KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: The English Montreal School Board has announced that Kindergarten Registration Week for the 2025-2026 academic year will take place from Monday, February 3 to Friday, February 7. If one child from a family is already enrolled in a particular school, a sibling registration period will take place a week earlier. Parents are asked to register at the EMSB elementary school nearest their residence offering the French program of their choice. For more information please call (514) 483-7200, extension EMSB (3672) or log on to the Board’s website at www.emsb.qc.ca. Four years ago the EMSB adopted a new format whereby parents could book a registration appointment online at some schools. As of Monday, January 27 at 7 am, reservations will open at 23 elementary schools – a big jump from the five that launched the original pilot project. One only needs to go to www.emsb.qc.ca/reserve. Over the years some these schools have had long lineups, in certain cases starting days before registration occurred. Parents will be called to validate their information, told if they have a spot and given an appointment time. Please see our press release for complete details.
Public notice is hereby given, in conformity with Section 220.1 of the Education Act, that the Board’s 2023-2024 Annual Report will be deposited at the December 17, 2024 regular Board meeting and presented on February 4, 2025 at 7 p.m. at 6000, Fielding Avenue, Montreal.
Given in Montreal, December 4, 2024
(s) Me Nathalie Lauzière, Secretary General
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
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| Michael Levy, Commissioner Paola Samuel, Lucas and Leyla, Principal Rosana Caplan & Chair Joe Ortona. |
NOVEMBER: The EMSB Students of the Month for November are Lucas and Layla Levy (Grade 4) from Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint Luc. Since the tragic passing of their mother two years ago, Lucas and Layla have demonstrated incredible resilience to keep their mother’s memory alive as well as help other children who have suffered a loss. For the past two years, Lucas & Layla have benefitted from the help of Myra’s Kids Foundation to cope with their grief and used these tools to heal other broken hearts in Montreal. Additionally, the siblings have been actively raising funds for the Lighter Fund, which was set up in memory of their mother. Through lemonade stands and by selling handmade bracelets, stickers and crafts on Monkland Avenue, Lucas and Layla have personally raised over $5,000 to support Mental Health projects at the Douglas Mental Health Mobile Outreach Program as well as Myra’s Kids Foundation. Overall, the Lighter Fund, thanks to the generosity of donors big and small, has raised nearly $1 million since its inception. These children are incredible role models and are examples of how to triumph over tragedy and help others do the same. Their dad Michael was on hand when Chair Joe Ortona and Commissioner Paola Samuel presented the children with a special certificate.
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| Andrii Nechyporenko, with his family, is congratulated at the EMSB Council meeting. |
DECEMBER: Andrii Nechyporenko is a Grade 10 student at Royal Vale School. Since arriving in Canada from Ukraine last November and enrolling at the EMSB, Andrii has made a tremendous effort to be an exceptional student and classmate. Since English was not his first language, Andrii spent his first year at Royal Vale immersing himself in the language, visiting the school library regularly at lunchtime to practice reading as well as participating in the school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Now, having established a solid foundation in English, he is onto French and regularly borrows books to practice on his own. Andrii’s learning efforts go beyond the acquisition of new language skills; an insatiable curiosity means he is always learning and exploring. In the classroom and amongst friends, Andrii is a very gentle and friendly person and his positive attitude is valued by students and staff alike.
Watch our video chat with Andrii and Principal Mauro Zampini here
Watch the presentation at the Board meeting
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| A look at the beautiful card. |
HOLIDAY CARD WINNER: Last fall Senator Tony Loffreda launched a holiday greeting card contest, in conjunction with the EMSB. Working with their respective Arts teachers, students in grades four to six were eligible to submit their design to appear on The Senator’s e-card.
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| Senator Loffreda, Commissioner Samuel, Yunjo Kim, her mom, teacher Anna and Principal Lucy Buscemi. |
On Monday, Grade 6 Hampstead student Yunjo Kim was announced as the winner in front of his classmates with the exciting news. Senator Loffreda presented her with some gifts. Yunjo is an international student from South Korea.
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| Students, staff and EMSB officials at the Flash Mob at Le Fou Fou. |
FLASH MOB: Congratulations to music teacher Christine Crawford and 19 of her students at Carlyle Elementary School in TMR for successful completing what may well be the EMSB’s first flash mob. It took place during the lunch hour on Dec. 11 at Le Fou Fou Food Hall at the sprawling Royalmount Shopping Complex.
The children sang three beautiful songs and as flash mob go, they surfaced while people were dining as a total surprise. Principal Dina Vourdousis was very proud. A true feast for the senses, Le Fou Fou shines a spotlight on Montreal's rich foodie heritage with a contemporary twist. Twelve culinary concepts and three bars create a wild and mouth-watering playground for every palate. After their performance, the children were treated to some delicious treats from Le Sucre.
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| TRANSCO bus driver Caesar with an appreciative staff and students. |
The EMSB also wishes to thank the TRANSCO bus company and driver Caesar, who drove three Carlyle delegation to Royalmount. Caesar even accompanied the group for the flash mob and joined the team for lunch. Here are the students: Hyeonseo Kim (Grade 4), Lime Hong (Grade 4), Bhavi Tushar Chavan (Grade 4), Dakota Eskenazi Robertson (Grade 4), Cora Fina Fall (Grade 4 ), Leah Paduano (Grade 5 ), Kahliya Williams Gray (Grade 5), Elena Beaulieu-Grullon (Grade 5), Dorothy Wheaton (Grade 5 ), Krystyna Tolpeko (Grade 5), Valentina Covone (Grade 6 ), Leela Gursahaney (Grade 6), Magnolia Paquin (Grade 6 ), Samuel Lussier (Grade 6), Raha Jamshidbeig (Grade 6), Ishitha Ishwar (Grade 6), Vladislav Zlobin (Grade 6), Salix Moss Cooke (Grade 6 ) and Sequoia Eskenazi (Grade 6 ). You can watch it here
Advertising Feature ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
Looking for an enriching experience for your school group? Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Canada’s most visited museum, offers a diverse range of galleries—from ancient civilizations to the natural wonders of the Amazon—providing a thoughtful and engaging environment for students to explore. Enhance your visit with a scavenger hunt, where students will discover everything from ancient warriors to our famous bat cave. This activity encourages critical thinking and allows students to make connections across art, culture and nature throughout history. Alternatively, ROM Trivia offers an interactive, gameshow-style tour that challenges students' knowledge while highlighting some of the Museum’s most iconic treasures. Whether your focus is fostering curiosity, encouraging exploration, or enhancing classroom learning, a visit to the ROM is a great way to enrich your students’ educational experience. Planning your visit is easy through Quebec Tour Operators. Visit rom.ca/groups for more information and to begin planning your trip. Log on here to learn more about visits
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| Chair Joe Ortona and Commissioners Paola Samuel and Maria Corsi with Rosemount High and Federation CJA reps. |
HOLOCAUST PROGRAM GETS A BOOST: The EMSB will be able to continue and enhance its Holocaust Education Program thanks to a generous contribution from Federation CJA. In 2022-23, the EMSB introduced this program after receiving a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. This enabled the EMSB to send many students to visit the Montreal Holocaust Museum, engage with survivors and have guest speakers come to their schools. Students have subsequently been sensitized to the true story of the Holocaust and the evils of antisemitism. Last year the EMSB relied upon private donations to continue school visits, but most of this support was promised as one-time contributions only. The EMSB Council of Commissioners also adopted resolutions calling for Holocaust and genocide education to become mandatory. EMSB Chair Joe Ortona and members of the Council followed this up with a visit and tour of the Montreal Holocaust Museum. See our full press release
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| Students take part in the guided tour of the museum. |
PERSPECTIVES AND LINKS: Perspectives I & II Alternative High Schools and LINKS High School are collaborating on a powerful Holocaust Sensitization program to foster a deeper understanding of the Holocaust among their students. Developed by Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator (PDCIA) Vince Lacroce, alongside dedicated educators Salvatore Pileggi and Rodney Handelsman of Perspectives High School and Anna Gualteri, Francesco Greco, and Anna Condo of LINKS, the initiative aims to impart historical knowledge while encouraging empathy and reflection. The multi-faceted program will provide students with a comprehensive exploration of the Holocaust through: classroom workshops facilitated by Mr. Lacroce; a visit to the Montreal Holocaust Museum where they will witness artifacts, photographs, and stories that bring history to life; listening to testimony from Eva Kuper, a Holocaust survivor, who will share her personal experiences with the students, providing a rare and impactful glimpse into the realities of this dark period and the resilience of survivors; and Virtual Workshop on Hana’s Suitcase presented by Lara Brady. Lara has spent the last 12 years educating young people around the world about the importance of family, freedom, compassion, and respect. Together with her father, George, she has turned the fate of her aunt Hana, who died at age 13 in Auschwitz, into a global lesson of tolerance. The program has been carefully designed to educate students about the travesties of war, promote tolerance and acceptance, and to provide both academic and personal learning experiences. “Understanding the horrors of the Holocaust is crucial for students, not only as part of their education but as part of their development as compassionate individuals,” says Mr. Lacroce, the program’s lead. “We hope this experience will inspire them to become more thoughtful, inclusive members of society and promoters of peace and equality for all.”
DANTE VISIT: The Grades 5 and 6 students at Dante Elementary, along with their teachers and the Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Mary Poullas, visited the Montreal Holocaust Museumé The students were able to understand the complexities of Holocaust history, including the scope and scale of the events.
PODCASTS: In one our latest podcasts, Mark Bergman sat down with students from Perspectives I and II Alternative High Schools in St. Michel. Joining them re Damien Anthony Masson-Ioanna, Mia Manicone and Victoria from Perspectives II, all in Secondary V, along with Massimo Vitale, a Grade 8 student from Perspectives I. Also featured are Rodney Handelsman and Sarah Fogg, the Communications Director at the Montreal Holocaust Museum. You can listen here
Mark also sat down with students from Dante Elementary School in St. Leonard: Alex De Cola, Lily Daniliuc and Sidney Chheng from Grade 6, alongside Mary Poullas. Together, they reflected on the visit. You can listen here
FEDERATION CJA PODCAST: EMSB Chair Joe Ortona, Commissioner Maria Corsi and Rosemount High School Principal Giovanni Iammarone were guests on the Federation CJA 360 Podcast talking about the program. You can listen to it here.
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| Some Dante students showcase Italian books. |
PELO ITALIAN PROGRAM: For a third year, the Italian government’s Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, with the support of the Consulate General of Italy in Montreal, has granted three EMSB elementary schools (Dante, Pierre de Coubertin and East Hill) with $17,030.25 in funding for their integrated Italian PELO (Programme d’enseignement des langues d’origine) programs. These grants received from the Italian government through the measure "contributi a valere sul capitolo 2619" for the creation and maintenance of Italian language courses at foreign educational institutions teaching Italian language and culture. They have been instrumental in supporting the integration of Italian language instruction at our integrated PELO schools Provided through the Consulate General of Italy in Montreal, the grant monies awarded by Italian government have enabled the EMSB to expand the reach and the impact of its Italian language programs, particularly at the Kindergarten level. See our website for full details
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| Staff and students showcase the many show boxes. |
SHOE BOX PROJECT: The Girls Group from John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel are once again kicking off the holiday season with their Shoe Box Project, an initiative to fill 125 shoe boxes with essential items which will be donated to women’s shelters across Montreal. An initiative of teacher Marietta Damiano and a select group of Grade 11 girls, the Shoe Box Project was started last holiday season to brighten up a very difficult time of year for at-risk women in Montreal. Each shoe box is filled with essential items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and makeup. Additionally, included in the boxes are a warm accessory (hat, glove or scarf). Finally, students also include a gift card and a personalized a holiday card. To fill up the boxes, the school has relied on the generosity of students, staff and their families as well as local businesses for support. Furthermore, the school’s Crochet Club hand-crafted many of the warm accessories. Packing of the boxes took place on November 25 and the morning of November 26 in the school library.
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| LaurenHill students pack their boxes. |
LAURENHILL IN THE BOX AS WELL: The Froot Loops Club (LGBTQA+Ally), led by Elizabeth Pellicone (Personal Development Community Animator) and the Girls Club, led by Amalia Nitsou and Vivienne Coconis at LaurenHill Academy, participated in the Shoe Box Project this year. Senior students accompanied Ms Pellicone to purchase gift items such as soaps, socks, lip balms, journals, candy canes, holiday cards, etc to fill shoe boxes (wrapped and decorated by the students) for donation to Le Movement Contre le Viol et L’Incest Organization that helps shelter women from domestic violence. Altogether, LaurenHill Academy donated 21 shoe box gifts!
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| The Movember team at JFK. |
MOVEMBER: Congratulations to the entire John F. Kennedy High School team for leading the school’s #Movember charge! Led by team captain Raymond Tomasino, the school takes an active role in raising funds for Movember each year. To cap off the school’s Movember campaign this year, Joe Lamantia cycled 60 kilometers, helping the JFK Movember team raise over $8,500 for cancer research. Congratulations to all
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| Francis Cardinal Leo |
FRANCIS CARDINAL LEO: Joseph Marra, who was the Principal of John F. Kennedy High School from 2006 to 2014, sent these words to Francis Cardinal Leo on behalf of former staff and students stating "we wish God’s blessing on you and every blessing in your ministry to the Church in Toronto and to the Universal Church." Cardinal Leo is a JFK High grad. The community is invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving for his appointment to the College of Cardinals at St. Patrick’s Basilica on December 30 at 12:10 p.m. Born in Montreal in 1971 to Italian immigrant parents, Frank Leo entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese on December 14, 1996. Father Leo served in different parish assignments in Montreal until 2006 when he accepted the invitation to enroll in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and subsequently enter the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See (2006-2012) serving in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe. In January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness bestowing the title of Monsignor. Upon his return to Canada, Monsignor Leo joined the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy while providing spiritual direction, training and accompaniment to candidates for the priesthood. In the fall of 2015, he was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a mandate which came to an end in the fall of 2021. As of February 1, 2022, Monsignor Leo was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal. On July 16, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal. His consecration as a bishop took place on September 12, 2022. He was appointed Archbishop of Toronto on February 11, 2023 and formally installed on Saturday, March 25, 2023. In addition to his extensive graduate studies in Canon Law (Lateran University), Diplomacy and International Law, Cardinal-designate Leo holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology (University of Dayton⁄IMRI) with a specialization in Mariology, a Licentiate in Philosophy (Lateran University), a Diploma in Classical Studies (Université de Montréal) and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Aquinas Institute of Theology). He has taught, among other places, in Montreal, Canberra (Australia), Dayton (USA) and Ottawa. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish. Cardinals serve as close advisors to the Holy Father and participate whenever there is a conclave, as voting members, to select the next Pope. Following today’s announcement, including the new Cardinal-electors.
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| A scene from a previous sneaker giveaway. |
SNEAKER SANTA: For the third successive year, Julian Grau-Brown will kick off the holiday season on the right foot by providing every student at James Lyng High School in the Sud-Ouest with a new pair of sneakers. Julian, an EMSB alumnus, was inspired to begin this project following an internship as a Behavioral Technician at the school in 2021. Having enjoyed the experience so much, he set out to raise money to ensure every student received a new pair of sneakers when they returned to class that fall. To date, Julian has bought over 500 pairs of sneakers for students at James Lyng High School.
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The 2023-2024 audited financial statements of the EMSB were deposited at the meeting of the Council of Commissioners on December 17. Excluding required reserves, the statements show an operating surplus of $1.9 million. The EMSB was again able to appropriate (use) the maximum amount from the June 30, 2022 accumulated surplus. In 2023-2024, this was an amount of $9.0 million which was used for continued services to directly benefit students, including the continued investment in various initiatives.
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| Raymond and Kurt. |
INDIGENEOUS SUPPORT: The EMSB has engaged two new education professionals, Raymond Johnson-Brown and Kurt Kerschl, to serve as project development officers to provide Indigenous Students Support. Focusing on the many layers of support for Indigenous students and families, they will work collaboratively with multiple educational teams to ensure a baseline of cultural safety is realized for Indigenous peoples. One starting point is developing a robust cultural safety ladder tailored to EMSB, progressing from cultural awareness to cultural safety. This tool will allow educational professionals to assess where they stand and engage with self-guided resources such as webinars, books, movies, and podcasts to build their capacity. Additionally, they will work with schools to develop reconciliation action committees, ensuring this work extends beyond Orange Shirt Day and infuses school spaces with meaningful, ongoing initiatives. Through this multi-level and collaborative approach, Kurt and Raymond aim to ensure that the work of reconciliation and cultural inclusion is integrated into the fabric of the EMSB's educational environment, creating meaningful and lasting change. For any kind of support or questions related to Indigenous students and families, please contact Raymond and Kurt directly at supportforindigenous@emsb.qc.ca . To read more about them please see our press release
INSPIRATIONS NEWSPAPER: The Fall 2024/Winter 2025 edition of Inspirations is now available online and in your school! You can read it here! This edition’s positive mental health and well-being section, featuring articles written by EMSB Student Services Department specialists, is rich with helpful information on how the home and school connection bolsters mental health, facts and tips for parents about ‘sexting,’ and much more. The edition also features research related to autism, inspiring success stories, and a celebration of Simon Chang Difference Makers: The Leaders on Wheels, Mackay Centre School’s Satellite class at Westmount High School! If you would like a print copy mailed to you, email us at info@inspirationsnews.com
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| The Leaders on Wheels team. |
LEADERS ON WHEELS: After being named The Simon Chang Difference Makers for 2024-2025 The Leaders on Wheels from the Mackay Satellite Class at WHS were once again honored. At a gala event on November 13 before 500 attendees and a standing ovation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Leaders on Wheels, their “Fundraising Youth Sector Award.” The Leaders on Wheels were nominated for the AFP award by the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation which is the recipient of their efforts. The Leaders have donated close to $31,000 since they started their Fundraising initiative in 2014.
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| Students perform. |
THE FACE OF BOSTON: On November 8, the students of the Con Brio Wind Ensemble of FACE School, under the direction of Marie-Eve Arseneau, shared the stage with the Boston Latin School Wind Ensemble under the direction of Margaret McKenna and Sean Lee. Each group performed a high-level repertoire and two pieces together to close the concert. School officials state that it was a pleasure to interact with the members of the Boston Latin School, and they hope to be able to visit them one day! They also wish to thank Laura Blancq, representative of the U.S. Consulate in Montreal, for her presence at the concert.
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| PDC students do their packing. |
SOX IN A BOX: Continuing an annual tradition, 10 schools from the EMSB came together on December 11 at Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North to wrap thousands of pairs of socks for local charities (Sun Youth, Old Mission Brewery, Chez Doris, Dans la Rue). Over the past 10 years, more than 150,000 pairs of socks have been collected, wrapped and donated to charities across Montreal This year, students and staff from Nesbitt in Rosemount, Pierre du Coubertin, Dante and Honoré Mercier in St. Leonard, Dalkeith in Anjou, Our Lady of Pompei and John Caboto Academy in Ahuntsic, as well as Perspectives I & II Alternative High Schools in St. Michel joined their peers from Gerald McShane for an incredible morning of giving back to the community. The campaign was spearheaded by Personal Development and Community Animators Vince Lacroce, Mary Poullas and Veronica D’Agata, with the support and encouragement of the administration of each school. A special thank you to Luigi Morena, the owner of Tricot Vespa, who donated over 150 socks to the cause and to Les Délices Lafrenaie for donating cupcakes to all the participants; Gerald McShane’s PPO helped decorate the gymnasium and transformed it into a winter wonderland; and pianist Steve Atme, pianist, who played many wonderful melodies while the children wrapped the gifts.
SCREEN TIME: Westmount High School hosted members of the Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development from the National Assembly of Quebec. The committee participated in a facilitated dialogue in English and French with selected students regarding screens and social media. This marked a significant opportunity for the students to engage in important discussions and share their perspectives on key issues affecting our community. The school administration believes that this experience will not only enhance their understanding of civic engagement but also empower them to become active participants in shaping their future.
Secondary V student Elle Rapkowski appeared in this CBC report
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| Matt Gilmour meets the East Hill team. |
EAST HILL MEDIA CLASS: Matt Gilmour from CTV News recently visited East Hill Elementary School in RDP to prepare a a story about how the internet, social media, and screen time are affecting young people. They wanted to see and hear about the way East Hill’s media teacher. Nadia Barrafato, educates East Hill students about Digital Citizenship. Mr. Gilmour interviewed students about the topics they are learning in media class and how they are guided to navigate safely online and using social media. He was very pleased and impressed to discover one of the many projects our Grade 5 students have been working on. Students were coding and creating a fun and educational online safety video game that was designed for Grade 3 students to play and learn from. The story will air on CTV News around Christmas time.
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| EMSB students score big. |
PEEWEE TOURNAMENT: Congratulations to Grade 6 students and teammates: Paolo Di Gennaro, Fulvio Di Gennaro and James Ouellette from East Hill Elementary School and Alessio Martinez from Honore Mercier Elementary School who were selected to represent Montreal at the 65th annual Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament this February in Quebec City.
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| Everyone was grateful for the support. |
WARM GIFTS: Operation Warm is a national non-profit organization that manufactures brand new, high quality coats and shoes. This organization has partnered up with FedEx and delivers these coats to schools and communities with the intention of bringing warmth, confidence and smiles. Edward Murphy School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve was fortunate enough to be amongst one of the lucky schools to experience such a beautiful act of generosity. All the children went home with a beautiful coat and with huge smiles! The school wishes to thank FedEx and Operation Warm.
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| John Grant students wearing their new scarves. |
WARM SCARVES: Thanks to the generosity of Edna Janco, a Côte Saint-Luc resident, students from John Grant High School received beautiful scarves. Edna made them from material donated to her by Fabricville.
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA DISSOLVED: Cathy Bannan Sidorenko and Barbara Angus, Scholarship Chairs for Delta Kappa Gamma International in Quebec, have announced the dissolution of the entity due to an aging membership and the lack of new members. They would like to thank the EMSB for the incredible support given us over the last sixty years. Your generosity is much appreciated and we thank you for your contribution. Over the years DKG QC has provided many awards to teachers, among them being: Evelyn Eaton Award for French Teachers; Early Educators Award; STEAM Award; Adult Education Award; Special Education Award; and Delta Kappa Gamma International World Fellowship Award through McGill University. Unfortunately, these awards will be discontinued. However, the Delta Kappa Gamma Dr. Mildred Burns Award for Leadership and Education and the Delta Kappa Gamma Dr. Sarah Paltiel Award for an Exemplary Undergraduate Student will both continue. They will be administrated annually through McGill University. They hope that future educators will apply and take advantage of these scholarships at McGill.
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| Action in the weight room. |
ROSEMOUNT HIGH WEIGHT ROOM: The long-awaited Rosemount High School Weight Room is officially open to students on a regular basis. Previously, the room was exclusively for teachers and staff to work out during their off hours. But not anymore. Now students, too, get to reap the benefits of working out. Why should teachers have all the fun? Read student reporter Jayden Ogiamien's special report on our EMSB Update blog right here.
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| VOCC officials with the Marymount delegation. |
VOICES OF OLYMPIA: The Voices of Olympia Canada School Competition Hybrid Launching Ceremony took place on December 6. It was of special significance that this date was chosen as they commemorated Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Several EMSB schools took part. The program remains active and winners will be chosen in April.
LAURENHILL BOOSTS SENIORS: The Canvas of Connection project was kicked off on Nov. 25 with seniors and high school youth from LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent. Under the direction of REISA and musician/multidisciplinary artist and longtime EMSB collaborator Louise Campbell, LaurenHill student volunteers and seniors will participate in monthly art sessions hosted at The Steger seniors residence. In their first session, seniors and youth were invited to share stories about their favorite places with each other. A visual arts activity encouraged memories and conversations by asking participants to remember the colors they see in their favorite place and to create abstract (and sometimes not so abstract) sketches. Participants' favorite places included the wild west, a Hollywood stage, an imagined sunset from a book, and hometowns around the world. The second session was held on Dec. 9. Based in the Brazilian tradition of choros music, Ariana Pedrosa and Ms. Campbell led a session of music and movement. After a light physical warm-up, participants learned rhythms with handheld percussion instruments and danced to the music using colorful scarves. Participants shared their first memories of music, leading to discussions of favurite musicians and styles from many eras.
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| Gardenview collected many gifts. |
SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER: Gardenview Elementary School in St. Laurent collected over 200 gifts and gift cards this holiday season, thanks to the incredible generosity of the school community. Students from the GREATRcommittee had the special opportunity to deliver these gifts to the Batshaw Youth & Family Centres. Everyone was blown away by their “Santa’s Workshop,” where over 2,000 gifts for children in youth protection have already been gathered. Every gift is carefully wrapped by Batshaw employees and volunteers, embodying the spirit of kindness and care. Students witnessed firsthand the power of empathy and giving. We are so proud to have played a small part in brightening someone’s day this holiday season!
Gardenview GREATR Committee students pictured in Santa’s Workshop at Batshaw Youth & Family Centres.
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| The Wellness Warehouse. |
WELLNESS WAREHOUSE: LINKS High School is excited to announce the launch of its new Wellness Warehouse program, a transformative initiative designed to promote holistic health and well-being among students. This program, developed by Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Vince Lacroce, aims to provide students with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to lead healthier, more balanced lives. The Wellness Warehouse program includes a range of activities focused on physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Students will have the opportunity to participate in yoga and meditation sessions, helping them cultivate mindfulness, manage stress, and improve focus. These practices will support students’ mental clarity, emotional resilience, and physical relaxation, creating a foundation for academic success and personal growth. As part of the program, a nutritionist will visit LINKS High School to provide students with expert advice and guidance on healthy eating and practical nutrition. This interactive session will empower students with the knowledge they need to make healthier food choices and develop balanced eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. “We are thrilled to introduce the Wellness Warehouse to LINKS High School,” said Vince Lacroce. “Our goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where students can learn to care for themselves, both physically and mentally. We believe that when students have the tools to take charge of their health, they are better equipped to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”
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| A Dante student shows her card. |
DANTE CARDS: Grade 2 and 4 students at Dante Elementary, along with their Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator, Mary Poullas, enjoyed creating Italian holiday cards that will be presented to the seniors living at Jardins d'Italie for Christmas. At Dante elementary, we believe it is important for the students to give back to the community and to help bring some joy to the seniors who may have feelings of loneliness during the holidays.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES: As the holiday season approaches, many families continue to struggle to find the resources to meet their needs. In order to give back, John Caboto Academy, Michelangelo International, and Vincent Massey Collegiate, in collaboration with Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Veronica D’Agata, all participated in the Sun Youth Food & Toy Drive. Thanks to the generous donations from our school communities, the holiday season was made that much brighter!
In addition, Vincent Massey also held a casual dress day fundraiser benefiting St-Brendan’s parish. All proceeds were given in order to purchase grocery gift cards and toys for local families in need. Furthermore, several VMC art classes through the guidance of their wonderful teachers, Leigh-Anne Cline and Matthew Thomson, worked on the creation of holiday cards for the Almage Seniors Community Centre.
Through the guidance of Ms. D’Agata, several students in the Vincent Massey We Care Club handmade beautiful bracelets and distributed them to the pediatric patients at Le Phare / The Lighthouse, as part of the “Bright Lights Bright Eyes” holiday parade. The goal of this campaign is to spread joy, love, and holiday cheer!
This year John Caboto Academy and Our Lady of Pompei Elementary participated in the EMSB “Sox in a Box” campaign, organized by Personal Development and Community Involvement Animators Veronica D’Agata, Vince Lacroce, and Mary Poullas. Students generously donated adult and children’s socks which will be delivered to The Old Brewery Mission, Sun Youth, Dans La Rue, and Chez Doris.
THE LEGACY LINK: This December, Perspectives I and II High Schools, are proud to announce the launch of an innovative intergenerational exchange program called “The Legacy Link” designed to bridge the gap between youth and seniors. The initiative will connect students with residents of local CHSLDs with the goal of fostering meaningful relationships and enriching both communities. The program is spearheaded by Mr. Lacroce, in collaboration with Ottavia Ranno, Leisure Technician at CHSLD Dante, and Maria Congiu Maiolo, Director General of the Italian-Canadian Community Services of Quebec. Through this partnership, students will engage in a variety of activities with seniors at CHSLD Dante and CHSLD Saint-Michel including storytelling, arts and crafts, music, and digital literacy sessions. These exchanges aim to promote empathy, understanding, and social connection, while addressing the isolation often experienced by the elderly. “We are excited to bring students and seniors together in such a meaningful way,” said Mr. Lacroce. “This program will not only provide students with valuable life experiences but also offer seniors companionship and opportunities to share their wisdom.”
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| One of the nice holiday cards. |
ENFANTS RETOUR: An art project that is part of the ongoing support that the Missing Children's Network (MCN) has been providing to the families they work with resulted in the participation of Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Park Extension. Each year, MCN sends these families a holiday card. In collaboration with schools, MCN invites children to create drawings on the themes of winter and the holidays. These drawings are then sent to the families, along with a message from the MCN team, expressing support and warm wishes. This year, Sinclair Laird was selected to create the artwork. Art teacher Siwajian Nazani and Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Rocco Speranza worked with students from grades 3 to 6 to produce the beautiful artwork and cards, spreading holiday cheer to the families. This wonderful project not only allowed the students to share messages of hope, peace, light, joy, and love, but also gave them the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on others during the holiday season.
THE POWER OF ONE: On November 26, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP welcomed Steven Atme to address the students on his award-winning presentation "The Power of One." Steven is a musician, humanitarian, creative arts teacher and speaker. Diagnosed with autism at the age of four, he faced many difficulties growing up; speaking, understanding and following directions. Despite his diagnosis, Steven was never treated differently by his family and was always encouraged to do his best. The presentation illuminated his determination, perseverance, and ability to pursue his dreams of being a musician while growing up with autism. His captivating messages of awareness and acceptance of people with autism were underlined by his deep devotion to inspire everyone with and without disabilities to rewrite the narratives of their lives. The initiative was brought forth by Mr. Lacroce to address the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and empowerment. “Steven and I have had the pleasure of working together for over nine years," he said. "His charisma, energy, and sensitivity in educating our students about the importance of inclusion is absolutely extraordinary. He is and will always be an advocate for those in need.”
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| Surveying the goods at the market. |
PET VISITS JEAN TALON MARKET: Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, students from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Rosemount brightened the day with their smiles and enthusiasm. Accompanied by their teachers, Ms. Carissa, Ms. Alexandra, and Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Rocco Speranza, the students participated in a community initiative and field trip as part of a multicultural project at the school. Over the past two months, students have received mini-lessons and "Ateliers de découverte des métiers liés à l'alimentation" from Mr. Speranza. These lessons, workshops, and the trip to Marché Jean-Talon provided students with the opportunity to learn about food sustainability, diverse cuisines from around the world, the preparation of various dishes, and both holiday and everyday meals.
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| Students enjoy some refreshments. |
During their visit to Marché Jean-Talon, the students explored the baker, fishmonger, butcher, and local farmers, and enjoyed freshly baked samosas and Italian and Greek-style sandwiches. Ms. Carissa noted: “The students explored a variety of foods from different cultures, broadening their culinary horizons with flavorful tastings.” To wrap up the experience, the students warmed up with a comforting cup of hot chocolate, making it a memorable and enriching day for all.
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| The fruits of Cedarcrest's labor. |
BASKETS OF HOPE: On December 2, Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent launched the Baskets of Hope campaign, which ran for two weeks until December 13. This holiday season, they called upon the community’s generosity to support families in need and a cherished local organization, Welcome Hall Mission - Mission Bon Accueil. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the community, they successfully collected non-perishable food items, hygiene products, and winter accessories. This initiative not only brought joy to the recipient families but also created a festive and heartwarming atmosphere for students. The administration extends its heartfelt gratitude to students, staff, and the Home & School for embodying the values of generosity, kindness, and community support.
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| HOPS students at their orientation. |
HOPS PROGRAM: This year, the EMSB is proud to have welcomed 40 students into the HOPS Program. Participating EMSB high schools include John F. Kennedy, Laurier Macdonald, Lester B. Pearson, Royal Vale, Vincent Massey Collegiate, Royal West Academy, LaurenHill Academy, Rosemount High School, Westmount High School, and Marymount Academy International. Participating Jewish day schools include Bialik, Herzliah, Hebrew Academy, Maimonides, and Yeshiva Yavné. HOPS students have the unique opportunity to shadow doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals while participating in rotations at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH). The feedback from the JGH has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the exceptional engagement and dedication of our EMSB students and also from the Jewish Day Schools.
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| Le Phare made the holiday season memorable for young childrfen like this |
OPERATION LUMIERES BRILLANTES: Despite the cold weather, the fifth annual “Operation Bright Lights, Bright Eyes” Holiday Parade took place on December 16, bringing joy, smiles, and heartfelt moments to many. Organized by SPVM Officer and EMSB alumnus Marco Cerroni, with support from Personal Development and Community Involvement Animator Mr. Speranza, the parade aimed to spread joy, hope, peace, and love to the young patients, their families, and staff at Le Phare. Santa Claus once again delivered presents, treats, handmade bracelets, and student-made cards, thanks to students and staff from John F. Kennedy High School, Vincent Massey Collegiate, Edward Murphy School, Pierre Elliott Trudeau School, Sinclair Laird School, St. Raphael School, and École Primaire Brind’Amour from the Centre des Services des Trois Lacs school board. Santa was joined by Montreal’s first responders, including SPVM, SIM, Urgences Santé, RCMP, and others, as well as local officials like Sterling Downy. Together, they made the day magical, creating lasting memories for everyone. The goal of this annual parade is to make the holiday season unforgettable for patients and their families. Le Phare staff expressed, “This immense show of solidarity gives us the energy to continue supporting these children and their families with joy. We thank you for your dedication.” Thank you to everyone who helped make this day special “Seeing the children’s bright eyes and smiles as the parade filled the street with lights and sirens, with Santa leading the way, was a heartwarming moment,” said Mr. Speranza. “It makes all the hard work worthwhile.” Officer Cerroni added, “This parade truly touches and moves us all.” Info: https://phare-lighthouse.com/
OPEN HOUSES: Open House season continues. Please see our new Open House blog here. You can read separate stores on the open houses held recently.
ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
WAGAR REPORT: Special needs students at the Wagar Adult Education Centre in Côte Saint-Luc were profiled by Pamela Pagano on CityNews Montreal“I hope this is my future,” said artist, Jessica Teixeira-Pinto from “The Art Seen”, a program that strives to enhance the visibility of neurodivergent artists in Montreal. The initiative, now in its third edition, is a true success story.
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| Enjoying their potluck. |
POTLUCK: On November 8 students from Miss Georgette’s CCBE class and Miss Lisa and Miss Natasha’s SI classes at Galileo united for a vibrant potluck event. This gathering combined cultural exchange, learning, and community-building as students shared food, recipes, and conversations in an inclusive and friendly atmosphere. The event allowed special needs students to develop social skills like initiating conversations, using polite expressions, and understanding social cues. For English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, it provided a valuable opportunity to practice English in a real-world context, building confidence and expanding vocabulary. A recipe exchange further enriched the experience, fostering cultural awareness and appreciation. Tasting authentic dishes and learning about culinary traditions highlighted how food can connect people across diverse backgrounds. By bringing students together, the potluck reinforced Galileo’s commitment to inclusivity, unity, and mutual respect. It was a testament to the power of shared experiences in building a stronger, more connected school community.
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| Spreading holiday joy. |
HOLIDAY JOY: This holiday season, students from Ms Marilyn’s English and French Academic classes at Galileo Adult Center brought festive cheer to the youngest learners at Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montréal-North. When the Canada Post strike threatened to delay holiday mail, our students stepped up to create a Christmas miracle. With creativity and heart, they wrote personalized letters filled with holiday wishes, uplifting messages, and warm season’s greetings for the Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Each letter was thoughtfully crafted, showcasing the writing skills and community spirit fostered at Galileo Adult Center. These letters weren’t just words on paper—they were symbols of kindness, bridging generations and spreading joy during a season centered on giving. Seeing the children's faces light up as they received their special mail made every effort worthwhile. Ms Marilyn and her students are proud to have played a part in creating such a memorable holiday experience. This heartwarming initiative reminds us that the spirit of the season is all about coming together, sharing joy, and making a difference—one letter at a time.
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| Staff and students at the Inter-Centre Ping Pong Tournament. |
INTER-CENTRE PING PONG TOURNAMENT: The first-ever Inter-Centre Ping Pong Tournament between the James Lyng and St. Laurent Adult Education Centres was a resounding success, bringing students and staff together in the spirit of friendly competition. After weeks of excitement and fierce matches, the semi-final games were held at each center. At James Lyng, Wenning Wu (CCBE student) emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown against Albert Nsiah (Math Teacher), who had held the trophy for the last 10 years. Over at St. Laurent, Daniel Afriyie (Chemistry Teacher) clinched the title in an equally intense match against Estive Zheng (Academic student). The grand finale saw Wenny and Daniel face off in a championship match that was live streamed on Facebook from James Lyng, allowing students from both centers to cheer on their champions in real-time. The match displayed exceptional skill and sportsmanship, with Daniel ultimately earning the top spot and claiming victory for St. Laurent. In recognition of this inaugural tournament, the coveted trophy will be displayed at St. Laurent Adult Education Center until the next iteration of the competition, symbolizing the ongoing camaraderie and healthy rivalry between the two centers. The tournament did more than just crown a winner; it boosted school spirit, enhanced student retention, and ignited motivation among learners at both centers. The event underscored the power of community and the importance of extracurricular activities in enriching the adult education experience. Congratulations to all participants and organizers for making this event unforgettable.
ÉDITION DU MOIS DE DÉCEMBRE 2024 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM
AVIS PUBLIC - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE LA CSEM
Avis public est donné, par la présente, qu'en conformité avec l'article 220.1 de la Loi sur l'instruction publique, le Rapport annuel 2023-2024 de la commission scolaire sera déposé lors de la réunion ordinaire du conseil du 17 décembre 2024 et sera présenté le 4 février 2025 à 19 h au 6000, avenue Fielding, à Montréal.
Donné à Montréal, ce 4 décembre 2024
(s) Me Nathalie Lauzière
Secrétaire générale
ÉLÈVES DU MOIS : Les élèves du mois de novembre de la CSEM sont Lucas et Layla Levy en 4e année à l'école primaire Merton de Côte Saint-Luc. Depuis le décès tragique de leur mère il y a deux ans, Lucas et Layla ont fait preuve d'une incroyable résilience pour préserver le souvenir de leur maman et venir en aide à d’autres enfants qui ont perdu un être cher. Ces deux dernières années, Lucas et Layla ont bénéficié de l'aide de la Fondation Myra's Kids pour faire face à leur chagrin et se sont servis de ces outils pour aider d'autres personnes aux cœurs brisés à Montréal. Par ailleurs, ils ont activement amassé des fonds pour le Lighter Fund, créé en mémoire de leur mère. La tenue de kiosques de limonade et la vente de bracelets, d'autocollants et d'objets artisanaux sur l'avenue Monkland ont permis à Lucas et Layla d’amasser plus de 5 000 $ pour soutenir des projets de recherche en santé mentale de la fondation Douglas Mental Health Mobile Outreach Program ainsi que de la Fondation Myra's Kids. Grâce à la générosité des donateurs, petits et grands, près d'un million de dollars ont été recueillis au profit du Lighter Fund depuis sa création. Ces enfants sont des modèles incroyables qui démontrent qu’il est possible de surmonter une tragédie et d'aider les autres à faire de même. Leur père Michael était présent lorsque le président Joe Ortona et la commissaire Paola Samuel ont remis aux enfants un certificat spécial.
PROGRAMME D’ITALIEN PELO : Pour une troisième année, le Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale du gouvernement italien, avec le soutien du Consulat général d'Italie à Montréal, a octroyé à trois écoles primaires de la CSEM un appui financier totalisant 17 030,25 $ au profit de leurs programmes intégrés d'italien PELO (Programme d'enseignement des langues d'origine). Ces subventions ont été accordées par le gouvernement italien dans le cadre de la mesure « contributi a valere sul capitolo 2619 » pour la mise sur pied et le maintien de cours d'italien dans des établissements à l'étranger où la langue et la culture italiennes sont enseignées. Ce financement a contribué à soutenir l'intégration de l'enseignement de la langue italienne dans nos écoles intégrées PELO. Décernées par le Consulat général d'Italie à Montréal, les subventions du gouvernement italien ont permis à la CSEM d'étendre la portée ainsi que l'impact de ses programmes de langue italienne, en particulier au niveau de la maternelle. Visitez notre site Web pour plus de détails.
PROJET DE BOÎTES À CHAUSSURES : Le groupe de filles de l'école secondaire John F. Kennedy (3030 Villeray) de Saint-Michel marque une fois de plus le début de la période des fêtes avec son projet de boîtes à chaussures, une initiative dont l’objectif est de remplir 125 boîtes à chaussures d'articles essentiels qui seront distribuées à des refuges pour femmes de la grande région de Montréal. Cette initiative baptisée Projet de boîtes à chaussures (Shoe Box Project) a été lancée l’an dernier pour égayer une période de l'année très difficile pour les femmes en difficulté à Montréal. Chaque boîte à chaussures est remplie d'articles essentiels tels que du shampoing, du revitalisant, du gel douche, du dentifrice, une brosse à dents, du déodorant et du maquillage. De plus, chaque boîte contient un accessoire chaud (tuque, gants ou écharpe). Enfin, les élèves incluent également une carte-cadeau et une carte de vœux personnalisée. Pour remplir les boîtes, l'école a fait appel à la générosité des élèves, du personnel et de leurs familles, ainsi qu'à des entreprises locales. Par ailleurs, un grand nombre d'accessoires chauds ont été confectionnés à la main par le club de crochet de l'école. L'assemblage des boîtes a eu lieu le 25 novembre et le 26 novembre en matinée dans la bibliothèque de l'école.
LE PÈRE NOËL AUX CHAUSSURES DE SPORT: Pour une troisième année consécutive, Julian Grau-Brown donnera le coup d’envoi des festivités du temps des Fêtes, le mercredi 18 décembre à 9 h 00, en offrant à chaque élève de l'école secondaire James Lyng située au 5440, rue Notre-Dame dans le Sud-Ouest une nouvelle paire de chaussures de sport. Ancien élève de la CSEM, Julian a mis sur pied ce projet après avoir effectué un stage en tant que technicien en comportement à l'école James Lyng, en 2021. Cette expérience s’est révélée si gratifiante qu’il a entrepris d’amasser des fonds pour que chaque élève reçoive une nouvelle paire de chaussures de sport à la rentrée des classes. À ce jour, Julian a acheté plus de 500 paires de chaussures de sport pour les élèves de l'école secondaire James Lyng.
PROGRAMME D'ÉDUCATION SUR L'HOLOCAUSTE : La CSEM pourra poursuivre et améliorer son programme d'éducation sur l'Holocauste grâce à une généreuse contribution de la Fédération CJA. En 2022-2023, la CSEM a mis sur pied ce programme à la suite d’une subvention de la Fondation communautaire juive de Montréal, ce qui a permis à de nombreux élèves de la CSEM de visiter le Musée de l'Holocauste de Montréal, de rencontrer des survivants et d’inviter des conférenciers dans les écoles. Les élèves ont pu être conscientisés à la véritable histoire de l'Holocauste et aux horreurs de l'antisémitisme. L'an dernier, la CSEM a compté sur des dons privés, pour la plupart non récurrents. Le conseil des commissaires de la CSEM a également adopté des résolutions demandant de rendre obligatoire l’éducation sur l'Holocauste et les génocides. Le président de la CSEM, Joe Ortona, et les membres du conseil y ont donné suite en visitant le Musée de l'Holocauste de Montréal. Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral du communiqué : https://www.emsb.qc.ca/csem/nouvelles/la-csem-recoit-lappui-de-la-federation-cja-pour-son-programme-d-education-sur-l-holocauste
SOUTIEN AUX AUTOCHTONES : La CSEM a engagé deux nouveaux professionnels en éducation, soit Raymond Johnson Brown et Kurt Kerschl, en tant qu'agents de développement pour soutenir les élèves autochtones. Centrés sur les multiples niveaux de soutien aux élèves autochtones et à leurs familles, ils travailleront de concert avec bon nombre d’équipes éducatives afin d’établir un référentiel en matière de sécurité culturelle pour les peuples autochtones. Ils s’emploieront d’abord à élaborer une solide échelle de sécurité culturelle adaptée à la CSEM, allant de la sensibilisation à la sécurité culturelle. Cet outil permettra aux professionnels de l'éducation d'évaluer leur situation et de se tourner vers des ressources autoguidées telles que des webinaires, des livres, des films et des balados pour accroître leurs connaissances. En outre, ils collaboreront avec les écoles afin de mettre sur pied des comités d'action pour la réconciliation, en veillant à ce que ces efforts s'étendent au delà de la Journée du chandail orange et qu’ils se traduisent dans les milieux scolaires par des initiatives pertinentes et permanentes. Grâce à cette approche collaborative multiniveaux, Kurt et Raymond ont comme objectif d’intégrer à la démarche pédagogique de la CSEM le travail de réconciliation et d'inclusion culturelle, de manière à opérer un changement significatif et durable. Pour tout type de soutien ou toute question en lien avec les élèves autochtones et leurs familles, veuillez communiquer directement avec Raymond et Kurt à supportforindigenous@emsb.qc.ca. Pour en savoir plus, nous vous invitons à lire notre communiqué.
JOURNAL INSPIRATIONS : L’édition automne 2024/hiver 2025 du Journal Inspirations est disponible en ligne et dans les écoles! Cliquez ici pour en faire la lecture! La section de cette édition consacrée à la santé mentale positive et au bien-être, qui renferme des articles rédigés par des spécialistes des Services aux élèves de la CSEM, regorge d’informations utiles sur l’importance de la connexion maison-école en lien avec la santé mentale. Vous y trouverez également des faits intéressants, des conseils aux parents sur le sextage, et bien plus encore. De plus, ce numéro met en lumière la recherche sur l'autisme, de belles réussites inspirantes et, dans le cadre des Simon Chang Difference Makers, célèbre les Leaders on Wheels de la classe satellite du Centre Mackay à l'école secondaire Westmount!Pour recevoir une copie papier par la poste, faites-nous parvenir un courriel à info@inspirationsnews.com.
Après avoir été nommés The Simon Chang Difference Makers pour 2024-2025, les Leaders on Wheels de la classe satellite Mackay à l'école secondaire WHS ont été une fois de plus honorés. Lors d'un gala le 13 novembre 2024 devant une foule de 500 personnes qui leur ont réservé une ovation debout, l’Association des professionnels en philanthropie a décerné aux Leaders on Wheels, le prix jeunesse engagée en philanthropie (Fundraising Youth Sector Award). La Fondation de l'Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants, qui bénéficie de leurs efforts, a proposé la candidature des Leaders on Wheels. Ces derniers ont fait don de près de 31 000,00 $ depuis la mise sur pied de leur initiative de collecte de fonds en 2014.
LE VISAGE DE BOSTON : Le 8 novembre, les élèves de l'ensemble à vent Con Brio, sous la direction de Marie-Ève Arseneau, ont partagé la scène avec l'ensemble à vent de l'école latine de Boston, sous la direction de Margaret McKenna et Sean Lee. Chaque groupe a interprété un répertoire de haut niveau ainsi que deux pièces ensemble pour clore le concert. Les responsables de l'école ont déclaré que ce fut un plaisir d'interagir avec les membres de l'école latine de Boston, et ils espèrent avoir l'occasion de leur rendre visite un jour! Ils souhaitent également remercier Laura Blancq, représentante du Consulat des États-Unis à Montréal, pour sa présence au concert.
DES BAS EN CADEAU : Fidèles à la tradition annuelle, 10 écoles de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal se sont réunies le 11 décembre à l'école primaire Gerald McShane de Montréal-Nord pour emballer des milliers de paires de bas au profit d'organismes de bienfaisance locaux. Au cours des dix dernières années, plus de 150 000 paires de bas ont été recueillies, emballées et remises à des organismes de charité partout à Montréal. Cette année, les élèves et le personnel des écoles Nesbitt à Rosemont; Pierre de Coubertin, Dante et Honoré Mercier à Saint-Léonard; Dalkeith à Anjou; Our Lady of Pompei et l'Académie John Caboto à Ahuntsic ainsi que les écoles secondaires innovatrices Perspectives I et II à Saint-Michel ont fait équipe avec leurs pairs de l'école Gerald McShane au cours d'une matinée inoubliable visant à redonner à la communauté. La campagne a été pilotée par les animateurs du développement personnel et de l'engagement communautaire Vince Lacroce, Mary Poullas et Veronica D'Agata, avec le soutien et les encouragements des directions respectives de chacune des écoles.
TEMPS D’ÉCRAN : L’école secondaire Westmount a accueilli des membres de la Commission spéciale sur les impacts des écrans et des réseaux sociaux sur la santé et le développement des jeunes de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec. Le comité a participé à un dialogue facilité, en anglais et en français, avec des élèves sélectionnés et portant sur les écrans et les médias sociaux. Ce fut une excellente occasion pour les élèves de prendre part à des discussions importantes et de partager leurs points de vue sur les enjeux clés qui touchent notre communauté. La direction de l'école estime que cette expérience leur permettra non seulement de mieux comprendre ce qu’est l'engagement civique, mais leur donnera aussi les moyens de devenir des participants actifs pour façonner leur avenir.
DES CADEAUX QUI FONT CHAUD AU CŒUR : Operation Warm est un organisme national à but non lucratif qui confectionne des chaussures et des manteaux neufs de grande qualité. L’organisme s’est associé à FedEx pour la livraison des manteaux aux écoles et aux communautés dans l’espoir de faire des heureux et de mettre un sourire sur leurs lèvres. L’école Edward Murphy dans Hochelaga-Maisonneuve a eu la chance d’être parmi celles qui ont pu bénéficier de ce bel élan de générosité. Tous les enfants sont rentrés chez eux avec un superbe manteau et de grands sourires! L’école tient à remercier chaleureusement FedEx et Operation Warm.
FOULARDS DOUILLETS : Grâce à la générosité d’Edna Janco, résidente de Côte-Saint-Luc, les élèves de l’école secondaire John Grant ont reçu de jolis foulards. Edna les a confectionnés avec les fournitures dont lui a fait don Fabricville.
OLYMPES DE LA PAROLE : La cérémonie de lancement du concours scolaire hybride Olympes de la Parole Canada a eu lieu le 6 décembre. Le choix de cette date a revêtu une importance particulière, car elle commémorait la Journée nationale de commémoration et d’action contre la violence faite aux femmes. Plusieurs écoles de la CSEM ont pris part à l’événement.
TOURNOI PEEWEE : Félicitations aux élèves de 6e année et à leurs coéquipiers : Paolo Di Gennaro, Fulvio Di Gennaro et James Ouellette de l’école primaire East Hill ainsi qu’Alessio Martinez de l’école primaire Honoré Mercier qui ont été sélectionnés pour représenter Montréal lors de la 65e édition du Tournoi international de hockey peewee de Québec, qui se tiendra dans la ville de Québec en février prochain.
PORTES OUVERTES : La saison des portes ouvertes se poursuit. Consultez notre nouveau blogue sur les journées portes ouvertes. Vous pourrez y lire des articles sur les journées portes ouvertes tenues récemment.
SERVICES DE L’ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE
REPORTAGE SUR WAGAR : Les élèves à besoins particuliers du Centre d’éducation des adultes Wagar à Côte-Saint-Luc ont fait l’objet d’un reportage réalisé par Pamela Pagano sur les ondes de CityNews Montreal. « J’espère que c’est là mon avenir », s’est exclamée l’artiste Jessica Teixeira-Pinto de « The Art Seen », un programme destiné à accroître la visibilité des artistes neurodivergents à Montréal. L’initiative en est maintenant à sa troisième édition.
REPAS-PARTAGE : Le 8 novembre, les élèves du programme FBC de la classe de Mme Georgette et ceux des classes SIS de Mme Lisa et Mme Natasha à Galileo se sont réunis lors d’un repas-partage. Favorable aux échanges sur le plan culturel, aux apprentissages et à la création d'une communauté, ce rassemblement a permis aux élèves de partager des plats, des recettes et de s’engager dans des conversations, dans une atmosphère inclusive et amicale. L'événement a permis aux élèves ayant des besoins particuliers de développer des compétences sociales comme entamer une conversation, utiliser des formules de politesse et décoder les signaux sociaux. Pour les élèves du programme English as a Second Language (ESL), ce fut une occasion précieuse de pratiquer l'anglais dans un contexte réel, de renforcer leur confiance en eux et d'enrichir leur vocabulaire. Un échange de recettes aura permis de rehausser encore davantage l'expérience, favorisant une prise de conscience et une appréciation culturelles. La dégustation de plats traditionnels et la découverte des traditions culinaires ont mis en lumière le pouvoir des aliments pour rapprocher des gens de diverses origines. En rassemblant les élèves, le repas-partage a contribué à solidifier l'engagement de Galileo en faveur de l'inclusion, de l'unité et du respect mutuel. Il témoigne du pouvoir des expériences partagées pour bâtir une communauté scolaire plus forte et plus connectée.
The next EMSB Focus will be published on February 5, 2025. Deadlines for submissions are Friday, January 31, 2025. E-mail submissons to mcohen@emsb.qc.ca
Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 5 février 2025. Prière de soumettre vos articles au plus tard le 31 janvier 2025 à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca.