Thursday, December 17, 2020

DECEMBER 18 2020 EDITION / VOLUME 23 NUMBER 5/ THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE EMSB (MIKE COHEN, EDITOR/MANON BOURASSA, TRANSLATION)

The official announcement of the new pilot project took place in front of Royal Vale.

PILOT PROJECT FOR REGISTRATION: The English Montreal School Board has announced that Elementary School Registration Week for the 2021-2022 academic year will take place from Monday, February 1 to Friday, February 5. If one child from a family is already enrolled in a particular school, a sibling registration period will take place a week earlier.

This year five schools will be part of a pilot project whereby parents must book a registration appointment online as of Monday, January 25 at 7 am. They are: Royal Vale in NDG, Merton in Côte Saint-Luc,   Edinburgh in Montreal West; Gardenview in St. Laurent; and East Hill in Rivière-des-Prairies. They will be able to do so by going to www.emsb.qc.ca/reserve. Over the years these schools have had long lineups, some starting days before registration occurred. Parents will be called to validate their information, told if they got a spot and given an appointment time. As per the EMSB enrollment policy, priority will be given to children residing within the school’s distinct boundary. Royal Vale is an exception since it does not have a boundary nor bus transportation.

Watch this wonderful  report from CTV

See The Gazette

Joe Ortona on CJAD with Aaron Rand

REGISTRATION PROCESS: The proper COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed for all schools when parents enter the building to submit the necessary documentation. All pupils registering for the first time are required to provide a birth certificate and vaccination records to the school the child will be attending. Parents will be asked to fill out forms which will allow the school to apply for the certificate of eligibility for English schooling. Under the Charter of the French Language, a certificate of eligibility is generally granted to children who did the majority of their elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada; whose mother or father did the majority of his/her elementary studies in English in Canada or whose brother or sister did the majority of his/her elementary or secondary studies in English in Canada. As a result of language legislation, this criteria excludes studies completed in the Quebec Private School system. Parents are asked to register at the EMSB elementary school nearest their residence offering the French program of their choice. For more information please call (514) 483-7200, extension EMSB (3672) or log on to the Board’s website at www.emsb.qc.ca.

KINDERGARTEN AMBASSADORS: For this year’s EMSB Elementary School Registration Week, we would like to introduce you to our three Kindergarten Ambassadors: Mia Fanzolato from Our Lady of Pompei Elementary School in Ahuntsic; Maharli Musgrave from St. Monica Elementary School in NDG and Yuna Kim from St. Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe St. Charles.  Their images will appear on promotional billboards and information flyers in January. They will also be part of a special video and a podcast in January. 

Interim Director General Russell Copeman has prepared this video holiday message for EMSB stakeholders: https://vimeo.com/491763305 

RETURN TO SCHOOL: All classes are scheduled to resume on January 11.  Some 600 devices will be made available to students in need for online learning.

ENROLMENT REPORT: As of September 30, the EMSB had 18,599 students attending elementary and high schools (including 544 in the Virtual School). In addition to that, there are 1,592  students enrolled in   homeschooling   for a grand total of 20,191 students in the youth sector. Due to COVID-19 there has been a drop of 850  temporary stay and international students.

EAST END FACEBOOK PAGE: The EMSB Communications and Marketing Division and Parent Commissioner Maria Corsi are pleased to announce  a new collaborative effort. Ms. Corsi's former 'Save Our East End Schools" Facebook page has been changed to "Focus on East End Schools." A sub-committee of  Michael Cohen and Daniel Smajovits from Communications and Marketing will work with Ms. Corsi, Chair Joe Ortona, Commissioners Pietro Mercuri  and Mario Bentrovato and Parent Commissioner Tony Speranza to grow the page as a promotional vehicle for East End schools. More initiatives will be unveiled in 2021. Please like this page  at https://www.facebook.com/EastEndMontrealSchools.

The team at Dunrae Gardens with Christine Long from CTV.

SPIRIT OF GIVING: For more than a decade the EMSB has partnered with CTV Montreal for the Spirit of Giving campaign, collecting non-perishable goods, toiletries and toys to fill boxes to be donated to local charities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign will be collecting monetary donations exclusively online this year. Such a procedure was already in place for the last two years as an option. For more details go to https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/more/spirit-of-giving. The CTV Spirit of Giving started out over 20 years ago as a food drive for local charities, and included collections from schools, as well as local businesses.  Donations are being accepted until January 3. Some schools are also physically collecting money from various internal fundraisers and plan on making donations at the end of the holiday season.  CTV’s Christine Long filed reports from 10 schools: Roslyn, Gardenview, Michelangelo, LaurenHill Academy, Wagar Adult Education Centre, Carlyle, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy, Honoré Mercier and Dunrae Gardens.

See this CTV report from Dunrae Gardens

See this CTV report from Leonardo Da Vinci Academy

See this CTV report from Honoré Mercier

See this CTV report from Michelangelo International School

See this CTV report from Wagar Adult Education Centre

See this CTV report from Carlyle

See this CTV report from Gardenview

See this CTV report from LaurenHill Academy

See this CTV report from Roslyn


Packages from Carlyle.

CARLYLE STEPS UP: While the Spirit Of Giving campaign moved to an online format this year, the families at Carlyle were still incredibly generous nonetheless. This year, they donated non-perishable goods to the West Island Food Bank, which serves more than 400 families. Amazing job, Carlyle!

DUNRAE DONATES: During the month of December, Dunrae Gardens focused on giving back to those less fortunate. The intentions were to instill in students, virtues and values of kindness, love, generosity and charity, especially during these very difficult times. Students had the opportunity to select a charity of their choice so they donated with a purpose. Give a Toy for Joy campaign is run by the English Montreal School Board. Every child attending of pre-school age in an inner-city school in our board is given a toy. Students who selected this sent an unwrapped toy for a pre-schooler or a monetary donation to purchase a gift on your child’s behalf. As well, students sent women’s shelters with kids toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.) kids clothes, toys, and non perishable food items.

Principal Michakis and a happy student.

THAT IS HOW WE ROLL: On December 15, Dunrae Gardens held its annual pancake and pyjama day breakfast. "Unlike other years where we eat together as a family, in the gym, students received their individual portions in their respective classrooms," said Principal Despina Michakis "As well, our very first class had to go online for virtual learning just days before the anticipated event. Because we wanted to ensure that no child is left behind, staff members and family volunteers delivered to the homes of our 19 virtual learners.  Students were surprised and happy to be able to enjoy the celebrated event as a class, even if it was online!"

LDVA VIDEO: See this video from Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP, as Principal Nadia Sammarco and Vice Principal Ivan Spilak make special deliveries to each classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhRXv-8tv_k&feature=youtu.be 

DIVERSE MINDS:  B’nai Brith Canada is proud to launch Diverse Minds 2020/21, its educational initiative that promotes diversity and teaches valuable lessons of inclusion to both elementary and high school students.  Since 1875, B'nai Brith has led the fight for human rights and equality in Canada - and we are proud to constantly be promoting this cause in new and exciting ways.  The Diverse Minds Creative Writing competition invites high school students to reflect on the value of a society rooted in mutual respect, by writing and illustrating a story aimed at elementary school students (Kindergarten - Grade 5).  This contest is about peer-to-peer learning and recognizing that students will lead the way in creating school communities where diversity is embraced. The goal of Diverse Minds is to empower our youth to become role models for each other and understand that their impact reaches beyond their classrooms. Two students from  Royal West Academy in Montreal West were winners in the 2020 competition.

The winning book in each region will be published in a colourful hardcover format and distributed to all local elementary schools and public libraries. Cash prizes will be awarded for the first place English, first place French, second  and third place books, and the Top 10 Finalists will be celebrated at an awards ceremony next September. Info: https://bnaibrith.ca/diverseminds.

Zoom caroling.

BANCROFT CAROLING: Caroling has been a long-standing tradition at Bancroft Elementary School in the Plateau to get together and sing some carols in the weeks before the holidays! This year they have moved the program to Zoom.

Emma.

MERTON STUDENT SUPPORTS SHRINERS: Emma Ryann Corbett, a Grade 1 student at Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc, is making her family and school proud. The seven-year-old has helped Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada launch its brand-new $50,000 fundraiser, “Because of you, I CAN!” Born with congenital scoliosis, a condition that creates a curve in the spine, Emma has always been affiliated with Canada Shriners Hospital. She has been “hospitalized a few too many times,” said her mother, Cari Friedman. Emma’s version of scoliosis also affects her lungs, which has meant she is doing virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her mother describes her as “a determined girl who has no limits,” citing as an example that Emma learned to ride a bike in 10 minutes. “Her instructor couldn’t believe it! She got on the bike; the instructor let go. She fell maybe once, got up and took off. She loves it! When she puts her mind to something, she does it!”  See our story as well as in the Summer 2020 edition of Inspirations (p. 12).

Annie is a Merton student.


DIABETES AWARENESS:  Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc held a Diabetes Awareness Day recently.  Everyone wore blue (tops and bottoms) in solidarity with students and family members who have diabetes. The precise date chosen marked the anniversary of the diagnosis of a Merton student, the beginning of her ability to receive medication and support to live a normal life.  Thanks to Michaella Etienne Krief, the  mom of student Annie and founder of the Association of Parents of Children with Diabetes, here is a video.

As for donations, gift cards for families going through financial hardships when children are newly diagnosed and hospitalized may be sent to: Clinical Nurse Diabetes Educator, The Montreal Children's Hospital. Diabetes Clinic Room: A04 6323. 1001 Boul. Decarie Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1


PURCHASE OF AIR PURIFIERS: The EMSB Council of Commissioners has approved a plan to install approximately 800 air purifiers in all buildings where mechanical ventilation systems are not in place. Interim Director General Russell Copeman has been authorized to sign a contract and take all of the necessary steps to purchase by mutual agreement, in accordance to the Act respecting contracting by public bodies, these air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA). The EMSB Material Resource Department has completed an assessment of all 55 buildings which house schools and adult and vocational education services.  It will cost $1.75 million for the purchase, installation and maintenance of these air purifiers for the 30 buildings identified. The installation in some schools will begin over the Christmas break.   See our press releases.  

Here is a report on Global TV  

Joe Ortona was interviewed  at the  2:36 mark on CBC National Radio's The Current.

ANNUAL REPORT: Public notice is hereby given, in conformity with Section 220.1 of the Education Act that the Board’s Annual Report and Commitment-to-Success Plan will be presented on January 14, 2020 at 7 p.m. by video conference.  You must register by Noon that day with Brigida Sellato at bsellato@emsb.qc.ca  in order to be sent a link. The annual report was deposited at the December 16 Council meeting. 

Rocco Placentino is interviewed at Gardenview.

FORMER IMPACT PLAYER MAKES OFFER:  As a way of giving back to the EMSB, former Impact player Rocco Placentino is offering free live Zoom sessions with students, with the goal of promoting physical literacy and keeping them active, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduate of Gerald McShane Elementary and Lester B. Pearson High has already launched the program at Gardenview Elementary School in St. Laurent, You can see a report from CBC here.  There is no charge and interested schools can email mcohen@emsb.qc.ca to sign up.

Jasmine

ATHLETES MAKE SCHOOL PROUD:  Lester B. Pearson High School’s Sport-études program is proud to announce that two recent graduates Jasmine Guerber, Class of 2019 (University of Memphis Tigers) and Taylor Henry, Class of 2020 (University of Louisiana Monroe), have both received scholarships with their respective new schools and have signed on to continue their education and soccer in the NCAA. These two young female student-athletes epitomized the purpose of the Sport-études program, excellence both in sport and in study as their hard work and dedication have opened up new opportunities in the pursuit of their dreams.   #PearsonPride.

FEMALE  HOCKEY PROGRAM: Lester B. Pearson High School’s Sport-études program is proud to announce that the GNT Hockey program has started its search for the next generation of female hockey players (Secondary I to V) for the 2021-2022 season.  This will be an addition to the current hockey program that has been in existence since 2003. 

Sara Picone

The female hockey team will be participating in a provincial league. Currently,  Sara Picone has been the lone female to part of the hockey program the past two years. GNT is the initial of the first name of the three gentleman who are running the program this year.  Gianni Cantini, Nick Romano and Tony Bocchicchio. For more information regarding the hockey, please contact Mr. Romano by phone at 514-882-4840 or by email at gnthockey@gmail.com. For information regarding the academics and eligibility, please contact the Sport-études Coordinator, Mr. Gagné at 514-328-4442 ext. 6  or log on to https://www.emsb.qc.ca/lesterbpearson/academics/sport-etudes.


Pearson students made generous contributions.

ELVES HARD AT WORK: The elves at Lester B. Pearson High School  were hard at work before the holidays collecting $1,400 in gift cards, $2,000 in gifts, $1,500 in monetary donations and 65 boxes of food for the families in their school community in need this season. Twenty percent of the LBPHS community is living in poverty and to help them get through the holidays, Diana Cutrone, Rachela Farella, Tania Greco, Marisa Ruscitti, Valery Ruscitti, Maggie Cocco along with Vice Principal Assunta Caruso spearheaded this drive. In total, families in need will receive three large boxes of food, one large duffle bag full of brand new items and a variety of gift cards. 

GREEN CORRIDOR: For the past seven years, Lester B. Pearson High School and Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North have been part of the Green Corridor project. Please see this excellent video, which sums up the activities.

IDEAS FOR THE EMPRESS:  Royal Vale High School Secondary V teacher Scott MacLeod has been working on a project with students in his Contemporary World course on creating proposals for what to do with the old Empress Theatre building on Sherbrooke Street West in front of NDG Park. Students submitted online proposals and city was very happy to receive them. They have incorporated some of the student’s ideas and images into the official presentation. Mr. Macleod and some students were even invited to present an overview of their ideas on a Zoom call open to the public. 

Operation Rosie Cheeks was a big success.

OPERATION ROSIE CHEEKS: Students at four east-end EMSB schools have been busily preparing cards and holiday decorations for “Operation Rosie Cheeks Holiday Cards for Frontline Workers,” an initiative to bring some cheer to two Montreal-area hospitals. East Hill Elementary School in Rivière des Prairies and Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga Maisonneubve, as well LINKS in Ahuntsic and John F. Kennedy High Schools in St. Michel  participated in making festive creations to hang in the elevator and in common areas on the sixth floor at the Hôpital Notre-Dame and in an area at the Jewish General Hospital. The idea started in the fall and was promoted by Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza, who named the project “Rosie Cheeks” after Hôpital Notre-Dame’s head nurse Rosie. The idea was “to brighten up the days” of doctors, nurses, hospital staff and patients.Mr. Speranza said he’s had positive feedback. An orderly with Hôpital Notre-Dame, Liliane, told him during the “heavy days” of the second wave of Covid-19, “it gives me a ray of sunshine and makes my day” when she sees the decorations on the wall. Another staff member, nurse Abdel said, “It makes me smile knowing that the kids are thinking of me.” 

Jordan Steen
JUMP ROPE GETS STARTED:   Jordan Steen has accepted an invitation to be a special guest for the Royal Vale 2021 Jump Rope for Even. Jordan will represent Canada in the sport of wrestling in next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. Besides Jordan's hard work and dedication to achieve excellence, he has a resume that is quite amazing. He is the son of parents who were both previous Olympians for Canada. His mom competed in the 1984 Olympics in the 400 meter hurdles while his dad (Dave Steen) was the Bronze Medalist in the Decathlon at the 1988 Olympics. This year’s JRFH will ensure safety by way of 21 separate bubble events that will take place the week of April 26. It will take place in the Physical Education classes. Jordan will create a short video for all the classroom teachers to show on their smart boards to promote the event. This will be a "Kick-off Event" starting the week of March 8 as the P.E. Department will prepare students with a six week skipping unit. “We are so excited to have Jordan lead us to success as one of the top fundraising schools in Canada,” says Phys Ed teacher Norman Katz.
St. Gabriel students show their work.

FOR THE VETS: Teacher Michelle Warner's Pre-Kindergarten students at St. Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe St. Charles (above) hold cards that they made for residents of Ste. Anne’s Veteran's Hospital.   

JUST FOR KIDS: The annual Just For Kids Foundation Glee Showdown has been renamed JFK Voices and it will shift online this year, raising money for  ER patients at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Go to: JFKvoices.com to get started with your crowdsourcing page and practice, practice, practice until you’re ready to record yourself and join the competition. This year’s judges are top-notch talents in their own right: Mark Bergman (The Beat 92-5), Jason Rockman (CHOM), Shannon King (Virgin Radio) and singer-songwriting duo Eric Dick & Celleste in Los Angeles. On our latest podcast, JFK events manager Cory Garfinkle, past participants,   Vincent Massey teacher and Clef Notes coach, Stephanie Rossy along with VCM student Stephania Zambardi. Log on to JFKVoices.com and JFKfoundation.ca. Here is the podcast.

VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS: To commemorate Remembrance Day and inform students about the important work and contributions of the Canadian Armed Forces, Spiritual and Community Animator Puynung Choy invited two soldiers for live virtual interviews on November 10, 16 and 17 with a number of classes from five schools: Mackay Centre, Philip E. Layton and Westmount High (satellite class), Carlyle, and St. Raphael’s. The invited soldiers were: Black Watch Piper Sergeant Major Stevens of 32 years of service in charge of operations and training of soldiers; and Major Kenneth Rodzinyak, Air Navigator and Director Space Strategy and Plans (Royal Canadian Airforce). Mr. Stevens, who is from Montreal, joined the Canadian Forces when he was 17 years young and is currently organizing 36 courses for the soldiers. Mr. Rodzinyak, who is from Ottawa, worked for Canadian Forces Military Space organization, flew in a $40,000,000 aircraft (CP-140 Aurora Surveillance), and has a Master’s Degree in Space Operations and English Literature.What made these interviews so engaging and fun, was when the questions and answers intrigued both the soldiers and students, and solicited some giggles and smiles from both sides. While some questions were military related, others were more personal. Examples include: “What was the hardest thing you ever did and saw?” “Did you drive a tank?” “What countries did you serve and work in?” “Do you have animal helpers in the military now?” “What is your favourite food?” “Where do you sleep?” (To which the response was, “same place as where you sleep!” Although the formal indoor assemblies were missed, these live interviews still allowed students to get to know and learn from these dedicated soldiers. It was a fun and safe way enhance the students’ connection to the larger community! 

CARDS FOR VETERANS: Due to COVID-19, this holiday season is one like none other, and it is particularly difficult for  older Veterans, as many have visits restricted in order to keep them safe. A sense of isolation can take a toll on their mental health. The Grades 7 and 8 students at James Lyng High School helped brighten their days by sending homemade holiday cards (shown above) to the Ste-Anne Hospital, offering their best wishes and personal thanks for all that Veterans have done for this country. This project was initiated by Spiritual Animato Veronica D’Agata and assisted by teacher Cynthia Meloche.

CONNECTING WIH ISOLATED SENIORS: Six members of the Spiritual and Community Animation Team (Puynung Choy, Linda Luca, Elizabeth Pellicone, Mary Poullas, Samantha Smith and Danika Swanson) working in collaboration with community partners, West-End Intergenerational Network (WIN) and The East Island Network for English Language Services (REISA), coordinated to bring holiday cheer to isolated seniors across the island. Students from participating schools (John Grant, John Caboto, St. Monica, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Westmount High School, Leonardo DaVinci, Willingdon, Bancroft, Mackay, Sinclair Liard, and Carlyle) created seasonal cards that will be delivered by WIN and REISA in holiday baskets and with meal deliveries to seniors in the community. In total approximately 700 cards were made. WIN Cofounder, Tracie Swim said, “These acts of kindness mean so much to the isolated Older Adults in our communities. For some, these will be the only Holiday cards they will get. Thank you for the tremendous efforts you put into making our communities stronger and more resilient.”

Participants in the pen pal project.

PEN PAL PROGRAM: Students at Marymount Academy International in NDG have been participating in a wonderful pen pal program with senior residents from Providence Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.  The program was created in collaboration with the CJE-NDG, the school's Spiritual Community Animator Linda Luca  and School Librarian Evelyne Beaulieu. This goal of this initiative is to foster a community spirit, empower students, and engage isolated seniors. At the holidays, participating students are sending handcrafted cards, as well as sharing gifts, based on what they have learned from their correspondence with their assigned pen pal.  The program embodies the spirit of the season, while highlighting the importance and benefits of being of service to others throughout the year.

AEVS

PODCAST ON SHADD PABS: A total of 160 Shadd Health and Business Centre students met the incredible challenge of completing a condensed 375 hour course in patient support this past summer to become PABs. Listen to our podcast as guest host Mark Bergman chats with Principal Joe Cacchione about what it took to put the course together. You will also hear from two graduates, Maria Dhe Paganon and Dave Morin, about their incredible experience in the program and on the field. Here is the link

SOCKS FOR THE NEEDY: Over the past two years, the Social Integration Services /SVIS at the Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North has created wonderful dolls and blankets for women shelters.  Wanting to keep this tradition of giving back to the community, they partnered up with Le Centre Communautaire Multi Ethnique de Montreal Nord in order to offer them some essentials to keep warm during our cold Montreal winters.   Although coming together as a program has been a little more challenging this year, the process of receiving socks and tie-dying them has allowed our students to stay connected from afar!  Symbolically being together through  the dedication of students and staff dedication and passion of creating to give back to our community has lifted our spirits and excitement for the holidays!   Students have exercised their amazing teamwork skills and sharing roles and responsibilities in order to get all of the socks done by December.  Assembly lines were created within our studio space to ensure that there was order to our process.  This helped keep students stay on task, feel responsible for their process, and allow for them to feel at ease with doing one task at a time!  Through the process of soaking the socks, tying them with elastics, and adding multiple colors to the white socks, our students gross and fine motor skills were put into play, as well as their sensorial experiences through different means of touch.  Also, students were able to implement the life skill of how to wash clothing through learning how to use a washing machine and folding laundry.  Therefore, they were able to practice hygiene throughout the experience of creating wonderful donations to share with others!  As with all our projects, our goal is to allow our students to acquire a sense of purpose within their day to day routine; to share their creative abilities, expertise, and unlock their potential skills. Through all the generous donations, the SIS team was able to create 233 pairs of colorful socks for the community!  Teacher Erica Nicole Onofrio and facilitator Lu Termini are very proud.

STUDENTS GIVE BACK: Galileo students sprinkled the gift of giving to Le Centre Communautaire Multi Ethnique de Montreal Nord with holiday cheer by offering them 20 boxes of non-perishable food. As the holiday season quickly approaches, what better way to spread some joy and love than through bountiful donations! The entire school community at Galileo generously collected non-perishable foods during the entire month of November until the beginning of December. Furthermore, the SVIS students expressed that they wanted to be actively involved in the process of giving back. Through generous donations from their friends and families, the students were able to raise $160.  Students were then accompanied to shop at the  local grocery store; a strong Galileo partner, Maxi (Pie-IX); where they purchased the non-perishable food. The students felt empowered by this act of kindness and they also appreciated the responsibility of helping others. Through this multi-disciplinary project, students were able to practice their money skills, read food labels, and shop for items that fit within their allocated budget.

ÉDITION DU 17 DÉCEMBRE 2020 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM

PROJET PILOTE POUR LES INSCRIPTIONS : La Commission scolaire English-Montréal a annoncé que la semaine des inscriptions au primaire pour l’année scolaire 2021-2022 aura lieu du lundi 1er février au vendredi 5 février. Si un enfant est déjà inscrit à une école en particulier, ses frères et sœurs pourront s’y inscrire une semaine plus tôt.

Cette année, cinq écoles participeront à un projet pilote dans le cadre duquel les parents devront prendre rendez-vous en ligne pour inscrire leur enfant, et ce, à compter du lundi 25 janvier à 7 h. Il s’agit des écoles suivantes : Royal Vale à NDG, Merton à Côte Saint-Luc, Edinburgh à Montréal-Ouest, Gardenview à Saint-Laurent et East Hill à Rivière-des-Prairies. Pour ce faire, ils devront visiter le www.emsb.qc.ca/reserve. Au fil des ans, ces écoles ont connu de longues files d'attente, certaines quelques jours avant même le début de la période d'inscription. Les parents recevront un appel pour valider leurs informations, les informer s'ils ont obtenu une place et leur fournir un rendez-vous. Conformément à la politique de la CSEM relative aux inscriptions, la priorité sera accordée aux enfants qui résident dans la limite territoriale distincte de l’école. Royal Vale fait toutefois exception à cette règle, car elle n’a pas de limite territoriale et n’offre pas le transport scolaire.

PROCÉDURE D’INSCRIPTION: Les protocoles de sécurité COVID-19 adéquats seront appliqués dans toutes les écoles au moment où les parents s’y présenteront pour déposer les documents requis. Les parents qui inscrivent leur enfant pour la première fois doivent fournir son certificat de naissance et son carnet de vaccination à l’école qu’il fréquentera. Les parents devront également remplir des formulaires afin de permettre à l’école en question de présenter une demande de déclaration d’admissibilité à l’enseignement en anglais. En vertu de la Charte de la langue française, une déclaration d’admissibilité est généralement accordée aux enfants qui ont reçu la majeure partie de leur enseignement primaire ou secondaire en anglais au Canada, à ceux dont la mère ou le père a reçu la majorité de son enseignement primaire en anglais au Canada ou à ceux dont le frère ou la sœur a reçu la majorité de son enseignement primaire ou secondaire en anglais au Canada. Veuillez prendre note qu’en raison de la législation linguistique, ce critère exclut les études complétées dans une école privée au Québec. Les parents sont priés d'inscrire leur enfant à l'école primaire de la CSEM la plus près de leur résidence qui offre le programme de français de leur choix. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez composer le 514 483-7200, poste 3672 (EMSB) ou visiter le site Web de la Commission à www.emsb.qc.ca.

SPIRIT OF GIVING: Depuis plus de dix ans, la CSEM fait équipe avec CTV Montréal dans le cadre de la campagne Spirit of Giving dont la mission vise à recueillir des denrées non périssables, des articles de toilette et des jouets pour remplir des boîtes qui seront remises à des organismes de bienfaisance locaux. En raison de la pandémie de COVID-19, la campagne recueillera cette année des dons en argent en ligne exclusivement. Cette option était offerte depuis deux années déjà. Pour en savoir davantage, visitez le https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/more/spirit-of-giving. La campagne Spirit of Giving de CTV a vu le jour il y a maintenant plus de 20 ans sous la forme d'une collecte de denrées alimentaires auprès des écoles et des entreprises locales au profit d’organismes caritatifs de la communauté. Les dons seront acceptés jusqu'au 3 janvier. Certaines écoles recueillent également des fonds par l’entremise de collectes de fonds diverses réalisées à l’interne et prévoient offrir leurs dons à la fin de la période des Fêtes. Christine Long, de CTV, a réalisé des reportages auprès de cinq écoles : Roslyn, Gardenview, Michelangelo, LaurenHill et le Centre d’éducation des adultes Wagar. 

LA DIVERSITÉ PARMI NOUS : B’nai Brith Canada est fier de lancer l’édition 2020-2021 de « La Diversité parmi nous», une initiative éducative qui fait la promotion de la diversité et enseigne de précieuses leçons d’inclusion aux élèves du primaire et du secondaire. Depuis 1875, B'nai Brith mène la lutte pour les droits de la personne et l'égalité au Canada - et éprouve une grande fierté à promouvoir sans cesse cette cause de manière nouvelle et dynamique. Le concours d’écriture créative « La Diversité parmi nous » invite les élèves du secondaire à réfléchir à la valeur d'une société ancrée dans le respect mutuel, en écrivant et en illustrant une histoire destinée aux élèves du primaire (de la maternelle à la 5e année). Ce concours porte sur l'apprentissage mutuel et sur la reconnaissance du fait que les élèves traceront la voie à suivre afin de créer des communautés scolaires où la diversité est acceptée. L'objectif de « La Diversité parmi nous » est d’outiller nos jeunes pour qu’ils deviennent des modèles les uns envers les autres et de les amener à réaliser que leur impact va au-delà de leurs salles de classe. Deux élèves de l’Académie Royal West de Montréal-Ouest ont remporté les honneurs de la compétition 2020. Le livre gagnant de chaque région sera publié dans un format relié en couleur et distribué à toutes les écoles primaires et bibliothèques publiques locales. Des prix en argent seront attribués pour la 1re place en anglais, la 1re place en français, les livres des 2e et 3e places, et les 10 finalistes seront honorés lors d'une cérémonie de remise des prix en septembre prochain. Pour information : https://bnaibrith.ca/diverseminds/

UNE ÉLÈVE DE MERTON EN APPUI À L’HÔPITAL SHRINERS : Emma Ryann Corbett, élève de première année à l'école primaire Merton de Côte Saint-Luc, fait la fierté de sa famille et de son école. Cette fillette de sept ans a collaboré avec l'Hôpital Shriners pour enfants du Canada au lancement de sa toute nouvelle campagne de financement de 50 000 $ intitulée « Grâce à vous, TOUT EST POSSIBLE! (Because of you, I CAN!). Atteinte d’une scoliose congénitale depuis la naissance, une condition qui crée une courbe dans la colonne vertébrale, Emma a toujours été affiliée à l'Hôpital Shriners du Canada. Elle a été « hospitalisée beaucoup trop souvent », confie sa mère, Cari Friedman. Le type de scoliose dont souffre Emma affecte également ses poumons, ce qui signifie qu'elle est inscrite à l'école virtuelle pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Sa mère la décrit comme « une petite fille déterminée qui n'a pas de limites », citant en exemple le fait qu'Emma a appris à faire du vélo en seulement 10 minutes. « Son instructeur n'en revenait pas! Elle a enfourché le vélo puis l'instructeur l’a relâchée. Elle est tombée peut-être une fois, s'est relevée et s’est mise à pédaler. Elle adore ça! Quand elle se concentre sur quelque chose, elle réussit! »  

ACHAT DE PURIFICATEURS D’AIR : Le conseil des commissaires de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) a approuvé un plan visant l’installation d’environ 800 purificateurs d’air dans tous ses bâtiments non dotés d’un système de ventilation mécanique. Russell Copeman, directeur général par intérim, a été autorisé à signer un contrat et à prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour acheter d’un commun accord, conformément à la Loi sur les contrats des organismes publics, des purificateurs d’air munis de filtres à haute efficacité pour les particules de l’air (HEPA). Le Service des ressources matérielles de la CSEM a procédé à l’évaluation de l’ensemble de ses 55 bâtiments qui abritent des écoles ainsi que des centres d’éducation des adultes et de formation professionnelle. Il en coûtera 1,75 million de dollars pour l'achat, l'installation et l'entretien de ces purificateurs d'air dans les 30 bâtiments identifiés. Nous vous invitons à faire la lecture de notre communiqué. Cliquez ici pour obtenir la liste des écoles qui recevront cet équipement d’ici la fin du mois de février.

RAPPORT ANNUEL: Avis public est donné par la présente, conformément à l’article 220.1 de la Loi sur l’instruction publique, que le Rapport annuel et le Plan d’engagement vers la réussite de la commission scolaire seront présentés le 14 janvier 2021 à 19 h, par vidéoconférence. Afin de recevoir le lien, vous  devez vous inscrire au plus tard à midi le 14 janvier auprès de Brigida Sellato à bsellato@emsb.qc.ca. Le Rapport annuel a été déposé lors de la réunion du conseil tenue le 16 décembre.

CONTRIBUTION D’UN EX-JOUEUR DE L’IMPACT: Désireux de redonner à la CSEM, Rocco Placentino, ancien joueur de l'Impact, propose des sessions Zoom gratuites en direct avec les élèves dans le but de promouvoir la littératie physique et de les encourager à rester actifs, malgré les défis que pose la pandémie de COVID-19. Cet ancien de l'école primaire Gerald McShane et de l’école secondaire Lester B. Pearson a déjà lancé ce programme à l'école primaire Gardenview de Saint-Laurent. Nous vous invitons à visionner le reportage de CBC à https://vimeo.com/487074213. Les sessions sont gratuites et les écoles intéressées peuvent envoyer un courriel à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca pour s'inscrire.P

PROGRAMME DE HOCKEY FÉMININ : Le programme Sport-études de l'école secondaire Lester B. Pearson est fier d'annoncer que le programme de hockey GNT est présentement à la recherche de la prochaine mouture de joueuses de hockey (de la 1re à la 5e secondaire) pour la saison 2021-2022. Ce nouveau programme vient s'ajouter au programme de hockey actuel qui existe depuis 2003. L'équipe féminine de hockey sera affiliée à une ligue provinciale. Pour en savoir davantage sur le volet hockey, veuillez contacter M. Romano au 514 882 4840 ou par courriel à gnthockey@gmail.com. Pour toute information d’ordre académique ou concernant l'admissibilité, communiquez avec le coordonnateur Sport-études, M. Gagné, au 514 328 4442, poste 6, ou visitez le site https://www.emsb.qc.ca/lesterbpearson/academics/sport-etudes.

DES IDÉES POUR L’EMPRESS : Scott MacLeod, enseignant de 5e secondaire à l'école Royal Vale, s’est investi dans un projet avec les élèves de son cours Monde contemporain afin de formuler des propositions sur l’avenir de l'ancien bâtiment du théâtre Empress situé sur la rue Sherbrooke Ouest en face du parc NDG. Les élèves ont soumis des propositions en ligne et la Ville a été très heureuse de les recevoir. Cette dernière a intégré dans sa présentation officielle certaines idées et images transmises par les élèves. M. Macleod et quelques élèves ont même été invités à présenter un aperçu de leurs propositions dans le cadre d'un appel Zoom ouvert au public. https://montreal.ca/en/articles/transformation-empress-7251

SPIRIT OF GIVING : Depuis plus de dix ans, la CSEM fait équipe avec CTV Montréal dans le cadre de la campagne Spirit of Giving dont la mission vise à recueillir des denrées non périssables, des articles de toilette et des jouets pour remplir des boîtes qui seront remises à des organismes de bienfaisance locaux. En raison de la pandémie de COVID-19, la campagne recueillera cette année des dons en argent en ligne exclusivement. Cette option était offerte depuis deux années déjà. La campagne Spirit of Giving de CTV a vu le jour il y a maintenant plus de 20 ans sous la forme d'une collecte de denrées alimentaires auprès des écoles et des entreprises locales au profit d’organismes caritatifs de la communauté. Cette année fut difficile et il importe plus que jamais de donner un coup de main. La CSEM fera la promotion de la campagne dans ses écoles et ses centres et fera appel à la générosité de tous. Les écoles qui se distingueront par leur soutien feront l’objet d’un reportage dans certains bulletins de nouvelles de CTV Montréal. Restez à l'affût pour plus d'informations.

« Les organismes que nous appuyons nous disent qu'à l'heure actuelle, contrairement à la collecte de denrées, les dons financiers contribuent davantage à la lutte contre la faim et la pauvreté dans notre communauté », de dire Jed Kahane, directeur des nouvelles à CTV Montréal. « Grâce aux achats en gros et aux tarifs réduits, nos organismes de bienfaisance peuvent optimiser leur pouvoir d'achat au-delà de ce qu’il nous est possible d’accomplir en tant qu'individus. Chaque 10 $ recueillis permet d'acheter 30 $ de nourriture! De plus, grâce à des achats réfléchis, nous visons à fournir à nos membres des aliments frais, sains, de saison, locaux et peu transformés. Par ailleurs, certains de nos partenaires éprouvent également d'autres besoins en matière de services d'urgence, de santé mentale, de logement et d'éducation ». La campagne Spirit of Giving de CTV recueillera des dons en argent et les répartira 

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

DES BAS POUR LES PLUS DÉMUNIS : Depuis deux ans, les Services d'intégration sociale (SIS) / Services d’intégration socioprofessionnelle (SISP) du Centre d'éducation des adultes Galileo à Montréal-Nord ont créé de merveilleuses poupées et couvertures destinées à des refuges pour femmes. Désireux de perpétuer cette tradition qui vise à redonner à la communauté, ils ont fait équipe avec le Centre communautaire multi-ethnique de Montréal-Nord afin de leur offrir quelques articles essentiels pour braver le climat rigoureux de nos hivers montréalais. S’il est vrai que la mise en œuvre du programme s’est  révélée plus complexe cette année, la réception des bas et le projet de teinture « tie-dye » ont permis à nos élèves de rester en contact à distance! Le fait d'être ensemble symboliquement grâce au dévouement et à la passion qu’entretiennent nos élèves et notre personnel pour la création et l’entraide communautaire nous a aidés à garder le moral et nous a mis dans l’esprit des Fêtes! Les élèves ont démontré leurs compétences remarquables pour le travail d'équipe et ont partagé les rôles et responsabilités afin que tous les bas soient prêts au plus tard en décembre. Des chaînes de production ont été créées dans notre studio pour que tout se déroule de façon ordonnée. Ainsi, cela a permis aux élèves de rester concentrés sur le travail à accomplir, de se responsabiliser face à leurs tâches et d’être à l'aise pour accomplir une tâche à la fois! Qu’il s’agisse de faire tremper les bas, de les nouer avec des élastiques ou encore d’appliquer plusieurs couleurs sur les bas blancs, toutes les étapes du processus ont fait appel à la motricité globale et fine de nos élèves, et leur ont permis de vivre différentes expériences sensorielles par le toucher. De plus, les élèves ont pu mettre en pratique la compétence qui consiste à faire la lessive en apprenant à utiliser une machine à laver et à plier les vêtements. Ainsi, ils ont pu pratiquer l'hygiène tout au long de ce projet de création de merveilleux dons à partager avec les autres! Comme c’est le cas pour tous nos projets, notre objectif est de permettre à nos élèves d'acquérir le sentiment d’avoir un but à atteindre dans le cadre de leur routine quotidienne, de partager leurs aptitudes créatives, leur expertise, et d’exploiter leurs compétences potentielles. Grâce à tous ces dons généreux, l'équipe des SIS a pu créer 233 paires de bas colorés pour la communauté! L'enseignante Erica Nicole Onofrio et la responsable Lu Termini sont très fières.


Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 27 janvier. La date limite pour soumettre vos articles est fixée au jeudi 21 janvier à midi, par courriel à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca.





LA DIVERSITÉ: B’nai Brith Canada est fier de lancer l’édition 2020-2021 de « La Diversité parmi nous», notre initiative éducative qui fait la promotion de la diversité et enseigne de précieuses leçons d’inclusion aux élèves du primaire et du secondaire.Depuis 1875, B'nai Brith mène la lutte pour les droits de la personne et l'égalité au Canada - et nous sommes fiers de constamment promouvoir cette cause de manière nouvelle et passionnante.Le concours d’écriture créative « La Diversité parmi nous »invite les élèves du secondaire à réfléchir à la valeur d'une société ancrée dans le respect mutuel, en écrivant et en illustrant une histoire destinée aux élèves du primaire (de la maternelle à la 5ème année).Ce concours porte sur l'apprentissage entre les pairs et sur la reconnaissance du fait que les élèves paveront la voie à suivre afin de créer des communautés scolaires où la diversité est acceptée. L'objectif de « La Diversité parmi nous « est de donner à nos jeunes les moyens de devenir des modèles les uns pour les autres et de comprendre que leur impact va au-delà de leurs salles de classe.Nous invitons les élèves des écoles secondaires de la grande région de Montréal à participer à la troisième édition du concours annuel d'écriture créative « La Diversité parmi nous».

Le livre gagnant de chaque région sera publié dans un format relié en couleur et distribué à toutes les écoles primaires et bibliothèques publiques locales.Des prix en argent seront attribués pour la 1ère place en anglais, la 1ère place en français, les livres de 2ème et 3ème places et les 10 finalistes seront célébrés lors d'une cérémonie de remise des prix en septembre.

 

The next Focus will be published January27.  Deadline for submissions is  Thursday, January 21  at Noon.