The monthly news bulletin of the EMSB Citizenship Ceremony at

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The monthly news bulletin of the EMSB
Vol. 9 No 8
EDITOR: MICHAEL J. COHEN
PRINTING SERVICES: L. SHAW, D. D’ORNELLAS
March 29, 2007
PROOFREADING/TRANSLATION: ALINE ZEROUNIAN
∆ Volunteer Night
∆ Storytelling
∆ French for the Future
∆ St. Paddy’s Day
∆ Healthy Entente
∆ Scholarship Winner
∆ E-Learning
∆ Off to Tibet
∆ New Legal Counsel
∆ Autism Conference
Citizenship Ceremony at Rosemount High
Rosemount High School hosted its first Canadian Citizenship
Ceremony earlier this month, with Judge Barbara Seal
presiding. Teacher Erin Tevel organized the program, which
saw 16 new Canadians from 25 different countries sworn in.
The students on hand very much enjoyed the experience.
Rosemount’s Symphonic Winds Orchestra, conducted by
Debbie Best, performed the Canadian national anthem and a
number of other outstanding songs. EMSB Director General
Antonio Lacroce shared with the audience his own personal
experience as an immigrant, arriving in this country from Italy
in August 1958. “You being here today is a result of the
sacrifices your ancestors made,” he remarked. “It is through
education you are able to move forward.”
Options II High School in Ville Émard will host a citizenship
ceremony on April 19.
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ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANTS/SECRETARIES WEEK
April 22-28. 2007
VOLUNTEER NIGHT: The EMSB will
hold its sixth Volunteer Appreciation
Evening on Wednesday, April 18 at Le
Crystal (5285 Henri Bourassa West) in St.
Laurent. This year’s event is being held
during National Volunteer Week, which is
occurring nationwide. The Gardenview
Elementary School Choir
will be the
musical guests. Everyone on hand will get a
CD containing a compilation of their songs.
Global Television anchor Jamie Orchard
and 940Montreal business editor Luciano
Pipia will return as the emcees.
Penny Fenwick
First Canadian Financial Services (www.fcfsinc.com) and TransAmerica Life Canada,
specialists in Registered Education Savings
Plans (RESPs), will once again be the title
sponsors of event. The theme is You Light
Up Our Schools First Canadian’s president,
Joseph Afshar, will serve as the evening’s
honourary chairman. An Education Savings
Plan (ESP) is a vehicle generally used by
parents to save for their children's postsecondary education. Mr. Afshar and his
team meet regularly with EMSB parent
groups and provide free consultations.
A community-minded company, in addition
to RESPs, First Canadian Financial Services
specializes in the sale of: retirement, estate
and tax planning; mutual funds; life,
disability and critical illness insurance;
annuities; Registered Retirement Income
Funds (RRIF), savings plans and mortgages.
Parents who would like to reach Mr. Afshar
directly can call 484-1867 or log on to
www.fcfs-inc.com.
Time and space will not allow the EMSB to
honour all of its nearly 1,500 volunteers in
person. Therefore, only those individuals
who have volunteered for more than five
years will attend the reception, representing
some 500 people.
However, several
thousand copies of a commemorative
program book will be distributed to each
school. This year’s Volunteer of Distinction
is Penny Fenwick. She has been
volunteering at Willingdon Elementary
School in N.D.G. for 37 years. It began
when her two children attended classes there.
She initially helped out in the library and
assisted some children with their reading.
However, virtually all of her time has been
spent in the area of tutoring. She spends two
mornings a week at the school working with
students who need help with math, spelling
and reading. “I just love it,” she says. “When
my kids went on to high school, I still had a
connection with the school and the teachers
so I stayed on. And I have no intention of
leaving.” Please see the EMSB website for a
complete story on Penny.
Global TV’s This Morning Live will feature
a live broadcast from Willingdon on Wed.
April 11, with reports at 7:40 a.m., 8:10 a.m.
and 8:40 a.m. Ms. Fenwick will be
interviewed and shown working with
students.
Please log on to the Parent Info section of the
EMSB website (www.emsb.qc.ca) to review
the list of volunteers.
SCHOOL CALENDAR: The EMSB and
the Montreal Teachers Association (MTA)
have concluded a new local agreement which
will carry through to 2010. As a result,
school calendars for the youth sector have
3
been adopted for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
They can be accessed via the “Schools”
section of the EMSB website.
Justin Trudeau observes Storytelling with EMSB
officials.
STORYTELLING:
Storytelling events
were held in each of the regions – Honoré
Mercier, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and
Willingdon - for elementary cycle 3 students
during the month of March. Some students
told their stories in English and others in
French. At Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the special
guest speaker was Justin Trudeau. This
marked his first visit to the school named
after his late father. Justin is presently
seeking the federal Liberal nomination in the
neighbouring Papineau riding. “To share our
stories, our tales…our personal reflections is
very important,” acknowledged Mr. Trudeau.
“As you speak, think about your own story
and how it will weave into the stories that
make up this country and planet.”
Public speaking, in the form of storytelling,
has become an integral part of the Grade 5
and 6 curriculum at a number of schools. At
Nesbitt in Rosemount, for instance, the
pedagogical team feels that by teaching and
encouraging public speaking, it helps
students to overcome some of their shyness
and enable them to assert themselves in front
of others.
MELLA MELLA: The students in Cycles 1
and 2 at Nesbitt enjoyed the presentation of a
play entitled “Mella, Mella” last month. The
performance was a presentation of the Black
Theatre Workshop. Meanwhile, Carnival Day
was organized by physical ed. teachers
Maxime Mallette and Enza De Marco. All
students were treated to some exciting
activities which included sled races, tug of
war, ski run and balloon hockey.
RADIO EXPERIENCE: A group of 30
Grade 3 students from Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Elementary School had the opportunity to
participate in a two hour French radio
program on Radio Centre Ville (102.3
FM). The chosen theme was theatre. In the
days and weeks leading up to the broadcast
the students received a real education about
radio production, interviews and editing.
MAKING IMPACT: The Montreal Impact
soccer game on Friday, June 15 (7 p.m.)
against Charleston at the Claude-Robillard
Sports Complex in Ahuntsic will be
designated EMSB Night. This was done
last year, with an initial goal of selling 1,000
tickets. The final count was 3,500 and the
EMSB had to turn people away. Director
General, Antonio Lacroce, predicts sales of
5,000 this year.
All elementary school students have been
sent special ticket reservation forms while at
the high school level the physical education
teachers received them. The Impact are
making a limited number of tickets available
for the entire Board at only $5 each.
Students, parents and staff are encouraged to
take part, but this program is not
mandatory. From each ticket sold, $1 will
go towards the EMSB Scholarship Golf
Tournament Fund. Schools should bring
their own banners and signs to the game.
Prior to the game, two students will be
presented with
Tony Licursi Bursaries.
Some students may also be given the
opportunity to perform musically on the field.
The school that sells the most tickets will be
invited on to the field to greet the players as
they are introduced. Their students will also
be chosen to serve as ballboys/ballgirls.
4
Schools need to submit their cheques to the
Communications and Marketing Division by
Wed. April 11.
THE BURSARIES: Bursary entries can be
sent in the form of an e-mail message to
Mario
Bentrovato
at
[email protected], stipulating
the name and age of the candidate, the school
and grade he/she attends, the main reasons
why his/her candidature should be
considered, accomplishments, and how the
student's performance meets the criteria for
the Tony Licursi Bursary (excellence in
school, excellence in sports, preferably
soccer, and socio-economic background).
Licursi was the team’s longtime statistician
and a former student at the EMSB’s St. John
Bosco Elementary School and James Lyng
High School.
FRENCH FOR THE FUTURE: Noted
Quebec movie producer Kevin Tierney,
whose Bon Cop Bad Cop became Canada’s
top-grossing film in Canadian history, will be
the keynote speaker at this year’s French for
the Future Montreal Conference on Tuesday,
April 24 (9 a.m.) at l’Université du Québec à
Montréal (200 Sherbooke St. West, between
Jeanne Mance and St. Urbain). Aimed at
promoting bilingualism amongst Canadian
youth, the theme is Respect, Culture and
Integration into Québécois Society. Tierney
will focus on the process of linking the two
linguistic groups through culture and
humour.
More than 250 students will be in attendance
from 10 schools: the EMSB’s Lester B.
Pearson High School, Westmount High
School, James Lyng High School, John F.
Kennedy High School and Royal West
Academy; Howard S. Billings High School
from the New Frontiers School Board; one
school from the Lester B.Pearson School
Board; and two schools from the Gatineau
region.
After completing his BA from the former Sir
George Williams University in 1971,
Tierney’s next decade included a two-year
stint in Africa, a McGill degree in education,
a Concordia University graduate diploma in
communication studies, teaching at a high
school and at John Abbott College, writing
for Cinema Canada and a year of teaching
and writing in China. When he returned to
Montreal he did freelance publicity in the
film industry before joining Quebec producer
Rock Demers to develop projects and do
international sales. He set up his presentday Park Ex Pictures in 2000 which resulted
in a number of films, notably Bon Cop Bad
Cop.
A panel discussion from 10 a..m, to Noon
will feature journalists – anglophones
working in francophone milieus and
francophones working in English - in a fun
and stimulating debate alongside student
participants while asking the questions
What is Québécois culture to you? And how
can we break down barriers through the
media? The objective will be to help students
reflect on their languages and culture and
how to best develop this asset for a future in
Quebec. Musique Plus veejay Malik
Shaheed will serve as the moderator. In the
afternoon, students will take part in some
interactive programming with community
organizations.
Conference organizers wish to thank Joan
Netten from Memorial University of
Newfoundland and Claude Germain from
UQAM for their financial support to this
event. This year the conference will be held
simultaneously in 10 cities across Canada.
For
more
details
log
on
to
http://www.french-future.org.
BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK: March 1216 was Brain Awareness Week, with March
16 being Brain Tumour Awareness Day.
During that week, graduate students from the
MNI visited many EMSB schools to talk
about the brain, our senses and the nervous
system. On Friday, March 16, 60 students
from six EMSB schools visited the MNI
5
Brain Tumour Research Center and did a host
of interactive activities in the labs. As well,
during the months of March, April and May,
many EMSB schools will be fundraising for
the Franco Di Giovanni Foundation
supporting the Brain Tumour Research
Center at the MNI. The schools have held
dress down days, selling "Brain Waves" dog
tag necklaces, or doing other fundraising
activities.
BRAIN WAVES JUNIOR GALA: The first
annual Brain Waves Junior Gala took place
earlier this month during Brain Awareness
Week. The participating schools were:
General Vanier Elementary, Dalkeith
Elementary, Dante elementary and Laurier
MacDonald High School. The musical
concert was presented to the students at each
school on successive days. On March 16
the program was presented at the Laurier
MAC Auditorium at 7 p.m. for the parents of
the students from the three elementary
schools. All proceeds went to the Franco Di
Giovanni Foundation to support brain tumour
research at the Montreal Neurological
Institute and Hospital.
RECEPTION PLANNED: On Sat. March
24 the third annual Franco Di Giovanni
Fundraising Social supporting Brain Tumour
Research was held at the Prima Luna
Reception Hall in R.D.P. Music was provided
by Goldstarr. There was a seven course meal,
open bar, door prizes, and auction of sports
memorabilia. (Personalized Sheldon Souray
hockey stick, personalized hockey jerseys of
Wayne Gretzky, Martin Brodeur, Maurice
Richard, Sidney Crosby, Guy Lafleur,
Gump Worsley. Montreal Alouettes and
Impact team signed footballs and soccer
balls, Canadiens VIP hockey tickets, etc)
There was also a grand prize of a round trip
for two to Maui, Hawaii. The special guest
was Dr. Rolando Del Maestro, clinical
director of the Brain Tumour Research
Center at the MNI.
BRAINWAVES GALA: On Wed. May 9 (7
p.m. John F. Kennedy H.S., Laurier
Macdonald H.S, Rosemount H.S. Royal Vale
H.S. Vincent Massey H.S. and James Lyng
H.S.will be putting on a gala at the Leonardo
da Vinci Center (8370 Lacordaire Blvd.) in
St. Léonard. The event is also supported by
our local CTV television affiliate. Frank
Cavallaro and Mose Persico will be the
emcees. Besides presenting young musical
talent, the gala will offer numerous door
prizes including a trip for two to Florida.
Tickets are still available and cost $25 each.
Contact Mr. Vince Lacroce at 514-483-7200
ext. 5365.
EMSB EXPRESS: The EMSB Express
Newspaper has been distributed to schools,
centres and others on our distribution list. It
includes a comprehensive review of Public
School Education Week. This spring edition
of the tabloid also offers some tempting
prizes for students who answer quiz
questions: Jonas CDs, DeGrassi products and
the Party in the Box. You can log on to the
Express at http://tinyurl.com/3y6ax4.
EAST HILL EXPRESS: The second edition
of the East Hill Express is hot off the press
and
accessible
at
http://www.emsb.qc.ca/easthill. Produced by
students of the RDP elementary school, the
paper features 16 pages of very entertaining
material.
NEW TIMES: St. Raphaël Centre has
introduced a newsletter called New Times.
Written by students, it features national and
international news, jokes, riddles, weather
entertainment, interviews with teachers and
sports.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: Students
from three EMSB high schools –Marymount,
James Lyng and Royal West – participated in
this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Marymount marched with Côte des Neiges /
Notre Dame de Grace
Residents
Association. Their float highlighted cultural
diversity and environmental awareness. “Our
6
students and teacher supervisors marched
with flags from various countries,” reports
International Program Coordinator John
Wright.
Marymount students march in the parade
Each year the Royal West Academy Honour
Band marches in the parade. This year the
band played two traditional Irish marches and
serenaded the reviewing stand with the Irish
National Anthem. Forty-two members of the
Honour Band took part; they were sponsored
by the Erin Sports Association. “I was really
pleased with the band's performance, and
although we didn't win any trophies this year,
they played extremely well and were very
well received by the crowd,” said music
teacher Ginette Purdy.
Meanwhile, it was a full house on March 16
at St. Gabriel Elementary School in Point St.
Charles for their annual St. Patrick’s Day
concert. It was standing room only for the
many parents and community members who
came to watch the children perform. Students
sang many traditional Irish tunes such as
Mull of Kintyre, Molly Malone and many
Leprechaun songs. Three Grade 6 girls gave
a fantastic performance of Danny Boy and
encouraged the audience to sing along. The
concert was directed by Lex Milton and
Anastasia Polito, who did a wonderful job.
ST. IGNATIUS BUILDING: While the
EMSB’s Outreach High School recently
relocated from Westmount Park Elementary
School to the former St. Ignatius of Loyola
facility in N.D.G., next year the Youth
Horizons Centre Focus Program (Social
Affairs) will move to the premises as well.
As a result, the EMSB will not be able to rent
space in that building to the Rudolpg Steiner
School beyond June 30, 2007. Youth
Horizons is presently in rented quarters.
PEACE BY PEACE: All Grade 5 students
at Gardenview Elementary School have been
participating in a 10-week program called
Peace by Peace, which focuses on conflict
resolution and cooperative problem-solving
skills. It includes role playing, cooperative
games and discussions. On a weekly basis,
trained university student volunteers visit
each classroom for one hour and do a variety
of activities with the children. At the
program’s conclusion there will be a one day
festival which the students will attend and
meet their peers from other schools, teacher
Ellen Adler wrote in the Garden Views
newsletter.
Log
on
to
http://www.emsb.qc.ca/gardenview/whatnew.
htm for more school news.
CLC TOWN HALL: James Lyng High
School in St. Henri will host a Town Hall
meeting to discuss the Community Learning
Centre (CLC) concept on Mon. April 2 (7
p.m.). Assistant Deputy Minister of
Education for the English Speaking
Community Noel Burke and the project team
from LEARN will be there as this new project is
presented to various community groups which
may serve as potential partners for the future of
the CLC.
HEALTHY ENTENTE: As a result of the
Ministry of Education, Leisure and
Sports/Ministry of Health and Social
Services (MELS/MSSS) entente and the
networking of the EMSB Assistant Director
of Student Services Dora Cesta, along with
the 10 CSSS directors and representatives
for liaison with the EMSB, many new and
exciting initiatives have been planned. In
fact, a number are presently being
implemented in schools with respect to the
promotion of health, wellness, mental health
7
and support for intellectually and physically
challenged students. One of these initiatives
involved two on-site clinical interventions
March 20 and 21 at Laurier MacDonald High
School in St. Léonard, where a group (55) of
resident doctors in their last year of family
medicine (UFM) at the Université de
Montréal spoke to students about medical
issues, in particular the harmful effects of
tobacco use and the benefits of physical
exercise.
The clinic is the result of collaboration with
the CSSS St. Léonard – St. Michel, the
Université de Montréal Faculty of Medicine,
and the EMSB. The U of M’s Dr. Andrée
Gilbert, Ms. Cesta and the administration,
staff and support staff of LMAC ( Principal
Pat Buttino and Vice-Principals Dino
Marzinotto and Liboria Amato), organized
this pilot project which will evolve into a
more regular and permanent on-site clinic for
the students. Such a clinic will give the
students easy access to consultation on health
issues. Students will be encouraged to
develop a sense of autonomy in taking the
initiative for their own health and social
development. This initiative will hopefully
facilitate the prevention of more serious
illness and risk behaviours which often lead
to addiction and illness. “If the model of this
pilot on-site clinic is successful, it is due to
the willingness and hard work of the
administration of Laurier Macdonald High
School,” says Ms. Cesta. “The networking
system of the CSSS and the EMSB will move
toward establishing similar clinics at other
school locations, based on the model in the
east end of Montreal.
“Education, health and social services for
youth must meet youth where they are both
physically, socially and psychologically,”
adds Ms. Cesta. “The health of our young
people is important to the future of our
society, and as such our efforts at addressing
the present needs of students must adopt a
new and creative approach to health care and
social development in the educational setting.
Every new initiative in this direction will
promote positive change for a better
tomorrow in the field of health, social
service, education and an overall quality of
life for our young citizens.”
RELAY FOR LIFE: The Canadian Cancer
Society and the EMSB are extending an
invitation to members of the community to
participate in the first ever Montreal East
Relay For Life. This much-anticipated
community fundraiser will be organized by
20 Secondary V IBO (International
Baccalaureate Organization) students from
Laurier MacDonald High School in St.
Léonard. The event will take place on Friday,
May 25 (7355 Viau), from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Why is this event being held at night?
Simply because cancer never sleeps! You can
be part of the Relay For Life by putting a
team together, walking the Survivors’
Victory Lap, buying a luminary or by making
a donation. The Relay for Life is a noncompetitive 12-hour overnight event, where
teams of 10 friends, relatives or colleagues
take turns walking or running around the
track. Each team sets up camp in the tent
village where they can relax, socialize, enjoy
various
activities
and
entertainment.
Participants pay a registration fee of $10 each
and raise a minimum of $100 in pledges for
the fight against cancer.
At dusk, a Luminary Ceremony is held.
Candles line the perimeter of the track in
honor of cancer survivors and in memory of
those who have lost their battle with the
disease. The candles remain lit throughout
the night and are purchased prior or the day
of the event at a cost of 5$. The funds raised
by the Laurier Macdonald students will
enable the Canadian Cancer Society to
pursue its mission, which is the eradication of
cancer and the improvement of the quality of
life of people living with the disease. The
Canadian Cancer Society uses funds
rigorously and allocates them to five
priorities: Research, information, support,
prevention and advocacy to help ensure that
8
fewer people suffer from cancer, and to
control the impact of the disease. It will be an
emotionally-filled
night
that
gives
participants the satisfaction of knowing they
have raised money for an important cause.
Organized throughout Canada and the world,
the Relay for Life is an event that will touch
you forever.
If you would like to join the fight against
cancer or would like to become a participant
in Laurier Macdonald’s first ever Relay for
Life, please feel free to contact
Vince
Lacroce
at
514-374-6000
or
[email protected].
BELIEF: Since March 1 Spiritual Care,
Community Involvement and Guidance
Animators
Rocco Speranza and Vince
Lacroce have been holding spring retreats at
Laurier Macdonald High School in St.
Leonard for both elementary and high school
students from the East End. The title of the
retreats, BELIEF, was created by the team,
and each letter stands for a virtue: Bravery,
Empathy, Learning, Integrity, Equality and
Fairness.
The theme has three main aspects of
BELIEF: Belief in self, Belief in community,
Belief in others. The duo spent several days
working on the overall program for the
retreat day which lasts on average for five
hours. The program is packed with games,
exercises,
meditation,
activities
and
presentations by the animators, which
revolve around belief and the topic of
bullying and positive ways to build self
esteem and self belief. The objectives of the
retreats are to guide the students to find their
inner-self, gain confidence, increase selfesteem, increase community involvement and
sensitize them to the needs of fellow students
in their communities. It is for theses reasons
that Talia Brennan and Asha Sitaram, Jr.
pacemakers
co-coordinators
for
the
International Relations Students' Association
of McGill (IRSAM Inc were invited to speak
to the student leaders. The group aims to
promote peace and provide a sense of world
citizenship to elementary school children.
They also went over a "To-Do List" to
prepare for the workshop; knowing yourself
and your beliefs, knowing your program and
its goals, knowing your partner (s) and
knowing your students. “We had a final
discussion on what it means to be a leader,
with student examples of role models for
leadership.,” said Mr. Speranzo. “ We then
gave a short discussion on the Kielburgers,
two brothers who at a very young age,
demonstated outstanding leadership qualities.
What are the effects of retreats in schools
over the last few years? "Incidents of
tolerance and acceptance are up in my
schools" insists Mr. Speranza, " because
increasing a child's self esteem , and belief
system has positive effects on the students,
school and community. Belief in good
people and good communities is contagious.
Providing today’s youth with the proper life
tools, will allow them to design wonderful
stepping stones rather than stumbling
blocks.” A series of interactive spring
retreats/reflection days are planned to include
themes on: belief, peace, equality resolution
skills. Student participation, reflection and
activism increases and a positive change
develops in the school and community.
Karine Lajeunnesse
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Rosemount
High School teacher Karine Lajeunnesse is
one of three successful candidates for the
Riva and Thomas Hecht Scholarship Program
at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel this
summer. The other two are from the Lester
B. Pearson School Board. The professional
9
development program will take place under
the direction of the Faculty of the Yad
Vashem Seminars for Educators from
Abroad, International School for Holocaust
Studies. The goal of the program is to
provide professional development activities
to teachers for teaching about the Holocaust
and anti-Semitism to students in the Youth
Sector. “This year we have received many
applications of a very high calibre and are
delighted with the response,” said Riva Heft
Hecht. “The competition has been intense
and the applications compelling. This has
made the task of selecting only three
candidates to go to Israel, an onerous one.”
Ms. Lajeunnesse will go to Israel from July 1
– 19, 2007 to attend seminars and activities.
She will receive both pre-training and followup activities sponsored by the Montreal
Holocaust Memorial Centre and the
Bronfman Jewish Education Centre. An
orientation program will be available prior to
leaving for Israel. Successful candidates will
be expected to create at least one teaching
unit or module developed within the context
learned at the Yad Vashem experience for
implementation
in the classroom. The
unit/module must be incorporated into the
Quebec project-based curriculum. The basis
of the unit may be considered for integration
into the areas of cultural, language, history,
literacy or art-based activities. At least one
other activity must be held during the course
of the school year. This could be a speaking
engagement, participation in a panel
discussion, development of a contest for
children, etc.. All materials related to the
foregoing will be deposited at both the
Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre and the
school board
for future use in enriching
learning materials available to teachers.
JUMP ROPE: Royal Vale School in N.D.G.
will be taking part in the Heart and Stroke
Jump Rope for Heart event on Fr. April 13
(8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m). This will be the
fourth consecutive year the school hosts the
event. Last year a total of $13,691was
raised in support of the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Quebec. The fundraising
component consists of staff and students
participating in a skipping challenge. Prior
to the event, participants secure pledges.
Students will receive fabulous thank-you
prizes based on the pledges they collect
individually. Physical Education teacher
Norman Katz will be teaching the required
skills and preparing
students in their
Physical Education classes leading up to this
non-competitive and dynamic program.
Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. some members
of the Montreal Alouettes, including kick
returner Keith Stokes, will be on hand to
sign autographs.
EXPLORATIONS CAMP: Explorations
2007 is an enrichment day camp for all
students aged four to 18. It takes place at
Royal Vale School in N.D.G. and is a project
of McGill University and the EMSB. The
program provides interesting and challenging
activities for kids by professionals in the
areas of science, drama, art, computers,
tennis, fencing, debating, comedy, cooking,
guitar, radio, origami, band, robotics, etc.
The dates are July 2-13 and July 16-27.
Registration has now started for this year's
session. For details call
director Bertha
Dawang
at
514-398-4252,
email
[email protected] or log on to
www.education.mcgill.ca/explorations
for
more information.
PAINTING WITH POLICE: Students
from John Paul I Junior High School in St.
Léonard rolled up their sleeves and took
brushes in hand to paint the staff room. They
painted along with Police Department 42
Socio Community officer Claire Levac in an
effort to increase community relations and
brighten up their staff room. It was also a
great way to develop an understanding of the
police officers job on Officers’ Day. Students
have worked with local police officers from
PDQ 42 on numerous projects in the past,
and they have enjoyed the time spent with the
officers. The students wished to perform a
community service, thank the officers for all
they do for the youth in the area, and give
10
something back to the community officers.
The idea of painting a multicultural mural
came to light, and Art Teacher Siverio
Bunno and Spiritual Community Animator
Rocco Speranza chose the students because
of their talent, academic performance,
leadership, and willingness to aid in the
project. The commander of the PDQ 42 and
officers supported the project as well. The
multicultural mural depicting St. Leonard
will be completed soon.
ST. JULIEN MEMORIAL: On Tues. April
10 (8 a.m.) students and staff of John Paul I
Junior High School will unveil and
inaugurate a student-made replica of the St.
Julien Memorial honouring those brave
Canadian soldiers who died during the heroic
stand during the first gas attacks of the First
World War that took place on April 22nd
1915.
Students and staff of the school
embarked on a one year project entitled We
are Remembering Them. This project and the
creation of the replica of St. Julien Memorial
was their way of making a difference and
remembering those Canadians who sacrificed
and continue to sacrifice dearly for our
country.
The replica of the St. Julien Memorial will
stand in the school’s Agora, like a sentinel
over those who died, reminding staff,
students and visitors of the need for
tolerance, unity, acceptance, spirituality
social justice and most important, peace. The
students’ active participation in the We are
Remembering Them project served to make
them aware of the military history of
numerous Canadians and allowed them to
better understand the importance of sharing
past knowledge and experience in order to
build a brighter future.
PUBLIC SPEAKING: The annual Public
Speaking Competition for Secondary I to V
students will take place on Thurs. May 3 at
Westmount High School (9:45 a.m. to 2
p.m.). As in the past, the Rotary Club of
Montreal has invited the Secondary V winner
to participate in its event on May 15 at the St.
James Club. Languages Consultant Stella
Halaris will serve as the moderator and
coordinator.
E-LEARNING: LEARN is a non-profit
educational foundation supported by funding
from the Québec-Canada Entente for
Minority Language Education. LEARN has
three divisions: e-LEARNing Connections
has a mandate to offer quality e-learning
services, support and expand these services
to all English School Boards, private schools,
community organizations, and the private
sector in both rural and urban settings;
LEARNing Communities supports and
promotes pedagogical collaboration and
innovation through the use of information
technology and modelling of best practices;
and
LEARNing Materials provides
educational materials to educators in the
anglophone sector of the province, who are
implementing, among others, competencybased practices in the classroom. Log on to
www.learnquebec.ca to “learn” more.
ALL ABOUT WATER: Both Parkdale and
Gardenview elementary schools have been
visited by Gary Pluim,
the CEO of
Watercan. In an entertaining and stimulating
presentation to over 1,200 students from
Kindergarten to Grade 6, Mr. Pluim, dressed
as a Massai warrior, opened up to the
students the dire need for "clean, fresh water"
to the African nation.
A student from
Kentonville, Ontario called Ryan, who is
now in Grade 7, has raised over $500,000
since he started collecting for Watercan. His
money has enabled 250 wells to be built,
and these provide water for 250,000 people.
The children were given plastic eggs with
which to collect the money gained from
doing "chores around the house." The drive
began March 20 and will end April 13. It is
hoped to let the students know by April 20th
how much has been collected. The target
amount is 2,500$. The DVD called "Ryan's
well," provided by the EMSB Media Centre,
11
was used throughout the schools. Activites
which involved carrying heavy loads of
water, and filling out "water usage" surveys
were given in support of the drive. It is hoped
that Mr. Pluim will return with photos or a
video of the well that the students hope to
build in Ethiopia. A similar presentation was
offered to the "family" class of Marlene
Brownstein of F.A.C.E. School.
BULLYING WORKSHOP: Using class
surveys created by the Spiritual Community
Animator Mike Shaw, the children and staff
were asked to look at how they, as a class,
viewed bullying, the description of a bully,
the traits and character of a bully, and how to
"Face the bullying down." Role playing,
honest exchanges among the SCA, students
and teachers, DVDs on "cyberspace
bullying" (Recommended by the EMSB
Media Centre) and an in depth look at the
clasroom survey, found students being
empowered. The comment of one teacher
who was having great difficulty in the class
with physical, verbal and cyberspace bullying
was, "The atmosphere in my class has made a
great change for the better. The bully seems
to be zero effective and has in fact begun to
change (their) ways".
The project was originally aimed at Grades 5
and 6, but junior grades down to Grade 2
have asked for input into their class. In some
instances the teacher has allowed the SCA to
be in the class three times for 40 minutes to
an hour. The reaction from these teachers is
extremely positive and supportive of the
project.
OFF TO TIBET: A special card aimed at
sensitizing people all around the world to
planet preservation (fauna, flora and human
being) made last year by students in a Grade
1 class at FACE Elementary School is
making its way around the world to all six
continents. EMSB Pedagogical Consultant
Corinne Garieri is preparing for a very
special journey. On April 20 she will head
out on a three-week expedition through
Tibet’s
Kailash Mountain, inside the
Himalayas. “How did this all start?” Corinne
asks rhetorically. “My students participated
in a project which emphasized climatic
change. We collaborated with broadcaster
Jean Lemire by doing activities with his
crew. During a year and half period, the crew
went to Antarctica with the boat Sedna IV.
The card left FACE in North America,
moved to Germany (Europe) and then back to
Canada and the boat Sedna IV
and
Antarctica , where the vessel rested still for
six months. After Tibet, the card will be sent
Rwanda (Africa) and will be part of a project
with street children who experienced
genocide. Finally, the Oceania will be the last
continent the card will cross. For more details
log on to www.sedna.tv (English , Antarctic
classroom
Read more, and FACE School Montreal).
ORIGAMI ARCHITECTURE: School
groups are invited to help fold a giant
origami Pteranodon with Dr. Robert Lang,
one of the world's foremost scientific
artists and a pioneer in computational
origami April 17-20 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in
Room 114 of the
McGill School of
Architecture (815 Sherbrooke Street West) .
He will be in residence there for one week,
folding a five m square piece of paper
specially made at Papeterie Saint- Armand
into a life-size model of a Mesozoic flying
reptile, complete with claws and talons.
There has been generous support for this
project from The McGill Associates. Info:
www.mcgill.ca/redpath/origami
LDP ANNIVERSARY: Leonardo Da Vinci
Elementary School in Rivières-des-Prairies
will be commemorating its 25th anniversary
with a gala public celebration on Thursday,
April 19 beginning at 6 p.m. at the school,
located at 12025 André-Dumas. Past and
present students, teachers and administrators
are invited to attend. Cocktails and a light
buffet will be served. Keynote speaker at the
event will be Dr. Ron Del Maestro of the
Montreal Neurological Institute, who has one
of the largest collections of artefacts dealing
with the life and career of the school’s
12
namesake, Renaissance artist Leonardo Da
Vinci. Some of the items from his collection
will be on display that evening. Also, a
commemorative 25th anniversary program
book will be published, and the school is
seeking sponsorships from companies and
individuals for the book. To RSVP, please
call 514-648-2764 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
before Thursday, April 12.
GOLF
TOURNAMENT:
Noted
businessman and president of the Montreal
Impact soccer team, Joey Saputo, has agreed
to serve as honourary chair for the fourth
annual EMSB Scholarship Golf Tournament
on Thursday, June 28 at Lachute. Last fall,
the EMSB distributed 30 cash scholarships
of $500 each to students from the graduating
class of 2006 at an Administration Building
ceremony in N.D.G. These scholarships were
funded from the proceeds of a previous
tournament. Scholarships were awarded to
high school students who are continuing their
studies in a post-secondary educational
program. For more information or to book a
foursome,
please call 514-483-7200 ext.
7434.
CITY HALL VISIT: Grade 3 and 4 students
at Cedarcrest Elementary School in St.
Laurent got a chance to learn more about the
city recently. They received a guided tour of
the Centre Des Loisirs, where their guide
Patricia Duailleul talked to them about the
activities that the centre provides in sports,
art and camps.They were then received by
City Councillor Laval Demers and
communications
officer
Geneviève
Bouchard, who explained how the council
functions. The students ended their trip by
visiting the Municipal Library . It was a
Great experience for them,” says newly
appointed principal Darlene Kehyayan.
CHORALE
SCHEDULE:
After
a
successful run of holiday concerts and two
CBC radio broadcasts in December, the
EMSB Chorale has started to work on its
repertoire for its upcoming spring concerts
and July tour to the international choral event
in St. John’s, NL, Festival 500: Sharing the
Voices. On March 25 in the Loyola Chapel of
Concordia University, the Chorale, under the
direction of Patricia Abbott since 1990,
hosted the La Ceilagh Chamber Choir for a
joint
fundraising
concert
called
Newfoundland Bound. La Ceilagh, conducted
by Fredericka Petit-Homme, is made up of
McGill University music and music
education students. The Chorale’s eagerly
awaited annual Spring Gala Concert will
take place Sat. May 5 (7:30 p.m.) at
Concordia’s Oscar Peterson Hall. Featuring
both the Junior and Senior Chorales, some 65
singers in all will be accompanied by pianist
Anne-Marie Denoncourt. This concert will
feature works by classical composers such as
Bach, Casals, Mendelssohn and Schubert as
well as contemporary composers such as
Donald Patriquin, Nancy Telfer, Sid
Robinovitch and Paul Jarman. Tickets are
$10 for adults and $5 for students and
seniors. They will go on sale March 25.
Contact Patricia Abbott at (514) 483-7200,
ext. 7234 for more information.
The Chorale will then travel to St. John’s, NL
on June 30 for Festival 500, where it will join
choirs from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland,
Latvia, Mexico, Finland, the United States
and Canada for a week-long series of
concerts and workshops, including the Grand
Finale concert at Mile One Stadium on July
8.
SUMMER SCHOOL: The EMSB has
announced that the 2007 Summer School
program will operate out of John F. Kennedy
High School in Villeray and LaurenHill
Academy in St. Laurent in July. The purpose
of Summer School is to provide a review in
the course(s) for which students meet the
admission requirement of a June mark (50 to
59 percent). Students who succeed in their
summer school studies are permitted to
advance to the next level of the course. Again
this year, an Introduction to Secondary I
Mathematics preparatory 20-day course will
be offered to graduating Grade 6 students
13
who wish to increase their chances for
success in their first year of high school. The
principal's recommendation will be required
for them to register. Courses offered for
Secondary I to III students will be: English
Language Arts, French Second Language and
Mathematics as well as Français, langue
maternelle and mathématiques. An eight-day
intensive program in History 414, French
414, Mathematics (416, 426, 436, 514, 526
and 536) and Physical Science 416 will be
offered to Secondary IV and V students in
order to better prepare them for the August
supplemental exams.
Secondary IV courses are English Language
Arts and French, Second Language.
Secondary I and II will also have the option
of taking French Immersion, Français, langue
maternelle and Mathématiques. A bridge
course for Secondary IV students wishing to
write the supplemental Mathematics 436
exam in August will be offered during the
eight-day intensive program. Any student
having received a grade of 70 percent in
Math 426 will be eligible.
LYNG HALL OF FAME: The James Lyng
High School Alumni will host its inaugural
Hall of Fame ceremony April 28. All
proceeds from the event will go towards
enriching the quality of academic life for
those students presently enrolled at the St.
Henri school. The first inductees are:
Gordon McCambridge, Antoinette Sassi,
John Maloney, Cathy Belisle and the late
Tony Licursi. Tickets are $25. The event
will include brunch, a cash bar, raffle, silent
auction and a dance to follow. For more
information, please contact Mary ForteSposato at 514-366-9697 the school directly
at 514-846-8814, where you can leave your
name and contact number. In that case
someone from the alumni will get back to
you. Tables of 10 are available as well.
Our Lady of Pompei students enjoy their matzah.
MATZAH BAKERY: Students and teachers
from three elementary schools- St-Gabriel in
Point St. Charles, Coronation in Côte des
Neiges and Our Lady of Pompei in Ahuntsic,
virtually all of whom are not Jewish, recently
visited the Matzah Bakery workshop at the
Congregation Beth Ora in St. Laurent. The
students got to learn from Rabbi Yisroel
Bernath the story of Passover in a hands-on
interactive way, from grinding the wheat to
actually baking Matzah bread. The children
were very excited to taste their Matzah
creation! Rabbi Israel recreated the story of
Passover to them via a puppet show. Spiritual
Community Animators Maria Corsini Kelly
and Veronica D’Agata organized this most
memorable learning experience.
ON THE AIR: On March 21, students at
Parkdale Elementary School in St. Laurent
went “on the air,” as they demonstrated their
radio broadcasting skills to mark the
conclusion of a special five-week Beginner’s
Communications Course in Radio that they
participated in. The course, conducted by
CJAD announcer and host Eramelina
Boquer, gave students from five Cycle 3
classes and one Cycle 2 class the opportunity
to learn about the world of radio
broadcasting. First, they had first-hand
accounts of what it’s like to work at a radio
station from such CJAD on-air personalities
as Rob Martier, Al Gravelle and Angie
Coss. Then, the students were divided into
14
groups, in which they became their own radio
stations, and chose their own format and call
letters.
Arena for full day activities. In-school
activites were also offered for those students
who chose to stay close to home.
CURRICULUM FAIR: Carlyle Elementary
School (109 Carlyle Street) will host its
annual Curriculum Fair on Thursday, April,
19, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The
theme for this yea’s event is 'Let's Celebrate'
and they will be celebrating themes chosen
by r students from Pre-Kindergarten through
to Grade 6, including multiculturalism, prime
ministers and other themes worth celebrating.
Parkdale radio grads.
They also had to create their own radio show,
complete with news, sports, traffic and
weather,
advertising
and
music
programming. One group from each class
were selected to present their program at an
assembly on March 21; the remaining groups
will present their programs at a general
assembly later in the year. Principal Jacklin
Webb praised the students for their hard
work, creativity and ability to work in
groups. Each student was presented with a
special certificate for participating in the
course, which was designed by Sophia
Adams,
web
coordinator
for
CJAD/MIX96/CHOM and a Parkdale
graduate
CARNIVAL WEEK: Lester B. Pearson
students had an array of activities to
participate in during the school’s Carnival
Week. There was a pie-eating contest and
tricycle racing. As well, Student Council
served cotton candy and popcorn to further
enhance the carnival spirit. One program
involved the second Coffee House of the
year. Students sang, played instruments and
recited poetry to an intimate crowd of
students and staff members. It was a great
evening! The following day students and
teachers headed out to Mont Avila, the
Recreatheque, or the Montreal North Skating
ROYAL WEST SHAKESPEARE: The
Bardolators, Royal West Academy’s student
Shakespeare Club, will be staging their
production of “Hamlet” from April 24 to 27
in the auditorium of the school, located at
189 Easton in Montreal West. Showtime is at
7 p.m., with a special dinner theatre
performance on April 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets are
$5 for students, $7 for seniors and $10 for
adults, and can be purchased at the door.
Tickets for the dinner theatre show is $25 and
must be purchased by calling 514-489-8454.
Also, the April 26 performance will be a
fundraiser for a new theatre sound system. A
wine and cheese reception, which will
include musical performances, will take place
before the show starting at 6 p.m.
The Bardolators was the idea of Doug Floen,
a retired Royal West teacher who also
directed the annual student production of a
Shakespeare play. During a train ride to
Vienna, Austria in March of 2003 – which
was part of the school’s exchange trip to
Rome – Floen and a group of students
discussed the idea of forming a group made
up of interested students who would be
committed to acting in Shakespearean
productions, as well as enhance their
theatrical skills beyond what they would gain
from participating in an extra-curricular
activity school drama production. After the
trip, Floen, along with Royal West teacher
Sidney Westlake, submitted a proposal to
the EMSB for the creation of a student drama
15
group that would be recognized as a high
school course by the Ministry of Education,
in which the students would also get course
credits. The board approved the request and
the Bardolators began in time for the 20032004 school year. The group is made up of
students from Grades 7 to 11. They meet
every Tuesday afternoon after school and
stage two Shakespeare plays every year that
they perform in front of the general public.
They are required to get involved in three
aspects of theatrical production other than
acting, such as costume design, set design
and construction, lighting, etc. The older
students are also required to work on other
onstage-related aspects besides their roles in
the plays, such as directing scenes and
performing the music for the productions.
Parents also volunteer their time to the
Bardolators, whether it be helping with the
sets, costumes and coaching the students with
their lines, or fundraising to fund the group’s
annual or bi-annual trips, which have taken
them so far to London, England; the Stratford
Festival;
Ottawa;
and
Shakespeare’s
birthplace of Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.
Besides organizing and staging plays, the
Bardolators also perform “Shakescenes” for
Royal West English classes as a teaching tool
to get students interested in the plays that
they are studying. The teacher in question
selects a scene from that certain Shakespeare
play, and members of the Bardolators put
together the requested scene to perform in
front of the class. They also introduce the
play to the students before the scene is
performed, and do a follow-up activity of
their choice. Since its establishment in 2003,
the Royal West Bardolators have presented
such Shakespeare plays as “Much Ado About
Nothing,” “The Merchant of Venice,” “King
Lear,” and “As You Like It.”
IN MEMORIAM: Linda Moro, the
dedicated programmer at Laurier Macdonald
High School in St. Léonard, died suddenly
earlier this month of a stroke. She was 62.
Linda began working for the former Jérôme
Le Royer School Board in the autumn of
1975 at Aimé Renaud High School. She then
moved on to John Paul I Junior High School
and six years ago joined the team at Laurier
MAC. “Laurier Macdonald High School was
her extended family,” said School Secretary
Carmen Amendola-Prioletta. “Her long
hours at work, making sure all schedules
were ready, report cards were printed,
supervision schedules were in order showed
the dedication she had in her work/ She was
always there with a helping hand and words
of wisdom that she shared with anyone who
needed her help. Linda touched many lives
over the years and will always be
remembered with appreciation and love.”
Benoit Duheme
NEW
LEGAL
COUNSEL:
Benoit
Duheme is the newly-appointed director of
legal services for the EMSB, succeeding
Dominique Launay who returned to private
practice. Mr. Duheme obtained his degree in
Industrial Relations at the Université du
Québec Hull in 1993, and his law degree
from the University of Ottawa in 1996. He
was called to the Bar in Quebec in 1998 and
for the next seven years, was in private
practice, specializing in commercial and real
estate litigation, as well as labour law. Before
joining the EMSB, he worked as a labour
relations manager for the Conseil scolaire de
district du Centre-Sud-Ouest (CSDCSO) in Toronto.
Mr. Duheme’s mandate at the EMSB is to
provide high quality legal service to the
board and its departments. This includes
working with the Human Resources
16
Department on such issues as labour
relations, employment disputes, human
rights, safety issues and psychological
harassment; negotiating settlements with
arbitrators and employee unions, reviewing
contracts, discussing collective bargaining
agreements
and
developing
and
implementing employers’ policies. He will
also provide the Buildings and Grounds
Department with legal advice on matters such
as contracts, civil procedure and tenders and
provide legal support to the Secretary
General’s Office on matters dealing with the
Education Act and the Access to Information
Act.
MUSIC AND SONG: On March 1, Cycle 2
and 3 students at East Hill Elementary
School in RDP celebrated awareness of self,
community and natural environment through
the magic of music and song. Spanning
generation and culture, students performed an
eclectic program. The audience enjoyed
wonderful renditions of classical, blues,
aboriginal and popular standards. Several
techniques such as improvisation and
composition developed during term one of
the music program were well received. Also,
students were encouraged to share their
talents on instruments pursued outside of
school such as electric guitar and drums.
Along with an inspiring art stage decor,
dance and poetry were also incorporated
throughout the concert. A most exceptional
job by music teacher Rocco Simone!
MATH CURRICULUM: On March 15, the
Governing Board of Elizabeth Ballantyne
Elementary Schoo (EBS) in Montreal West
hosted a Parent Information Session on their
Kindergarten to Grade 6 math curriculum,
with a focus on the Nelson Math Program.
EBS is into its third year of implementation
of the Nelson Program given they were a
pilot school, yet parents are still keen on
learning more about the program and how to
support their children at home, as represented
by the high turnout of over 60 registrants.
Following introductory comments by the
school’s principal, Katherine Snow, EMSB
Math Consultant for Secondary Schools Tom
Booth
answered the following relevant
questions in his presentation: Why Nelson
Mathematics?
What
does
Nelson
Mathematics look like? How will Nelson
Mathematics
help
my
child
learn
mathematics? How can I support my child’s
learning at home? Participants then broke out
into discussion groups, organized by cycles,
which focused more on how the math
curriculum unfolded in the classrooms.
Group facilitators were: Mr. Booth, Lina
Zielinski
(EMSB
Math
Consultant,
Elementary Schools), and EBS staff members
Angela Kabal, Linda Mahler, Georgia
Gotsis,
Frances Huot and
Gaye
McConnell.
When asked what insights they left the
session with, parents stated overwhelmingly
that they learned math can be positive and
fun, that it can easily be integrated into dayto-day living, and that making mistakes can
be a valuable learning experience. Parents
were especially excited to learn about
Nelson’s
website
for
parents
(see
http://www.mathk8.nelson.com/companion.h
tml) for cycles 2 and 3. Region 3 Director
Mario Tirelli and a number of parents from
other schools were also in attendance.
GOAL SYMPOSIUM: The annual GOAL
(Guidance Oriented Approach to Learning)
symposium will take place on Friday,
September 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at
the Dorval Hilton Hotel, located at 12505
Cote de Liesse Road near Trudeau Airport.
The theme of this year’s symposium is
“Answering the Question ‘How?’ for
Teachers and ‘Why?’ for Students”. The
symposium is being organized by the EMSB,
in conjunction with the Quebec Ministry of
Education, Leisure and Sports (MELS) and
the following school boards: Lester B.
Pearson, Eastern Townships, Sir Wilfrid
Laurier, Riverside, New Frontiers, Central
Quebec, Eastern Shores, Littoral and Western
Quebec. It is open to teachers, students,
17
parents, administrators, guidance counsellors,
consultants, technicians, and business and
community leaders. The objective of GOAL
is to help students undertake and complete
projects that will aid them in developing their
potential, both personally and career-wise, as
well as give them the guidance to integrate
them into society. GOAL is working along
with the Pedagogical Services Department of
the EMSB to ensure that the guidance
oriented approach to learning becomes an
important part of the Quebec Education Plan
(QEP) of every school in the board. For more
information about GOAL and their upcoming
symposium,
please
contact
EMSB
Educational Consultant Lori Rabinovitch at
ext. 7430.
MONTREAL MATTERS: CBC Montreal
informs us that it has had so many requests
for the material from its Montreal Matters
2006 feature from the education sector and
parents that they are trying to make it as
widely available as possible. The requests
they have had for this material among many
others include: in-class material to get
students thinking and talking, to stimulate
discussions among teachers, as homework
assignments and as a topical bridge allowing
parents to discuss classroom issues with their
children using the same material provided in
class. Documents have been produced for
distribution in the school system to serve as a
companion to the Montreal Matters website,
where all of the material is streamed on-line
in the Archives section to give maximum
accessibility.
The
website
is
at
http://www.cbc.ca/montrealmatters.
The first
document is a list, sorted by topic, of all of
the Radio and Television material from
Montreal Matters 2006: School and the
second is a similarly sorted list of Montreal
Matters Producer Kim McNairn's favourite
picks. Arrangements have been made for
this full set of material to be available on the
website until next October, at least, and, if it
is sufficiently popular, beyond. The
attachments are intended as stand-alone
reference documents on subjects for teachers,
parents, students and administrators and
contain all the information needed to access
specific items by story date or story author.
CBC’s aim is to distribute this information to
all school principals and librarians in the
English Québec school system. To obtain by
email the documents which appear on the
Montreal
Matters
website,
email
[email protected].
.
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS: School
board elections will take place in less than a
year from now, on Sunday, November 4,
2007. Voters in the territory of the EMSB
will elect commissioners in 23 wards. The
makeup of the electoral divisions appear on
the EMSB website.
In order to vote, you must currently be on the
permanent list of electors in Quebec, be 18
years of age and over, a Canadian citizen,
domiciled in the territory of the EMSB, have
been domiciled in Quebec for at least six
months, not be under curatorship and not
have been convicted of an offence that is a
corrupt electoral practice. Any parent who
has a child registered in an EMSB youth
sector elementary or high school as of
September 1, 2007 are automatically entered
on the EMSB electoral list. In addition, any
elector who made a choice prior to the June
1998 elections and had their name entered on
the EMSB electoral list is included. These
individuals would have signed a special form.
If you do not recall doing so, you can verify
whether your name appears on the list during
the revision process in the fall of 2007 or by
calling 1-888-353-2846.
However, if you no longer have any children
enrolled in the system, by default you will be
placed on the French electoral list. You will
receive a postcard from the Directeur Général
des Élections du Québec notifying you of this
change. When you receive this postcard, call
the EMSB Election Office and a Notice of
Choice form will be sent to you to fill out and
return to the EMSB.
18
Pierre-Yves Bezzazz is the manager of the
Election Office. For more information, please
call (514) 483-7200, ext. 8800, or e-mail
[email protected]. You can also consult
the Directeur général des élections du
Québec
website
at
www.electionsquebec.qc.ca.
DENIM DAY: Schools are being sent their
2007 packages for National Denim Day,
which takes place on Tues. May 13. EMSB
schools have been exceptionally successful in
this fundraiser for breast cancer education
and research.
This year hundreds of
thousands of Canadians will take part in
National Denim Day, sponsored by Feet
First, showing their support by wearing
denim and/or a pink flower ribbon in
exchange for a suggested donation of $5.
Since its inception in October of 1996, the
CURE foundation has raised in excess of $13
million. The funds raised will enable the
CURE Foundation to raise breast cancer
awareness and support research and
technology to provide the means for earlier
breast cancer detection, prevention and, one
day, a CURE. Info: 1-888-592-CURE. At
central head office, staff will participate in a
special game of Deal or No Deal to raise
funds, with Pedagogical Consultant Brian
Seltmann stepping into the Howie Mandel
role.
TIP CORNER
Editors Note: The Communications Department of
the EMSB is contacted regularly by organizers of
different conferences, facilitators of interesting
workshops and developers of innovative fundraising
opportunities. We screen these requests and make the
information available to schools and centres. From this
point on, we will group these in our Tip Corner and
give in-school administrators, teachers, other staff,
parent groups and even students of making contact
directly.
CONFERENCES ON AUTISM: The Abe
Gold Learning and Research Centre of the
Miriam Foundation is hosting a conference
April 19 and 20, 2007 regarding “Strategies
for Engagement, Intervention and Education
across the Autism Spectrum” as well as a
symposium November 8 and 9, 2007. More
details
can
also
be
found
at
www.goldlearningcentre.com. You can also
call
Allison R. Slopack, coordinator
of the Learning Centre for Autism and
Developmental Disability at the Abe Gold
Learning
and
Research
Centre
at
514-345-8330
ext.
319
or
[email protected]. A flyer is
also posted in the Community Events section
of the EMSB website.
MINI-MED: If you haven't yet participated
in the Jewish General Hospital Mini-Med
School,now's your chance to join the
hundreds of "mock-tors" who have unlocked
mysteries about their health, without the long
hours and tiring exams of regular medical
school! The innovative, educational and
entertaining JGH Mini-Med School returns to
the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) this
spring, and the JGH and Pfizer Canada are
inviting EMSB students and senior students
to don their lab coats to hear straight talk in
non-technical language from some of the
JGH's most dynamic physicians and
researchers. The spring series will take place
at the JGH Wednesday evenings from April
11 to May 16. This program is made
possible by an unrestricted grant from Pfizer
Canada.
The 2007 series promises to be as
enlightening and entertaining as ever, as
participants will hear little-known facts on a
variety of medical issues from the JGH's
medical professionals. Speakers include Dr.
Marc Afilalo (Emergency Medicine), Dr.
Michael Dworkind (Family Medicine), Dr.
Tina Kader (Endocrinology), Dr. David
Langleben (Cardiology), Dr. Mark Miller
(Infectious Diseases) and Dr. Michael
Pollak (Oncology). Registration is now
underway at www.jgh.ca or by calling 514340-8222, local 3337. The fee is $80 for
adults and $50 for students (under 25 with
student ID) and seniors (60 and over) for all
19
six English sessions. Register online to take
advantage
of
a
$5
discount!
A French series will take place Tuesday
evenings from May 1 to 29, and will feature
Dr. Marc Afilalo (Emergency Medicine), Dr.
Albert Cohen (Gastroenterology), and Dr.
Ernesto Schiffrin (Physician-in-Chief) and
Dr. Michael Bouhadana (Family Medicine).
For the four-week French series, the cost is
$55 for adults and $35 for students (under
age 25 with student ID) and seniors (age 60
and over).
And, if you missed the previous JGH MiniMed Schoolseries, the Mini-Med DVD is just
what the doctor ordered! Place your order
today and enjoy the same tips on staying
healthy and prevent trouble before it starts in the comfort of your own home! It also
makes a great gift! Each series is available
for $39 (personal) or $75 (institutional) per
5- or 6-part series. For more information,
visit www.jgh.ca and click on JGH Mini-Med
School.
FUNDRAISING OPTION: Bookkeepers
are a new product in Canada doing precisely
what the name implies;
they keep books
open. Useful upon using computers, in
kitchens, anywhere papers need to be held or
you need to be hands free, they come in red,
blue and green. Their best sellers are the
kitchen measurements , but for orders of 48
or more, anything you wish may be printed
on them for no extra cost; i.e. the name of
your school. Bookeepers make excellent fund
raisers. At $6.50 each they resell for $10.
Price is tied to quantity. Bookeepers come
48 to the box. For three to 10 boxes the cost
is $6.25 per keeper or more than 10 boxes the
price drops to $6 each. If you’d like to see
samples, contact Carole Irgo and Edna
Silver
at
Silgo
Products
at:
514-486-3995 or 514-947-8924 or email
[email protected].
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Since 1960, Buffaloeastcantra inc. has been a Montreal-based
market
leader
in
developing
and
commercializing school supply products.
Over 1,000 Buffalo school supply products
are available in most major Canadian retail
outlets. During each “back to school” season,
families with elementary school-aged
children spend countless hours trying to fill
their school supply lists. Now, Buffalo is
proud to offer an easier way for students to
get their school supply lists filled, while
simultaneously raising money for their
schools. Rather than handing out school
supply lists, your school can send their lists
to be filled as customized “School Supply
Kits”. Each kit is packed, personalized with
the student’s name, grade, and school name,
and shipped back to the school on time for
the next school year. The kits will contain
EXACTLY the supplies requested by the
school – including any major brand name
product,
color,
quantity,
etc.
The kits can then be re-sold to parents, for a
reasonable profit.
This becomes an instant fundraising program
for school supplies that the student, in any
case, would have been required to purchase.
Students receive exactly the supplies that
have always appeared on your lists - parents
save time, avoid the lines and inconvenience
of “back to school”, and make a contribution
to
their
children’s
school.
Your school will earn much needed extra
revenue! All of the work is done by us at
Buffalo; and, for the 2007 “back to school”
season, Buffalo is offering a FREE
BACKPACK with every school supply kit
delivered. Schools will be receiving sample
boxes filled with Grade 6 school supplies –
including
the
FREE
BACKPACK.
Just supply Buffalo with a copy of their
school supply lists, and Buffalo will do the
rest! Send them to Earl Romoff at (514)
333-8550
ex
#16,
[email protected]. The company
has stepped forward and will be one of the
sponsors of EMSB Volunteer Appreciation
Evening April 18.
20
UNDERWEAR AFFAIR: The `Underwear
Affair` is a 10K run or 5K walk to uncover
the cures for cancers below the waist which
is being held for the very first time in
Montreal on June 2, 2007. The event
benefits the Segal Cancer Centre at the
Jewish General Hospital with proceeds
supporting critical research and care right
here in Quebec. Organizers are presently
seeking volunteers to help out with
promotion, outreach and other projects for
the Underwear Affair. If you are interested in
volunteering some of your time to help out a
wonderful cause (and to have some great
fun!), please call Cristina at (514) 287-2873
or by e-mail at [email protected].
GLOBAL YOUTH: Schools are being
encouraged to register student volunteer
events on the Global Youth Service Day web
site (gysd.ca) on behalf of Volunteer Canada.
These can be anything from student council
events, or Christmas Food Drives, to the
Terry Fox Run. This year, the organization
aims to accumulate over one million hours of
youth volunteer time. Registering events is a
great way to share interesting projects with
other schools across Canada as well as
recognize the great things your students have
accomplished throughout the year.
What is Global Youth Service Day?
Global Youth Service Day (April 20-22,
2007) is an international celebration of
youth volunteerism. GYSD is all about
recognizing the involvement of youth as
volunteers across Canada throughout the
year – and you can help by telling us about
them!
The website has lots of great tools and tips to
help students plan a great GYSD event. You
can also order free promotional items such as
posters,
magnets,
temporary
tattoos.
Everything is free except shipping. Log on to
http://www.volunteer.ca/volcan/eng/content/
gysd/eng/events.php or email
[email protected].
WORLD HARMONY RUN: A team of
runners crossing Canada will arrive in
Montreal on Thursday May 31 and would
like to meet with the students and teachers of
EMSB schools to share the message of their
run. The World Harmony Run is an
international event that has brought the
message of global oneness and cooperation to
millions of people in over 70 countries since
1987. The Run is a completely volunteer
non-profit event that has no political or
religious motivations. There is no fundraising
involved and no cost to participants.
Schools can participate in the following
ways:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Welcoming the WHR team members
in classrooms or at a school assembly
for a short presentation.
Organizing a torch relay in the
schoolyard.
Creating artwork, banners, poems and
essays to present at the local WHR
ceremony.
Learning the WHR song and
performing your own arrangement of
it at the WHR ceremony.
Participating in the WHR torch relay
through your community.
Sending track clubs to run with the
WHR team en route to the next city
(Repentigny).
Performing classroom activities and
lessons from the Living in Harmony
handbook.
Also, in preparation for the Run, a team of
teachers has developed the Living in
Harmony handbook, a series of inspiring
lesson plans and classroom activities to
nurture harmony within our homes, our
schools, our community, our country and
throughout the world. The handbook is
available to interested teachers. More
information
is
available
at:
www.worldharmonyrun.org/canada or by
contacting Gabriel Pelletier at
21
613-237-1605
[email protected].
or
ERADICATING
POVERTY:
Global
Forum on International Cooperation (GFIC)
is implementing a new project which is
called Canadian Millennium Initiatives. Its
aim is to bolster Canadian efforts to eradicate
extreme poverty everywhere in the world.
One way in which GFIC hopes to achieve
this means is through education of youth. The
organization therefore wishes
to go into
schools and target students in grades 9 to
12. “An example of an idea that we came up
with to hold the interest of the kids was to
have African artisans teach their art, cooking
and dance as a kind of cultural exchange,”
says the GFIC’s Natalie Cooper. “Ideally
we would like to implement this project in
the fall semester of 2007.” Interested high
school personnel can contact her directly at
[email protected],
YOGA FOR KIDS: The schedules of the
elementary and high school children of today
are becoming increasingly hectic. When
combined with parents’ schedules that are
equally demanding, children and adolescents
are often subjected to sensory overload from
TV, videogames, processed foods. The net
results of such a lifestyle are children who
are chronically over-stimulated and who lack
the ability to concentrate for prolonged
periods of time. Children need somewhere to
turn that calms their nervous system focuses
their attention inwards to help them realize
their potential inner power, strength, and
beauty. Studies have shown children who get
involved with yoga at a young age often
reach developmental milestones earlier than
inactive children.
Other immediate benefits of Kids’ Yoga
include: Develop strong, flexible and healthy
bodies; Increase concentration, focus and
attention; Build self-esteem and confidence;
Cultivate a peaceful, relaxed state of body
and mind; express creativity and imagination;
acquire personal tools for stress management;
understand anatomy and health; learn
environmental awareness and earth care;
foster language development and social
interaction; and explore self-reflection. Don’t
deprive the children in your care any longer
from an invaluable gift to their health and
well-being. Contact Dawn for details on
flexible
pricing
and
scheduling
[email protected]
(514) 965-DAWN (3296).
The above information was taken from
resources such as The Complete Idiot's
Guide to Yoga with Kids (Adamson,
Komitor), Yoga for You and Your Child
(Singleton),
and
http://www.nextgenerationyoga.com/benefits
.html
INK JET FUNDRAISER: Printwell Quebec
is currently organizing a continuous
fundraising program which pays participants
$1 to $2 for each empty Ink Jet cartridge
collected. For each collected cartridge that is
successfully remanufactured and sold, an
additional $1 will be donated. The concept is
to raise funds for your school and to help the
environment by cutting down on the amount
of cartridges needlessly dumped into
landfills. If you will simply save and collect
empty ink jet cartridges, the company will
arrange to pick them up. If you wish, you
may also share your participation with other
businesses and organizations who may want
to bring in their printer cartridges from home
to donate to this fundraising initiative.
Referral donations will be given for every
new business generated based on profit
generation. If you have any questions please
call Marco Cassandra (514.963.6493), Steve
Irwin
(514.465.2476)
or
email
[email protected].
In addition, for
every cartridge refilled by a student, staff
member, or faculty of EMSB schools,
Printwell will donate $1 to the school.
GO GREEN: Nature’s Wizard is offering
the EMSB the opportunity to sell their unique
products for fundraisers and jumping onto
the “Go Green” bandwagon. Everyone is
concerned about the environment and
protecting their children’s futures. This
company’s products are environmentally
friendly in that they are 100 percent natural
22
and biodegradable. Most of all, they are
useful and ideal for all households. These
products, non-woven towels, have multipurpose usage: for all types of household
cleaning, babies, children, make-up removal
and for removing sweat while exercising. It is
an easy product to sell because it is an
economical solution to your donors and will
give them value for their money- an extra
reason for them to donate to your cause.
rhythms and dances of a people who so
influenced America’s evolution. Through
Cuba (and its African, French and Haitian
influences) you will discover all of the
musical roots of Black America and beyond.
These special workshops and assemblies will
be available during Adrián Limonta’s next
visit to Montreal in the fall of 2007. Info:
(514)
928-0562
or
email
[email protected].
By selling this product, you can take the
opportunity to educate your students about
what it means to be environmentally
conscious. The company suggest that the
students learn a few basics about
biodegradable products so that they could
have insightful conversations with their
potential donors. This will give the donors an
extra reason to donate when a child is talking
about the protection of their own
environment.
ADULT
EDUCATION
VOCATIONAL SERVICES
How does Nature’s Wizard
support
schools? You can earn at least 50 percent
a 30
profit for your cause. They offer
minute demonstration and discussion about
these products to
schools to help the
students gain a better understanding of the
product and their benefits. There is no hassle
or extra work involved- the company
supplies order forms and they will pack up
the orders by classrooms and label all of
them for easy distribution. For more details,
log on to www.naturewizard.com.
DANCE WORKSHOPS: World Dance
Groupe de danse mondiale wishes to offer
students workshops in Afro-Cuban dance
with Adrián Limonta, Primer Bailarín and
one of Ballet Folklórico Cutumba de
Santiago de Cuba’s lead dancers. You will
have the opportunity to learn these
exhilarating and energetic dances; the
folkloric rhythms that gave birth to well
known dances such as merengue and salsa.
Mr. Limonta offers an exceptional way to
enrich your students’ education by
experiencing culture and history through the
AND
ADULT
LEARNING:
The
Quebec
Association for Adult Learning hosted an
event to celebrate the fifth annual Quebec
Adult Learning Week (Semaine Québécoise
des adultes en formation) on March 29 at
Concordia University. The event featured
keynote speaker Noel Burke, Assistant
Deputy Minister for the English-Speaking
Community, Ministère de l’Éducation, du
Loisir et du Sport (MELS). This conference
sensitized an audience of adult learning
stakeholders to the recently launched project
- Community Learning Centres (CLCs): An
English-Minority Language Initiative- which
is a three-year initiative funded through the
Quebec-Canada Entente.The CLCs initiative
is aimed at supporting the development of a
diverse group of CLCs that will serve as
‘hubs’ for English-language education and
community development in their respective
communities, as well as offer models for
future practice. The 15 CLCs will deliver
educational and support services that are
conducted in a seamless and integrated
fashion and bring various agencies to pool
resources and share the responsibility of
service delivery.
The Quebec Association for Adult Learning
(QAAL) is a not-for-profit English-language
association that supports those who support
adult learners. Their mission is to advocate
for a culture of lifelong learning, raise public
awareness of adult learning issues, facilitate
the exchange of information and resources
23
and bring together everyone for whom a
learning society is a shared ideal. Info: 514941-5233 or [email protected].
Marymount Adult students in Monty St. Gregoire.
Alicia Colacci and chef Gerry Cristiano.
COOK OFF: Aicia Colacci, a student in the
evening Professional Cooking Programme
DEP (Diplôme d’études professionnelles) at
St. Pius X Culinary Institute in Ahuntsic, is
one of eight finalists for the Concours “La
Volaille, MA source d’inspiration,” edition
2006.The cook off will be held on May 5 at
the CFP Jacques Rousseau in Longueuil.
CHAPEAU
LES
FILLES:
The Regional Chapeau Les Filles Gala
ceremony, which honours women studying
non-traditional trades,
will be held at
Collège de Rosemount on April 12 (10:30
a.m.). The EMSB finalists are Andrea
McDonald and Jakie Romanetti, both
cabinet making students at Rosemount
Technology Centre.
CABANE A SUCRE: The students and staff
at Marymount Adult Centre in Côte SaintLuc recently attended a Cabane a Sucre in
Mont St. Gregoire. This is an annual event
attended by students from the Centre’s
various programs – day, evening and
community classes in Basic English, day and
evening French classes and our Special
Needs classes. There are 700 students at the
Giovanni Palatucci Facility on Parkhaven
and over 200 students in 17 centres located
all over the island of Montreal. Students
come from 100 different countries and speak
almost as many different languages. In order
to offer students the Canadian experience,
annual trips are also planned to Ottawa and
Quebec City.
IMPORTANT DATES
April 2, 2007
James Lyng Community Learning Centre
Town Hall Meeting
5440 Notre Dame
April 13, 2007
Jump Rope for Heart
Royal Vale School
5851 Somerled Ave.
(514) 481-2463
April 18, 2007
EMSB Volunteer Appreciation Evening
Le Crystal
April 19, 2007
Curriculum Fair
Carlyle Elementary School
24
6 p.m.
(514) 744-2614
Leonard Da Vinci School
25th Anniversary Gala
12025 André-Dumas
Info: 514-648-2764
RSVP by April 12
April 20- 22, 2007
Global Youth Service Days
April 22, 2007
Earth Day
April 24, 2007
French for the Future Conference
Université du Québec à Montréal
April 24-27, 2007
Royal West Academy Shakespeare Club
Production of Hamlet
189 Easton in Montreal West
Ticket Info: 514-489-8454
April 27, 2007
Terry Fox Run
Lester B. Pearson High School
11575 PM Favier
Montreal North
May 3, 2007
Public Speaking Contest
Westmount High School
4350 St. Catherine Street West
May 5, 2007
EMSB Chorale
Spring Concert
(tickets on sale as of March 25)
$10 adults, $5 students/seniors
Info: (514) 483-7200 ext. 7234
May 9, 2007
Brain Waves Gala
Leonardo Da Vinci Center
8350 Lacordaire Blvd.
St. Leonard.
Tickets are $25
Info: (514) 483-7200 ext. 5365.
May 13, 2007
National Denim Day
May 18 and 19, 2007
LaurenHill Academy Dance Shows
Theatre Denise Pelletier on May 18 and 19
May 25, 2007
Montreal East Relay for Life
Laurier Macdonald High School
7355 Viau
St. Léonard
Info: 514-374-6000
May 27 to June 2, 2007
Daycare Week
PLEINS FEUX SUR FIELDING
ÉLECTIONS SCOLAIRES : Les élections
scolaires auront lieu d’en moins d’un an, le
dimanche 4 novembre 2007. Les électeurs du
territoire de la CSEM éliront des
commissaires dans 23 circonscriptions. La
carte des divisions électorales est disponible
au site Web de la CSEM.
Pour voter, vous devez figurer actuellement
sur la liste des électeurs du Québec, être âgé
de 18 ans et plus, être citoyen canadien, être
domicilié sur le territoire de la CSEM depuis
au moins six mois, ne pas être sous curatelle
et n’avoir pas été reconnu coupable de
corruption électorale. Tout parent qui a un
enfant inscrit à une école primaire ou
secondaire du secteur des jeunes de la CSEM
au 1er septembre 2007 est automatiquement
inscrit à la liste électorale de la CSEM. En
outre, tout électeur qui a fait un choix avant
les élections de juin 1998 et qui a eu son nom
inscrit à la liste électorale de la CSEM est
inclus. Ces personnes auront signé un
formulaire spécial et si elles ne se rappellent
pas de l’avoir fait, elles peuvent vérifier si
leur nom apparaît sur la liste durant la
25
période de révision à l’automne 2007 ou en
appelant au 1-888-353-2846.
Cependant, si vous n’avez plus d’enfant
inscrit au réseau, vous serez placé par défaut
sur la liste électorale francophone. Vous
recevrez une carte du Directeur général des
élections du Québec vous avisant de ce
changement. À la réception de cette carte,
appelez le bureau des élections de la CSEM
et un formulaire d'avis de changement vous
sera envoyé afin que vous le retourniez à la
CSEM une fois complété.
Pierre Yves-Bezzazz est le directeur du
Bureau des élections. Pour plus de
renseignements, veuillez appeler au (514)
483-7200, poste 8800 ou adresser un courriel
à [email protected]. Vous pourrez aussi
consulter le site Web du Directeur général
des élections à www.electionsquebec.qc.ca
CONSERVATOIRE
D’ÉTÉ :
Le
Conservatoire de l’Île du Prince Édouard
tiendra des auditions à Montréal le 9 mars
pour un nombre limité de places au
programme d’été d’interprétation. Le
conservatoire de l’Île du Prince Édouard
offre une formation professionnelle intense et
de haute qualité aux élèves, amateurs et
artistes professionnels. Les ateliers sont tenus
dans des bâtiments historiques situés au bord
de la mer dans des communautés rurales. Les
animateurs d’ateliers sont des artistes
reconnus internationalement, dévoués à
l’excellence en interprétation. Ces animateurs
oeuvrent actuellement à la direction et la
création d’évènements artistiques.
Ce service est conçu pour les personnes qui
oeuvrent dans le domaine des arts, des
organisations culturelles ou éducatives
incluant les films, la musique, la publicité, la
publication, la télévision et la radio. Les
personnes ayant des dispositions pour les arts
dont la musique classique, le théâtre, l’opéra,
le ballet ou les abonnés aux revues d’arts sont
cordialement invitées à présenter une
demande. Les participants ont des occasions
journalières de participer à des discussions
transversales au cours de réceptions au bord
de la mer, de pique-niques au coucher du
soleil, des excursions de pêche en haute mer,
des parties de golf ainsi que des concerts en
direct et des représentations théâtrales tout au
long de la semaine. Les animateurs récents
incluent
Duncan McIntosh, Megan
Follows, Louise Pitre, Tom McCamus,
Chick Reid et plusieurs autres. Les auditions
auront lieu à l’École du Théâtre National
(5030 Rue Saint-Denis). Les personnes
intéressées à passer des auditions ou qui
désirent des informations supplémentaires
sont
priées
d’écrire
à
[email protected],
www.peiconservatory.com ou appeler au
(902) 672-1953.
SERVICE DE L’ÉDUCATION DES
ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION
PROFESSIONNELLE
DATES À RETENIR
3 avril 2007
Conférence Power Within
Palais des Congrès
www.powerwithin.com
10 avril 2007
Inauguration de la réplique construite par les
élèves du monument St. Julien en l’honneur
des soldats canadiens
École secondaire du premier cycle John Paul
I
18 avril 2007
Soirée d’appréciation des bénévoles de la
CSEM
Le Crystal
20-22 avril 2007
Journées Global Youth
27 avril 2007
Course Terry Fox
École secondaire Lester B. Pearson
11575 PM Favier
26
Montréal-Nord
5 mai 2007
Chorale de la CSEM
Concert du printemps
(billets en vente à compter du 25 mars)
Adultes : 10 $ Enfants et aînés 5 $
Informations (514) 483-7200, poste 7234
9 mai 2007
Gala Brain Waves
Centre Leonardo Da Vinci
8350 Boulevard Lacordaire
Saint-Léonard
Billets 25 $ - Info : (514) 483-7200, poste
5365
27 mai au 2 juin 2007
Semaine des services de garde
SOIRÉE DES BÉNÉVOLES : La CSEM
tiendra sa sixième Soirée annuelle
d’appréciation des bénévoles, le mercredi 18
avril, au Crystal (5285 Henri Bourassa ouest)
à Saint-Laurent. L’évènement de cette année
a lieu au cours de la Semaine nationale des
bénévoles. La chorale de l’école primaire
Gardenview présentera un programme et
toutes les personnes présentes recevront un
CD contenant une compilation de leurs
chants. Jamie Orchard, animateur à Global
Television et Luciano Pipia, de 940
Montreal seront à nouveau les maîtres de
cérémonie.
Les Services financiers First Canadian
(www.fcfs-inc.com) et TransAmerica Life
Canada, spécialistes en régimes enregistrés
d’épargne études (REÉÉ) seront à nouveau
les
commanditaires
principaux
de
l’évènement, dont le thème est You Light Up
Our Schools et Joseph Afshar, président de
First Canadian tiendra le rôle de président
honoraire de la soirée. Le plan d’épargne
études est un outil dont se servent
généralement les parents pour mettre de
l’argent de côté pour l’éducation postsecondaire de leurs enfants. M. Afshar et son
équipe rencontrent régulièrement des groupes
de parents de la CSEM
consultations gratuites.
pour
des
Une entreprise axée sur la communauté, les
Services financiers First Canadian, en sus
des REÉÉ, se spécialise dans la vente de :
planification de retraite, de succession et de
taxes; de fonds mutuels; assurance vie,
assurance d’invalidité à long terme; rentes;
Régimes enregistrés de revenus de retraite
(RERR), plans d’épargne et hypothèques.
Les parents qui voudraient communiquer
avec M. Afshar peuvent appeler au (514)
484-1867 ou visiter le site www.fcfsinc.com.
Le temps et l’espace disponibles ne
permettent pas à la CSEM d’honorer
personnellement
les
quelques
1500
bénévoles. Par conséquent, seules les
personnes qui ont été bénévoles pendant plus
de cinq ans, soit près de 500 personnes,
seront présentes à la réception. Cependant,
plusieurs milliers de copies du programme
commémoratif seront distribuées dans chaque
école. Cette année, la Bénévole émérite est
Penny Fenwick qui a offert ses services de
bénévole à l’école primaire Willingdon de
NDG pendant 37 ans. Elle a commencé alors
que ses deux enfants fréquentaient l’école en
travaillant à la bibliothèque et en aidant
quelques enfants à lire. Cependant, presque
tout son temps a été consacré au domaine du
tutorat. Elle consacre deux matinées par
semaine à l’école et travaille avec les élèves
qui ont besoin d’aide en mathématiques,
orthographe et lecture. « J’adore ce que je
fais. Quand mes enfants ont passé au
secondaire, j’avais encore des liens avec
l’école et les enseignant(e)s; j’ai alors décidé
de continuer et je n’ai pas l’intention
d’abandonner.» Veuillez consulter le site
Web de la CSEM pour plus de détails sur le
travail de Penny.
Le programme
TV présentera
Willingdon, le
rapports à 7 h
This Morning Live de Global
un programme en direct de
mercredi 11 avril, avec des
40, 8 h 10 et 8 h 40. Mme
27
Fenwick sera interviewée et représentée en
travaillant avec les élèves.
Veuillez consulter la section Infoparents du
site Web de la CSEM (www.emsb.qc.ca)
pour la liste des bénévoles.
MELLA MELLA : Les élèves des Cycles 1
et 2 de Nesbitt ont beaucoup apprécié le mois
dernier la présentation d’une pièce intitulée
« Mella, Mella ». Cette représentation a été
offerte par le Black Theatre Workshop. En
outre, les enseignantes d’éducation physique,
Maxime Malette et Enza De Marco, ont
organisé des activités pour la Journée du
carnaval au cours de laquelle les élèves ont
participé à des courses de luges, des souques
à la corde, du ski et du hockey au ballon.
LE FRANÇAIS POUR L’AVENIR : Les
élèves de quatre écoles secondaires de la
CSEM – Lester B. Pearson, John F. Kennedy,
Royal West et Westmount- participeront au
congrès « Le Français pour l’avenir », qui
aura lieu le 24 avril à l’Université du Québec
à Montréal. Ils se joindront à plus de 100
autres élèves de diverses écoles secondaires
pour réfléchir à leur bilinguisme et leur
biculturalisme en participant à un panel de
discussion mettant en vedette XXX. L’objectif
de cette journée est de motiver les élèves à
reconnaître les avantages de leur bilinguisme
dans leur vie professionnelle.
SEMAINE CERVEAU EN TÊTE : La
semaine Cerveau en tête a eu lieu du 12 au 16
mars et le 16 mars a été désigné Journée de
sensibilisation à la tumeur au cerveau. Au
cours de cette semaine, les élèves diplômés
de l’INM ont visité plusieurs écoles de la
CSEM pour parler du cerveau, de nos sens et
du système nerveux. Le vendredi 16 mars, 60
élèves de six écoles de la CSEM ont visité le
Centre de recherche sur la tumeur au cerveau
de l’INM et ont participé à plusieurs activités
interactives dans les laboratoires. En outre,
durant les mois de mars, avril et mai,
plusieurs écoles de la CSEM participeront à
une levée de fonds pour la Fondation Franco
Di Giovanni qui appuie le Centre de
recherche sur la tumeur du cerveau de l’INM.
Les écoles ont organisé des journées de
tenues décontractées au cours desquelles
elles ont vendu des colliers d’identification
Brain Waves et organisé d’autres activités de
levées de fonds.
PARADE DE LA SAINT-PATRICK : Les
élèves de trois écoles secondaires de la
CSEM – Marymount, James Lyng et Royal
West – ont participé cette année à la parade
de la Saint-Patrick. Marymount a défilé aux
côtés de l’association des résidents de Côtedes-Neiges/Notre Dame de Grâce. Leur char
allégorique mettait en vedette la diversité
culturelle
et
la
sensibilisation
à
l’environnement. « Nos élèves et leurs
enseignant(e)s ont défilé en portant des
drapeaux de divers pays » rapporte John
Wright, coordonnateur du programme
international.
Chaque année, la fanfare d’honneur de
l’Académie Royal West défile à la parade.
Cette année, la fanfare a joué deux marches
traditionnelles irlandaises et a exécuté
l’hymne national irlandais pour l’estrade
d’honneur. Les quarante deux membres de la
fanfare d’honneur étaient commandités par
l’Association Erin Sports. « J’ai vraiment
apprécié l’exécution de la fanfare et bien que
nous n’ayons pas remporté de prix cette
année, elle a très bien joué et son exécution a
été très bien reçue par la foule » déclare
Ginette Purdy, enseignante de musique.
En outre, le concert annuel de la SaintPatrick de l’école primaire St. Gabriel de
Pointe-Saint-Charles a fait salle comble le 16
mars. Il n’y avait que des places debout pour
les nombreux parents et membres de la
communauté qui sont venus admirer la
représentation. Les élèves ont chanté
plusieurs chansons traditionnelles irlandaises
dont Mull of Kintyre, Molly Malone et
plusieurs autres chansons. Les filles de
troisième année ont donné une merveilleuse
interprétation de Danny Boy et elles ont
28
encouragé l’auditoire de se joindre à elles. Le
concert a été dirigé par Lex Milton et
Anastasia Polito qui ont accompli un travail
fantastique.
PEACE BY PEACE : Tous les élèves de 5e
année de l’école primaire Gardenview
participent à un programme de 10 semaines
intitulé Peace by Peace qui est axé sur la
résolution de conflits et les habiletés de
règlement coopératif de problèmes. Le
programme inclut des jeux de rôles, des jeux
coopératifs et des discussions. Chaque
semaine, des étudiants universitaires
spécialement formés visitent chaque classe
pour une durée d’une heure et entreprennent
diverses activités avec les enfants. À la fin du
programme, il y aura un festival d’un jour
auquel les élèves assisteront et rencontreront
leurs pairs d’autres écoles, rapporte
l’enseignante Ellen Adler au bulletin de
nouvelles de Gardenview. Visitez le site
http://www.emsb.qc.ca/gardenview/whatnew.
htm pour plus de nouvelles au sujet de
l’école.
ENTENTE DE SANTÉ : Faisant suite à une
entente entre le ministère de l’Éducation, du
Loisir et du Sport et le ministère des services
de santé et sociaux (MELS/MSSS) et le
travail de Dora Cesta, directrice adjointe des
Services aux élèves de la CSEM ainsi que 10
directions de CLSCs et des agents de liaison
avec la CSEM, un grand nombre de
nouvelles initiatives ont été planifiées. En
fait, plusieurs de ces initiatives sont
actuellement mises en place dans les écoles
en matière de promotion de la santé, du
mieux-être
et
d’appui
aux
élèves
physiquement et mentalement handicapés.
L’une de ces initiatives préconise deux
interventions cliniques sur place, les 20 et 21
mars à l’école secondaire Laurier Macdonald
de Saint-Léonard où un groupe (55) de
médecins résidants en dernière année de
médecine familiale à l’Université de
Montréal ont parlé aux élèves de questions
médicales, particulièrement les effets nocifs
du tabac et les avantage de l’exercice
physique.
La clinique est le résultat d’une collaboration
avec le CSSS Saint-Léonard-Saint-Michel, la
Faculté de médecine de l’Université de
Montréal et la CSEM. Le Dr. Andrée
Gilbert de l’Université de Montréal, Mme
Cesta, la direction, le personnel et le
personnel de soutien de Laurier Macdonald
(le directeur Pat Buttino, les directeurs
adjoints Dino Marzinotto et Liboria
Amato) ont organisé ce projet-pilote qui se
transformera en une clinique sur place plus
régulière et permanente pour les élèves. Cette
clinique donnera aux élèves un accès facile à
la consultation sur des questions de santé.
Les élèves seront encouragés à développer un
sens d’autonomie en prenant en main leur
propre santé et développement social. L’on
espère que cette initiative facilitera la
prévention de maladies plus sérieuses et de
comportements à risque qui mènent souvent à
la dépendance et à la maladie. « Si le modèle
de ce projet-pilote de clinique sur place
remporte du succès, c’est grâce à la volonté
et le travail de l’administration de l’école
secondaire Laurier Macdonald, » déclare
Mme Cesta. « Le réseau de la CSSS et de la
CSEM poursuivront leurs efforts pour établir
des cliniques semblables dans d’autres
écoles, qui seront basées sur le modèle de
celle de l’est de Montréal. »
« L’éducation, la santé et les services sociaux
pour les jeunes doivent combler les besoins
des jeunes là où ils se trouvent physiquement,
socialement et psychologiquement, » ajoute
Mme Cesta. « La santé de nos jeunes est
importante pour l’avenir de notre société et
les efforts que nous déployons pour combler
les besoins actuels des élèves doivent adopter
une nouvelle approche créative aux soins de
santé et au développement social en milieu
éducatif. Chaque nouvelle initiative dans
cette voie encouragera un changement positif
pour un meilleur avenir dans le domaine de la
santé, des services sociaux et de l’éducation
et une meilleure qualité de vie pour nos
jeunes citoyens. »
29
CÉRÉMONIE DE CITOYENNETÉ :
L’école secondaire Rosemont a été l’hôtesse
au début de ce mois de sa première
cérémonie d’assermentation de nouveaux
citoyens canadiens, présidée par la juge
Barbara Seal. L’enseignante Erin Tevel a
organisé le programme au cours duquel 16
nouveaux citoyens canadiens provenant de
25 pays ont été assermentés. Les élèves
présents ont beaucoup apprécié cette
expérience.
L’orchestre
symphonique
d’instruments à vent de Rosemont, dirigé par
Debbie Best, a exécuté l’hymne national
canadien et plusieurs autres compositions. Le
directeur général de la CSEM, Antonio
Lacroce, a partagé avec l’auditoire son
expérience personnelle d’immigrant arrivant
d’Italie en août 1958. « Le fait que vous
soyez ici aujourd’hui est le résultat des
sacrifices de vos ancêtres. C’est par le biais
de l’éducation que vous êtes capable d’aller
de l’avant. »
CAMP EXPLORATIONS : Explorations
2007 est un camp de jour d’enrichissement
pour tous les élèves âgés de quatre à dix huit
ans. Cette initiative qui a lieu à l’école Royal
Vale de NDG est un projet conjoint de
l’Université McGill et de la CSEM. Le
programme offre des activités intéressantes et
stimulantes offertes aux enfants par des
professionnels des domaines des sciences, du
théâtre, de l’art, de l’informatique, du tennis,
de l’escrime, de la comédie, de la cuisine, de
la guitare, de la radio, de la robotique, etc.
Les dates du camp sont du 2 au 13 juillet et
du 16 au 27 juillet. Les inscriptions ont déjà
commencé pour la session de cette année.
Pour plus de détails, appeler la directrice
Bertha Dawang au (514) 398-4252, par
courriel à [email protected] ou
visiter
le
site
www.education.mcgill.ca/explorations.
ART ORATOIRE : Le concours annuel
d’art oratoire pour les élèves du secondaire I
à V aura lieu le mercredi 2 mai (Cycle II) et
le jeudi 3 mai (Cycle I) à l’école secondaire
Westmount de 9 h 45 à 14 h. Comme par les
années passés, le Club Rotary de Montréal a
invité le/la lauréat(e) de cette année à
participer à son concours, qui aura lieu le 15
mai au Club St. James. La conseillère Stella
Halaris tiendra le rôle de modératrice et de
coordonnatrice.
L’EAU, SOURCE DE VIE : Les écoles
primaires Parkdale et Gardenview ont reçu la
visite de Gary Pluim, chef de la direction de
Watercan.
Lors
d’une
présentation
divertissante et stimulante à plus de 1 200
élèves de la maternelle à la sixième année,
M. Pluim, déguisé en guerrier Massai, a
exposé aux élèves le besoin urgent d’eau
« fraîche et propre » de cette nation africaine.
Un élève de Ketonville, Ontario, du nom de
Ryan, qui est en 7e année, a recueilli plus de
500 000 $ depuis qu’il a commencé à lever
des fonds pour Watercan. Ces fonds ont
permis la construction de 250 puits qui
offrent de l’eau à 250 000 personnes. Des
œufs en plastique ont été remis aux élèves
pour recueillir des fonds gagnés en
« accomplissant des tâches à la maison ». La
campagne a commencé le 20 mars et se
terminera le 13 avril. L’on espère annoncer
aux élèves vers le 20 avril le montant
recueilli. La somme visée est de 2 500 $. Le
DVD intitulé « Ryan’s well » offert par le
Centre des médias de la CSEM a été visionné
dans les écoles. Les élèves ont soulevé de
lourdes charges d’eau et complété des
sondages « d’utilisation d’eau » pour appuyer
la campagne. L’on espère que M. Pluim
retournera avec des photos ou une vidéo du
puit que les élèves espèrent construire en
Éthiopie. Un présentation semblable a été
offerte à la « classe de famille » de Marlene
Brownstein à l’école F.A. C.E.
ATELIER SUR L’INTIMIDATION À
l’aide de sondages de classe, créés par
l’animateur
de
vie
spirituelle
et
d’engagement communautaire, Mike Shaw, il
a été demandé aux élèves et au personnel, en
tant que classe, de donner leur perception de
l’intimidation, de décrire un intimidateur, ses
30
caractéristiques et caractère et comment faire
face à l’intimidation. La tenue de rôles, des
échanges francs parmi les animateurs
spirituels, les élèves et les enseignant(e)s, des
DVD sur « l’intimidation sur cyberespace »
(recommandé par le Centre des médias de la
CSEM) et un examen approfondi du sondage
de classe ont permis de constater que les
élèves sont responsabilisés. Le commentaire
d’une enseignante qui avait de grandes
difficultés en classe créées par l’intimidation
verbale et sur le cyberespace a été
« L’atmosphère de ma classe s’est beaucoup
améliorée. Les intimidateurs semble avoir
perdu leur efficacité et ils ont, en fait,
commencé à changer leurs façons d’agir ».
À l’origine, le projet visait les classes de 5e et
de 6e année mais les niveaux plus jeunes
jusqu’à la 2e année ont demandé des données
pour leurs classes. Dans certains cas,
l’enseignant(e) a autorisé l’animateur
spirituel à être en classe trois fois pour une
période de 40 minutes et la réaction de ces
enseignant(e)s a été extrêmement positive.
IN
MEMORIAM :
Linda
Moro,
programmeuse à l’école secondaire Laurier
Macdonald de Saint-Léonard, est décédée
subitement des suites d’une crise cardiaque.
Elle était âgée de 62 ans et avait commencé
sa carrière à l’automne de 1975 à l’école
secondaire Aimé Renaud de l’ancienne
commission scolaire Jérôme-le Royer. Elle a
ensuite été transférée à l’école secondaire du
premier cycle John Paul I et s’est jointe à
l’équipe de Laurier Macdonald il y a de cela
six ans. « LMAC était sa seconde famille »
déclare la secrétaire de l’école Carmen
Amendola-Prioletta. « Ses longues heures
de travail consacrées à s’assurer que tous les
emplois de temps étaient prêts, que les
bulletins de notes étaient imprimés, que les
horaires de supervision étaient bien préparés
démontraient son engagement envers son
travail. Elle était toujours disposée à accorder
de l’aide et à dispenser des conseils à toute
personne qui avait besoin d’aide. Linda a
touché un grand nombre de personnes au
cours des années qui conserveront toujours
un sentiment d’appréciation et d’amour
envers sa mémoire. »
NOUVEAU CONSEILLER LÉGAL :
Benoît Duheme est le nouveau directeur du
Service du contentieux de la CSEM. Il
succède à Dominique Launay qui est
retournée au service privé. M. Duheme a
obtenu son diplôme en relations industrielles
de l’Université du Québec à Hull en 1993 et
son diplôme de droit à l’Université d’Ottawa
en 1996. Il a été appelé au Barreau du
Québec en 1998 et au cours des sept années
suivantes, il a pratiqué le droit en se
spécialisant dans le contentieux commercial
et immobilier ainsi que dans le droit du
travail. Avant de se joindre à la CSEM, il a
occupé le poste de directeur des relations de
travail auprès d’une commission scolaire de
Toronto. Le mandat de M. Duheme est
d’offrir des services légaux de haute qualité à
la Commission et à ses Services. Ce mandat
inclut la collaboration avec le Service des
ressources humaines à certaines questions,
dont les relations de travail, les conflits
d’emploi, les droits de la personne, les
questions de sécurité et le harcèlement
psychologique; la négociation de règlements
avec les arbitres et les syndicats d’employés,
la révision des contrats, la discussion
d’ententes collectives et l’élaboration et la
mise en œuvre de politiques de l’employeur.
Il offrira aussi des conseils légaux aux
Services de l’équipement sur des questions
de contrats, de procédure civile et d’appels
d’offres ainsi qu’un soutien légal à la
Secrétaire générale sur des questions portant
sur la Loi de l’instruction publique et la Loi
de l’accès à l’information personnelle.
ATELIERS DE DANSE : Le Groupe de
danse mondiale voudrait offrir aux élèves des
ateliers sur la danse afro-cubaine animés par
Adrian Limonta, premier danseur et l’un des
danseurs principaux du Ballet Folklorico
Cutumba de Santiago de Cuba. Vous aurez
l’occasion
d’apprendre
des
danses
stimulantes et énergiques ainsi que les
31
rythmes folkloriques qui ont donné naissance
aux danses bien connues, telles que la salsa et
le merengue .M. Limonta offre un moyen
exceptionnel d’enrichir l’éducation des
élèves par l’expérience de la culture et
l’histoire des rythmes et des danses d’un
peuple qui a grandement influencé
l’évolution de l’Amérique. Par le biais de
Cuba (et de ses influences africaines,
françaises et haïtiennes, vous découvrirez
toutes les racines musicales de l’Amérique
noire et au-delà. Ces ateliers spéciaux seront
disponibles durant la prochaine visite
d’Adrian Limonta à Montréal, à l’automne
2007. Informations : (514) 928-0562 ou par
courriel à [email protected]
L’Association québécoise pour l’éducation
des adultes (AQEA) est une association à but
non lucratif anglophone qui appuie les élèves
adultes. Sa mission est de promouvoir une
culture d’apprentissage permanent, de
rehausser la sensibilisation du public aux
questions de formation des adultes, de
faciliter les échanges d’information et de
ressources et de rassembler toutes les
personnes pour lesquelles une société
d’apprentissage est un idéal partagé.
Informations :
(514)
941-5233
ou
[email protected]
SERVICE DE L’ÉDUCATION DES
ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION
PROFESSIONNELLE
2 avril 2007
Centre d’apprentissage communautaire James
Lyng
Assemblée générale
5440 Notre Dame
APPRENTISSAGE DES ADULTES :
L’Association québécoise pour l’éducation
des adultes organise une cinquième Semaine
annuelle québécoise des adultes en
formation, le 29 mars à l’Université
Concordia. Cet évènement met en vedette
Noël Burke, sous-ministre adjoint pour la
communauté anglophone, ministère de
l’Éducation, du loisir et du Sport (MELS) en
tant que conférencier principal. Cet
évènement sensibilise un auditoire d’adultes
en formation au projet lancé récemment –
Centres d’apprentissages communautaires
(CAC); une initiative de trois ans de la
minorité anglophone financée par le biais de
l’entente Québec-Canada et qui vise le
soutien du développement d’un groupe de
CAC qui serviront de centres de
développement de l’éducation anglophone et
de développement communautaire et qui
offriront aussi des modèles pour l’avenir. Les
15 CAC dispenseront des services éducatifs
et de soutien de façon intégrée et permettront
à diverses agences de mettre leurs ressources
en commun et de partager la dispense du
service.
DATES À RETENIR
13 avril 2007
Sautons en cœur
École Royal Vale
5851 avenue Somerled
(514) 481-2463
18 avril 2007
Soirée d’appréciation des bénévoles de la
CSEM
Le Crystal
20-22 avril 2007
Global Youth Service Days
24 avril 2007
Congrès « Le Français pour l’avenir »
Université du Québec à Montréal
27 avril 2007
Course Terry Fox
École secondaire Lester B. Pearson
11575 PM Favier
Montréal-Nord
2 et 3 mai 2007
Concours d’art oratoire
32
École secondaire Westmount
4350, rue Sainte Catherine ouest
5 mai 2007
Chorale de la CSEM
Concert du printemps
(Billets en vente à compter du 25 mars)
Adultes : 10 $, enfants et aîné(e)s 5 $
Informations : (514) 483-7200, poste 7234
9 mai 2007
Gala Brain Waves
Centre Leonardo Da Vinci
8350 Boulevard Lacordaire
Saint-Léonard
Billets 25 $
Informations : (514) 483-7200, poste 5365
18 et 19 mai 2007
Spectacles de danse de l’Académie
LaurenHill
Théâtre Denise Pelletier
25 mai 2007
Relais pour la Vie de Montréal-Est
École secondaire Laurier Macdonald
7355 Viau
Saint-Léonard
Informations : (514) 374-6000
27 mai au 2 juin 2007
Semaine des services de garde
Submissions should be made to Michael J.
Cohen
preferably
by
e-mail
([email protected]) or fax (514-4837213)
33