NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR GENERAL: The Council of Commissioners of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) have announced the appointment of Russell Copeman as its Interim Director General, effective immediately.
“The current Council of Commissioners has been in office for less than a month, and we have a full plate of issues to address,” explains EMSB Chairman Joe Ortona . “These include first and foremost ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our students and their families, particularly during the ongoing pandemic. At the same time, our role is to set the strategic plan for the EMSB while hiring a permanent Director General – the one person who reports directly to the Council of Commissioners.
“Russell has the leadership skills and understanding of our education system to guide the EMSB and advise the Council of Commissioners over the next few months. We are fortunate to have a public servant of his calibre on our team.”
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| Russell Copeman |
For the past two years Mr. Copeman has served as Executive Director of the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) where he has provided dynamic and effective leadership on a wide range of issues ranging from opposition to Bill 40, the holding of commissioner elections in the middle of a pandemic and the school system’s response to COVID-19.
“I am excited about joining the school board with one of the highest student success rates in the province and on par with the private sector,” noted Mr. Copeman. “My goal is to work with my colleagues to build on this foundation. At the same time, I think I can be helpful as the EMSB continues to lead the opposition to legislation prohibiting the wearing of religious symbols by our teachers and defends the Quebec’s English community’s right to manage and control our school system.”
Prior to joining QESBA, Mr Copeman was Mayor of Cote-de-Neiges Notre-Dame-de-Grace and a member of the City of Montreal Executive Committee. He was Associate Vice-President, External Affairs for Concordia University and served as the Member of the National Assembly for Notre-Dame-de- Grace for 14 years.
“I also wish to thank Pelagia Nickoletopoulos for her support and her commitment to doing what is best for the EMSB,” added Mr. Ortona. “She agreed to serve as Interim Director General on a temporary basis while we looked for someone to take on the assignment for a transition period. She is a principled and talented leader who will provide Russell with valuable advice and counsel.”
Mr. Copeman is on loan to the EMSB by the QESBA while the Council of Commissioners proceeds with its search for a permanent Director General, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
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| Agostino Cannavino and Joe Ortona. |
COMMISSIONERS RETURN: The EMSB Council of Commissioners were officially sworn in on November 11. You can see the ceremony here
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| James Kromida and Joe Ortona. |
COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Commissioners vote for committee chairs and membership. Agostino Cannavino is Vice-Chair of the Board. More posts will be filled at a special meeting on December 2. For the complete list go to https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/about/governance/commissioners.
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| Caleigh Saucier and her three children. |
INTERVIEW WITH NEW CPC CHAIR: Newly elected as chair of the EMSB Parents Committee, Caleigh Saucier comes into the position with an impressive history of parent involvement .For nine years, on and off, Ms. Saucier has been a parent volunteer, attending monthly meetings of the EMSB Parents Committee (PC), which she now chairs. She started out on the Parent Participation Organization (PPO) at Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Park Extension, from the time her son started Kindergarten until Grade 4. She continued the PPO work at Parkdale Elementary School in St. Laurent, where he graduated. She helped form its Governing Board, where she was chair for one year and delegate for another, as well as assuming the position of its parent delegate for three years. Ms. Saucier’s son, 13, is currently in his second year at Marymount Academy International in NDG, where she sits on its Governing Board. She is also president of CSAssurance et Associés, where she works as a financial securities advisor and damage insurance broker. She is also mother three year old twin girls. We asked Caleigh Saucier some questions about what motivated her to take on this highest level in parental involvement in school governance and what she hopes to accomplish during her one-year mandate. Please see her full interview with Kristin McNeill here.
ANNUAL REPORT: Public notice is hereby given, in conformity with Section 220.1 of the Education Act that the Board’s Annual Report and Commitment-to-Success Plan will be presented on Thursday, January 14, 2020 at 7 p.m. by video conference. You must register by Noon that day with Brigida Sellato at bsellato@emsb.qc.ca in order to be sent a link.
SCHOOL SCHEDULE: The EMSB has received new directives from the Ministry of Education regarding the school schedules.
December 17 and 18: At the elementary level, teachers will remain in contact with their students during the two day period via phone calls, home-based assignments, activities, and where possible, video-conferencing through a variety of platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, etc. (this can be on any personal device available to the student – computer, tablet, phone, etc.). As per the Ministry’s directives, four schools shall remain open (Mackay-Philip A Layton, John Grant, LINKS and St. Raphael) during the two day period due to the specific needs of their students. Regular daycare services will be cancelled on those days. A few schools will be asked to keep their daycares open for emergency workers, first responders and medical personnel ONLY (as was done during the initial wave of the pandemic). At the High School level, students will be following their classes from home through virtual learning.
January 4 to 8: All elementary schools shall follow the established calendar and regular classes will resume with students present in class. Daycares will also be open for registered students. At the High School level, students will be following their classes from home through virtual learning.
January 11: Regular schedule resumes for High School students.
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The 2019-2020 audited financial statements of the EMSB were deposited at the special Board meeting of November 4, showing an operating deficit that exceeded the authorized deficit by $2.5 million. This represents under one percent of total revenue. The EMSB was able to appropriate (use) close to $7.3 million in 2019-2020 from the June 30, 2018 accumulated surplus for continued services to directly benefit students, including the continued investment in various initiatives, as well as direct allocations to schools for improvements to schools and centres. The actual operating deficit of $9.8 million was cushioned by this amount. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant temporary disruptions to the EMSB’s operations. Steps have and will continue to be taken in the aftermath of these events to minimize their impact. Given that the duration of the pandemic remains unknown, it is not possible to reliably estimate its impact.
SPIRIT OF GIVING: For more than a decade the EMSB has partnered with CTV Montreal for the Spirit of Giving campaign, collecting non-perishable goods, toiletries and toys to fill boxes to be donated to local charities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign will be collecting monetary donations exclusively online this year. Such a procedure was already in place for the last two years as an option. The CTV Spirit of Giving started out over 20 years ago as a food drive for local charities, and included collections from schools, as well as local businesses.
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| Last year's Spirit of Giving at Dunrae Gardens. |
It’s been a difficult year and lending a helping hand is more important than ever. The EMSB will be promoting the campaign through its schools and centres and encouraging donations. Schools which provide the most support will be featured on some CTV Montreal newscasts. Stay tuned for more information. “Our partner charities tell us that right now financial donations have a greater impact on fighting hunger and poverty in our community than collecting food,” says CTV Montreal News Director Jed Kahane. “Through bulk purchasing and reduced rates, our charitable organizations can stretch their buying power further than we could as individuals. Some of our partners also have other needs dealing with emergency services, mental health, shelter, and other education.”
The CTV Spirit of Giving campaign will collect monetary donations and distribute them equally to all charitable recipients. They contend that financial donations have a greater impact on fighting hunger in our community. Through bulk purchasing and reduced rates, every $10 you donate allows CTV to buy $30 worth of food! Additionally, through conscious purchasing, we aim to provide fresh, healthy, seasonal, local, and minimally processed food for our members.
Here is the link to the campaign.
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| Dr.Goddard in the EMSB kitchen. |
REMEMBERING DR. GODDARD: Former EMSB administrator Dr. Horace Goddard passed away recently. He served as Director of Community Services for more than 15 years. Trained in education, he taught elementary and high school in Montreal (1977-87), was Vice-Principal of LaSalle High School (1987-90), Principal of Parkdale School (1990-93), then from 1993-1995, was Coordinator of Personnel Services. Dr. Goddard was also active in the community and involved in a number of organizations including Black Community Resource Centre; Quebec Board of Black Educators (QBBE); National Council of Black Educators; Canadian Association of Commonwealth Language and Literary Studies. As a writer, his works included poetry, fiction and children’s stories. He was a patron to students in an orphanage in Kenya, supporting them through their high school years.
STATEMENT ON VENTILATION: The EMSB wishes to provide an update on the topic of ventilation of school and centre buildings in the system. “We are waiting for an announcement from the Ministry of Education and the recommendations from Santé Publique regarding the purchase and installation of air purifiers in our school and centre buildings,” stated EMSB Chair Joe Ortona. “Until then we will continue to use our mechanical or natural ventilation systems, which continue to be the most effective procedure. We have always had to air out our classrooms by opening windows and that will not change, even with air purifiers.
Mr. Ortona emphasized that the EMSB is acting prudently and expecting an announcement shortly. “We have already started an assessment on the needs of our network for buildings without mechanical ventilation system,” he said. “We should get the results of this analysis shortly, at which time we will inform our stakeholders of the Board’s position.”
WESTMOUNT PARK BUILDING UPDATE: The EMSB has provided an update on the extensive ongoing renovation project at Westmount Park Elementary School. “While our goal remains to return to the building in time for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays beyond our control to the original construction schedule,” Principal Marco Gagliardi said in a letter to parents and staff. “As it stands today, we cannot exclude a scenario where our return to the building may be delayed.”
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| Westmount Park School before the renovations began. |
The major renovations at Westmount Park include, but are not limited to, roof, interior finishes, accessibility (elevator), mechanical (plumbing, CVAC, sprinklers), electrical (wiring, lights, telecom, fire alarm system, etc.) and exterior (additional accessibility ramp, public utility works, drainage system and foundation waterproofing). Work began in the summer of 2019 and demolition was completed in February 2020. Our contractor and workers are sparing no effort to ensure the smooth completion of the project with the objective to make up for lost time. While measures can namely include double shifting and working on weekends, the evolving pandemic context may continue to interfere with our plans.
“In the event that a September reopening is not possible, we are committed to provide sufficient notice to all stakeholders and share mitigation measures,” stated Mr. Gagliardi. “If necessary, the present arrangement of having our school populations housed at the Marymount Academy International and Ville Émard facilities could be extended. While we are all eager to return to our newly renovated building, it is our primary responsibility to ensure that our student population and school team returns to a safe and secure environmentIndeed, we all look forward to the reopening of what will be a truly state-of-the-art facility.”
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| Rocco Placentino in action. |
FORMER IMPACT PLAYER LAUNCHES SCHOOL PROGRAM: It may be nine years since Rocco Placentino last suited up for a professional soccer game. Many of the memories, however, are still fresh in his mind, as if they happened just yesterday. Mr. Placentino still thinks back fondly on his six years spent playing for Italian soccer clubs and his experience representing Canada at the Under-20, Under-23 and Senior levels. There were also, of course, his two separate stints playing for his hometown Montreal Impact, winning a USL First Division league championship in 2009, and playing a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against Mexican club Santos Laguna in front of over 55,000 people at the Olympic Stadium on Placentino’s 27th birthday, among other highlights. He attributes much of that success to his time spent at the EMSB’s Gerald McShane Elementary School and, later, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North. As a way of giving back to the school board, he is offering free live Zoom sessions with EMSB students, with the goal of promoting physical literacy and keeping them active, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The in-class workouts are being offered as a pilot project at Gardenview Elementary in Saint-Laurent, with the ultimate goal of expanding the program to other EMSB classrooms. He will be at the school (700 Brunet) on Thursday, December 3 (9:10 am) to do his first live workout with a physical education class and streamed throughout the school. “Then we will go live on Zoom every Thursday at the same time,” said Interim Principal Gaetano Sifoni. “He will do those ones from home and stream into all the classrooms.”
For more details click on our story here.
EXCITING NEWS FOR INSPIRATIONS: The Fall 2020 /winter 2021 edition of Inspirations Newspaper is hot off the press! This edition has a new, fresh look. Start on page 3 with “In this edition,” which shares a snapshot of each section in the publication and where to find the articles you’d like to read first, be it a new resource, timely advice from one of our EMSB Student Services Department specialists, Sports, a Netflix or Apple TV+ review, or our new feature “A spotlight on some of Montreal’s awesome parents.” Read about our new sponsor, Simon Chang of the Simon Chang Foundation for Change, and our new Simon Chang Difference Maker Award, which has been awarded to Bradley Heaven and Dan O’Connor of All Access Life. Check out our photo gallery on page 7 to see all of the EMSB students that Simon Chang met with when he visited our schools prior to the pandemic.
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| Simon Chang with students from L.I.N.K.S. High School last year. |
Thanks to our EMSB Student Services Department specialists for sharing their knowledge and timely advice, which is especially needed during the pandemic. This edition includes articles on “Heartfulness: Practicing Loving-Kindness meditation” by Danika Swanson, “Managing quarantine exhaustion through self-care, problem solving and coping strategies” by Despina Vassiliou and Janet Perlis, “The EMSB’s new Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged” by Claudia De Luca, Sarah Lynch and Sophia Orfanos, “Scrap the shaming, instead use sleuthing skills to understand what’s behind the behaviour” by Stephanie Paquette, “Language classes support students at the EMSB” by Elisabeth Christe, “Galileo provides tips to improve students’ mental health during the pandemic” by Lisa Trotto and Felicia Nardolillo. In addition, don’t miss Nick Katalifos’ column on the exciting launch of Polaris Enterprise at Wagar Adult Education Centre. Read a touching tribute to Jordan Smith, who was an autism spectrum disorders consultant at the EMSB, written by Tania Piperni, and Sebu Baghdassarian, who was a student at Galileo, written by Lisa Trotto and Caroline Jelovcic.
You can read the edition here and visit us on Facebook @inspirationsnews. Email wsinger@emsb.qc.ca to have print copies delivered to you, or if you have a story idea to pitch for the Spring / Summer 2021 edition.
Please see this wonderful TV report on Simon Chang and Inspirations on CityNews Montreal.
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| Ms. Pia |
MISS PIA: During the pandemic, Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School daycare educator Pia Di Bacco-Falconi has been absolutely amazing at keeping her students in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten safe and entertained. Despite everything going on, she ensures that the students sing songs about positivity, and keeps them moving to catchy songs that all the students enjoy! Ms. Pia is also well-known at Our Lady of Pompei for her catchy phrase "We don't want any double bubble trouble." This phrase reminds the students that everyone should stay in their bubble, in order to avoid trouble! The youngest students at Our Lady of Pompei are able to maintain social distancing while having fun! The school also purchased Ms. Pia a T-Shirt with her famous slogan!
STUDENT ASSOCIATION: The English Montreal Student Advisory Committee (EMSAC) meetings have moved online for the 2020-21 school year and we just wrapped up our second meeting! EMSAC is made up of two student representatives from each high school across the network of schools. Sector Director Nathalie Lacroix-Maillette and Interim Director General Pela Nickoletopoulos, Commissioner Joseph Lalla, Vice-Principals Andrea Dillon (James Lyng) and Peter. McKelvie (Vincent Massey) and Lester B. Pearson High School teacher Paul Karpontinis serve as its mentors. Every month, students in EMSAC meet in order to consider and deliberate topics that are important to youth across the EMSB and beyond. As formal student representatives to the EMSB, members voice their opinions and declare their recommendations on matters received for consultation. In addition to empowering our members as the student voice of the EMSB, participation in EMSAC fosters leadership development and networking of our students.
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| Some of the participants in the last EMSAC call. |
“We have already covered a lot of ground in just two short meetings,” says Mr. Karpontinis. “The year began with ice-breaking activities, a mini workshop on what EMSAC is all about and how parliamentary style meetings are conducted. Our first discussions surrounded recent developments in Bill 40, COVID-19 and its impact on education and systemic racism and its implications in our schools."
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| A student strikes a pose for the campaign,. |
NATIONAL CHILD DAY: November 20th was National Child Day in Canada, Lester B. Pearson High School’s Student Council took its annual Vow of Silence as part of its Social Justice Crusade. Members sacrificed their voices to draw attention to the plight of those who have been oppressed, bullied or exploited around the world. Students collected pledges for their hours of silence which will be donated to our global charitable initiative and used social media and badges to draw attention to global social injustices that are dear to their hearts. #PearsonPride
MEDIA CLIPS: CBC Radio Noon did a program about the Christmas break, with some focus on how it will impact schools. You can listen here. Go to the 26:50 mark to hear teacher Robert Green from Westmount High and the 43:40 mark to hear Vincent Massey and EMSAC Grade 10 student Liam Leduc Boyle.
MADAME VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT: The staff, students, parents, and commissioners of the EMSB wish to express their sincerest congratulations to Westmount High School graduate Kamala Harris on becoming the Vice-President elect of the United States. ‘This is a moment of extreme pride for the EMSB and the public-education system in general,” stated EMSB Chairman Joe Ortona.
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| Students show their support for Kamala Harris. |
Mr. Ortona and Assistant Director General Evelyne Alfonsi joined staff and students outside of the school on November 9 to celebrate this great moment in history. Ms. Harris attended Westmount High from 1978 to 1981. On November 7 she became America's first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president-elect. She was previously a California Senator and Attorney General. “From the moment Kamala Harris became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, her story was integrated into discussions of the American electoral system in some classes at Westmount High School,” noted Ms. Alfonsi. “In the weeks leading up to her historic swearing in ceremony, this teaching moment may very well spread to more of our schools.”
It might be a lofty dream, but Mr. Ortona hopes that during the four year mandate of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration that any Canadian visit by the future Vice-president could include a visit to her former high school where a hero’s welcome would await. Prior to the election results being announced, Westmount High Vice-Principal Matt Shapiro, teacher Robert Green and student Kaleesia Bailey were guests on Toronto’s Breakfast Television. https://vimeo.com/475096782.
INTERGENERATIONAL PEN PAL PROJECT: Social connection is important at every age. This school year Mélissa Bergevin's Grade 7 Enriched English class at Westmount High School is embarking upon a journey that will build connections between multiple generations. Students will be assigned a pen pal who is an older adult from the Cummings Centre in Snowdon. Every month between November and May students will write one letter and receive another as they build a relationship through writing. At the end of the year, students and seniors will meet virtually and finally put a face to the name they've gotten to know throughout the year.
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| Building connections. |
The project was launched the week after Thanksgiving with a presentation on dementia led by Joanne Baskin and Michelle Moore-Torman of the Cummings Centre, with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada. This presentation helped students develop an understanding of those experiencing memory loss and gave them insight into what questions to ask their pen pals. The project's conception comes from the four year relationship between the West-End Intergenerational Network (WIN) and the EMSB Spiritual and Community Animation Service.
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| Some pages from the book. |
CHORALE NEWS: On November 14, the EMSB Chorale launched its beautiful keepsake book entitled Recipes & Memories in celebration of its 40th Anniversary. It was in 1980 that Arts Consultant Georgie Crawford set up the PSBGM Children’s Chorus as a Special Project of what is now the Educational Services Department. Renowned conductor Iwan Edwards was the first artistic director. The Children’s Chorus became the PSBGM Chorale and, with the restructuring of the school boards, the EMSB Chorale. Over the years hundreds of elementary and high school students have participated, performing as ambassadors for the school board throughout Montreal and the province, across Canada and internationally. The virtual launch was well attended by current and alumni members of the choir, as well as parent volunteers, and former Junior Chorale conductor Erica Phare and former accompanist Daniella Bernstein, joining in from Victoria, BC and Sherbrooke, QC respectively. All four decades of the choir were represented. Also attending the launch were Interim Director General Evelyne Alfonsi, Educational Services Department Director Anna Sanalitro and Assistant Directors Athina Galanogeorgos and Anna Villalta. The 72-page book features choir history and memoirs, 59 colour photos, and 37 delicious recipes submitted by choir members and their families, including dishes and desserts that have been favourites at our fall camps and end-of-season potluck banquet dinners. To order a copy ($20), or for more information on the EMSB Chorale, contact conductor Pat Abbott at pabbott@emsb.qc.ca or at 514-483-7200, ext. 7234.
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| The ceremony at St. Raphael. |
REMEMBRANCE DAY: EMSB schools had a wide variety of Remembrance Day ceremonies for Remembrance Day, embracing a virtual format. Here is our detailed story.
Mark Bergman filed this podcast with Spiritual Animator Rocco Speranza and some John F. Kennedy High School students about the Pass the Poppy campaign. Mr. Bergman is part of 92.5 FM The Beat's morning show and contributes to the EMSB Communications and Marketing Division.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose federal Papineau constituency includes JFK High, sent this video message.
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| Bergman (top left) talks podcasting. |
JFK PODCAST: Six secondary five students at John F. Kennedy High School and Mr. Speranza are teaming up with Mr. Bergman to start their own podcast. It will serve as a way for students and staff to stay connected, share common interests, and shed light on current issues. “Despite the pandemic this is a way to bring the school community together,” noted Mr. Speranza. “The students taking part are naturals." The students were put on the spot as they were asked to come up with an intro and conclusion and several questions, all in under five minutes, to ask the surprise guest invited by me. Stay tuned for the podcast to find out who was interviewed.” Their slogan and motto for the podcast are R & R Radio, JFK Knightsline: One Voice, One School, One Community.
TWENTY-ONE DAYS: Rosemount High School and Perspectives I & II Alternative High School will be partnering up with Roberto Leclerc and Fatiha Guemiri from REISA (https://reisa.ca/) and Tony Alfonso from AMI Quebec (https://amiquebec.org/) for a two-part virtual program on mental health, coping strategies for anxiety, and stress management. This 45-minute virtual presentation called 21 Days will take place via Zoom and will be facilitated by trained professionals from AMI Quebec and Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce. The presentation will cover topics such as self-care, healthy relationships, peer pressure, and include weekly motivational challenges, as well as testimonials from AMI Quebec. The program will be spearheaded by Resource teacher Jacklyn Di Genova and Mr. Lacroce. Their goal is for students to come up with a personal or professional goal and to take action to meet that goal for 21 straight days. After three weeks, the hope is that whatever action students have been undertaking in pursuit of their goal will have become a habit. Once a positive habit is established, students will be challenged to keep it up for another 90 days, at which point, it should become a permanent lifestyle change.
SAINT MICHAEL’S MISSION: Rosemount High, Nesbitt Elementary and Honore Mercier Elementary will be participating in a virtual workshop called “Saint Michael’s Mission: More than a Bowl of Soup.” This 45-minute virtual presentation will be led by Chantal Laferrière, Director of Saint Michael’s Mission and Mr. Lacroce and feature a testimonial from someone who is currently homeless and benefiting from the services offered by the mission. The presentation will cover the following topics: the services and programs offered to the homeless community by Saint Michael’s; the impact of COVID-19 on the homeless community; reintegration programs; stigmas around mental illness; and the winter challenges that are up ahead. The program will be a perfect segue to upcoming annual holiday fundraising campaigns from each of the schools.
SOX IN A BOX CAMPAIGN: As we get closer to the holiday season, the Montreal homeless community will be preparing for another difficult winter. It is for this reason that Rosemount High School, Perspectives I & II Alternative High Schools, Nesbitt Elementary and Honore Mercier Elementary will be embarking upon their annual holiday campaign called "Sox in a Box." The campaign will be spearheaded by the administration teams of each school and Mr. Lacroce.
The intent of the project is to encourage students and staff members to donate new socks (for all ages) to four shelters in Montreal. The following organizations will be benefiting from the school donations: Dans La Rue (benefitting teens and young adults), Chez Doris (benefitting adult females), St. Michael’s Mission, and The Benedict Labre House (benefitting adult males). Each school will create personalized holiday gift boxes containing new socks with bilingual messages of hope for the holiday season. Donations will be sanitized and kept in a clear bag. To ensure the safety of our beneficiaries, all donations will be quarantined for a period of 14 days before being picked up. Over the past six years, the Sox in a Box campaign has collected over 45,000 pairs of socks for those less fortunate in the community.
UNITED AGAINST VIOLENCE: Despite the pandemic, Edward Murphy School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve continues to celebrate acceptance, non-violence, kindness and caring. For over 12 years now, the school and Mr. Speranza have teamed up with local socio-community officers to take part in the program, United Against Violence. Officially the city and SPVM are not able to run the program this year. However, thanks to Principal Rania Delis, who purchased white t-shirts for the Grade 5 students, and teachers, the program will continue. Students will be designing their new group logo on the t-shirt to accompany the motto, “At the EMSB we express ourselves. Connect, Care, Compassion, and Community.” The Care Rangers and United Against Violence groups will join forces this year. This initiative will be led by Mr. Chris, the school Special Ed. Tech, and Mr. Speranza. In addition, Mr. Speranza will work on creating and implementing a similar program for Kindergarten to Grade 4 students.
ONLINE RISKS WEBINAR: The Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s (C3P) new webinar: Online Risks and Emerging Trends took place on November 26, in conjunction with the EMSB’s Department of Student Services. Every available spot was filled. “We are excited to be the first Quebec school board to host this online forum with the C3P,” said Daphna Leibovici, EMSB Student Services Consultant for Violence Prevention, Bullying & School Climate. “Our students’ access to technology and social media has presented a host of privacy and safety-related concerns. Many parents rely on schools for information and for help with issues or situations that involve problematic online behaviors.”
The webinar was an extension of a longstanding relationship between the EMSB and the C3P. The national charity first presented to the EMSB in January 2015 on the issue of self/peer exploitation (sexting). The EMSB has since implemented the C3P’s Kids in the Know personal safety education program. The program is designed to build skills and help students to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations, reducing the likelihood of victimization on and offline.
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| Leo works on his project. |
STEAM SUCCESS AT LHA: Rachel Rolbin and Leo Papazogolu, Secondary III students at LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent, have been faced with new protocols and guidelines previously foreign to them prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the wearing of masks and regular sanitization of their hands, Secondary III students now only attend school every other day. They also no longer roam from class to class throughout the school day, instead remaining in a single classroom at pre-assigned desks. Rolbin, Papazogolu and their peers have made the most of this new reality, adding personalized touches to their learning space. “I realized I had no room for my water bottle, my pencil case and my books on my desk,” said Rolbin. “I designed a mini-shelf for the corner of my desk to store my pencil case and water bottle.”
STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, is an enriched-level program offering students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to tackle real-world problems. “The program teaches students extra skills that they wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to do if they weren’t in the program,” said Magy Dimitry, a science teacher at LaurenHill. “There’s a nice cohesion between the kids, because they have been together for three years. It’s almost like a family. Everybody knows each other.”
You can see the full article here.
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| Leigh-Anne and her parents. |
ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS: L.I.N.K.S High School in Ahuntsic DÉFIS A teacher Gail Bernstein and After School Program Myriam Farley are witnessing firsthand the transference and generalization of essential life skills. L.I.N.K.S is an alternative high school providing quality educational programs to students aged 13 to 21 who have been diagnosed with learning difficulties. DÉFIS A students are fully engaged in the wide range of courses offered, including functional academics, Home Life, Preparation for the Job Market, On the Job, Leisure and Personal Growth. The long-term objective for our students is for them to be able to participate as actively and independently as possible in the community and at home. “The L.I.N.K.S team is always creating ways to enhance the lives of our students beyond the classroom,” said Ms. Bernstein. Please see the full article here
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| Cooking for success. |
SHINE ON: Despite the challenging times, The Missing Children's Network (MCN) joined together with school staff and administration from East Hill School, Edward Murphy School John F Kennedy High School , L.I.N.K.S. and SCA Speranza to take part in the pilot virtual workshops MCN workshop entitled “S-H-I-N-E ” Self-Esteem, Healthy relationships, Independence, No means no, Empowerment ! for cycle 3 s and Secondary I and II students The interactive workshop was structured to provide students with the necessary tools, understanding, and knowledge to aid with ways to develop healthy and equal relationships, respect one’s body, setting boundaries, and focus on building positive self-images. "The workshops are very informative, easy to understand, and allow for the students to share their opinions and ideas. It really empowers them to be confident about themselves and lets their inner light shine through" noted Mr. Speranza. “Working together with the MCN allows us to keep our students and youth safe by teaching and empowering them how to be aware of their surroundings, and confident.”
REACHING OUT: Royal Vale School students have been reaching out to the community at heart nearing the holiday season. Grades 3 and 4 students prepared letters, stories, cards, and origami bookmarks for eighty seniors that are part of Joy Fyckes’s Reclaim Literacy network. Their work was in both English and French but most importantly in the language of care. A special thank you goes out to school librarian Annette Macintyre, who offered origami workshops in preparation for the initiative.
DANCE FOR ALEX: Every year, Royal Vale School in NDG celebrates the memory of one of their former students, Alex Porter-Rozmovits, who passed away 11 years ago due to a rare disease. He had just finished his last day of kindergarten. As a memorial they hold a “Dance for Alex” event. In previous years, large events were held in the gymnasium with all the elementary classes together, as well as parents. This year will be different. The Physical Education and Health Department will prepare 21 separate “Dance for Alex” events. Each class will remain in their bubbles. The events will be spread over the P.E classes during the week of November 30 to December 4. Each event will feature a few choreographed songs, as well as some freestyle elements, which Alex loved the most.
OPTIONS FOR BREAKFAST: The team at Options Alternative High School in Ville Émard wish to send a huge virtual thank you to the Breakfast Club of Canada as well as big shout outs to Coodinator Amanda Imbriglio and Principal Craig Olenik for their help to make this happen. They’re providing students with a healthy breakfast while Marie Helene Gagnon is making sure the students start their mornings right. The school has received a brand new fridge and two freezers.
PROFESSIONALS IN EDUCATION: Education Professionals’ Week was marked November 16 to 20. It represented an opportunity to recognize the vital contribution of education professionals, who are an essential part of academic success. In this year’s exceptional context due to the pandemic, their presence is more meaningful and necessary than ever. Education professionals work in 35 types of employment, assisting students, providing educational support, and participating in administrative services. Whether it is a psychologist or a guidance counselor who supports students in distress, a librarian who supplies tools to teachers or an educational consultant who accompanies them towards distance learning, an engineer or an architect who seeks ways of improving school ventilation systems, they all contribute through their actions to students’ well-being and success. For more on the campaign click here.
STORIES SHAPE OUR WORLD: Last year the Educational Services Department of the EMSB launched a new approach to storytelling that enabled teachers to evaluate talking authentically. Students explored and edited personal stories through discussion, games, peer and teacher support. They prepared and shared a personal story that they built through talking, not writing. Re-telling a previously published story was removed from the festival. To support these changes in the storytelling process Educational Services produced a comprehensive “What’s Your Story?” Resource Kit in both French and English that included videos, paperwork and a teacher’s guide. Each EMSB elementary school received several kits in English and French for their Grade 5 and 6 teachers. In light of the pandemic, this year the Storytelling Festival will go online. Each school will host a virtual in-school event in the spring to choose their two best-told tales (one in English and one in French). The winning students will then be invited to tell their stories at a live regional virtual event. Each of the four events will be recorded for podcasts that will be posted on the EMSB website. Info: Julie Tytler at jtytler@emsb.qc.ca.
DKG EVENT: DKG is an International Society was founded in 1929 in Austin Texas. It brings together key women educators, whose aim is to unite women educators with the goal to advance their professional interest and position. DKG Quebec joined the DKG International Society in 1956. DKG Quebec established and continues to support two scholarships at McGill: the DKG Dr. Mildred Burns Award for Leadership in Education, and the DKG Sarah Paltiel Award for Excellence in Education. They also offer the DKG World Fellowship Grant which provides opportunity for women at McGill from any country except the United States of America and Canada. As well, they have established the Evelyn Eaton Award, to honour their first president. DKG Quebec is a federate member of the Montreal Council of Women (MCW). Several of our members have been and are very active in MCW: Dr. Mildred L. Burns, Georgie Crawford, Frema Engel, and Beverly Townsend have all been successful in winning the Woman of the Year Award. DKG Quebec will hold its next Professional Development Community Virtual Event on Tuesday, December 1 (7:45 p.m). This special event - Hey Educators! Let’s Have a Laugh with Comedian Joey Elias will surely be a morale booster for Educators in these very challenging times of COVID-19. To register: Send an email to: dkgque@gmail.com saying I WANT TO REGISTER FOR THE DEC 1 event.
ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
WAGAR PROJECT: During his many years as a principal, vice-principal and teacher in the education system, Nicholas Katalifos has heard his fair share of misconceptions surrounding those on the autism spectrum. “A lot of people automatically assume that a person on the spectrum can’t work,” said Mr. Katalifos, Principal at the EMSB’s Wagar Adult Education Centre and chair of Giant Steps School and Resource Centre. “That is just completely wrong.”
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| A replica grocery store section set up at Wagar. |
To the contrary, Mr. Katalifos says those with autism offer added benefits to their employers. “Most companies find they are exceptional employees,” said Mr. Katalifos, who is also the father of an 18-year old son on the spectrum. “They do their jobs well and they are happy doing their jobs. They might need different kinds of support, but they’re excellent employees. They are very reliable, very loyal and they’re happy to work, which helps the atmosphere at any company or organization.”
Mr. Katalifos is hoping a new pilot project at Wagar, resulting from a partnership with Giant Steps, the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC), Weston, and the federal government, will bring these traits to the forefront. The program recently had its official launch and you can see it here. Nine Wagar students, ranging in age from 21 to 62, are enrolled in an intensive nine-month bilingual work training program. Students meet daily with a Wagar teacher and two job coaches as they integrate and prepare them for future employment opportunities within the retail and supermarket distribution centre setting.
GALILEO STUDENTS HEAR FROM INTERESTING SPEAKER: On Wednesday, November 18 the Galileo Adult Education Centre's Social Integration Students (SIS) were visited by Michael Gioia, a young adult who was a victim of bullying in his youth and who knows firsthand how to overcome obstacles related to disability. Michael was diagnosed with Autism when he was 15 and this diagnosis came with a lot of unanswered questions. Michael did not accept his disability at first and it took time for him to understand what it fully means to be on the autism spectrum. He explained how life is an ongoing journey of self-discovery and how important it is to take the time to find true self-acceptance.
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| Michael Gioia chats with a class. |
