PARENTS CONFERENCE: The 2023 EMSB Parents Conference will take place on Sunday, May 28 (9 am to Noon) at Rosemount High School (3737 Beaubien Street East). The comedy duo of Bowser and Blue will serve as emcees. It will be followed up by five days of lunch and learn video capsules from May 29 to June 2.
Listen to our podcast previewing the event right here.
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| New Frontier Board Chair John Ryan, QESBA and Riverside Board Chair Dan Lamoureux, Joe Ortona, Lester B. Pearson Board Chair Judy Kelley and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Board Chair Paola Galati. |
BILL 96 CONFERENCE: If you did not yet see the special EMSB conference on Bill 96, the entire session is available online. On April 27 the EMSB hosted a by invitation only conference on the impact of Bill 96. A focus for discussion was Bill 96 vis-a-vis our education system and competitiveness. One panel focused on the impact on our English elementary and secondary schools while the other looked at the impact on CEGEPs, businesses and the community. .
Watch Our Video Podcast With Pre- Conference Interviews
Listen to Our Audio Version of the Same Podcast
SCHOOL BOARDS OPPOSE BILL 23: The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) is shocked at the further infringement of the English-speaking community’s constitutional rights to control and manage our school system contained in Bill 23, An Act to amend mainly the Education Act and to enact the Act respecting the Institut national d’excellence en education. The government introduced Bill 23, which empowers it to appoint the directors general of school boards, a clear violation of our section 23 rights to manage and control our educational institutions. The Bill also authorizes the Minister of Education to annul decisions of school boards “not consistent with targets, objectives, policy directions and directives the Minister has established.” The introduction of Bill 23 also violates the spirit of the stay of Bill 40, issued in August of 2020 by the Quebec Superior Court, and confirmed by the Quebec Court of Appeal, which suspended modifications to the school governance model in the English network pending a decision on the merits of the case. Justice Sylvain Lussier’s decision on the constitutionality of Bill 40 is pending since he took the case under deliberation in June of 2021.
Listen to Joe Ortona on CJAD Radio
Read Allison Hanes’ story in The Gazette
Watch Joe Ortona on CityNews regarding Bill 23
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| James Kromida, Mayor DeSousa, Joe Ortona and Nick Katalifos. |
MEETING WITH BOROUGH MAYOR: EMSB Chair Joe Ortona, Commissioner James Kromida and Director General Nick Katalifos had a meeting with St. Laurent Borough Mayor Alan DeSousa. This is part of Mr. Ortona’s efforts to continue to convene with political leaders at the provincial, federal and municipal levels.
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| Tony Marinaro (far right) with Mike Matheson and students. |
THE SICK PODCAST: Last month Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson visited St. Gabriel Elementary School as part of a special program organized by the Champions for Life Fondation. Tony Marinaro, who hosts the very popular Sick Podcast, served as emcee. He followed that up with a podcast with Matheson at which time he spoke a lot about the school visit.
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| Gardenview students read about the Holocaust. |
HOLOCAUST EDUCATION: The EMSB Holocaust Education Program, made possible via Nova grants from the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, will wind down in June. This has been a very successful project. The EMSB hopes to obtain additional funding to continue this in 2023-24. The Grade 5 students at Gardenview Elementary School in St. Laurent have spent the last few months learning about the Holocaust in order to begin their novel study on the book, Number the Stars. The students learned that the Holocaust was a horrible event that happened because of stereotypes and anti-Semitism. They gained knowledge about the ghettos, concentrations camps, but also the Resistance and the transportation of the Danish Jews to Sweden. Unfortunately, there are still neo-Nazis, which is why it is so important for us to learn about this topic. Going to the Holocaust Museum brought all of what they learned to life. It made the events of the past feel more real. “I didn’t expect to see a real suitcase and it made it feel almost too real” said Hayden, a Grade 5 student. The staff and students are so grateful for this experience at the Montreal Holocaust Museum. It helped everyone analyze what happened in history and see how real it was. It made them realize just how horrifying this historical event was. Seeing the artifacts, hearing the survivors’ stories and seeing the pictures provided a glimpse of the whole picture. “We encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit this museum in order to better understand the past, so that it won’t be repeated,” said Spiritual Community Animator Mikaella Goldsmith. You can read more later this week on the Holocaust Education website at www.HolocaustEducationMtl.com.
PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC: Via the EMSB Holocaust education podcast, hosts Mark Bergman and Eliane Goldstein interviewed Royal Vale grad Misha Kreyzerman and Ellen David, who went to the former Wagar High School, to talk about their roles in the Segal Centre Holocaust themed play Prayer for The French Republic.
QUEBEC VIRTUAL ACADEMY IS BACK: The EMSB has announced that Quebec Virtual Academy will return for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students from across the province with English eligibility, and who meet the criteria established by the Ministry of Education, are now able to apply for September admission for Kindergarten to Secondary V. The opening of a grade level is conditional to having a sufficient number of students registered. In its first year of operation, Quebec Virtual Academy has been able to meet the unique needs of its student population through flexible scheduling, ample teacher tutorials, extracurricular activity opportunities and regular follow up from the school and guidance team. Student athletes have had the opportunity to continue to train at high levels of their sport and participate in competitions and events in Ontario, British Columbia, California, and Europe. Those students with long term medical conditions have been able to focus on their unique medical treatment plans while having their needs met by accommodating them academically and socially. Students living in a rural area have been able to access courses such as Chemistry and Physics which will lead them into their academic future in line with their true passion and interest. Please see our press release and the QVA website for all of the details: www.emsb.qc.ca/qva
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| Staff, students and dignitaries at the Colors For Peace event. |
COLORS FOR PEACE: The EMSB hosted an exhibit and ceremony on April 26 at its central head office at which time students from three integrated Italian PELO primary (Programme d'enseignement des langues d'origine) programs were recognized for their participation in the COLORS FOR PEACE activity. PELO programs aim to improve student knowledge of their heritage language and gives greater depth to their understanding of human experience by fostering an appreciation of the customs, culture and achievements of people within their communities. In this activity, 30 students from Dante, East Hill and Pierre de Coubertin showcased the top designs submitted in the presence of the Console Generale D’Italia in Montreal, Silvia Costantini and President of Colori Per la Pace, Antonio Giannelli. See our press release for details.
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| Students from LINKS at the event. |
SPECIAL CONFERENCE: The Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged (Centre PIM) hosted its first in-person workshop at the EMSB Central Board Office titled Enhancing Social Participation for Students with Intellectual Disabilities on May 2. The Centre PIM is an MEQ funded province-wide resource that offers professional development and support to English school boards of Quebec under the direction of Inclusive Education Services (IES). The workshop included presentations from teachers, professionals and parents surrounding the theme of social participation. Entrepreneurship initiatives for students and adults with intellectual disabilities were also highlighted. Attendees included teachers, staff and professionals representing 9 English school boards in Quebec. Student volunteers from LINKS High School, one of the EMSB special education high schools, assisted throughout the day in various workshop activities as well as with organization and distribution of snacks and lunches. For more information on the Centre PIM, please visit www.coepim.ca.
See more photos from the event
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| Principal Rania Delis, staff and students at an event fit for a "King." |
THE ROYAL CORONATION: In advance of the Coronation of King Charles III May 6, a number of schools organized activities. One was Coronation Elementary School in Côte des Neiges where Kindergarten teachers Soumiya Thiyagarajah and Rhealyne-Marie Estero decided to ensure that their students learned why their school’s name was going to be in all headlines. With this being the first "Coronation" of a British Royal since 1953, the Kindergarten teachers turned the event into an interactive history lesson for their students with the help of a Grade 5 class. To mark the “Coronation,” students spent the morning learning about the coronation and why this event is so significant to British people both in the United Kingdom and around the world. Students will also participate in an arts and crafts project where they created their own crowns and other Coronation symbols. In 1953, schools across the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (now the EMSB) celebrated the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II with various ceremonies. The PSBGM distributed to all schools an illustrated brochure indicating ways to replicate the symbols, regalia and appendages “to make the Coronation an event of beauty and charm in our rooms and corridors.” Each school was supplied with a framed portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, while the students created further decorations on their own. In addition to various art activities, schools marked the occasion with assemblies, history lessons, and music. Coinciding with the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the opening of Coronation School, hence its name.
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| Roslyn students in their royal outfits. |
ROSLYN’S ROYAL EXPERIENCE: It was a party fit for a king at Roslyn Elementary School in Westmount recently when Kindergarten and Grades 4 students celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with an afternoon tea party. After learning about the significance of the Coronation, students dressed up in their finest clothes to munch on cupcakes, powdered donuts, old fashioned donuts, muffins and of course, tea. Thank you to the incredible Kindergarten teachers as well as to Principal Joanna Genovezos and Vice Principal Mireille Tehbelian for helping the students mark this very special occasion.
See this wonderful report by CBC, which also made the national news.
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| Roslyn students at Jewish Heritage Month event. |
JEWISH HERITAGE MONTH: To honor Jewish Heritage Month that takes place each year in May, Roslyn Elementary School’s Spiritual and Community Animator Ms. Goldsmith created a Jewish Heritage themed Jeopardy game. Here she can be seen playing with Roslyn Grade 5 students.
SCIENCE WINNERS ON PODCAST: Five students from Royal West Academy in Montreal West shined at the annual Hydro-Québec Montreal Regional Science and Technology Fair held at Laval Senior Academy. Mark Bergman spoke with twin sisters Lauren and Cassidy Engo, Laura De Angelis, Elisabetta Iorio and Emma Birlean.
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| The winning Royal West team. |
ROBOTICS TRIUMPH: The Zone01 Robotics Competition took place at Collège Reine-Marie May 12 and Royal West Academy had five teams and 16 students participate. In the Sumo Competition, the team of Masha Al-Moussawi-Wasserman, Daniel Peretz and Nate Rothman finished second out of 28 teams. Several other teams made the top 10. In the Survival Mode Competition, Jacob Falvo and Danny Huang qualified for the Nationals on June 4.
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| Human Resources Director Ann Watson, DG Nick Katalifos, James Lyng Principal Giovanni Iammarone, Klara Bourne, EMSB Chair Joe Ortona and Vice Principal Andrea Dillon. |
TEACHER RECOGNITION: On the occasion of EMSB Teacher Recognition Day, four teachers were presented with special awards from the Petros Taverna restaurant group, as well as certificates on Monday, May 1 at James Lyng High School in St. Henri. The winners were also profiled on television by promotion co-sponsor CityNews Montreal. The EMSB launched this ceremony a decade ago to coincide with National Teachers Day in the United States and recognize this profession towards the end of the academic year. The EMSB received many nominations from parents for the awards. Petros Taverna, owned by Ted Dranias, has locations in Westmount, Griffintown, Little Italy, Mile End and Lachine, with a South Florida spot set to open next fall.
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| ADG Pela Nickoletopoulos, Regional Director Jimmy Giannacopoulos, Jon Stein, Lara Belinsky, Willingdon Principal Silvana Crigna, Commissioner Joseph Lalla and Physical Education and Health Consultant Katherine Baker. |
Petros Taverna presented $100 gift cards to Klara Bourne, an English Language Arts teacher at James Lyng High School; Holly Commeford, a teacher at James Lyng Adult Education Centre; and Jon Stein and Lara Belinsky, physical education teachers at Willingdon Elementary School in NDG.
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| Québec Solidaire MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, Nick Katalifos, James Lyng Adult Centre Civita Tudino, Holly Commeford, Vice-Principal Véronique Carrié, AEVS Director Angela Spagnola and Joe Ortona. |
See the CityNews Montreal report
Please watch our video podcast
Please watch our audio version of the same podcast
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| Club CDL rep Dave Trentadue was at the Teacher Awards ceremony at James Lyng. Left to right are James Lyng grad and Quebec Junior AAA Commissioner Kevin Figsby, Jon Stein, Lara Belinsky, Trentadue, Pat Hickey, Katherine Baker and Nick Katalifos. |
CLUB CDL: Located in St. Laurent, Club CDL is home to nine indoor clay tennis courts, four indoor hard courts, six outdoor clay courts, four Squash courts, two racquetball courts, a beautiful indoor soccer field, an outdoor pool and of course, a first-class fitness/gym facility. They offer climate controlled indoor sports and fitness facilities, a restaurant and a pro-shop. Stop by for a free visit to see our first-class facilities and meet our friendly, professional staff. Club CDL is a sponsor of the EMSB's sports page. Are you looking for a summer camp? The Club CDL Summer Camp focuses on introducing and improving tennis techniques in an enjoyable group manner for four hours a day. The fun does not stop at just tennis! They also offer one hour of fitness in their outdoor pool, or on indoor soccer field. Their team of coaches prioritize the kids’ safety, joy, and comfort. Your child(ren) will be asking for extra weeks of summer camp! More info here: https://www.clubcdl.com/summercamp
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| James Lyng High School musicians perform in the refurbished auditorium. |
JAMES LYNG RENOVATIONS: The EMSB has completed a $5.5 million renovation at the complex in St. Henri that houses James Lyng High School and Adult Education Centre as well as Focus and Outreach Alternative High Schools. Besides work on the roof, skylights, light fixtures and heating coils, all of the doors to the stairwells as were those in the vestibule areas (the space between the exterior and interior doors at the entrances). The latter involved the installation of insulated doors and curtain walls. Meanwhile, the high school administration is very excited to report on the significant upgrade to the auditorium. It has been outfitted with 129 new seats, with desktops attached for tablets or laptops; eight mobile seats to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs; and new flooring and a fresh paint job. The work was overseen by Cohlmeyer Architecture. Director General Nick Katalifos wishes to thank the EMSB Material Resources Department for their important work on this project.
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| Gardenview Principal Elena Zervas is congratulated by Commissioners and management. |
LONG SERVICE RECEPTION: For the first time in four years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EMSB resumed its traditional Long Service reception to honour employees with 25 years of service at Le Crystal in St. Laurent. A total of 136 employees, ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff, were recognized for a quarter century of service. This year EMSB Director General Nick Katalifos, honored those employees with a letter of congratulations and Monarch watches. “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff, " he said. For a complete list of honorees and photos click here.
ADMIN APPOINTMENTS: Some new in-school administrator appointments have been made for the 2023-24 academic year: For principals, Cynthia Canale (presently vice-principal at East Hill), at will be at Dunrae Gardens Elementary School in TMR;
For Vice-¨Principals, Peter McKelvie (presently principal at St. Monica), Willingdon Elementary School in NDG; Christy Tannous (presently VP at Royal West Academy), LaurenHill Academy; Rea Limperopoulos (presently VP at LaurenHill), Royal West Academy. Going on sabbatical will be Dunrae Gardens Principal Despina Michakis.
YOUTH SECTOR CALENDAR: The EMSB Youth Sector calendar has been adopted for the 2023-24 academic year. The first day of classes will be Wednesday, August 30. Christmas Break will be December 25 to January 5. March Break is slated for March 4 to 8 and the last day of classes will be June 21.
For the vocational calendar click here
For the Adult Academic calendar click here
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| Karen Der, Tia Nichols, Franco Taddeo, Rodney Ramsey, Vicki Beaupre-Odorico, Evangelia Alexopoulos, Pino Pirillo and Otis Delaney. |
CEDARCREST COMEDY FUNDRAISER: Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent held its second annual gala Comedy fundraiser on May 12 at nearby LaurenHill Academy, raising more than $17,000 for special school projects. Principal Otis Delaney worked diligently with his devoted group of staff members and the Home and School. Franco Taddeo, a Cedarcrest parent and noted standup comic, served as the emcee. Pino Pirillo was the headliner, backed up by Evangelia Alexopoulos and Rodney Ramsey. Music was provided by DJ Ryan. There was a raffle and a variety of food items were on sale. What a fabulous initiative! Photos for the evening were taken by PhotoMarc (www.photomarc.ca). Committee members included Vicki Beaupre-Odorico, Voula Papacostas, Nadia Macera, Maria Argyriou, Janelle Bhagwandass, Karen Der, Tia Nicholls, Lena Katsifolis, Tanya Kusiewicz, Amanda Nicholson, Jennifer Marsan and teacher rep Gianna Melillo. Donations were received from the likes of the Montreal Canadiens, the Molson family, St. Viateur Bagel, Casa Greque Laval, Scores Vimont, KickFit Lab, Allo Mon Coco Ste. Dorothée, Au Vieux Duluth Marcel Laurin, Arahova West Island, Mr. Puffs, Baton Rouge Boisbriand, Rubino, Pastavera, École de Soccer Rocco Placentino, Groupe Marcelle Cosmetique, CF Montreal, Montreal Meats, EC Montreal, Party Expert L’acadie, Maman Khan, Molson, Club Entrepôt, Provigo Cure Labelle and Peter the Barber.
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| Melissa Velandia, Principal Joe Schembri and some students. |
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST PUBLISHES BOOK: Students at Dante Elementary School in St-Leonard were in for a special treat recently when school psychologist Melissa Velandia gave a reading of her first children’s book Mister Grum Learns to Chill: A story about learning coping skills when experiencing big emotions. The reading was held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, commemorated throughout the month of May. This book, published last month, tells the story of Mister Grum, who is upset and experiencing overwhelming feelings. The character is able, however, to eventually calm down, as he is introduced to various coping skills aimed at helping him relax. “I wanted to give children a tool to know the different options and learn what coping skills work for them,” said Ms. Velandia. “We can learn coping skills anytime, but the sooner the better. They can prevent major issues in the future, such as depression and anxiety. If they start using these strategies early, it can prevent the stressors from happening.”
Mister Grum Learns to Chill: A story about learning coping skills when experiencing big emotions is available for purchase on Amazon. See our full press release.
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| Joseph Di Liello speaks to some students. |
AEROSPACE ENGINEER RETURNS TO LMAC: As part of an EMSB alumni series, Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard welcomed back aerospace engineer and strategist Joseph Di Liello. He spoke to Joanna Kim-Dussault’s Secondary IV science class about his time at the school and his over 25-year career at Pratt & Whitney Canada. Mr. Di Liello, a graduate from Laurier Macdonald in 1986 by way of Dante Elementary, has since risen up the ranks at Pratt & Whitney Canada having begun as a manufacturing engineer at the company in 1998. He was worked as a Supply Chain Manager, Senior Manager of Strategic Sourcing & Technical Projects, Director of Supply Management, among other positions, before becoming Director of Continuous Improvement Strategies in October 2018. He has visited over 30 countries through his time at Pratt & Whitney, including Poland, India, Brazil and France, to name just a few. Born and raised in St. Leonard and still residing in the city’s east-end, Mr. Di Liello admitted he wasn’t a top student in school and says he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life during his time at Laurier Macdonald. “I didn’t have many people to look up to,” he told the students. “I was a child of immigrant parents from Italy who had little to no education. I liked science and enjoyed math and physics.” The visit was coordinated by local EMSB Commissioner Mario Pietrangelo and Vice Principal Ivan Spilak. See our full press release.
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| Nick Katalifos, Joe Ortona, LMAC Principal Cristina Celzi, Gianna Simancas Loffreda and Commissioner Mario Pietrangelo. |
STUDENT OF THE MONTH: Gianna Simancas Loffreda is a multi-talented Secondary V International Baccalaureate. She is versatile and well-rounded, excelling academically and participating in a myriad of activities within the school as well as in her community. For her Secondary V IB Personal Project, Gianna wrote and recorded her own song, which she performed live. At school, she is a team member of the Voices of Olympia Canada. This competition enables young women to expand their knowledge about human rights and to reflect on the theme of gender inequality and its impact on the empowerment of girls and women. While being able to maintain an excellent average, Gianna finds the time to be a Laurier Macdonald House Leader; play indoor and outdoor soccer; volleyball; track and field; and, flag football. Gianna exudes humility, maturity, and kindness, which has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and teachers alike.
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| David Marino |
LDVA GRAD MARINO TO PERFORM: David Marino’s ties to Leonardo Da Vinci Academy (LDVA) in RDP run deep. Not only is the 24-year-old jazz crooner a proud alum of the Riviere-des-Prairies school, his mother Angela Vitulano has taught there for over two decades. Marino will be returning to sing at the school on Friday, June 2 as part of a school fundraiser, billed as Leonardo Da Vinci Academy Lites Up the Night for the Neuro. The event, which will include musical performances, special tributes, a walk/run from the school to a nearby park and closing dance party, is in support of the McGill University Health Centre’s Montreal Neurological Institute. “LDVA has been supporting the Neuro since 2016,” said school principal Nadia Sammarco. “It started with very small-scale fundraisers, such as dress-down days and bake sales as well as color runs and fashion shows. I got together with teacher Sabrina Gavita, who led us down this path. She lost her father to a battle. She spoke about how the Neuro made a huge impact on her father. Although he did not survive it, she wanted her dad’s legacy to live on.” You can read the full press release here.
GLOBAL ISSUES PROBLEM SOLVING: Students from two EMSB schools, Royal West Academy and Pierre de Coubertin, qualified for final international Global Issues Problem Solving competition, set for June 7 to 11 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. One participant from Willingdon also qualified for the final international competition at University of Massachusetts Amherst for her engagement in the independent enrichment program in which she completed the individual scenario writing competition. They were recognized at the May 23 Council meeting.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: The video from our Volunteer Appreciation tribute is now online and available to watch here.
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| Principal Steven Rebelo receives the cheque. |
EAST HILL AND DESJARDINS: The team at Desjardins is actively involved in socio-economic development, with the goal of contributing to wealth sharing and sustainable development. Desjardins' commitment to individuals and communities is based on mutual aid and benevolence. André-Paul Turcot, General Manager of the Caisse Desjardins de Rivière-des-Prairies, and Director Josianne Gelfusa, were very pleased to present a cheque for $1,000 to East Hill Elementary School, represented by Principal Steven Rebelo. Over the past few years, East Hill has worked to introduce a variety of innovative educational programs that teach important skills and connect with the interests of our school community. One of these is a multimedia program aimed at developing students' skills, such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creative expression. The program explores different forms of media as well as computer programming (coding) and robotics. There is also an emphasis on internet etiquette and safety. The replacement of their computer equipment will allow them to continue to offer a quality program that will meet the needs of the students.
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| Nesbitt students get excited about insects. |
INSECTS TAKE OVER NESBITT ARTS ROOM: In collaboration with Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount, art teacher Yole Arti, Concordia University’s Department of Art Education, and screen printing artist and illustrator Todd Stewart, the Grade 5 students showcased their artistic skills and experienced firsthand how to create a silkscreen print from their creative drawings. The students were first given a lesson on drawing insects, realistic or imaginary, using black Sharpies and liquid ink for maximum contrast, fit for printmaking. Once the drawings were transferred onto silkscreen frames at Mr. Stewart’s studio, printmaking could begin! Using the tools of the trade such as coloured inks and squeegees, students pushed and pulled the ink through the mesh screens to reveal their beautiful drawings turned into striking prints. Students tried different combinations of coloured inks, papers, and techniques to create multiple prints of their images. As a printmaking artist, Mr. Stewart taught the students how to professionally sign their work, which the students did proudly! These young artists’ work inspired a large collaborative panel that will be permanently displayed at Nesbitt Elementary School. Many thanks to the Department of Art Education at Concordia, Mr. Stewart, Ms.Yole, Nesbitt’s Principal Nicholas Romano, the Grade 5 and 5/6 split teachers and the students for their enthusiasm and support of this collective opportunity.
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| Alba Cano-Juarez (Special Education Teacher), Tina Filippone (Special Education Technician), Alex Rosauri (Grade 3 Bilingual & Science Teacher) and Jianna Christakis (Special Education Technician) with the Home of the Sharks school spirit mural. Go, Sharks, Go! |
JOHN CABOTO MURAL: John Caboto Academy in Ahuntsic places great value on its school's identity. Recently, Alba Cano-Juarez (Special Education Teacher), Alex Rosauri (Grade 3 Bilingual & Science Teacher), Tina Filippone and Jianna Christakis (Special Education Technicians) put together an incredible display featuring the school mascot that genuinely showcases school spirit. It is heartwarming to witness the school community coming together to cheer on their team and demonstrate their pride. Stay tuned for an upcoming French mural.
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| Cynthia Bennett |
TEACHER WINS AWARD: Royal Vale High School teacher Cynthia Bennett was invited to speak at an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of Montreal's Salon Visez Droit organized by the Barreau de Montreal. Ms. Bennett was the winner of the 2022 Prix Visez Droit which is presented to a member of the community in recognition of their support in fulfilling the educational mandate of the Barreau.
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| Kim St. Pierre with siblings Elijah, Rachel and Jacqueline Sidel at Edinburgh Elementary School. |
B.A.S.E. BOKS CONTEST—WE HAVE WINNERS! Edinburgh and Gardenview B.A.S.E. Daycares are the grand champions of the second-annual B.A.S.E. BOKS Contest. They competed against eight other daycares: Cedarcrest, Gerald McShane, Mackay/Philip E. Layton, Our Lady of Pompei, Parkdale, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, St. Gabriel and Willingdon. A total of 245 different school and community members, including 69 daycare technicians and educators, animated 632 BOKS Bursts with 1,180 students in Pre-K to Grade 6 over a six-week period. Edinburgh B.A.S.E. Daycare accumulated the most points at 2,925 and completed all 25 challenges that got school board and school staff and community members to animate Bursts with the students. Gardenview racked in 2,075 points. The two winners were chosen at random on Friday, April 28, 2023 during a LIVE TEAMS meeting with all 10 participating daycares. Both daycares won a playground equipment kit from Catsports valued at $400.00. At the luck of the draw, Edinburgh B.A.S.E. Daycare also won a visit from three-time Olympic Gold medalist Kim St. Pierre. She was a member of Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team as goaltender from 1998 until 2011. Kim visited Edinburgh B.A.S.E. Daycare during Daycare Week on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 to congratulate the students on their performance in the B.A.S.E. BOKS Contest and participate with them in activities. Daycare Technician, Marco De Crescentis, and his team of daycare educators planned a fun sports and health day for the students where they all wore jerseys, participated in different sports and ate healthy snacks. Kim’s visit completed the daycare’s Jersey Day very well.
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| Alexandru Sorin signs autographs at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy. |
CHAMPIONS FOR LIFE AMBASSADOR EVENT AT LDVA: The 2015 World Games Karate Champion Alexandru Sorin visited Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP on May 12 to talk to Grade 2 Daycare students and Grades 3,4 and 6 school students about perseverance and what it means to be a “Champion for Life”. He did so as an ambassador of the Champions for Life Foundation, which empowers children to move well and build the skills, confidence, and motivation to be active for a lifetime. Mr. Sorin’s inspiring and interactive speech was preceded by a 30-minute physical literacy session in the gymnasium where students practiced galloping and side shuffling, dribbling with hands and dynamic balances. Kaizen, the Champions for Life mascot, also made an appearance! Champions for Life Founder, David Arsenault, read a Little Champions interACTIVE story to the daycare Pre-K to Grade 1 students in the main daycare room. The “Marco in the Jungle” interactive story aims at providing meaningful movement experiences so that children build their physical literacy through storytelling.
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Pictured from left: Gabrielle Legaré-Hamel, Program Coordinator and Joanne Lawson, Program Director of Champions for Life, Stephanie Hankewicz and Amanda Silletta, LDVA B.A.S.E. Daycare Educators and Champions for Life Leaders, Francesca Muro, LDVA B.A.S.E. Daycare Technician and David Arsenault, Founder of Champions for Life. |
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy B.A.S.E. daycare began offering the Champions for Life program in January 2023. Three daycare educators animate the 20-week program with approximately 100 Pre-K to Grade 2 students.
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| Jon Stein, Joseph Glicakis, Gabriel Latino, Katherine Baker, Leighton Jacobs, Joseph Romano, Alexis Solis. |
PHYS ED CONFERENCE: Seven educators from the EMSB attended the Physical and Health Education Canada National Conference from May 4 to 6 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Gabriel Latino (Lester B. Pearson High School), Joseph Romano (John Caboto), Joseph Glicakis (Bancroft), Jon Stein and Alexis Solis (Willingdon), Leighton Jacobs (St. Monica) and Katherine Baker (Educational Services Department) were among approximately 35 Physical Education and Health teachers from Quebec and over 600 from across the country attending the conference. Conference themes included Outdoor Learning, Adapted and Inclusive Physical Education, Social Justice in Physical Education and Health and Well-being. Many new ideas were gained and much seafood was consumed. As per (relatively new) conference tradition, all seven EMSB delegates also enthusiastically represented Quebec in the “Provincial Dance-Off” event (where, despite their best efforts- and some crowd-pleasing Celine Dion- Quebec finished third). Thank you to the Professional Improvement Committee whose provision of funding makes attending these types of conferences possible for teachers.
FREE ENTRANCE FOR BASKETBALL GAMES: The Montreal Toundra are inviting Montrealers to celebrate the team and help raise funds for the Montreal Children’s Hospital during the last two home games of the season on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday May 28. All children under the age of 18 can attend the game for free if accompanied by an adult who purchases a ticket. Fans at the game will be invited to take part in raffles and other fund-raising activities in support of the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The weekend will also feature the launch of The Junior Toundra, a program to teach kids basketball skills that will feature players from the team in various community centers and day camps across the city this Summer. The team plays the Pennsylvania Knights on Saturday May 27 at 5 pm, and the Lehigh Valley Legends on Sunday, May 28 at 2 pm. As always, home games take place at the Centre Pierre Charbonneau at 3000 Viau street. Individual tickets and passes are on sale at www.mtltoundra.com. "We said from the beginning that our team was about community,” said General Manager Juan Mendez a former EMSB student and present-day parent.“This last weekend is a great way to bring the community around professional basketball. Kids have been among our greatest fans this season - their energy is infectious, and it’s great to see them having such a good time.”
STUDENTS SET FOR McGILL EVENT: The EMSB Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged (COEPIM) has established a new collaboration with Special Olympics Quebec. It involves the EMSB and the Departments of Student and Educational Services. Students from six participating schools received screenings from health professionals (dentistry, physiotherapy) and the teachers received training for the in-school program which has been implemented this year. As a final year-end event, 80 EMSB students with intellectual disabilities and autism will be at the McGill University Sports Complex (475 Pine Avenue West) to take part in an Olympiade on June 7 (10:30 am to 1:30 pm).
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| Julie Chu and the JFK High students and staff. |
JFK OLYMPIC MOMENT: Students at John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel got to meet three-time Olympic silver medalist and one-time bronze medalist Julie Chu, who gave a great motivational speech to students and spoke to them about the importance of staying active after high school. She also spoke to them about never giving up and to achieve your goals no matter what.
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| The winning team! |
WOTPD ENTREPRENER WINNERS: Congratulations to the WOTP Program from John F. Kennedy High School for their award-winning entrepreneurship project. Led by Shannon Holton from the EMSB BASE daycare, the students used recycled materials to build bird house kits and planter boxes for several EMSB elementary schools. Their project was entered into the OSE Provincial Entrepreneurship Contest where they were chosen as a Regional winner. The WOTP Program would like to thank Athina Galanogeorgos and Elpis Argyrakopoulos for presenting the students involved with their banner and certificates and for their support.
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| An enthusiastic cleanup crew. |
EARTH DAY AT EAST HILL: East Hill Elementary School's Earth Day Clean Up activity with the Kindergarten classes was all smiles! Students joined their teachers and Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza to continue learning about the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and C (Composting). The hands-on activity taught students how to sort items such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, and compostable materials. Students learned the importance of composting and reducing their carbon footprint on a daily basis, as well as that a healthy clean community, habitat and environment benefits everyone.
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| Getting into the Community "Spirit" Quest. |
COMMUNITY QUEST: Edward Murphy Elementary School (EMS) in Hochelaga Maisonneuve held its seventh annual Community Spirit Quest, entitled “Opening the Doors to our Community” in the Mercier-Ouest borough. The day started off with a ceremony paying tribute to First Nations groups and made links to Earth Day. Then, the sixth graders had to decipher clues and determine how to navigate from one location to another using eco-friendly means of transit. Throughout the day, while performing acts of community service and acquiring hands on experience, students encountered challenges and activities that were completed using their creative problem-solving skills and strategies. They also learned about various community organizations, while stopping at green spaces, historic landmarks, and places of worship. The Quest provided an opportunity for students to make connections with those in need, strengthen their connection with nature, develop their sense of community and spirituality, and work together to strengthen the bonds of the EMS community.
BRAIN REACH: On April 26, Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in St. Léonard had the pleasure of hosting the Brain Reach Organization, a non-profit group that educates young students about neuroscience and brain health. This presentation was inspired by the recent cookbook publication “Cucina del Cuore” benefitting the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro). The presentation was given by Adela Ralbovska, a Neuroscience student at McGill University, and organized by Spiritual and Community Animator (SCA) Vince Lacroce. The Grade 5 students at Pierre de Coubertin Elementary were eager to learn about the functions of the brain and the impact that diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia can have on it. Ms. Ralbovska captivated the students with her engaging presentation, explaining complex scientific concepts in an easy-to-understand way. Students were amazed to learn about the intricate workings of the brain, and how different parts of the brain control various bodily functions and emotions. Students also had an opportunity to learn about a calf brain. The students were particularly moved when they learned about the devastating effects of Alzheimer's and Dementia. They learned that these diseases can cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. The Brain Reach Organization stressed the importance of taking care of the brain throughout one's life to prevent the onset of these diseases. "We are thrilled to have had the Brain Reach Organization visit our school today," said Mr. Lacroce. “It's so important for young students to learn about brain health and neuroscience. We hope that this experience will inspire them to pursue their interests in science and health." The Brain Reach Organization aims to educate and inspire the next generation of scientists and health professionals. By providing engaging and accessible educational programs, they hope to foster a love of science and encourage students to pursue careers in neuroscience and related fields.
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| Getting a "Perspective" on yoga. |
A PERSPECTIVE ON WELLNESS: Perspectives 1 and II Alternative High Schools will be embarking upon a new program aimed at supporting the mental health of their students. The program, “Enlighten from Within” developed by Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce, will provide students and staff members with yoga, meditation, and calisthenics training sessions on Friday mornings before class and during break sessions throughout the day. The “Enlighten from Within” program aims to promote positive mental health and well-being by encouraging students to take care of their physical health and incorporate times of reflection and mindfulness throughout their day. By participating in the program, students will be able to improve flexibility and balance, boost self-esteem, enhance focus and concentration, improve overall fitness, enhance sleep quality, and reduce stress and anxiety. "We are excited to offer this program to our students," said Mr. Lacroce. “We recognize the importance of supporting our students' mental health, and we believe that this program will provide them with the tools and resources they need to take care of their physical and mental health.” A special thank you to Melissa Modica, teacher at Perspectives I, and Rodney Handelsman, teacher at Perspectives II, for helping support the initiative in their classrooms.
BREAKING BREAD: Perspectives I and II High School has launched a new cooking program titled “Breaking Bread” under the guidance of Rob Leclerc, Project Development Officer for both schools. The program also printed its inaugural recipe book developed with the help of Mr. Lacroce. The program involved 13 students from P1 and P2 and ran during and after-school hours on a bi-weekly basis. Students prepared creative and healthier versions of their favorite dishes while experiencing the positive impacts of cooking and sharing meals together. The program culminated with a tour of the Jean Talon market in Montreal, where the students learned about the importance of fresh and local ingredients. It also offered them the opportunity to learn about the nutritional value of different foods, as well as the cultural and historical significance of food in different communities. "Food is not just about sustenance; it is a reflection of our culture and identity," said Mr. Lacroce. "By exploring the diverse culinary traditions of Montreal, we hope to inspire students to appreciate the cultural richness of our city and make healthier choices for themselves and their families."
The students chose the recipes collected in this book inspired by a desire to share a wholesome meal created by and for themselves. "We’re thrilled to have launched the first edition of this recipe book as the program continues to grow. It highlights the culinary talents of our students, while also promoting healthy eating habits and community building. It’s a great example of a student-led initiative. Case in point, the program started as a failed film club in 2021-2022! Three students made nachos as a snack before realizing they were all more interested in food than they were in movies. One year later, we’re now cooking for the entire school!" said Mr. Leclerc. The development of the recipe book is part of a larger project aimed at promoting a healthy school culture and improving food literacy among students. The Breaking Bread Recipe Book ($25) is available for purchase by contacting the school at 514-798-2136, with all proceeds going towards supporting the school's nutrition program. The school plans to continue its efforts to promote healthy eating habits and food literacy among its students, with future projects and initiatives already in the works.
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| Mindful movements at Pierre de Coubertin. |
MINDFUL MOVEMENT: Nesbitt and Pierre de Coubertin are pleased to announce their dedication of the entire month of May to promoting mindful movement, including mindfulness, yoga, and Pilates. This initiative, developed and spearheaded by Mr. Lacroce aims to enhance the well-being and overall mindfulness of students, staff, and the school community. Mindful movements have gained significant recognition for their ability to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By incorporating mindfulness, yoga, and Pilates into the curriculum, Nesbitt and Pierre de Coubertin aim to provide their students with valuable tools for stress reduction, self-awareness, and self-regulation. The program, carefully designed by Mr. Lacroce, will introduce students to a variety of mindful movement practices. Throughout May, students will participate in daily mindfulness exercises to help them cultivate focus, concentration, and a sense of calm. They will also engage in yoga sessions, where they will learn various postures and breathing techniques to promote flexibility, strength, and mindfulness. Additionally, Pilates exercises will be introduced to improve core strength, body awareness, and overall physical well-being. “The program has gotten extremely popular with both staff and students throughout this month. We have also introduced movement to music sessions which have been incorporated into the daily practices of our students. We hope to develop a strong foundation for their emotional resilience, self-care, and personal growth.”
I LOVE TO READ WEEK: On Monday April 24, Westmount Park Elementary School launched “I love to read week” by inviting author Annabel Adewunmi for a schoolwide virtual storytelling featuring her new book Our Brother Robin: An Autism Acceptance Story. “I love to read week” took place in April, which is Autism Acceptance month, so it was only fitting that the guest author be Annabel. Annabel is a 16-year-old student from Howard S. Billings High School in Chateauguay. Annabel is on the autism spectrum and said that she wrote the book in an effort to promote acceptance. The event was coordinated by Spiritual and Community Animator, Mikaella Goldsmith, in collaboration with Annabel’s teachers Jill Smeal and Katrina Valade.
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| Taking a break from the walking tour. |
LITTLE BURGUNDY WALKING TOUR: On Tuesday May 9, Westmount Park Elementary School’s Grade 6 students participated in a historical walking tour of Little Burgundy through Black Montreal Experiences. The Tour was coordinated by Spiritual and Community Animator Mikaella Goldsmith and was facilitated by local historian, Rito Joseph. During the tour, Rito shared with our students some of Montreal’s rich Black History.
AUTISM HOUSE AND THE EMSB: Autism House, a non-profit organization acting for the collective good of the Autism community, will be signing a long-term lease with the EMSB to convert two buildings (La Residence le St-Joseph d’Auntsic, a 9845 Avenue Papineau and Jardins Elysée at 10055 Avenue) into a multi-purpose facilility to benefit this specific community. Plans call for the space to be transformed into a community center, integrating both a housing project and a support service and training entity. This will help meet the needs of the neurodiverse population of the island of Montreal, notably young autistic adults with a potential for living autonomously over the long term. This transitional experiential training platform project, all subject to the case by case consent of each one of the future residents and their families, is also intended to become a scientific research platform for university partner organizations in autism research in order to improve the quality of life of people with autism and their families. The strong population growth among young adults with autism is a major challenge for Quebec. For more than 25 years, the prevalence of autism has been increasing and children diagnosed during these years are now becoming adults. The two buildings are owned by the EMSB, yet have not been used for many years. EMSB Director General Nick Katalifos, a longtime activist on behalf of the autism community, is very pleased with new of this agreement. “This is a win win situation for all parties concerned,” he commented
See this report on CityNews Montreal
WESTMOUNT HIGH 150: In celebration of 150 years of public education in Westmount, The Westmount High School Alumni Foundation (formerly Westmount High School Old Boys Association) are inviting WHS alumni and staff members from the past "15 decades" to come home and mark this incredible milestone. In honour of this 150th anniversary, The WHS Alumni Foundation is excited to announce the return of the "The Purple and White Revue," a special event celebrating the school's proud history and its accomplished alumni. The pre-show cocktail reception and live performance event (18+ and over) will take place on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Westmount High School located at 4350 Ste-Catherine Street West. The Purple and White Revue promises to be an evening of entertainment and inspiration, featuring various performances and presentations by Westmount High School graduates from various decades. Hosted by former graduates Jesse Camacho from Netflix’s Locke & Key and Katy Breier from Amazon Prime’s The Boys, the program will include music, dance, comedy, and spoken word pieces, showcasing the talent and creativity of our alumni. Doors will open at 5 pm for the reception and the show will begin at 7:30 pm sharp.
QFHSA AGM: The Quebec Federation of Home and QFHSA will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 1, 2023, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The meeting will include a vote on eight proposed resolutions that cover a range of issues of concern to the QFHSA and its member associations—from Bill C-13 to how to best accommodate English-speaking immigrants and refugees in our schools. At the AGM, the QFHSA board of directors will be joined by delegates from local Home and School associations from across the province as well as representatives from organizations/groups serving Quebec's English-speaking community. Anyone interested in attending the event is invited to contact the QFHSA Office by email at info@qfhsa.org.
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| Andriana Pineda |
CGTSIM BURSARIES: Recently, eight students and one teacher were awarded bursaries from the le Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l’île de Montréal (CGTSIM). The bursaries were presented to honour students whose work, effort, and overall school performance has been exemplary throughout the year. Bursaries in the amount of $500 were presented to one student from Sinclair Laird (Tania LeBlanc, Grade 6), Coronation (Rebeca Siebos, Grade 5) and Our Lady of Pompei (Andriana Pineda, Grade 5) elementary schools as well as to one student from James Lyng (Tobias Joseph Alexander Crowdus, Grade 9), John F. Kennedy (Meredith Lessage, Grade 11), Vezina (Ryan Sousa, Grade 9), Focus (Tafari Promesse-Samuels, Grade 9), and Perspectives II (Julia Semaan, Grade 10) high schools. Additionally, one teacher, Suzanne Piquette from Vezina Alternative High School was awarded a bursary for her innovation and creativity in the classroom.
SCHOOL BANNERS: As the school year winds down, perhaps it is a good time to verify the condition and relevance of the large and small banners in and around your school. By request, represents from the company Mediatomic – an EMSB provider of services- has been visiting schools to look over their banner condition and consulting on any new banners that might be needed for the new school year. They would be delighted to come to your school as well, to determine the best options available. For an appointment with Steve Wise, email steve.wise@mediatomic.com
GEORDIE SUMMER CAMP: Join Geordie Theatre School this summer for a 1-week intensive exploring the different roles needed to put on a play from writing, acting, directing, designing (costumes, set, and sound) and more. Led by local theatre artists, each day, participants will dive into an exciting new role in the theatre and use what they’ve learned to create their own play as a team based on a surprise theme. It is for kids ages eight to 12. Sessions are July 24 to 28 and 31 to August 4. Info: www.geordie.ca
ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
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| Students get information about the military. |
CAREER FAIR IN ST. LAURENT: The St. Laurent Adult Education Centre (SLAEC) cafeteria was bustling May 10 during its annual Career Fair. This annual event brought together more than 20 companies, vocational centres, educational institutions and other professionals looking to hire students or have them enroll in their programs. “We have a lot of students that are graduating this year who want to see what is out there and what they can achieve with a high school diploma,” said Annette Lacroce, a counsellor in re-education at SLAEC. “For students that are still in school, they can look to companies such as Bureau en Gros or Ardene that offer flexible hours and part-time work.” Ms. Lacroce says events such as the Career Fair are incredibly valuable for the school, its students and the overall community. See our full press release.
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| Eduardo Gutierrez Madariaga |
MEDAL WINNERS: The Olympiades québécoises des métiers et des technologies is the largest event dedicated to vocational and technical training in Quebec. Inspired by the Olympic Games, the Olympiades offers an exceptional showcase of skilled trades and tangible models of success. From May 10 to 13, 252 competitors from 93 vocational training centres and CEGEPs throughout the province participated in this competition. The EMSB was well represented and won three medals: In Industrial Drafting, Eduardo Gutierrez Madariaga from Rosemount Technology Centre won the gold medal; in Automobile Mechanics, Austin Bertone from Laurier Macdonald Career Centre won the silver medal; and in Cabinetmaking, Tommaso Maffei from Rosemount Technology Centre won the bronze medal. The EMSB finalist in Cabinetmaking will be moving on to the national competition that will be taking place in Winnipeg from May 24 until 27. Congratulations to our winners and to all the AEVS VT Centres and coaches for preparing our students for this provincial competition!
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| A fun time was had by all at the Cabane à Sucre. |
SUGAR SHACK: Three hundred of HSM Adult Education Centre’s Basic English and Basic French students, many of whom are newly arrived immigrants, went to the Cabane à Sucre in April in Mont-Saint-Grégoire – one cohort went in a morning and the other went on an evening. Many of the teachers prepared their students for this trip by teaching them some Quebec history and how maple syrup is made. For many HSM students, this was their first sugaring-off party. Everyone had a great time!
LIVING WALL: Galileo’s Adult Education Centre’s Academic and CCBE students created a “Living Wall” with Kie Art by Frankie and with Laura Grassi, a Galileo staff member. Living Walls help promote calmness and tranquility as they bring nature indoors, purify the air and promote biodiversity. Students collaborated on ideas, finalized the design together and showed off their green thumbs creating the living art with different species of moss, sourced from the forests of British Columbia, Canada. In the process, they learned about how to carefully manipulate the fragile medium, exchanged ideas on how and where to place the moss, shared gardening experiences and ultimately created a unique piece of art with a purpose.
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| The Galileo open house. |
SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE: Galileo Adult Education Centre held its first Open House. Invitations were sent throughout the community, to organizations and to sister schools. Students and staff spent the month of April preparing, decorating, and spreading the word about the big event. The Galileo community spent the day welcoming new and familiar faces, and proudly showcased what Galileo’s 3 programs have to offer. Academic students welcomed visitors into their flex spaces classrooms and into their hands-on science lab that connects science to everyday life. Literacy students welcomed visitors to their International Table, where guests were treated to foods prepared by our students that highlighted their culture. Special Needs students welcomed visitors into their classroom, showed off their decorating skills and proudly described what they are learning and what Galileo means to them. The 180 visitors left Galileo exclaiming how warm and welcoming the staff was, how students and staff made them feel like they were part of the Galileo family and expressed how excited they were for what Galileo could offer them. Galileo extends a heartfelt thank you to our staff, our students and to every visitor who walked through our doors to support our Centre.
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| PABs shown here being trained in 2020. |
SHADD TO RESUME PROGRAM: Quebec is hoping to train up to 5,000 new Préposé aux Beneficiares -- or PABs -- by the end of the year. To do this, the Health Ministry will bring back its accelerated three-month training program. Students who enroll will get an $8,000-bursary and once they complete the program, they will get another $4,000-bursary and a guaranteed job. The EMSB will be offering the training program at the Shadd Health and Business Centre in HDG It did so during the pandemic in 2020 too. EMSB Manager of Marketing and Communications Michael Cohen spoke about the issue on CBC’s Let's Go with Sabrina Marandola. You can listen here.
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| The James Lyng Adult Centre team showcases their award. |
OSENTREPRENDRE CHALLENGE: Students at James Lyng Adult Education Centre in St. Henri were recently recognized for their ingenuity and entrepreneurship as one of the regional winners of the OSEntreprendre Challenge. Students created a company called Healthy Haven which sells different flavored smoothies, with all proceeds being donated to a local food bank. In preparation for the launch of their company, they polled the student body to determine taste preferences as well as they created a website which promotes health issues and the importance of healthy eating habits. Additionally, they launched an Instagram account: @jlentrepreneurial. The students involved are actively participating in decision-making and carrying out tasks at each step of the process. This is allowing the students to develop so many crucial life skills and qualities, such as self-confidence, perseverance, initiative, creativity, a sense of responsibility, autonomy, and team spirit. All these qualities will benefit them along their path in life. Congratulations!
ÉDITION DU MOIS DE MAI / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM
CONFÉRENCE DES PARENTS : La conférence des parents de la CSEM 2023 aura lieu le dimanche 28 mai, de 9 h à midi, à l'école secondaire Rosemont située au 3737, rue Beaubien Est. Le duo de comédiens Bowser et Blue seront les maîtres de cérémonie. L'événement sera suivi de cinq jours de capsules vidéo de type dîner-conférence, du 29 mai au 2 juin.
LOI 96: Si vous n'avez pas encore vu la conférence spéciale de la CSEM sur la loi 96, sachez que la version intégrale se trouve désormais en ligne. Le 27 avril, la CSEM a organisé une conférence sur invitation seulement. La discussion a porté sur les répercussions de la loi 96 sur notre réseau scolaire et notre compétitivité. Un panel s'est penché sur les incidences de cette loi sur nos écoles primaires et secondaires anglophones, tandis qu'un autre s'est attardé aux conséquences sur les cégeps, les entreprises et la communauté.
LES COMMISSIONS SCOLAIRES S'OPPOSENT AU PROJET DE LOI 23: L'Association des commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec (ACSAQ) est choquée par la nouvelle violation des droits constitutionnels de la communauté d’expression anglaise de contrôler et de gérer son système scolaire prévue au projet de loi 23, Loi modifiant principalement la Loi sur l'instruction publique, et par la promulgation de la Loi sur l'Institut national d'excellence en éducation. Le gouvernement a déposé le projet de loi 23, lequel l’autorise à nommer les directeurs généraux des commissions scolaires, ce qui constitue un manquement manifeste à nos droits de gérer et de contrôler nos établissements d'enseignement en vertu de l'article 23. Le projet de loi autorise aussi le ministre de l'Éducation à annuler les décisions des commissions scolaires « qui ne sont pas conformes aux cibles, aux objectifs, aux orientations et aux directives établis par le ministre. » Le dépôt du projet de loi 23 viole également l’esprit du sursis du projet de loi 40, accordé en août 2010 par la Cour supérieure du Québec, et confirmé par la Cour d'appel du Québec, qui a suspendu les modifications au modèle de gouvernance scolaire dans le réseau anglophone dans l’attente d’une décision sur le fond du litige. La décision du juge Sylvain Lussier sur la constitutionnalité du projet de loi 40 est en instance depuis qu'il a pris la cause en délibéré en juin 2021.
LE BALADO THE SICK PODCAST : Le mois dernier, le défenseur des Canadiens de Montréal Mike Matheson s’est rendu à l'école primaire St. Gabriel dans le cadre d'un programme spécial organisé par la Fondation Champions pour la vie. Tony Marinaro, animateur du très populaire balado The Sick Podcast, a agi comme maître de cérémonie. Il a ensuite réalisé un balado avec Mike Matheson au cours duquel ce dernier a beaucoup parlé de sa visite à l’école.
L’HOLOCAUSTE : Le programme d'éducation sur l'Holocauste de la CSEM, rendu possible grâce aux subventions Nova de la Fondation communautaire juive de Montréal, prendra fin en juin. Ce projet a remporté un franc succès et la CSEM souhaite que des fonds supplémentaires puissent lui permettre de le maintenir en 2023-2024. Récemment, des élèves de l'école primaire Gardenview de Saint-Laurent ont visité le Musée de l’Holocauste de Montréal. De plus, via notre balado, les animateurs Mark Bergman et Eliane Goldstein ont interviewé Misha Kreyzerman et Ellen David, diplômés de l'école secondaire Royal Vale, qui se sont rendus à l'ancienne école secondaire Wagar pour s’entretenir de leur rôle dans la pièce de théâtre du Centre Segal sur le thème de l'Holocauste intitulée Prayer for The French Republic.
L'ACADÉMIE QUEBEC VIRTUAL EST DE RETOUR : La CSEM a annoncé le retour de l'Académie Quebec Virtual (AQV) pour l'année scolaire 2023-2024. Les élèves des quatre coins de la province admissibles à l'enseignement en anglais et qui répondent aux critères définis par le ministère de l'Éducation peuvent dès maintenant faire une demande d'admission pour septembre, et ce, de la maternelle à la 5e secondaire. Il est à noter, toutefois, que l’ajout d'un niveau scolaire sera conditionnel à un nombre suffisant d'inscriptions. À sa première année d’existence, l'Académie Quebec Virtual a été en mesure de répondre aux besoins spécifiques de sa clientèle grâce à des horaires flexibles, à de fréquentes séances de tutorat par les enseignants, à l’offre d’activités parascolaires ainsi qu’au suivi régulier de la part de l'école et de l'équipe d'encadrement. Les élèves-athlètes ont pu ainsi poursuivre leur entraînement sportif de haut niveau dans leur discipline et participer à des compétitions et événements organisés en Ontario, en Colombie-Britannique, en Californie ainsi qu’en Europe. Les élèves souffrant d'une affection de longue durée ont pu, quant à eux, se concentrer sur leur traitement médical tout en bénéficiant d'un soutien scolaire et social. Enfin, les élèves vivant en zone rurale ont pu accéder à des cours tels que chimie et physique, qui leur permettront de poursuivre leurs études dans un domaine qui les passionne. Pour en savoir plus, nous vous invitons à consulter l’intégral du communiqué et le site Web de l’AQV : www.emsb.qc.ca/qva.
COLORS FOR PEACE : La CSEM a organisé une exposition ainsi qu’une cérémonie le 26 avril à son centre administratif. À cette occasion, des élèves de trois programmes d'enseignement des langues d'origine (PELO) ont été récompensés pour leur participation à l'activité COLORS FOR PEACE (couleurs pour la paix). Les programmes PELO visent à améliorer les connaissances des élèves par rapport à leur langue d'origine et à approfondir leur compréhension de l'expérience humaine en favorisant l'appréciation des coutumes, de la culture et des réalisations des membres de leur communauté. Lors de cette activité, 30 élèves de Dante, East Hill et Pierre de Coubertin ont présenté les meilleurs dessins en présence de la consule générale d'Italie à Montréal, Silvia Costantini, et du président de Colori Per la Pace, M. Antonio Giannelli. Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral du communiqué pour plus de détails,
CONFÉRENCE SPÉCIALE : Le Centre d'excellence pour les élèves ayant un handicap physique, une déficience intellectuelle, et polyhandicapé (Centre PIM) a présenté, le 2 mai, son premier atelier en personne au centre administratif de la CSEM, intitulé Enhancing Social Participation for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Améliorer la participation sociale des élèves souffrant d'un handicap intellectuel). Le Centre PIM est une ressource provinciale subventionnée par le MEQ qui offre du perfectionnement professionnel et du soutien aux commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec par l’entremise des Services éducatifs inclusifs (SEI). Des présentations animées par des enseignants, des professionnels et des parents sur le thème de la participation sociale étaient au programme. Il a également été question des initiatives d'entreprenariat pour les élèves et les adultes présentant une déficience intellectuelle. Des enseignants, des membres du personnel et des professionnels représentant neuf commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec ont pris part à cet atelier. Des élèves bénévoles de l'école secondaire L.I.N.K.S., l'une des écoles secondaires d'adaptation scolaire de la CSEM, ont apporté leur aide tout au long de la journée lors de diverses activités et ont assuré l'organisation et la distribution des collations et du dîner. Pour de plus amples renseignements sur le Centre PIM : www.coepim.ca.
LES ÉLÈVES FIN PRÊTS POUR L'ÉVÉNEMENT À MCGILL : Le Centre d'excellence pour les élèves ayant un handicap physique, une déficience intellectuelle, et polyhandicapé (Centre PIM) de la CSEM a établi une nouvelle collaboration avec Olympiques spéciaux Québec, regroupant la CSEM, les Services aux élèves de même que les Services éducatifs. Les élèves de six écoles participantes ont bénéficié de dépistages effectués par des professionnels de la santé (dentisterie, physiothérapie) et les enseignants ont reçu une formation pour le programme en milieu scolaire qui a été mis en place cette année. En guise d'activité de fin d'année, 80 élèves de la CSEM atteints d’une déficience intellectuelle et d'autisme se rendront au Complexe sportif de l'Université McGill (475, avenue des Pins Ouest) afin de participer à une Olympiade le 7 juin, de 10 h 30 à 13 h 30.
LE COURONNEMENT ROYAL: Dans la foulée du couronnement du roi Charles III le 6 mai, un certain nombre d'écoles ont organisé des activités. C'est le cas de l'école primaire Coronation, à Côte-des-Neiges, où les enseignantes de maternelle Soumiya Thiyagarajah et Rhealyne-Marie Estero ont voulu que leurs élèves comprennent pourquoi le nom de leur école – Coronation, soit couronnement en français – allait faire la une de tous les journaux. Comme il s'agissait du premier couronnement d'un monarque britannique depuis 1953, les enseignants de la maternelle ont transformé l'événement à venir en une leçon d'histoire interactive pour leurs élèves, avec l'aide d'une classe de 5e année. Pour souligner cet événement, les élèves ont passé la matinée à en apprendre davantage sur le couronnement et sur son importance pour les Britanniques, tant au Royaume-Uni que dans le monde entier. Ils ont également participé à un projet d'arts plastiques où ils ont créé leurs propres couronnes et d'autres symboles liés au couronnement. En 1953, les écoles de la Commission des écoles protestantes du Grand Montréal (aujourd'hui la CSEM) avaient célébré le couronnement de la reine Élizabeth II en organisant plusieurs cérémonies. Le CEPGM avait alors distribué à toutes les écoles une brochure illustrant diverses façons pour les élèves de reproduire les joyeux de la couronne (symboles, régalia et attributs) de sorte que toute la beauté et le charme de ce couronnement se reflètent dans les salles de classe et les corridors. À l’époque, chaque école s’était vu remettre un portrait encadré de la reine Élizabeth II, tandis que les élèves avaient confectionné eux-mêmes d'autres décorations. Outre les diverses activités artistiques, des assemblées, des leçons d'histoire et de la musique avaient contribué à marquer l’événement. Le couronnement de la reine Élizabeth II a coïncidé avec l'ouverture de l'école Coronation, d'où son nom.
EXPÉRIENCE ROYALE À ROSLYN : L’école primaire Roslyn de Westmount a récemment organisé une fête digne d'un roi alors que les élèves de la maternelle et de la 4e année ont célébré le couronnement du roi Charles III en prenant le thé en après-midi. Après avoir appris la signification du couronnement, les élèves ont revêtu leurs plus beaux habits pour déguster des petits gâteaux, des beignes saupoudrés de sucre, des beignets à l'ancienne, des muffins et, bien sûr, du thé. Merci aux merveilleuses enseignantes de maternelle ainsi qu'à la directrice Joanna Genovezos et la directrice adjointe Mireille Tehbelian pour avoir aidé les élèves à souligner cette occasion très spéciale. Nous vous invitons à visionner ce magnifique reportage de CBC, qui a également fait la une de l'actualité nationale.
RECONNAISSANCE DES ENSEIGNANTS : À l'occasion de la Journée de reconnaissance du personnel enseignant de la CSEM, quatre enseignants se sont vu remettre des prix spéciaux du groupe de restaurants Petros Taverna, ainsi que des certificats, le lundi 1er mai à l'école secondaire James Lyng, à Saint Henri. La chaîne de télévision CityNews Montréal, cocommanditaire de l’événement, a également réalisé un segment mettant en vedette les lauréats. Cet événement a vu le jour à la CSEM il y a maintenant une dizaine d’années pour coïncider avec la journée nationale des enseignants aux États-Unis et reconnaître cette profession vers la fin de l’année scolaire. La CSEM a reçu une foule de mises en candidature de la part des parents. Petros Taverna, qui appartient à Ted Drainias, compte des établissements à Westmount, Griffintown, la Petite Italie, le Mile End et Lachine, et un autre dont l’ouverture est prévue à l'automne prochain dans le sud de la Floride. Petros Taverna a remis des cartes-cadeaux d’une valeur de 100 $ à : Klara Bourne, enseignante d'English Language Arts à l'école secondaire James Lyng; Holly Commeford, enseignante au Centre d'éducation des adultes James Lyng; Jon Stein et Lara Belinsky, enseignants d'éducation physique à l'école primaire Willingdon à NDG.
Pour lire l’intégral du communiqué
RÉNOVATIONS À JAMES LYNG : La CSEM a annoncé l’achèvement des travaux de rénovation totalisant 5,5 millions $ au complexe de Saint-Henri, lequel abrite l'école secondaire et le centre d'éducation des adultes James Lyng ainsi que les écoles secondaires innovatrices Focus et Outreach. Outre la réfection de la toiture, des puits de lumière, des luminaires et des serpentins de réchauffage, toutes les portes des cages d'escalier de même que celles des vestibules (zone située entre les portes extérieures et intérieures des entrées) ont été remplacées. Dans ce dernier cas, des portes et murs-rideaux isolés ont été installés. Par ailleurs, la direction de l'école secondaire se réjouit des améliorations notables apportées à l'auditorium, notamment les 129 nouveaux sièges munis d’une planchette pour y déposer une tablette ou un ordinateur portable, les 8 sièges mobiles destinés aux personnes en fauteuil roulant, le nouveau revêtement de sol et les murs fraîchement peints. Les travaux ont été supervisés par la firme Cohlmeyer Architecture. Le directeur général Nick Katalifos tient à remercier le Service des ressources matérielles de la CSEM pour les grands efforts déployés dans la réalisation de ce projet.
RÉCEPTION POUR LONGS ÉTATS DE SERVICE : Pour la première fois en quatre ans, en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19, la CSEM a organisé sa traditionnelle réception à la salle Le Crystal de Saint-Laurent en l’honneur de son personnel cumulant 25 ans de service. Au total, 136 employés, dont des enseignantes et enseignants, des administratrices et administrateurs ainsi que des membres du personnel de soutien, ont été honorés pour ce quart de siècle au service de la CSEM. Pour souligner ce jalon important, le directeur général de la CSEM, Nicholas Katalifos, leur a adressé une lettre de félicitations et remis une montre Monarch. « Au cours des 25 dernières années, votre dévouement envers l'éducation, votre diligence et vos contributions à la Commission scolaire English-Montréal ont profité à bon nombre d’élèves et de membres du personnel », a déclaré M. Katalifos. Pour consulter liste complète des membres du personnel honorés et l'album photos : http://www.emsbpressreleases.com/2023/05/emsb-recognizes-employees-for-25-years.html
NOMINATIONS ADMINISTRATIVES: Un certain nombre de nouvelles nominations administratives dans les écoles ont été annoncées pour l'année scolaire 2023-2024. Directions d’école : Cynthia Canale, école primaire Dunrae Gardens à Ville Mont-Royal (actuellement directrice adjointe à East Hill). Directions adjointes d’école : Peter McKelvie, école primaire Willingdon à NDG (actuellement directeur à St. Monica); Christy Tannous, Académie LaurenHill (actuellement directrice adjointe à l'Académie Royal West); Rea Limperopoulos, Académie Royal West (actuellement directrice adjointe à l'Académie LaurenHill).
La directrice de Dunrae Gardens, Despina Michakis, prendra un congé sabbatique.
CALENDRIER DU SECTEUR DES JEUNES : Le calendrier du secteur des jeunes de la CSEM a été adopté pour l'année scolaire 2023-2024. La rentrée se tiendra le mercredi 30 août. Le congé des Fêtes aura lieu du 25 décembre au 5 janvier. La relâche scolaire est prévue du 4 au 8 mars et le dernier jour de classe sera le 21 juin. Pour consulter le calendrier : https://az184419.vo.msecnd.net/emsb/emsb-website/common/annual-calendars/final-youth-calendar-2023-2024.pdf
Pour consulter le calendrier de la formation professionnelle
Pour consulter le calendrier de la formation générale des adultes :
UNE PSYCHOLOGUE SCOLAIRE PUBLIE UN LIVRE: Les élèves de l'école primaire Dante, à Saint-Léonard, ont récemment eu droit à une belle surprise lorsque la psychologue scolaire Melissa Velandia leur a fait la lecture de son tout premier livre pour enfants intitulé Mister Grum Learns to Chill: A story about learning coping skills when experiencing big emotions. Cette activité a été organisée dans le cadre du Mois de la sensibilisation à la santé mentale, qui se déroule tout au long du mois de mai. Publié le mois dernier, ce livre raconte l'histoire de Mister Grum, bouleversé et submergé par les émotions. Il parvient toutefois à se calmer en découvrant divers mécanismes d'adaptation ayant pour but de l'aider à se détendre. « Je voulais fournir aux enfants un outil pour qu’ils puissent se familiariser avec les différentes techniques qui s’offrent à eux et identifier celles qui leur conviennent », a indiqué Mme Velandia. « L’apprentissage d’habiletés d'adaptation est possible à tout âge, mais plus on s’y prend tôt, mieux c’est. Elles peuvent contribuer à prévenir des troubles majeurs plus tard, comme la dépression et l'anxiété. Les facteurs de stress pourraient ne pas se manifester chez les jeunes qui apprennent à utiliser ces stratégies à un jeune âge. » Mister Grum Learns to Chill: A story about learning coping skills when experiencing big emotions est en vente sur Amazon. Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral du communiqué
UN INGÉNIEUR DE L'AÉROSPATIALE DE PASSAGE À LMAC: Dans le cadre d'une initiative de la CSEM qui met en lumière d’anciennes et d’anciens élèves, l'école secondaire Laurier Macdonald de Saint-Léonard a accueilli l'ingénieur en aérospatiale et stratège Joseph Di Liello. Il s'est adressé à la classe de sciences de 4e secondaire de Joanna Kim-Dussault, relatant son expérience à l'école et sa carrière de plus de 25 ans chez Pratt & Whitney Canada. M. Di Liello, diplômé de Laurier Macdonald en 1986 après avoir fréquenté l'école primaire Dante, a depuis gravi les échelons chez Pratt & Whitney Canada où il a débuté sa carrière comme ingénieur de fabrication au sein de l'entreprise en 1998. Il a notamment occupé les postes de gestionnaire de la chaîne d'approvisionnement, gestionnaire principal de l'approvisionnement stratégique et des projets techniques, directeur de la gestion de l'approvisionnement, avant d’être nommé directeur des stratégies d'amélioration continue en octobre 2018. Depuis qu’il est chez Pratt & Whitney, il a visité plus de 30 pays, dont la Pologne, l'Inde, le Brésil et la France, pour n'en citer que quelques-uns. Natif de Saint-Léonard où il a grandi et vit toujours dans l'est de la ville, M. Di Liello admet qu'il n'excellait pas à l'école et n'avait aucune idée de ce qu'il voulait devenir lorsqu’il était élève à Laurier Macdonald. « Il n’y avait pas beaucoup de personnes modèles autour de moi », a-t-il déclaré aux élèves. « Mes parents étaient des immigrants d'Italie et étaient très peu éduqués. J'aimais les sciences et j’étais passionné de mathématiques et de physique ». La visite a été coordonnée par le commissaire local de la CSEM, Mario Pietrangelo, et le directeur adjoint de l’école, Ivan Spilak.
Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral du communiqué
ÉLÈVE DU MOIS: Gianna Simancas Loffreda est une élève aux multiples talents en 5e secondaire au Baccalauréat international. Polyvalente et équilibrée, elle excelle dans ses études et participe à une foule d'activités à l'école et dans sa communauté. Dans le cadre de son projet personnel de Baccalauréat international en 5e secondaire, Gianna a composé et enregistré sa propre chanson, qu'elle a interprétée en direct. À l'école, elle fait partie d’Olympes de la Parole Canada. Ce concours permet aux jeunes femmes d'élargir leurs connaissances sur les droits de la personne et de réfléchir à la question des inégalités entre les sexes et de leur impact sur l'autonomisation des jeunes filles et des femmes. Tout en parvenant à maintenir une excellente moyenne, Gianna trouve le temps d'être une leader à Laurier Mcdonald, de jouer au soccer intérieur et extérieur, au volleyball, au flag football (football drapeau) et de pratiquer l'athlétisme. Gianna fait preuve d'humilité, de maturité et de bonté, ce qui lui a valu le respect et l'admiration de ses pairs et de ses enseignants.
RECONNAISSANCE DES BÉNÉVOLES: La vidéo de l’hommage que nous avons rendu aux bénévoles est désormais en ligne : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZG4JHerh90.
DESJARDINS ET EAST HILL: L’équipe de Desjardins prend part activement au développement socioéconomique dans le but de contribuer au partage de la richesse et au développement durable. L'engagement de Desjardins envers les individus et les collectivités est basé sur l'entraide et la bienveillance. Ainsi, Monsieur André-Paul Turcot, directeur général de la Caisse Desjardins de Rivière-des-Prairies, et Madame Josianne Gelfusa, administratrice, étaient très heureux de remettre un chèque d’une valeur de 1 000 $ à l’école primaire East Hill, représentée par son directeur, M. Steven Rebelo. Ces dernières années, l’école East Hill s’est appliquée à introduire divers programmes éducatifs innovants qui enseignent d’importantes compétences et qui rejoignent les intérêts de notre communauté scolaire, dont un programme multimédia. Ce programme vise à développer chez les élèves des compétences telles que la pensée critique, la communication, la collaboration et l’expression de la créativité. Le programme explore différentes formes de médias ainsi que la programmation informatique (codage) et la robotique. L’accent est également mis sur l’étiquette et la sécurité sur Internet. Le remplacement de l’équipement informatique permettra à l’école de continuer à offrir un programme de qualité répondant aux besoins des élèves.
MURALE À JOHN CABOTO : L'Académie John Caboto d'Ahuntsic accorde une grande importance à l'identité de son établissement. Récemment, Alba Cano-Juarez (éducatrice spécialisée), Alex Rosauri (enseignant au programme bilingue et en sciences en 3e année), Tina Filippone et Jianna Christakis (techniciennes en éducation spécialisée) ont créé une superbe murale mettant en vedette la mascotte de l'école qui témoigne véritablement de l'esprit de l'école. Il est réconfortant de voir la communauté scolaire se mobiliser pour encourager son équipe et exprimer sa fierté. Restez à l’affût pour la présentation à venir d’une murale en français.
CONGRÈS NATIONAL D’ÉDUCATION PHYSIQUE : Sept éducateurs de la CSEM ont assisté au Congrès national d'éducation physique et à la santé du Canada qui s’est déroulé du 4 au 6 mai à Charlottetown, Île du-Prince-Édouard. Gabriel Latino (école secondaire Lester B. Pearson), Joseph Romano (John Caboto), Joseph Glicakis (Bancroft), Jon Stein et Alexis Solis (Willingdon), Leighton Jacobs (St. Monica) et Katherine Baker (Services éducatifs) figuraient parmi les quelque 35 enseignants d'éducation physique et à la santé provenant du Québec et les plus de 600 autres venus de partout au pays pour assister au congrès. Au nombre des thèmes abordés : l'apprentissage en plein air, l'éducation physique adaptée et inclusive, la justice sociale en éducation physique, de même que la santé et le bien-être. Une foule d’idées nouvelles ont été formulées et une copieuse quantité de fruits de mer a été consommée! Fidèles à la tradition (relativement nouvelle) du congrès, les sept délégués de la CSEM ont également pris plaisir à représenter le Québec lors de l'activité Provincial Dance-Off où, malgré tous leurs efforts et des airs musicaux de Céline Dion pour plaire à la foule, le Québec a terminé au troisième rang. Merci au comité de perfectionnement professionnel qui, grâce aux fonds octroyés, permet aux enseignants d'assister à de tels événements!
ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE DE LA FQAFE : La Fédération québécoise des associations foyers-écoles (FQAFE) tiendra son assemblée générale annuelle le jeudi 1er juin 2023, à compter de 18 h 30 sur Zoom. Au cours de l'assemblée aura lieu un vote sur huit résolutions proposées qui portent sur une foule d’enjeux préoccupants pour la FQAFE et ses associations membres – du projet de loi C-13 à la meilleure façon d'accueillir les immigrants et les réfugiés d'expression anglaise dans nos écoles. Lors de cette assemblée, le conseil d'administration de la FQAFE sera accompagné de délégués d'associations locales foyers-écoles des quatre coins de la province ainsi que par des représentants d'organismes/de groupes desservant la communauté anglophone du Québec. Toute personne intéressée à assister à l'assemblée est invitée à communiquer avec le bureau de la FQAFE par courriel à info@qfhsa.org.
BANDEROLES SCOLAIRES : Alors que l'année scolaire tire à sa fin, le moment pourrait être tout indiqué pour vérifier l'état et la pertinence des grandes et petites banderoles qui se trouvent dans votre école et autour de celle-ci. Sur demande, des représentants de la société Mediatomic – un fournisseur de services de la CSEM – se rendent dans les écoles afin d’examiner l'état des banderoles et fournir des conseils quant aux nouvelles banderoles qui pourraient s'avérer nécessaires en prévision de la prochaine année scolaire. Ils seraient ravis de vous rendre visite pour examiner les meilleures options qui s’offrent à vous. Vous pouvez prendre rendez-vous avec Steve Wise, par courriel, à: steve.wise@mediatomic.com.
CAMP DE JOUR GEORDIE : L’école de théâtre Geordie Theatre vous convie cet été à une semaine intensive d'exploration des différents rôles nécessaires à la mise en scène d'une pièce de théâtre : écriture, interprétation, mise en scène, conception (costumes, décors et son), et bien plus encore. Dirigés par des artistes de théâtre locaux, les participants plongeront chaque jour dans un nouveau rôle passionnant du théâtre et utiliseront ce qu'ils auront appris pour créer leur propre pièce en équipe sur un thème surprise. Ce camp s'adresse aux jeunes âgés de 8 à 12 ans. Les sessions auront lieu du 24 au 28 juillet et du 31 au 4 août. Pour plus d'informations : www.geordie.ca
SERVICES DE L'ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE
FOIRE DES CARRIÈRES À SAINT-LAURENT : Le 10 mai, la cafétéria du Centre d’éducation des adultes Saint-Laurent (CEASL) fourmillait d’activité à l’occasion de la Foire annuelle des carrières. Cet événement annuel a rassemblé plus de 20 entreprises, centres de formation professionnelle, établissements d’enseignement et autres professionnels désireux d’embaucher des élèves ou de leur proposer leurs programmes. « Bon nombre de nos élèves terminent leurs études cette année et ils sont curieux de voir quels sont les débouchés et les options qui s’offrent aux détenteurs d’un diplôme d’études secondaires », de dire Annette Lacroce, conseillère en rééducation au CEASL. « Pour les élèves qui sont toujours aux études, ils peuvent se tourner vers des entreprises telles que Bureau en gros ou Ardène qui proposent des horaires flexibles et à temps partiel ». Mme Lacroce estime que des événements comme la Foire des carrières sont d’une grande utilité à la fois pour l’école, les élèves et l’ensemble de la communauté. Nous vous invitons à consulter l’intégral du communiqué.
DES MÉDAILLES POUR LES LAURÉATS : La CSEM a remporté trois médailles dans le cadre des Olympiades québécoises (formation professionnelle) qui ont eu lieu du 10 au 13 mai 2023 : Edouardo Gutierrez Madariaga du Centre de technologie Rosemont a remporté la médaille d’or (dessin industriel); Austin Bertone du Centre de formation professionnelle Laurier Macdonald a décroché l’argent (mécanique automobile); Tommaso Maffei du Centre de technologie Rosemont a mérité la médaille de bronze (ébénisterie). Félicitations à ces trois lauréats et à tous les centres de formation professionnelle et à leurs coachs pour avoir bien préparé les élèves en prévision de cette compétition.
MUR VÉGÉTAL: Les élèves du Centre d'éducation des adultes Galileo (programmes de formation générale et FBC) ont créé un « mur végétal » en compagnie de Kie Art par Frankie et Laura Grassi, membre du personnel de Galileo. Les murs végétaux contribuent à promouvoir le calme et la tranquillité en invitant la nature à l'intérieur, en purifiant l'air et en favorisant la biodiversité. Les élèves ont collaboré à la formulation d’idées, finalisé ensemble le design et démontré qu’ils avaient le pouce vert en créant le mur végétal à même différentes espèces de mousse provenant des forêts de la Colombie-Britannique au Canada. Tout au long de ce projet, ils ont appris à manipuler avec précaution cette substance végétale fragile, ont échangé des idées sur la manière et l'emplacement de la mousse, ont partagé leurs expériences en matière de jardinage et ont finalement créé une œuvre d'art unique ayant une raison d'être.
Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 20 juin. Prière de soumettre vos articles au plus tard le 16 juin à midi.
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