BUDGET UPDATE: On June 29, 2021, the Council of Commissioners adopted a balanced budget for the 2021-2022 academic year. As permitted by Budgetary Rules, the EMSB has included in next year’s budget the equivalent of 15 percent of the adjusted June 30, 2020 accumulated surplus. This will allow the board to benefit from an amount of $6,388,670 in additional funds.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Students of the EMSB's primary and secondary institutions will return to class on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Kindergarten children must be five years of age on or before September 30, 2021 while Grade 1 (Cycle 1) students must be six years old on or before the same date.
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| Students like this look forward to getting back to school. |
Registration for those not previously enrolled will begin on Wednesday, August 11 for elementary and secondary schools. Parents are asked to call the school in their neighbourhood to make an appointment. Parents are urged to consult the Board’s website at www.emsb.qc.ca, which also contains information about the successful adult education and vocational training programs. E-mail inquiries can be sent to informationdesk@emsb.qc.ca or you can call 514- 483-7200. The EMSB serves more than 37,000 students at 34 elementary schools, 15 secondary schools, seven alternative outreach high schools, seven social affairs institutions and 10 adult and vocational centres. All pupils registering for the first time are required to provide a birth certificate and vaccination records to the school the child will be attending. Parents will be asked to fill out forms which will allow the school to apply for the certificate of eligibility for English schooling. Under the Charter of the French Language, a certificate of eligibility is generally granted to children who did the majority of their elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada; whose mother or father did the majority of his/her elementary studies in English in Canada or whose brother or sister did the majority of his/her elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada. Please note that as a result of Quebec law, this criteria excludes studies completed in the Quebec Private School system.
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| Schools like Our Lady of Pompei Elementary handed out end of year certificates to some students. |
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The EMSB was once again in the spotlight as our youth sector wrapped up the most challenging academic year in recent memory. After 41 years in education, CTV was on hand at Bancroft School to document Dorothy Ostrowicz’s final day as a principal. City News paid a visit to Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in Ahuntsic, where both students and teachers reflected on the past year and finally, CBC and CTV wrapped up the day at Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc, where parents watched their children graduate, COVID-style, with a drive-by celebration.
Here are the links:
Billy Shields live at Westmount
CTV on Dorothy Ostrowicz retiring and more
City News report at Our Lady of Pompei
HISTORY CURRICULUMS: When an EMSB study found that there were important gaps in the Secondary III and IV History of Quebec and Canada curriculums, a multi-point project was undertaken to provide our students with a more rounded understanding of their own history. A website available only to those registered in the EMSB system, represents one of those points. The curriculums – as they are – underrepresent minority populations in the historical narrative. This includes the history of Black Canadians, immigrant Canadians, Indigenous peoples, women, as well as ignoring much of what was occurring outside of Quebec. In an effort to address these gaps, this website provides teachers with complete lesson plans pertaining to these five underrepresented populations. Arranged by grade level and time period, these lesson plans include slides, activities, extra primary and secondary historical documents, formal evaluations, as well as the academic source the teacher can reference. In this way, this website provides teachers with a resource that is as pertinent and valuable as it is easy-to-use.
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| Joseph Lalla |
REVISION OF PROGRAM REQUESTED: The EMSB is requesting the Ministry of Education to revise the Secondary III and Secondary IV History of Quebec and Canada Program. Between 2016 and 2019, the EMSB unanimously adopted six resolutions advocating for improvements to the content, resources, and attention to the historical contributions to Quebec by non-Francophone cultural groups in the History of Quebec and Canada Program. Commissioner Joseph Lalla notes that the present content of the curriculum offered falls woefully short of a fair and balanced presentation of the contributions to the development of Quebec over the centuries by the minority communities including those of the Anglophones, Allophones, Indigenous, Blacks, Jewish, Italians, Muslim, and other minority groups. Furthermore, the approved textbooks Reflections.qc.ca Origins to 1840 for Secondary III and Reflections.qc.ca 1840 to Our Times for Secondary IV are both weak uninspired translations from the French and contain historical inaccuracies verified and proclaimed by many respected historians in the field. Mr. Lalla stressed that immediate action needs to be undertaken to provide supplementary e-materials to teachers and students of the Secondary III and Secondary IV History of Quebec and Canada Program that provide a fair and balanced presentation of the contributions to the development of Québec over the centuries by the minority communities including those of the Anglophones, Allophones, Indigenous, Blacks, Jewish, Italians, Muslim, and other minority groups.
VOTE BY MAIL: The EMSB is urging the Quebec government to allow voting by mail for upcoming school board elections to any person already benefitting from Bill 85, An Act to facilitate the conduct of the November 7, 2021 municipal general election in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill 85 allows the following persons to vote by mail in the municipal elections of November 7, 2021: individuals residing in a facility maintained by an institution operating a hospital centre, a residential and long-term care centre or a rehabilitation centre or a private seniors’ residence; individuals unable to move about for health reasons; caregivers; individuals isolated due to COVID-19; and if allowed by their municipality, people 70 years of age and older. In the case of the EMSB, an election will take place in Ward 3 (Westmount-Sud Ouest).
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION: Committed to honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the EMSB is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of the history, realities, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples in all our educational institutions. At the last Council meeting it was agreed that the EMSB will create and adopt an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement that encourages reflection and accountability about our role as an educational institution, and that expresses our commitment to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
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| Great news for new Pre-K classes. |
MORE PRE-K CLASSES: The Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (MEQ) has authorized the EMSB to open 48 funded Pre-K classes in 2021-2022. Based on the current enrolment numbers and available classroom space, these classes will be implemented as follows: Bancroft (3), Carlyle (3), Coronation (1), Dalkeith (1), Dante (2), Dunrae Gardens (3), East Hill (4), Edward Murphy (1), Gerald McShane (2), Hampstead (1), Honoré-Mercier (2), John Caboto (2), Leonard Da Vinci (3), Mackay Centre(1), Michelangelo (3), Nesbitt (1),Our Lady of Pompei (1), Parkdale (2), Pierre Elliott Trudeau (3), Pierre de Coubertin (3), Sinclair Laird (1), St. Gabriel (1), St. Monica (2) and Westmount Park (2).
BILL 21: EMSB Chair Joe Ortona keynoted an Insiders Briefing on Bill 21 via Zoom last week to members of the Canadian Jewish Community Forum, the Lord Reading Society and the Canadian Hellenic Congress. EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos took part as well. Here is a recap.
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| Virtual Learning student Allesia. |
“[It was a] dream come true,” said one mother. “Her true self came out,” said another. The experience was “amazing,” said another. “We were grateful for the opportunity,” said a dad.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: A number of new in-school administrative appointments have been made for the 2021-22 academic year, effective July 1.
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| Christina Chilelli |
For Vice-Principals: Antonella Russo, St. Pius X Career Centre (currently at the same school); Michael Creamer, Willingdon (currently at Royal West); Ivan Spilak, Laurier Macdonald High School (currently Leonard Da Vinci Academy); Isabella Gagnier, Shadd (currently there interim); Véronique Carrié, St. Laurent Adult Education Centre ( currently Laurier Macdonald); Jessica Monti, Pierre de Coubertin (currently on mat leave); Peter McKelvie, LaurenHill Academy (currently Vincent Massey Collegiate); Sam Servello, Royal Vale School (currently Principal at Elizabeth Ballantyne); Mireille Tehbelian, Roslyn (currently a teacher at LaurenHill); Holly Kusiewicz, Vincent Massey Collegiate (currently Westmount Park Elementary); Gaetano Sifoni, Westmount High (currently interim principal at Gardenview); Real Heppelle, Rosemount Technology Centre (currently vice-principal, Virtual Learning); Laetitia Kachmar, Leonardo Da Vinci (currently, teacher at Westmount High School). Marilyn Ramlakhan becomes assistant director of Human Resources, support staff. She is presently the Principal of FACE School.
Good luck to Dorothy Ostrowicz (Bancroft and MIND), who is retiring after 41 years of service and Joe Cacchione (Shadd), who is taking a sabbatical. Evelyne Alfonsi is moving on from her current post as Assistant Director General – Education. She will continue to play a critical role as Hors Cadre/Senior Executive Advisor, responsible for several key dossiers.
THE YEAR OF A PRINCIPAL: Rania Delis, the principal of Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga Maisonneuve, did this wonderful interview on CBC Radio’s Let’s Go program with Sabrina Marandola and spoke about what it was like to cope with COVID-19. Here is the link.
ROYAL WEST GRAD SHINES: Royal West Academy graduate Allison Engo continues to rack up the awards. In a CBC Radio interview, she said that when was in high school she turned her family's bathroom into an incubator where she could breed and study fruit flies. The teenager's unusual hobby, part of a larger scientific experiment, had some unintended consequences.
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| Allison Engo |
"After a while, because of the humidity and the intense heat, the walls started to become mush. So we had to renovate the bathroom," Engo told CBC's Let's Go. While Ms. Engo's project may have caused a bit of emotional and architectural damage, it's also won her a top honour last month at the Canada-Wide Science Fair. Her work, which looked at how fruit flies react to antioxidants under stress, took home the Platinum Senior Discovery Award at the virtual event held in May. "I guess it was worth it in the end," said Engo, now 16 and studying at Marianopolis College With this most recent win under her belt, Ms. Engo is confident in her plans to pursue scientific research as a car.” Watch her neat video.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH: Eliane Goldstein, a Secondary I student at Westmount High School, is the EMSB Student of the Month for June. She was presented with the award by Chair Ortona, Principal Demetra Droutsas , Commissioner Julien Feldman and her parents. Eliane has launched her own podcast called The Effect on Us. Her goal is to teach people of all ages and raise awareness on different subject matters, particularly important and high-profile topics. She has been chosen as the EMSB Student of the Month for June. “I want people to be more enlightened about these subjects and more open to talking about them,” Eliane says.
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| Eliane Goldstein is congratulated by Joe Ortona, Demetra Droutsas, Julien Feldman and her parents. |
The podcast’s first season will be dedicated to the Holocaust and the effect it has had on people. Eliane interviews different people who were affected by the Holocaust in each episode, whether it be a Holocaust survivor or their children and grandchildren, in order to share their stories. “My favourite part of the process is when I look up the people before their interview and then get to hear about them from themselves,” she explains. The student’s podcast began as a project for her Bat Mitzvah and was an idea inspired by discussions with her Rabbi and mother. She based her first series on Holocaust survivor Joelle Krolik, who sadly passed before she was able to interview him. Still, Krolik’s story will be featured on the podcast and told by those who knew him. While The Effect on Us began as a Bat Mitzvah project, Eliane has decided to go beyond this assignment, as she continues to tell people’s stories and delve into uncomfortable conversations. As a lover of listening to stories and learning, Eliane says, “I love the moment of realization, when you realize how amazing the story actually is, the moment where the whole story comes together.” Like her audiences, these moments have impacted Eliane and she hopes to continue learning alongside all of us. To listen to her podcast and go along with her on this journey of exploration and enlightenment click here.
Here is a story in The Gazette on Eliane.
TRAGEDY IN LONDON: In the days following the tragic murder in London, Ontario, the EMSB issued the following statement: “As we get set to send our students home to their families for the weekend, we ask that everyone take a moment together to remember the four members of the Afzaal family who were killed in a terrorist attack last Sunday, as well as pray for the quick recovery of 9-year-old Fayez.”
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| Students get down to exercise. |
OPTIONS HONOURS RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL VICTIMS: Here is text from a report by CTV’s Christine Long about an initiative taken by the staff and students at Options Alternative High School in Ville Émard.
A Ville Emard alternative high school is used to doing things differently, and they kept to that spirit while honouring children whose remains were found on the site of a former residential school in British Columbia. On Thursday, Options High School held a special memorial for the 215 children. Getting down and dirty in the school yard, they did 215 burpees, together in unison, to symbolize getting up off the ground for those who couldn’t. The students said they imagined it was a tiny glimpse of the struggle and suffering those young students endured decades ago. “The burpee requires you get down to the ground and then to rise-up and what we want to today, in honouring these 215 children is we want to rise for those forced down, we want to speak for voices that were stolen and we want to change their history, we want it to live on, instead of being buried," said Jason Gannon, a teacher and the event’s co-organizer. “Somebody tried to erase them from history. They were abused, malnourished, starved and buried.”
Gannon came up with this plan with his student, Casey Bossum, whose family is Cree and hails from the James Bay area. Bossum's paternal grandmother was traumatized at a residential school. Although Bossum was shy to tell the story to all his classmates, his father, John, did. “When I heard about these 215 bodies, I cried right away thinking, 'What if it was my son?'" said John Bossum with tears in his eyes.
Note: Staff and students will reconvene on July 1 to repeat the exercise.
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| Attired in orange for a purpose. |
McSHANE WEARS ORANGE: To commemorate the tragedy in Kamloops, BC, where the unmarked graves of 250 children from the residential school system were found, Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North, has shown support by wearing orange and “every child matters” stickers. “We reflect in our growing community garden on the importance of life,” reads a school message. “Our children will get an education. Our children will walk in these shoes for those who did not get a chance. Our children will rise to become a better tomorrow."
EAST HILL vs. DUNRAE GARDENS: Students at East Hill School virtually squared off against their peers from Dunrae Gardens recently in a parliamentary-style debate competition. This initiative was part of a unique enrichment program where participating participate met once a week and received training on how to develop strong persuasive arguments.
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| Dunrae Gardens' Debate Team |
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| East Hill Debate Team |
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| A big thumbs up from this FACE student. |
STUDENTS GET VACCINATED: The EMSB worked with local CIUSSS offices to coordinate COVID-19 vaccination appointments for students aged 12 to 17. Some school buildings were identified as vaccination centers for students. Any staff who had yet to receive their first dose were able to do so as well. Some EMSB facilities also opened to the public after regular school hours. In these cases, students aged 12 and 13 who had no consent forms or 12 year olds from nearby elementary schools were able to come as long as they were accompanied by a parent “Everything went very well,” John Grant High School Principal Jennifer LeHuquet said of her school’s experience. “The team from the CIUSSS was super professional and very kind with our students. We are all feeling very grateful. The students had made thank you cards and baked cookies for the nurses and administrative assistants to say thank you.”
City TV at Laurier Macdonald High School
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| Norman Katz and his team. |
HOCKEY DU RUE: Congratulations to the students from Royal Vale School in NDG who once again participated in the YM-YWHA’s Hockey du Rue tournament. Coached by Norman Katz, they enjoyed a day of fun competition in the annual tournament.
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| Performing via Zoom. |
MUSICAL JOURNEY: “Caesura “is the musical term used to describe a brief silent pause during which metrical time is not counted. For the young musicians studying at the downtown Fine Arts Core Education (FACE) School in Montreal, COVID-19 has meant a caesura during their musical journey. Since December 2019 there have been no live performances or concerts, breaking thus 46 years of musical tradition at FACE. For students in grades 10 and 11 the pause in their musical journey, that begins in Grade 1 and ends in Grade 11, has been particularly painful and many report missing the physical stage and a live audience that have been part of their school life for the last decade. Spearheaded by Theodora Stathopoulos, one of FACE’s instrumental music teachers, the Caesura project brought together a team of nine instrumental music teachers and 200 Grade 10 and 11 students, from the CSSDM and the EMSB, in six virtual one-hour sessions, via TEAMS, from February to May. During the sessions the students and teachers were joined by writer/journalist Monique Polak and composer/performer Tim Brady who guided the students in their reflections in efforts to chronicle their musical journey by producing poems and prose, and by composing songs and videos.
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| Siobhan Kuzak |
GRADUATING STUDENT FACES FUTURE: The end of June 2021 marks the beginning of another chapter in the lives for all Grade 11 students in Quebec as they graduate from high school. For EMSB Grade 11 FACE student Siobhan Kuzak, graduation means leaving the school that she has attended for the last 12 years of her life. "FACE is not for everyone," she says. "It is for students who are more creative in nature, and for students who find interests in the arts. Itis great for exploring one’s artistic abilities if that is something that interests you. It is great for people who are passionate for music, art, theatre, choir, dance. FACE’s most unique feature is that it is a public school that involves students in all art forms. I appreciate this because usually schools that practice music will require you to already play an instrument and schools don’t usually focus on every art form.” You can read the complete interview here.
CARLYLE STUDENTS CREATE A PODCAST: Grade 5 students and teachers were beyond excited to have Beat 92. 5 FM host and podcasting expert Mark Bergman join their class for some sessions on how to create a podcast. Mark taught the class about the basics of podcasting, so that they would be able to create their own show about the Carlyle Elementary outdoor garden. Together with Mark, the class came up with segment ideas, brainstormed on content, interview questions, and more. They prepared and wrote out their show, and the following week, each student got a chance to sit in front on the microphone and record their segment, which Mark edited together into a show, which you can listen to here. "The students were so into it, and excited about recording their very own show" said Mark. "I'm happy that schools are looking at new media as a way to engage students. I'm available to help out at other schools, if they're into it."
MORE ON THE GARDEN: Carlyle formally unveiled the community garden named Leaf Me Alone. The Cycle 3 students have worked very hard to create a garden to save the environment. The garden includes flowers to help bees pollinate, while encouraging the production of local produce. Everything started with the idea to help the environment with the unit “A Green Step Forward.” They all thought of ideas of how to save the planet. In the end, they collectively decided to create a garden. Next, they used wood as a fence to prevent the balls used during recess to go into the garden. The Cycle 3 students created a plan for building the garden. When the plan was finished, they quickly got to work and used recyclable materials such as bricks and cement slabs to make a path to. The fifth grade students did a phenomenal job researching the best fruits, vegetables and fine herbs to plant. They chose to plant mint, carrots, rhubarb and more!
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| Ezra Soiferman and Ilana Block were a big hit at Carlyle. |
TALKING ABOUT WILDLIFE: On June 3, wildlife photographer and naturopathic doctor Ilana Block and filmmaker/photographer Ezra Soiferman were guests for three classes at Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North and three classes at Carlyle. Via two separate hour-long zoom sessions, the pair of artists presented their brand new “music photeo” called “The Wildlife - The Walled Life,” which combines Ilana’s spectacular wildlife photography with Ezra’s colourful photos of the many painted animal murals up on walls throughout Montreal. The short video is set to an original song Ezra wrote and they sang together. The music was arranged by Ezra and now grown up Willingdon Elementary graduate Gregg Silver. Said Soiferman, “What an incredible treat to share our video with the students at these two schools. Their interest in our project and the questions they asked were phenomenal.” Block added, "Seeing their love of wildlife was wonderful and a great indication of how these students can help to protect these animals. There seems to be a genuine concern for nature and our environment. We just loved the experience of connecting with them!”
The video can be watched here and their photography can be explored further at https://www.ilanablockphotography.ca and http://www.ezrasoiferman.com. They are available to do this program at other schools when classes resume. Said Carlyle teacher Christina MacDougall about her students: “They were really intrigued and engaged by the topic and enjoyed their experience. We have since watched the video two more times because they love it so much!”
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| Chuck Hughes gets a warm welcome. |
CHUCK HUGHES STOPS BY : Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes made a well appreciated appearance to Carlyle and spoke to students in the schoolyard. Students prepared by watching mainly his aboriginal cooking show.
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| Saving the Bees at Pierre Elliott Trudeau School. |
STEAM INITIATIVE: Over the course of the last several months, Jason Bixby and Valerie Honig, the two designated STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics) consultants at the EMSB, have been busy with the rollout of their latest professional development initiative, entitled: “STEAM Team Collaboration & Project Building.” The purpose of this initiative was to allow time for teachers interested in STEAM to build a Learning and Evaluation Situation (LES) based on the fundamental tenets of STEAM. STEAM LES’s must be developed through collaboration between two or more teachers of the same grade, but of different disciplines. They are normally grounded in the solving of a real world problem or challenge, and through the employment of a design process. If this process is correctly employed, a prototype will be built to help illustrate how the problem can be solved. Research indicates that correct use of the STEAM pedagogical approach will help strengthen a student’s arsenal of 21st century skills, as well as general problem solving abilities. Added positive features of STEAM include higher levels of engagement and elevated levels of curiosity. This past spring, in total, 12 LES’s were built across 11 of the 19 EMSB STEAM schools. See the complete story here.
WESTMOUNT PARK UPDATE: The 105-year-old facility at 15 Park Place has been closed for the last two academic years to complete a $20-million project of renovations and repairs. In the interim, students have been based at the former St. John Bosco Elementary School in Ville Émard (Westmount Park South Campus) and Marymount Academy International in NDG (Westmount Park North Campus). The refurbished facility will have modern classrooms, including interactive SMART boards and some will be height adjustable for younger students and their teachers. There will also be flexible seating options, a variety of learning spaces, dedicated music and science rooms and the addition of an elevator and an exterior ramp to make the building more accessible to everyone. In an effort to maintain some of the building’s heritage, the auditorium will be restored with all of its beautiful woodwork while bringing the sprinkler system and emergency exits within that space up to date. The paint will be refreshed, the benches repaired and new heating cabinets installed. This spot has been used in a number of motion pictures over the years. As of this date work on the first three floors are nearly complete. There are still two possible scenarios at this time: students and staff move back into the building for the start of classes or students and staff move back in, with the contractor completing any remaining work on evenings and weekends.
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| A preview of what the new gym will look like. |
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). The EMSB will continue to provide frequent updates. See our press release.
FRENCH IMMERSION: Roslyn Elementary School was included in this Radio-Canada report that focused on French Immersion.
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| Emma and her mom. |
VIRTUAL SCHOOL: This was posted on the Montreal Children’s Hospital Facebook page about Grade 1 Bilingual Virtual Learning student Emma Stivaletta, who is registered at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy.
Today’s a special day for an exceptional young lady. Here’s Emma. On April 11 2019, at only 4 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). For the last two years, she has been visiting us weekly for treatments, and has touched many hearts along the way. This morning, she finally visited us for the last time as a cancer patient. She will be receiving her last chemo at home on Friday. Now that she is back to her energetic self, Emma likes to swim, run and cook with her mom. Together they sell Italian pasta meals to raise money for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and help save more kids like Emma. We are thankful for meeting this courageous little girl and wish her all the best for the future!
YOUNG MONTREAL VIDEO FESTIVAL: The first-ever Young Montreal Video Festival took place on June 10. EMSB Virtual School and FACE School were at the forefront of organizing this event with Inlite10 Educational Productions. The event featured commercials, travel programs, short feature films, great animators and even instructions on how to survive a Zombie Apocalypse!
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| A good time was had by all. |
All this was done by students from Montreal and throughout Quebec. To see the event, just click the link!
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First place among Secondary V speakers was
LaurenHill Academy's Sabrina Morelli, who delivered her speech "Women’s
Empowerment: The Nightmare Dressed Like a Daydream" in May. She's
seen here with her teacher Michael Strauss. |
PUBLIC SPEAKING: Forty-five students from nine EMSB high schools presented narrative and persuasive speeches on April 28, May 4 and 5 in the annual public speaking competition. The format this year was a three-day morning event, inviting families and special guests to be the audience via the internet. Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount and Westmount High School were the winningest schools, boasting three finalists each. Royal Vale High School and Marymount Academy International in NDG, LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent and EMSB Virtual Learning each brought in two finalists. Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard and Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North and downtown Montreal’s FACE also took part. The “Power of Story” was the theme for the Cycle 1 students – and was designed to encourage speeches that would inform, and change heart and minds, explained Anne Beamish, Pedagogical Consultant with the EMSB’s Education Services, and the event’s organizer and host. Cycle 2 students had the task of writing persuasive speeches, under the theme “Words to Change the World.” For all of the details please see our extended story.
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| Unveiling the design for the future mascot. |
OUR LADY OF POMPEI MASCOT: With a raucous cheer from the students and teachers, led by Grade 6 student Matteo Gubitosa, Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in Ahuntsic officially adopted the Phoenix as their new school mascot, which will be accompanied by the poignant slogan, Always Rise Above. The project was spearheaded by the school’s Student Council which led a name and design competition throughout the school. Over the course of three months, students had then opportunity to submit ideas and then vote on the school’s future mascot, with the Phoenix, winning handily. Once the mascot was chosen, students were then asked to submit drawings to inspire the logo, of which Juliette Di Stasio’s design was chosen.
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| Bravo to Hampstead School. |
MOTION ANIMATION: The Cycle 3 students at Hampstead Elementary School created and directed their very own stop motion animation. The students came up with their own storylines and created their characters out of modelling clay. They also designed vibrant backgrounds for their films. Finally, they directed the animation adding sound, credits and a title. A big thank you to artist Jessie Curell from the ELAN Arts program for the animation workshop and Nicolas Doyon, the arts consultant of EMSB, for their support. Jessie’s professionalism and experience have made this elaborate project such a huge success. Doyon’s art background and classroom visits helped the students use critical thinking skills and problem solving to realize their vision. To wrap up the project, the students had an Animation Festival where they watched all the animations, celebrating all their hard work and creativity. The school’s Artists Inspire Grant experience was made possible by an ELAN Quebec/LEARN partnership for students from Quebec’s English-speaking communities to participate in arts and culture experiences, thanks in part to funding from the Government of Canada. Click here to view the amazing animations created by the students!
LEADERS ON WHEELS: While the pandemic may have changed how the Leaders on Wheels, a group of students that attend the Mackay Centre School’s satellite class at Westmount High School, conduct their annual fundraising campaign, it most certainly did not stop them from working their magic. Under the direction of teacher Rosemarie Sondola, the students and staff prepare their famous spice rubs, triple chocolate brownies and dog treats, and sell them to at school and to new and returning customers. While their outreach was quite limited this year due to pandemic-related restrictions, they still raised $1,545.00 for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF) at the McGill University Health Centre. The Leaders have raised over $17,000 since they began fundraising in 2014.
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| Leaders on Wheels students and staff presented a cheque to the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and received recognition certificates from OSEEntreprendre at the Mackay Centre School on June 18. On Friday June 18, the leaders gathered on the grounds of the Mackay Centre School in NDG to present their donation to Marie-Claude Baribeau, director, Special Events and Alessia Di Giorgio, senior advisor, Special Events at the MCHF. Baribeau was impressed by the Leaders’ creativity and their participation in and unwavering dedication to fundraising. “We have a special place in our hearts for the Leaders on Wheels at the Foundation. You don’t come across this type of passion often,” she said. The Leaders were surprised to receive a special certificate from the government-run OSEEntreprendre Challenge that applauded their entrepreneurial spirit, especially during this most challenging year. Signed by Quebec Education Minister Jean-François Roberge, it read: “The flair, boldness, creativity and perseverance you have showed while completing this entrepreneurial project in the unique context of the 2020-21 school year are impressive and inspiring.” |
LOVE OF READING: We’re excited to announce that Mackay Centre School and Philip E. Layton School are the recipients of this year’s Indigo Love of Reading Foundation #LiteracyFundGrant. With their help, we’ve been able to provide vital reading resources to our students to ensure every child has access to diverse and enriching books. Watch the full video here.
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| The CAMP Lift truck arrives on the scene. |
CAMP LIFT EXPERIENCE: CAMP Lift is a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the academic perseverance of youth attending high school. Thanks in great part to partner REISA, (The East Island Network for English Language Services), they have been leading programs offering awareness and educational activities on healthy lifestyle habits at Laurier Macdonald high school since 2017. Over the years, the team of leaders, including Jonathan Sbrollini, Elvis Grahovic, Will Charbonneau and Alexis Michel Schmitt Cadet, have worked with students to guide and support them through difficult transitions in their lives. Issues tackled include mental health, addictions, perseverance and anger management. Their aim is to equip the students with the “necessary tools to achieve academic success, by developing a healthy lifestyle and reaching their full potential, to become positive and inspirational influences in their community.” This year, Laurier Macdonald chose to create two separate CAMP Lift Boys Into Men groups; one for juniors (Sec I & II) and one for seniors (Sec III,IV, V). Jonathan and Will helped the boys explore healthy masculinity vs accepted male stereotypes. They ended this difficult pandemic year by connecting mindfulness, resiliency and community together through rich, artistic expression; this was a great project!
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| A lot of fun was had by all recording the podcast. |
CREATING PODCASTS AT LMAC: Thanks to funding from Le Bureau d'intégration des nouveaux arrivants à Montréal (BINAM), LMAC partner DOD Basketball directed a project wherein students learned how to create podcasts. Award winning director, Amy Miller led the workshops over the course of 10 weeks. Andre Goulet, podcast producer and educator, Boban Chaldovich, documentary video editor, Jadis Dumas, filmmaker and editor, Kristen Brown, Director of Photography, Rachelle Sauvé, community organizer and activist, and Samuel Miriello, media expert, all took turns zooming or visiting our CLC Room to share their tried and true techniques with our students over the course of 10 weeks. It is anticipated that the project will grow next year. You can listen to some of the final podcasts.
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| Sheri Cameron showcases her more than 100 medals. |
DRAGON BOAT CHAMP: Sheri Cameron, a teacher at LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent, has another claim to fame. She represents Canada worldwide in Dragon Boat Racing and has won more than 100 medals.
MIND PODCAST: Listen to our podcast about MIND High School and the special project students engaged in recently.
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| New concepts and techniques in mindfulness were explored. |
INSPIRATIONS IS OUT: The Spring / summer 2021 edition of Inspirations Newspaper is here! The edition has a fresh new, easy-to-read design that compliments the informative and inspirational stories it features. 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, a Netflix review, or our cover story on Paul Karwatsky: From anchor to autism advocate, written by Tania Piperni, autism spectrum disorder consultant at the EMSB. Get to know our edition sponsor Simon Chang of the Simon Chang Foundation for Change better in “14 fun facts about Simon Chang.”
Thanks to the following EMSB specialists for sharing their knowledge. This edition includes an inspirational story about Cooper, a student at Philip E. Layton School by Kristin McNeill, freelancer for the Communications and Marketing Division; a recount of parenting and virtual learning by Sarah Lynch, special education consultant and co-coordinator of the Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged (CoE PIM); Practicing being mindful of our thoughts by Danika Swanson, consultant for the Spiritual and Community Animation service; Tele practice in Speech-Language Pathology Services by Karina Ismail, speech-language pathologist and coordinator at the CoE for Speech and Language Development; an update on the CoE PIM by the Centre’s coordinators; a summary of Galileo Adult Education Centre’s activities by Lisa Trotto and Erica Nicole Onofrio; and an update on John Grant High School’s Walk and Talk for Autism Acceptance event by Jennifer Le Huquet, principal of John Grant High School. In addition, don’t miss Inspirations’ special advisors Nick Katalifos on Horizon 21, a virtual conference that took place on June 11 and 12 that highlighted the success of the first Polaris Enterprise cohort at Wagar Adult Education Centre, and Joanne Charron on the C.A.R.E. Centre, also located at Wagar.
Read the edition here . Like Inspirations on Facebook @inspirationsnews. Email wsinger@emsb.qc.ca to receive print copies or to pitch a story idea for the Fall 2021 / Winter 2022 edition.
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| Daniel Gaudette, his wife and former Olympian Nathalie Lambert and staff present a cheque to the Neuro. |
SUPPORTING THE NEURO FOR A SPECIAL TEACHER: While the Leonardo Da Vinci Academy community in RDP has worked alongside the Montreal Neurological Institute since 2016, when teacher Daniel Gaudette was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2020, their special relationship instantly became personal. After persevering through his six-month battle, Gaudette made his triumphant return to the school in RDP in June by carrying the Olympic torch to kick off the school’s Neuro Olympic Day. The special event served as both the school’s annual fundraiser for the hospital and an activity day for the students. A cheque was presented to the Neuro during the closing ceremonies. Mr. Gaudette, who was named one of the EMSB’s most outstanding teachers in 2020, remains a beloved member of the Leonardo Da Vinci Academy staff. His diagnosis sent shockwaves throughout the community, with students, staff and parents rallying around him throughout his treatment. While still on leave, Gaudette supported the school virtually during the last school year and he plans to return full-time in September. Since 2016, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy has raised over $35,000 for the Montreal Neurological Institute, including $15, 850 this year. See the CTV report. Donations can be made at: https://www.mcgill.ca/seedsofchange/project/brains-need-ldva.
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| Dean Giannarkis |
BERNIE BEIGNE: “It’s a no-frills neighborhood donut shop, reminiscent of the old-school Jewish and Greek bakeries of the day,” says Dean Giannarakis, when asked to describe his latest project. Bernie Beigne, an ode to both the street they call home and the name of the building’s former owner, has something for everyone. There are old-school classics, as well as modern and contemporary concoctions featuring everything from Fruit Loops, Kit-Kat chunks, and Oreos. All donuts are fresh, made in-house that very day, and can be seen hanging from the storefront window. “A good donut is a feel-good food,” says Mr. Giannarakis, the shop’s head chef. “It’s a guilty pleasure. You can be two years old or 82 years old, everyone leaves with a smile on their face.”
While this may be Mr. Giannarakis’ first foray into the pastry world, he is no stranger to the culinary field. He has spent the better part of his life in restaurant kitchens owned and operated by his father, aunt and uncle, from whom he credits his “old-school work ethic.”
Mr. Giannarakis also points to his time in the professional cooking culinary program at the St. Pius X Career Centre in 2014 as a catalyst behind his love of cooking. “I honed my skills at Pius,” said Mr. Giannarakis, who also attended Dunrae Gardens Elementary in TMR and Royal West Academy in Montreal West. “It was very structured and professional. I learned all the techniques and the science behind cooking. It opened my eyes.” Bernie Beigne is located at 23 Bernard St. Ouest (corner Clark) in the Mile End. The shop is opened Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am- 6pm or until supplies last. You can follow them on Instagram at @berniebeigne. See our full story.
RESCUED HORSES: AHT Rescue, a registered non-profit charity, located in Vaudreuil-Dorion, provides second chances to our 14 rescued horses. Not only have they provided them with a new home, but a new purpose through our AHT Experience Program. Former EMSB childcare worker Lori Rubin is among the volunteers. The AHT Experience Program provides equine assisted activities and learning to groups of individuals with mental health, physical or other special needs from community support organizations, learning institutions and select frontline professions. We offer interactions with our rescued horses in a safe, nurturing and stress-free environment. The well-being of teachers has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They understand the feelings of increased stress, worry and anxiety due to a certain sense of loss of contact with your students, space to connect with your peers, the constant changes in policies and work-life balance have all been affected.
AHT Rescue understands and has seen how equine facilitated activities can play a significant role in alleviating the impact on mental health. Simply being in the company of these large sentient beings, one feels calm, relaxed and in the moment...mindfulness. AHT Rescue is coming forward and is offering their AHT Experience Program to teachers. Their horses and our facilitators are DONATING their time and love in this offer to help those who have given and continue to give so much. It’s our way of saying THANK YOU for everything you have done. If you are a teacher or know of a teacher, who could benefit from our support and would be interested in participating, they would be honoured to setup a time to help give back. Please email Lise Sandstrom at lise@ahorsetale.org to find out more about our free program and offer. More information about this program can be found at: https://ahtrescue.org/en/the-aht-experience-program.
PDC’S VIDEO EXPERIENCE: The Grade 6 students at Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in St. Leonard got to create video games for the third year in a row with Youth Fusion. What better way to engage students of all ages in computer science, especially programming, than by teaching them video games development. Through creating videogames, the PDC students exercised their creativity, learned to focus, improve leadership, and exercised their critical thinking. At the 2021 Youth Fusion Gala, Pierre de Coubertin won two awards. Click here.
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| Going green at LINKS. |
LINKS GOES GREEN: LINKS High School students in Ahuntsic have grown to appreciate nature and expressed interest in sprucing up their immediate surroundings. With the mentorship of Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza teachers Lauren Costello and Anna Gualtieri, a beautiful space has been created for all students to enjoy. A dried up weedy area in their schoolyard was calling out to them and they responded by cultivating the soil and removing weeds and rocks. In their place, perennials and annuals were planted, which will attract our vulnerable bee population as well as birds and butterflies. Buddy Benches designed and built by our students were added to allow everyone to sit and gaze at this amazing accomplishment. Mr. Speranza elaborates: “Getting one’s hands dirty and connecting with nature is very relaxing and therapeutic. The students are very proud of themselves having learned some very valuable life skills.”
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| Celebrating their award. |
ENTREPRENERSHIP WINNER: Students in the CASP and DEFIS programs at LINKS High School collaborated to address a very important issue and resulted in winning the local OSEntreprendre competition. OSEntreprendre is a non-profit organization whose mission is “To foster the spirit of entrepreneurship in order to build a proud, innovative, committed and prosperous Quebec.” Teachers Loredana Scotto and Anna Condo, respectively, agree that it is important to discuss local current events in order for the students to understand what is going on around them. One particular event touched the students deeply. Ms. Condo says, “After showing our students the story of Raphael André, who froze to death after being turned away from a homeless shelter due to a COVID outbreak, we collectively decided to delve further into this important issue. It hit so close to home and we knew we had to help in some way.” This led to the creation of LINKS High School Has Your Back Project: Students Caring for the Homeless.” Students assembled personal care drawstring backpack bags with a lot of heart. They included facemasks, hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, thermal blankets, socks, mittens and tissue packets. The students added a personal touch by baking cookies shaped as puzzle pieces, the international symbol for Autism, as a way to represent their own identity. Inspirational cards designed by the students were also placed in each bag. Ms. Scotto says, “The students wanted to let the recipients know that someone out there cares. We are extremely proud of all their hard work, dedication and most importantly, their compassion for others.” The bags were then donated to the Old Brewery Mission for distribution.
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| Dante students gather for their mental health day. |
NATURE OF NURTURING: Spiritual and Community Animators Vince Lacroce, Joe Monachino, and Mary Poullas teamed up to host the first ever Nature of Nurturing Mental Health Day with Grade 5 students at Dante Elementary school (May 14), Honore Mercier Elementary (June 1) and Pierre de Coubertin (June 3). This initiative was spearheaded by the administration teams of Dante, Honore Mercier and Pierre De Coubertin Elementary alongside the SCA service. The day-long event included a guided nature walk, the art of kindness workshop, Yoga and mindfulness, and teambuilding and communication activities. Additional support for the Yoga and Mindfulness session at Dante was provided by Co-Director of Camp Lift, Jonathan Sbrollini, and by Danika Swanson, Spiritual and Community Animation Consultant Danika Swanson at Honore Mercier and Pierre de Coubertin.
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| Gardenview students participate. |
FRIENDSHIP HAS NO AGE STORYTIME: In honor of Friendship Has No Age Day (Journée québécoise l'amitié n'a pas d'âge) and Quebec Intergenerational Week (Semaine québécoise intergénérationnelle), the Spiritual and Community Animation Service partnered with several community organizations from the West-End Intergenerational Network (WIN) to host Virtual Story Times with Seniors on May 25. Each 30-minute session included a live reading of a book by a senior volunteer, followed by a brief discussion and animated activity. This opportunity was open to all Pre K- Grade 3 classes on a first-come, first-served basis.
For classes who were not able to join for the live Storytime, community partner Gay and Grey Montreal produced some wonderful videos of their members reading LGBTQ+ children’s books that were available online after the event, with accompanying activity guides created by Explorations Learning. Follow the link for their recording of And Tango Make Three: A big thanks to all our community partners who made this event possible: Explorations Learning, Gay & Grey Montreal, minibiblioPLUS, NDG YMCA, Contactivity Centre, and The West-End Intergenerational Network for bringing us all together! Check out the CBC featured on one of our Senior Volunteers.
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| Yannick Lupien got a warm greeting. |
NESBITT OLYMPIAN: On June 21, Nesbitt Elementary School in welcomed Canadian Olympian Yannick Lupien as the honorary guest for their mini-Olympic games. This two-part Olympic day included Yannick’s testimonial (both virtually and physically in the school gymnasium), activities centered around perseverance and teamwork, as well as following your dreams, and Olympic inspired games. Yannick participated in the Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) Olympics. His biggest win came at the 2005 World Aquatic Championships, which took place in Montreal, where he finished 2nd place overall. The Olympic programming was developed by the Physical Education Department, Katia Codipietro and Anthony Farinaccio, Kindergarten teacher Rosie Fiorito and Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce.
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| Jake Todaro |
STUDENT FEATURED IN LA PRESSE: Jake Todaro was inspired when his 5th grade teacher, Nina Wong, asked the class to answer the question, "What does home mean to you? "The cross-Canada essay contest for Grades 4, 5 and 6 students was a big deal, as the winners had the opportunity to donate significant amounts of money to their provincial Habitat for Humanity organization. Jake won top honours in his level. A $30,000 donation in his name will help a family create their own home in Montreal. The student from Gardenview School in St. Laurent reflected on his own experience. He wrote a poem about how his parents bought a crumbling house and patiently renovated it, undaunted, into a sanctuary where he is safe and loved. Here is the profile in La Presse.
ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
OFFERING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: The summer of 2019 was a trying one for Allyson Deodath. She had two brain aneurysms that ultimately required surgery in July of that same year. As she recovered from her operation, she was quick to realize that beyond checks to her wound or overall physical health, there was little emotional support offered to her from doctors or therapists. This got her thinking about what others going through hardships of their own may be experiencing. “My surgery was my wake-up call to act and make a difference,” said Ms. Deodath. “If I don’t give back, I cannot heal completely.”
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| Allyson Deodath |
Ms. Deodath turned her desire to help others into ROAR, a non-profit and government-registered organization she founded in October 2019. ROAR, which stands for Reaching Out and Relating, seeks to educate individuals about mental health and mental well-being. Ms. Deodath is no stranger to the field of education. She boasts nearly 40 years of teaching experience, dating back to her first job teaching in her native Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 16. She has been with the English Montreal School Board for 18 years, most recently serving as a Basic English teacher at the High School of Montreal Adult Centre since 2015. Ms. Deodath says ROAR acts an extension of her in-class teaching. “ROAR is teaching people about acceptance and letting them know it is okay to love yourself,” said Ms. Deodath. See this Global TV report on her initiatives.
PIUS IN DEMAND: With the return of the restaurant industry, the demand for students at the St. Pius X Culinary Institute in Ahuntsic has been huge. This is not new to Pius. “We are constantly being solicited for our students,” said Vice Principal Alain Belair. “We have a finite number of students to fill this ever growing demand. We do our best under these strange and difficult times.”
GALILEO PROFILED ON CTV NEWS: A group of adult education students with special needs are doing their part to help front line workers by making a piece of vital pandemic-era equipment. The students at the Galileo Adult Education Centre say they get a rush from giving back to those who gave me so much during the pandemic by making protective visors. “It fills my heart full and it makes me happy that I know I'm helping other people that need the protection,” said student Nancy Leopardi . See this CTV report.
VIRTUAL TOUR: It is finally here. After eight months of videotaping, students and teacher preparations and editing, their much anticipated SIS Galileo Virtual Tour viewing has arrived! This was a huge accomplishment for the school and a team effort which shows the true spirit of Galileo. “Creating this video was a great experience and will allow everyone to see the amazing learning that goes on within our walls,” says Principal Martina Schiavione. See it here.
MR NICK ON CTV: Last month we told you about Common Core Basic English (CCBE) teacher Nick Galanogeorgos, affectionately known as “Mr. Nick,” who has created a truly fun way to help his students learn English at the St. Laurent Adult Education Centre. CTV Montreal News went to visit his class and Rob Lurie filed this terrific report. On Friday, July 2 (8:40 am) Mr. Nick will be a guest on CJAD's Andrew Carter Show.
ÉDITION DU 30 JUIN 2021 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM
RENTRÉE SCOLAIRE : Les élèves du primaire et du secondaire de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) reprendront le chemin de l’école le mardi 31 août 2021. Les enfants de la maternelle devront être âgés de 5 ans au plus tard le 30 septembre 2021, tandis que ceux de la 1re année (1er cycle) devront avoir 6 ans au plus tard à cette même date. Aux niveaux primaire et secondaire, les nouvelles inscriptions auront lieu le mercredi 11 août. Nous invitons les parents à communiquer avec l’école de leur quartier pour prendre rendez-vous. Veuillez consulter le site Web de la Commission au www.emsb.qc.ca où vous trouverez également de l’information sur nos excellents programmes d’éducation des adultes et de formation professionnelle. Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez composer le 514 483-7200 ou adresser un courriel à informationdesk@emsb.qc.ca. La CSEM compte plus de 37 000 élèves répartis dans 34 écoles primaires, 15 écoles secondaires, 7 écoles secondaires innovatrices, 7 écoles des affaires sociales et 10 centres d’éducation des adultes et de formation professionnelle.
Si vous inscrivez votre enfant pour la première fois, vous devrez fournir son certificat de naissance et son carnet de vaccination à l’école qu’il fréquentera. Les parents devront remplir des formulaires afin de permettre à l’école en question de présenter une demande de certificat d’admissibilité à l’enseignement en anglais. En vertu de la Charte de la langue française, un certificat d’admissibilité est généralement accordé aux enfants qui ont reçu la majeure partie de leur enseignement primaire ou secondaire en anglais au Canada, dont la mère ou le père a reçu la majorité de son enseignement primaire en anglais au Canada ou ceux dont le frère ou la sœur a reçu la majorité de son enseignement primaire ou secondaire en anglais au Canada. Veuillez prendre note qu’en raison de la législation qui régit les langues, ce critère exclut les études complétées dans une école privée au Québec.
CURRICULUMS D’HISTOIRE : Lorsqu'une étude de la CSEM a révélé qu'il y avait d'importantes lacunes dans les curriculums d'histoire du Québec et du Canada de la 3e et de la 4e secondaire, un projet en plusieurs volets a été entrepris afin de fournir à nos élèves une compréhension plus complète de leur propre histoire. Ce site Web s’inscrit dans cette démarche. Les curriculums – dans leur forme actuelle – sous-représentent les peuples minoritaires dans le récit historique. Il s’agit notamment de l'histoire des Canadiens noirs, des immigrants canadiens, des peuples autochtones, des femmes et de l’omission en grande partie de ce qui se passait à l'extérieur du Québec. Afin de combler ces lacunes, ce site Web (accessible uniquement par le biais d'un compte CSEM) fournit aux enseignants des plans de cours complets relatifs à ces cinq populations sous-représentées. Classés par niveau scolaire et par période, ces plans de cours comprennent des diapositives, des activités, des documents historiques primaires et secondaires supplémentaires, des évaluations formelles, ainsi que la source académique à laquelle l'enseignant peut se référer. De cette façon, ce site Web fournit aux enseignants une ressource aussi pertinente et précieuse que facile à utiliser. Vous pouvez le consulter à l'adresse suivante : https://sites.google.com/emsb.qc.ca/theuntolds.
AJOUT DE CLASSES DE PRÉMATERNELLE : Le ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (MEQ) a autorisé la CSEM à mettre en place 48 classes de prématernelle subventionnées en 2021-2022. À la lumière du nombre actuel d’inscriptions et de l’espace disponible, ces classes seront réparties entre les écoles suivantes : Bancroft (3), Carlyle (3), Coronation (1), Dalkeith (1), Dante (2), Dunrae Gardens (3), East Hill (4), Edward Murphy (1), Gerald McShane (2), Hampstead (1), Honoré-Mercier (2), John Caboto (3), Leonard Da Vinci (3), Centre Mackay (1), Michelangelo (3), Nesbitt (1), Our Lady of Pompei (1), Parkdale (2), Pierre Elliott Trudeau (3), Pierre de Coubertin (3), Sinclair Laird (1), St. Gabriel (1), St. Monica (2) et Westmount Park (2).
NOMINATIONS ADMINISTRATIVES : De nouvelles nominations administratives au sein des écoles ont été annoncées pour l’année scolaire 2021-2022, avec prise d’effet le 1er juillet. Directions : Myrianne Lusignan, Bancroft (actuellement directrice adjointe, Services éducatifs); Jimmy Giannacopoulos, Centre de santé et d’études commerciales Shadd (actuellement au Centre d’éducation des adultes Saint-Laurent); Ann Marie Matheson, Centre d’éducation des adultes High School of Montreal (auparavant directrice générale); Harry Michalopoulos, Centre d’éducation des adultes Wagar (actuellement au Centre d’éducation des adultes High School of Montreal); Otis Delaney, école primaire Cedarcrest (actuellement à l’école secondaire John F. Kennedy); Libby Amato, école secondaire John F. Kennedy (actuellement à l’école primaire East Hill); Steven Rebelo, East Hill (actuellement à Gerald McShane); Elena Zervas, Gardenview (actuellement à Cedarcrest); Christina Chilelli, école primaire Elizabeth Ballantyne (actuellement en congé); Joseph Vitantonio, école FACE (actuellement directeur adjoint – personnel de soutien aux Ressources humaines); David Lee, Gerald McShane (actuellement en congé).
Les nouvelles nominations à titre de directions adjointes sont les suivantes : Antonella Russo, Centre de carrières St. Pius X (actuellement à la même école); Michael Creamer, Willingdon (actuellement à Royal West); Ivan Spilak, école secondaire Laurier Macdonald (actuellement à l’Académie Leonardo Da Vinci); Isabella Gagnier, Shadd (actuellement à ce poste par intérim); Véronique Carrié, Centre d’éducation des adultes Saint-Laurent (actuellement à Laurier Macdonald); Jessica Monti, Pierre de Coubertin (actuellement en congé de maternité); Peter McKelvie, Académie LaurenHill (actuellement au Collège Vincent Massey); Sam Servello, école Royal Vale (actuellement directeur à Elizabeth Ballantyne); Mireille Tehbelian, Roslyn (actuellement enseignante à LaurenHill); Holly Kusiewicz, Collège Vincent Massey (actuellement à l’école primaire Westmount Park); Gaetano Sifoni, Westmount High (actuellement directeur par intérim à Gardenview); Real Heppelle, Centre de technologie Rosemont (actuellement directeur adjoint de l’école virtuelle); Laetitia Kachmar, Leonardo Da Vinci (actuellement enseignante à l’école secondaire Westmount). Marilyn Ramlakhan devient directrice adjointe – personnel de soutien aux Ressources humaines. Elle est actuellement directrice à l’école FACE.
Bonne chance à Dorothy Ostrowicz (Bancroft) qui prend sa retraite après 41 ans de service et à Joe Cacchione (Shadd) qui prend un congé sabbatique.
ÉLÈVE DU MOIS : Eliane Goldstein, élève de 1re secondaire à l’école secondaire Westmount, a lancé son propre balado intitulé The Effect on Us. Elle souhaite ainsi pouvoir renseigner et sensibiliser les personnes de tous âges à des sujets importants et médiatisés. Elle a été couronnée Élève du mois de juin à la CSEM. « Je souhaite que les gens soient plus éclairés sur ces sujets et plus ouverts pour en parler," de dire Eliane.
La première saison sera consacrée à l’Holocauste et aux répercussions de ce génocide sur les gens. Eliane réalise des entrevues avec des individus qui ont été marqués par l’Holocauste, qu’il s’agisse d’un survivant, de ses enfants ou petits-enfants, afin de partager leur histoire. Ce que je préfère dans ma démarche, c’est lorsque je fais des recherches sur les gens en prévision de l’entrevue et qu’ils me racontent ensuite ce qu’ils ont vécu », explique-t-elle.
Ce balado a vu le jour dans le cadre de son projet de Bat Mitzvah inspiré par des discussions avec son rabbin et sa mère. Pour sa première série, elle avait choisi de s’entretenir avec Joelle Krolik, survivant de l’Holocauste, qui est malheureusement décédé avant qu’elle n’ait pu l’interviewer. Néanmoins, l’histoire de Joelle sera présentée dans le balado et racontée par ceux et celles qui l’ont connu. Bien que le balado The Effect on Us ait été à la base un projet de Bat Mitzvah, Eliane a décidé de poursuivre l’aventure en continuant à raconter les histoires des gens et à se plonger dans des conversations difficiles. Celle qui adore écouter des histoires et apprendre, a déclaré : « J’adore le moment où on réalise à quel point l’histoire est vraiment incroyable, le moment où tous les éléments de l’histoire s’imbriquent pour former un tout. » Tout comme son auditoire, ces moments ont marqué Eliane et elle espère poursuivre ses apprentissages aux côtés de chacun d’entre nous. Pour écouter son balado et l’accompagner dans sa quête d’exploration et d’inspiration, cliquez ici :
TRAGÉDIE DE LONDON : Dans les jours qui ont suivi l’horrible tragédie survenue à London en Ontario, la CSEM a publié la déclaration suivante : « Alors que les élèves se préparent à passer le weekend avec leur famille, nous demandons à chacun de prendre un moment pour honorer la mémoire des quatre membres de la famille Afzaal tués dans une attaque terroriste dimanche dernier, et de prier pour le prompt rétablissement de Fayez âgé de 9 ans. »
OPTIONS HONORE LES VICTIMES D’UN PENSIONNAT AUTOCHTONE : Voici le reportage de Christine Long du réseau CTV :
L’école secondaire Options, une école innovatrice située à Ville-Émard, a l’habitude de faire les choses différemment et c’est dans cet esprit qu’elle a décidé d’honorer les enfants dont les restes ont été retrouvés sur le site d’un ancien pensionnat en Colombie-Britannique. L’école Options a donc organisé jeudi une cérémonie spéciale à la mémoire des 215 enfants. Étendus par terre dans la cour d’école, ils ont fait 215 burpees, ensemble à l’unisson, pour symboliser le fait de se lever debout pour ceux qui ne pouvaient pas le faire. Aux dires des élèves, il s’agissait là d’un bien petit aperçu de la lutte et des souffrances que ces jeunes élèves ont dû endurer il y a des décennies. « Pour faire des burpees, il faut s’allonger au sol et ensuite se relever. Ce que nous voulons faire aujourd’hui pour honorer ces 215 victimes, c’est nous tenir debout pour ceux qui ont été forcés de demeurer au sol, nous voulons prendre la parole pour ceux pour ceux qui ont été obligés de se taire et nous voulons changer leur histoire, nous voulons qu’elle soit racontée plutôt qu’enterrée », de dire Jason Gannon, enseignant et co-organisateur de l’événement. « Quelqu’un a tenté de les effacer de l’histoire. Ils ont été maltraités, mal nourris, affamés et enterrés. »
M. Gannon a élaboré ce projet en compagnie de l’un de ses élèves, Casey Bossum, dont la famille crie est originaire de la région de la Baie James. La grand-mère paternelle de Casey a elle-même été traumatisée dans un pensionnat. Casey étant trop timide pour raconter son histoire devant ses camarades de classe, c’est son père, John, qui a pris la parole. « Lorsque j’ai entendu que 215 corps avaient été retrouvés, j’ai tout de suite pleuré en pensant « Et si c’était mon fils? », a-t-il déclaré, les larmes aux yeux. » Pour consulter l’intégral du reportage et la vidéo, visitez : https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/ville-emard-high-school-finds-novel-way-to-honour-residential-school-victims-1.5475605.
VACCINATION DES ÉLÈVES : La CSEM a travaillé en collaboration avec le CIUSSS local afin de coordonner les rendez-vous de vaccination contre la COVID-19 pour les élèves âgés de 12 à 17 ans. Certains bâtiments scolaires ont été désignés comme centres de vaccination pour les élèves. Les membres du personnel qui n’avaient pas encore reçu leur première dose ont également pu se faire vacciner. Qui plus est, des établissements de la CSEM ont été ouverts au public après les heures de classe. Ainsi, les élèves âgés de 12 et 13 ans qui n’avaient pas de formulaire de consentement ou les jeunes de 12 ans des écoles primaires avoisinantes ont pu recevoir le vaccin, à condition d’être accompagnés d’un parent.
« Tout s’est très bien déroulé », de déclarer la directrice de l’école secondaire John Grant à propos de l’expérience vécue à son école. « L’équipe du CIUSSS a fait preuve d’un grand professionnalisme et s’est montrée très aimable avec nos élèves. Nous sommes tous très reconnaissants. Les élèves avaient préparé des cartes de remerciement et cuisiné des biscuits pour remercier les infirmières et le personnel administratif. »
COMPTE RENDU DE L’ÉCOLE WESTMOUNT PARK : L’établissement de 105 ans situé au 15 Park Place est fermé depuis deux ans en raison de travaux de réfection totalisant 20 millions de dollars. Depuis la fermeture, les élèves sont hébergés à l’ancienne école primaire St. John Bosco à Ville-Émard (Westmount Park – Campus sud) et à l’Académie internationale Marymount à NDG (Westmount Park – Campus nord). Les installations rénovées proposeront des salles de classe modernes, notamment des tableaux interactifs SMART dont certains seront réglables en hauteur pour accommoder les plus jeunes élèves et leurs enseignants. On y trouvera également diverses options de sièges, de multiples espaces d’apprentissage, un local dédié à la musique et un autre aux sciences, de même que l’ajout d’un ascenseur et d’une rampe d’accès à l’extérieur afin de rendre le bâtiment plus accessible à tous. Afin de préserver en partie l’héritage du bâtiment, les superbes boiseries de l’auditorium seront restaurées, tandis que le système de gicleurs et les sorties de secours seront mis aux normes. La peinture sera rafraîchie, les sièges seront réparés et de nouvelles unités de chauffage seront installées. Au fil des ans, cet emplacement a été convoité pour le tournage de bon nombre de films. À ce jour, les travaux sur les trois premiers étages sont presque terminés. À l’heure actuelle, les deux scénarios suivants sont envisagés : les élèves et le personnel réintégreront l’établissement dès la rentrée scolaire, ou les élèves et le personnel réintégreront l’établissement alors que l’entrepreneur terminera les travaux restants en soirée et la fin de semaine.
Au nombre des travaux majeurs effectués à l’école Westmount Park, mentionnons la réfection de la toiture, la finition intérieure, l'accessibilité (ascenseur), des travaux d’ordre mécanique (plomberie, CVC, gicleurs) et électrique (câblage, éclairage, télécommunications, système d'alarme-incendie, etc.) ainsi que des travaux à l'extérieur (rampe d'accès supplémentaire, travaux d'utilité publique, système de drainage et imperméabilisation des fondations).
La CSEM continuera à fournir des mises à jour fréquentes.
INSPIRATIONS : L’édition printemps/été 2021 du magazine Inspirations est arrivée et fait peau neuve! Il est désormais plus facile que jamais de faire la lecture des articles informatifs et inspirants qu’elle renferme. La rubrique In this edition, en page 3, présente un aperçu de chacune des sections du magazine et vous indique où trouver le contenu que vous souhaitez lire en premier, qu’il s’agisse d’une nouvelle ressource, de conseils utiles de la part de l’un des spécialistes des Services aux élèves à la CSEM, d’une critique Netflix ou encore notre article-couverture Paul Karwatsky : From anchor to autism advocate, rédigé par Tania Piperni, conseillère en troubles du spectre de l’autisme à la CSEM. Apprenez à mieux connaître notre commanditaire Simon Chang de la Fondation Simon Chang pour le changement en parcourant la rubrique 14 fun facts about Simon Chang.
Nous désirons remercier les collaborateurs suivants à la CSEM qui ont accepté de partager leur savoir. Cette édition renferme un article inspirant de Kristin McNeill, rédactrice pigiste à la Division des communications, qui met en vedette Cooper, élève à l’école Philip E. Layton; un récit portant sur le rôle de parent et l’apprentissage virtuel, par Sarah Lunch, conseillère en adaptation scolaire et coordonnatrice du Centre d’excellence pour les personnes souffrant de handicaps physiques, intellectuels et multiples (CoE PIM); Practicing being mindful of our thoughts par Danika Swanson, conseillère au Service d’animation de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire à la CSEM; Telepractice in Speech-Language Pathology Services par Karina Ismail, orthophoniste et coordonnatrice du Centre d’excellence pour le développement de la parole et du langage; une mise à jour du CoE PIM présentée par les coordonnatrices du Centre; un sommaire des activités au Centre d’éducation des adultes Galileo, par Lisa Trotto et Erica Nicole Onofrio; ainsi qu’un résumé de l’événement Walk and Talk for Autism Acceptance à l’école secondaire John Grant préparé par Jennifer Le Huquet, directrice de l’école. En outre, ne manquez pas de lire les collaborateurs spéciaux d’Inspirations : Nick Katalifos au sujet d’Horizon 21, une conférence virtuelle tenue les 11 et 12 juin ayant notamment fait les éloges de la première cohorte Polaris Enterprise au Centre d’éducation des adultes Wagar; ainsi que Joanne Charron à propos du Centre C.A.R.E., également situé à Wagar.
Nous vous invitons à lire cette édition à http://inspirationsnews.com/inspirations/articles/print-edition-spring-2021-summer-2021. Visitez-nous au www.inspirationsnews.com ou sur Facebook @inspirationsnews. Envoyez un courriel à wsinger@emsb.qc.ca pour recevoir des exemplaires imprimés ou si vous souhaitez proposer un article pour l’édition automne 2021/hiver 2022.
APPUYER LE NEURO POUR UN ENSEIGNANT BIEN SPÉCIAL: Bien que la communauté de l'Académie Leonardo Da Vinci de RDP collabore avec l'Institut neurologique de Montréal depuis 2016, lorsque l'enseignant Daniel Gaudette a reçu un diagnostic de tumeur au cerveau en décembre 2020, leur relation spéciale est instantanément devenue personnelle. Après avoir persévéré tout au long de son combat de six mois, M. Gaudette a fait un retour triomphal à l'école de RDP en juin en portant le flambeau olympique pour donner le coup d'envoi à la Journée neuro-olympique organisée par l’école. Cet événement spécial se voulait à la fois une collecte de fonds annuelle de l'école au profit de l'hôpital et une journée d'activités pour les élèves. Un chèque a été remis à l’Institut neurologique lors de la cérémonie de clôture. M. Gaudette, qui fut nommé l'un des enseignants les plus remarquables de la CSEM en 2020, est un membre très apprécié du personnel de l'Académie Leonardo Da Vinci. Son diagnostic a provoqué une véritable onde de choc au sein de la communauté. Les élèves, le personnel ainsi que les parents l’ont appuyé durant son traitement. Même s’il est encore en congé, M. Gaudette a soutenu l'école de manière virtuelle pendant l’année scolaire et envisage un retour à temps plein en septembre. Depuis 2016, l’Académie Leonardo Da Vinci a amassé plus de 35 000 $ destinés à l’Institut neurologique de Montréal, dont 15 850 $ cette année. Pour visionner l’intégral du reportage de CTV : https://vimeo.com/563920059.
Pour faire un don : https://www.mcgill.ca/seedsofchange/project/brains-need-ldva.
POUR L’AMOUR DE LA LECTURE : C’est avec plaisir que nous vous annonçons que les écoles Mackay et Philip E. Layton sont récipiendaires cette année d’une subvention du Fonds pour la littératie (#LiteracyFundGrant) de la Fondation Indigo pour l’amour de la lecture! Grâce à elle, nous avons été en mesure de procurer aux élèves du matériel de lecture indispensable afin que tous les enfants puissent avoir accès à des livres diversifiés et enrichissants. Pour visionner la vidéo : https://bit.ly/3gm3Ly6. Merci à la Fondation #IndigoLoveofReading!
BERNIE BEIGNE : « C’est une beignerie de quartier sans prétention, qui rappelle les boulangeries juives et grecques d’autrefois », s’est exclamé Dean Giannarakis à propos de son tout dernier projet. Bernie Beigne, dont l’appellation se veut une ode à la fois à la rue où la beignerie est située et au nom de l’ancien propriétaire du bâtiment, a de quoi satisfaire tous les goûts. On y trouve de grands classiques, ainsi que des créations modernes et contemporaines garnies de Fruit Loops, de morceaux de Kit Kat et de biscuits OREO. Tous les beignes sont fraîchement préparés sur place, le jour même. On peut les admirer dans la vitrine de la beignerie. « Un bon beigne, c’est réconfortant, de dire M. Giannarakis, chef cuisinier de la beignerie. C’est un petit plaisir coupable. Que vous ayez 2 ou 82 ans, vous quitterez la beignerie avec un sourire aux lèvres. »
Bien qu’il s’agisse de la première incursion de M. Giannarakis dans l’univers de la pâtisserie, ce dernier n’est pas pour autant étranger au domaine culinaire. En effet, il a passé la majeure partie de sa vie dans la cuisine des restaurants détenus et exploités par son père, sa tante et son oncle, à qui il doit d’ailleurs son « éthique de travail à l’ancienne ».
M. Giannarakis souligne également que son passage en 2014 au Centre de carrières St. Pius X, dans le programme culinaire, a été un catalyseur pour son amour de la cuisine. « J’ai perfectionné mes compétences à Pius, a déclaré M. Giannarakis, qui a également fréquenté l’école primaire Dunrae Gardens à Ville Mont-Royal et l’Académie Royal West à Montréal-Ouest. Le programme était très structuré et professionnel. J’y ai appris toutes les techniques et la science derrière la cuisine. Ça m’a ouvert les yeux. » Bernie Beigne est située au 23, rue Bernard Ouest (à l’angle de Clark) dans le quartier Mile-End. La beignerie est ouverte du mercredi au dimanche, de 10 h à 18 h, où jusqu’à ce que tous les beignes soient vendus. Suivez Bernie Beigne sur Instagram à @berniebeigne.
LA PRESSE SOULIGNE LA VICTOIRE D’UN ÉLÈVE DE GARDENVIEW : Jake Todaro s’est senti inspiré lorsque son enseignante de 5e année, Nina Wong, a demandé à la classe de répondre à la question « Que signifie pour vous le mot chez-soi »? Le concours de rédaction pancanadien destiné aux élèves de 4e, 5e et 6e année était très important, car les gagnants avaient la possibilité de faire don d’une somme d’argent considérable à leur organisme provincial Habitat pour l’humanité. Jake a été couronné grand vainqueur à son niveau. Un don de 30 000 $ sera versé en son nom et aidera une famille à créer son propre chez-soi à Montréal. L’élève de l’école Gardenview de Saint-Laurent a réfléchi à sa propre expérience. Il a composé un poème où il raconte comment ses parents ont acheté une maison délabrée et l’ont patiemment rénovée, sans se décourager, pour en faire un sanctuaire où il se sent aimé et en sécurité.
Pour consulter l’intégral de l’article : https://www.lapresse.ca/maison/2021-06-09/aider-des-familles-a-creer-leur-propre-chez-soi.php.
SERVICE DE L’ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE
SERVICES EN SANTÉ MENTALE : L’été 2019 fut une période éprouvante pour Allyson Deodath. En effet, elle a souffert de deux anévrismes cérébraux qui ont finalement nécessité une intervention chirurgicale en juillet de la même année. Alors qu’elle se remettait de son opération, elle a tôt fait de réaliser qu’au-delà des suivis concernant sa plaie ou sa santé physique en général, elle recevait peu de soutien émotionnel de la part des médecins et des thérapeutes. Son expérience l’a amenée à réfléchir à ce que d’autres personnes traversant des épreuves peuvent vivre. « Mon opération a été un signal d’alarme qui m’a poussée à agir et à faire une différence », de dire Allyson. Si je ne donne pas en retour, ma guérison ne sera pas complète. »
Madame Deodath a transformé son désir d’aider les autres en fondant ROAR en octobre 2019, un organisme à but non lucratif enregistré auprès du gouvernement. ROAR, qui signifie Reaching Out and Relating, cherche à éduquer les individus sur la santé mentale et le bien-être mental. Madame Deodath n’est pas étrangère au milieu de l’éducation. En effet, elle cumule près de 40 ans d’expérience en enseignement, depuis son premier emploi à l’âge de 16 ans dans son pays natal, Trinité-et-Tobago. Elle travaille à la Commission scolaire English-Montréal depuis 18 ans, et occupe depuis 2015 un poste d’enseignante d’anglais de base au Centre d’éducation des adultes High School of Montreal. Madame Deodath affirme que ROAR est le prolongement de son enseignement en classe et « qu’il enseigne aux gens l’acceptation, tout en leur faisant comprendre qu’il n’y a pas de mal à s’aimer soi-même ».
« Allyson comble les lacunes lorsque des gens sont en attente d’une aide médicale plus poussée », de dire Harry Michalopoulos, directeur du Centre d’éducation des adultes High School of Montreal. « Elle est un exutoire vers lequel nous pouvons orienter quelqu’un aux prises avec certains troubles de santé mentale. »
Pour visionner le reportage réalisé par Global TV : https://globalnews.ca/video/7946651/montreal-teacher-starts-mental-health-program-roar-to-help-immigrants
PIUS EN FORTE DEMANDE : La réouverture du secteur de la restauration a entraîné une énorme demande pour les élèves provenant de l’Institut culinaire St. Pius X d’Ahuntsic. Or, cela n’a rien d’inhabituel pour Pius. « Nos élèves sont constamment sollicités », de dire Alain Bélair, directeur adjoint. « Nous avons un nombre limité d’élèves pour répondre à cette demande toujours croissante. Nous faisons de notre mieux en ces temps difficiles. »
REPORTAGE DE CTV NEWS SUR GALILEO : Un groupe d’élèves de l’éducation des adultes ayant des besoins particuliers font leur part afin d’aider les travailleurs de première ligne en fabriquant des visières de protection, pièce d’équipement vitale en ces temps de pandémie. Les élèves du Centre d’éducation des adultes Galileo affirment qu’ils éprouvent une grande satisfaction à rendre la pareille à ceux et celles qui leur ont tant donné pendant la pandémie. « J’éprouve une grande joie et je suis heureuse de savoir que j’aide d’autres personnes à assurer leur protection », s’est exclamée l’élève Nancy Leopardi:
ÉCOLE VIRTUELLE : (Cet article a été publié sur la page Facebook de l’Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants au sujet d’Emma Stivaletta, une élève de l’école virtuelle inscrite en 1re année au programme bilingue.) Aujourd'hui est un jour spécial pour une petite fille exceptionnelle. Il s'agit d'Emma. Le 11 avril 2019, à seulement 4 ans, on lui a diagnostiqué une leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë (LLA). Au cours des deux dernières années, elle s’est rendue chaque semaine à l’Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants pour y recevoir des traitements et a touché de nombreux cœurs en cours de route. Ce matin, elle nous a finalement rendu visite pour la dernière fois en tant que malade du cancer. Elle recevra sa dernière chimio à la maison vendredi.
Maintenant qu'elle a retrouvé son énergie, Emma aime nager, courir et cuisiner avec sa mère. Ensemble, elles vendent des plats de pâtes italiennes afin de recueillir des fonds pour la Fondation de l'Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants et aider à sauver d'autres enfants comme Emma. Nous sommes reconnaissants d'avoir rencontré cette petite fille courageuse et lui souhaitons tout le meilleur pour le futur!
Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 1er septembre. Prière de soumettre vos articles au plus tard le 26 août à midi, à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca
I am very happy to learn that a review of the highschool history curriculum is underway. Thank you for fighting for this important change so that our children learn, we hope, actual, factual and correct history that also gives credence to all the different waves of immigration that helped to create this province. I would also like to say that I think it is wonderful that the EMSB is honoring some of the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations. If the schoolboard would like curriculum and information to teach about what happened to the Indigineous First Peoples - I recommend that you contact the Legacy Of Hope Foundation in Ottawa who have a Canada-wide mission to inform, educate and provide materials: https://legacyofhope.ca/ - please pass this on to the appropriate person.
ReplyDeleteA grateful parent of a former student at MIND and one on his way to Royal West Academy.
I would love for kids with ADHD would be able to virtual learning since my daughter did so much better then in person school this should be a wonderful thing for parents and kids to get better attention in learning I know my daughter passed this year with amazing grades and In person learning she would of failed but I know it’s like asking for a miracle for this to happen but I would be grateful if the Emsb would consider it and keep in mind that some kids do better when there’s less kids around them
ReplyDeleteI wanted to thank all of you virtual teachers and staff for all you have done for us and are kids
Grateful parent of a Bancroft student that did virtual learning this year
Marina.p