre culinaire et d’études commerciales Pius ont interagi avec enthousiasme avec plus de 1 200 élèves d’écoles secondaires et de centres d’adultes qui ont visité ses divers kiosques, goûté à la nourriture et reçu des informations de première main de la part des élèves du Centre.
SAINT-LAURENT EXPRESS: Les élèves du Centre d’éducation des adultes Saint-Laurent, en collaboration avec le département d’anglais, ont travaillé d’arrache-pied à la création du premier journal de l’école…le Saint-Laurent Express ! Le journal est offert en copie imprimée et en ligne et le site Web assure que le journal est accessible à tout le corps étudiant et donne à l’école la possibilité d’administrer des sondages d’élèves et de recevoir des soumissions en ligne. À ce jour, la réaction que nous avons reçue a été positive et productive ! Voici le lien à notre site Web.
Créer, faire des reportages et produire des récits et des articles authentiques de journaux a non seulement amélioré les connaissances et les habiletés des élèves en français et en anglais mais leur a permis aussi de devenir des utilisateurs plus efficaces des TIC tout en encourageant le travail d’équipe. C’est une activité parascolaire si enrichissante pour les élèves qui leur permet d’acquérir un sens d’appartenance et d’afficher leurs réalisations éducatives.
The next EMSB Focus will be published on January 29, 2015. Deadline is January 23 at Noon.
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