BY-ELECTION: Bernard Praw captured the English Montreal School Board by-election for commissioner in Côte Saint-Luc-Hampstead on Sunday, December 13. Mr. Praw obtained 328 votes (44.63 percent) compared to 230 for Michele Cohen (31.29 percent) and 177 for Charlotte Smoley (24.08 percent). Mr. Praw, who previously served as a commissioner for St. Laurent for more than 20 years, fills the seat left vacant following the passing of Syd Wise in November. There were 736 votes cast, representing an 8.01 percent turnout.
BILL 86 DENOUNCED: The EMSB denounced the proposals made December 3 by the Quebec government to restructure the province’s school boards by limiting the public’s right to elect Commissioners to these institutions. Bill 86, tabled by Education Minister François Blais at the National Assembly, does nothing to improve learning conditions for students and facilitate scholastic success, and could instead imperil the Anglophone education system that routinely produces top-ranked schools and student performance results across Quebec.
‟I am deeply disappointed with Minister Blais’ proposal to manipulate the structure for democratically-elected school boards, though I am not surprised said EMSB Chair Angela Mancini. ‟The Minister has categorically refused to meet with us and consult on the problems that he seeks to address in our education system, and work out appropriate and practical solutions. As a result, today’s Bill will not achieve the government’s objectives to improve the learning conditions and prospects for future generations of students in our province.ˮ At the December 16 Council of Commissioners meeting, a strongly worded resolution against Bill 86 was adopted.
See Suburban Story on a City of Côte Saint-Luc resolution opposing Bill 86.
LEADERS CRITIQUE BILL: The Quebec English School Boards Association held a press conference on December 16, at which time many community leaders spoke out against Bill 86. EMSB Vice-Chair Sylvia Lo Bianco was at the head table. Former Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, who authored a report with recommendations on how to improve school board governance, had strong words for the new legislation. She noted how the Minister of Education consigned her report to the garbage. "I read Bill 86 and I believe it belongs in the garbage," she said. "It makes a mockery out of our right to continue to thrive in this province."
EMSB CHAIR ON MATV: EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini was a guest on the new show City Life on Videotron’s Ma TV talking about education choices. Here is the link. Please go to the 29 minute mark.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES: Roma Medwid has announced her retirement from the EMSB, She was most recently the principal of Shadd Health and Business Centre. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director General, Regional Director, Assistant Director of Pedagogical Services, principal, vice-principal and teacher at Dante. Joe Cacchione will assume Ms. Medwid's duties at Shadd. He was the principal at Lester B. Pearson High School. Vice-Principal Carmen Nicolas will assume that role on an interim basis.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES: Roma Medwid has announced her retirement from the EMSB, She was most recently the principal of Shadd Health and Business Centre. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director General, Regional Director, Assistant Director of Pedagogical Services, principal, vice-principal and teacher at Dante. Joe Cacchione will assume Ms. Medwid's duties at Shadd. He was the principal at Lester B. Pearson High School. Vice-Principal Carmen Nicolas will assume that role on an interim basis.
BREAKFAST TV AT HONORÉ: City’s Breakfast Television will broadcast live reports from Honoré-Mercier Elementary School in St. Léonard on Friday, December 18 (6 am to 9 am). The focus will be on students getting set for their holiday break. Host Catherine Verdon Diamond will be on site. Caramel, the mascot of the Montreal Children’s Hospital, will also be there as the school presents a nice donation. Principal Donna Manos and Christina Voggas will welcome everyone bright and early in their pjs. Some parents from the Home & School Association will arrive around 7 a.m to
prepare a holiday breakfast of pancakes, fruit, chocolate milk and more. Santa and
his helper will also be on hand.
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| Matthew Rodrigues |
YOKO ONO RESPONDS: Honoré-Mercier teacher Matthew Rodrigues took the initiative to start a Wish Tree for the school during the holidays. It is on display at the front entrance. “The project I did at school is really an ode Yoko Ono’s ongoing art installation, which she started in the 1980’s,” he says. “I was inspired back in 2009 when I visited the Imagine Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts here in Montreal. I reached out to Yoko on her Facebook and Twitter accounts and she responded. She answers a select few of her fans on social media and I was one of them. Here is the link to check out her response.
ENROLMENT REPORT: The 2015-2016 official enrolment for the EMSB is 19,367, compared to 19,610 a year ago. There are also some 20,000 students enrolled in the Adult Education and Vocational Services sector, making the EMSB overall the largest English public school board in Quebec.
SPIRIT OF GIVING: In preparation for the holidays, the EMSB once again teamed 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. Through December 11, non-perishable food, toys and miscellaneous items, such as soap and cleaning supplies, were 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, Mile End Mission, La Mosäique and the NDG Food Depot. Forty-four schools and centres took part in the campaign as well as some community organizations. Rosemount High School will serve as the main hub for the collection.
Click here for EMSBTV's recap video of the entire campaign.
Principal Marco Gagliardi was thrilled to have his facility assume the role of the main hub for the very first time. In addition to students at Rosemount High and Rosemount Technology Centre, Perspectives I students were involved in collecting non-perishable items for the gift baskets. Eighteen of them of volunteered to go and pack boxes at Rosemount High. The following schools and centres participated: James Lyng High School in St. Henri; Rosemount High School, Rosemount Tech Centre and Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount; St. Dorothy in St. Michel; Dalkeith Elementary in Anjou; Edward Murphy School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve; Cedarcrest, Gardenview and Parkdale Elementary Schools, LaurenHill Academy and St. Laurent Adult Centre in St. Laurent; St. Monica and Willingdon Elementary Schools, Royal Vale School and Marymount Academy and Shadd Business Centre in N.D.G.; Coronation Elementary School in Côte-des-Neiges; Dunrae Gardens and Carlyle Elementary School in the Town of Mont-Royal; Roslyn Elementary in Westmount; Edinburgh and Elizabeth Ballantyne in Montreal West; Hampstead Elementary; Sinclair Laird in Park Extension; East Hill and Michelangelo Elementary Schools in Riviere-des-Prairies; Merton Elementary School in Côte St. Luc; St. Pius Adult Centre, John Caboto Academy and Our Lady of Pompei in Ahuntsic; Galileo Adult Centre, Gerald McShane Elementary School and Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Dante, Leonardo Da Vinci Centre, Honoré Mercier, Pierre de Coubertin, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and General Vanier Elementary Schools as well as John Paul I and Laurier Macdonald High Schools in St. Léonard.
Click here for EMSBTV's recap video of the entire campaign.
Principal Marco Gagliardi was thrilled to have his facility assume the role of the main hub for the very first time. In addition to students at Rosemount High and Rosemount Technology Centre, Perspectives I students were involved in collecting non-perishable items for the gift baskets. Eighteen of them of volunteered to go and pack boxes at Rosemount High. The following schools and centres participated: James Lyng High School in St. Henri; Rosemount High School, Rosemount Tech Centre and Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount; St. Dorothy in St. Michel; Dalkeith Elementary in Anjou; Edward Murphy School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve; Cedarcrest, Gardenview and Parkdale Elementary Schools, LaurenHill Academy and St. Laurent Adult Centre in St. Laurent; St. Monica and Willingdon Elementary Schools, Royal Vale School and Marymount Academy and Shadd Business Centre in N.D.G.; Coronation Elementary School in Côte-des-Neiges; Dunrae Gardens and Carlyle Elementary School in the Town of Mont-Royal; Roslyn Elementary in Westmount; Edinburgh and Elizabeth Ballantyne in Montreal West; Hampstead Elementary; Sinclair Laird in Park Extension; East Hill and Michelangelo Elementary Schools in Riviere-des-Prairies; Merton Elementary School in Côte St. Luc; St. Pius Adult Centre, John Caboto Academy and Our Lady of Pompei in Ahuntsic; Galileo Adult Centre, Gerald McShane Elementary School and Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Dante, Leonardo Da Vinci Centre, Honoré Mercier, Pierre de Coubertin, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and General Vanier Elementary Schools as well as John Paul I and Laurier Macdonald High Schools in St. Léonard.
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| CTV's Christine Long talks to Edinburgh students. |
LIVE BROADCASTS: The campaign concluded with a live broadcast from Rosemount High School on December 15. Live noon broadcasts took place at Royal Vale School in N.D.G, Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West, Parkdale School in St. Laurent, at Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in St. Leonard, Dunrae Gardens Elementary School in T.M.R, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary in St. Leonard Roslyn Elementary in Westmount. See photos.
Here is a clip from Royal Vale
Here is a clip from Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Here is a clip from Dunrae Gardens
Here is a clip from Pierre de Coubertin
Here is a clip from Roslyn School
Here is a clip from Rosemount High School
Congratulations to all involved, notably coordinators Carol Maker, Daniel Smajovits, Vince Lacroce and Marco Gagliardi's team at Rosemount High School for serving as the host depot.
MILE END MISSION: Students from Rosemount High School recently visited Mile End Mission, the newest charity to be included in the CTV Montreal Spirit of Giving campaign. Students helped pack food boxes and prepare the facility to receive the donations from the campaign.
Here is a clip from Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Here is a clip from Dunrae Gardens
Here is a clip from Pierre de Coubertin
Here is a clip from Roslyn School
Here is a clip from Rosemount High School
Congratulations to all involved, notably coordinators Carol Maker, Daniel Smajovits, Vince Lacroce and Marco Gagliardi's team at Rosemount High School for serving as the host depot.
MILE END MISSION: Students from Rosemount High School recently visited Mile End Mission, the newest charity to be included in the CTV Montreal Spirit of Giving campaign. Students helped pack food boxes and prepare the facility to receive the donations from the campaign.
CBC RADIO NOON ON TEXTING: Rosemount High School Secondary IV students Jessica Sheoprasad and Carly Ferreira-Antunes were guests on Radio Noon on CBC 88.5 FM. The subject was text etiquette. Listen to their excellent interview here.
ANNUAL REPORT: A special presentation of the EMSB annual report and partnership agreement will be given on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m. in the Laurence Patterson Conference Room at the head office.
ANNUAL REPORT: A special presentation of the EMSB annual report and partnership agreement will be given on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m. in the Laurence Patterson Conference Room at the head office.
VMC GIVES BACK: Students from Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount kicked off the holiday season in a very special way, putting their helping hands to work at St. Brendan’s Parish. In all, students from Vincent Massey Collegiate’s Be The Change committee and the Secondary 4 Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) class prepared over 200 food baskets that will be delivered to over 200 families and 400 children in the surrounding communities. “This was a wonderful way to spread holiday joy, the true meaning of the holidays, and to put into practice their smile, their voice and their helping hands,” said Rocco Speranza, Spiritual Community Animator at Vincent Massey Collegiate.
PEARSON HOSTS McSHANE: Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North Student Council hosted Pre-K and K students from Gerald McShane Elementary School for the Spirit of Giving charity drive on December 14. GMS students were treated to Christmas-themed arts and crafts, Christmas cartoons, hot cocoa and candy canes and some time on a bouncy house. The proceeds from the charitable donations collected were used to purchase much-needed food items.
NDG FOOD DEPOT: For students at Willingdon Elementary School in N.D.G., support for the nearby N.D.G. Food Depot is ingrained in their culture. From Thanksgiving to Christmas and many other times throughout the year, the Willingdon community is present with donations and support.
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| Willingdon staff and students. |
“Last year, the grade six graduating class left its traditional parting gift to the NDG Food Depot and the guest speaker of the graduation ceremony was the depot’s director,” said Principal Susie Douranos. “Without a doubt, the NDG Food Depot is very dear to the hearts of the Willingdon community.”
Recently, CBC Montreal joined Willingdon in its holiday donation by picking up the collected items from the school and driving them to the food depot. It was CBC’s way of helping out, as the biggest challenge year after year for the Willingdon community is the transport of boxes to the depot. “We’re so thankful to all our students and parent volunteers,” added Ms. Douranos. “At the beginning of December, they joined the crew from CBC and loaded box after box of non-perishable goods into the CBC van until the only space left was the seat for the driver!”
Recently, CBC Montreal joined Willingdon in its holiday donation by picking up the collected items from the school and driving them to the food depot. It was CBC’s way of helping out, as the biggest challenge year after year for the Willingdon community is the transport of boxes to the depot. “We’re so thankful to all our students and parent volunteers,” added Ms. Douranos. “At the beginning of December, they joined the crew from CBC and loaded box after box of non-perishable goods into the CBC van until the only space left was the seat for the driver!”
INTERNATIONAL CONCERT: The international flair of Carlyle International Elementary School in T.M.R. was on display on December 16 as students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 6 presented “Carlyle around the World” winter concert. The annual event featured songs, dances and presentations from the students and highlighted the multi-cultural community that makes the school unique.
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| Celebrating at John Caboto. |
COMMUNITY DAY: Continuing a holiday tradition which began nine years ago, John Caboto Academy in Ahuntsic once again opened its doors to the community at large recently. Truly a highlight of the calendar for families in and around John Caboto, the school once again hosted a bevy of activities for the children such as a magician, face-painting, decorating of ornaments, a reptile zoo as well as the opportunity to have lunch with Santa. As always, a professional photographer was on hand to give families the option of skipping the long line at the mall and have their holiday portrait taken with Santa. We do not charge an entrance fee, but we ask people to bring a non-perishable well which will be donated to the Spirit of Giving campaign,” said Rosie Sederico, Chair of the Governing Board. “Due to the generosity of the community, we also always have donated food and raffle prizes, which we sell, and the money collected from those is donated to the Telethon of Stars.” Added Principal Lucy Buscemi: “It’s a wonderful event that has become a tradition in our school.”
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| David-Roger Gagnon |
ST MONICA AND FOOD DEPOT: CBC TV visited St. Monica Elementary School in NDG recently. Anchor Debra Arbec was on hand to promote their campaign for the NDG food depot, with children from Pre-K through Grade 6 helping to load donations of non-perishable food into their van. The footage was used on a CBC evening broadcast. They also recorded a promo which aired for several days with students, Raquel Williams- Richards, Sebastian Cano Osorio and Kiara Austin-McDonald.
SHARING MUSIC UNITES US: Jaye, a professional musician, musicologist and founder of Sharing Music Unites Us, surprised one student at St. Monica Elementary School in N.D.G. with a brand new acoustic guitar on December 16. Isabelle Legare, a Grade 6 student at St. Monica, was the lucky recipient of the guitar.
Students from Grades 2 to 6 attended an assembly in the gym that morning, where Jaye talked to the students as well as performed with an acoustic and electric guitar. He told the students that if they want to learn how to play a musical instrument, they have to regularly practice three times a week. “Music takes time to learn. There are no shortcuts,” he said. “If you love it a lot, you will want to play music.” He also spoke about his organization Sharing Music Unites Us, and through the money he raises selling such items as t-shirts and guitar pick necklaces through his website, is used to purchase instruments that are given to selected students throughout MontrealJaye and his organization really makes a difference in communities,” said Principal Irini Margetis. “Not only will his appearance be a surprise for all of our students, but he will change the life of one of them with the gift of music. What a wonderful way to begin the holiday season!”
Following the performance, Jaye and Ms. Margetis also held a door prize drawing, in which eight St. Monica students won official Sharing Music Unites Us merchandise. For more information on Sharing Music Unites Us, please visit: www.SharingMusicUnitesUs.com
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| Irini Margetis, Isabelle Legare and Jaye. |
Students from Grades 2 to 6 attended an assembly in the gym that morning, where Jaye talked to the students as well as performed with an acoustic and electric guitar. He told the students that if they want to learn how to play a musical instrument, they have to regularly practice three times a week. “Music takes time to learn. There are no shortcuts,” he said. “If you love it a lot, you will want to play music.” He also spoke about his organization Sharing Music Unites Us, and through the money he raises selling such items as t-shirts and guitar pick necklaces through his website, is used to purchase instruments that are given to selected students throughout MontrealJaye and his organization really makes a difference in communities,” said Principal Irini Margetis. “Not only will his appearance be a surprise for all of our students, but he will change the life of one of them with the gift of music. What a wonderful way to begin the holiday season!”
Following the performance, Jaye and Ms. Margetis also held a door prize drawing, in which eight St. Monica students won official Sharing Music Unites Us merchandise. For more information on Sharing Music Unites Us, please visit: www.SharingMusicUnitesUs.com
HIP HOP FESTIVAL: From DJing to graffiti, break dancing and rapping, students at James Lyng High School in St. Henri organized a hip hop festival December 4. Dubbed “JL Up Next,” the festival featured a mix of workshops and performances with a number of local performers from Montreal’s vibrant hip-hop scene. Participants included rapper Full Course, members of hip hop super group Nomadic Massive, DJ Cosmo, graffiti artists Turtle Caps and Jimmy Baptiste and break-dancer Johnny Skywalker. The event was organized as part of an entrepreneurship class at the school. “It has been wonderful to watch the excitement and engagement on the part of the students as they prepare for this big day,” said teacher Nathan Gage. “The students have worked tremendously hard and this will help celebrate their passions.”
JL Up Next is another event highlighting James Lyng High School’s innovative focus on the urban arts. With support from McGill University’s Department of Integrated Studies in Education, students are offered specialized instruction in song-writing, rapping, music production, instrumental music and graffiti arts. In addition, visual arts and music are being integrated into more traditional academic subjects, such as French and Math. “Having urban arts in our school means that we have the opportunity to learn how to express ourselves differently, in a way that we feel comfortable doing,” added student Kassity Jack. See our video. See The Gazette story.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FIELD TRIPS: The International Students Department organized
their first field trips of the year recently. Students from Hampstead, Parkdale, St. Monica, Elizabeth Ballantyne and Westmount Park Elementary schools visited the Science Centre in the Old Port of Montreal on different occasions. They played at the Science 26 permanent exhibition, and the Dinosaurs Unearthed temporary exhibition. International students also watched two different IMAX movies: Secrets of the Ocean and Unseen World. High School international students from Marymount Academy International, John F. Kennedy, Westmount High and Rosemount High visited the Mont Morency Falls and Quebec City on two different occasions. In Quebec City, a tour guide was booked to give the students a 2-hour walking tour that included insights on the history of the city and province, to help them better understand what they cover during their History class. Students had a great time and we are very excited for the up-coming field trips we are currently preparing for them to enjoy in 2016.
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| Students having a good time. |
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| Santa, special guests and students at Dalkeith. |
GENERATIONS FOUNDATION AT DALKEITH: Global Television was at Dalkeith Elementary School in Anjou on December 14 to film a piece on the Generations Foundation. This coincided with Dalkeith’s annual Holiday Breakfast. Generations has
sponsored the food portion of the breakfast for the past six years.
However, this year they provided a present (Hasbro /
Megablocks) for each and every student. The Rosemount High School Band agreed to provide the entertainment and even Santa made an appearance. See the photo album.
GLOBAL COMMERCIAL: Global Television senior anchor Jamie Orchard will visit Bancroft Elementary School on the Plateau December 17 to film a commercial promoting EMSB Kindergarten Registration Week.
BANCROFT RADIO: Students from Bancroft Elementary School in the Plateau recently took to Radio Centre-Ville in both French and English. The two-hour broadcast, which took place in the school library, was the first in what will become an ongoing chronicle of the school on Radio Centre-Ville. With the school’s 100th anniversary approaching in 2016-2017, students will be broadcasting chronicles, reports, interviews and testimonies on our school’s past and on the community around it. They will also add reports the very busy and exciting school life in 2015. Reports can be heard live on 102.3 FM or at http://radiocentreville.com/wp. Archived reports can also be found on Radio Centre-Ville’s website.
BANCROFT RADIO: Students from Bancroft Elementary School in the Plateau recently took to Radio Centre-Ville in both French and English. The two-hour broadcast, which took place in the school library, was the first in what will become an ongoing chronicle of the school on Radio Centre-Ville. With the school’s 100th anniversary approaching in 2016-2017, students will be broadcasting chronicles, reports, interviews and testimonies on our school’s past and on the community around it. They will also add reports the very busy and exciting school life in 2015. Reports can be heard live on 102.3 FM or at http://radiocentreville.com/wp. Archived reports can also be found on Radio Centre-Ville’s website.
LEARN NEWSLETTER: Check out the latest newsletter from LEARN: http://www.learnquebec.ca/en/newsletter/index.html
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| Nicolas Boulay and students at Our Lady of Pompei. |
ALS AND THE B.A.S.E.: Montreal Alouettes’ players Kyries Hebert (#34) and Nicolas Boulay (#52) visited General Vanier and Our Lady of Pompei B.A.S.E. Daycares, respectively, to co-facilitate the BOKS Program with the lead trainers, who are daycare educators. Hebert (#34) stopped by General Vanier in St. Leonard on December and Boulay dropped in at Our Lady of Pompei B.A.S.E. Daycare in Ahuntsic on December 14. The B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enriched) Daycare Program has placed a great emphasis on increasing the physical activity levels of its students this year with various programs and is extremely excited to have formed a partnership with BOKS Canada. BOKS stands for Build Our Kids’ Success. It is a free physical activity program designed for elementary school age children. It is intended to occur as early in the day as possible as numerous studies have shown that the effects of being physically active are most powerful when performed in the beginning of the day. See the detailed press release
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| Kyries Hebert and Hampstead students. |
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| Climbing to the top. (PBL Photography). |
CLIMBING WALL: Students at Royal Vale School in N.D.G. are rising to new heights courtesy of an indoor climbing wall that was donated by the Côte de Liesse Tennis Club. The state-of-the-art wall was officially inaugurated on November 25.The wall, which was built inside a renovated squash court, is set to complement a flourishing athletics program at the school. With the recent introduction of a hockey program, students have begun to flock to Royal Vale for its athletics, in addition to the school’s first-class reputation for science and mathematics. Principal Nathalie Lacroix-Maillette noted that the project is two years in the making. See press release and video.
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| Devon Packer |
Devon's mother, Paulana Layman, said her son started to play the piano at the age of four. He studies piano and composition at the McGill Conservatory of Music. His goal is to become a composer/conductor/pianist. Devon has been winning music competitions since the age of six, and has performed both solo and with orchestra, at Oscar Peterson Hall,the Place des Arts and next of course, Carnegie Hall. He had his first composition published last year at the Canadian Music Centre called "The Fantastical World of Camelot."
SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDY THE HOLOCAUST IN ISRAEL: Teachers in the youth and adult sectors and spiritual guidance and community involvement animators can still apply for three week all expenses paid scholarships to take part in the 2016 Yad Vashem International Seminar for Educators in Jerusalem, Israel, July 3 to 21. As part 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. Complete CVs and Yad Vashem's application form must be submitted by March 31, 2016. All of the information teachers need to apply is here.
PALATUCCI NAME TO REMAIN: Representatives from Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, have advised the EMSB that they do not intend on removing the name of Giovanni Palatucci from the list of Righteous Among the Nations. The EMSB has been waiting patiently for a response from Yad Vashem since allegations arose in June 2013 from a group of historians and activists in Italy and abroad that Palatucci was unworthy of the title. In 2006 the EMSB named the former Wagar High School building in Côte St. Luc the Giovanni Palatucci Facility after the man who was revered worldwide for rescuing as many as 5,000 Jews from deportation to Auschwitz. The matter had been referred to the Chairman of the Commission for the Designation of the Righteous. Irena Steinfeldt, director of the Righteous Among the Nations Department at Yad Vashem, informed the EMSB that two and a half years after the allegations first came forward about Palatucci “we have not received any documentation that justifies resubmitting the file to the Commission. I haven’t heard from the Primo Levi Institute, who initiated the story in the New York Times, nor have I received a report from the historians’ commission that was established in Italy. As far as we are concerned, Giovanni Palatucci is on the list of the Righteous."
PALATUCCI NAME TO REMAIN: Representatives from Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, have advised the EMSB that they do not intend on removing the name of Giovanni Palatucci from the list of Righteous Among the Nations. The EMSB has been waiting patiently for a response from Yad Vashem since allegations arose in June 2013 from a group of historians and activists in Italy and abroad that Palatucci was unworthy of the title. In 2006 the EMSB named the former Wagar High School building in Côte St. Luc the Giovanni Palatucci Facility after the man who was revered worldwide for rescuing as many as 5,000 Jews from deportation to Auschwitz. The matter had been referred to the Chairman of the Commission for the Designation of the Righteous. Irena Steinfeldt, director of the Righteous Among the Nations Department at Yad Vashem, informed the EMSB that two and a half years after the allegations first came forward about Palatucci “we have not received any documentation that justifies resubmitting the file to the Commission. I haven’t heard from the Primo Levi Institute, who initiated the story in the New York Times, nor have I received a report from the historians’ commission that was established in Italy. As far as we are concerned, Giovanni Palatucci is on the list of the Righteous."
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| Presenting the award. |
DKG AWARD: Bev Townsend and Rena Entus were recently at Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent on behalf of DKG Gamma Province Quebec, to present an award to teacher, Gianna Melillo,with improving her classroom materials and subsequent teaching instructions. Log on to www.gammaquebec.weebly.com.
MICROSOFT SHOWCASE SCHOOL: LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent has been selected as a 2015-2016 Microsoft Showcase School for its excellence in transforming its learning environment to deliver more personalized education to students, using mobile and cloud technology to better prepare students for success in the workplace. LaurenHill joins an exclusive community of over 400 premier schools from around the world, recognized to celebrate their truly pioneering efforts and innovation in rethinking teaching, learning and assessment in order to drive deep 21st century competencies. LaurenHill is presently in its second year as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) school. Teachers have enthusiastically began flipping classrooms, using skype in the classroom, and using collaborative tools to help increase student engagement and learning.
“I am very happy with Vice-Principal Michael Brown’s initiative in helping us being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School,” ommented LaurenHill Principal Claude Dansereau. “This is an amazing honor and recognition of the passion our teachers and staff have for creating the best learning environments possible. We look forward to sharing our experiences with other schools in our community and the world to continue finding innovative ways to equip our students with the proper tools needed for success inside and outside of the classroom.
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| Michael Brown |
“I am very happy with Vice-Principal Michael Brown’s initiative in helping us being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School,” ommented LaurenHill Principal Claude Dansereau. “This is an amazing honor and recognition of the passion our teachers and staff have for creating the best learning environments possible. We look forward to sharing our experiences with other schools in our community and the world to continue finding innovative ways to equip our students with the proper tools needed for success inside and outside of the classroom.
SEX ED FOR PARENTS: Roslyn Elementary School in Westmount will have its annual Parent Education Evening. On Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. CJAD’s Dr. Laurie Betito will be the guest speaker and will address topics such as communication with children about sex and gender ( when, why, how); the family as a source of knowledge and attitudes about sexuality and gender (including the family’s cultural background, religion, and particular approach to these topics); dealing with the sexualized environment (music, movies, tv, adds, internet, etc.); mediating this environment for our children; and best (or least damaging) ways to react to (or pre-empt) children’s adoption of sexualized vocabulary and imagery from the media. “We think this will be a timely lecture, considering the interest generated by the sex ed program in Ontario, and the issues that we deal with on a daily basis in schools,” says Vice Principal Rosana Caplan.
WE DAY: Wednesdays have a whole new meaning for students in the B.A.S.E. Daycare program at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount as leading up to Free the Children’s “We Day” in February, students will learn a new lesson from the organization. The initiative began in late November and will teach students about Free the Children and their various causes throughout the world, focusing on the importance of education and being proactive citizens within their community and abroad. Students will also participate in various local campaigns, such as the We Scare Hunger food drive, the annual Halloween food-drive. The highlight of the program will be attending Free the Children’s “We Day” in February. This annual event brings together tens of thousands of youth to celebrate a year of action that has and will continue to transform communities and change lives. We Day Wednesdays was spearheaded by Vince Lacroce, Spiritual Community Animator, Nesbitt's B.A.S.E Program, and International Baccalaureate student Kayla Panacui. Wednesdays have a whole new meaning for students in the B.A.S.E. Daycare program at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount as leading up to Free the Children’s “We Day” in February, students will learn a new lesson from the organization.
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| Nesbitt students get into the spirit. |
The initiative began in late November and will teach students about Free the Children and their various causes throughout the world, focusing on the importance of education and being proactive citizens within their community and abroad. Students will also participate in various local campaigns, such as the We Scare Hunger food drive, the annual Halloween food-drive. The highlight of the program will be attending Free the Children’s “We Day” in February. This annual event brings together tens of thousands of youth to celebrate a year of action that has and will continue to transform communities and change lives.
HOLIDAY SEASON CARDS: Dante Elementary School Italian teachers Giovanni Campoli and Franca Mambro took part in creating holiday season cards for the Montreal Children's Hospital. The Foundation selected three winners from Dante: Sabrina D'Andrea, Paolo Ciccarelli and Julia Damiano. Sabrina D'Andrea's holiday card was printed and sold by the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation to many companies and individuals. All money collected from the sales will be donated to the hospital.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE: Whatever the weather might be outside, there was plenty of smiles, cheer and warmth inside the Ronald McDonald House in Côte des Neiges on December 10 as students from General Vanier once again participated in the Share-A-Meal program. For the third straight year, students in Grades 4 to 6 as well as parent volunteers continued the holiday tradition of preparing a meal for the children and families. When students are not hard at work cooking and serving the hearty meal of pasta, salad and a variety of desserts, they engaged in a variety of activities with the children, such as cookie decorating and snowflake making. Students also donated brand-new or slightly used toys and all proceeds from a Dress Down Day that was held in November. “We are so excited that we will be continuing this holiday tradition this year,” said General Vanier parent volunteer Lida Rinaldi. “On behalf of all PPO members, we wish to extend our fondest holiday wishes to everyone, most especially our friends at the Ronald McDonald House, we hope that our children will be able to bring some holiday cheer into your lives.” In order to continuously make the event a success, General Vanier has once again partnered with Aramark Catering, Lafrenaie Bakery, Charcuterie Noel, LT Traiteur and Boulangerie Del Sole in order to provide the healthy and delicious meal. See the video.
LMAC GRAD SAYS CHEESE: Fromagerie Fuoco, owned by Laurier Macdonald High School grad Jason Fuoco, secured two distinctive titles at the World Cheese Awards competition in Birmingham, England on November 26. Its Fuoco cheese won Super Gold Cheese
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| Jason Fuoco |
As the cheesemaker behind Fuoco, Jason says that at the age of 21 he knew he wanted to create a cheese that would be unique in Quebec, and decided to work with water buffalo milk, making him the second entrepreneur in the province to raise water buffalo. Since 2012, Jason has been making his cheese at the Fromagiers de La Table Ronde—a cheese factory located in Saint Sophie just 10 km away from his farm. The Fuoco Farm is located in St-Lin-Laurentides in the Lanaudière region. It is home to 45 water buffalo of Bulgarian, Murrah and Mediterranean Italian descent. Jason acquired his first herd of six water buffalo from Vancouver Island in 2011 and a second herd of 21 from Sterling, Ontario in 2012. Jason's mom is EMSB B.A.S.E. Daycare manager Rosa Fuoco.
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| The OPCM. |
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| Our Lady of Pompei anthem singers. |
ARCTIC HOCKEY: The St. Léonard/Montreal Nord Arctic and the EMSB continue to enjoy an excellent partnership. Tickets were distributed for four games to Honoré-Mercier Elementary School in St. Léonard; Our Lady of Pompei and St. Dorothy Elementary Schools; Pierre de Coubertin and General Vanier Elementary. Players visited Honoré-Mercier Elementary School and Pierre de Coubertin and received a warm greetings.
Our Lady of Pompei students Italia Pece, Cassandra Trovini-Neri, Sofia Arcuri and Stefania Zambardi sing O Canada
WESTMOUNT PREFECTS: For many years the Prefect students of Westmount High School have been collecting canned goods for Share the Warmth Foundation, which feeds over 1,200 people per month using their food bank, and also give training, tutoring and workshops for adults and children in various domains. This year, once again, the residents in the City of Westmount have generously given non perishable food items for our students to collect.
"As advisors for the students, we love to see their smiles during this charitable work," stated teachers Trudy Fairservice, Christina Drakopoulos and Evan Leclair. "Learning to help others at a young age is a lesson we hope they will maintain well into their adult life. We congratulate our students for their ongoing charity work, and commend Share the Warmth for all that they do during the year."
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| Donna Manos performs the opening faceoff. |
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| Share the Warmth at Westmount High. |
PHOTOS: New photos of the EMSB Board and School Administrators are now on the ePortal. The photos are filed by alphabetical order as well as by school for ease of use. Please click here for a direct link to the Communications ePortal site. If you are an administrator (Principal, Vice-Principal, Manager, Director, Assistant-Director, Officer) and do not have your photo on the portal, please attach a recent photo of you to an e-mail with your full name, title and place of work and I will add you to the directory.Please note that the administrator photos on the OLD INTRANET is no longer up-to-date and should not be used anymore.
BLACK THEATRE WORKSHOP SCHOOL TOUR: For Black History Month in February, Black Theatre Workshop will present Binti’s Journey, adapted by Marcia Johnson, from the novel The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis, directed by Lynda Hill, in association with Théâtre Direct. Binti’s Journey tells the story of Binti Phiri, the young star of a popular Malawi radio program “Gogo’s Family”. After losing her home and family to AIDS and enduring separation from her siblings, 13 year-old Binti finds her way to her Grandmother’s village and discovers a deeper understanding of the power of family and community. Deborah Ellis’s acclaimed novel for youth addressing the human impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa is brought to life through the power of drama, storytelling, dance and music in an inspiring theatrical production. “Binti’s Journey is the kind of production that encourages young audiences to crave theatre,” says Now Magazine. The show is appropriate for ages 11 and up. On tour from February 1 to 19, 2016. To book a visit to your school, contact Black Theatre Workshop at 514-932-1104 ext. 228 or email events@blacktheatreworkshop.ca.
MUSEUM EXPERIENCE: Rembrandt and Renoir took a back seat on November 25 as artwork created by students at John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel was the center of attention at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in a special vernissage. Called “Heart for Art,” the initiative, which was spearheaded by visionary local artist Thibault Zimmer along with Youth Fusion and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, began as a simple project with students in the school’s Work Oriented Training Path (WOTP) program. Students were asked to ponder a simple question: “What does the heart mean to you?” Through a series of discussions and brainstorming sessions, students engaged with the subject and were encouraged to bring their own interpretations into the project. They were then guided through a multi-step process, which included drafting their ideas, choosing a medium, sketching a mock-up and finally producing a finished work of art. For many of the students involved, it was their first foray into such a detailed process.
“The finished works were so captivating that it would have been a shame not to share them with the community. We held a vernissage in May, but the Museum of Fine Arts was so impressed by the students’ work that they granted space to showcase a select number of pieces.” said Stefan Kazamias, a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School. “We are quite proud of what our students have been able to achieve and honored that their works will be hanging in the hallowed halls of our city’s greatest monument to the arts.” See the video.
ENCOUNTERS WITH CANADA: Every year, Encounters with Canada - the country’s leading youth forum - welcomes students aged 14 to 17 from across the EMSB. The students join teens from across the country at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Ottawa, for an unforgettable week of bilingual workshops, outings and cultural events. They learn about Canadian institutions, meet accomplished Canadians, explore exciting career options and develop their civic leadership skills. They experience Canada’s diverse culture and heritage, learn about contemporary issues, and explore their own potential. More than 100,000 students have already lived the experience! Encounters with Canada offers a choice of 13 different themes, each one week long: Arts & Culture; Canada Remembers; Democracy & Youth; Experience Canada; First Responders; International Relations; Journalism & Communications; Law & Our Justice System; Medicine & Health; Science & Ecology; Science & Technology; Sports & Fitness; and Vimy: Canada’s Coming of Age.
Encounters with Canada is open to all students aged 14 to 17, and approximately 130 teens from across the country take part each week. The EMSB offers 20 subsidies each year, with a maximum of two per school. For more information about this year’s program, subsidies and registration, contact your school’s guidance counsellor or Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant, Career Development at thall@emsb.qc.ca or (514) 483-7200, ext. 7818. For additional information about Encounters with Canada, go to www.ewc-rdc.ca.
AUTHOR AVAILABLE TO SPEAK: Dr. Sima Goel is the author of the mémoire, Fleeing the Hijab: a Jewish Woman’s Escape from Iran, published in March 2014. Her book has been described as inspiring and riveting and she has a valuable lesson to share with students. As the beginning of the new school year is upon us, she is inviting high school teachers who wish to teach their students the importance of freedom of expression, resilience, compassion and empathy from a firsthand source. “Mine is a true story - my quest to live a life with freedom of choice—from matters of dress, to education, to political and religious expression –things I dreamed of while a young girl under house arrest in Shiraz,” said Dr. Goel. “I was challenged to keep my creative soul alive while living under great repression, and I learned what it means to counter despair with the power of the human heart. As a teenager, I faced great dangers after I spontaneously defended a Baha’i classmate, an action that eventually led to my flight across the desert. My mémoire is a testament to the human need for freedom of expression and to the power of forgiveness and empathy. In every way, this book is a love story to the free world and will remind the reader of this country’s greatest strength: the right to be the person you were born to be. I do believe that I have an exceptional and unique story to share. I would very much welcome the opportunity to speak with your students. I have already shared my story through a number of different platforms and I have seen people of all ages respond enthusiastically to my message.”
Dr. Goel notes that this is an election year across North America. She believes it is time for youth to absorb her message in hope that they will realize how truly they are to live in open democracies. She can be reached at drsimagoel@gmail.com. Log on to www.fleeingthehijab.com.
KIDS HELP PHONE: Kids Help Phone/Jeunesse, J’écoute has launched a new service for young men aged 14 to 18; a segment that is 31 per cent less likely to discuss mental and emotional health issues than girls, and 36 per cent less likely to talk about suicide and suicide related issues and yet death by suicide among males is four times higher. Kids Help Phone/Jeunesse, J’écoute recognized the need to create a resource to address the unique needs of teen guys and through a youth Advisory Committee and various focus groups conceived BroTalk/Coin des Gars. With funding from the Movember Foundation, a dedicated online support zone and referral service for teen guys aged 14 to 18 is now available. Designed with young men in mind, the new service aims to improve help seeking behaviour in young men through supports like Live Chat, online resources and interactive tools. Log on to to http://brotalk.ca and http://coindesgars.ca. Schools are encouraged to call Suzanne Gautier-Duff at 514-948-8355 Suzanne Gautier-Duff or email Suzanne.Gautier-Duff@jeunessejecoute.ca.
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.
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. Check this Global TV report on Tea with Nanna at Nesbitt.
EMSB RADIO GUIDE: EMSB Radio can now be heard via SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform. Sound Cloud 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.
BIG CLEANUP: Year after year, Montrealers of all ages are invited to take part in the Big Cleanup. This program helps to beautify public or private places, parks, alleys, sports fields and schoolyards. It involves the community in an eco-responsible project. Organizers are called upon schools to mobilize massively and get children involved for a successful sixth edition of the Big Cleanup. The city can provide garbage and recycling bags, garden picks, rakes, brooms or shovels. It can also supply t-shirts for special school draws. This cool activity is an opportunity to show community leadership, and teach children about garbage and recycling containers. It is a great way to take care of the environment and make new friends for the new school year. See this flyer for how to join. You must register your Big Cleanup project at least 72 hours in advance to receive your material, organizer’s guide and safety instructions. Info: Julie Millette
514 872-0588 or julie.millette@ville.montreal.qc.ca
CENTAUR THEATRE OF TOMORROW PROGRAM: Centaur Theatre Company announces its Luminous Theatre of Tomorrow (TOT) Program for the 2015-2016 Season. The TOT program makes live English theatre accessible to High School students at a discounted price. Tickets remain at $16 for another year thanks to our sponsors. Program benefits include a teacher’s guide providing background information, discussion topics and improvisation activities; and talkback sessions following the performances where students meet the cast, voice their comments and ask questions. For schedule and teacher’s guide, go to http://www.centaurtheatre.com/schools.html. For Bookings and inquiries email groups@centaurtheatre.com or call 514-288-1229 x245
Additionally, Centaur hosts the SATURDAY MORNING CHILDREN SERIES for younger siblings!
Fun, affordable family entertainment to awaken the imagination and introduce children to the enchanting world of theatre. On select Saturday mornings throughout the season, young children and their families enjoy affordable and engaging live performances by some of Montreal’s best talent for kids. The Saturday Morning Children’s Series programs local and touring artists. Some are established companies while others are independent, emerging or aspiring professionals. Check out the line up at www.centaurtheatre.com/children-s-theatre.html.
Now over 30 years old, Centaur Theatre is proud to present new theatre for young audiences and their families, and is dedicated to continuing its community-minded children’s programming. Ticket Prices: Adults: $8.00 Children: $6.00. Limited Seating Available – book your tickets now! Tickets available by calling 514-288-3161.
ON THIS DAY by Alexandria Haber - February 9 - March 6 (TOT performance matinees Feb 24 @ 1PM or March 2 at 1PM) The road to happiness is paved with potholes, detours and toll booths. In this disarming comedy-drama, a bickering couple driving to a friend's birthday party may or may not have hit a young woman who came out of nowhere... they can't agree. To keep an eye on her, they insist she join them at the celebration. As the day unfolds and the wine flows, the meaning of happiness becomes the focus of discussion and the mysterious stranger’s curiosity and unflinching honesty provide new fodder for the couples to re-examine their lives and key relationships. Is the pursuit of happiness still at the root of every life choice or has it become a forgotten dream?
BUS STOPS by Marilyn Perrault (Théâtre I.N.K.) - March 1 - 27 (TOT performance matinees March 9 @ 1PM, March 16 @ 12PM, March 23 @ 12PM)
BUS STOPS is the story of several passengers on a city bus when an explosion on the bus kills everyone travelling on it. The first images which appear in the news media are those from a cell phone. The immediate conclusion from news reports is that this tragedy is an act of terrorism. However, as the drama unfolds, it appears that this may not necessarily be the case. The explosion rips apart the fabric of the bus and, metaphorically, piece by piece, reveals the interwoven lives of ordinary individuals fatefully thrown together by a senseless tragedy.
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 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 Patrick Lloyd-Brennan (plbrennan@segalcentre.org) at 514-739-2301 ext. 8360 for more information.
AFTER-SCHOOL AND CAMP PROGRAMMING: The Segal Centre Academy offers a wide variety of after-school musical theatre training courses. There is Broadway Stars, Grades 2 to 8, which offers training in classic and contemporary musical theatre; Young Artists for Young Audiences, (YAYA), Grades 2 to 6 (YAYA Kids) & 7- to 11 (YAYA Teens) which provides musical theatre training from the perspective of Jewish heritage and Yiddish culture; the new Glee Academy - Grades 4 to 8, which gives kids the chance to build their confidence by learning to sing, dance and perform in an environment that’s friendly, supportive and nurturing and also new, Acting Up- grades 2-6, a Sunday morning class that focuses primarily on theatre. All courses run from October 2015-June 2016. Segal Centre Camps include one for SPRING BREAK- February 29 to March 4 and SUMMER CAMP- offered in 2 sessions- July 4 to 15 and August 1 to 12, 2016. Camps are open to kids in Grades 2 to 6.
Registration now open! http://www.segalcentre.org/whats-on/academy/courses-for-kids/ For more information, please contact: Liana Wiener at .739.2301 x8331 (lwiener@segalcentre.org).
PROMOTIONAL ITEMS: Funkins (www.funkins.ca) was a sponsor of the EMSB’s most recent Volunteer Appreciation Evening. They are a leading supplier of customized promotional products. Call or email Steven Mitchell at 514-333-9552 or steven@funkins.ca.
SHAKESPEARE SELFIE: The web page for the 2016 CBC "Shakespeare Selfie" writing challenge for students grades 7-9 and 10-12 is live on CBC Books. The writing challenge will take place in April 2016.Here's the link:http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/10/the-2016-shakespeare-selfie-writing-challenge-for-students.html
This page is your destination for everything about the challenge. As we get more details, this page will be updated. The 2016 Shakespeare Selfie is a great way to incorporate current affairs, creative writing and - of course - Shakespeare into the classroom. Info: jennifer.warren@cbc.ca
ÉDITION DU 17 DÉCEMBRE 2015 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM
LA CSEM DÉNONCE LE PROJET DE LOI 86: La Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) dénonce les propositions déposées par le gouvernement du Québec visant à restructurer les commissions scolaires en limitant le droit du public d’élire les commissaires au sein de ces institutions. Le projet de loi déposé à l’Assemblée Nationale par le ministre de l’Éducation François Blais, ne propose rien qui pourrait améliorer les conditions d’apprentissage des élèves et faciliter la réussite scolaire. Ce projet de loi pourrait également mettre en péril le système d’éducation anglophone dont les écoles se classent, année après année, parmi les meilleures du Québec.
« Je suis profondément déçue de la proposition du ministre Blais qui manipule la structure démocratique des commissions scolaires. Cependant, je ne suis pas surprise, mentionne Angela Mancini, présidente de la CSEM. En effet, le ministre a catégoriquement refusé de nous rencontrer et de nous consulter sur les problèmes qu’il souhaite régler dans notre système d’éducation afin de trouver des solutions appropriées et pratiques. Le résultat est que le projet de loi ne nous permettra pas d’atteindre les objectifs que s’étaient fixés le gouvernement pour améliorer les conditions et les perspectives d’apprentissage pour les futures générations d’élèves à travers la province. »
L’implication de la communauté dans la gouvernance des commissions scolaires du Québec est déjà bien réelle. La proposition du ministre de limiter le nombre de sièges des commissaires élus démocratiquement sur les nouveaux conseils scolaires réduit le droit de l’ensemble des citoyens, qu’ils soient parents ou non, de faire entendre leur voix sur la structure et la gestion de ces piliers de notre société. La CSEM apprécie la contribution inestimable des commissaires parents qui siègent actuellement à nos conseils. Nous désirons donc poursuivre cette coopération à l’intérieur d’une structure qui protège le droit de l’ensemble des citoyens de s’impliquer dans la gestion de nos écoles.
ANGELA À MA TV.: La présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, a été invitée à la nouvelle émission City Life de Videotron Ma TV pour parler des choix d’éducation. Voici le lien : http://matv.ca/montreal/mes-emissions/citylife/videos/4587213006001
SPIRIT OF GIVING : En préparation pour la période des Fêtes, la CSEM s’est jointe, à nouveau, aux Forces armées canadiennes pour appuyer la campagne annuelle « Spirit of Giving » de CTV qui vient en aide aux personnes les moins fortunées de Montréal. Jusqu’au 11 décembre, des aliments non périssables, des jouets et des articles divers, tels que savons et fournitures de nettoyage ont été recueillis, triés et donnés à Partageons l’Espoir, le Fonds d’aide de l’Ouest de l’île, Renaissance Montréal, Multicaf, Share Store de Parc Extension, le Bon Dieu Dans la rue, les Centres de la Jeunesse et de la Famille Batshaw, la Mission Mile End, la Mosaïque et le Dépôt d’aliments de NDG. En tout, les efforts combinés des écoles de la CSEM génèreront plus de 600 boîtes d’aliments non périssables et plus de 40 000 jouets et articles.
CONCERT INTERNATIONAL: Le flair international de l’école primaire internationale Carlyle de Ville Mont Royal a été mis en vedette le 16 décembre alors que les élèves de la prématernelle à la 6e année ont présenté le concert d’hiver « Carlyle Around the World ». Le concert annuel a présenté des chansons, des danses et des présentations d’élèves et a mis en vedette la communauté multiculturelle qui rend l’école unique en son genre.
JOURNÉE DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ: Poursuivant une tradition de la période des Fêtes qui a débuté il y a de cela neuf ans, l’Académie John Caboto d’Ahuntsic a, à nouveau, ouvert ses portes à la communauté le 5 décembre. Point saillant du calendrier des familles de l’Académie John Caboto et des environs, l’école a organisé encore une fois une série d’activités pour les enfants incluant un magicien, une séance de maquillage, la décoration d’ornements, un zoo de reptiles ainsi que l’occasion de déjeuner avec le Père Noël. Comme toujours, un photographe professionnel était présent pour donner l’occasion aux familles d’éviter les longues files d’attente au centre d’achats et de faire prendre une photo avec le Père Noël. « Il n’y a pas de prix d’entrée mais il est demandé aux participants d’apporter des biens non périssables qui seront remis à la campagne « Spirit of Giving » a déclaré Rosie Sederico, présidente du conseil d’établissement de l’Académie John Caboto. « Grâce à la générosité de la communauté, nous avons reçu des aliments et des prix que nous vendons et dont le produit est remis au Téléthon des Étoiles » a ajouté la directrice, Lucy Buscemi. « C’est un évènement merveilleux qui est devenu une tradition de notre école.
CORRIDOR VERT DE MONTRÉAL-NORD: L’arrondissement de Montréal-Nord a signé une importante entente avec la Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’île (CSPI) et la CSEM pour la mise en place d’un projet innovateur de Corridor Vert. Ce projet concerne les zones entre Pascal (nord), Renoir (sud), Rolland (est) et Laurier (ouest). Il est unique par le fait que sur ce petit espace d’un demi-kilomètre se trouvent cinq écoles, deux parcs, un centre/une bibliothèque de communauté culturelle, une aréna et une piscine publique. Plus de 6 000 élèves, parents et enseignants passent journellement par cette zone. Les cinq écoles sont : l’école primaire Gerald McShane, l’école secondaire Lester B. Pearson de la CSEM, l’école secondaire Henri Bourassa, l’école primaire Jules Verne et l’école Adélard-Desrosiers. La directrice de Gerald McShane, Christina Chilelli, la vice-présidente de la CSEM et conseillère municipale de l’arrondissement de Montréal-Nord, Sylvia Lo Bianco, accompagnées de trois élèves, se sont jointes au maire Gilles Deguire.
« Au cours des cinq prochaines années, nous déploierons des efforts considérables afin de créer un environnement plaisant, accessible, actif et convivial » explique le maire de l’arrondissement Gilles Deguire. « Avec le projet du Corridor Vert, nous apporterons de la couleur dans les vies de milliers d’élèves, d’usagers et de résidents. »
L’entente entre les deux commissions scolaires englobe : faire partie d’une discussion de table ronde avec l’arrondissement; participer à la production et à la mise en œuvre d’un portefeuille intégré de projet; définir les besoins d’espaces verts, de développement, de mobilité et de mobilisation; appuyer l’élaboration d’un programme éducatif et un environnement d’animation; collaborer avec les organisations locales qui pourraient être impliquées à divers aspects de ce projet.
« Avec le Corridor Vert, nous pouvons créer un espace de vie plus plaisant et une circulation plus sécuritaire » déclare le président de la CSPI, Miville Boudreault. « Nous sommes heureux de participer à cette initiative de l’arrondissement. »
La présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, a félicité l’arrondissement pour cette initiative impressionnante. « La CSEM a déjà son propre Plan Vert et elle est prête à faire tout son possible pour éduquer ses élèves au sujet de l’environnement et d’en faire de meilleurs citoyens. »
Les détails du projet du Corridor Vert seront annoncés à l’automne de 2016, suite aux travaux de la table ronde. Les interventions incluraient : la plantation d’arbres et de verdure, l’agriculture urbaine et le développement de zones ombragées; la pose de passages et d’autres liens entre les écoles, des bâtiments publics et des parcs; l’étude de l’impact des tendances de circulation; des incitatifs pour utiliser le transport collectif; examiner plus attentivement la façon dont les élèves montent et descendent des autobus scolaires et une meilleure utilisation des espaces publics.
ALOUETTES ET B.A.S.E.: Les joueurs des Alouettes de Montréal, Kyries Hebert (no 34) et Nicolas Boulay (no 52) ont visité les services de garde B.A.S.E. de Général Vanier et de Our Lady of Pompei pour co-animer le programme BOKS avec les entraineurs chefs qui sont des éducateurs de services de garde. Hebert (no 34) était à Général Vanier et Boulay (no 52) à Our Lady of Pompei le 14 décembre. Le programme de Services de garde B.A.S.E. a placé une forte emphase sur l’augmentation des niveaux d’activité physique de ces élèves, par le biais de divers programmes et est enchanté d’avoir formé un partenariat avec BOKS Canada. BOKS est l’acronyme de « Build Our Kids ». C’est un programme gratuit d’activité physique conçu pour des élèves du primaire. Le programme est dispensé aussitôt que possible dans la journée car de nombreuses études ont démontré que les effets d’être physiquement actif sont les plus bénéfiques lorsque l’activité physique a lieu au début de la journée.
MUR D’ESCALADE: Les élèves de l’école Royal Vale de NDG atteignent de nouveaux sommets grâce au mur d’escalade intérieur offert par le Club de tennis Côte-de-Liesse. Le mur d’escalade a été officiellement inauguré le 25 novembre. Le mur, qui a été construit à l’intérieur d’un terrain de squash rénové, complémente le programme d’athlétisme florissant de l’école. Avec l’introduction récente d’un programme de hockey, les élèves ont commencé à affluer à Royal Vale pour son programme d’athlétisme en sus de sa réputation de mathématiques et de science de première classe. La directrice, Nathalie Lacroix-Maillette souligne que ce projet a été en préparation pendant deux ans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtpZt6B5B20
ÉDUCATION SEXUELLE POUR LES PARENTS: L’école primaire de Roslyn de Westmount tiendra sa réunion annuelle d’éducation des parents. Le jeudi 21 janvier à 19 h 30, le Dr Laurie Betito de CJAD sera la conférencière invitée et abordera des sujets tels que la communication avec les enfants au sujet du sexe (quand, pourquoi, comment); de la famille comme source de connaissances et d’attitudes au sujet de la sexualité et du sexe (incluant l’héritage culturel de la famille, la religion et l’approche particulière de ces sujets); traiter avec l’environnement sexualisé (musique, films, télévision, annonces, Internet, etc.); arbitrer cet environnement pour nos enfants; et meilleures (ou moins dommageables) façons de réagir à (ou prévenir) l’adoption par l’enfant de vocabulaire et d’imagerie sexualisée des médias. « Nous pensons que ce sera une présentation opportune considérant l’intérêt généré par le programme d’éducation sexuelle en Ontario et les problèmes auxquels nous devons faire face journellement à l’école » déclare la directrice adjointe, Rosana Caplan.
MAISON RONALD McDONALD: Quelle que soit la température à l’extérieur, il y avait beaucoup de sourires, de joie et de chaleur le 10 décembre à l’intérieur de la Maison Ronald McDonald de Côte-des-Neiges alors que les élèves de l’école Général Vanier ont participé à nouveau au programme Share-A-Meal. Pour la troisième année consécutive, les élèves de la 4e à la 6e année, ainsi que des parents bénévoles ont maintenu la tradition de préparer un repas pour les enfants et leurs familles. Lorsque les élèves ne sont pas occupés à cuisiner et servir le repas de pâtes, salade et desserts variés, ils participent à une variété d’activités avec les enfants, telles que décoration de biscuits et fabrication de flocons de neige en papier. Les élèves ont aussi fait don de jouets neufs ou légèrement usagés et de tout le produit d’une journée de ‘tenue décontractée’ tenue en novembre. « Nous sommes très heureux de maintenir cette tradition de la période des Fêtes cette année » déclare Lida Rinaldi, parente bénévole de Général Vanier. « Au nom de tous les membres de l’OPP, nous transmettons nos meilleurs vœux à tout le monde et, particulièrement, à nos amis de la Maison Ronald McDonald. Nous espérons que nos enfants pourront apporter un peu de joie dans vos vies. » Afin de pouvoir continuer à faire de cet évènement un succès, Général Vanier a, à nouveau, conclu un partenariat avec Aramark Catering, la boulangerie Lafrenaie, Charcuterie Noël, L T Traiteur et Boulangerie Del Sole afin d’offrir le sain et délicieux repas.
RENCONTRES DU CANADA: Chaque année, Rencontres du Canada – le forum jeunesse du pays – accueille des élèves de la CSEM âgés de 14 à 17 ans. Ces élèves se joignent à des adolescents d’à travers le pays au Centre de la jeunesse Terry Fox à Ottawa pour une semaine inoubliable d’ateliers bilingues, de sorties et d’évènements culturels. Ils apprennent à connaître les institutions canadiennes, rencontre des canadiens talentueux, explore des options intéressantes de carrières et développent leurs habiletés de leadership civique. Ils font l’expérience de la diversité de l’héritage et de la culture du Canada, et explorent leur propre potentiel. Plus de 100 000 élèves ont déjà vécu cette expérience! Rencontres du Canada offre un choix de 13 différents thèmes d’une semaine chacun : arts et culture, le Canada se souvient, Démocratie et jeunesse, Expérience Canada, Premiers répondants, Relations internationales, Journalisme et communications, Loi et notre système de justice, Médecine et santé, Sciences et écologie, Sciences et technologie, Sports et forme physique et Vimy : le passage pour l’autonomie du Canada.
Rencontres du Canada est ouvert à tous les élèves âgés de 14 à 17 ans et près de 130 adolescents d’à travers le pays y participent chaque semaine. La CSEM offre 20 subventions chaque année avec un maximum de deux par école. Pour plus de renseignements au sujet du programme de cette année, des subventions et des inscriptions, communiquer avec le conseiller d’orientation de votre école ou Travis Hall, conseiller pédagogique, Développement de carrières à thall@emsb.qc.ca ou téléphoner au 514-483-7200, poste 7818. Pour des renseignements additionnels au sujet de Rencontres du Canada, visitez www.ewc-rdc.ca.
JEUNESSE, J’ÉCOUTE: Jeunesse, J’écoute a lancé un nouveau service pour les jeunes gens âgés de 14 à 18 ans; un segment qui est de 31 pour cent moins porté à discuter de questions de santé mentale et émotive que les filles et 36 pour cent moins porté à parler du suicide et de questions reliées au suicide et, pourtant, le taux de suicide parmi les mâles est quatre fois plus élevé. Jeunesse, J’écoute a reconnu le besoin de créer une ressource pour aborder les besoins uniques des adolescents et, par le biais d’un comité consultatif et de divers groupes de travail, a conçu le Coin des Gars. Avec le financement de la Fondation Movember, une zone en ligne d’aide de soutien et de service d’étude de cas pour les adolescents âgés de 14 à 18 ans est maintenant disponible. Conçu pour les jeunes hommes, le nouveau service vise à améliorer le comportement de recherche d’aide chez les jeunes hommes par le biais de soutien tel que Live Chat, outils de ressources en ligne et interactives : http://brotalk.ca et http://coindesgars.ca. Les écoles sont encouragées à appeler Suzanne Gautier-Duff au 514-948-8355, ou par courriel Suzanne.Gautier-Duff@jeunessejecoute.ca.
The next Focus will be published on January 28. Submissions should be made to Michael J. Cohen preferably by e-mail (mcohen@emsb.qc.ca) by January 22 at Noon.
LA CSEM DÉNONCE LE PROJET DE LOI 86: La Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) dénonce les propositions déposées par le gouvernement du Québec visant à restructurer les commissions scolaires en limitant le droit du public d’élire les commissaires au sein de ces institutions. Le projet de loi déposé à l’Assemblée Nationale par le ministre de l’Éducation François Blais, ne propose rien qui pourrait améliorer les conditions d’apprentissage des élèves et faciliter la réussite scolaire. Ce projet de loi pourrait également mettre en péril le système d’éducation anglophone dont les écoles se classent, année après année, parmi les meilleures du Québec.
« Je suis profondément déçue de la proposition du ministre Blais qui manipule la structure démocratique des commissions scolaires. Cependant, je ne suis pas surprise, mentionne Angela Mancini, présidente de la CSEM. En effet, le ministre a catégoriquement refusé de nous rencontrer et de nous consulter sur les problèmes qu’il souhaite régler dans notre système d’éducation afin de trouver des solutions appropriées et pratiques. Le résultat est que le projet de loi ne nous permettra pas d’atteindre les objectifs que s’étaient fixés le gouvernement pour améliorer les conditions et les perspectives d’apprentissage pour les futures générations d’élèves à travers la province. »
L’implication de la communauté dans la gouvernance des commissions scolaires du Québec est déjà bien réelle. La proposition du ministre de limiter le nombre de sièges des commissaires élus démocratiquement sur les nouveaux conseils scolaires réduit le droit de l’ensemble des citoyens, qu’ils soient parents ou non, de faire entendre leur voix sur la structure et la gestion de ces piliers de notre société. La CSEM apprécie la contribution inestimable des commissaires parents qui siègent actuellement à nos conseils. Nous désirons donc poursuivre cette coopération à l’intérieur d’une structure qui protège le droit de l’ensemble des citoyens de s’impliquer dans la gestion de nos écoles.
ANGELA À MA TV.: La présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, a été invitée à la nouvelle émission City Life de Videotron Ma TV pour parler des choix d’éducation. Voici le lien : http://matv.ca/montreal/mes-emissions/citylife/videos/4587213006001
SPIRIT OF GIVING : En préparation pour la période des Fêtes, la CSEM s’est jointe, à nouveau, aux Forces armées canadiennes pour appuyer la campagne annuelle « Spirit of Giving » de CTV qui vient en aide aux personnes les moins fortunées de Montréal. Jusqu’au 11 décembre, des aliments non périssables, des jouets et des articles divers, tels que savons et fournitures de nettoyage ont été recueillis, triés et donnés à Partageons l’Espoir, le Fonds d’aide de l’Ouest de l’île, Renaissance Montréal, Multicaf, Share Store de Parc Extension, le Bon Dieu Dans la rue, les Centres de la Jeunesse et de la Famille Batshaw, la Mission Mile End, la Mosaïque et le Dépôt d’aliments de NDG. En tout, les efforts combinés des écoles de la CSEM génèreront plus de 600 boîtes d’aliments non périssables et plus de 40 000 jouets et articles.
CONCERT INTERNATIONAL: Le flair international de l’école primaire internationale Carlyle de Ville Mont Royal a été mis en vedette le 16 décembre alors que les élèves de la prématernelle à la 6e année ont présenté le concert d’hiver « Carlyle Around the World ». Le concert annuel a présenté des chansons, des danses et des présentations d’élèves et a mis en vedette la communauté multiculturelle qui rend l’école unique en son genre.
JOURNÉE DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ: Poursuivant une tradition de la période des Fêtes qui a débuté il y a de cela neuf ans, l’Académie John Caboto d’Ahuntsic a, à nouveau, ouvert ses portes à la communauté le 5 décembre. Point saillant du calendrier des familles de l’Académie John Caboto et des environs, l’école a organisé encore une fois une série d’activités pour les enfants incluant un magicien, une séance de maquillage, la décoration d’ornements, un zoo de reptiles ainsi que l’occasion de déjeuner avec le Père Noël. Comme toujours, un photographe professionnel était présent pour donner l’occasion aux familles d’éviter les longues files d’attente au centre d’achats et de faire prendre une photo avec le Père Noël. « Il n’y a pas de prix d’entrée mais il est demandé aux participants d’apporter des biens non périssables qui seront remis à la campagne « Spirit of Giving » a déclaré Rosie Sederico, présidente du conseil d’établissement de l’Académie John Caboto. « Grâce à la générosité de la communauté, nous avons reçu des aliments et des prix que nous vendons et dont le produit est remis au Téléthon des Étoiles » a ajouté la directrice, Lucy Buscemi. « C’est un évènement merveilleux qui est devenu une tradition de notre école.
CORRIDOR VERT DE MONTRÉAL-NORD: L’arrondissement de Montréal-Nord a signé une importante entente avec la Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’île (CSPI) et la CSEM pour la mise en place d’un projet innovateur de Corridor Vert. Ce projet concerne les zones entre Pascal (nord), Renoir (sud), Rolland (est) et Laurier (ouest). Il est unique par le fait que sur ce petit espace d’un demi-kilomètre se trouvent cinq écoles, deux parcs, un centre/une bibliothèque de communauté culturelle, une aréna et une piscine publique. Plus de 6 000 élèves, parents et enseignants passent journellement par cette zone. Les cinq écoles sont : l’école primaire Gerald McShane, l’école secondaire Lester B. Pearson de la CSEM, l’école secondaire Henri Bourassa, l’école primaire Jules Verne et l’école Adélard-Desrosiers. La directrice de Gerald McShane, Christina Chilelli, la vice-présidente de la CSEM et conseillère municipale de l’arrondissement de Montréal-Nord, Sylvia Lo Bianco, accompagnées de trois élèves, se sont jointes au maire Gilles Deguire.
« Au cours des cinq prochaines années, nous déploierons des efforts considérables afin de créer un environnement plaisant, accessible, actif et convivial » explique le maire de l’arrondissement Gilles Deguire. « Avec le projet du Corridor Vert, nous apporterons de la couleur dans les vies de milliers d’élèves, d’usagers et de résidents. »
L’entente entre les deux commissions scolaires englobe : faire partie d’une discussion de table ronde avec l’arrondissement; participer à la production et à la mise en œuvre d’un portefeuille intégré de projet; définir les besoins d’espaces verts, de développement, de mobilité et de mobilisation; appuyer l’élaboration d’un programme éducatif et un environnement d’animation; collaborer avec les organisations locales qui pourraient être impliquées à divers aspects de ce projet.
« Avec le Corridor Vert, nous pouvons créer un espace de vie plus plaisant et une circulation plus sécuritaire » déclare le président de la CSPI, Miville Boudreault. « Nous sommes heureux de participer à cette initiative de l’arrondissement. »
La présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, a félicité l’arrondissement pour cette initiative impressionnante. « La CSEM a déjà son propre Plan Vert et elle est prête à faire tout son possible pour éduquer ses élèves au sujet de l’environnement et d’en faire de meilleurs citoyens. »
Les détails du projet du Corridor Vert seront annoncés à l’automne de 2016, suite aux travaux de la table ronde. Les interventions incluraient : la plantation d’arbres et de verdure, l’agriculture urbaine et le développement de zones ombragées; la pose de passages et d’autres liens entre les écoles, des bâtiments publics et des parcs; l’étude de l’impact des tendances de circulation; des incitatifs pour utiliser le transport collectif; examiner plus attentivement la façon dont les élèves montent et descendent des autobus scolaires et une meilleure utilisation des espaces publics.
ALOUETTES ET B.A.S.E.: Les joueurs des Alouettes de Montréal, Kyries Hebert (no 34) et Nicolas Boulay (no 52) ont visité les services de garde B.A.S.E. de Général Vanier et de Our Lady of Pompei pour co-animer le programme BOKS avec les entraineurs chefs qui sont des éducateurs de services de garde. Hebert (no 34) était à Général Vanier et Boulay (no 52) à Our Lady of Pompei le 14 décembre. Le programme de Services de garde B.A.S.E. a placé une forte emphase sur l’augmentation des niveaux d’activité physique de ces élèves, par le biais de divers programmes et est enchanté d’avoir formé un partenariat avec BOKS Canada. BOKS est l’acronyme de « Build Our Kids ». C’est un programme gratuit d’activité physique conçu pour des élèves du primaire. Le programme est dispensé aussitôt que possible dans la journée car de nombreuses études ont démontré que les effets d’être physiquement actif sont les plus bénéfiques lorsque l’activité physique a lieu au début de la journée.
MUR D’ESCALADE: Les élèves de l’école Royal Vale de NDG atteignent de nouveaux sommets grâce au mur d’escalade intérieur offert par le Club de tennis Côte-de-Liesse. Le mur d’escalade a été officiellement inauguré le 25 novembre. Le mur, qui a été construit à l’intérieur d’un terrain de squash rénové, complémente le programme d’athlétisme florissant de l’école. Avec l’introduction récente d’un programme de hockey, les élèves ont commencé à affluer à Royal Vale pour son programme d’athlétisme en sus de sa réputation de mathématiques et de science de première classe. La directrice, Nathalie Lacroix-Maillette souligne que ce projet a été en préparation pendant deux ans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtpZt6B5B20
ÉDUCATION SEXUELLE POUR LES PARENTS: L’école primaire de Roslyn de Westmount tiendra sa réunion annuelle d’éducation des parents. Le jeudi 21 janvier à 19 h 30, le Dr Laurie Betito de CJAD sera la conférencière invitée et abordera des sujets tels que la communication avec les enfants au sujet du sexe (quand, pourquoi, comment); de la famille comme source de connaissances et d’attitudes au sujet de la sexualité et du sexe (incluant l’héritage culturel de la famille, la religion et l’approche particulière de ces sujets); traiter avec l’environnement sexualisé (musique, films, télévision, annonces, Internet, etc.); arbitrer cet environnement pour nos enfants; et meilleures (ou moins dommageables) façons de réagir à (ou prévenir) l’adoption par l’enfant de vocabulaire et d’imagerie sexualisée des médias. « Nous pensons que ce sera une présentation opportune considérant l’intérêt généré par le programme d’éducation sexuelle en Ontario et les problèmes auxquels nous devons faire face journellement à l’école » déclare la directrice adjointe, Rosana Caplan.
MAISON RONALD McDONALD: Quelle que soit la température à l’extérieur, il y avait beaucoup de sourires, de joie et de chaleur le 10 décembre à l’intérieur de la Maison Ronald McDonald de Côte-des-Neiges alors que les élèves de l’école Général Vanier ont participé à nouveau au programme Share-A-Meal. Pour la troisième année consécutive, les élèves de la 4e à la 6e année, ainsi que des parents bénévoles ont maintenu la tradition de préparer un repas pour les enfants et leurs familles. Lorsque les élèves ne sont pas occupés à cuisiner et servir le repas de pâtes, salade et desserts variés, ils participent à une variété d’activités avec les enfants, telles que décoration de biscuits et fabrication de flocons de neige en papier. Les élèves ont aussi fait don de jouets neufs ou légèrement usagés et de tout le produit d’une journée de ‘tenue décontractée’ tenue en novembre. « Nous sommes très heureux de maintenir cette tradition de la période des Fêtes cette année » déclare Lida Rinaldi, parente bénévole de Général Vanier. « Au nom de tous les membres de l’OPP, nous transmettons nos meilleurs vœux à tout le monde et, particulièrement, à nos amis de la Maison Ronald McDonald. Nous espérons que nos enfants pourront apporter un peu de joie dans vos vies. » Afin de pouvoir continuer à faire de cet évènement un succès, Général Vanier a, à nouveau, conclu un partenariat avec Aramark Catering, la boulangerie Lafrenaie, Charcuterie Noël, L T Traiteur et Boulangerie Del Sole afin d’offrir le sain et délicieux repas.
RENCONTRES DU CANADA: Chaque année, Rencontres du Canada – le forum jeunesse du pays – accueille des élèves de la CSEM âgés de 14 à 17 ans. Ces élèves se joignent à des adolescents d’à travers le pays au Centre de la jeunesse Terry Fox à Ottawa pour une semaine inoubliable d’ateliers bilingues, de sorties et d’évènements culturels. Ils apprennent à connaître les institutions canadiennes, rencontre des canadiens talentueux, explore des options intéressantes de carrières et développent leurs habiletés de leadership civique. Ils font l’expérience de la diversité de l’héritage et de la culture du Canada, et explorent leur propre potentiel. Plus de 100 000 élèves ont déjà vécu cette expérience! Rencontres du Canada offre un choix de 13 différents thèmes d’une semaine chacun : arts et culture, le Canada se souvient, Démocratie et jeunesse, Expérience Canada, Premiers répondants, Relations internationales, Journalisme et communications, Loi et notre système de justice, Médecine et santé, Sciences et écologie, Sciences et technologie, Sports et forme physique et Vimy : le passage pour l’autonomie du Canada.
Rencontres du Canada est ouvert à tous les élèves âgés de 14 à 17 ans et près de 130 adolescents d’à travers le pays y participent chaque semaine. La CSEM offre 20 subventions chaque année avec un maximum de deux par école. Pour plus de renseignements au sujet du programme de cette année, des subventions et des inscriptions, communiquer avec le conseiller d’orientation de votre école ou Travis Hall, conseiller pédagogique, Développement de carrières à thall@emsb.qc.ca ou téléphoner au 514-483-7200, poste 7818. Pour des renseignements additionnels au sujet de Rencontres du Canada, visitez www.ewc-rdc.ca.
JEUNESSE, J’ÉCOUTE: Jeunesse, J’écoute a lancé un nouveau service pour les jeunes gens âgés de 14 à 18 ans; un segment qui est de 31 pour cent moins porté à discuter de questions de santé mentale et émotive que les filles et 36 pour cent moins porté à parler du suicide et de questions reliées au suicide et, pourtant, le taux de suicide parmi les mâles est quatre fois plus élevé. Jeunesse, J’écoute a reconnu le besoin de créer une ressource pour aborder les besoins uniques des adolescents et, par le biais d’un comité consultatif et de divers groupes de travail, a conçu le Coin des Gars. Avec le financement de la Fondation Movember, une zone en ligne d’aide de soutien et de service d’étude de cas pour les adolescents âgés de 14 à 18 ans est maintenant disponible. Conçu pour les jeunes hommes, le nouveau service vise à améliorer le comportement de recherche d’aide chez les jeunes hommes par le biais de soutien tel que Live Chat, outils de ressources en ligne et interactives : http://brotalk.ca et http://coindesgars.ca. Les écoles sont encouragées à appeler Suzanne Gautier-Duff au 514-948-8355, ou par courriel Suzanne.Gautier-Duff@jeunessejecoute.ca.
The next Focus will be published on January 28. Submissions should be made to Michael J. Cohen preferably by e-mail (mcohen@emsb.qc.ca) by January 22 at Noon.
