Thursday, October 30, 2014

OCTOBER 29, 2014 EDITION / VOLUME 17 NUMBER 3/ THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE EMSB

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS:  The Director General of Elections of Quebec (DGEQ) has  confirmed that the only people allowed to vote in school board elections on Sunday, November 2, 2014 are those already placed on the list of electors at the board in their territory. Individuals who do not meet this criteria and request to be accepted by showing two pieces of identification will be turned away. Pierre Yves-Bezzaz, The Chief Returning Officer  (CRO) of the English Montreal School Board,  contacted the DGEQ  and requested this information in writing.

“Any contrary information found on the internet or communicated through word of mouth is incorrect,” stated Mr. Bezzaz. “The DGEQ, the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports and the EMSB will do their best to alert the electors that on Sunday, November 2, only those registered on the EMSB electoral list will be permitted to cast their ballots with this school board.”

Any parent who has a child registered in an EMSB youth sector elementary or high school as of September 30, 2014 is automatically on the list.  In addition, any elector who made a choice prior to the November 2007 elections and had his/her name entered on the EMSB electoral list is included. These individuals would have signed a special form. Others domiciled in the same household aged 18 and over who do meet the latter criteria and did not sign a special form prior to October 14, 2014 will not appear on the electoral list.   

CANDIDATE DEBATES: The EMSB Central Parents Committee has been very implicated in the elections, sponsoring three regional “meet the candidate” meetings at John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel, Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard and Royal Vale School in NDG. CPC Vice- Chairman Andrew Ross said that the hope is to engage more parents in the campaign, and increase interest and awareness of the school board elections across the EMSB territory. 

Here are links to some of the debates between the two candidates for chairman.

Anne Lagacé-Dowson on Breakfast TV: http://www.btmontreal.ca/videos/3860510026001/

ENROLMENT:  Preliminary figures for enrolment in the EMSB youth sector is 19,647, a decline of 211 students. This is much lower than the original forecast of a drop of 400 to 500 students. Meanwhile, the Adult Education and Vocational Services Department has seen its numbers explode to nearly 20,000 students, bringing the overall EMSB enrolment to close to 40,000. This makes us the largest English public school board in the province.

SUCCESS RATE: The EMSB has recorded the highest success rate in the entire province of Quebec among public school boards, figures released by the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports (MELS) show. The 87.8 percent mark is based on a seven year cohort, meaning it followed the progression of students from 2006 to their graduating year in 2013. It is significantly higher than the 82.3 percent registered in 2013In its Partnership Agreement with the MELS, the EMSB had a goal of 86 percent for graduating class of 2013 and 88 percent for 2020. To put the EMSB’s present numbers in better perspective, the average success rate among all Quebec schools (public and private) is 75.8 percent while it stands at 71.9 percent for public schools only. The complete listing of how each board in the province did can be viewed on the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca. 

EMSB IN THE MEDIA: The EMSB would like to point readers to the media clippings section of our website where we provide links to newspaper articles about our  Board or relevant to the local education system.   

EMSB TV: The EMSB  posts links to television and radio reports, as well as videos produced in-house on our website.  EMSB TV is hosted by Vimeo and we have sections for  EMSB TV Coverage, EMSB Videos and others.


EMSB RADIO GUIDE: EMSB Radio can now be heard via SoundCloud, the world’s leading social sound platform SoundCloud can be accessed anywhere using the official iPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps built on the SoundCloud platform.


HALLOWEEN BROADCASTS: City’s Breakfast Television (www.btmontreal.ca) will broadcast live from Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve for Halloween on Friday, October 31. Meanwhile, Global TV will be live at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West.

PEARSON HOCKEY FEVER ON CITY: In advance of the Montreal Canadiens’ home opener at the Bell Centre on the Rogers Sports Network, City’s Breakfast TV broadcast live from Henri Bourassa Arena in Montreal North with the Lester B. Pearson High School Sport-Études hockey players.

Wilder Weir (in Habs jersey) and the Pearson brigade.
Casey Gagné and two students

High Performance Athletes and how to take a hit

Balancing School and Sports

The Principal and the Goalie

Students from both schools relax.
PEARSON AND NESBITT TOGETHER: Students from Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North and Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount recently returned from a two-day camp in Riviere Rouge, Quebec. Members of LBPHS’ Student Council animated activities and conducted workshops designed to combat bullying. This is the first year that high school students were implicated in Nesbitt’s yearly Grade 6 camp and hopes are it can  become an annual event. It is run in conjunction with the Sun Youth Organization and Nesbitt. The students participated in high school student-led icebreakers, leadership activities, an anti-bullying workshop and experimental learning as a way of promoting teamwork, independence, responsibility and respectIn addition to the aforementioned activities, students had an opportunity to go kayaking, fishing, and roast marshmallows by the campfire. Students prepared and served their own meals and had a great time being together in a beautiful camp setting. Both elementary and high school students emerged from camp,  stronger leaders and wiser, through shared experiences and student mentorship.

STUDENT LEADERS: Student leaders from across the EMSB convened at Lester B. Pearson High School today for a day-long retreat to kick off the 2014-15 academic year. LBPHS' own Student Council began the day with icebreakers and experiential learning activities. The rest of the day was filled with guest-speakers and leadership workshops designed to build bridges, cement relationships and break the ground on another successful year.  
The EMSAC group at their first meeting of the year.

James Watts, educator, principal and founder of Education Plus, discussed the concept of leadership and urged students to be purveyors of changed in the EMSB and in their own schools. Educator, Lawyer, Mediator & Conflict Management Trainer Georgianna Karamitos, led a workshop on teambuilding and communication. The English Montreal Student Advisory Committee (EMSAC) brings students together for monthly meetings in order to develop their leadership skills through workshops, discussions, working on common projects and as a consultative body for the EMSB.
CAREER FAIR: The 15th annual English Montreal School Board (EMSB) Career Fair  took place  October 29 and 30 at St. Pius X Career Centre in Ahuntsic for more than 2,000 Secondary IV students. Jack Dym of Pipe and Piling Supplies Ltd. and RBC Royal Bank are the event’s title sponsors. Among the special guests was  RBC sponsored  Para-Olympic para-cycling competitor Marie-Claude Molnare. Several on air personalities from 92.5 The Beat FM, including Cat Spencer, Sarah Bartok, Shaun McMahon, Natasha Hall and Claudia Marques were also  on hand to talk to students about careers in broadcasting.  Global TV's morning crew of Jessica Laventure, Camille Ross and Richard Dagenais were on hand as well.  
 
Jessica Laventure from Global TV talks broadcasting with students.

Harriet Cohen from EMSB Adult Education and Vocational Services is the Career Fair chairperson. The Student Services and AEVS Departments of the EMSB  coordinate this  program.  Ms. Cohen notes that the main objective of the Career Fair is to provide students with an in-depth exposure to the various educational opportunities available to them.  All students took part in a brief   general information session in the St. Pius X auditorium. Students then had the chance to visit the various exhibition/information booths staffed by representatives from English vocational centres, CEGEPS, universities, Air Canada and some private business colleges. See our photo album from the event.

Cat Spencer and Sarah Bartok meet students from LINKS High School.
MEDIA LITERACY WEEK: MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) are pleased to announce that the theme for Canada’s ninth annual Media Literacy Week (November 3-7, 2014) will focus on the positive uses of social networking by young people.  The official theme of the week – Youth and Social Networking: Creative, connected and collaborative – will encourage teachers and parents to work with young people to promote the wide range of activities they use daily on social platforms. MediaSmarts’ 2013 survey of 5,436 students in Grades 4 to 11, showed there is a high use of social networking by young Canadians. Sites for posting and sharing content such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr were among the top sites, across all age groups. While a primary focus for these platforms is their social lives, students are also using them for learning, creative expression, peer support and advocacy. MediaSmarts and the CTF are very pleased to welcome back YouTube as the 2014 Gold Sponsor of Media Literacy Week. During Media Literacy Week, a variety of activities take place in homes, schools and communities across Canada and internationally, with the goal of promoting the importance of digital and media literacy for children and teens.  To find out how to get involved or become a sponsor of the week, visit: medialiteracyweek.ca.

RETIREES DINNER: The annual EMSB Retirees' Dinner, which took place on October 21 at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Montreal,  honoured 84 now former  employees who worked as educators, administrators, professionals and support staff.  EMSB Chair Angela Mancini, along with EMSB Deputy Director General (Education Division 2) Roma Medwid, Deputy Director General (Education Division 1) Paola Miniaci, Deputy Director General (Administration Division) Angelo Marino, several EMSB Commissioners, and senior administrators  presented each retiree with a special thank-you gift of a Hillcrest Crystalline pitcher. 

Gail Ewing is congratulated by Bernard Praw and Angela Mancini.
Some of the longest serving employees honoured that evening were former EMSB Secretary General Joanne Bisbikos, who retired after 52 years of service to the board; Gail Ewing, who retired as a teacher at LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent after 49 years of service; and Robert Lipscombe, who retired as a teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Villeray after 47 years of service. See the photos in our newly designed Photo Album right here.

STOP.THINK.CONNECT: Last year, the Grade 7 students of LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent worked on an Ethics project called “Stop.Think.Connect.” The goal was to have students sharing their own moral lessons while giving them a chance to look at mistakes they have made and how they would react today had they been able to go back and make better choices. 

As an ethics project, students spent time together brainstorming and remembering events that impacted their lives to give their peers the courage to share their own struggles. The stop.think.connect. book cover was created by one of our student Samantha Pilote Baptista. She has won a beautiful art basket sent by Intel from Santa Clara, California (the 250 students were sponsored by Intel).  STOP.THINK.CONNECT. is the first book to be written by high school students and LHA Academy is the first school in North America to debut this program. The book, which is the final product, has been published and is now available here. 
 
GERALD MCSHANE FACELIFT: The schoolyard at Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North will receive a much needed face-lift, having been awarded $25,000 from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Leisure in order to transform the area into a haven for students, complete with play and rest areas as well as green spacesThe funding is made possible by the MELS “School yard Beautification Measure.”  It enables school boards to develop various projects to promote the physical condition of schools and their surrounding areas, such as schoolyard beautification, in partnership with the community. This measure helps in creating a stimulating and safe environment, conducive to the practice of sports among other tangible benefits. Please see the press release for more.

TERRY FOX UPDATE: The LaurenHill Academy Junior Campus students in St. Laurent invited the students from Summit School to join them  for the Terry Fox Walk of Hope.  Accompanied by the LHA mascot Lincoln, they also connected with  pupils from Gardenview Elementary School and together 1,525 youngsters walked around the two schools.  However, in an interesting development,  Lincoln took over Gardenview as the picture testifies, where we see the LHA mascot taking care of the daily responsibilities of   Principal Evelyn Alfonsi.  LaurenHill Principal Claude Dansereau was very proud of his mascot and praised his level of expertise and dedication… At Roslyn Elementary School, their former caretaker   Eddy Nolan (now at Mountainview) returned to participate in the annual run. The school has raised some $250,000 in 13 years. Here is a clip from Global TV.

LEADERSHIP WITH MACKAY: The 15th annual Westmount High School Leadership / MacKay Centre / Philip E. Layton Terry Fox Walk was held recently at the MacKay Centre School on Decarie Boulevard. Teacher Jeffrey Kosow’s Leadership students were buddied up/ paired with a child from the Mackay Centre School and enjoyed 60 to 75 minutes together running, talking, walking rolling, etc. in their Terry Fox Run. “My students were trained in wheelchair safety, as well as human guided sight as they also paired up with a visually impaired blind student from Philip E. Layton School and did their walk with them as well. after the Mackay Centre Walk,” he said. “There were two Terry Fox Runs for the price of one!”

FIRST READ PROGRAM: Coronation Elementary School in Côte des Neiges became the first elementary school in Canada to launch First Book Canada’s First Read Program on October 2.  TD Bank and First Book, a charity that has distributed over 100 million books to inner city schools in Canada and the United States,   teamed up with local author Marie Louise Gay to hand out books to students from Kindergarten to Grade 2. Born in Quebec City, Gay is the award-winning author of the Stella and Sam series of children’s books. Over the course of her career, she has earned multiple Governor General Awards as well as the 2005 Vicky Metcalf Award, the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Mr. Christie’s Book Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award. In addition to the new books, 30 employees from TD Bank were on hand to read to the children as well. In May, Coronation Elementary School was one of 20 schools across Canada to receive the “Love of Reading” grant from Chapters/Indigo. Chapters/Indigo CEO and Founder Heather Reisman and The Love of Reading Foundation donated $60,000 to the school. The school has already begun using the grant to purchase new books for the school’s library.

ST. DOROTHY’S EXPERIENCE: On Friday, October 3, St. Dorothy Elementary School's Kindergarten and Cycle 1 students took part in a wonderful reading event sponsored by the TD Bank of Canada, in partnership with the organization First Book Canada.  First Book provides access to new books for children in need.  Students in Kindergarten and Cycle 1 were excited to meet author Marie-Louise Gay (author of the Stella and Sam series) and have her read to them.  Grade 6 students interviewed Ms. Gay and learned a little bit more about her. 
Some eager readers.
Students were then treated to two free books thanks to the generosity of the TD Bank and First Book Canada, and had the pleasure of being read to by over 25 TD Bank volunteers who came to St. Dorothy to participate in this reading event.  Students  could be seen thoroughly interested and enjoying themselves as they participated in this event to promote the joy of reading.  St. Dorothy School is also the recipient of a $1000.00 book grant thanks to the TD Bank book grant, which will be used to buy books for their students to help further their love of reading. 

Principal Rebelo rewards student Francis Pena.
AWARDS AND PASTA: Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in Ahuntsic held its annual awards ceremony recently. The students were honoured for their academic achievements for the 2013-2014 academic year. Principal Steven Rebelo took the opportunity to congratulate students who made both the Principal’s Honour Roll (over 90 percent overall average) and the Honour Roll (over 85 percent overall) for all three terms.   Meanwhile, the school’s first fundraiser of the year organized by the Parent Participation Organization (PPO) organized a delicious pasta dinner. It was a great opportunity to have the community come together and enjoy a fun-filled evening. 
New citizens are sworn in.
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY: During Citizenship Week, Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in St. Michel had the pleasure to host a Citizenship Ceremony.   Over 50 new citizens took The Oath of Citizenship. Grades 4, 5 and 6 students   participated in this event.  
URBAN ARTS: James Lyng High School in St. Henri branded as an Urban Arts School, launched its newly integrated Media Arts course by inviting renowned documentary photographer Jamel Shabazz to present a workshop to Secondary V students.  Shabazz has been documenting the ‘Urban Life’ for over 30 years. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he picked up his first camera at the age of 15 and proceeded to record the world around him. Jamel has drawn inspiration from the great James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks, Robert Capa, Chester Higgins and Eli Reed. The author of three monographs, he is presently working on his fourth book, entitled ‘The 90’s'. Shabazz is dedicated to mentoring youth, both in the field of photography and career planning. The workshop took place on  October 9.

MARYMOUNT READS: This article was prepared by  Piraveen Paranitharan from the IB Council Public Relations:

Marymount Academy International had the honor and privilege to have Mr. Pete Hautman visit our school as the third author in the Marymount Reads program. Mr. Pete Hautman is a well-known author who has written over 140 short stories and books. With 28 published works, the book Marymount has focused on is the 2004 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Godless. Godless is a book that talks about Jason, a teenage boy, that that creates a new religion with his best friend Shin. They decide to worship the water tower they call “ten legged one.”  Mr. Pete Hautman elaborated on the process of writing story. He made the story funny in order to write novel about a young protagonist who creates his own religion without offending too many people. He also mentioned that the two main character of the book, Jason and Shin, are indeed two different personalities of Mr. Pete Hautman himself. He said that he wanted to take two parts of his personality and use them as two different characters in the book.

Welcoming the noted author.

Mr. Pete Hautman also gave a brief biography of himself and we found out that he has held many different jobs, including a pineapple cutter, truck driver, painter and a comic book writer. Mr. Hautman led a writing workshop for students of Secondary 5 in the afternoon. Earlier, in his honour, a Karaoke program was organized where he donated one of his newer best sellers “Rash” as a prize to one of our students. 

THE SPIRIT OF GIVING: In preparation for the holidays, the EMSB will once again be teaming up with the Canadian Armed Forces to support CTV Montreal’s annual “Spirit of Giving” campaign, which brings much needed assistance to the less fortunate throughout Montreal.   In early December, non-perishable food, toys and miscellaneous items, such as soap and cleaning supplies, will be collected, sorted and donated to Share The Warmth, West Island Assistance Fund, Renaissance Montreal, Multicaf, Parc Extension Share Store, Le Bon Dieu Dans La Rue, Batshaw Youth and Family Services and the N.D.G. Food Depot. In all, the combined efforts of the EMSB, its schools and facilities will hopefully generate over 600 boxes of non-perishable food, and over 40,000 toys and miscellaneous items.   Marymount Academy International in NDG will serve as the main hub for the collection.  Principal Elizabeth Lagodich is thrilled to have her facility assume the role of the main hub for the very first time. Many of the participating EMSB schools will organize a series of events set to encourage donations, and a number of schools will be featured on CTV Montreal’s mid-day and nightly news programs throughout the duration of the campaign. 

TOY TEA: Students from the EMSB will once again work towards collecting new toys for the 23rd annual Christmas and Chanukah Toy Tea, to be held at Tudor Hall on the fifth floor of Ogilvy’s Department Store on December 3. The toys will benefit over 5,000 children who are being sheltered and protected from abuse, or violence, as well as other children’s charities. This will be the 12th year of the EMSB’s involvement in the Toy Tea Campaign, which is an initiative of former Spiritual, Religious and Moral Education Consultant, Irene Miller. 

Student representatives from each school, along with their respective spiritual community animators, teachers, administrators and parent volunteers, will attend the event to drop off their donated toys and receive special certificates of participation from Claire Kruyt, the Toy Tea’s chairperson, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event will also feature the singing of Christmas carols by several school choirs.  Schools can participate by collecting new non-violent toys. While non-violent toys are preferred and can be delivered unwrapped to Tudor Hall between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on December 3,   donations and cheques endorsed to the Toy Tea would also be greatly appreciated. Log on to www.toyteamontreal.org for more information.
Brandy
BRANDY MEMORIAL: The John Grant High School Community in Côte Saint-Luc had the opportunity to honour the life of Brandy Gerro at a memorial celebration organized by Joseph Monachino, Spiritual and Community Animator.   Brandy was a student at the school who passed away unexpectedly in August. The service allowed staff and students to pay tribute to Brandy and celebrate what made her special, memories that will live on in each person who met her.  The service included an address by the school’s principal James Fequet, student read poems, songs, lighting of memorial candles, and a video presentation created by Brandy’s teacher Ms. C. Rendell-Green.  The memorial celebration allowed all present the opportunity to reflect upon the memories of Brandy that will forever remain in the hearts she touched, and on the gifts that we each share with the world each and every day that create change in others.  The celebration was followed by a balloon release, memorial walk and BBQ.  The John Grant students and staff have also raised funds in Brandy’s honour, and would like to thank the community at large for all those who donated on her behalf.  

G!EE  HIGH SCHOOL SHOWDOWN: On Sunday November 16 (1 p.m.) at the Eric MacLean S. J. Centre for the Performing Arts, Loyola Campus (2477 West Broadway) in NDG,   11 Montreal area high schools will compete in the “Just for Kids” (JFK) Foundation's fifth annual G!EE High School Showdown  benefiting the Montreal Children’s Hospital.  Five of the schools are from the EMSB: defending champions Royal Vale in NDG, Royal West Academy in Montreal West, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North, LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent and Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount. The others are  Bialik, John Rennie, Kuper Academy, Miss Edgar’s & Miss Cramp’s, Selwyn House and Trafalgar School for Girls. This singing and dancing competition, inspired by the hit TV show Glee, will feature a special fifth  anniversary performance by an Alumni All-Star team, comprised of participants of past G!EE events from a variety of local schools. The judges will be Evenko’s Sandra Rinaldimusic producer, songwriter and singer Mac Thornhill,  and owner and artistic director of Danse 1…2…3 Connie Rotella. Virgin Radio’s Tony Stark will emcee the event with Corey Wolofsky. The event is sponsored by Moroccanoil. Organized by the Just For Kids Foundation, proceeds go towards A Growing Promise campaign to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the ENT and Urology Departments at the new Montreal Children’s Hospital. Info: http://jfkfoundation.ca.

THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING PROGRAM: The EMSB Before and After School Enriched (B.A.S.E) Daycare Program is offering a therapeutic horseback riding program to Parkdale Elementary School   in St. Laurent B.A.S.E. students with special needs. Six students, ages four to seven, will spend seven Thursday mornings at the Goldie Equestrian Project in St-Benoît de Mirabel, which offers children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities an opportunity to improve their quality of life. The B.A.S.E. funded program is offered to students at no charge to their parents. Students   visited the horse ranch on October 23 and 30 and have additional trips planned November 6, 20 and 27 and December 4 and 11. Accompanied by daycare educators and childcare workers, the students spend the better part of the school day at the horse ranch from 10 a.m.  to 2 p.m. All the participating students have Autism, ranging from low to high functioning, and some have other special needs as well, such as language impairments or behavioral difficulties. Horse-Assisted Therapy is designed to not only provide the physical benefits of improved posture, balance and a strengthened spine and pelvic muscles, but also emotional, social and cognitive benefits.

CTV  AD CAMPAIGN: The EMSB’s unprecedented television advertising campaign on CTV for the high school sector ran throughout the months of September and October and met with loud applause. Five commercials featured students grouped by schools: Royal West (Matthew Almengo-Raymond) and Vincent Massey (Beatrice Dupont); John Paul I (Jason Carnevale) Laurier Macdonald (Divya Aery)   and Marymount  Academy International (Alexandra Sarmiento); John F. Kennedy (Veronica Melo Martins)  and Lester B. Pearson ( Justin Terassi); Rosemount (Vanessa Aparicio),   FACE (Yocoyani Badillo-Amberg), James Lyng (Iyanla Simmons); Westmount (Tanjena Akhter), LaurenHill (Sarah Vacante)  and Royal Vale  (Joshua Adam Werber). You can see the commercials here.  

Students enjoy their apples.
INTERNATIONAL APPLE PICKING: International students enrolled at Westmount Park Elementary School enjoyed a day of apple picking at Quinn’s Farm on September 19. There were 40 international students from Grades 1 to 6 and coming from the following countries: Syria, Libya, Mexico, China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, United Emirates, Spain and Brazil. The students brought their own lunches while Quinn's Farm provided apple muffins and apple juice for all.

CONCORDIA-EMSB PARTNERSHIP: The EMSB and the Concordia University Athletic Department have announced a new partnershipMore than 600 EMSB students will fill Ed Meagher Arena on Wednesday, November 19 when the Concordia Women’s Stingers  hockey team hosts the Carleton University Ravens for a  10:30 am. face off. 

Students and staff from Royal Vale and EBS meet the Lady Stingers.
Autobus Transco is serving as a main sponsor of this pedagogically themed field trip, which will kick off a new program aimed at creating a consistent link between the university athletes and local schools that extends beyond an annual hockey game. 

Faceoff time.
Student athletes from multiple Concordia teams will join EMSB students throughout the year at a variety of in-school and after-school activities and events.  As academic and athletic mentors for the students, the athletes will promote the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as well as provide examples of how both men and women can achieve success in both athletics and academics. At the press conference held at Royal Vale School in NDG,  four current Stingers-captain Danielle Scarlett and Assistant Captain Alyssa Sherrard, Marie-Joelle Allard and Erica Porter - as well as head coach Les Lawton and assistant coach Julie Chu, a four-time Olympian with the United States National Team, shared the message with students that females too can become elite athletes and concentrate on their academics. Students from Elizabeth Ballantyne School in Montreal West were on hand as well.

OLYMPIC STARS AT EDINBURGH: One week before the Short Track ISU World Cup in Montreal, Olympic medalists Marc Gagnon, Mathieu Turcotte, François Hamelin and Charles Cournoyer will take part in the launch of a children’s book titled “Lucy tries Speed Skating”. It will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 5 (1 p.m.)  at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West (500 Hudson Ave).Gagnon, Turcotte and 1992 Long Track Olympian and executive director of the Fédération de patinage de vitesse du Québec, Robert Dubreuil, now all fathers, as well as Hamelin and Cournoyer, will read this bilingual book to students and this story which promotes fair-play, participation and friendship through speed skating. Thanks to financial support from Olympia Trust Company, more than 1,000 copies of this new book will be donated to a number of  EMSB primary schools, including Edinburgh, to encourage youth literacy. Lucy tries Speed Skating is the second book in this collection from the author and CTV Calgary sports anchor Lisa Bowes. The first story, “Lisa tries Luge,” was launched in 2013.

EMSB GRAD A SUCCESSFUL ACTOR: Rivière des Prairies native and present-day resident Davide Chiazzese is one busy stage actor. Last week he completed his    run as part of the cast of the world English-language premiere of Billy (The Days of Howling at  Théâtre La Chapelle and presented by Talisman Theatre. It was written by Québecois playwright/actor Fabien Cloutier, translated by Nadine Desrochers  and directed by Emma Tibaldo.  From November 13 to 20, the 26 year old graduate of Michelangelo International Elementary School in RDP,  Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North and the John Abbott College Theatre Program, will star in  Teesri Duniya Theatre’s Holocaust-themed play Corpus. In Billy, Chiazzese played the father of a young child who is accused of spreading lice in his daycare.

Chiazzese was introduced to the arts at a very young age as his father was involved with l'Associazione Trinacria, an organization devoted to maintaining Sicilian culture in Quebec through theatre, music and folkloric dancing. After more than 10 years of participating in these community projects, he decided to pursue a career in acting. A graduate of John Abbott in the Professional Theatre Program, in his first year he was awarded the Carla Napier Scholarship, and later appeared on CBC's Triple Sensation, making it to the Top 100 in Eastern Canada.
THE HIGH NOTE: Series’ made directly for the web are becoming quite popular these days. Enter   The High Note, a six part web series  featuring  a cast of  young Montrealers with backgrounds in theatre, film and stand-up comedy.  Performers Rena Hundert, Matt Enos, Matt Lacas, Tania Dos Santos and Joshua Budman, along with writer/director Holly Brace-Lavoie, chose NDG’s Girouard Park as the set for the series which follows a group of inspired but misguided misfits who use their limited musical talent to start a band.   Brace-Lavoie went to FACE School while sisters Kelly and Lori Walker, the executive producer and producer respectively, attended Westmount High. Hundert went to FACE and Dos Santos to Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard. Episode one    launches online on November 5 at  http://www.thehighnoteseries.com. Later that night the first two episodes will screen with live musical performances and stand-up comedy at the official launch party at La Vitrola on Boulevard St. Laurent. The producers from an outfit called Broken Banjo are Brace-Lavoie, Marc Vandry, Kelly Walker and Lori Walker

ANTI-HOMOPHOBIA: Before the onset of summer vacation, the EMSB Pedagogical Services Department launched its third annual Anti-Discrimination poster contest for secondary students. In light of Bill 56 and the Management and Educational Success Agreement (MESA) goal of developing safe and healthy school environments, students from all secondary schools were invited to create posters depicting the short or long term effects of homophobia and heterosexism. After receiving an overwhelming response from students across the EMSB, Lara Renzullo of Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount was chosen as the winner of the contest.   In recognition of her work, Lara’s poster, as well as a poster depicting some of the runners-up, has been distributed to all the high schools, and even some elementary schools. In addition, Lara received a Brault & Bouthillier gift bag of art supplies worth $150. During the 2013-2014 academic year, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North established the Gay-Straight Alliance, a unique club which is open and welcoming to all students.  Westmount High School is expected to also establish a Gay-Straight Alliance during the current school year. 

WORLD PREMATURITY DAY: Last June the Auxiliary of the Jewish General Hospital introduced its latest initiative, the Tiny Miracle Fund. It is aimed at raising funds to purchase the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art Giraffe incubators.  The JGH is one of the largest birthing centers in  Quebec, with approximately 4,500 deliveries each year. Its world-class Neonatal Intensive Care Unit cares for about 700 premature babies and ill newborns.  The JGH Auxiliary is committed to purchasing 20 Giraffe incubators for the NICU.  These highly specialized incubators promote the growth and stability of newborns while offering the least amount of interference in their care. Monday, November 17,  2014 is World Prematurity Day - an annual event that raises awareness of preterm births and the potential consequences  for the babies and their families.    Approximately 15 million babies are born preterm each year, accounting for about one in 10 of all babies born worldwide. The Auxiliary is asking schools to get involved in a number of possible ways:  Purple for Preemies - Ask your students to wear something purple and make a toonie donation; Dress-down Day for Preemies – If your school has a uniform policy, allow for dress-down day and have students make a toonie donation.

The Tiny Miracle Fund provides a wonderful teaching opportunity for students.  It demonstrates the importance of charity, and allows the students to be part of an important global event.  Participating schools will be eligible for an NICU nurse visit during the year, where a short presentation and video will be shown. Debbie Basevitz, for instance,  is the nursing co-ordinator of a clinic for post NICU patients. She attended Gardenview Elementary, St. Laurent High and Sir Winston Churchill (now LaurenHill). She currently is following a premie whose father was also her premature patient at this clinic. For further information, please call the JGH Auxiliary at (514) 340-8216 or email me at rozrinzler@hotmail.com.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING PUBLICATION CASE: At the EMSB Administration Building on Fielding Avenue, you can now find a selection of publications in a new display case right next to the  security desk.  This includes brochures from our Adult Education and Vocational Services Department. Please take a moment to browse what is there and take some papers home with you.

JUMP ROPE:  Schools are being encouraged to participate in the annual Jump rope for heart program, offered to primary schools in Montreal.  Supporting kids' health for more than 30 years, Heart and Stroke Jump Rope for Heart™ encourages kids to get active by skipping rope while they collect pledges for heart disease and stroke research. The program gives children the chance to jump and play alongside 750,000 other kids in more than 4,000 schools across CanadaOver the years, Royal Vale School in NDG, with physical education teacher Norman Katz leading the charge has run very successful events. Here is a poster which describes the program.  Here is the video. For more information, contact Jessica Liberatore at 514 871 8038 #240 or email jessica.liberatore@fmcoeur.qc.ca and log on to fmcoeur.ca  or heartandstroke.ca.

CEDARCREST AND TERRY FOX: Along with Mayor Alan De Sousa and the local police station, Cedarcrest Elementary School hosted a very successful Terry Fox Run recently in which the school raised over $6,000. With the entire student body participating, the students took advantage of an unseasonably warm day to demonstrate their support for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Mayor Alan  De Sousa and other officials congratulate the Cedarcrest team.
Ensuring that the students realized the importance of the cause, Mayor De Sousa participated and spoke to the students as well.“The run was a great success,” said Principal Nadia Sammarco. “We were so excited to have the Mayor in attendance as well as the police department. All of our students participated and along with their parents and the staff, we raised a lot of money for this very worthwhile cause.” 

JFK’S  WORK/ART PROJECT: John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel has been offering the Work Oriented Training Pathway’s Training for a Semiskilled Trade Program for many years. The pathway has proven popular among students because of its unique curriculum that blends classroom academics with onsite job training. Upon completion students are awarded a Certificate from the ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport.  This initiative has been a great success due to the hard work of   Anthony Tonin and Stefan Kazamias. These two teachers are always looking for new ways to enrich the learning of their students. 

The work on display.
Recently, they have been fortunate to have a well known artist, Thibault Zimmer, working with them. He has collaborated with the teachers to integrate Visual Arts into the curriculum. It has encouraged students to make connections between the classroom and the world of work, to be creative in their use of common tools and materials, and express themselves in a positive manner. One of the larger projects students undertook was the restoration and beautification of some school walls. This project enabled students to learn and practice useful trade skills while also giving back to their school community.  A photographic exhibit of their hard work and amazing results is currently on display at the EMSB Administration Building. For more information on the Work Oriented Training Pathway, please contact Travis Hall, Pedagogical Consultant for Career Development, at THall@emsb.qc.ca.

GATORADE: The people from Gatorade’s Social Media Team are creating a video series featuring athletes, coaches and teams who define what it means to Win from Within.  Here are the first two already completed
Gatorade officials came across a Montreal Gazette story about the Alternative United Pit Bulls, a basketball team composed of students from the EMSB’s Alternative Outreach high school system and they were inspired by everything the team has overcome. They recently came to video the team and we await the final version to share with you. The Pit Bulls are coached by teachers John Devlin, Paul Berry and Colin Throness.

EUROPEAN ADVENTURERoyal West Academy in Montreal West recently wrapped up its latest International Student Exchange. Along with present faculty member Andre Vamvakas, and retired faculty members Sidney Westlake, Doug Floen  and Alan Scrivener, 22.

Students and staff in Germany.
Grade 9 students travelled to the Hesse, Rhineland Pfalz, Saarland, Baden-Wurrtemberg and Bavaria regions of Germany with stops in France, Austria and Switzerland interspersed along the way, from September 5 to 21. In the process the students and staff experienced among others; hiking in the Alps above the clouds (Obersdórf), visiting the fairy tale castles of King Ludwig II at Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, medieval cities such as Strasbourg (France), Heidelberg, Riqueweir, Oberammergau, and Regensberg, visiting a 600 year old functioning salt mine near Salzburg (Austria) and taking in the sites of this picturesque city and its fortified palace, a night watchman tour of Munich, as well as biking through the English Garden in Munich, the spectacular Deutches Museum, and two river cruises along the Rhine and Danube Rivers. See the complete press release.

INDIA EXCHANGE: Last summer, the 2014-2016 Royal West Academy India Exchange received our correspondents from India. After nearly a year of preparation, fundraising, and planning, only the experience of hosting our billets was left. All of the Royal West students were filled with anticipation and excitement for their guests to arrive. It was difficult to get to know them only by electronic correspondence, but we finally got to meet them, face to face when they arrived in Montreal on August 21, 2014. 
Mayor Denis Coderre greets the delegation at Montreal City Hall.
What was to come was a week of cultural discovery; they got to learn our customs and traditions, while they were telling us about theirs.  Read students  Romy Shoam and Clara Stewart’s full story here.

EBOLA VIRUS: Parents at the EMSB were recently sent a letter last week from the Health Minister regarding Quebec’s preparedness to deal with any cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD).  The intention of the letter was to alleviate any concerns in any communities with people from EVD-affected countries as well as reaffirm that there is no risk whatsoever to interact with members of these communities, whether in any academic or social settings.  Since the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of EVD in West Africa, a public health emergency of international concern, the Government of Canada has instituted various measures to reduce any risk for travelers to Canada from Ebola affected countries.  To date, no restriction is imposed on people from countries where Ebola virus disease is present or who have been in direct contact with someone from those countries, if he or she has no symptoms that could be associated with EVD. However, persons with symptoms, such as fever accompanied by headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea or fatigue within 21 days of their stay in a country affected by EVD should contact Info-Santé by dialing 811 to obtain information about health professionals.Information and recommendations for travellers to a country affected by EVD, are available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website at the following address: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/vhf-fvh/ebola-fra.php.

John Landry with Principal Demetra Droutsas and DDG Roma Medwid.
SPECIAL GUEST AT RHS GRADUATION: Rosemount High School held graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2014 on October 3.  They were pleased to have Canadian country music artist, Canadian Forces rescue helicopter pilot, and Class of 1988 RHS alumnus John Landry as guest speaker. Mr. Landry began his career as Canadian country music artist, immediately garnering several top ten hits on country music radio and Country music television early on in his career, including the CCMA award for “Top Independent Male Artist of the Year” for his debut album “Forever Took Too Long.”  His  accomplishment in becoming a Search and Rescue Helicopter Pilot with The Canadian Forces as a second career is a further testament to the hard work and dedication that he has invested in all of his pursuits.  His message to the graduates about hard work and pursuing one’s dreams and passions resonated throughout the auditorium and all those in attendance.

ANIMATORS RECOGNIZED: Spiritual Community Animators are an important asset on the front lines of education and the service has a strong impact on students at the EMSB. Students from Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard submitted the name of Spiritual Animator Vince Lacroce as a person who has had a strong positive influence on them. He was recognized by 92.5 The BEAT in the contest  “Tell a Special Person...Thank You.”  He was acknowledged as a person who has a strong positive influence on his students and the community through the programs he puts in place as part of the Spiritual Community Animation Service. 

At the recent Complementary Educational Services Symposium (Caring for the Whole Child), animators Katie Leggitt (Rosemount High School), Elizabeth Pellicone (Lester B. Pearson High School) and Rocco Speranza (Vincent Massey Collegiate) presented workshops on their impact on students as well as certain initiatives in place at schools. See the press release.

CENTAUR FOR SCHOOLS: Centaur Theatre Company is proud to present its Theatre of Tomorrow (TOT) Program (http://www.centaurtheatre.com/highschools.php) for the 2014-2015 season. The TOT program makes live English theatre accessible to high school students at a discounted price. Further program benefits include a teacher’s guide providing background information, discussion topics and improvisation activities; talkback sessions are provided following the performances where students meet the cast, voice their comments and ask questions. http://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb_en/pdf_en/media_en/flyer/2014-09-12-TotS46officialletter.pdf.  For more information or to book a group, please email groups@centaurtheatre.com or call 514-288-1229 ext 245. Visit our website for a list of dates at http://www.centaurtheatre.com/highschools.php The TOT Program is supported by Great West Life, London Life, and Canada Life. For details, email Vanessa Rigaux at groups@centaurtheatre.com.

CORPUS –STORY ON THE HOLOCAUST: Montreal’s Teesri Duniya Theatre will inaugurate its 2014-2015 season with the Quebec premier of Corpus. Presented by the MAI (Montreal Arts Interculturels) as part of their 16th  performing arts season, the play will run from November 12 to 20 at 3680 Jeanne Mance.  The storyline revolves around Megan White, a brilliant Canadian genocide scholar who obsessively collects the stories of war crimes through the internet. She stumbles across an unlikely relationship between a Jewish prisoner in Auschwitz and the wife of a Nazi officer. While investigating their dark and seductive history, Megan is spurred on her quest for academic fame by the unexpected charms of her online lover. Corpus is described as a Holocaust story with a twist, one in which the third generation must confront the legacy of retelling the personal stories. Post performance panel-discussions will take place each Sunday matinee. In class activities for schools, with artists from the production and Teesri Duniya Theatre are also available.  The play is directed by Liz Valdez and stars  EMSB grad Davide Chiazzese.   Here is the flyer.

FACE GRAD ON STAGE: FACE School grad Born and raised Talya Rubin spent 12 years as a resident of Melbourne, Australia where she met her husband Nick James and developed a most unique theatre piece called Of The Cause of Wonderful Things. It is a one-person show, starring Rubin, using projections, miniature dioramas, evocative lighting and an immersive sound design,  creating worlds that are uncanny, subtle and mysterious.
When Rubin became a mom two years ago, she convinced James to relocate to her hometown of Montreal with the promise that they would return to Australia regularly to undertake different theatre projects. It was only a matter of time before Of The Cause of Wonderful Things got a Montreal engagement and that will occur November 4 to 8 at  cozy Théâtre La Chapelle (3700 Rue Saint-Dominique) in the trendy Plateau District. Rubin describes the play as a moving, intricate and darkly comic installation theatre piece about five children who disappear in a small town in the American South.  James directs the production, which is limited to an audience of 50 people per show. “Because of the nature of this play, the idea of filling the hall does not work for this piece,” Rubin explains. “I am up there alone for 65 minutes as we visually create different worlds on stage. Because so much of our engagement these days is passive, it disconnects us from feeling, which I think is a great loss.” See the flyer.
ADMINISTRATOR PHOTOS:  There is a new section on EDocs (the EMSB internal online document sharing program) with administrator photos. Those with access can go to this link and place their user name and password.
TED CONFERENCE: Students from Grades 6 to 11,  are being invited to participate in the third annual TEDxYouth@Montreal conference that will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Collège de Montréal, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The theme this year is Imagine.  Organizers have carefully curated a great roster that consists of 12 speakers and  two performers with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences; our speakers and performers will deliver an afternoon full of ideas, emotions & inspiration!   TEDxYouth@Montreal Imagine Conference is organized and run by volunteers wanting to make a difference in student’s lives; our speakers and partners have also graciously donated their time and money so that we can offer this conference at the lowest cost possible to our attendees. The cost per ticket is $20 per person (snacks and beverages included).   Please visit   www.tedxyouthmontreal.com for more details and to view the talks from their last two conferences. Organizers expect the conference to be sold out, as in the past years, so please ask your students to sign up quickly! If you would like further information please do not hesitate to contact Louise@tedxyouthmontreal.com.  Please note we would also be very happy to provide you with posters should you wish to hang them in your schools. 

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY:  Eight students from St. Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe St. Charles performed live on The Global  TV Morning News recently. Since the arrival of Principal Jim Daskalakis via FACE School, music has been worked into the curriculum at St. Gabriel and resulted in a great success story.  See theperformance of the Viva!Sistema students.

YOUTH PROTECTION WORKSHOP: The Student Services Department organized a workshop entitled “Youth Protection: A Collective Responsibility” on October 1.  Department of Youth Protection (Batshaw Youth and Family Centres) Assistant Director Harley Schwartz and DYP Manager Marisa Trentadue were the guest speakers. The objective of the workshop was to outline the major elements of the Youth Protection Act, which provided a greater understanding of its application as well as provided the opportunity to understand the obligation with respect to ensuring the safety of children.  The presentation also included references to the Multi-sectoral Entente and the role which the school plays in facilitating the appropriate intervention when a child is a victim of physical or sexual abuse by his parents or by an employee within the school.  The notion of when to report such cases was discussed as well as how the EMSB can continue to maintain a strong working relationship with the Department of Youth Protection as we move forward with the objective being the safety of children.

MENTAL HEALTH VIDEO LINK:  Congratulations to Secondary V student Eleni Giannakas from Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard for having the courage to produce  this video on YouTube about her personal battle with depression. “The video was made because of her personal situation; it was a healing tool,” says her mom Gail. “She posted it on Facebook and sent emails. If she can help one person seek help and also make people more aware then she has done what she intended to do. I know she felt that coming from a teenager might make people think twice.”

WALK TO SCHOOL: Continuing the tradition, students from Royal Vale School in N.D.G. 
participate in International Walk to School Day on October 8. The walk began at N.D.G. Park (Corner Marcil and St. Antoine) at 7:15 a.m. Students, parents and representatives from the school had a police escort as they made their way into school.  Elementary school students in over 40 countries walked to school that morning. This program began in 1997 and the success of the campaign has prompted October to be dubbed “International Walk to School” month.  

CBC HOLIDAY CONTEST: Students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 are once again being invited to make submissions to the annual CBC Holiday Story Contest.  Those who have their stories chosen will be able to read them on air on the CBC Homerun program, hosted by Sue Smith. The theme of the contest this year is: Tell Us About Your  Favourite Family Holiday Tradition. Submissions are welcome now until November 14. See the flyer here.

ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES

CORN ON THE COB: The Galileo Adult Education Centre recently hosted their Corn Roast to welcome back all students and teachers. The S.I.S students took part in husking the corn and academic students served out the corn to all students and staff. For many students this was an introduction to the history of the harvest season and experiencing a Quebec tradition “corn on the cob.” This event allowed all students to improve their communication and comprehension skills. It was a true enjoyable event for all, according to two students. “We appreciated this event very much and can’t wait for the next one,” said staffers Van Ngoc Ta and Nancy Leopardi. “It was so nice to be all together and help each other. That’s what Galileo is- a kind and helpful school.” 
Corn on the cob power.

On the evening of October 9, a number of Galileo Adult Centre literacy students and staff were offered the unique opportunity to explore the Foresta Lumina exhibition in the Gorge de Coaticook. This 2 km nocturnal course focused on the park’s natural light; one of Quebec’s most famous and longest pathways with its suspended footbridge. This spectacular light and sound display brought the forest to life by infusing it with Quebec’s folklore and mythology. The students were able to experience both the beauty of Quebec's natural landscape and the rich folkloric history to which it has long been attached. In practicing with the English language, the students expressed their experience and opinion on this unbelievable magical trip.  

SIS Program reps.
SIS PROGRAM: On October 21 Galileo, in partnership with the CRITED de Montréal, opened the doors to welcome 13 new special needs students to our the program which promotes independence and social integration by exploring the students’ personal, social, and school experiences in a stimulating environment. The new students took the time to walk through each classroom and were mesmerized by the  current students’ various talents in art, cooking, music, computers skills, theatre and academics. “Our current S.I.S teachers and students have created a quality of life and an environment that makes our students feel supported and welcomed,” says Principal Martina Schiavone. “At Galileo, our S.I.S students are fully integrated into the Centre’s everyday life and treated as an important people.”  

HIGH SCHOOL OF MONTREAL TEACHER: High School of Montreal Adult Education Centre teacher Max Orlando, who has a PhD in Language and Literature Didactics, has had a paper of his selected to be presented at VOCUM 2014, a conference in translation studies, linguistics, literature and modern languages. This will be on Friday November 21 at the Université de Montréal. He will do so officially under the umbrella of the EMSB Adult Education and Vocational Services Department. Here is the program - http://vocum.ca/programme-vocum-2014.
JAMES LYNG TEACHER SHINES: Vicky Reuter, an English Language Arts teacher at James Lyng Adult Education Centre in St. Henri, was chosen as one of a select few finalists for the CBC and Quebec Writers Federation Short Fiction contest. It's a thread of a story about death and design and colour and the details surrounding important things that are not so important until you pull that thread.  On October 27, the stories were published on the CBC website and members of the public began to vote.   Here is the link.
Vicky Reuter

That process concludes on November 14. The first and second prize winners will be unveiled at a gala on November 18. The third prize will be the Public Award, based on how many votes the story gets on the CBC website. “These contests are very important and quite prestigious,” she says.  “They support English writers in Quebec. My work has been previously published in many places in the US, and also in Rampike, a literary magazine in Ontario, as well as Branch  in Montreal and Hedges at the Université de  Montréal. “My students’ smiles sustain, nourish, and inspire me,” says Vicky. What does she like to write? “Very short stories that break time to pieces and reinvent spaces where poetry and prose meet and do not recognize each other,” she responds. “I like to write stories that are not easy - stories that don't look like stories, gathered from bits of conversation, a swift glance out a window, scientific explanations, song lyrics, and gusts of wind that carry fractured urban ballads. In the same way we cook - adding things, tasting, adding things. When you finish, you have hints of each ingredient. All ingredients embrace each other and become the bigger thing - the soup for example. I like to separate the ingredients and give them their own life.”

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: The Quebec Board of Black Educators and The Rosemount Technology Centre will be hosting their second banquet “Celebrating Community and Leadership” on Saturday November 1 (6:30 p.m.) at Le Nouvel Hotel (1740 Rene Levesque Boulevard West). This banquet will honour the memory of Curtis George, an outstanding educator in the Black and wider Montreal communities. He was a teacher, elementary principal and Assistant Centre Director RTC. The EMSB named Campus Two of RTC in his honour. Mr. George was a member of the Greta Chambers Task Force on English education. He accompanied then Montreal Mayor  Pierre Bourque to Trinidad and they forged a link between that Caribbean country and the City of Montreal. Proceeds will go towards the   EMSB/QBBE  Curtis  George Memorial Scholarship. Tickets are $100 each. They include dinner and a contribution to the scholarship fund, which is tax refundable. Info:    (514) 481-9400 or qbbe@videotron.ca.
 
ÉLECTIONS SCOLAIRES : Les élections scolaires auront lieu le dimanche 2 novembre 2014 avec des candidats/candidates déclaré(e)s pour la présidence et chacun des 10 postes de commissaires. Le vote par anticipation aura lieu le dimanche 26 octobre. Pour la liste des candidats, cliquez ici. Pour être éligible à voter, vous devez figurer actuellement sur la liste permanente des électeurs du Québec, être âgé de 18 ans ou plus, être citoyen canadien, domicilié sur le territoire de la CSEM, être domicilié au Québec depuis au moins six mois, ne pas être sous curatelle et n’avoir pas été reconnu coupable d’un délit de corruption électorale. Tout parent, dont l’enfant est inscrit à une école primaire ou secondaire du secteur des jeunes de la CSEM au 30 septembre 2014, est automatiquement inscrit à la liste électorale. En outre, tout électeur qui a fait un choix avant les élections de novembre 2007 et qui fait inscrire son nom sur la liste électorale de la CSEM, est inclus. Ces personnes auront signé un formulaire spécial. D’autres l’auront fait avant le 14 octobre.

SEMAINE ÉDUCATION MÉDIAS : HabiloMédias et la Fédération canadienne des enseignantes et des enseignants (FCEE) ont le plaisir d’annoncer que le thème de la neuvième Semaine éducation médias du Canada (3-7 novembre 2014) mettra l’accent sur les usages positifs des réseaux sociaux par les jeunes. Le thème officiel de la Semaine – Les jeunes sur les réseaux sociaux : créativité, connexion et collaboration invitera les membres de la profession enseignante et les parents à travailler avec les jeunes pour promouvoir le large éventail d’activités qu’ils mènent quotidiennement sur les plateformes sociales. Le sondage 2013 d’HabiloMédias de 5436 élèves, de la 4e à la 11e année, a démontré une utilisation élevée des réseaux sociaux par les jeunes canadiens. Les sites d’affichage et de partage de contenu, tels que YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter et Tumblr ont été les plus utilisés par tous les groupes d’âge. Bien que l’accent principal des plateformes soit placé sur leurs activités sociales, les élèves les utilisent aussi pour de l’apprentissage, l’expression créative, le soutien de pairs et la promotion. HabiloMédias et la FCEE ont le grand plaisir d’accueillir à nouveau YouTube en tant que commanditaire or de la Semaine Éducation Médias. Au cours de la semaine, une variété d’activités ont lieu dans les foyers, les écoles et les communautés à travers le Canada et à l’échelle internationale dans le but de promouvoir l’importance de la connaissance des médias pour les enfants et les adolescents.

SOIRÉE DES RETRAITÉ(E)S : La Soirée annuelle des retraité(e)s de la CSEM, qui a eu lieu le 21 octobre dernier à l’hôtel Intercontinental du centre-ville de Montréal, a honoré 84 anciens employés de la CSEM, qui ont occupé des postes d’administrateurs, d’éducateurs, de professionnels et de personnel de soutien. La présidente de la CSEM, Angela Mancini, ainsi que la directrice générale adjointe (Division de l’Éducation 2) Roma Medwid, la directrice générale adjointe (Division de l’Éducation 1) Paola Miniaci, le directeur général adjoint (Administration) Angelo Marino, plusieurs commissaires de la CSEM et cadres supérieurs ont présenté à chaque retraité(e) un pichet en cristal Hillcrest. Quelques uns des employés de longue date honorés cette année incluaient l’ancienne secrétaire générale Joanne Bisbikos qui a pris sa retraite après 52 années de service auprès de la Commission ; Gail Ewing, enseignante à l’Académie LaurenHill qui compte 49 années de service et Robert Lipscombe, enseignant à l’école secondaire John F. Kennedy qui a pris sa retraite après 47 années de service. Voir les photos dans le nouvel album de photos ici. https://plus.google.com/photos/104770142881370846508/albums/6073112053025983441?banner=pwa

RÉNOVATIONS À GERALD MCSHANE : La cour de l’école primaire Gerald McShane de Montréal-Nord entreprendra des rénovations grâce à une subvention de 25 000 $ du ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport qui transformera cet espace en un paradis pour les enfants, avec des aires de jeux et de repos, ainsi que des espaces verts. Le financement a été rendu possible par la « Mesure d’embellissement des cours d’école » du MELS, qui permet aux commissions scolaires d’élaborer divers projets d’amélioration de l’état physique des écoles et de leurs environs, en partenariat avec la communauté. Cette mesure aide à créer un environnement stimulant et sécuritaire propice à la pratique des sports, entre autres avantages tangibles.

ARTS URBAINS : L’école secondaire James Lyng de Saint-Henri, désignée comme école des arts urbains, a lancé son nouveau cours intégré Arts des médias, en invitant le renommé photographe documentaliste Jamel Shabazz à présenter un atelier aux élèves du secondaire V. Shabazz , né et élevé à Brooklyn NY, a obtenu sa première caméra à l’âge de 15 ans et a entrepris à enregistrer le monde qui l’entourait. Jamel s’est inspiré des travaux de James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks, Robert Capa, Chester Higgins et Eli Reed. Auteur de trois monographies, il travaille actuellement à son quatrième livre intitulé « The 90’s ». Shabazz est engagé à servir de mentor aux jeunes dans le domaine de la photographie et de la planification de carrière. L’atelier a eu lieu le 9 octobre.

TOY TEA : Des élèves de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) participeront à nouveau à la collecte de nouveaux jouets pour le 23e Toy Tea annuel qui aura lieu le 3 décembre à la salle Tudor, au 5e étage du magasin Ogilvy.

Les jouets seront remis à plus de 5 000 enfants qui sont mis à l’abri et protégé des abus ou de la violence ainsi qu’à d’autres organismes caritatifs pour enfants. Ce sera la 12e participation de la CSEM à la campagne Toy Tea qui est une initiative de l’ancienne animatrice de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire, Irene Miller.

Des élèves de chaque école, en compagnie de leurs animateurs de vie spirituelle, enseignants, et de parents bénévoles assisteront à l’évènement pour remettre les jouets et recevoir des certificats spéciaux de participation, remis par Claire Kruyt, présidente de Toy Tea, ainsi que par M. et Mme Noël. L’évènement mettra aussi en vedette l’exécution de chansons de Noël par diverses chorales d’écoles.

« Toy Tea est une bonne levée de fonds pour une bonne cause, parce que tout le monde sait à qui sont destinés les jouets » déclare Dora Cesta, directrice adjointe des Services aux élèves de la CSEM. « Quel que soit le nombre d’élèves qui participent à cet évènement, l’engagement est toujours présent et les écoles se mobilisent pour aider la campagne. »

Les écoles peuvent participer en recueillant de nouveaux jouets non-violents. Bien que la préférence est accordée à ces derniers, qui peuvent être livrés non emballés à la salle Tudor entre 10 h et 16 h le 3 décembre, les dons et les chèques libellés à l’ordre de Toy Tea sont aussi fortement appréciés. Connectez-vous à www.toyteamontreal.org pour plus de renseignements.

CUEILLETTE INTERNATIONALE DE POMMES : Les élèves internationaux inscrits à l’école primaire Westmount Park ont apprécié une journée de cueillette de pommes à la ferme Quinn le 19 septembre. Il y a eu 40 élèves internationaux de la 1re à la 6e année provenant des pays suivants : Syrie, Liban, Mexique, Chine, Corée, Arabie Saoudite, Émirats Unis, Espagne et Brésil. Les élèves ont apporté leurs propres repas et la ferme Quinn a offert des muffins aux pommes et du jus de pomme à tous les élèves.

ANTI-HOMOPHOBIE : Avant le début des vacances d’été, les Services pédagogiques de la CSEM ont lancé leur troisième concours d’affiche anti-discrimination pour les élèves du secondaire. Dans le cadre de l’objectif de la loi 56 et de la Convention de gestion et de réussite académique de développer dans des environnements scolaires sûrs et sains, les élèves de toutes les écoles secondaires ont été invités à créer des affiches décrivant les effets, à court et à long terme, de l’homophobie et de l’hétérosexisme. Après avoir reçu une réponse enthousiaste de la part des élèves à travers toute la CSEM, Lara Renzullo du Collège Vincent Massey, a été déclarée gagnante du concours, en reconnaissance de son travail. L’affiche de Lara, ainsi qu’une affiche décrivant quelques finalistes, a été distribuée à toutes les écoles secondaires et même à quelques écoles primaires. En outre, Lara a reçu un sac cadeau de Brault & Bouthillier contenant des fournitures d’art d’une valeur de 150 $. Au cours de l’année scolaire 2013-1014, l’école Lester B. Pearson de Montréal-Nord a établi l’Alliance Gay-Straight, un club unique en son genre qui accueille et est ouvert à tous les élèves. L’école secondaire Westmount doit aussi établir un club semblable au cours de cette année scolaire.

CEDARCREST ET LA COURSE TERRY FOX : En compagnie du maire Alan De Sousa et le poste local de police, l’école primaire Cedarcrest a récemment organisé une course Terry Fox couronnée de succès qui a permis à l’école de recueillir plus de 6 000 $. Les élèves ont profité d’une journée très clémente pour démontrer leur appui à la Fondation Terry Fox. Afin de s’assurer que les élèves réalisent l’importance de la cause, le maire De Sousa y a participé et s’est aussi adressé aux élèves. « La course a remporté un grand succès » a déclaré la directrice Nadia Sammarco. « Nous avons été ravis de la participation du maire et du service de police. Tous nos élèves ont participé à la course, en compagnie de leurs parents et du personnel, et nous avons recueilli beaucoup d’argent pour cette cause très digne d’intérêt. ».

VIRUS EBOLA : Les parents de la CSEM ont récemment reçu une lettre du Ministre de la santé au sujet de l’état de préparation du Québec pour traiter tous cas de virus Ebola. Le but de cette lettre était d’alléger toutes préoccupations dans les communautés ayant des membres provenant de pays affectés par l’Ebola ainsi que de réaffirmer qu’il n’y avait absolument aucun risque à interagir avec les membres de ces communautés. Depuis que l’Organisation mondiale de la santé a déclaré l’éclosion de l’Ebola en Afrique de l’Ouest, une situation d’urgence, d’envergure internationale, le gouvernement du Canada a mis en place diverses mesures visant à réduire tous risques pour les voyageurs en provenance de pays affectés par l’Ebola. À ce jour, aucunes restrictions ne sont imposées aux personnes de pays où sévit l’Ebola ou qui ont été en contact direct avec une personne de ces pays si elle n’a aucun symptôme qui pourrait être associé à l’Ebola. Cependant, les personnes qui démontrent ces symptômes, tels que de la fièvre accompagnée de maux de tête, de douleurs musculaires, de vomissements, de diarrhée ou de fatigue, dans les 21 jours de leur séjour dans un pays affecté par l’Ebola, devraient communiquer avec Info-Santé en composant le 811 pour obtenir de l’information. Les recommandations et les informations pour les personnes qui se rendent dans un pays affecté par l’Ebola sont disponibles au site Web de l’Agence de santé publique du Canada, à l’adresse suivante : http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/vhf-fvh/ebola-fra.php.

ATELIER PROTECTION DE LA JEUNESSE : Les Services aux élèves ont organisé le 1er octobre, un atelier intitulé « Protection de la jeunesse – une responsabilité collective ». Le directeur adjoint du Service de la protection de la jeunesse (Centres de la jeunesse et de la famille Batshaw) Harley Schwartz et la directrice du département Protection de la jeunesse, Maria Trentadue, étaient les conférenciers invités de l’atelier. L’objectif de l’atelier a été de souligner les éléments majeurs de la Loi de la protection de la jeunesse, qui ont permis de comprendre son application ainsi que de donner l’occasion de comprendre l’obligation du respect d’assurer la sécurité des enfants. La présentation a aussi inclus des références à l’Entente multisectorielle et au rôle de l’école pour faciliter l’intervention appropriée lorsqu’un enfant est victime d’abus physique ou sexuel de la part de ses parents ou d’un employé de l’école. La notion du moment opportun de rapporter de tels cas a été discutée ainsi que la façon dont la CSEM peut continuer à maintenir une forte relation de travail avec le Département de la protection de la jeunesse.

SERVICES DE L’ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE

CÉLÉBRATION DU LEADERSHIP COMMUNAUTAIRE : Le deuxième banquet du Conseil des éducateurs noirs du Québec et du Centre de technologie Rosemont (CTR) « Célébration de la communauté et du leadership » aura lieu le samedi 1er novembre (16 h 30) au Le Nouvel Hôtel (1740, boulevard René Lévesque ouest). Ce banquet célèbrera la mémoire de Curtis George, un éducateur exceptionnel de la communauté noire et de Montréal. Il a été enseignant, directeur d’école primaire et directeur adjoint du CTR. La CSEM a nommé le campus II du CTR en son honneur. M. George a été membre du Groupe de travail Greta Chambers sur l’éducation en anglais. Il a accompagné le maire Pierre Bourque à Trinidad où ils ont forgé un lien entre ce pays des Caraïbes et la Ville de Montréal. Le coût du billet, qui inclut le diner et une contribution au fonds de bourse d’études, est de 100 $ et le produit de la soirée sera versé à la Fondation de la bourse d’études Curtis George. Info : (514) 481-9400 ou qbbe@videotron.ca.

UNE ENSEIGNANTE DE JAMES LYNG SE DISTINGUE : Vicky Reuter, enseignante d’English Language Arts au Centre d’éducation des adultes James Lyng, a été choisie comme l’une des quelques finalistes sélectionnées du Concours de courte fiction de CBC et de la Fédération des écrivains du Québec. Son récit parle de la mort, du design et de la couleur ainsi que des détails entourant des choses qui ne sont plus si importantes, une fois que vous en déroulez le fil. Le 27 octobre, ces récits ont été publiés au site Web de CBC et les membres du public ont commencé à voter et ce processus se termine le 14 novembre. Le premier et le second prix seront dévoilés le 18 novembre.  Le troisième prix sera le Prix du public, basé sur le nombre de votes obtenus au site Web de CBC. « Ces concours sont très importants et prestigieux » déclare Vicky Reuter. « Ils appuient les écrivains anglophones du Québec. Mon travail a été déjà publié à plusieurs endroits aux E.U. ainsi que dans Rampike, une revue littéraire de l’Ontario ainsi que dans Branch à Montréal et Hedges à l’Université de Montréal. « Le sourire de mes élèves me soutient et m’inspire. » Qu’est-ce qu’elle aime écrire? De très courts récits qui fractionne le temps et réinventent des espaces où la poésie et la prose se rencontrent et ne se reconnaissent pas, poursuit Vicky. « J’aime écrire des récits qui ne sont pas faciles – des récits qui ne ressemblent pas à des récits, recueillis de bribes de conversation, d’un regard rapide à travers la fenêtre, des explications scientifiques, de paroles de chansons, de coups de vent qui portent des ballades urbaines fracturées et de la même façon dont nous cuisinons – ajouter des ingrédients et goûter. Lorsque vous terminez, vous avez un soupçon de chaque ingrédient. Tous les ingrédients se mélangent et se transforment – par exemple, comme pour la soupe. J’aime séparer les ingrédients et leur donner leur propre vie. »

DATES IMPORTANTES

25 octobre 2014
Congrès de l’Association parents-élèves du Québec

29 et 30 octobre 2014
Foire des carrières de la CSEM
Centre des carrières St. Pius X

3 au 7 novembre 2014
Semaine éducation médias

10 au 14 novembre 2014
Semaine internationale de la science et de la paix

11 novembre 2014
Jour du Souvenir

16 novembre 2014
Journée internationale de la tolérance

17 au 21 novembre 2014
Semaine des professionnels en éducation

27 au 28 novembre 2014
Congrès de l’Association provinciale des enseignantes et enseignants du Québec

The next Focus will be published on  November  27, 2014  Submissions should be made to Michael J. Cohen preferably by  e-mail (mcohen@emsb.qc.ca) by November 21, 2014

If you no longer wish to receive the EMSB Focus please go to www.emsb.qc.ca/antispam



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