The monthly news bulletin of the EMSB The monthly news bulletin of

The monthly news bulletin of the EMSB
Vol. 8 No 5
EDITOR: MICHAEL J. COHEN
PRINTING SERVICES: L. SHAW, D. D’ORNELLAS
January 27, 2006
PROOFREADING/TRANSLATION: ALINE ZEROUNIAN
∆ Nautical Library
∆ LMAC Docu-Drama
∆ Tragedy at Perspectives
∆ Making Impact
∆ Heart of Life
∆ Future Radio Stars
∆ Election Studies
∆ Tragic Death
∆ Voice of Jade
∆ Brain Tumour Fundraiser
∆ Denim Day
∆ Calendar of Events
Student Poets Excel at Lester B. Pearson HS
Fifty-five Grade 9 students at Lester B. Pearson High School in
Montreal North, launched their very own book of poetry in the
school library on January 26. Fittingly enough the launch date
fell during English Montreal School Board Library Week.
Wanting to both fulfill the curriculum and make a positive
community impact, teacher Michael Sweet, himself a
published poet, conceived this idea as a way to raise funds for
the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Mr. Sweet noted that the
project was taxing but enormously beneficial. "It was a
powerhouse of learning, the students learned how to apply
knowledge which is often overlooked in schools,” he said.
“With creative learning, editing, publishing, art and design,
philanthropy, marketing and money management, and even ecommerce (the book will retail on Amazon.com), the students
covered a very broad spectrum of the overall curriculum. To
date, the students have raised just over $400 in royalties for the
hospital. They hope to be able to present a cheque to the
Children's by the closing of the academic year.
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FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
CALENDAR ADJUSTMENT: In light of
the fact the 2005-2006 youth sector school
calendar requires adjustments to meet the
180 day mark of teaching days, the EMSB
Council of Commissioners has adopted a
resolution
to
cancel
a
board-wide
pedagogical day on Monday, February 13.
Therefore, schools will be open that day. In
addition, principals are being asked to look at
their respective calendars for the remainder
of the year and cancel at least one other
scheduled professional day. This action was
deemed necessary because of the number of
school days cancelled this year due to strikes
and a snow storm,
TRAGIC DEATH OF STUDENT: Layla
(Imane) Khaled, a student at Perspectives I
Outreach High School in St. Michel for the
past two years, died tragically over the
Christmas holidays in a fire. On the morning
of
December
31.
Layla awoke to the smell of smoke, got her
friends up and out, but was unable to get out
of the burning building herself. According to
Principal Don Houston, she is being credited
for saving their lives – she clearly died a
hero! Layla was 16 years old. She attended
Dalkeith Elementary School in Anjou and
then Lester B. Pearson and Laurier
MacDonald High Schools, before coming to
Perspectives I. Layla was known for her
beautiful smile, contagious laugh, and the
ability to make new friends very easily.
Layla was in the Volet 2 program at school,
working at a hair salon two days a week,
receiving credits for that work, and attending
classes the remaining three days. Layla kept
up with her school work, attaining the highest
mark in the school on her English mid-term
exam.
A memorial service was held at the school on
Jan. 16 to honour Layla. The service was
attended by the staff, present and former
students of Perspectives I, as well as many
students from Perspectives II, her mom,
sister, brother and other adults associated
with the school who got to know Layla and
wanted to pay their respects. During the
service several students and staff members
spoke about how their lives were enriched by
Layla. Students wrote notes to her which
were then placed in her locker. Each student
presented Layla’s mother with a white
carnation. Layla had great spirit and vitality
– she had many dreams for her future,
including traveling to Morocco and New
Zealand, doing really well in school, and
having 2006 be her best year ever. Sadly,
these dreams will never be fulfilled. Layla
will be sorely missed by all.
LIBRARY AND SPORTS: Honoré-Mercier
Elementary School in St. Léonard began
2006 with the inauguration of its recently
renovated library. In addition, the school is
pursuing the possibility of introducing an
elementary level Sports Athlete Program.
After many hours of incredible work by
parent volunteers, the library has been
transformed into a nautical haven. “Hats off
to our dedicated and determined parents who
had a dream and made it come true!,” says
Principal Connie Primiano. The entire
library was painted. Items were collected
from various cruiselines and put up on the
walls. Many different murals were painted,
depicting different ocean scenes such as a
giant mermaid with a 3 -D pearl necklace, an
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aquarium with fish and a real aquarium and a
giant pirate. Parents even moved around the
shelves and re-arranged the carpeted reading
corner. They hung a large net filled with
books and via donations they were able to
obtain several different clocks with the times
of different countries.
Meanwhile, the EMSB Long Range Planning
Committee has just approved the exploration
of a possible Sports Athlete Program. The
three sports identified thus far are soccer,
hockey and figure skating. A parent-school
committee is being established to delve
further into the implementation of such a
program. In order for a Sports Athlete
Program to be feasible, the school has to
know if there is a need for this program to
exist in
community. An information
session was held in the school gymnasium for
all parents who are interested.
HOCKEY EXPANSION: Hockey Specific
Training (HST) and the EMSB have
announced that they will allow Grade 4
students to join the hockey component of the
Student Athlete Program at Holy Cross
Elementary School in St. Laurent for the
2006-2007 academic year. Former National
Hockey League (NHL) defenceman Shawn
Anderson, the director of HST, says the
Grade 4 students will participate in a
modified hockey program where the main
focus will be ice training. They will receive
4.5 hours of ice time each week. There will
be some off ice training involved in this
program. These students will be part of the
regular school program and finish at the same
time as the rest of the school population. The
time of day, presently 2:07 p.m. is subject to
change because of the additional hours of
classroom instruction being added to the
curriculum next year. HST will provide
transportation from Holy Cross to Raymond
Bourque Arena, which is just a five minute
drive. Parents will be required to drop off
their child’s hockey bag each morning at the
arena. There will be no hockey bags allowed
in the school. At the arena the locker room
door has a combination lock so parents can
drop off
their child’s bag at their
convenience.
Log
on
to
www.hockeyspecifictraining.com for all of
the details, including the price structure.
LMAC DOCU-DRAMA: To coincide with
the publication of a sixth extraordinary book
that uses photographs, artifacts and stories to
discover their families’ cultures and histories,
the students and faculty of Laurier
Macdonald High School in St. Léonard are
set to launch an unprecedented companion
docu-drama on the subject.
Ripples In Time, a LMAC Media Film
Production, will be screened before a “By
Invitation Only” audience on Wed. Feb. 1
(7:30 p.m.) at the beautiful Leonardo Da
Vinci Cultural Centre (8730 Lacordaire
Boulevard). The book and film is the latest in
a series which already includes Faded
Memories, Rainbow of Dreams, Memories in
Black and White, Once upon a Journey and
Whispering Dreams.
Each publication was dedicated to the
memories of past generations; each an
inspirational collection of stories about love,
hope, death, change and above all, dreams.
Like its predecessors in this collection,
Ripples In Time is a multimedia, crosscurricular project designed to engage students
in
writing,
photography,
computer
technologies and other activities as they
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researched the history behind selected family
photographs and artifacts. Students gathered
information about social, historical and
geographical contexts to write short vignettes
called “Footprints” that relate to the themes
of the stories. What was exciting for the
students was finding historical information
that related to their families and cultural
groups. This allowed the authors to easily
integrate history. Principal Pat Buttino says
he was absolutely bowled over by the talent
and professionalism displayed in the
production of the 48 minute film. “If you
close your eyes for a minute you’ll swear this
is a Hollywood production,” he proclaims,
noting that the crew of staff and students shot
at locations across the island this past year.
“From the cinematography to the acting, this
is the type of project unheard of at the
secondary level.”
Through the publication of this book,
students have taken the time and effort to
listen to their grandparents’ old stories.
Laurier Macdonald media education teachers
Frank Tiseo, Leon Llewellyn and Audrey
Berner headed this project, serving as editors
of the book. Mr. Tiseo directed the film, with
Michael Penning and Alan Taylor
responsible for cinematography.
FAMILY LITERACY: On the occasion of
Family Literacy Day, Friday January 27, and
as part of EMSB Library Week, Roslyn
Elementary School in Westmount will be
launching its new Born to Read initiative.
Comedian/television
personality/magician
David Acer, a one-time Roslyn student, will
be among the special guests on hand at a
formal 10 a.m. presentation.
Westmount Mayor Karin Marks, who also
attended Roslyn as a child, will be there as
well. In 1990, the New Carlisle literacy
exchange in the Gaspé developed the first
Born to Read program in Canada to
encourage families to start reading to their
children soon after birth. When moms
brought their newborn babies to the local
health clinic for their first immunization
shots they were presented with a colourful
book bag, emblazoned with the Born to Read
logo. At the presentation in the school gym,
Roslyn families with new babies will be
presented with a gift of books for their
newborns in a colourful Born to Read bag.
This initiative is being supported by the
Quebec Home and School Federation and the
Roslyn Home and
School Association. In
addition to Acer, there
will also be numerous
readings from invitees
of excerpts from their
favourite
children’s
books to the students of
Roslyn,
highlighting
the joy and importance
of reading. Best known for his role as
Snowflake #2 in Mrs. Vineberg’s Grade 3
Roslyn production of "Hey Kids: It's
Winter!", Acer is currently the co-host and
co-writer of Discovery Kids’ Gemini-Award
nominated series, Mystery Hunters! Log on
to www,davidacer.com for more on his
talents.
EAST HILL READS: Lafontaine MNA
Tony Tomassi will visit East Hill
Elementary School in RDP on Feb. 2 (9:30
a.m.) to read to kindergarten students and to
encourage literacy.
In order to heighten student awareness to the
richness of the Iroquoian aboriginal culture,
Chief Top Leaf from Kahnawake will present
the cultural traditions of the First Nations to
students from East Hill on Feb. 14. He will
speak to children from the Kindergarten to
level 4, through storytelling. Children always
enjoy the many artefacts such as masks, pieces
of clothing and musical instruments brought
specially for them. This presentation will
complement their Social Studies programme
on the topic. Meanwhile, in view of helping
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kindergarten children develop a positive and
solid foundation upon which they can grow
academically and socially, a socialization
enhancement program has been set up. This
program is specially designed to help young
children refine their social skills, and make
their learning experience more pleasant.
These activities will be integrated into the
daily schedule of children on Mondays and
Thursdays for a period of eight weeks, until
the end of March 2006. The school will be
working in collaboration with Bartimaeus, an
association which specializes in this domain.
The animator of the program will be Carolyn
Crowley.
LOVE OF READING: At Rosemount High
School, librarian Kay Turner invited three
staff members to speak in the library during
three separate lunchtimes:Principal, Athina
Galanogeorgos; teacher and former alumnus,
Sonia Mangiola; and teacher and author
Richard Huint. They spoke about their lives,
education, careers and most important of all
during this special library week, their love of
reading. They shared particular books with
the students, and there was a lot of interaction
and discussion of favourite books and authors.
UNDERSTANDING
HOMOSEXUALITY: The EMSB will
enthusiastically participate in the launching
of the new English version of a kit entitled,
For a New Understanding of Homosexuality
on Tuesday, February 14 from 10 a.m. to
Noon with a luncheon at La Direction de
Santé Publique, 1301, rue Sherbrooke Est,
Montréal QC H2L 1M3. After two years of
work in adaptation and translation from the
French version, the kit will be available for
use in EMSB high schools and outreach
schools. Irene Miller, spiritual, religious and
moral education consultant for the EMSB, sat
on the advisory committee for the adaptation
of the English kit. With respect to the social
issue of homophobia and its social
consequences within the educational milieu,
the mission statement of the EMSB pledges
“to support its schools and centres in their
efforts to educate students within a caring,
safe and inclusive learning community. A
program aimed at combating homophobia
and sensitizing students to different sexual
orientations is already in place at the EMSB
via a Ministry of Education, Leisure and
Sports (MELS)/ Ministry of Health and
Social Services entente. This prevention and
socialization program will be greatly aided
by the proper utilization of the kit in the
school community.
In preparation for the English kit’s launch,
the Student Services Department of the
EMSB provided training sessions for spiritual
community
animators,
in-school
administrators and members of its own staff
(management, professionals, support staff).
The latter group convened twice. These
programs were sponsored by the Institut
National de Santé Publique du Québec
(I.N.S.P.Q.) and facilitated by social worker
Bill Ryan and
psychologist Françoise
Susset. As a follow up to these four
workshops, three sessions have been held in
particular schools in order to provide training
for their personnel. The training sessions will
allow those individuals to use the kit
effectively as a resource in various programs
with students in both the classroom and other
school projects and activities. Because the
topics of sexual orientation and homophobia
are such relevant issues in today’s society, it
is hoped that these training sessions, along
with the resource kit, will contribute to the
prevention of homophobia and bullying, and
the promotion of a healthier, more respectful
environment in our schools and in society.
MAKING IMPACT: The Montreal Impact
(www.impactmontreal.com), the EMSB and
the Commission scolaire de Montréal
(CDSM) have announced the creation of a
new 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. An
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official launch will take place at Edward
Murphy Elementary School (6800 Pierre de
Coubertin) in Hochelaga Maisonneuve on
Wednesday February 1 ( 10 a.m.). Over the
next few weeks, Impact players will visit
EMSB and CSDM elementary schools and
discuss with the kids the importance of
staying in school and striving for excellence.
As part of the partnership, the Impact’s June
14 game against the Atlanta Silverbacks will
be dedicated to the school boards. The
Impact will hold a special ceremony before
the game highlighting some of the most
outstanding students, and bursaries will be
awarded to the top students. These bursaries
will be named in honour of the late Tony
Licursi, the longtime Impact statistician who
died recently. Mr. Licursi was a member of
the EMSB’s James Lyng High School
Alumni Association. The Impact will kick off
the 2006 First Division United Soccer
Leagues season on Sunday, April 23 in
Florida, against the expansion-team Miami
F.C. The Impact will play the 13th home
opener of its history at Claude-Robillard
Sports Complex on Sunday, May 21, against
the Minnesota Thunder.
Here is a list of the EMSB/Impact schedule:
TUES FEB 7 (10 am)
Willingdon, NDG,
WED FEB 8 (10 am)
Honore Mercier, St Leonard
THU FEB 9 (afternoon)
Gardenview, St Laurent
WED FEB 15 (10 am)
St. John Bosco School in Ville Emard
THUR FEB 16 (10 am)
Leonardo Da Vinci, RDP
GO ALS GO: The Montreal Alouettes
football team are about to commenc their
third annual basketball tour. It is being held
in conjunction with the Adopt An Alouette
program. Luke Fritz, Anwar Stewart, Dave
Stala, Bryan Chiu, Uzooma Okeke, Ed
Philion,
Phillip
Gauthier,
Patrick
Dorvélus, Shaun Diner and a few other
players are facing off on the court agains the
staff of the different schools. They also visit
classrooms to talk to the students and sign
autographs. EMSB schools on the schedule
are as follows: Pierre Ellliott Trudeau,
Rosemount, (Feb. 1); St. John Bosco, Ville
Emard (Feb. 2); Dunrae Gardens, TMR,
(Feb. 6); Lester B. Pearson HS, Montreal
North (Feb. 8); John Caboto, Ahuntsic, (Feb.
15); Gardenview, St. Laurent (Feb. 20);
Cedarcrest, St. Laurent (March 2); James
Lyng HS, St. Henri (March 22); Willingdon,
N.D.G. (March 24); MacKay Centre, N.D.G.
(March 28); John Grant HS, Côte Saint-Luc,
(March 29); Our Lady of Pompei, Ahuntsic
(March 30); Edward Murphy, Hochelaga
Maisonneuve (April 10); Westmount HS,
(April 11); Honoré Mercier, St. Léonard,
(April 12); Elizabeth Ballantyne, Montreal
West (April 18); Dalkeith, Anjou (April 20).
HEART OF LIFE: The EMSB will once
again play a leadership role during Heart
Week (February 13 -17). A high profile
official kickoff, with special celebrity guests,
will take place on Thursday, February 9 (9:30
a.m.) at General Vanier Elementary School in
St. Léonard. Members of the Montreal
Impact, Montreal Alouettes, some political
leaders and physicians from the Montreal
Children’s Hospital will be on hand. This
takes place at a critical time for the hospital,
which is fighting to remain a full service
pediatric health centre. The Quebec Ministry
of Health and Social Services recently put a
proposal to the Children's Hospital of the
MUHC and to Ste-Justine Hospital on
pediatric complementarity. This proposal has
serious consequences for patient care, for the
pediatric teaching program of the McGill
Faculty of Medicine, and for pediatric
research.
7
Last year, EMSB schools raised more than
$10,000. Children wore “red” on a
designated “red day” chosen by each
principal. This same program, coordinated
by the Heart of Life Fund, with the support of
The
Montreal
Children’s
Hospital
Foundation of the McGill University Health
Centre (MUHC), will continue.
Mario Bentrovato, chairman of the Edward
Murphy Elementary School Governing
Board, heads the campaign. He notes that one
child in 100 is born with a heart defect. His
young daughter is among those included in
that group. The Heart of Life Fund wishes to
increase awareness of the problem among
children with normal and healthy hearts. The
Heart of Life Fund is an organization
associated with the Montreal Children’s
Hospital Foundation. At this time, it is fundraising to strengthen the Pediatric Heart
Failure Program by expanding into the field
of Pediatric Mechanical Heart Assist and
Pediatric Heart Transplantation – a new
program that is unique in Canada. EMSB
elementary schools will received information
packages.
FUTURE RADIO STARS: EMSB students
aged nine to 16 years old are being asked to
enter a contest wherein the New 940Montreal
is looking for the next radio star. The station
is specifically seeking youngsters who are
considered natural entertainers, like to talk,
do not freeze in front of a microphone and
have potential to be the next radio star . Just
visit the 940montreal.com contest section, fill
out an e-ballot and say in your own words
why you would like to be a future radio star.
Nine qualifiers will be selected and will get
to visit the 940 studios to record a
commercial that will be posted on the web
site for listeners to vote on. Three finalists
will be selected and invited to join Express
Line host Ken Connors for a live interview.
They will then record an actual commercial
which will air for a full week on the New
940Montreal (940AM). The winner will be
crowned Future Radio Star plus take home an
IBM laptop and a lexmark Mutli-function
fax, scanner, photocopier and printer, all
courtesy of Hypertec. The first selection is
scheduled for Jan. 30. This program is
sponsored by Jaf Pret à porter and Montreal
Radio & TV School.
ELECTION STUDIES: The senior special
education class at St. Brendan Elementary
School in Montreal North has been studying
the Canadian elections. After watching the
English television debate the students
graphed and discussed both their own
opinions and those of their families and
friends. This was followed by a full class
debate. Students were assigned to parties and
had to study their party’s platform. Finally,
the students presented their debate to several
younger classes who then voted by secret
ballot.
Candidates debate at Marymount.
MEET THE CANDIDATES: Susan
Schachter’s Grade 11 World History and
English classes at Marymount Academy got
authentic lessons in civics just prior to the
federal election. Candidates Neil Drabkin
(Conservative), Peter Deslauriers (NDP)
and Albert Sevigny and Claude William
Genest (Green Party) presented their party
platforms and answered numerous questions.
This was covered by The Gazette Newspaper.
NATIVE AWARENESS: The Department
8
of National Defence Public Affairs Office
(Quebec Region) is promoting a number of
Black History - Native Awareness Month
presentations.
In
February,
African
Canadians and Natives across Canada will be
celebrating and recognizing Black History
and Native Awareness month. In support of
these cultural activities, National Defence
Public Affairs Office - Québec Region in
conjunction
with
Canadian
Forces
Recruitment Centre will be offering
presentations to primary and high schools as
well as community centres on the history of
Blacks and Natives in the Canadian Forces.
These dynamic and very fascinating
presentations will reveal a wealth of little
known facts about Canada's Military History.
Knowing that most schools can only
accommodate 40 minute presentations, the
program which is approx 2.5 hours in length,
can be tailored to the needs of each school. It
involves
a
30
minute
powerpoint
presentation/talk given by a CF member (or
members) followed by two films which are
both an hour each (one on African Canadians
and the other on Native Canadians in the
military). The Department is flexible and
open to suggestions with regards to how your
school would want to have this presentation
done . Some schools, for instance, might just
wish to have a CF member talk to students
about life as a Black or Native in the
Canadian Forces. The presentations will be
running throughout the entire month of
February. At least five days of advance
warning is required for a booking. If you are
interested in this initiative, please call (514)
283-3820 or (514) 283-5280. You can also
send
an
e-mail
at
[email protected] .
LIZANN’S HURRICANE FUND: Local
recording artist and singer Lizann of
Montreal has embarked upon a fundraising
project with Father Paul Pomkoski, of St.
Brendan’s Parish to create the St. Brendan’s
Hurricane Katrina Fund. Although it has been
a while since Hurricane Katrina first hit,
there are far too many families just beginning
to put the pieces of their lives back together.
“For us time has passed, and perhaps for
most people Katrina is old news, but
unfortunately for many families, not much
has changed since the day Katrina disrupted
their reality forever,” says Lizann. “The goal
of the St. Brendan’s Hurricane Katrina Fund
is to choose a family affected by Katrina and
monetarily help them as they start rebuilding
a new life. That is why this project is a little
different than your standard fundraiser,
which aims at distributing funds to a large
charitable institution; our ongoing efforts to
make a difference should not be affected by
the ‘old news’ syndrome. I want to empower
the donors with the knowledge that their
money is going to a specific family. The
purpose of this fund is to put a name, a face,
and a story behind one’s donation. Unless we
are bombarded by media coverage of what is
going on, we tend to forget and simply move
on. I want to remind people that we simply
should
not
be
looking
away.”
After much consideration, the first family
chosen by Father Paul consists of the
Martinez family (from Louisiana). Ken and
Pat Martinez (married for 40 years) and their
daughter Susan and son-in-law-Chuck along
with their four young boys (aged 10, 8, 6, and
5), are all living with their son Kenny as a
result of having lost everything and
remaining homeless. Kenny and his wife
Kathy also have one son, Jacob (age 9), who
suffers from severe cerebral palsy and
pulmonary fibrosis. Lizann has personally
decided to contribute to this project with a
song called Not This Time which she
originally wrote in honour of those affected
by the Asian Tsunami. In light of the
devastation caused by Katrina, the song has
now taken on a new and deeper meaning.
“This song is my call for others to join me in
making a difference in the lives of those who
have become temporarily lost and in search
of a new truth,” she says. “We’ve decided
that for every ten-dollar donation or more, a
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disc will be given as a token of gratitude.
For details on the NTT project,. log on to
www.lizann.net
or
e-mail
[email protected], The parish is located
at 3542 Rosemount Blvd. Their phone
number is
[514] 376-4537. Lizann is
encouraging EMSB schools to come on
board and be a part of this campaign.
“Because of the nature of this project, I
believe that it can be introduced to the
schools as a full scale community service
campaign in which we are empowering the
students and their respective families to be a
part of something that is changing lives,” she
says.
BOSCO BAZAAR: The annual St. John
Bosco Elementary School Christmas Bazaar
was another fabulous success. This was
strictly for students in order for them to buy
gifts for their family and friends at very low
prices and have them gift wrapped on the
spot. Kindergarten students were treated to a
Christmas luncheon by the students of the
Alternate School in St. Lambert. These high
school students, who volunteer in at the
kindergarten level, paid for the school bus to
transport the
students and prepared a
sumptuous feast as well.
Kindergarten
students also went to St. Joseph’s Oratory to
view the various crèches from different
countries.
Finally, kindergarten students
were served a nutritious Christmas Breakfast
by our hard working parents. January 2006
beqan with a bang as the school welcomed
four new students.
DRAMA AT PET: Number the Stars is a
story about the difficult times in Denmark
during the Nazi occupation during World
War 2. The Saidye Bronfman Center has
sent an instructor to help Pierre Elliott
Trudeau Elementary School teacher Jennifer
Lacroix develop a dramatization of the
novel. The Grade 6 students have been
divided into two groups. Each will present
one half of the novel in a theatrical setting.
The students are preparing themselves
through improvisation and many other drama
exercises. They are enjoying themselves
tremendously. Once again, the Saidye
Bronfman Center is helping
Roula
Souiedan's Grade 6 students to interpret the
story in a theatrical context. The students
will be divided into two groups. They will
prepare themselves much in the same way as
the other class. They will also present a
theatrical interpretation. Meanwhile, the PreK and Kindergarten classes had a chance to
dance to some great rhythms recently. They
had a great deal of fun with Gnetto, their
dance instructor. They were also taught to
sing some African songs. This activity had
the teachers' feet moving in time with their
students. There are definitely some great
dances in these classes. On January 17, Grade
1 classes were entertained with some
fascinating African Legends. The storyteller
visited them and regaled them with stories
that have been brought from Africa many
hundreds of years, which have been handed
down through family members. It certainly
gave the children another perspective and
insight into other cultures.
SWAT: Grade 6 Students at Willingdon
Elementary School in N.D.G. got a nice
overview as to how the Montreal Police
Department SWAT team (Special Weapons
and Tactics) operates. The focus of officer
Pat Bourgeois’ presentation was to sensitize
the students to the true nature of the SWAT
Team as opposed to what they see in the
media.
THEATRE PROJECT: The students of
Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School in
Montreal West were delighted by the
Chateauguay Theatre Project’s presentation
of What’s His Name Joins the Circus. The
play led the students through a poignant story
of self-doubt and frustration resolved by love
and self-discovery after a wild 24 hours of
running away from home and working with
the circus animals. The actors went to each
classroom after the play, and led the students
10
through an interactive workshop. They did
warm-up exercises for the face, voice and
body. When they were warmed up they tried
the art of Improvisation. School officals
wish to thank Westward Rotary Club of
Montreal West for making this theatre
experience possible through their generous
Rotary Club Gift for the Performing Arts.
call Lina Di Giovanni 494-6831 or Mike
Talevi at 352-6730. The annual Brain
Waves Gala, featuring the music talents of
students from Rosemount H.S., J.F.K.
Laurier MacDonald and Royal Vale), will
take place on May 3 (7 p.m.) at the Leonardo
Da Vinci Center (8350 Lacordaire
Boulevard) in St. Léonard.
VOICE OF JADE: Although it was an
automated voice, Jade Bell’s anti-drug
message to Cycle 3 students at St. Monica
Elementary School in N.D.G. last month
captivated their attention completely.
Students were shown first-hand what a selfdestructive path of alcohol and drugs at an
early age can lead to. The Cycle 3 students
patiently waited as he typed out his anti-drug
message in Morse Code which was then
translated by a computer and turned into an
automated voice. They were encouraged to
ask him questions regarding how he got
started in such a downward spiral at such a
young age. They saw a video of what Jade’s
life was like before he began taking drugs
and now sitting in front of them was a young
man who was blind, paralysed and mute. He
could have been their big brother.
Students and teachers were brought to tears
as Jade, propped up by his caretaker,
welcomed handshakes and hugs from each of
our Cycle 3 students. They were as moved by
the young man himself, as they were by his
message.
POWER WITHIN: Former American
President Bill Clinton and Tour de France
legend and “Live Strong” cancer survivor
Lance Armstrong will be the keynote
speakers at the next Power Within
(www.powerwithin.com)
conference
in
Montreal on Tues. March 7 at the Palais des
Congrès. Just as was the case last summer
when Dr. Phil McGraw headlined the list of
speakers, a special rate is being offered to
EMSB personnel. Log on to www.emsb.qc.ca
for all of the details.
BRAIN TUMOUR FUNDRAISER: The
second annual Franco Di Giovanni
Foundation Social Night Fundraiser will take
place on Saturday, March 25 at Salles de
reception Villa Italia (8600 Maurice
Duplessis
Blvd.)
in
RDP
Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m., followed by
dinner at 6:30 p.m. Door prizes will be
raffled off. There will also be auctions of gift
and sports memorabilia. All proceeds go to
the Montreal Neurological Institute and
Hospital Brain Tumour Research Centre.
Tickets are $100 each. For more information
DEMIM DAY: The Cure Foundation has
notified the EMSB that schools, centres and
central head office together raised $24,783.35
for the 2005 National Denim Day. This
annual event enables the Foundation to
continue its efforts to improve the outcome
for those affected by breast cancer through
the funding of research, education and
awareness across Canada. The 10th
anniversary edition of National Denim Day
will be on Tuesday, May 16.
ADULT
EDUCATION
VOCATIONAL SERVICES
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY 27, 2006
Family Literacy Day
FEBRUARY 3, 2006
Chinese New Year Celebration
“Year of the Dog”
Bancroft Elementary School
4563 St. Urbain Street
Noon
AND
11
Info: 845-8031
FEBRUARY 6-10, 2006
EMSB Elementary School Registration Week
FEBRUARY 15-18, 2006
CRC Robotics Competition
College Regina Assumpta
1750 rue Sauriol E.
www.robo-crc.ca
FEBRUARY 20-24, 2006
Professionals In Education Week
MARCH 6-10, 2006
Spring Break
MARCH 7, 2006
Power Within Conference
Featuring former US President Bill Clinton
and Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong
Palais des Congrès
www.powerwithin.com
MARCH 25, 2006
The Franco DiGiovanni Brain Tumour
Awareness Fundraising Social
6:30 p.m.
Buffet Villa Italia
8600 Maurice Duplessis Boulevard
R.D.P.
Paul VI High School
17th Annual Fundraiser Dinner Dance
6 p.m.
Salle de Reception Le Châteaubriand
7985 Maurice Duplessis
R.D.P.
MARCH 26, 2006
Bell Montreal Regional Science and
Technology Fair, Centennial Regional H.S.
880 Hudson Ave. Greenfield Park
www.exposciencesbell.qc.ca
APRIL 19, 2006
EMSB Volunteer Appreciation Evening
APRIL 26, 2006
Secretaries Day
APRIL 28, 2006.
Terry Fox Run
Lester B. Pearson High School
Montreal North
MAY 3, 2006
Brain Waves Gala
(Rosemount H.S., J.F.K. H.S.,
MacDonald H.S., Royal Vale)
7 p.m.
Leonardo
Da
Vinci
8350 Lacordaire Boulevard
St. Léonard
MAY 11-13, 2006
Canadian
Association
Conference
Quebec City
www.cap2006.ca
of
Laurier
Center
Principals
Bell Montreal Expo Sciences
Regional
Finals (Primary), Aréna Etienne-Desmarteau
3430
Bellechasse
(www.exposciencesbell.qc.ca)
MAY 16, 2006
National Denim Day
MAY 19-20, 2006
Québec Robocup Junior, École Secondaire
Père Marquette 6030, rue Marquette
Montreal www.sciencetech.ca
LaurenHill Academy Annual Dance Show
Theatre Denise Pelletier
MAY 25-27, 2006
Canadian School Boards
Association Congress 2006,
QESBA
Delta Centre-Ville
MAY 30, 2006
hosted
by
12
In-School Administrators Fashion Show
Fashion for Compassion
EMSB in Vogue Act II
7 p.m.
Hellenic Community Center
5777 Wilderton
Tickets: $20 each
Cheques can be forwarded to Tina Lavranos,
Gardenview Elementary School; Connie
Primiano,
Honoré-Mercier
Elementary
School; Paul Saunders, central head office
Info: (514) 483-7200, ext. 7379
All proceeds will go to the autism clinic of
the Montreal Children's Hospital
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Outstanding Student Awards
JUNE 29, 2006
EMSB Scholarship Golf Tournament
Lachute Club ((355 Bethany Road)
Info: (514) 483-7200, ext. 7379
*schools
PLEINS FEUX SUR FIELDING
ALPHABÉTISATION FAMILIALE : À
l’occasion de la Journée familiale
d’alphabétisation, le vendredi 27 janvier, et
dans le cadre de la Semaine de la
bibliothèque de la CSEM, l’école primaire
Roslyn lancera son nouveau programme Born
to Read. Le comédien/personnalité de la
télévision/magicien David Acer, ancien
élève de Roslyn, sera parmi les invités
d’honneur lors du lancement officiel qui aura
lieu à 10 h. En 1990, le premier programme
canadien « Born to Read » a été lancé à New
Carlyle en Gaspésie dans le but d’encourager
les familles à commencer à lire aux enfants
peu après leur naissance. Lorsque les
mamans amenaient leurs enfants à la clinique
pour leurs premiers vaccins, elles recevaient
un attrayant sac à livre orné du logo de
« Born to Read ». Lors du lancement du
programme au gymnase de l’école, les
familles de Roslyn ayant des nouveaux nés
recevront des livres en cadeaux. Cette
initiative est appuyée par la Fédération des
associations des foyers et écoles du Québec
et par l’Association parents-élèves de Roslyn.
En sus de Acer, les invités liront de
nombreux extraits de livres favoris d’enfants
aux élèves de Roslyn afin de souligner
l’importance et la joie de la lecture. Mieux
connu pour son rôle de Snowflake # 2 dans la
production de « Hey Kids : It’s Winter! » de
la classe de 3e année de Mme Vineberg, Acer
est actuellement le co-animateur et corédacteur de la série Mystery Hunters de
Discovery Kids.
ÉLÈVES POÈTES : Cinquante-cinq élèves
de 9e année de l’école secondaire Lester B.
Pearson de Montréal-Nord, lanceront leur
propre recueil de poèmes le jeudi 26 janvier à
la bibliothèque de l’école. Ce lancement aura
lieu durant la Semaine de la bibliothèque de
la Commission scolaire English-Montréal.
L’enseignant Michael Sweet, poète publié,
qui a voulu respecter le programme d’études
tout en faisant un impact communautaire
positif, a conçu cette idée comme moyen de
levée de fonds pour l’hôpital de Montréal
pour enfants. M. Sweet a souligné que le
projet a été très exigeant mais énormément
bénéfique. « Le projet a été générateur
d’apprentissage car les élèves ont appris à
appliquer des connaissances qui sont souvent
négligées dans les écoles » a-t-il déclaré
« Grâce à l’apprentissage créatif, l’édition, la
publication, l’art et le design, la
philanthropie, le marketing et la gestion de
fonds et même le commerce électronique (le
livre sera vendu sur Amazon.com), les élèves
ont couvert une très grande partie du
programme d’études. » À ce jour, les élèves
ont recueilli plus de 400 $ en droits d’auteur
pour l’hôpital et ils espèrent pouvoir lui
présenter un chèque vers la fin de l’année
scolaire.
L’IMPACT DE MONTRÉAL : L’Impact
de Montréal (www.impactmontreal.com), la
CSEM et la Commission scolaire de
Montréal (CSDM) ont annoncé la création
d’un nouveau programme visant à contrer le
13
décrochage intitulé « Jusqu’au bout avec
l’Impact » et à promouvoir l’importance de
poursuivre ses études. Le lancement officiel
aura lieu à l’école primaire Edward Murphy
(6800 Pierre de Coubertin) le mercredi 1er
février à 10 h. Au cours des prochaines
semaines, les joueurs de l’Impact visiteront
les écoles primaires de la CSEM et de la
CSDM et discuteront avec les enfants de
l’importance de rester à l’école et de
s’efforcer d’atteindre l’excellence. Dans le
cadre de ce partenariat, la partie du 14 juin de
l’Impact contre les Silverbacks d’Atlanta sera
dédiée aux commissions scolaires. L’impact
organisera une cérémonie spéciale avant la
partie pour reconnaître quelques élèves
exceptionnels et remettre des bourses
d’études aux meilleurs élèves. Ces bourses
d’études seront nommées en l’honneur de feu
Tony Licursi, le statisticien de longue date
de l’Impact qui est décédé récemment. M.
Licursi était membre de l’Association des
anciens élèves de l’école secondaire James
Lyng de la CSEM. L’Impact lancera la saison
2006 de la première division des United
Soccer Leagues le dimanche 23 avril en
Floride en jouant contre l’équipe d’expansion
Miami F.C. L’Impact jouera la 13e partie
d’ouverture de saison locale au Complexe
Claude Robillard le dimanche 21 mai contre
le Minnesota Thunder.
LE COEUR POUR LA VIE : La CSEM
tiendra à nouveau un rôle de leadership au
cours de la Semaine du Cœur (13 au 17
février). Le lancement officiel auquel
participeront des célébrités aura lieu le
vendredi 10 février à 10 h à l’école primaire
Général Vanier de Saint-Léonard. Cette
activité survient à un moment critique pour
l’hôpital de Montréal pour enfants qui se bat
pour demeurer un centre de services
pédiatriques complets. Le ministère de la
Santé et des services sociaux du Québec a
récemment fait une proposition à l’hôpital
pour enfants du CUSM et à l’hôpital SainteJustine au sujet de la complémentarité
pédiatrique. Cette proposition a de sérieuses
conséquences pour les soins des patients,
pour le programme de formation en pédiatrie
de la Faculté de médecine de l’Université
McGill et pour la recherche pédiatrique.
L’an dernier, les écoles de la CSEM ont
recueilli plus de 10 000 $. Les élèves ont
porté du rouge lors d’une « journée rouge »
désignée par chaque direction d’école. Ce
même programme, coordonné par la
Fondation des maladies du cœur avec l’appui
de la Fondation de l’hôpital de Montréal pour
enfants du Centre universitaire de santé
McGill (CUSM) se poursuivra.
Mario Bentrovato, président du conseil
d’établissement de l’école primaire Edward
Murphy, coordonne la campagne. Il souligne
qu’un enfant sur 100 né avec une défectuosité
au cœur et sa jeune fille fait partie de ce
groupe. La Fondation des maladies du cœur
désire accroître la sensibilisation à ce
problème parmi les enfants qui jouissent de
cœurs normaux et sains. La Fondation des
maladies du cœur est un organisme associé à
la Fondation de l’hôpital de Montréal pour
enfants. Actuellement, elle lève des fonds
pour renforcer le programme pédiatrique de
déficience cardiaque en étendant ses activités
au domaine de transplantation cardiaque
pédiatrique et au programme de dispositifs
artificiels–un nouveau programme qui est
unique au Canada. Toutes les écoles
primaires de la CSEM ont reçu des trousses
d’information.
SENSIBILISATION AUTOCHTONE : Le
bureau des affaires publiques du ministère de
la Défense (Région du Québec) présente
plusieurs activités pour le mois de l’Histoire
noire et des autochtones. En février, des
canadiens noirs et autochtones d’à travers
tout le Canada célèbreront le mois de
l’Histoire noire et des autochtones. Pour
soutenir ces activités culturelles, le bureau
des affaires publiques du ministère de la
Défense (Région du Québec) en collaboration
avec le centre de recrutement des Forces
armées canadiennes offrira des présentations
aux écoles élémentaires et secondaires sur
14
l’histoire des noirs et des autochtones au sein
des forces armées canadiennes. Ces
présentations dynamiques et fascinantes
donneront une foule d’informations peu
connues au sujet de l’histoire militaire du
Canada. Conscient que la plupart des écoles
ne peuvent avoir que des présentations de 40
minutes, le programme qui est de près de 2 h
30 peut être adapté aux besoins de chaque
école. Le programme consiste en une
présentation de 30 minutes en Power
Point/conférence donnée par un ou des
membres des Forces armées, suivie par deux
films (l’un sur les canadiens noirs et l’autre
sur les autochtones). Le ministère est flexible
et ouvert aux suggestions sur la façon dont
votre école désire avoir cette présentation.
Par exemple, quelques écoles demandent
qu’un membre des Forces armées parle aux
élèves de la vie d’un noir ou d’un autochtone
au sein de l’armée. Ces présentations seront
offertes tout au long du mois de février. Un
minimum de cinq jours de préavis est requis
pour une réservation. Si vous êtes intéressé
par ce programme, veuillez appeler au (514)
283-3820 ou au (514) 283-5280. Vous
pourrez aussi adresser un courriel à
[email protected].
reconnu en unités, et elle fréquentait les
classes les trois autres jours de la semaine.
Layla était une excellente élève et elle avait
obtenu la note la plus élevée en anglais lors
de son examen d’anglais de mi-année.
DÉCÈS TRAGIQUE D’UNE ÉLÈVE :
Layla (Imane) Khaled, élève de l’école
secondaire innovatrice Perspectives I de
Saint-Michel, a perdu tragiquement la vie
dans un incendie durant la période des fêtes
de Noël. Le 31 décembre au matin, Layla a
été réveillée par une odeur de fumée et elle a
alerté ses amis mais a été incapable de quitter
le bâtiment en flammes. Selon le directeur
Don Houston, c’est grâce à elle qu’ils ont été
sauvés et elle est manifestement morte en
héroïne. Layla était âgée de 16 ans et elle
avait fréquenté l’école primaire Dalkeith et
ensuite les écoles secondaires Lester B.
Pearson et Laurier Macdonald avant de
fréquenter Perspectives I. Elle était reconnue
pour son beau sourire, son rire contagieux et
la capacité de se faire facilement des amis.
Layla était inscrite au programme Volet 2 de
l’école; elle travaillait deux jours par semaine
dans un salon de coiffure, travail qui était
BAZAR À BOSCO : Le bazar annuel de
Noël de l’école primaire St. John Bosco a
remporté, encore une fois, un énorme succès.
Ce bazar avait été organisé strictement pour
les élèves afin qu’ils puissent acheter des
cadeaux pour leurs familles et amis à de très
bas prix et de les faire emballer dans du
papier cadeau sur les lieux. Les élèves de la
maternelle ont été invités à un déjeuner de
Noël par les élèves de l’Alternate School de
Saint-Lambert. Ces élèves du secondaire, qui
font du bénévolat au niveau de la maternelle,
ont défrayé le coût d’un autobus scolaire pour
transporter les élèves et ont préparé un repas
somptueux. Les élèves de la maternelle ont
aussi visité l’Oratoire Saint-Joseph où ils ont
pu admirer les crèches de divers pays.
Finalement, un appétissant petit-déjeuner de
Noël préparé par les parents. L’année 2006 a
Un service commémoratif a eu lieu à l’école
le 16 janvier en sa mémoire et auquel ont
assisté le personnel, les élèves et les anciens
élèves de Perspectives I ainsi que de
nombreux élèves de Perspectives II, sa mère,
sa sœur, son frère et d’autres adultes ayant
connu Layla et qui tenaient à lui rendre
hommage. Au cours de la cérémonie,
plusieurs élèves et membres du personnel ont
témoigné de l’influence de Layla sur leurs
vies. Les élèves ont rédigé des billets qui ont
été placés dans son casier. Chaque élève a
remis un œillet blanc à la mère de Layla.
Layla avait une grande vitalité et de
nombreux rêves pour son avenir, dont
voyager au Maroc et en Nouvelle Zélande,
avoir de bons résultats à l’école et que 2006
soit la meilleure année qu’elle ait eu.
Malheureusement, ces rêves ne seront jamais
réalisés et Layla a laissé un vide que toutes
les personnes qui l’ont connu ressentent
vivement.
15
débuté avec éclat alors que l’école a accueilli
quatre nouveaux élèves.
SWAT : Les élèves de 6e année de l’école
primaire Willingdon de N.D.G. ont eu un
excellent aperçu du travail de la brigade de
choc SWAT du Service de police de
Montréal. La présentation de l’agent Pat
Bourgeois était axée sur la sensibilisation des
élèves à la vraie nature de l’équipe SWAT,
contrairement à celle qui est présentée par les
médias.
JOURNÉE DU DENIM : La Fondation
Cure a avisé la CSEM que les écoles, les
centres et le centre administratif avaient
recueilli 24 783,35 $ lors de la Journée
Nationale du Denim de 2005. Cet évènement
annuel permet à la Fondation de poursuivre
ses efforts visant à améliorer la condition des
personnes atteintes du cancer du sein par le
biais de financement de la recherche,
l’éducation et la sensibilisation à travers le
Canada. La 10e édition de la Journée
Nationale du denim aura lieu le mardi 16
mai.
DATES À RETENIR
27 JANVIER 2006
Journée familiale d’alphabétisation
6-10 FÉVRIER 2006
Semaine des inscriptions au primaire
7 MARS 2006
Congrès Power Within
Mettant en vedette Bill Clinton, ancien
président des États-Unis et Lance Armstrong,
vainqueur du Tour de France.
Palais des Congrès
www.powerwithin.com
11-13 MAI 2006
Congrès de l’Association canadienne des
Directeurs d’école (CAP)
Québec
www.cap2006.ca
25-27 MAI 2006
Congrès 2006 de l’Association
commissions scolaires canadiennes
Sous les auspices de l’ACSAQ
Delta Centre-Ville
des
30 MAI 2006
Défilé de mode des cadres scolaires
Acte II – 19 h, Centre communautaire
hellénique. 5777 Wilderton
Billets : 20 $ Les chèques peuvent être
adressés à Tina Lavranos,
école
primaire
Gardenview;
Connie
Primiano,
école primaire Honoré Mercier; Paul
Saunders,
centre administratif
29 JUIN 2006
Tournoi de golf de la CSEM
Submissions for the Fielding Focus should be
made to Michael J. Cohen by e-mail
([email protected]), fax (483-7213) or drop
it by room 109.