2010/01/28 - English Montreal School Board

T h e m o n t h l y n ew s b u l l et i n o f t h e EM SB
Vol. 12. No. 5
EDITOR: MICHAEL J. COHEN
PRINTING SERVICES: L. SHAW, D. D’ORNELLAS
January 28, 2010
PROOFREADING/TRANSLATION: ALINE ZEROUNIAN
∆ French ad campaign
∆ Tirelli appointed DG
∆ Haiti Relief
∆ Grey Cup in MoWest
∆ Impact Program
∆ Italian Storytelling
∆ Friends for Life
∆ Gang Prevention
∆ LaurenHill Olympics
∆ Wrestling at VMC
∆ Olympian at LDV
EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini responds to questions from the
media at a very successful press conference held at Dunrae Gardens to
launch a new French video and to promote strategies to attract new
students.
Elementary School Registration Week
Elementary School Registration Week, for the 20102011 academic year, will be Feb. 1 to 5. Enrolment
for those who already have siblings in the school will
take place a week earlier. Parents seeking more
information about which school their child can attend
or whether he or she qualifies for English education
should call 514-483-7200 or see our information flyer
posted at www.emsb.qc.ca listing all schools and the
category of their French programs.
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For EMSB press releases please
go to www.emsb.qc.ca, Press
Room and then Press Releases.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK:
During the first two weeks of February,
schools and centres celebrate Teacher
Appreciation Week. Teacher Appreciation
Week in Quebec and the rest of Canada are
generally held during different weeks of
February.
EMSB PRESS CONFERENCE: At a well
attended press conference Jan. 7 at Dunrae
Gardens Elementary School in T.M.R., the
EMSB launched a strictly French language
video promoting the excellent level of French
education offered at our primary and
secondary schools.
The video can be seen on the EMSB website
and YouTube. It is being promoted in
advertisements placed in the French and
English press.
Produced by Productions
Oracle, the video features EMSB students,
staff and parents from a number of primary
and secondary schools,
EMSB Chairman
Angela Mancini, who is also featured, spoke
at the press conference, which was conducted
completely in French. Grade 2 Dunrae
Gardens students sang a Gilles Vigneault
tune. Two other students served as emcees.
Please read the entire press release on the
EMSB website where there is also a section
grouping together all of the media coverage –
both print and broadcast.
ELIGIBILITY ISSUES: With Elementary
School Registration Week for the EMSB
scheduled to take place Feb. 1 to 5, Ms.
Mancini says the timing of the video’s release
is meant to send a message to parents still
thinking about where to enroll their children
for the 2010-11 academic year and beyond.
According to the EMSB records, 1,775
students out of total of 22,299 at the primary
and secondary levels identify French as their
mother tongue. Under the Charter of the
French Language, a certificate of eligibility is
generally granted to children who did the
majority of their elementary or secondary
studies in English in Canada; whose mother or
father did the majority of his/her elementary
studies in English in Canada or whose brother
or sister did the majority of his/her elementary
or secondary studies in English in Canada.
“There are about 14,000 students across the
province who have at least one parent who had
their education in French and another who had
the majority of theirs in English’” said Ms.
Mancini. “That adds up to a lot of students
who can choose the English system. There are
also parents raising their children in an
English home who have chosen the French
system. They do so because of a belief that
their children will graduate speaking a
superior French. That is not necessarily
correct. By attending an EMSB French
immersion program we guarantee your child
will graduate fully bilingual.”
AD CAMPAIGN: To promote the new
marketing campaign - À la commission
scolaire English-Montréal, le Français fait
toute la difference! - the EMSB has placed
advertisements in community French weekly
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newspapers, The Gazette and
weeklies.
English
office, he spent 12 years as the principal of
three schools in St. Léonard – Honoré
Mercier, Pierre de Coubertin and Laurier
Macdonald. From 1977 to 1986 he served as
the vice-principal of four schools – Napoleon
Courtemanche, Roussin Academy, John Paul I
and Laurier Macdonald. He began his career
in education 37 years ago, in 1972 , as a
mathematics teacher at Laurier Macdonald.
Chairman Angela Mancini presents a gift to Mr. Tirelli in
recognition of being awarded the AAESQ (Association of
Administrators of English Schools of Quebec)
Distinguished Service Award winner.
Ads have also been seen on Global TV,
featuring the students of Roslyn School and
anchor Jamie Orchard, and heard on The Q
92.5 FM. The EMSB has unveiled a colourful
new banner, produced by Ponctuation Grafix,
which can be seen outside the main
Administration Building on Fielding Ave as
well as others strategically placed at different
EMSB buildings: Marymount Academy in
N.D.G. , LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent,
ST. Raphael Centre seen from Highway 40 in
Ahuntsic and Galileo Adult Centre in
Montreal North.
DG APPOINTED: Mario Tirelli has
formally been appointed Director General of
the EMSB. Since last July he has occupied the
post on an interim basis. Prior to that he was
the deputy director general for two years and
a regional director for six years, overseeing 30
elementary, secondary, outreach and social
affairs schools. He has also served on a
number of committees, including Long Range
Planning. Before coming to work at the head
Over the years Mr. Tirelli has held a number
of other positions including vice-president and
member
of the Association of English
Montreal Board Administrators, a member of
the Board of Directors of the Greater Montreal
Athletic Association, the Comité Consultatif
Central de Gestion Commission scolaire
Jerome Le Royer, the Association des
directrices et directeurs d’établissements
d’enseignement de Le Royer and the
Association Régional du Sport Scolaire de
Montréal.
PROUD ALUMNI: January (carrying a bit
into February) is Public School Education
Month at the EMSB, at which time schools
welcome back former students who have gone
on to interesting careers or life experiences.
CTV New Montreal researcher Peter Schiavi
spoke to students at the Philip E. Layton
School for the Blind, located at the MABMackay Rehabilitation Centre. Mr. Schiavi
became legally blind at the age of 21. Thanks
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to the support he received at the Montreal
Association for the Blind he has been able to
enjoy a very successful career in the television
industry.
Immigration lawyer Jack Silverstone
returned to his former elementary school.
Sinclair Laird in Park Extension.
Mr. Silverstone, who now works out of
Ottawa, was the chief of staff to the federal
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and
before that held the same post at Human
Resources and Skills Development Canada.
Peter Schiavi presents caps to the students.
Lieutenant Jonathan Lang of the Canadian
Navy returned to his former elementary
school, Edinburgh in Montreal West. Mr.
Lang has served overseas in Sudan and is
about to join the Canadian Air Force.
Jonathan Lang, his former teacher Debby Hochstein and
some students.
Jameson Jones-Doyle raises his hand in approval of
his visit to Willingdon.
Web designer and motivational speaker
Jameson Jones-Doyle returned to Willingdon
Elementary School in N.D.G. Mr. Doyle has a
mild-to-medium case of Cerebral Palsy, which
has affected his speech, balance, left leg and
right hand. He is currently completing his
master of science degree in Marketing
Administration, specializing in new product
development, at Concordia’s John Molson
School of Business. He has agreed to join the
editorial board of Inspirations newspaper.
Paul Karwatsky sports his new Nesbitt hoodie.
Jack Silverstone is thanked for his visit to Sinclair Laird.
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CTV News reporter and weekend co-anchor
Paul Karwatsky l retured to speak at his
former elementary school, Nesbitt
in
Rosemount.
GREY CUP AT EDINBURGH: The staff
and students at Edinburgh School had a real
surprise when the Grey Cup arrived on a
January morning.
On Feb. 1 investment and financial security
advisor Frederic Abaji and lawyer Joseph
Ionata will both return to Our Lady of
Pompei in Ahuntsic.
On Feb 5, 90 year old violinist Joseph
Greenstone will return to Bancroft
Elementary School in the Plateau for the first
time in more than 70 years. For the past 27
years Mr. Greenstone has played violin at the
prestigious Austrian Ball.
SCHOOL CHANGES: The EMSB held a
special Council meeting on Jan 13 to vote on
proposed school changes in the St. Laurent
area. The Council approved a proposal
involving a switch in French programs for two
St. Laurent elementary schools – Parkdale
and
Cedarcrest - and also involving
Gardenview. This will now involve
rebranding Cedarcest as a French immersion
school, moving its English core students to
Parkdale and closing the latter’s French
immersion program and having them attend
the new Cedarcest. The latter will also draw
students from a redrawn Gardenview
boundary. Gardenview is operating beyond
capacity and presently housing some students
at an annex in the Fraser Academy building.
The forecast calls for it to grow by 150
students over the next five years. At this
same meeting, motions for Gerald McShane
Elementary School in Montreal North and St.
Gabriel Elementary School in Point St.
Charles to switch to immersion and bilingual
programs respectively were approved.
NEW PRINCIPAL: Rania Delis (below) is
the new principal of Cedarcrest, taking over
from Terry Bell who
stepped down to pursue
another opportunity. Ms.
Delis was the viceprincipal at Gardenview.
Dr. Delaney, his daughters and the Grey Cup.
Team physician, Dr. Scott Delaney, took the
coveted cup from class to class with the help
of his two daughters, Molly and Abigail.
Impressive, as well, is the championship ring
given to the winning team members. The cup
has not been around Montreal since 2002, so
this was a wonderful opportunity for the
school community to bask in a little history
and get some impressive photos!
HAITI RELIEF: The EMSB community has
been doing its part to assist the victims of the
devastating earthquake in Haiti, with schools
and
centres
engaging
their
entire
communities– staff, students and parents – in
fundraising activities with a view to sending
donations to support victims in Haiti.
Organizations identified in particular are the
Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca), The
Humanitarian Coalition: CARE, OXFAM
Canada,
Quebec,
World
Vision
(www.worldvision.ca) and Save the Children
and
(www.humanitariancoalition.ca)
UNICEF (www.unicef.org). This week
schools and centres began flying their Quebec
flags at half-staff as a gesture of respect to the
Haitian community and in honour of the
victims of the earthquake.
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Michelle Lalonde, Natasha's mother, beamed with
pride at her daughter after her encounter with the
Queen's representative in Canada.
John F. Kennedy High School students collected $1,702 in
a dress down day.
Stay posted to the EMSB website press release
section for news on the different fundraisers.
Many schools have already held very
successful events.
MEETING GOV. GENERAL: This is part
of a story which appeared in newspapers
across the country from the Canadian Press
newswire. Natasha is a student at the EMSB’s
Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in
Ahuntsic. Her mother Michelle teaches at St.
Pius X Adult Centre.
When seven-year-old Natasha Olivo wanted to
discuss aid to Haiti, she went right to the top Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.
The youngster bounded up to the Haitian-born
Jean at a vigil Friday evening in support of the
earthquake-ravaged Caribbean country and soon
found herself sitting on the vice-regal knee.
"I'm going to help the people from Haiti," Natasha
said she told the Governor General, who had a
lengthy conversation with the little girl which both
of them punctuated with animated gestures.
"I'm going to give them some money," Natasha
told The Canadian Press. "I already gave them
some money because of my mom. She (Jean) said
'good for you.' "
Jean had earlier dealt with a larger audience,
broadcasting a heartfelt message to Haitians
assuring them the world community is with them
and asking them not to lose hope as they struggle
to survive after this month's earthquake.
She's been showing so much concern for the
children in Haiti and she was saying she wants to
do as much as she can," Lalonde said.
"She just ran by herself and just started talking to
Michaelle Jean and the next thing I know she was
sitting on her knee. I was just so proud of her and
Michaelle Jean said I have a wonderful daughter,
a beautiful little girl."
Natasha was impressed with Jean.
"It was great," she said excitedly of the meeting.
"She's one of the best women I've ever met. This is
the first time I ever met a person from TV."
SCIENCE
AND
ROBOTICS:
The
Educational Alliance for Science and
Technology (EAST) has announced the dates
for several upcoming competitions: CRC
Robotics, Feb. 18-20 at École Saint Maxime
in Laval; The Bell Montreal Regional Science
& Technology Fair, March 21- 23
at
Concordia University; Junior Lego Robotics,
April 30- May 1 at the EMSB’s St.Monica
School.
TWITTER MEMBERS: More and more
people are signing up as followers to the
EMSB
Twitter site. The EMSB
www.twitter.com/emsb109 site is being used
for snowstorm alerts, other important bulletins
and basic updates. The “tweets” can also be
seen on the right hand corner of the EMSB
website.
INSPIRATIONS: The latest edition of the
EMSB produced special needs newspaper,
Inspirations, has been distributed across the
island of Montreal, Laval and the Laurentians
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and the South Shore and posted at
www.emsb.qc.ca/inspiratons. This edition has
some interesting stories about wheelchair
athletes, the upcoming Paralympics, the war
amps, St. Raphael School, special needs
services at Marianopolis College, Dreams
Take Flight, a review of Marlee Matlin’s new
book, a feature on John Grant High School
and much more.
ANNUAL REPORT: The 2008-2009 EMSB
Annual Report has been published. Hard
copies are available upon request. A PDF
version is available for download in the Press
Room section of the EMSB website at
www.emsb.qc.ca.
IMPACT
STAY
IN
SCHOOL
CAMPAIGN: The Montreal Impact and the
EMSB have announced the continuation of the
successful stay-in-school program called All
the Way with the Impact (Jusqu’au Bout avec
l’Impact), designed to promote the importance
of persevering in school.
The official English launch will take place on
Feb. 4 (1:45 p.m.) at John F. Kennedy High
School (3030 Villeray) in St. Michel, featuring
the presence of all-star defender Adam Braz.
ambassador and former star player Lloyd
Barker, team president Joey Saputo and
technical director Nick DeSantis. This will
also be a homecoming of sorts for DeSantis,
who attended this school. De Santis spent 10
seasons with the Impact as a player and also
served as head coach. The tour is sponsored
by the National Bank and has expanded to
include other Montreal area school boards.
Over the next few weeks, Barker will visit
several EMSB elementary and secondary
schools to discuss with kids the importance of
staying in school and striving for excellence.
He will also visit schools to talk about the
right to play, promoting the importance of
sport, play and leisure in the development of
children in developing countries. Emphasis
will be given to the importance of physical
activity, as well as the values of respect,
initiative-taking and cooperation, which are
associated to play and sport. EMSB schools on
the scheduled visit list are: St. Brendan (Feb.
10), St. Monica (Feb. 12), Fraser Academy
(Feb. 17), St. Raphael Centre (Feb. 18), Dante
(Feb. 23) and Elizabeth Ballantyne (Feb. 24).
As part of the partnership for the stay-inschool program, the annual EMSB Night at
Saputo Stadium will take place on a date to be
announced soon in June.
OFFICIAL SPONSOR:
The EMSB is
pleased to announce that Evangelista Sports
(www.evangelistasports.com) is the official
sponsor for all activities, contests and
promotions related to soccer at the Board this
year. This will include a special quiz about the
World Cup of Soccer in the spring edition of
the EMSB Express Newspaper.
TEAM 990 RADIO STAR CONTEST: Allsports radio THE TEAM 990 will broadcast
live from JFK on Feb. 4, with both Tony
Marinaro’s The Montreal Forum and the
Randy Tieman Show serving as a kickoff for
a very exciting initiative.
During the months of February, March and
April, interested high schools will audition
students. The EMSB and the Lester B.
Pearson School Board will each select four
finalists who will compete to become The
Next Sports Radio Star.
Each finalist will visit THE TEAM 990
studios in Westmount for three to four hours
of training, followed by an opportunity to sit
in on a live show, file an actual report on air,
and be an active participant throughout the
show. In April, a panel of judges will identify
the winner. He or she will be invited to do live
sportscasts, cover a practice and possibly a
game of one of Montreal’s professional sports
franchises, receive courses at the Montreal
Radio-TV School, tour the CTV Montreal
studios with Randy Tieman and have THE
TEAM 990 do a live broadcast from their
school, with the winner of the contest sitting
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in as co-host of one of the station’s shows. For
more information email [email protected].
UNICEF - IMPACT
PROGRAM:
UNICEF Quebec is proud to announce this
year’s renewal of its partnership with the
Montreal Impact for The game is on program!
Former team captain and present day team
ambassador and CTV commentator Lloyd
Barker will give workshops to elementary
classes (Grades 3 to 6) in the region of
Montreal on the right to play, a right that is
recognized and defended by the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child, which
is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
After the lectures, the Impact coach assigned
to each school will take part, along with the
students, in a training session that will take the
form of a short soccer game with the students.
The total length of the activity will be of an
hour and a half and will need to take place
entirely in a gymnasium. Please also note that
the necessary materials (projector, laptop) will
need to be in place before the arrival of our
Impact speaker, and that a maximum of two
classes at a time will be able to take part in the
workshops.
This year, in the aim of adapting these
activities to the needs of children in
developing countries, UNICEF Quebec has
decided to add a fundraising component to the
The game is on program! The selected schools
will thus be those that commit to conducting a
fundraising activity of their choice (such as
the Spread the Net student challenge, a photo
exposition, a concert, a used items sale, a
dress-down day, etc.) This will enable student
to realize that they too can make a concrete
gesture that goes beyond sensitization.
Detailed information and tips regarding these
various fundraising options can be found in
the attached Fundraising for UNICEF Guide.
For details email Virginie Pelletier at
[email protected] or call 514- 288-5134
ext. 8426.
ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO: For the 2010
Congress of the Humanities and Social
Sciences in May, Montreal high school
students will be enlightening delegates with
multimedia presentations tackling human
rights issues using software created here at
Concordia.
Students from Westmount High School, Royal
West Academy and Vincent Massey
Collegiate will use the Concordia-created
web-based electronic portfolio software
ePEARL to document a topic of interest to
them and present their work in a multimedia
format; for example, interviewing a war
veteran and creating a podcast and/or
slideshow.
Developed by the Centre for the Study of
Learning and Performance (CSLP), the
ePEARL software is designed to help
elementary and secondary students organize
their own work, set goals and share their work
with their classmates, parents and teachers
within an electronic portfolio environment.
Each school has one class of roughly 30
students participating. Still early in the
organization process, students will likely work
in groups and, altogether, an estimated 30
projects will then be displayed at Congress
2010 at Concordia from May 28 to June 4.
CSLP Manager Anne Wade and educational
technology graduate student Rachel Scherzer
are currently helping teachers with the
software, and will continue through to this
spring’s event.
A partnership with the EMSB and the nonprofit organization, LEARN, Wade explains
the project is especially timely as teachers of a
new course, Contemporary World, combining
history, geography and citizenship, will be
incorporating the creation of the projects into
their curriculum.
ITALIAN STORYTELLING: The EMSB
Pedagogical Services Department will be
hosting the first ever Italian Storytelling
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Festival at the Leonardo da Vinci Cultural
Centre in St. Léonard (8350-8370 Blvd.
Lacordaire) on Mon. Feb. 22. (9 a.m. to
Noon), with students in PELO or PICAI
heritage language classes.
Each participating school will choose two
students enrolled in the PELO or PICAI
programs to present a three minute story in the
Italian language. Although the participants will
not be judged at the festival, they will first be
evaluated by their teacher based on the following
criteria: style, technique, voice, expression,
animation and overall delivery.
The goal of the festival is to celebrate the art of
storytelling and to encourage students to learn a
third language.
ITALIAN CONSUL: John Paul I Junior High
School in St. Léonard recently hosted Maria
Luisa Faggian, cultural officer for the Italian
Consultate in Montreal. The purpose of the
visit was for Ms. Faggian to meet the students
participating in the Italian PELO (Heritage
Language) program. The students conversed
with Ms. Faggian in Italian. As a special treat
everyone was treated to apple cake and home
made lemon cookies.
Kimmie Weeks and Lili Liang of McGill’s Youth Action
International meet some representatives of the
Marymount team.
INTERNATIONAL
SPEAKER:
Internationally
renowned
speaker
and
acclaimed children’s rights activist Kimmie
Weeks, the founder of Youth Action
International (YAI), spoke to a crowd of
more than 200 students at
Marymount
Academy in N.D.G. Wednesday.
The McGill University Chapter of YAI
brought Mr. Weeks to Montreal to share his
story of survival during the Liberian Civil
War, as well as his present day work inspiring
young people around the globe to make
changes for a better world. Students from
Laurier Macdonald High School in St.
Léonard, James Lyng High School in Ville
Émard, Trafalgar School for Girls and St.
George’s School of Montreal joined
Secondary IV and V students from
Marymount’s
acclaimed
International
Baccalaureate
Middle
Years
Program
(IBMYP). Mr. Weeks shared his personal
life with his audience. He has worked to
alleviate poverty and human suffering in
Africa and around the world since he was a
child. Born in Liberia in 1981, he came face
to face with civil war, human suffering, and
death at the age of nine. Over the years he has
formed partnerships and led organizations that
have provided education to thousands of
students in West Africa, lobbied the
disarmament of over 20,000 child soldiers, and
provided health care and recreation supplies to
children. In 1998, he investigated and released
a groundbreaking report on the Liberian
government’s involvement in the training of
child soldiers. As a result, former Liberian
President Charles Taylor made several
attempts to assassinate him until he fled the
country and was granted political asylum in
the United States. Since the war ended three
years ago, he has returned there regularly and
plans to run for President in 2017 when he
turns the mandatory 35 years of age.
Mr. Weeks showed a moving slide show
which graphically illustrated the stories about
starvation and the plight of a country which
was terrorized by a rebel army and its child
soldiers. See the press release section of the
EMSB website for a more detailed summary.
CULTURAL OUTREACH: Students, as
well as staff at Marymount Academy (5100
10
Cote-Saint-Luc Road) in N.D.G, will present
the third annual Cultural Outreach on Fri. Feb.
19 (7 p.m.).
The Marymount Academy community is very
proud of its diversity and celebrates all
cultures and ethnicities equally. Among the
students there is a strong sense of pride and
respect for all of the ethnic backgrounds. The
presenters and performers in the “Cultural
Outreach 2010” come from various ethnic
groups that make up their community.
Through these performances, they will explore
different cultures from around the globe. In
sharing their vision with others, Marymount
Academy is committed to providing a safe
way to appreciate the composition of our
cultural mosaic, thus strengthening community
ties.
During the intermission many students have
come together to organize a cultural buffet
where spectators can buy food and
refreshments from all four corners of the
world. All proceeds from the buffet will go
directly to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Those attending will not only promote cultural
awareness, they will also assist in raising funds
for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Urology
Department.
FROM RAMADAN TO CHANUKAH: Just
before the holidays students from General
Vanier Elementary School in St. Léonard
came together for a multicultural celebration.
Each class presented a different culture to the
rest of the school. Some classes sang while
others danced. The cultures ranged from
Ramadan to Hannukah to Canadian patriotism
to a dance reacting the movie Slum Dog
Millionnaire and the song Jai Ho! It was a
morning to be remembered. As a student in
Grade 4 remarked; "I like learning about the
different cultures. It made me feel like I was a
special part of that culture." Another student
said: "I think being open to different religions
is great because everybody needs to learn that
there are different people in the world and we
have to respect them!"
THE BASILICA: In January General Vanier
Cycle 1 students visited Notre Dame Basilica.
It was a fantastic experience where students
learned and appreciated Quebec’s culture and
history. They also made their own glass
stained windows which is an important part of
the Basilica’s décor.
HOLOCAUST SENSITIZATION: The
Cycle 3 students from General Vanier, Dante,
and Dalkeith Elementary have embarked upon
a Holocaust sensitization program for the
entire month of January. The sensitization
program was initiated by Spiritual Community
Animator Vince Lacroce and all of the
respective cycle 3 teachers. The teachers and
staff members from these elementary schools
have educated and exposed their students to
educational reading and video materials about
the travesties of World War II. The
sensitization program was cumulated by a visit
to the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre.
FRIENDS FOR LIFE: The EMSB Student
Services Department hosted the FRIENDS for
Life launch and training session at General
Vanier Elementary School in St. Léonard on
Jan. 21 FRIENDS for Life is a program that
builds resilience and self esteem in children by
teaching cognitive, behavioral, and emotional
skills in a simple, well-designed and
structured format. Resilient children have been
found to cope better with feelings of fear,
worry, depression and anxiety. They are better
equipped to deal with emotional distress and
less likely to develop psychological disorders.
A recent Quebec study conducted with 1,759
mothers over six years found that 15 percent
of pre-schoolers have atypically high levels of
depression and anxiety. The FRIENDS
program is one response to this wake-up call.
Based on more than 10 years of
comprehensive research and evaluation,
FRIENDS for Life was developed in Australia
by Dr. Paula Barrett, a clinical child
psychologist. It is currently being used in 11
countries worldwide. Hundreds of schools
across Canada now use the program, but this
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is the first time the program is being
introduced in Montreal.
As a result of a collaboration between the
EMSB, AMI-Québec and REISA (The East
Island Network for English Language
Services), the program is being piloted at two
elementary schools - General Vanier and
Gerald McShane in Montreal North.
AMI-Québec is a grassroots organization
committed to promoting understanding of
mental illness and dispelling the stigma still
surrounding it. The East Island Network for
English Language Services consists of
community and public partners working to
develop and promote access to English
Language health and social services in the
East End of Montreal. This project was made
possible through the financial support of
Health Canada and the CHSSN. See the CTV
report of the launch on the EMSB Press
Room section under Audio and Video.
GANG PREVENTION: The EMSB will host
a workshop on Gang Prevention
for all
guidance counsellors on Jan. 29 at the
Administration Building. Daniele Lorti of the
Quebec Ministry of Public Security, will be
the facilitator. The workshop, sponsored by
the Quebec Ministry of Public Security is
intended for all interveners in the public and
private sectors. EMSB Director of Student
Services Lew Lewis says the objective of the
workshop includes the development of
preventative and supportive approaches for
intervention with youth at risk with respect to
gang membership. This one-day workshop
will be divided into two sections: Gangs in
General
examining
today’s
youth,
susceptibility, gang prevention, gang life and
the intervener’s role in addressing gang
phenomena; and Girls in Gangs describing the
prevalence, characteristics and societal views
of girls affiliated in gangs.
RESOURCE TEACHERS: The EMSB
Student Services Department will host the
Resource Teachers’ Network workshops for
high schools Feb. 3 at the Administration
Building.
The focus on the meeting,
coordinated by Assistant Director of Student
Services Edith Clarke, will be placed on the
inclusive philosophy of the EMSB Mission
Statement and the strategies of differentiated
instruction which support this philosophy. As
well, opportunities will be provided for
teachers to share their teaching and learning
experiences with their colleagues.
Lynn
Senecal of the Inclusive Schools Network and
Julie Hobbs (former assistant director general
of the Riverside School Board) of the School
Administrators Support Team (SAST) will
speak along with EMSB special education
consultants Joanne Assaly, Michelle Aubin,
Beth Coviensky and Liliane Yiptong.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Ms. Hobbs, former
EMSB principal Diane Wood and former
Riverside School Board principal Carol
Marriott have been mandated to provide
support to in-school administrators with
respect to the organization of services for
students with special needs. After a number of
meetings which have included some
elementary and high school principals as well
as regional directors. Mr. Lewis scheduled
meetings separately with each of the regions
for principals in order to address the abovementioned topic in February and March.
ROUND TABLE: The Centre of Excellence
for Speech and Language Development,
coordinated by speech language consultant
Carol Jazzar, will host a full day workshop
and round table discussion exclusively for
speech-language pathologists working in
English school boards throughout Quebec on
Jan. 27. Caroline Erdos from the Montreal
Children’s Hospital gave a presention on
reading assessment and intervention for the
speech language therapist.
12
of Principal Joseph Marra and Spiritual
Animator
Frank
Lofeodo
following
discussions with staff to reflect the Olympic
virtues. This theme was exemplified by David
as he carried the torch. Dryden, a 16 year old
Secondary IV student is a life long sports
enthusiast and athlete began his day by
carrying the flame.
Norman Katz receives his award from Richard
Légaré and Jean Noel.
KATZ HAS HEART: The Quebec Heart and
Stroke Foundation presented Royal Vale
School Physical Education teacher Norman
Katz with the Coeur Quebec Award. Mr. Katz
said he wishes to share the award with the
many students, parents and staff who have
helped the school raise more than $100,000
over the last seven years in the Jump Rope for
Heart event. Mr. Katz was recognized for his
dedication and enthusiastic commitment above
all others as a volunteer in Quebec. He is
pictured here with Richard Légaré, president
of the board of RBC Royal Bank. and Jean
Noel, president and CEO of the Heart and
Stroke Foundation of Quebec.
Paola Miniaci, Angela Mancini, Outreach Alternative
High School torch bearer Tom Adamopoulos and Albert
Perez.
OLYMPIC TORCHBEARER PROFILE:
John F. Kennedy High School student David
Dryden carried the Olympic flame
in
December in St. Anne des Plaines, north of
Montreal. He received the full support of the
staff and students of his school. This year’s
theme at John F. Kennedy - Building a Better
Community - was chosen under the guidance
Roma Medwid, Angela Mancini, David Dryden, Rocco
Barbieri, Joseph Marra and Antoinette Scrocca.
From the age of five he has participated in
numerous sports activities including soccer,
speed skating and distance running, as well as
track and field. Over the years David has
distinguished
himself
by
exemplary
sportsmanship and team play. He has won
many awards in his areas of participation
including most valuable player several times.
As a culmination to his life long participation
in sports he had the honour to be one of
12,000 Canadians carrying the Olympic Torch
in the cross Canada Relay to the Vancouver
2010 Winter Olympics. These memories will
remain with David for a lifetime.
13
Marzia Michielli, Angela Mancini, Casey Gagné, Lester
B. Pearson High School torchbearer Antonio Colasurdo
and Maria Palmieri.
At the last EMSB Council meeting, Dryden
and torchbearers from Lester B. Pearson High
School and Outreach Alternative High School
were also recognized.
CARLYLE TORCH: The cold weather did
not stop the students of Carlyle from
participating in the Olympic Torch Relay in
December. Lined up along Laird Blvd., the
students waited, with anticipation, the arrival
of the Olympic Torch.
must understand that they must collect
information from all domains in order to get
the big picture of a topic. That being said, we
have designed a project in which students will
learn about the Olympics from the perspective
of all their courses through various LES’
(Learning and Evaluation Situation). An LES
is basically a "unit" that includes
lessons/activities (learning situations) and a
portion at the end that allows the students to
demonstrate what they have learned
(evaluation situation).
The students will come together in English
class, pull all of their information together, and
create a form of media. Grade 7 students, for
instance, are creating a magazine and Grade 8
students are creating a news broadcast/video.
Rob Lurie of CTV News was a guest speaker,
giving tips on broadcasting while Suburban
Newspaper editor Beryl Wajsman did the
same for print.
They were not disappointed! Some of the
students were joined by their parents and they
participated in the festivities at the Town Hall.
Three students from Carlyle had the privilege
of “curling the torch” into the Town Hall
where the torch bearer was greeted by Mayor
Vera Danyluk and the enthusiastic crowd.
As a culminating activity, the school will be
making its annual Activity Day Olympicthemed. In order to get the kids excited for
this program, the Junior Campus will host
their own Opening Ceremonies on Feb. 17
during fourth period (1:45 p.m. to 3:06 p.m.).
There will be a “parade of athletes” to the
national anthems performed by the music
students, as well as a performance by the
dance department. They will also be
showcasing some of the Grade 8 news
broadcasts.
OLYMPICS AT LAURENHILL: The
domain heads of LaurenHill Academy’s Junior
Campus in St. Laurent have been planning an
exciting “inter-disciplinary project” on the
Olympics. According to teacher Tara Fogel,
the teaching team recognized the need for
students to understand that their education, and
the world, is interconnected. “The students
must comprehend that what they learn in math
is linked to what they learn in science, which
is connected to what they learn in geography,
and so on,” she explained. “The students
OLYMPIC MEDALLIST AT LDV:
Students from Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in
RDP hosted former Canadian Olympic
medallist Nathalie Lambert recently. She
captured three medals at the Albertville and
Lillehammer Winter Olympic Games. In
Vancouver she will be Canada’s “Chef de
mission.” She spoke about this responsibility
to students and also provided background
about speed skating, the sport she used to
practice while being part of the Canadian
Team. Two videos were then presented.
Carlyle students wait for the torch.
14
drawings of characters related to their project.
Art is alive and doing well in East Hill’s
daycare!
Nathalie Lambert shares an Olympic torch with students.
Students were much impressed with
everything she had to share with them and
more so with the fact, she is a well known
athlete herself. Her passion and dedication to
sports translated into a vibrant message for
students to get up on their feet and get into
physical activities or sports to keep in shape!
The best moment of it all was when a group of
students had the chance to pose with her and
the Olympic torch she carried in December.
As we say, a picture is worth a thousand
words and this particular one says it all! Merci
Madame Lambert et bonne chance à toute
l’équipe canadienne aux Jeux de Vancouver!
East Hill’s beautiful mural.
OLYMPIC ART: In the spirit of the 2010
Winter Olympics theme that they have been
studying in class, the East Hill Daycare
students in Grade 6 initiated an art project on
the theme. They chose to incorporate the
symbols of the games as well as free-hand
Students and seniors share a pizza lunch.
INTERGENERATIONS: More than 60
seniors joined the students of Carlyle for a
special intergenerational activity. Following a
pizza lunch everyone gathered in the gym to
watch the play “Once Upon a Home, From
You to Us to You” by Geordie Theatre. CTV
and L’Express Mont Royal were on hand to
capture this magical moment seeing two
generations coming together to eat, be
entertained and socialize. This project helps
bridge the gap between seniors and our youth
and raises awareness in students, with the goal
of developing empathy. It also fits into the
school’s plans to introduce an International
program of studies.
MOVIE NIGHT: On
Jan. 22, Dunrae
Gardens Elementary School in T.M.R. held its
very first “Movie Night,” filling the
gymnasium with over 260 energetic people! In
the midst of all the students, parents, staff and
administration was honoured guest (Region 2)
Regional Director Roma Medwid. The
Graduation Committee did a superb job
organizing, planning and implementing our
first time event with style and pure success!
Many wonderful memories are created at
Dunrae Gardens School; this is definitely one
of them!
15
RADIO FORUM: CBC Radio will be doing
a broadcast from Coronation Elementary
School in Côte des Neiges on Feb. 17 to air
later that week on Radio Noon. It will focus
on French immersion and
how these
programs
are designed to guarantee that
English-speaking children are learning French
well enough to survive in Quebec. The
focus of the forum is on parents of the English
Black community and the idea is to find out
from them why they choose to send their kids
to English schools, when they have the option
to send them to French schools. There will be
parents on the panel who chose French
schools, as well as a young student who went
through the English system in partial
immersion in elementary and high school and
is now in her first year of CEGEP. The 45
minute forum will be taped for broadcast
before a live audience and aired on
RadioNoon a few days later. EMSB ViceChair Sylvia Lo Bianco will be a panelist.
HONORÉ MERCIER LOVES TO READ:
From Jan 25 to 29, Honoré Mercier
Elementary School in St. Leonard celebrated
reading with I Love to Read Week in
recognition of Family Literacy Day on Jan 27.
Activities were held throughout the week to
encourage students to read, and to share the
gift of reading with others. Special guests
such as Frank Verillo (Ward 17
Commissioner), Massimo Pacetti (Liberal
MP), Filomena Roti-Roti (Provincial MNA),
Linda Fraraccio, (The Q Promotions
Manager) and Joel Ceausu (Suburban
Reporter), were invited to read stories in either
English or French to students from Pre-K to
Grade 6. Linda Fraraccio, a former Honoré
Mercier student herself, shared a short story
she had originally written for her daughter,
The Princess and the Pearls, to Grade 6
students.
Students and special guests show how they love to read.
Students also got a chance to meet David
Bouchard, a Métis-Canadian author from
Victoria B.C. He has written numerous
award-winning books such as The Song Within
My Heart, a story of how a young first nations
boy prepares for his first pow-wow with the
help of his Nukum (beloved-grandmother).
Other activities included The Honoré Mercier
Book-Talk Show. This is a morning radio
show hosted by students and broadcast live
over the intercom. Students shared their
opinions with the school about their favourite
books.
For Buddy Reading, older and
younger students paired up and picked stories
to read to each other. Teachers participated in
Story Swap, switching classrooms and reading
books to other groups. Both teachers and
students participated in the Open Your Door
to Reading Contest. Each classroom door was
decorated as a book cover. The one time you
can judge a book by its cover.
REVAMPED LIBRARY: Edward Murphy
Elementary
School
in
Hochelaga
Maisonneuve (6800 Pierre de Coubertin) will
formally unveil its revamped library on Wed.
Feb. 3 (9:30 a.m.). This was all made possible
thanks to a $25,000 donation from Burovision,
a Montreal-based company which combines
its industry expertise in creating dynamic
work environments with quality, versatile
products to deliver a stimulating arena for
student learning.
Since 1991 Burovision has offered continued
support to community causes such as
16
Centraide, The Old Brewery Mission, La
Sociéte de Recherché sur le Cancer, Coalition
Priorité Cancer au Québec, Sun Youth and
FERDIE. This year their team dedicated its
efforts to improve education through an
initiative that supports teachers, classrooms
and early childhood reading.
Last year Edward Murphy School introduced
a reading program designed to encourage
literacy with young students. This program,
along with a lunch time Italian PELO
(Heritage Language) program, after school
daycare, teacher and parent meetings, are all
held in the school library. School officials felt
the the library was in need of an upgrade and
they were grateful for Burovision’s
intervention.
Burovision worked with Principal Nancy
Richer to solicit the involvement and ideas
from her Grade 5 students. The result was a
collaborative approach between Burovision
and the students and faculty to create a
beautifully enhanced library. Burovision has
donated and installed new calibre bookcases
for reading materials, Maya Lin Stones for
impromptu individual reading, and the designaward winning Spark chairs by Knoll for
group study. Their partners at Interface
flooring supplied the accent carpet tiles to
create a warm and inviting environment that
will encourage children, teachers and parents
to enjoy the library.
Edward Murphy was already very busy with
various activities to celebrate Family Literacy
Week. The school-based activities included
D.E.A.R., Read to the Principal, buddy
reading, reading train, and My favourite book
jacket display. The home-based activities
included Parent/student story writing and You
Read to Me and I’ll Read to You.
MURPHY SOCCER: Edward Murphy
Elementary School
students
regularly
participate in various teacher directed
activities after school and lunch time. This
winter session students
have had the
opportunity to have Adam Braz from the
Montreal Impact provide soccer lessons after
school. A big thank you goes out to Mario
Bentrovato, a parent volunteer at the school
who arranged for this
opportunity.
Meanwhile, on Jan. 11 the school had its
first Music Fair organized by the Cycle 3
teachers: Claudia Salerno, Marie Schembre
and Kim Tomei. The fair included displays
of handmade musical instruments, Opera
Houses, research projects on various periods
of music, instrument families and composers.
Music specialist Joseph Segreti had the
members of the school band playing
background music while parents and open
house visitors viewed the displays.
AV PRESENTATION: For EMSB Library
Week, Jan. 25-29, the Vincent Massey
Collegiate library invited Julian Taylor,
librarian/ library facilitator from the EMSB
Pedagogical Services Department. He gave an
audio-visual presentation entitled “book talk”
in the library during junior and aenior lunch
periods.
BRAIN TUMOUR RESEARCH: The
seventh year of fundraising for the Franco Di
Giovanni Foundation supporting the Brain
Tumour Research Center at the Montreal
Neurological Institute and Hospital is
underway. This year’s plans call for two
major events to occur. The first is a
fundraising campaign in all schools and
centers. They are being urged to participate
by organizing dress down days, bake sales,
raffles or whatever else they choose. To
facilitate the fundraising a grey ribbon is
available to send to the participating
schools. Dalkeith Elementary, John Paul, and
other
schools are
also
having raffles
of autographed hockey jerseys of Carey
Price, Maurice Richard and other players, if
schools are interested in having a raffle, please
contact Mr. Mike Talevi at ext. 2004. Over
the past six years over $170,000 dollars has
been collected for the Brain Tumour Research
Center!
17
The second event is the sixth annual Franco Di
Giovanni Foundation Social to be held at the
Prima Luna Reception Hall situated at 7301
Henri-Bourassa East on Sat. March 20.
Tickets are $100 per person for which you
receive a seven course meal with wine, an
open bar, countless door prizes, auctions of
sports memorabilia such as personalized
hockey jerseys of Carey Price, Sydney
Crosby, Maurice Richard, Wayne Gretzky,
Alexander Ovechkin, Guy Lafleur, and many
more, auctions of paired tickets to the
Canadians games, etc. Great selection of
personalized sports memorabilia of soccer
items of Buffon, Del Piero, Cannavaro,
Beckham etc. Dancing to the music provided
by Goldstar Entertainment. Please come and
support this worthy cause and remember that
together we can make a difference. For tickets
please contact Lina Di Giovanni at 514-4946831 email: [email protected]: Mike
Talevi
at
ext:
2004
or
email:
[email protected].
ACTION AT ST. GABES: An indoor soccer
tournament for students in Grades 1 to 3 was
held at St. Gabriel Elementary School in Point
St. Charles. The games focused on teamwork.
Tamia Vanderwal-John won a medal for
highest goal scorer and Jersey Major
captured
a
trophy
for
outstanding
sportsmanship. Both girls are in Grade 2. At
the end of the playoffs, an all star team was
made. The teachers had the privilege of
playing against the students in a very
competitive game where the teachers won by a
goal.
The theme of the last day of school, before the
Christmas holiday, was "Christmas Morning"
where staff and students wore their pyjamas to
school. Everyone was treated to a delicious
brunch, which was cooked by a committee of
students, teachers and volunteers. Mrs. Claus
paid a visit to the children and gave each one a
gift. Students participated in different
workshops and the day ended with a school
wide Christmas sing-a-long.
SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE: The
Grade 6 students at St. Dorothy Elementary
School in St. Michel are partnering
with
neighbourhood Police Station 30 to speak out
together against violence during the 20092010 academic year. The students will be
meeting police officer Terri Cocco
throughout the year to talk about different
types of violence and learn how to live or
study in a violence free environment. They
have been given t-shirts that will identify them
as school yard mediators during recess and
they will have to fill out coupons regularly to
have the chance to win prizes each month for
having a good behaviour and for respecting
their agreement to not tolerate violence.
Furthermore, they will be role models for the
younger students and they will lead by their
positive examples.
This year, the program is taking place in 50
different schools all around Montreal and the
sixth grade students at St. Dorothy are proud
to be among the 3,000 students participating in
this year’s team.
WRESTLING EVENT : Vincent Massey
Collegiate in Rosemount hosted the Greater
Montreal Athletic Association Wrestling AllStar meet Jan. 26. EMSB graduate David
Zilberman, who
attended
LaurenHill
Academy in St. Laurent, was the honourary
chair. He was a member of the 2008 Canadian
Olympic team in China and is now a physical
education teacher at Vanier College.
In addition to Vincent Massey, the only
EMSB school in the GMAA wrestling league,
others participating were: defending league
champions Kahnawake Survival School
(KSS), Loyola High School (LHS), Selwyn
House School (SHS), Beurling Academy,
Lakeside Academy, Massey Vanier High
School and Westwood High School. The
format saw KSS take on an all-star group of
wrestlers. Competitors were selected based
on either past results, current records or other
factors. Each school had to have at least one
participant in the starting lineup.
18
The VMC wrestling program was launched by
teacher Jason Chen when he arrived at the
school to teach social studies three years ago.
The final results for All Star Meet was 40-29
in favour of the KSS Defending Champs.
Vincent Massey's representatives had one win
and one loss. Emilio Mancini won his match
via a pin at the 118 lbs weight category.
Francis Carter lost his match via pin to his
opponent at the 132 lbs weight category
POLICE ART CONTEST: What would the
world be like without racism? This March,
NDG Station 11 of the Montreal Police
department will be holding their 10th
anniversary arts contest. The theme this year
is A World Without Racism. All Grade 6
students from schools across the NDG area,
are invited to submit a drawing, poem, song,
or slogan that reflects their idea of what the
world would be like if racism did not exist.
The grand prize winner will win his/her own
police commander’s uniform and become an
honourary “Commander for a Day” The
student will also get to visit any section of the
Montreal Police Department. The winner will
also be awarded a bicycle donated by Sun
Youth, and a $100 scholarship funded by the
local organization Au-dé la Racisme.
A luncheon to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
this contest will be held by Station 11 for the
grand prize winner and all runners-up.
Students will have the opportunity to meet
special guests, as well as officers from Station
11. Prizes will be also awarded to the runnersup for their participation. Past EMSB
participants include students from Royal Vale,
Willingdon, St. Monica, Philip E. Layton and
Mackay Centre.
SPIRIT OF GIVING: Each year, the EMSB
donates non-perishable food baskets and
boxes to charities around the Island. This year,
thirty-nine (39) EMSB schools joined CTV in
the fight against poverty in Montreal with a
reputable fundraising cause called “The Spirit
of Giving,” The goal of this fundraiser was to
collect non-perishable food items, clothing
and toys for six charitable organizations on the
Island of Montreal. The combined EMSB
efforts generated over 600 boxes of nonperishable food, clothes, and toys (40,000
items) for these six charities around the island
of Montreal. These charitable organizations
are Dans la Rue, Share the Warmth, West
Island
Assistance
Fund,
Renaissance,
Multicaf, and the Park Extension Share Store.
Many schools participated and organized a
series of events for this cause and many of
these schools where featured on both the CTV
mid-day and nightly news.
A special thank you to Laurier Macdonald
High School’s staff and students for being
CTV’s central hub for the deposit, sorting and
pick up of all donations. A special thank you
to The WOW group and management team for
visiting some EMSB high schools and joining
in the campaign and to Vince Lacroce,
spiritual community animator, for his
coordination and organization of the Spirit of
Giving Campaign for the EMSB.
CYBER-BULLYING:
The
Laurier
Macdonald High School Community Learning
Center (7355 Viau (Door #15, back entrance),
in conjunction with EMSB Portal Consultant
Maureen Baron, will be offering a workshop
on Cyber-Bullying on Feb. 18 (7 p.m.). An
interactive session will be made available
through the Center’s video conferencing unit.
It includes the use of e-mail, cell phones, text
messages and internet sites to threaten, harass,
embarrass, socially exclude or damage
reputations and friendships. Learn what to do
when your child is being cyber-bullied. RSVP
by Feb. 16 to Gina Bergantino at (514) 3746000 or [email protected].
TASTE OF NATIONS: To continue their
Celebration of Lights and get
set for the
recent holidays, the Cycle III students of
Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School in
19
Montreal West participated in a Taste of the
Nations Celebration. The students were asked
to bring in a sample of traditional food from
their cultures to share with the other members.
They all rotated into each class as either the
“taster” or the “server” of their food. The
children had the opportunity to try/sample a
variety of food such as sushi, pastas, falafel,
latkes, carrot cake, scones, and numerous
other dishes. The students commented that if
they were not exposed to “Taste of the
Nations” they would never have had the
opportunity to sample such delicious food.
Sabrina Jafralie by the Jordan River.
ISRAEL EXPERIENCE: Sabrina Jafralie,
a teacher at Westmount High School, had an
opportunity to travel to Israel last summer as
part of the Teaching of the Holocaust for
Educators (T-H-E) program. She has written
about the experience on the EMSB website.
Go to Press Room and then School Story
Submissions for her testimonial. Sabrina
encourages other EMSB teachers to apply for
the 2010 program, for which the deadline is
quickly approaching. All of the details to
apply are at: www.t-h-e-program.org.
MEDIA LITERACY: The EMSB’s special
panel at Rosemount High School in November
has been given excellent exposure on the
Media Literacy Week website. Go to
http://www.medialiteracyweek.ca/en/involved
_success.html.
SIR RICHARD BRANSON: EMSB staff
have been offered a special rate to attend an
exclusive luncheon on Tues. Feb. 16 (1 p.m. to
3 p.m.) at the Centre Sheraton (1201
Boulevard René-Levesque West) featuring Sir
Richard Branson, CEO of the Virgin Group.
One of the the world’s leading authorities on
business leadership, Branson will discuss
topics relating to The World Economy and
Emerging Business Opportunities; Keys to
Successful
Leadership;
Marketing
&
Innovation: A View to Long Term Growth &
Prosperity; and Empowering Your Employees
Through Open CommunicationFor a limited
time, staff and guests of the EMSB can
register for The Power Within session at an
advance registration rate of $300 plus GST
(a $95 savings off the regular door price of
$395)! You can also purchase a table of 10
for $2,500. Info: Call Joseph Toll Free 1 866
883-6568.
ALTERNATIVE
B-BALL:
BUMP (Burgundy Urban Mediation Project)
is a non-profit organization that has been
working with the EMSB for over six years.
The ABL (Alternative Basketball league) was
created last year because of the lack of team
sports. “Last year we had six schools that
participated in our pilot project, this year we
have all 10 schools participating in our
league,” said organizer Chesco Cuevas. “We
are hoping that sportsmanship, team work
and hard work will manifest itself on and off
court. That this will give students a sense of
pride in their school and this will hopefully
transform
into
the
classrooms.”
This year all of the games are being played at
three locations: YMCA Pointe St-Charles
(255 Ash Street) YMCA N.D.G. (4335
Hampton) and YMCA Park (5550 Park Ave).
DJ Sports (www.djsportsclub.org) has
provided referees and a score board and Harry
Huss from Huss Sports provided the uniforms.
The organizers also wish to thank Sharon
Parry from YMCA of Pointe-St-Charles,
Linda Bernier from YMCA N.D.G. and
20
Alexandre Lemay from YMCA Park, from
DJ Sports Dexter John, EMSB Regional
Director Paola Miniaci, Alternative School
Network Principal Jacques Monfette, Adrian
Bercovici from Generations Foundation and
Mountainview School head teacher Danny
Olivenstein
Info:
[email protected].
TIP CORNER
Editor’s
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 inschool administrators, teachers, other staff,
parent groups and even students of making
contact directly.
COMBATTING BIGOTRY: The Segal
Centre for the Arts at the Saidye in Snowdon
has announced the return of YAYA (Young
Actors for Young Audiences) performance of
No More Raisins, No More Almonds on Feb.
24 and 25, 2010. There will be six
performances of this powerful youth-to-youth
theatre program created to combat racism and
bigotry through the lessons of the Holocaust.
This award-winning program not only raises
awareness of human rights, but opens a
dialogue on tolerance and peace. Schools are
being asked to make their group reservations
as soon as possible as space is limited. In
order to promote inter-cultural dialogue, there
are dynamic post-performance discussions
between the young actors on stage and youth
in the audience. A Teacher’s Guide is
available to enhance the experience. For more
information see the Information Flyer section
of the EMSB Press Room category, call 514739-2301
ext.
8360
or
email
[email protected].
LOOKING FOR A FUNDRAISER: If any
school or centre is looking for a fundraising
opportunity, standup comic Kevin Gasior is
headlining some shows at the Comedy Nest at
the downtown AMC Pepsi Forum Feb. 25-27.
There are blocks of fundraising tickets
available for only $2 to $4. They can then be
sold for $15 each. Gasior, who teaches
comedy classes at the EMSB sponsored
Explorations camp during the summer, hopes
to tape his first DVD that weekend. Kevin is
available if you want to hold your own
exclusive comedy fundraiser. He can be
reached via www.kevingasior.com.
HOUDINI MAGIC CLUB: Houdini Magic
Club is excited to begin its twenty-third year
of entertaining and educating children of all
ages!
Our extra-curricular activities
include: Wizards 1 for elementary school
students & Mission Magic for the
kindergartener. We also offer intensive,
hands-on 1/2 and full day Wizardry
Workshops for PED days. Magic shows with
Alan Greenberg are as well available for
special events, Halloween, Carnival, Xmas,
Easter, etc. The delight comes from seeing
reality
questioned
and
probability
demolished! Magic is universally appealing,
increases self-esteem, inspires creative
thought, sharpens perception, and stimulates
the imagination. Founded in mathematics,
physics, chemistry, psychology and history the principles of magic directly compliment
the
academic
curriculum. For
more
information, call (514)-341-9472, email
[email protected] or log on to
http://houdinimagicclub.com.
WEAR RED DAY: On Friday, Feb. 12 the
second annual Wear Red Day will take place
at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and in
many companies throughout Montreal, in
support of the MUHC Women’s Healthy
Heart Initiative (WHHI). Everyone is asked to
wear red and make a $5. donation. Anyone not
wearing red and willing to make a $5 donation
will be given a red scarf. The first Wear Red
21
Day raised close to $3,000. This year’s
objective is $10,000.
The objective of the Women’s Healthy Heart
Initiative (WHHI) is to increase awareness of
women’s risk of heart disease, establish a
women’s CVD (Cardiovascular Disease)
prevention clinic model, and promote public
education of this pressing women’s issue. The
WHHI clinic opened at the RVH site in May
2009 and is the first Nurse-led, women’s heart
disease prevention clinic in the country.
Headed by Cardiac Nurse Clinician, Wendy
Wray, the clinic helps women who are at a
high risk of heart disease to reduce their risk
of the disease through medical and lifestyle
interventions. Once thought of as a man’s
disease, heart disease is actually an equal
opportunity killer. In fact, heart disease and
stroke kill more than seven times more
Canadian women than breast cancer. The
clinic serves women aged 45 or older, who are
at high risk because of their medical or family
history.
The Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation exists
to support the McGill University Health
Centre’s (MUHC) Royal Victoria Hospital –
it’s mission, its projects, its aspirations and its
most ambitious objectives. We continually
trade innovative ideas on better ways to raise
money, in a stronger, more timely fashion.
Our mission is not only a statement but a
passionate, daily commitment. We raise over
$8 million a year to meet the stated priorities
of the MUHC, and endeavour to keep
administrative costs well within acceptable
fundraising parameters.
For over a hundred years, the Royal Victoria
Hospital has been at the forefront of Quebec
healthcare, leading the way in front-line
patient care, cutting-edge medical research,
and ongoing professional education. An adultcare, 630-bed primary, secondary and tertiary
care general hospital, we have built a
reputation for world-class patient-care and
research. In the near future, the RVH will
move to several buildings on the Glen
Campus, and will form a new adult care
facility named the Royal Victoria Hospital on
the Glen Campus. To maintain the RVH’s
leadership in medical health, and to ensure
that the best care is provided for its patients,
the Hospital requires ongoing investment in
new equipment and clinical procedures. Info:
Gabriella Conte at (514) 934-1934 Ext
35880 or: [email protected]
SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS: LEARN
Quebec is an educational foundation
supported by funding from the QuebecCanada Entente for Minority Language
Education that: offers e-learning services and
support to all English school boards, private
schools, community organizations and the
private sector in rural and urban settings;
supports
and
promotes
pedagogical
collaboration
and
innovation
using
information technology, and works to model
best practices; and publishes quality learning
materials to support educators who are
implementing competency-based practices in
the classroom. LEARN offers online support
for teachers, students and schools in a variety
of ways. LEARN has established a
technological infrastructure which provides
educational experiences through online
models of delivery. The model allows for realtime instruction, collaboration and training of
educators and students, anytime, anywhere. It
also allows virtual access to resources. Go to
www.learnquebec.ca for more details about
the services they offer.
DATES OF NOTE
February is Black History Month
February 1-12, 2010
Teacher Appreciation Weeks
February 3, 2010
Edward Murphy Library Event
22
February 4, 2010
EMSB-Impact Stay in School Program
Launch
John F. Kennedy High School
1:45 p.m.
February 12, 2010
Wear Red Day
MUHC Women’s Healthy Heart Initiative
Info: Gabrielle Conte
514-934-1934, ext. 35880
February 17, 2010
LaurenHill Academy Jr, Campus
Olympic Ceremonies
February 19, 2010
Marymount Academy Cultural Outreach
Evening
February 18-20, 2010
CRC Robotics,
École Saint Maxime in Laval
February 18, 2010
Gardenview Elementary School
Senator Judith Seidman visits
February 20, 2010
5:30 p.m.
Lester B. Pearson High School
Dinner and Dance Fundraiser for the
Terry Fox Run
Le Chateaubriand Reception Hall
7985 boulevard Maurice-Duplessis
Info: Ms.. C. Antonacci at 514-328-4442
or [email protected]
February 22, 2010
Italian Storytelling Event
Leonardo Da Vinci Cultural
9 a.m. to Noon
February 24, 2010
EMSB Council of Commissioners meeting
7:30 pm.
March 1-5, 2010
March Break
PLEINS FEUX SUR FIELDING
SEMAINE DES INSCRIPTIONS AU
PRIMAIRE : La Semaine des inscriptions au
primaire pour l’année scolaire 2010-2011
aura lieu du 1er au 5 février. Les inscriptions
des élèves qui ont déjà des frères ou soeurs
inscrit(e)s aura lieu une semaine plus tôt. Les
parents qui ont besoin d’information au sujet
de l’école que leur enfant peut fréquenter ou
s’il est admissible à l’enseignement en anglais
devraient appeler au 514-483-7200 ou
consulter notre dépliant d’information à
www.emsb.qc.ca donnant la liste de toutes les
écoles ainsi que la catégorie de leurs
programmes de français.
CONFÉRENCE DE PRESSE DE LA
CSEM : Lors d’une conférence de presse
tenue le 7 janvier dernier à l’école primaire
Dunrae Gardens de Ville Mont-Royal, la
CSEM a lancé une vidéo, entièrement en
français, faisant la promotion de l’excellent
niveau d’enseignement du français offert dans
nos écoles primaires et secondaires. La vidéo
peut être visionnée au site Web de la CSEM
ainsi que sur YouTube. Produite par
Productions Oracle, la vidéo met en vedette
des élèves, du personnel et des parents de
plusieurs écoles primaires et secondaires. La
présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, qui
est aussi mise en vedette a pris la parole au
cours de la conférence de presse qui a été
donnée entièrement en français. Des élèves de
2e année de Dunrae Gardens ont interprété une
chanson de Gilles Vigneault. Deux autres
élèves ont tenu le rôle de maîtres de
cérémonie. Vous pourrez lire le communiqué
de presse au complet au site Web de la CSEM
qui a aussi une section regroupant toute la
couverture de presse – écrite et diffusée.
CAMPAGNE DE PUBLICITÉ : Pour
promouvoir la nouvelle campagne de
marketing – À la commission scolaire
English-Montréal, le Français fait toute la
23
différence! – la CSEM a placé des annonces
aux hebdomadaires communautaires français,
dans la Gazette et les hebdomadaires anglais.
Des annonces ont aussi été diffusées sur
Global TV, mettant en vedette des élèves de
l’école Roslyn et l’animatrice Jamie Orchard
et par The Q 92,5 FM. La CSEM a dévoilé
une nouvelle bannière, produite par
Ponctuation Grafix, qui peut être vue à
l’extérieur du centre administratif ainsi que
d’autres, placées stratégiquement à différents
bâtiments de la CSEM.
CHANGEMENTS MAJEURS : La CSEM a
tenu une réunion extraordinaire du conseil des
commissaires le 13 janvier pour voter les
changements
majeurs
proposés
dans
l’arrondissement Saint-Laurent. Le conseil a
approuvé une proposition visant un échange
de programme de français pour deux écoles
primaires de Saint-Laurent – Parkdale et
Cedarcrest – ainsi que Gardenview. Cette
proposition désignera Cedarcrest comme école
d’immersion française. Les élèves du
programme anglais seront transférés à
Parkdale et les élèves du programme
d’immersion française de cette école seront
dirigés vers Cedarcrest. Cette proposition
attirera aussi des élèves de la limite territoriale
révisée de Gardenview qui opère actuellement
au-delà de sa capacité et loge quelques élèves
dans une annexe du bâtiment de l’Académie
Fraser. Il est prévu que les inscriptions
augmenteront de 150 élèves au cours des cinq
prochaines années.
Lors de la même réunion, des motions visant
le passage à l’immersion et aux programmes
bilingues pour les écoles primaire Gerald
McShane de Montréal-Nord et St. Gabriel de
Pointe-Saint-Charles respectivement ont été
approuvées.
SECOURS À HAÏTI : La communauté de la
CSEM fera sa part pour aider les victimes du
tremblement de terre dévastateur qui a frappé
Haïti. L’administration de la CSEM a
instamment prié les écoles et les centres
d’engager les élèves émotionnellement,
spirituellement et intellectuellement. « Il est
difficile de comprendre et d’accepter qu’il
existe des évènements qui ne peuvent pas être
contrôlés ou prédits et qui ne sont pas
facilement résolus, prévenus ou même
compris » a déclaré la présidente de la CSEM,
Angela Mancini. « En tant qu’êtres humains,
nous voulons tous être impliqués à une action
positive et constructive pour alléger notre sens
d’impuissance. »
À cet effet, les élèves et les centres sont
encouragés à engager toutes leurs communautés
– personnel, élèves et parents – à des activités de
levées de fonds dans le but de faire parvenir des
dons pour appuyer les victimes d’Haïti. Les
organisations identifiées en particulier sont la
Croix Rouge canadienne (www.redcross.ca), la
Coalition humanitaire : CARE, OXFAM
Canada, Québec et Aide à l’enfance
(www.humanitariancoalition.ca) et UNICEF
(www.unicef.org).
RAPPORT ANNUEL : Le rapport annuel
2008-2009 de la CSEM a été publié. Des
copies papier sont disponibles sur demande.
Une version PDF est disponible pour
téléchargement à la section « Nouvelles » du
site Web de la CSEM à www.emsb.qc.ca.
PROGRAMME
UNICEF-IMPACT :
UNICEF Québec est fière d’annoncer cette
année le renouvellement de son partenariat
avec l’Impact de Montréal pour le programme
The game is on! L’ancien capitaine et
ambassadeur
actuel
de
l’équipe
et
commentateur de CTV, Lloyd Baker,
présentera des ateliers aux classes primaires
(3e à la 6e année) de la région de Montréal sur
le droit de jouer, droit qui est reconnu et
défendu par la Convention des Nations-Unies
sur les droits de l’enfant, qui célèbre son 20e
anniversaire cette année.
Après les présentations, l’entraîneur de
l’Impact affecté à chaque école prendra part,
en compagnie des élèves, à une session
d’entraînement sous forme d’une courte partie
de soccer avec les élèves. La durée totale de
24
l’activité sera d’une heure et demie et devra
avoir lieu au gymnase. Veuillez aussi prendre
note que le matériel nécessaire (projecteur,
ordinateur portatif) devra être sur place avant
l’arrivée du conférencier de l’Impact et qu’un
maximum de deux classes à la fois pourront
prendre part aux ateliers.
Cette année, l’objectif est d’adapter ces
activités aux besoins des enfants des pays en
voie de développement. UNICEF Québec a
décidé d’ajouter un élément de levée de fonds
au programme. Les écoles sélectionnées seront
celles qui s’engagent à organiser une activité
de levée de fonds de leur choix (exposition de
photos, concert, vente d’articles usagés, une
journée décontractée, etc.). Ceci permettra aux
élèves de réaliser qu’ils peuvent aussi poser un
geste concret qui va au-delà de la
sensibilisation. Des informations détaillées et
des conseils relatifs à ces différentes activités
de levées de fonds se trouvent au Guide de
levée de fonds pour UNICEF. Pour plus de
détails, adressez un courriel à Virginie
Pelletier à [email protected] ou
appelez au 514-288-5134, poste 8426.
EXPÉRIENCE CULTURELLE : Tout juste
avant le congé des Fêtes, les élèves de l’école
Général Vanier de Saint-Léonard se sont
réunis pour une célébration multiculturelle.
Chaque classe a présenté une culture
différente au reste de l’école. Quelques classes
ont chanté, tandis que d’autres ont dansé. Les
cultures ont couvert le Ramadan, Hanukkah, le
patriotisme canadien, une danse inspirée par le
film Slum Dog Millionnaire et la chanson Jai
Ho! Ce fut une matinée mémorable pour toute
l’école.
KATZ A UN GRAND CŒUR : La
Fondation des maladies du cœur du Québec a
décerné le Prix du cœur à l’enseignant
d’éducation physique, Norman Katz, de
l’école Royal Vale. M. Katz a déclaré qu’il
souhaitait partager son prix avec les nombreux
élèves, parents et membres du personnel qui
ont aidé l’école à recueillir plus de 100 000 $
au cours des sept dernières années par le biais
de l’évènement « Sautons en Cœur ». M. Katz
a été reconnu pour son engagement et son
dévouement enthousiaste en tant que bénévole
au Québec. Il est représenté ici avec Richard
Légaré, président du conseil d’administration
de la Banque Royale et Jean Noël, président
de la Fondation des maladies du cœur du
Québec.
S’ÉLEVER CONTRE LA VIOLENCE :
Les élèves de 6e année de l’école primaire St.
Dorothy de Saint-Michel ont formé un
partenariat avec le poste de police 30 du
quartier pour s’élever contre la violence
durant l’année scolaire 2009-2010. Les élèves
rencontreront l’agent Terri Cocco tout au
long de l’année pour parler des différents
types de violence et apprendre comment vivre
ou étudier dans un environnement libre de
violence. Ils ont reçu des t-shirts qui les
identifient comme médiateurs durant les
récréations
et
ils
devront
remplir
régulièrement des coupons pour avoir la
chance de gagner des prix, chaque mois, pour
bonne conduite et pour respect de leur
engagement à ne pas tolérer la violence. En
outre, ils seront des modèles pour les élèves
plus jeunes et ils les inspireront par leurs
exemples positifs.
Cette année, le programme a lieu dans 50
différentes écoles autour de la région de
Montréal et les élèves de 6e année de StDorothy sont fiers de faire partie du groupe de
3 000 élèves qui participent au programme de
cette année.
JEUX OLYMPIQUES À LAURENHILL :
Le personnel du département d’anglais du
Campus junior de l’Académie LaurenHill a
planifié un « projet interdisciplinaire »
stimulant, portant sur les Jeux Olympiques.
Selon l’enseignante Tara Fogel, l’équipe
d’enseignant(e)s a reconnu le besoin pour les
élèves de comprendre que leur éducation et le
monde sont inter reliés. Comme elle
l’explique « les élèves doivent comprendre
que ce qu’ils apprennent en mathématiques est
relié à ce qu’ils apprennent en sciences et ces
25
connaissances sont aussi reliées à leur
apprentissage en géographie et ainsi de suite. »
« Les élèves doivent comprendre qu’ils
doivent recueillir de l’information dans tous
les domaines afin d’avoir une bonne vue
d’ensemble d’un sujet. Ceci étant dit, nous
avons conçu un projet où les élèves
obtiendront des connaissances sur les Jeux
Olympiques à partir de la perspective de tous
leurs cours, par le biais de diverses situations
d’apprentissage et d’évaluation (SAE). » Une
SAE est ‘une unité’ qui inclut des
leçons/activités (situation d’apprentissage) et
une portion à la fin qui leur permet de
démontrer ce qu’ils ont appris (situation
d’évaluation).
Les élèves se réuniront en classe d’anglais,
mettront toutes leurs informations en commun
pour créer une sorte de média. Par exemple,
les élèves de 7e année créent une revue et les
élèves de 8e année sont en train de produire un
bulletin de nouvelles/vidéo. Rob Lurie de
CTV News a été un conférencier invité et
donné des conseils sur la diffusion, tandis que
l’éditeur du journal Suburban Beryl
Wajsman les a conseillé pour l’impression de
la revue.
GROUPES
DE
DISCUSSION :
Tel
qu’annoncé à l’automne dernier, le conseil des
commissaires
examine
des
moyens
d’améliorer le rendement des services de la
CSEM. Pour la réalisation de ce projet, une
firme externe, CFC Consulting Group,
entreprend une étude pour examiner les
structures et les procédures du centre
administratif. L’objectif est d’aider la CSEM à
identifier ses points forts, les domaines
d’amélioration et les plans d’action appropriés
pour assurer que les départements offrent les
meilleurs services aux écoles et aux centres.
Afin que l’analyse et les recommandations
reflètent les opinions et les besoins actuels, la
participation de tous les niveaux de
l’organisation a été sollicitée. Il a été demandé
à plusieurs personnes de participer à des
entrevues ou à des groupes de discussion. En
outre, un formulaire de sondage a été envoyé à
tout le personnel.
CYBER INTIMIDATION : Le centre
d’apprentissage communautaire de l’école
secondaire Laurier Macdonald (7355 Viau, porte
15, à l’entrée arrière) en collaboration avec la
conseillère en portail de la CSEM, Maureen
Baron, offrira un atelier sur la cyber intimidation
le 18 février (19 h). Une session interactive sera
disponible par le biais de l’unité de vidéo
conférence du Centre. Elle inclura l’utilisation
des courriels, des téléphones cellulaires, des
messages textuels et des sites Internet pour
menacer, harceler, embarrasser, exclure
socialement, ou causer du tort à des
réputations et amitiés. Apprenez quoi faire
lorsque votre enfant est cyber intimidé. RSVP
d’ici au plus tard le 16 février auprès de Gina
Bergantino
au
514-374-6000
ou
[email protected].
ÉVÈNEMENTS DE LEVÉES DE FONDS :
Si une école ou centre est à la recherche d’une
occasion de levée de fonds, l’humoriste Kevin
Gasior donne quelques spectacles au Forum
AMC Pepsi du centre-ville, du 25 au 27
février. Des blocs de billets de levées de fonds
sont disponibles au prix de seulement 2 $ et 4
$. Ils peuvent ensuite être vendus pour 15 $
chaque. Gasior, qui donne des classes de
comédie durant l’été au camp Explorations
commandité par la CSEM espère enregistrer
son premier DVD lors de cette fin de semaine.
Kevin
peut
être
rejoint
à
www.kevingasior.com.
DATES À RETENIR
Février est le mois de l’Histoire de la
communauté noire
1 – 12 février 2010
Semaine d’appréciation des
enseignant(e)s
4 février 2010
26
Lancement du programme de persévérance
scolaire
CSEM Impact
École secondaire John F. Kennedy
13 h 45
12 février 2010
Journée du port de rouge
CUSM – Women’s Health Heart Initiative
Info : Gabrielle Conte
514-934-1934, poste 35880
18 – 20 février 2010
CRC Robotiques
École Saint-Maxime à Laval
18 février 2010
École primaire Gardenview
Visite de la sénatrice Judith Seidman
20 février 2010
17 h 30
École secondaire Lester B. Pearson
Dîner dansant de bienfaisance pour
la Course Terry Fox
24 février 2010
Réunion du conseil des commissaires de la
CSEM
19 h 30
1 – 5 mars 2010
Relâche du printemps
Submissions should be made to Michael J.
Cohen
preferably
by
e-mail
([email protected]) or fax (514-483-7213) by
the Monday prior to the next EMSB Council
of Commissioners meeting.