MARCH 23, 2022 EDITION / VOLUME 24 NUMBER 7/ THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE EMSB (MIKE COHEN, EDITOR/MANON BOURASSA, TRANSLATION)

Dad Simon D'Agostino, Chair Joe Ortona, Principal Otis Delaney, Melodie, Commissioner James Kromida and mom  Laura Dogramadjian.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH:   Melodie D'Agostino, a Grade 6 student at Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent, is the EMSB Student of the Month for March. She has been raising money for the Montreal Children’s Foundation under the theme of mental health. 

Students who achieved Principal’s List, with their proud Principal Tony Pita  

LBPHS HONOUR ROLL: Academics have taken center stage at Lester B. Pearson High School (LBPHS) in Montreal North as 513 students, more than half the population, qualified for the school’s Honour Roll this term.In order to make the Honour Roll, students must have an average of 80 percent or higher. LBPHS also maintains a Diligence List, which recognizes students nominated by their teachers for their excellence in academics or student life. Seventy-one students made the Principal's List, with over 90 percent. Last term, 44 students earned this award.  

Devon Packer

ROYAL VALE PIANO PRODIGY:  Devon Packer, a Secondary V student at Royal Vale School in NDG, has won the grand prize at this year's Commonwealth International Composition Award (CICA).  He was chosen by the organization, Commonwealth Resounds, which has as its mission to connect musical cultures and to promote initiatives and partnerships in Commonwealth countries.   The 16-year-old pianist has been at Royal Vale since Kindergarten and began studying piano at the McGill Conservatory of Music at the age of five. His first major performance was at the age of seven, when he debuted as a soloist with the Orchestra symphonique de l’Isle, playing Haydn’s “Divertimento in C Major.”  He has appeared at multiple venues in Canada, Europe, and the United States, including New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall. Devon is also an accomplished arranger and composer. He had his first composition, “The Fantastical World of Camelot,” published in 2015 when he was 10 years old.  “This award means the world to me!” says Devon, who will now prepare to perform one of his works for the Grande première des futures étoiles (Grand Premiere of Future Stars), taking place this June at Place des Arts.    

For the complete press release click here

EMSB EXPRESS NEWSPAPER: The spring edition of the EMSB Express Newspaper has been published. It includes a special section on the EMSB Diversity and Inclusivity campaign, a preview of our virtual Volunteer Appreciation evening, Accolades and the AEVS report. You can read the online version here.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE: EMSB schools and centres are doing what they can to show their support for the country of Ukraine as its citizens endure a Russian invasion. The team of Spiritual and Community Animators are also thinking of a longer-term engagement as we welcome Ukrainian refugees to the city. The Council of Commissioners adopted a resolution on March 23, indicating to competent government authorities that the EMSB  is willing to accept Ukrainian refugees immediately on a humanitarian basis.  The Charter of the French Language does have a humanitarian clause allowing for the admission to the English school system under exceptional circumstances.

Students gather at the church.

CHURCH DONATIONS: Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount, under the supervision of Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce, partnered with a local Ukrainian Church (Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of Sainte Sophie) in a humanitarian effort to provide support for the Ukrainian people. The school community has been fundraising for baby and children’s supplies, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food items. On Wednesday March 17, Cycle 2 and 3 students walked their donations over to the Ukrainian Church where they were met by Father Volodymyr Kouchnir who asked students to deposit their donations in the church basement. The Sainte Sophie Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral will distribute donated to items to Ukrainian refugees when they arrive in Montreal.  See this report on CityNews.

INDOOR PEACE PICNIC: Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North, with Spiritual and Community Animator Joseph Monachino,  has plans for an indoor peace picnic on March 30, with songs for peace and live performances. They will also have a dress down day for fundraising. Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard will collect food and toiletries. Moments of silence have already been held at both schools. 

Teacher Nadia Santagata speaks with students. (CTV Photo)

CONVERSATIONS AT LAURENHILL: As reported by CTV, a teacher at LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent, leads open conversations about the invasion in her history and geography classes. She is helping students navigate the facts and so-called fake news since everybody is already seeing the headlines. Teaching Grade 7 and 8 students on the junior campus, Nadia Santagata uses news headlines to guide class conversations. She said her students are curious. “To see that intrigue and interest at such a young age is really fascinating, but as you can imagine the discussions can be quite intimidating and scary and difficult.” In the classroom, discussions help students process the information that many view through unverified sources on their phones. Last week the school encouraged students to wear blue and yellow — the colours of the Ukrainian flag — to show their solidarity and to collect money and donations for its citizens.

COLLECTING DONATIONS: Students, staff and families from Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP answered the growing call to collect donations for Ukrainian refugees. Over the past two weeks, the school community collected non-perishable items, hygiene items for adults and children, cleaning products, toys and items for the home. These goods were boxed and transported by parents to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Church for distribution. Additionally, students prepared letters and drawings for each child to welcome them to Canada.   Take a look at their journey in this video. 

VMC STUDENTS: Lindsay Pozihun and Sophie Alu, students at Vincent Massey Collegiate, baked cupcakes and raised $3,704 for Ukrainian relief. See this video report by Domenic Fazioli.

Dr. Zev Neuwirth

LAUDING ZEV NEUWIRTH: EMSB Commissioner Ellie Israel moved a resolution lauding the work of former EMSB Commissioner Dr. Zev Neuwirth on the work he is doing at the Urkainian-Moldovan border to assist refugees. He went there with two of his sons on behalf of  United Hatzalah of Israel, an organization with which he volunteers on international disaster missions.   It is remarkable story you can read here in The Miami Herald.  You can also see this CBS interview.

FRENCH PODCAST: The EMSB is very excited to announce a new joint project between our Marketing and Communications and Educational Services Departments—a French podcast. It is hosted by Educational Consultants Nicolas Doyon and Marlene Boudreault. As we like to say, at the EMSB --- Être bilingue, c’est gagnant! ---   Below is the link to our very first episode, with some of the winners of the  Robert Alfred Peck Awards.    Please listen   here.

FRENCH FOR THE FUTURE: Students from several EMSB high schools – Royal Vale, Royal West, Marymount, Westmount, John F. Kennedy and Laurier Macdonald- participated in the annual French for The Future Conference virtually, on March 18. Each year, 300 students enrolled in Secondary III to V participate in the forum. This highly anticipated annual event puts the French language in the spotlight. During this day of activities, students   attended fun and interactive programming completely in French. Workshops were also  made available throughout La semaine de la Francophonie from March 21 to 25.

HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT: Beginning this week, the lobby of Westmount High School has become much more than a thoroughfare as it  plays host to a traveling Holocaust exhibition. The exhibit, which focuses on Holocaust survivors and their stories, will be at the school until the end of March. Over the next two weeks, all students and staff will have the opportunity to visit the exhibit at their leisure as well as teachers will also schedule class visits throughout the day. For students, the exhibit builds upon prior lessons on the Holocaust. As Holocaust education is a mandatory component of the EMSB curriculum, Spiritual and Community Animators provide age-appropriate Holocaust education throughout the year. Students regularly receive in-person or virtual visits from Holocaust survivors, attend field trips to the Montreal Holocaust Museum as well various other lessons via books, movies and digital platforms.  

AN INSPIRING ADDRESS FROM WANDA KAGAN: Barbados House Montreal Association hosted a live Zoom event for International Women's Day featuring Wanda Kagan, a childhood friend and former Westmount High School classmate Kamala Harris, today the Vice President of the United States. Ms. Kagan works as a university teaching assistant at the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal, coordinating medical residents and student rotations for

Wanda Kagan

McGill. Her topic was Turning My Wounds into Wisdom.  A mother of two, Wanda’s volunteerism extends to fundraising, mentoring and empowering our youth.   She confided to the group that as a teenager she was being emotionally and sexually abused by her stepfather. Harris’s family took her in. “Living in that house greatly influenced me for years,” she recalls.  When she was running with now President Joe Biden, Harris referred to Wanda’s situation.   Wanda also referred to how she overcame some challenges in life after high school and a health crisis involving her son. But through perseverance she and her family got through it. Today, she is still in touch with Vice President Harris and when asked she agreed to do her part to encourage a visit to Westmount High School during this mandate. “I am so proud of my friend,” she said. “Any woman can make history; only one can write history. Here is a story about her from Fox News. 

Jennifer Maccarone with Principal Giovanni Iammarrone, Vice Principal Holly Kusiewicz and students.

VISIT FROM MNA: Students at Westmount Park Elementary School received a special visit from Jennifer Maccarone, MNA for Westmount-Saint Louis this week. Ms. Maccarone visited the school to present Certificates of Recognition as well as two medals from then National Assembly of Quebec to students. Select students were recognized for their perseverance, determination, academic achievement and citizenship. Additionally, she presented a special honour to Alexandra Zorbas on her 30 years of teaching at Westmount Park Elementary School.

HOOKED ON SCHOOL:  Laurier Macdonald High School would like to congratulate Adamo Azzuelo. Adamo was the recipient of the Montreal Hooked on School Days Perseverance certificate. He is a conscientious Secondary V student who has overcome challenges to succeed academically. He is an excellent sportsman and always has a good attitude, whether he wins or loses.  Michel Bissonette, Mayor of Saint-Leonard, Borough Councillor Suzanne De Larochelliere and Leo the Mascot were present to mark the occasion, along with Adamo’s family, Ms. Wa’an and Ms. Celzi. His teachers and family are so pleased for him!  Also, for Hooked on School Week, St. Gabriel students created some amazing quilts titled Messages to the World about Staying in School.  

THE LOVE LETTER: After viewing Merrill Matthews’, The Love Letter, the Grade 5 students at Honoré Mercier Elementary School in St. Léonard were truly inspired and impressed by the cast of I Can Dream Theatre. The singers, dancers and actors were so talented and exuded such confidence! All the musical numbers were very entertaining, the students especially enjoyed the cast dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller in The Tale of Macbeth(ish). As the film came to an end, everyone agreed that seeing the cast of I Can Dream Theatre in a live production would be awesome! 

Patricia Lattanzio addresses students.

MP LATTANZIO VISITS: Spiritual and Community Animator,Mary Poullas invited Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament of St. Leonard to the Grade 6 class of Marianne Nudo at Dante Elementary School in St. Leonard. Ms. Lattanzio, a former EMSB school commissioner, inspired the students to be great leaders of tomorrow and what it takes to persevere. The students were prepared with questions concerning her career and her political accomplishments. 

EMSB CALENDARS: The 2022-23 School Calendars have been adopted. The first day of school will be August 30. Christmas holiday break is set to be the last week of December and the first week of January. March Break will be March 6 to 10.

FACE PRODUCTION: On February 24 and 25, the Grade 10E students of FACE School put up their production of Suburban Motel, a six- play cycle by George F. Walker, who is considered one of Canada’s most prolific and widely-produced playwrights both in Canada and internationally.  

The presentation of the play.

Under the direction of their amazing Drama teacher Rita Saad, they performed two of the six one-act tragicomedies; Problem Child and Criminal Genius.  The performances were outstanding and a great time was had by our students, faculty and parents. 

LDV JETS:  Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP is proud to announce its partnership with Next Level Hockey   for the 2022-23 school year! With head coach and former professional hockey player Michael Buonincontri, LDVA is passionate about focusing & improving the specific details of the game for forwards, defensemen and goaltenders, as well as a Learn to Skate Program as early as pre-K! More details to follow. The LDVA Jets are ready to soar!!

MAKER FAIR: Educational Services plans on presenting a live Maker Fair event this coming spring.  

Iwan Edwards

IWAN EDWARDS REMEMBERED:   The Canadian choral community lost one of its most influential conductors on March 4, Iwan Edwards. He brought the love of singing and choral music to countless students and choristers over several generations and was a mentor to many young conductors who have gone on to lead successful and meaningful careers across Canada. Founder of the St. Lawrence Choir, former chorus master of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, guest conductor of the National Youth Choir in 1998 and 1999, conductor of the Ottawa Society, as well as founder of Concerto Della Donna young women’s ensemble, the Canadian Chamber Choir and the Choeur des enfants de Montréal, Iwan had two unique ties with the PSBGM. He was on the ground floor when FACE School was established, where he founded the celebrated FACE Treble Choir. He was also the first conductor (1980 to 1984) of the PSBGM Children’s Chorus, which later became the PSBGM Chorale, now known as the EMSB Chorale. The EMSB Chorale joins hundreds of choristers and conductors across the country in offering condolences to Iwan’s family and to the many people of all ages who sang with joy and were inspired under his direction.  See this Gazette story.

Anna Maria Civitella and her wonderful dolls.

DOLLS THAT LOOK LIKE US: A few years ago, Anna Maria Civitella, came to a realization: children with disabilities didn’t often see themselves reflected in the toys they played with. No dolls with hearing aids, no teddy bears with feeding tubes, no action figures with leg braces. So, Ms. Civitella, an Occupational Therapist with the CIUSSS West Central Montreal at the Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton Schools, decided to do something about it. In an initiative that consumed hours of her time and rallied support from several partners, her dream has become a reality. She’s collected more than 90 toys, incorporating a range of disabilities, for the children at the NDG schools. The project is about more than playthings for the schoolchildren, who have motor, visual, hearing and language impairments. To Ms. Civitella, the toys send a powerful message about acceptance and inclusion. You can see the full story. 

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART:   Dr. David Langleben (right),  the director of the Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease at the Jewish General Hospital, will be at a special guest at this spring’s Jump Rope for Heart event at Royal Vale Elementary School.

VOW OF SILENCE: On February 22, nearly 100 students from Laurier Macdonald High School engaged in an important initiative organized by Spiritual Community Animator Joseph Monachino and International Baccalaureate Valerie Barnabé, in order to raise awareness about the silencing effect of bullying.  The students had the opportunity to become “silent” for one full school day in solidarity with children who are experiencing the mental, physical, and emotionally silencing effects of bullying.  By exercising their power to advocate for children’s voices, the students from LMAC helped spread awareness and understanding of the silencing effect that bullying can have physically, emotionally, and mentally.  Congratulations to all the students that participated and took part in this worthy cause.  The LMAC community is proud of each and every one of you and of your commitment to creating awareness and beginning the process to end bullying in all its forms.

A selection of photos.

PHOTOS OF CONFIDENCE: “It takes a village to raise a child,” goes the saying. For Laurier Macdonald HS, this village includes La Maison de Jeunes de Saint-Leonard and Pact de Rue, two partners the school has created ties with thanks to their Community Learning Center and its link to Le Collectif Jeunesse de Saint-Leonard. Thanks to them, we recently hosted two days of confidence and self-esteem building workshops that culminated with professional photo shoots for the participants.  Self-confidence means trusting in your own judgment, capacities and abilities. It is about valuing yourself and feeling worthy, regardless of any imperfections or what others may believe about you. This is often difficult for students. The workshops began by having them exploring how they feel about themselves, how the opinion of others affects that and how they can work at putting themselves first in their own esteem. After lunch, the students had their photos taken by a professional photographer who has trained and worked in the modeling industry. It was spectacular! Amid giggles and shy attempts at flamboyant modeling poses, the transformations in their smiles and body postures were both subtle and so dramatic.  The students had been gifted their pictures. They will serve as a physical reminder of how confident and powerful they felt while taking them. "I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Myriam of Pact de Rue and Gabriella and Mohammed of La Maison de Jeunes de Saint-Leonard for giving our students this empowering opportunity, and we look forward to repeating the project with them!"  said CLC Coordinator Bobbie Variantzas.

A lecture on the subject at Nesbitt.

NUTRITION MONTH: To celebrate Nutrition Month at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount and Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in St. Leonard, Secondary IV and V, five students from Rosemount High School, alongside Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce, collaborated on interactive workshops highlighting the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, positive body image, social media influences, and self-esteem. This month-long initiative included testimonials from students and Mr. Lacroce about the effects of bullying and of negative self-talk and included techniques to help promote a healthy lifestyle.  The “Imperfectly Perfect” program will culminate in April with outdoor yoga sessions.

Steven Atme at JFK High School.

THE STEVEN ATME TOUR:  For the eighth year in a row, the inspirational and award-winning Steven Atme and Spiritual Care & Guidance, and Community Involvement Animator Rocco Speranza have teamed up for a series of presentations titled “Special People Have Dreams.” During visits to Edward Murphy School, East Hill School, and John F. Kennedy High School, The Power of One Mystery Machine tour aimed to inspire students and youth on how their “power of one” can change their life and that of those around them, while also promoting kindness and well-being to many. Part of the presentations notes that self-aid via music and the arts, helps lift students up and can help them feel better in challenging times just like a Rising Phoenix (the title of one of his songs). The presentation encourages students to follow their dreams and tries to answer some of the Mysteries of the Universe.  Students had a great time singing along as Steven played for them during the interactive and heart-warming presentation. In commemoration of this tenth anniversary, Steven promotes his latest documentary, "Precious Memories: A Decade in The Making,” where he shares how Special People Have Dreams began & how it created a huge impact over the past ten years. It premieres on May 7 and releases on Facebook & DVD May 14th. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite. All proceeds will go to Starlight Children's Foundation Canada. Mr. Atme’s tour is sponsored by The Inspirations Newspaper Simon Chang Difference Maker Award

YOUNG CAREGIVERS: For Young Carers Action Day, AMI-Québec and Youth4Youth Québec, with the support of Proche aidance Québec, have begun a campaign to collect stories of young carers and share them to raise awareness of the circumstances of young people who provide support to a family member with chronic illness, disability, mental health or substance use issue and/or problems related to old age.  Students at Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard and John F. Kennedy High School in St. Michel are participating. Statistics Canada reports that in 2012, 1.25 million  youth between the ages of 15 and 29 were young carers. This means that 27 percent- over a quarter - of youth were young carers, not including young carers under the age of 15.  Although caregiving has received more attention in recent years, youth rarely see themselves as part of that community, and are less likely to seek out support for themselves. That is why the #YoungCarersActionDay campaign is focused on helping young carers to recognize their own contributions, so that the people around them can too.  

The bilingual media campaign began on  March 16, built around a survey that will be circulated online to youth as a way for them to share their thoughts on the experience of being a young carer. Outreach will extend to local post-secondary and community organizations. A dedicated campaign page will feature information, shareable materials and will be updated with press coverage and personal stories gathered throughout the campaign. To learn more or share your story, visit www.amiquebec.org/youngcarersstories. For all other inquiries, contact Oliver Fitzpatrick, Young Carers Project Coordinator, AMI-Quebec at youngcarers@amiquebec.org. 

QBBE GALA: The long-awaited 50th anniversary gala of the Quebec Board of Black Educators (QBBE) now take place on Saturday, April 9 (6:30 pm to 11:30 pm) at the Nordheimer Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel. Officially established on December 29, 1971, the QBBE is a non-profit education and research institution dedicated to addressing educational disparity and providing academic support and opportunities to communities of colour. Two main programs  will be supported by the proceeds of this charity event: QBBE Learning Centre, which provides academic support and opportunities to communities of colour; and QBBE Family First, whose objective is to make positive connections between education and other aspects of the students' lives. Info: https://qbbe.ca/50th-gala

ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES

Laurier Macdonald Career Centre.

LMAC AUTOS: Interested in automobile mechanics? Come visit Laurier Macdonald Career Centre in St. Leonard and enjoy hands on learning in their workshop area.  

PIUS GETS COOKING: How yummy does this pretzel with mustard look?  Start your life. Live your dreams. St. Pius X Career Centre In Ahuntsic is taking registrations for its news Professional Cooking group starting in April. To make an appointment to register call 514-381-5440.

FURNITURE FINISHING:  Furniture Finishing students at Rosemount Technology Centre take advantage of great natural light to work on projects like this.

FRAUD PREVENTION: The SPVM (pictured above) came to speak to students at Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North on fraud prevention. With fraud on the rise aiming at bank transactions, online purchases and identity theft among many others, students at Galileo took part in a very informative and educational workshop given by Agent Sociocommunautaire Anne Marie Gauvreau of the SPVM on Fraud Prevention.  

RIDE THE WAVE:  The end-of-term is always a little more stressful, but practicing mindfulness can help! Leading-up to exam week, Galileo welcomed back Drama Therapist and Ometz presenter Erica Sweett to help students “ride the wave” of stress and anxiety. In this engaging two-part workshop, the 21st Century Wellness class explored different strategies that they could incorporate into their daily routines to help improve mental and physical well-being. With Erica’s guidance, the class participated in simple meditation and breathing exercises, reflected on the importance of good sleep and self-care, and practiced gratitude affirmations. It was particularly impactful as students unplugged from their phones and allowed themselves to be fully present with the chaos/calm of their thoughts. Reassured by Erica’s approachable and welcoming demeanor, several students even opened-up about their personal struggles with mental health. Their willingness to share was a true testament to the rapport the class has built over these past few months and the nurturing environment fostered by their teacher, Stephanie Pizzuto. A first for Galileo, 21st Century Wellness is an option course that was specially designed to support students through the stress and anxiety of these uncertain times. 

ÉDITION DU MOIS DE MARS 2022 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM

LE FRANÇAIS POUR L'AVENIR: Le 18 mars, des élèves de plusieurs écoles secondaires de la CSEM - Royal Vale, Royal West, Marymount, Westmount, John F. Kennedy et Laurier Macdonald - ont pris part virtuellement au Forum annuel Le français pour l'avenir. Chaque année, 300 élèves de la 3e à la 5e secondaire participent au forum. La langue française est à l’honneur dans le cadre de cet événement annuel fort attendu. Au cours de cette journée d'activités, les élèves ont assisté à une programmation amusante et interactive entièrement en français. Des ateliers sont également proposés tout au long de la Semaine de la francophonie, du 21 au 25 mars.

UN PRODIGE DU PIANO À ROYAL VALE:  Devon Packer, élève de 5e secondaire à l’école Royal Vale de NDG, a remporté cette année les grands honneurs du concours Commonwealth International Composition Award (CICA). Il a été sélectionné par Commonwealth Resounds, organisme ayant pour mission de rapprocher les cultures musicales et de promouvoir les initiatives et les partenariats dans les pays du Commonwealth. Ce pianiste de 16 ans fréquente l’école Royal Vale depuis la maternelle. Il a commencé à étudier le piano au Conservatoire de musique de McGill à l'âge de cinq ans. Sa première grande prestation a eu lieu à l'âge de sept ans lorsqu'il a fait ses débuts en tant que soliste avec l'Orchestre symphonique de l'Isle, interprétant le « Divertimento en do majeur » de Haydn. Il s'est produit dans plusieurs salles au Canada, en Europe et aux États-Unis, notamment au prestigieux Carnegie Hall de New York. Devon est également un arrangeur et compositeur accompli. Sa première composition, « The Fantastical World of Camelot », a été publiée en 2015 alors qu’il avait 10 ans. « Ce prix représente tout pour moi », de s’exclamer Devon qui se prépare maintenant en vue d’interpréter l’une de ses œuvres lors de la Grande première des futures étoiles, prévue en juin à la Place des Arts. Nous vous invitons à consulter l’intégral du communiqué 

JOURNAL EXPRESS DE LA CSEM: L'édition du printemps du journal Express de la CSEM est maintenant disponible. Elle renferme une section spéciale dédiée à la campagne de la CSEM axée sur la diversité et l'inclusivité, un aperçu de notre Soirée virtuelle de reconnaissance des bénévoles, le coin des éloges ainsi que le compte rendu de l’EAFP. Nous vous invitons à consulter la version en ligne  

EN SOUTIEN À L'UKRAINE: Les écoles et les centres de la CSEM font leur part afin de venir en aide à l'Ukraine alors que son peuple fait face à une invasion russe. L'équipe d'animateurs de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire est à réfléchir à un engagement à plus long terme alors que nous nous apprêtons à accueillir des réfugiés ukrainiens dans la métropole.

Sous la supervision de Vince Lacroce, animateur de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire, l’école primaire Nesbitt de Rosemont s’unira à une église ukrainienne locale (la Cathédrale orthodoxe ukrainienne Sainte-Sophie) dans un effort humanitaire pour soutenir le peuple ukrainien. La communauté scolaire procédera à une collecte de produits pour bébés et enfants, de produits d'hygiène personnelle et de denrées alimentaires non périssables. Le mercredi 17 mars, les élèves des 2e et 3e cycles de Nesbitt se sont rendus à pied à l'église ukrainienne où ils ont été accueillis par le père Volodymyr Kouchnir. Il les a invités à déposer leurs dons dans le sous-sol de l'église. La Cathédrale orthodoxe ukrainienne Sainte-Sophie remettra tous leurs dons à la Croix-Rouge canadienne, qui en assurera la distribution.

L'école secondaire Lester B. Pearson de Montréal-Nord, en compagnie de Joseph Monachino – animateur de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire – planifient un pique-nique pour la paix qui se tiendra à l’intérieur le 30 mars. Au menu, des chansons pour la paix et des prestations en direct. Une journée du décontracté sera également organisée en vue d’amasser des fonds. Pour sa part, l'école secondaire Laurier Macdonald de Saint-Léonard recueillera des denrées et des produits d’hygiène personnelle. Chacune des écoles a déjà observé une minute de silence en appui à l’Ukraine. 

CONVERSATIONS À LAURENHILL: Tel que rapporté par CTV, une enseignante de l'Académie LaurenHill de Saint-Laurent anime des conversations ouvertes sur l'invasion russe dans le cadre de ses cours d'histoire et de géographie. Elle aide les élèves à discerner les vraies nouvelles des fausses, dans les manchettes. Nadia Santagata, enseignante en 1re et 2e secondaire au campus junior, organise des discussions en classe inspirées des grands titres des journaux. Elle explique que ses élèves sont curieux. « De les voir aussi intrigués et intéressés à un si jeune âge est vraiment fascinant, mais comme vous pouvez l'imaginer, les discussions peuvent être plutôt intimidantes, préoccupantes et difficiles. » En classe, les discussions aident les élèves à traiter les informations que beaucoup obtiennent auprès de sources non vérifiées sur leurs téléphones. La semaine dernière, l'école a encouragé les élèves à porter du bleu et du jaune – couleurs du drapeau ukrainien – en guise de solidarité et pour recueillir de l'argent et des dons destinés aux citoyens de l’Ukraine.

PIQUE-NIQUE POUR LA PAIX: L'école secondaire Lester B. Pearson de Montréal-Nord organisera un pique-nique pour la paix à l'intérieur le mercredi 30 mars, à l’heure du dîner, dans la PLAZA, sous le signe de la paix. Il y aura des performances musicales, un conférencier ukrainien et quelques vidéos. Les élèves apporteront leur lunch, des couvertures et s’assoiront avec leurs camarades afin d’afficher leur soutien pour la paix dans le monde, en particulier en Ukraine.

BALADO EN FRANÇAIS: La CSEM est très heureuse d'annoncer la création d’un balado en français, nouveau projet issu d’une collaboration entre son Service du marketing et des communications et les Services éducatifs. Ce balado est animé par les conseillers pédagogiques Nicolas Doyon et Marlène Boudreault. Comme le dit si bien le slogan de la CSEM, Être bilingue, c’est gagnant!  Vous trouverez ci-dessous le lien vers notre tout premier épisode, qui met en vedette certains des lauréats du Prix Robert Alfred Peck. 

EXPOSITION SUR L'HOLOCAUSTE: Dès cette semaine, le hall d'entrée de l'école secondaire Westmount deviendra bien plus qu'un simple lieu de passage puisqu'il accueillera une exposition itinérante sur l'Holocauste. L'exposition, qui porte sur les survivants de l'Holocauste et leurs histoires, demeurera à l'école jusqu'à la fin du mois de mars. Au cours des deux prochaines semaines, tous les élèves et les membres du personnel auront l'occasion de visiter l'exposition, à leur guise. Tout au long de la journée, les enseignants organiseront également des visites en compagnie de leur classe. Pour les élèves, l'exposition s'appuie sur les leçons précédemment enseignées sur l'Holocauste. Composante obligatoire du programme de la CSEM, l’enseignement de l’Holocauste adapté à l’âge des élèves est dispensé tout au long de l’année par les animateurs de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire. De plus, les élèves reçoivent régulièrement la visite en personne ou virtuelle de survivants de l'Holocauste, prennent part à des sorties au musée de l’Holocauste Montréal et participent à d'autres leçons par l’entremise de livres, de films et de plateformes numériques.

DISCOURS INSPIRANT DE WANDA KAGAN: L'association Barbados House Montreal a organisé un événement Zoom en direct à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de la femme, avec pour invitée Wanda Kagan, amie d'enfance et ancienne camarade de classe à l’école secondaire Westmount de Kamala Harris, aujourd'hui vice-présidente des États-Unis. Madame Kagan occupe le poste d’assistante d'enseignement universitaire au CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest de Montréal, où elle coordonne les rotations des résidents et des étudiants en médecine pour l’Université McGill. Elle a choisi le thème « Transformer mes blessures en sagesse ». Mère de deux enfants, Wanda s’implique dans le bénévolat en participant à des collectes de fonds, à des séances de mentorat et à l'autonomisation de nos jeunes. Elle a raconté avoir été victime, à l'adolescence, de sévices sexuels et psychologiques de la part de son beau-père. La famille de Kamala Harris l'avait alors accueillie. « Le fait d’avoir habité dans cette maison m'a grandement influencée pendant des années », se souvient-elle. Lorsqu'elle a fait campagne aux côtés de l'actuel président Joe Biden, Mme Harris a évoqué la situation de Wanda. Wanda a également souligné la façon dont elle a surmonté certains défis après le secondaire et les problèmes de santé de son fils. Mais à force de persévérance, elle et sa famille sont parvenus à s'en sortir. Aujourd'hui, elle est toujours en contact avec la vice-présidente Harris et, lorsqu'on le lui a demandé, elle a accepté de faire sa part pour tenter d’encourager Mme Harris à rendre visite à l’école secondaire Westmount pendant son mandat. « Je suis tellement fière de mon amie », a-t-elle déclaré. « N'importe quelle femme peut passer à l'histoire; mais une seule peut écrire l'histoire. »

PERSÉVÉRANCE SCOLAIRE: L'école secondaire Laurier Macdonald tient à féliciter Adamo Azzuelo. Adamo est le lauréat du certificat de persévérance du programme La persévérance scolaire de Montréal. C’est un élève consciencieux de 5e secondaire qui a surmonté des difficultés pour réussir sur le plan académique. Il excelle dans les sports et a toujours une bonne attitude, qu'il gagne ou qu'il perde. Michel Bissonnet, maire de Saint-Léonard, Mme Suzanne De Larochellière, conseillère d'arrondissement, et la mascotte Léo étaient présents à cette occasion, de même que la famille d'Adamo, Mme Wa'an et Mme Celzi. Ses enseignants et sa famille sont tous très fiers de lui! Félicitations Adamo!Toujours dans le cadre de la Semaine de la persévérance scolaire, les élèves de l’école Saint-Gabriel ont créé de superbes courtepointes sous le thème de la persévérance scolaire.   

THE LOVE LETTER: Après avoir visionné le documentaire The Love Letter de Merrill Matthews, les élèves de 5e année de l'école primaire Honoré Mercier de Saint-Léonard ont été vraiment inspirés et impressionnés par la troupe I Can Dream Theatre. Les chanteurs, danseurs et acteurs étaient si talentueux et dégageaient une telle confiance! Tous les numéros musicaux étaient très divertissants, les élèves ont particulièrement apprécié la prestation de danse de la troupe sur les airs de Thriller de Michael Jackson dans The Tale of Macbeth(ish). À la fin du documentaire, tous étaient d’avis que ce serait génial de voir la troupe de I Can Dream Theatre se produire en direct!

VISITE DE LA DÉPUTÉE LATTANZIO : Mary Poullas, animatrice de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire, a invité Patricia Lattanzio, députée de Saint-Léonard, à rendre visite à la classe de 6e année de Marianne Nudo à l'école primaire Dante de Saint-Léonard. Anciennement commissaire à la CSEM, Mme Lattanzio a inspiré les élèves à devenir les grands leaders de demain et leur a confié ce qu'il faut pour persévérer. Les élèves avaient préparé des questions portant sur sa carrière et ses réalisations politiques.

JETS DE LDV: L'Académie Leonardo da Vinci de RDP est fière d'annoncer son partenariat avec Next Level Hockey pour l'année scolaire 2022-2023! L’entraîneur-chef et ancien hockeyeur professionnel Michael Buonincontri mettra l’accent sur l'amélioration des détails spécifiques à ce sport pour les attaquants, les défenseurs et les gardiens de but. Un programme d'apprentissage du patinage dès la maternelle sera également offert! D’autres détails sont à venir. Les Jets de LDV sont prêts à s'envoler!

MAKER FAIRE: Les Services éducatifs envisagent la tenue d’une foire Maker Faire en direct au printemps.  

SAUTONS EN CŒUR:  Le Dr David Langleben, directeur du Centre des maladies pulmonaires et vasculaires de l'Hôpital général juif, sera l'invité spécial de l'événement Sautons en cœur organisé ce printemps à l'école primaire Royal Vale. 

L’ÉLÈVE DU MOIS : Melodie Quinquennial, élève de 6e année à l'école primaire Cedarcrest de Saint-Laurent, a été nommée l'Élève du mois de mars à la CSEM. Elle s’est donnée pour mission de recueillir des fonds au profit de la santé mentale pour la Fondation de l’Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants.  

LES JEUNES PROCHES AIDANTS: À l'occasion de la Journée des jeunes proches aidants (Young Carers Action Day), AMI-Québec et Youth4Youth Québec, avec le soutien de Proche aidance Québec, ont lancé une campagne visant à recueillir des témoignages de jeunes proches aidants et à les partager afin de sensibiliser le public à la situation des jeunes qui apportent leur soutien à un membre de leur famille souffrant d'une maladie chronique, d'un handicap, d'un problème de santé mentale ou de toxicomanie et/ou de problèmes liés à la vieillesse. Des élèves de l'école secondaire Laurier Macdonald de Saint-Léonard et de l'école secondaire John F. Kennedy de Saint-Michel prennent part à cette initiative. Selon Statistique Canada, 1,25 million de jeunes âgés de 15 à 29 ans étaient de jeunes proches aidants en 2012. Cela signifie que 27 pour cent d’entre eux – soit plus du quart – étaient de jeunes aidants, sans compter les jeunes proches aidants de moins de 15 ans. Bien que le concept de proche aidance ait fait l'objet d'une plus grande attention ces dernières années, les jeunes se considèrent rarement comme faisant partie de cette communauté, et sont moins susceptibles de chercher du soutien pour eux-mêmes. C'est pourquoi la campagne #YoungCarersActionDay vise à aider les jeunes aidants à reconnaître leurs propres contributions, afin que les personnes qui les entourent puissent en faire autant. La campagne médiatique bilingue s’est mise en branle le 16 mars et s'articule autour d'un sondage qui sera diffusé en ligne auprès des jeunes pour leur permettre de partager leurs réflexions sur l'expérience d'être un jeune proche aidant. La campagne s'étendra aux organismes postsecondaires et communautaires locaux. Une page dédiée à la campagne renfermera des informations ainsi que du matériel à partager et sera actualisée au gré de la couverture médiatique et des récits personnels recueillis tout au long de la campagne. 

Pour en savoir davantage ou pour partager votre histoire, visitez le site www.amiquebec.org/youngcarersstories. Pour toute autre question, communiquez avec Oliver Fitzpatrick, coordonnateur du projet Jeunes aidants, AMI-Québec, à youngcarers@amiquebec.org. 

 AMI-Québec s'engage à aider les familles à gérer les effets de la maladie mentale en leur offrant du soutien, de la formation, de l’encadrement et en se portant à la défense de leurs droits. Misant sur la compréhension, l'organisme s'efforce de dissiper la stigmatisation associée encore aujourd’hui à la maladie mentale, ce qui contribue à créer des communautés où l’espoir est renouvelé pour mener une vie riche de sens. AMI-Québec organise tous les mois un groupe de soutien par les pairs à l’intention des jeunes proches aidants. 

Y4Y Québec est un organisme provincial à but non lucratif fort, stable, diversifié et flexible, composé de jeunes qui travaillent ensemble pour aborder les problèmes auxquels sont confrontés les jeunes anglophones (âgés de 16 à 30 ans). Il s'agit d'un réseau de jeunes inclusif faisant partie intégrante de l'écosystème communautaire plus large. 

Proche Aidance Québec (anciennement RANQ, Regroupement des aidants naturels du Québec) a été fondé en l’an 2000 et regroupe 124 organismes communautaires qui soutiennent plus de 41 000 personnes proches aidantes partout au Québec. Ces organismes ont pour mission d'améliorer les conditions de vie des proches aidants en soulageant l'appauvrissement et l'épuisement qu'ils vivent en raison de la maladie, du vieillissement ou du handicap d'un proche, que ce soit un conjoint, un ami, une sœur ou un enfant. En 2021, le regroupement a publié le guide « Aider les jeunes aidants et jeunes aidantes à s'épanouir. » 

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

L’UNIVERS DE L’AUTOMOBILE À LMAC: La mécanique automobile vous intéresse? Venez visiter le Centre de formation professionnelle Laurier Macdonald à Saint-Léonard. Vous bénéficierez d'un apprentissage pratique dans leur atelier.

QU’EST-CE QUI MIJOTE À PIUS: Ce bretzel à la moutarde n'a-t-il pas l'air délicieux? Démarrez votre carrière. Allez au bout de vos rêves. 

Le Centre de carrières St. Pius X à Ahuntsic accepte présentement les inscriptions pour son nouveau groupe de cuisine professionnelle qui débutera en avril. Pour prendre rendez-vous et vous inscrire, composez le 514 381-5440. 

Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 27 avril 2022. Prière de soumettre vos articles au plus tard le 22 avril 2022 à midi, à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca.

The next Focus will be published on April 27, 2022. Deadline for submissions is April 22 at Noon. Email mcohen@emsb.qc.ca 

FEBRUARY 23, 2022 EDITION / VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6 / THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE EMSB (MIKE COHEN, EDITOR/MANON BOURASSA, TRANSLATION)

Mariana  Castro-Lopez with her students at Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: The EMSB's highly successful Diversity and Inclusion campaign continues. Please view our ongoing recap of proceedings, including television and radio interviews, on our special page here.

Spokesman Jacques Rougeau

PINK SHIRT DAY:  The EMSB launched a new anti-bullying campaign on Pink Shirt Day Feb. 23 when world famous wrestler Jacques Rougeau addressed students at a virtual presentation. Bullying is a problem in schools, workplaces, homes, and online. Over the month of February, and throughout the year, Pink Shirt Day aims to raise awareness of these issues, as well as raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem.  The EMSB   is proud to announce that Electrika, one of the only companies to exclusively offer residential electrician services in Montreal and Laval, will be the official sponsor for the Pink Shirt Day campaign.  Owner John McElligott, who started the company in 2004, notes that on t-shirts he recently had printed for staff the word “Respect” appears on the shoulder. “Clients who do not treat our employees with respect are engaging in a form of bullying,” he said. See our press release.

You can see the 32 minute program here.

Here is a radio commercial for the campaign

Here is a radio commercial with Jacques Rougeau

Here is Jacques Rougeau on Global TV

Here is Jacques Rougeau on TSN 690

Here is Jacques Rougeau on CJAD

Electrika team members wore their shirts to work.

MIND INITIATIVE FOR THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION:  MIND High School is working with Nakuset,  a leading activist for the urban indigenous population, on a major arts installation led by internationally renowned French photographer and street artist JR.  His “Inside Out” Project is a platform that gives everyone the opportunity to make a statement by displaying large-scale black and white portraits of members from their community in public spaces. “Inside Out” is a free global art project that allows communities to turn their untold stories and what they stand for into a public work of art. Montreal’s Indigenous community group action is entitled: Indigenous Forced Displacement. Fifty photographs of local Indigenous community members will be displayed throughout the city. These portraits were taken by three different Indigenous photographers representing the Algonquin, Mohawk and Ojibway nations. They will be mounted on the outsides of buildings in an exhibition designed to highlight the challenge of Indigenous forced displacement. 

MIND students lend a helping hand.

On Monday February 21, Head Teacher John Panetta took a group of MIND students to assist Nakuset and her team with the postering for the project at two locations.   The EMSB has granted consent for the historic Bancroft Elementary School building on St. Urbain, which houses MIND High School, to be used to feature some of the portraits which will dissolve over time. See the complete press release.

To celebrate Black History Month, Cycle 1 students at East Hill had the pleasure of meeting Guédeline Desrosiers, an author of diverse backgrounds.  She shared her passion for children's literature through her first album entitled "Lili Rose."  The students then expressed their friendship with their classmates through an art activity. This workshop was a success!

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Many EMSB schools marked Black History Month with a wide array of activities. You can see a summary here.

MONNAIE MONEY: For the past 12 years a Black History Month Event has been presented for the residents of Greater Montreal area.  Since the pandemic, it went virtual. The 2022 edition of the event features seven top artists who performed at several historical locations, thus bringing the arts and history together to educate the masses.  This Monnaie Money Black History Month documentary, produced by the Monnaie Money Project of the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Côte-des-Neiges, can be viewed here. 

MUBEENAH MUGHAL RECOGNIZED: Congratulations to EMSB Parent Commissioner Mubeenah Mughal on being named a Black Changemaker for 2022 by CBC. You can read the complete story here.

There is nothing like an animal to relax kids.

VACCINATION HELPERS: Reptiles and furry friends eased anxiety and kept students company at Hampstead Elementary School recently when the staff welcomed nurses from the CIUSS for their second vaccination clinic in mid-January. The animals, which were brought to the school by ReptiZoo, provided comfort and support as well as put smiles on faces throughout the day

NUTRITION MONTH: EMSB Nutrition and Food Services has planned an interactive Nutrition Month calendar for teachers to countdown March with their students. This calendar offers daily health messages, activities on foods or nutrients or links to educational material. They will also be preparing a Nutrition Month newsletter for the EMSB community which will touch on this year's theme   from Dietitians of Canada called" Ingredients for a Healthy Future."  It will have links to recipes and practical nutrition tips and tricks. In addition, Nutrition and Food Services has  also created a cooking workshop handout for elementary school teachers to help them organize cooking activities with their students. The handout includes recipes and logistics for cooking workshops (equipment, grocery list, set up, kitchen safety), as well as suggested nutrition videos and activities for Cycles 1,2 and 3 students.

Basketball star Pascal Fleury talks to kids.

HOOKED ON SCHOOL: February signals the half-way mark to the end of the school year and the start of registration for the fall CEGEP term. It’s a month when students can feel like they’ve run out of steam, sluggish, and unmotivated. Hooked on Schools Day, which took place from February 14 to 18, 2022, marked a chance for everyone to talk about persevering in school and to show their encouragement for students young and old—a chance to highlight how far they have come and give them a boost so they can finish the school year strong Held annually throughout Québec in February, Hooked on School Days   are a special occasion to highlight the importance of staying in school, for the well-being of both individual students and society as a whole. HSD also celebrate the vital work of those who help young people fulfill their potential. A number of EMSB schools  organized their own activities: Gerald McShane, Montreal North (Kindness Month); John Grant High School in Côte Saint-Luc (Awareness Campaign and Pledge). On February 16, basketball player Pascal Fleury, spoke  Cycle 2 and 3 students  at East Hill Elementary School about perseverance, determination and following their dreams!  

Michelangelo International's Hooked on  School montage.

At Michelangelo International School, week long activities were planned for the students to encourage hard work, perseverance and pride in their work. Green “smile buttons” were pasted around the school for to symbolize their pride for being at school and to promote well-being and attention to others. Students could take a smile button to wear if they wished. A Kindness Challenge also encouraged the importance of others’ well being and enjoying the little things that people do for us to make us smile. Students, staff and parents also wrote messages of encouragement, kindness or empathy to the children that were included in our Kindness Tree. Cycle 3 students were treated to a Virtual Guest Speaker, Laurent Duvernay Tardif, who spoke to students across Quebec about how all his hard work and perseverance made him into the successful man that he is today. To end the week, Grade 6 students were given notes of encouragement written by students from Lester B. Pearson High School and given Certificates of Perseverance highlighting unique qualities they each hold. Hooked on Schools Week was a huge success as the added School Spirit enabled the students at Michelangelo International to receive an added boost of positivity and perseverance to get through to the end of the school year! 

 You can see the list of activities here. 

Students had a blast engaging in winter sports.

SEEDS AT ST. GABE’S: The SEEDS 2 students at Saint Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe St. Charles   have been busy practicing winter sports after receiving a generous donation from Decathlon (Brossard and Downtown locations). It is the first-time skating, snow shoeing and board sliding for many of the students. In letters thanking the store the students wrote “I have learned to face my fears” and “I have learned why I need to wear a helmet.” Seeds teacher Sarah Howard is thankful for this opportunity to have students learning outside in real life scenarios. 

ADDRESSING SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS: The Association of Directors General of English School Boards of Quebec (ADGESBQ), in collaboration with member boards and the Centre de services scolaire du Littoral, has embarked upon an ambitious project to define human resources needs clearly in order to implement a strategy to respond to those needs and to address the shortage of teachers, more specifically, French teachers. A new streamlined information portal has been launched, offering a centralized location for candidates to learn more about the regions and school boards, search for and apply for career opportunities and student internships, access resources, salary data, upcoming career fairs and events and the latest announcements.   The new website can be found at https://www.quebeceducationcareers.ca. For the full press release click here. 

SCHOOL TAXES: If you are a resident on the island of Montreal, your school taxes are paid to the Island School Council - CGTSIM (Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l'île de Montréal). Taxes are placed in a general fund and distributed to the school boards that are on the Island of Montreal (French or English). For more information, you can contact them directly via https://cgtsim.qc.ca/en/. The option to re-direct your school taxes only apply to residents who live off the island of Montreal.

Julien Feldman addresses Rotary Club.

FELDMAN ADDRESSES ROTARY CLUB: EMSB Commissioner for Westmount and Sud Ouest Julien Feldman addressed a virtual meeting of the Rotary Club of Westmount. He provided an update on EMSB court actions on Bills 21 and 40. In addition he spoke about the impact of COVID-19 on the school board, explained how a public-school board works and some of the other challenges the EMSB faces.

Commissioner Joseph Lalla congratulates Ava Nicole.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH: As the source of inspiration for many of her peers, Willingdon Elementary School’s Ava Nicole Smith (Grade 5) has been named the EMSB’s Student of the Month for February. Despite facing many academic challenges herself, Ava was determined to find a way to boost her own scholastic performance and that of her friends. As such, she asked staff at Willingdon’s Senior Campus to help her create a “Catch Up” club which would allow students extra time to complete their work, thus helping them achieve better results. 

Maya Doughan, Joe Ortona,  Ava Nicole Smith, Principal Carmen Nicolas and resource teacher Ms. Avery.

Ava promotes the club within the school, shows up daily to complete her work as well as ensures her friends do the same. Furthermore, she convinced Support Staff: Ms. Avery and Mr. Mark to house the club in the school’s resource room and provide oversight.  “The club is full every day,” said Maya Doughan, Vice Principal. “For students and staff, Ava Nicole is a breath of fresh air in these very difficult times.”

Gabriela Parnas-Zver presents her cheque.

STUDENT HELPS CHEZ DORIS: Congratulations to Royal Vale student Gabriela Parnas-Zver, who dedicated a large part of her winter break to shoveling snow in the community for a good cause. After hours of hard work, Gabriela collected $1,000 which she donated to Chez Doris, a women's shelter based in Shaughnessy Village. Chez Doris provides meals, shelter, clothing, hygiene services, socio-recreational activities, and practical assistance to women in need. For more information on Chez Doris, go to: https://www.chezdoris.org/en/

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH: Bravo to Melodie Quinquennial. The Grade 6 student at Cedarcrest Elementary School in St. Laurent is raising money for the Montreal Childrens Foundation.  Last year she raised $3,056 and 100 percent of the funds went to help kids like her beat the silent demons in their heads. She’s been fighting it since her grandparents passed away.    This year’s goal is $5,000, a total of $1,000 for every year she’s chosen giving instead of receiving birthday gifts. “My daughter has gone through hell and back and she’s only 11,” says mom Laura. “She’s had so many losses. with the most recent last month my grandmother.” 

Melodie Quinquennial 

 Melodie says she wants to be a doctor one day. 

See her page on the Foundation website.

This is the article they wrote about her   

See this Global TV report.

VALENTINE’S DAY: Hundreds of heartfelt messages of thanks—complete with hearts—went out to Jewish General Hospital staff on Valentine’s Day, courtesy of students at five Montreal-area schools, with support from the hospital’s Humanization of Care Committee. “The kids really enjoy making the cards and they put a great deal of thought and emotion into them,” says Anatasia Mulcare, a Child Care Worker at Carlyle International School in the Town of Mount Royal, which sent greetings to JGH employees for the second year in a row.  Joining them were children at Willingdon Junior and Senior Schools in Montreal, West Island College in Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Parkdale Elementary School in Saint-Laurent, and Good Shepherd School in Brossard. For the full story click here.  

A scene from the IB PYP  Exhibition.

IB PYP EXHIBITION:  This year’s Carlyle Elementary School IB PYP Exhibition represents the Town of Mount Royal institution’s second virtual presentation of the sixth graders’ culmination of their lifelong learning journey up until today. The context of their 2022 presentation involves undertaking a trans- disciplinary study of science, specifically how society and science are interdependent for the betterment of the human experience. The energy, perseverance, enthusiasm, and curiosity fueled the non-stop exploration of the interconnectedness throughout the ages and incredible leaps in the stages of scientific development. The syntheses garnished from the extensive collaborative learning and research evoked the sense of wonder and existential understanding of their acquired knowledge showcased in this year’s IB Exhibition.   Details are here.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: The EMSB will honour volunteers in a virtual ceremony towards the end of April. In the interim, we wanted to share the opportunity to nominate someone for Canada’s Volunteer Awards 2021 before March 4, 2022.  You can nominate an individual, a not-for-profit organization, a social enterprise or a socially responsible business who has made a significant contribution in improving the lives of others in their community through volunteering. The five award categories are as follow: One national award; the Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award; and four regional award categories: Community Leader, Emerging Leader, Business Leader and Social Innovator.  In addition to receiving an award from the government of Canada at a national ceremony, recipients are invited to choose a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant of $5,000 (regional awards) or $10,000 (national award).  Details are here.

OLYMPIC MOMENT: At Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve,  Class 3A worked on Winter Olympic projects! One student contacted a Brazilian Olympian named  Nicole Silveira (2022 Olympian - Skeleton)  and she sent this video, posted on their Facebook page: https://fb.watch/bllSJeDiUm/

MISSING CHILDREN’S NETWORK: The Missing Children’s Network is proud to launch a dedicated website for its SHINE program, which aims to reduce the risk of a child running away and placing themselves in a vulnerable position in the face of sexual predators. The vast majority of disappearances in Quebec are made up of youth who run away. Unfortunately, approximately one third of these girls and boys are at risk of sexual exploitation. In order to reduce this risk, education is the key to prevention. The shineforlife.org website will allow us to reach many more young students, teachers and parents across Quebec. Created in 2017, the SHINE program has reached more than 46,000 students between eight and thirteen years- old in Quebec through interactive workshops given by experts from the Missing Children’s Network, training for professionals, publications, advice, videos and activities.  To register a Québec school for the SHINE program, school personnel or parents can simply click on the “Register your school” button on shineforlife.org.  Thus far this year visits have been made to four EMSB elementary schools (East Hill Elementary, Pierre-de-Coubertin Elementary, Edward Murphy, Gardenview and two high schools (John F. Kennedy and Marymount). Still to come are visits to Cedarcrest, LINKS, Laurier Macdonald and Pierre Elliott Trudeau.  

QBBE: The Quebec Board of Black Educators (QBBE) is transitioning to online academic support to respond to the academic needs of its student population.  You can get all the details here.

The Chorale performs.

EMSB CHORALE NEWS: After more than a year of online rehearsals and virtual projects, the EMSB Chorale was thrilled and moved to be singing in person again this past fall. Valiantly dealing with the challenges of learning to sing beautifully despite masks and physical distancing, the choristers were able to present a successful holiday concert at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Montreal on December 4 before a large and appreciative audience. It was the choir’s first live performance in two years. Although the circumstances did not allow having the Montreal Citadel Band as guests, as has been the tradition for more than 25 years, contributions at the door made it possible for the chorale to make a sizeable donation to the Salvation Army’s Christmas campaign to help Montrealers in need. A week later, the EMSB Senior Chorale performed in Geordie Theatre’s Holiday Bash telethon, helping to raise more than $8,500 for the theatre. During the telethon, chorale conductor Pat Abbott was thrilled to be able to help pay tribute to outgoing Geordie Artistic and Executive Director Mike Payette, who was a member of the chorale in the 1990s. Mike is now the Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre in Toronto and credits the choir with helping him gain confidence in himself. 

COMING EVENTS: Alas, Omicron meant going back online  for the Chorale at  the beginning of the new year, but in-person rehearsals have now resumed, and the chorale is gearing up for a busy spring. The Senior Chorale is looking forward to singing in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana on May 28 at the Maison symphonique with the Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes under the dynamic artistic direction of FACE alumnus Francis Choinière. A week later, on June 4, the Chorale will present its Spring Gala Concert celebrating its 42nd season at the Salle Pierre-Mercure in the Quartier Latin. Tickets will go on sale April 1. For more information on the EMSB Chorale, contact conductor Pat Abbott at pabbott@emsb.qc.ca or at 514-483-7200, ext. 7234. Auditions for next season will be held in May and June. 

Leonardo Da Vinci Academy B.A.S.E. Daycare Grade 2A students get into a crabwalk position while playing Shipwreck outdoors in January. This game is part of the BOKS Recess Cards resource. 

B.A.S.E. GETS PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND ANIMATED: The B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enriched) Daycare Program kicked off its first-ever B.A.S.E. BOKS Contest in seven daycares on January 18. The goal of the three-month contest is two-fold: to get children physically active as often as possible and to encourage daycare educators to animate different games that keep physical activity fun and engaging!  Participation in the contest is voluntary. Participating daycares include Leonardo Da Vinci Academy, Gerald McShane, Cedarcrest, Parkdale, Edinburgh, St. Gabriel and Westmount Park. BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) is a free program that aims to make physical activity and play part of every child’s day. The daycare educators will be using three different BOKS resources during the contest: Month 1: Recess Cards, Month 2: Are You Game? Booklet and Month 3: Break the Ice Booklet. Daycare educators will animate the games in three different settings: Schoolyard, classroom and gymnasium. 

Daycare educators must submit pictures as proof of participation and entries into the contest. They can increase their chances at winning by animating different BOKS activities with the same daycare group or the same BOKS activity with different daycare groups. One winning daycare will be chosen at random on April 4, 2022. The daycare will win a BOKS Kit of physical activity equipment valued at $400 and a BOKS Visit from Kim St. Pierre, the Manager of Business Development for BOKS Canada. Kim also oversees all BOKS schools in Quebec. In addition, Kim was a member of Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team as goaltender from 1998 until 2011 and is a three-time Olympic Gold medalist. 

A SPACE TO BREATHE: Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce and Lift Coordinator Jonathan Sbrollini will be collaborating together on a special mental health program called “A Space to Breathe” at Rosemount High School. This  four week intensive self-care unit will discuss the importance of daily self-care, and help students develop coping strategies and tools to support their inner well-being. This program will include a 21-day wellness challenge which will involve a multitude of programs such as art therapy with Rosemount High School art teacher Eric Mailloux, a healthy relationships workshop, peer pressure workshops, weekly motivational and affirmation challenges, health and nutrition workshops, and testimonials from Gabriele Iacampo, motivational speaker and EMSB Alumnus.   “The need for self-care is extremely important during these difficult times. We wanted to support students in creating individualized self-care success plans tailored to their specific interests and needs. The lessons and coping strategies covered are beneficial for both adults and students as we need to assess and care for our well-being in order to be a support for others who may be struggling or in need,” says Lacroce. The program will be both virtual and classroom based and will run throughout the month of February.  

PreKs at Gerald McShane enjoyed learning about the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year with SCA Mary Poullas.. 

ONE SNOWSHOE AT A TIME: John F. Kennedy High School physical education teachers Kate Bonato and David Henrys,  and Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza spent several days this month enjoying the great outdoors one snowshoe at a time with students. Together they enjoyed being outdoors, active, and in nature. They played football, took part in relay races and some orienteering games. 

Students enjoy the great outdoors.

Students were also treated to a surprise visit by the SPVM mounted division. “Being outdoors and connecting to nature is important for students’ mental health,” noted SCA Speranza. “For many students, this was their first time taking part in the sport and they really had great time.”  

Students at the workshop.

THE POWER OF MUSIC: During the months of January and February, Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce launched a unique workshop in collaboration with Marco Ferri and Marco Ferri Entertainment called “The Power of Music.” This interactive workshop, offered at Nesbitt Elementary, Pierre De Coubertin Elementary, Perspectives I and II High School, and Rosemount High School, focuses on the healing power and mental health benefits of music.  Research has shown that music has a positive impact on our autonomic nervous system, helping us manage stress and respond more constructively in moments of stress. The presentations will also include a live deejay session illuminating how the body reacts to certain sounds and genres of music. “Music can be a fantastic tool through which to process and express our emotions. It is the universal language of mankind and the only true time machine that exists! Certain songs have the ability to remind us of particular periods or events in our lives – some that make us smile, and some we would rather forget, but most importantly, music is the language of our spirit.”

Lots of homemade cards.

HEART-TO-HEART: This year the annual “Heart-to-Heart” Valentine’s Day initiative turned six years old and included visits to the Montreal Children’s Hospital and Lighthouse. The program was coordinated by Clementina Fraga (Gerald McShane School Daycare), Jennifer De Freitas (Base Daycare Services) and Spiritual Care and Guidance, and Community Involvement Animators Rocco Speranza and Paolo Ruscito. Several schools and daycares took part; St Gabriel, LDV, Vezina. Edinburgh, Gerald McShane, Parkdale, Our Lady of Pompei, John Caboto, East Hill, Edward Murphy, L.I.N.K.S., John F. Kennedy, Royal Vale, Pierre De Coubertin came together to create thousands of handmade cards and e-greetings and raise funds for medical equipment and the Montreal Children’s world-renowned Craniofacial and Cleft Surgery program. 

Presenting some gifts.

This initiative aims to cheer up children who are in the hospital during Valentine's Day and deliver the messages of joy and comfort to those who need it. Senior homes and residents along with hospital staff will also be receiving cards, e-greetings, and some Valentine’s Day treats as the initiative expands. Our students' efforts help them grow in community spirit and into caring citizens as their actions make them more empathetic and compassionate. Once again, we wish to extend a great big thank you to staff, students, and administrations for their support. The project aims to instill in young children that an act of charity big or small, known or known, is a wonderful act of compassion and kindness that truly changes the lives of those who receive and perform it.

World Read Aloud Day.

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY: On February 2, the FACE Elementary team and students celebrated World Read Aloud Day! This event is celebrated in over 173 countries. It marked the third year that the school  marked this important literacy day at school. To help celebrate, Montreal City Councillor Sterling Downey and Liberal MNA Enrico Ciccone joined the school virtually to read books to   students. Several parents  also joined and surprised their child’s class virtually to read a story. Not only did the students enjoy listening to stories, but they were also reminded about the importance of literacy and the power of voices through books. More importantly, students and staff were reminded about the joy of reading! 

QUEBEC AWARDS: In order to recognize the exemplary work of individuals and organizations that are helping to move Quebec towards a society without racism, the Quebec government has announced the creation of the “For a Racism-Free Quebec Awards.” This is an initiative of Benoit Charette, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism, are an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements that contribute to ending prejudice, discrimination and racism in Quebec society. This new official distinction of the Quebec government will be presented in the form of medals to the winners. There will be two distinct categories: individuals and organizations. Applications will be evaluated by a jury based on, among other things, their contribution to the fight against racism, as well as the quality of their achievements, their impact, their originality and their relevance. To be eligible, complete applications must be submitted by March 2, 2022 to prixQsr@mce.gouv.qc.ca. Awards will be presented in March. 

ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES

SCHOOL DAYCARE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM:  On April 7, the Shadd  Health and Business Centre will welcome a new group of students in the School Daycare Educator Specialized Training Certificate (STC) program, which is open to the public as well as to current EMSB daycare and B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enriched daycare program) employees. In the one year, part-time, and hybrid learning course, students will learn the ins and outs of elementary school daycare programs and how to facilitate fun, educative activities for children from Grades 1 through 6. Registration is open!  Info:  https://shadd.com.

Celebrating the Film Festival.

GALILEO FILM FESTIVAL: On Jan. 27, Lisa Trotto and Vera Tronca’s SIS students participated in their second annual SIS film festival! The popularity of Galileo’s SIS event last year with the iBelong Digital Storytelling project has led them to participate in yet another digital project this year: Stop Motion Animation. Students have been working diligently on their Stop Motion Animation videos with their partner and mentor, Jessie Curell, from Hands on Media. Both Miss Lisa and Miss Vera are proud to announce that Galileo is the only adult centre that has taken part in this project across Quebec! Stop Motion Animation, above all else, is a project which fosters collaboration and teamwork, and truly highlights the importance of coming together! Stop Motion Animation also allows students to immerse themselves into a world of creativity through a dynamic and stimulating digital and hands-on learning experience! Through this multi-facet project, SIS students took their digital video production course to the next level and created their own original animated films. With Jessie’s weekly virtual guidance, students created five stop motion animation production videos, which can now be found on their very own YouTube channel! The project also highlights how well students have learned to use technology – namely, the Stop Motion Studio Pro App, editing techniques, original music creation, sound effects, voice, and sound altering, and the use of copyright-free material. To view the Festival see: https://bit.ly/3s851d8 

CITYNEWS: The Galileo SIS students and Miss Lisa Trotto  were interview by City News on their experience with digital storytelling and video creation. They were interviewed along with Jessie Curell from Hands on Media. Our students’ work and Oscar ceremony at Galileo was also spotlighted.  Here is the coverage: https://montreal.citynews.ca/video/2022/02/09/digital-storytelling-workshops-for-canadian-students/      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ME0vBppQBw

ÉDITION DU MOIS DE FÉVRIER 2022 / BULLETIN DE LA CSEM

LE MOIS DE L'HISTOIRE DES NOIRS: Dans le cadre du Mois de l'histoire des Noirs, neuf élèves de 4e secondaire de l'école Rosemont, ainsi que l'animateur de vie spirituelle et d’engagement communautaire Vince Lacroce, ont créé un musée portable de l'histoire des Noirs. Au terme d’un mois de recherche, de préparation et de travail, ils ont rendu visite à l'école primaire Nesbitt afin d’y présenter leur projet. 

MUBEENAH: Félicitations à Mubeenah Mughal, commissaire parent à la CSEM, pour sa nomination à titre de Changemaker noire en 2022 par la CBC.

Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral de l’article 

COMPLICES DE LA VACCINATION: Des reptiles et des bêtes poilues ont contribué à apaiser l'anxiété chez les élèves de l'école primaire Hampstead lorsque le personnel y a accueilli récemment les infirmières du CIUSS à l’occasion de la deuxième campagne de vaccination à la mi-janvier. Les animaux, fournis par ReptiZoo, ont apporté réconfort et soutien aux élèves, et en ont fait sourire plusieurs tout au long de la journée.

MOIS DE LA NUTRITION: L’équipe de Nutrition et services alimentaires de la CSEM a conçu pour les enseignants un calendrier interactif à utiliser avec les élèves dans le cadre du Mois de la nutrition. Ce calendrier propose des messages quotidiens sur la santé, des activités qui gravitent autour des aliments ou des nutriments, ainsi que des liens vers du matériel éducatif. Une infolettre sera également produite à l’intention de la communauté de la CSEM et abordera le thème choisi en 2022 par Les Diététistes du Canada : « Les ingrédients d’un avenir plus sain ». On y trouvera des liens vers des recettes, de même que des conseils et astuces pratiques en matière de nutrition.

PERSÉVÉRANCE SCOLAIRE: Le mois de février sonne la mi-parcours de l’année et annonce le début des inscriptions d'automne au cégep. C'est un mois où les jeunes peuvent ressentir un essoufflement, une baisse d'énergie, un creux de motivation. C'est pourquoi les Journées de la persévérance scolaire (JPS), qui se sont déroulées du 14 au 18 février 2022, permettent à tous et chacun de parler de persévérance scolaire et de poser un geste d’encouragement à l’égard des plus jeunes comme des plus vieux, afin de souligner le chemin parcouru et de redonner de l’énergie pour poursuivre la route vers la fin de l’année scolaire. Tenues annuellement à travers tout le Québec au mois de février, les Journées de la persévérance scolaire constituent une occasion privilégiée pour souligner l’importance de la persévérance scolaire pour le bien-être des élèves ainsi que celui de toute la société. Les JPS célèbrent également le travail essentiel de tous celles et ceux qui épaulent nos jeunes dans le développement de leur plein potentiel. Des écoles de la CSEM y sont allées de leurs propres activités : Gerald McShane à Montréal-Nord (Mois de la bonté), école secondaire John Grant à Côte Saint-Luc (Campagne de sensibilisation et d’engagement). Pour consulter la liste des activités:  https://jembarque.ca/fr/calendrier-officiel-des-jps/

RÉPONDRE À LA PÉNURIE D'ENSEIGNANTS: L’Association des directeurs généraux des commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec (ADGCSAQ), en collaboration avec les commissions scolaires membres et le Centre de services scolaire du Littoral, a entrepris un projet ambitieux visant à définir clairement les besoins en ressources humaines afin de mettre en œuvre une stratégie qui répond à ces besoins et qui remédie à la pénurie de personnel, plus précisément, en enseignement du français. Un nouveau portail d’information simplifié offre un endroit centralisé où les candidats peuvent se renseigner sur les régions et les commissions scolaires, consulter les possibilités de carrière et les stages étudiants et poser leur candidature, puis accéder à des ressources, aux échelles salariales, aux prochains salons de l’emploi et événements, ainsi qu’aux toutes dernières annonces. Ce nouveau site Web se trouve au https://www.quebeceducationcareers.ca. Nous vous invitons à consulter l’intégral du communiqué : http://www.emsb.qc.ca/csem/nouvelles/les-commissions-scolaires-anglophones-du-quebec-lancent-un-site-web-doffres-demplois-et-dinformations-centralisees 

TAXES SCOLAIRES: Si vous résidez sur l'île de Montréal, vos taxes scolaires sont versées au Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de l'île de Montréal (CGTSIM). Les taxes sont placées dans un fonds général et distribuées aux commissions scolaires situées sur l'île de Montréal (francophones et anglophones). Pour plus d'informations, vous pouvez contacter directement le CGTSIM en vous rendant sur https://cgtsim.qc.ca/. L'option de rediriger vos taxes scolaires ne s'applique qu'aux résidents qui habitent à l'extérieur de l'île de Montréal.

JOURNÉE DU CHANDAIL ROSE: La CSEM a lancé une nouvelle campagne pour lutter contre l’intimidation à l’occasion de la Journée du chandail rose, le 23 février, alors que Jacques Rougeau, célèbre lutteur de renommée mondiale, s'est adressé aux élèves lors d'une présentation virtuelle. L'intimidation constitue un enjeu dans les écoles, sur les lieux de travail, à la maison et en ligne. Au cours du mois de février et tout au long de l'année, la Journée du chandail rose vise à susciter une prise de conscience à l’égard de ces problématiques, ainsi qu'à recueillir des fonds pour soutenir des programmes qui favorisent une saine estime de soi chez les jeunes.  La CSEM est fière d'annoncer qu'Electrika, l'une des seules entreprises à offrir exclusivement des services d’électricien résidentiel à Montréal et à Laval, sera le commanditaire officiel de la campagne de la Journée du chandail rose. Son propriétaire, John McElligott, qui a fondé l'entreprise en 2004, a récemment fait imprimer des t-shirts pour son personnel sur lesquels on peut lire le mot « Respect » brodé sur l'épaule. « Les clients qui ne traitent pas nos employés avec respect se livrent à une forme d'intimidation », a-t-il déclaré. Nous vous invitons à lire l’intégral du communiqué.

ÉLÈVE DU MOIS À LA CSEM: Source d'inspiration pour nombre de ses camarades, Ava Nicole Smith qui fréquente l'école primaire Willingdon, en 5e année, a été nommée l’Élève du mois de février à la CSEM. Elle-même confrontée à de nombreux défis sur le plan académique, Ava était déterminée à trouver un moyen d'améliorer ses propres résultats scolaires et ceux de ses camarades. Elle a donc demandé au personnel du campus senior de Willingdon de l'aider à mettre sur pied un club de « rattrapage » qui permettrait aux élèves de disposer de plus de temps pour réaliser leurs travaux, les aidant du même coup à obtenir de meilleurs résultats. Ava fait la promotion du club au sein de l'école, est au rendez-vous tous les jours pour terminer ses travaux et s’assure qu’il en est de même pour ses camarades. De plus, elle a réussi à convaincre le personnel de soutien, Mme Avery et M. Mark, de permettre au club de s’installer dans la classe-ressource et de fournir une supervision. 

« Tous les jours, le club est plein à craquer! », de dire Maya Doughan, directrice adjointe. Pour les élèves et le personnel, Ava Nicole est une bouffée d'air frais en ces temps très difficiles. »

EXPOSITION DU PEI DE L'IB: Cette année, l'exposition du PEI de l'IB de l'école primaire Carlyle représente la deuxième présentation virtuelle de cet établissement de la Ville de Mont Royal et l'aboutissement du parcours d'apprentissage réalisé jusqu’ici par les élèves de sixième année. Leur présentation de 2022 repose sur une étude transdisciplinaire de la science, et plus particulièrement de l’interdépendance de la société et de la science dans l'amélioration de l'expérience humaine. L'énergie, la persévérance, l'enthousiasme et la curiosité ont alimenté l'exploration ininterrompue de l'interconnectivité au fil du temps et les avancées spectaculaires ayant marqué les étapes du développement scientifique. Les synthèses réalisées à partir d'une recherche et d’un apprentissage collaboratifs approfondis ont suscité un sentiment d'émerveillement et une compréhension existentielle de leurs acquis, présentés dans le cadre de l'exposition IB de cette année.  

RECONNAISSANCE DES BÉNÉVOLES: La CSEM rendra hommage aux bénévoles lors d'une cérémonie virtuelle vers la fin du mois d'avril. Entre-temps, nous tenions à vous informer qu’il vous est possible de soumettre la candidature d'une personne en vue des Prix pour le bénévolat du Canada 2021, et ce, avant le 4 mars 2022. Ainsi, vous pouvez proposer la candidature d'une personne, d'un organisme à but non lucratif, d'une entreprise sociale ou d'une entreprise socialement responsable qui a grandement contribué à améliorer la vie des autres par l’entremise du bénévolat. Les cinq catégories de prix sont les suivantes : Un prix national – le Prix Thérèse-Casgrain pour l'engagement de toute une vie; et quatre catégories de prix régionaux – Leader communautaire, Leader émergent, Leader d'entreprise et Innovation sociale. En plus de recevoir un prix du gouvernement du Canada dans le cadre d'une cérémonie nationale, les lauréats sont invités à choisir un organisme sans but lucratif qui se verra décerner une bourse de 5 000 $ (prix régionaux) ou de 10 000 $ (prix national). Info: https://www.canada.ca/fr/emploi-developpement-social/programmes/prix-benevolat/candidature.html

RÉSEAU ENFANTS-RETOUR: Le Réseau Enfants-Retour est fier de lancer un site Web dédié à son programme AIMER, qui vise à réduire le risque qu'un enfant fasse une fugue et se place dans une position vulnérable face aux prédateurs sexuels. La grande majorité des disparitions au Québec sont des jeunes en fugue. Malheureusement, environ un tiers de ces filles et garçons sont à risque d'être exploités sexuellement. Afin de réduire ce risque, l'éducation est la clé de la prévention. Le site aimerpourlavie.org nous permettra de rejoindre beaucoup plus de jeunes élèves, d'enseignants et de parents partout au Québec. Créé en 2017, le programme AIMER a permis de rejoindre plus de 46 000 élèves âgés de huit à treize ans au Québec grâce à des ateliers interactifs animés par des experts du Réseau Enfants-Retour, des formations pour les professionnels, des publications, des conseils, des vidéos et des activités. Pour inscrire une école québécoise au programme AIMER, le personnel scolaire ou les parents n’ont qu’à cliquer sur le bouton « Inscrivez votre école » sur aimerpourlavie.org. Jusqu'à présent cette année, des visites ont été effectuées dans quatre écoles primaires de la CSEM (East Hill, Pierre de Coubertin, Edward Murphy et Gardenview) ainsi que dans deux écoles secondaires (John F. Kennedy et Marymount). D'autres visites sont prévues à Cedarcrest, L.I.N.K.S., Laurier Macdonald et Pierre Elliott Trudeau.   

QBBE: Le programme de soutien scolaire du Conseil des Éducateurs Noirs du Québec (QBBE) sera désormais offert en ligne pour répondre aux besoins académiques de sa population étudiante. Pour tous les détails :https://www.emsb.qc.ca/csem/nouvelles/le-conseil-des-educateurs-noirs-du-quebec-qbbe-au-service-de-la-communaute  

PRIX POUR UN QUÉBEC SANS RACISME: Afin de reconnaître l'exemplarité de personnes et d'organismes qui contribuent à faire progresser le Québec dans la voie d'une société sans racisme, le gouvernement annonce la création des prix Pour un Québec sans racisme. Nés d'une initiative du ministre responsable de la Lutte contre le racisme, Benoit Charette, ces prix sont l'occasion de valoriser les réalisations remarquables qui contribuent à mettre fin aux préjugés, à la discrimination et au racisme dans la société québécoise. Cette nouvelle distinction officielle de l'État québécois se présentera sous forme de médailles remises aux lauréates et lauréats. Deux catégories distinctes sont prévues, soit les personnes et les organismes. Les dossiers seront évalués par un jury en fonction, notamment, de la contribution à la lutte contre le racisme, de même que de la qualité des réalisations, de leurs retombées, de leur originalité et de leur pertinence. Pour être admissibles, les dossiers de candidature complets doivent être transmis, au plus tard, le 2 mars 2022, à l'adresse suivante : prixQsr@mce.gouv.qc.ca. La remise des prix aura lieu au cours du mois de mars. Veuillez consulter la page Web des prix Pour un Québec sans racisme pour avoir toute l'information nécessaire, notamment la manière de présenter une candidature.

BÉNÉVOLAT CANADA: Avez-vous soumis la candidature d’un bénévole pour les Prix pour le bénévolat du Canada? Il n’est pas trop tard. L’appel de candidatures prend fin le 4 mars 2022. Présentez la candidature d’une personne, d’un organisme sans but lucratif, d’une entreprise sociale ou d’une entreprise socialement responsable qui a grandement contribué à améliorer la vie des autres au moyen du bénévolat. Saviez-vous que vous pouvez soumettre la candidature de plus d’un bénévole? Les cinq catégories de prix sont les suivantes : Un prix national – Prix Thérèse-Casgrain pour l'engagement de toute une vie; quatre catégories de prix régionaux – Leadership communautaire, Leader émergent, Leadership d'entreprise et Innovation sociale.  En plus de recevoir un prix du gouvernement du Canada dans le cadre d’une cérémonie nationale, les lauréats sont invités à identifier un organisme sans but lucratif de leur choix qui recevra une bourse de 10 000 $ (prix national) ou de 5 000 $ (prix régionaux).  Pour infos.

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

FESTIVAL DU FILM DE GALILEO: Le 27 janvier, les élèves des SIS de Lisa Trotto et Vera Tronca ont participé à la deuxième édition du festival annuel du film des SIS! La popularité du projet iBelong Digital Storytelling de l'événement SIS à Galileo l’an dernier les a incités à participer à un autre projet numérique cette année : Stop Motion Animation. Les élèves ont travaillé assidûment sur leurs vidéos Stop Motion Animation en compagnie de leur partenaire et mentor, Jessie Curell, de Hands on Media. Mme Lisa et Mme Vera sont fières d'annoncer que Galileo est le seul centre d’éducation pour adultes à avoir pris part à ce projet au Québec! Stop Motion Animation favorise, d’abord et avant tout, la collaboration et le travail d'équipe, et met véritablement en lumière l'importance de s'unir! Il permet également aux élèves de s'immerger dans un univers créatif par l’entremise d’une expérience d'apprentissage numérique et pratique des plus dynamiques et stimulantes! Dans le cadre de ce projet aux multiples facettes, les élèves des SIS ont poussé leur cours de production vidéo numérique à un niveau supérieur et ont créé leurs propres films d'animation. Grâce à l’encadrement virtuel de Jessie chaque semaine, les élèves ont pu réaliser cinq vidéos de production Stop Motion Animation, qui se trouvent désormais sur leur propre chaîne YouTube! Le projet met également en évidence la manière dont les élèves ont appris à utiliser la technologie, notamment l'application Stop Motion Studio Pro, les techniques de montage, la création de musique originale, les effets sonores, la modification de la voix et du son, et l'utilisation de matériel sans droit d’auteur. Pour visionner le Festival : https://bit.ly/3s851d8 

CITYNEWS: Nos élèves des SIS et Mme Lisa Trotto, de même que Jessie Curell de Hands on Media, ont été interviewés par CityNews au sujet de leur expérience avec la narration numérique et la création vidéo. Les réalisations de nos élèves ainsi que la cérémonie des Oscars à Galileo ont également été soulignées. Voici la couverture médiatique: https://montreal.citynews.ca/video/2022/02/09/digital-storytelling-workshops-for-canadian-students    ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ME0vBppQBw

Le prochain numéro de Pleins feux sur Fielding sera publié le 23 mars 2022. Prière de soumettre vos articles au plus tard le 17 mars 2022 à midi, à mcohen@emsb.qc.ca

The next Focus will be published on March 23.  Deadline for submissions is  March 17 at Noon to mcohen@emsb.qc.ca