May 25, 2011 - According to UNICEF Canada, schools which have adopted Rights Respecting ... Club of Westmount also offer
VOLUME 13
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M AY 2 5 , 2 0 1 1
Fielding Focus T H E M O NT H L Y B U L L E T I N O F T H E E M S B EDITOR: MICHAEL J. COHEN PRINTING SERVICES: L. SHAW, D. D’ORNELLAS PROOFREADING/TRANSLATION: ALINE ZEROUNIAN
SCHOLASTIC CHALLENGE WINNER
Inside This Issue EMSB in The Media Daycare Beautification
Nesbitt Gala
EMSB grad in Parliament
St. Patrick School Case
MacKay Musical
Blue Metropolis
Long Service Reception
Michelangelo Sports Live
JFKBC Hotel Event
Special Mural Project
Alexander Spinali is congratulated (left to right) by Regional Director Claude Dansereau, Chairman Angela Mancini, Director General Robert Stocker, Guidance Counsellor Sherilyn Bell and LaurenHill Principal Pelagia Nicoletopoulos.
For the first time since 2007, the Quebec Scholastic Challenge was captured by a student from the EMSB as Alexander Spinali from LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent beat out students from across Quebec to take home the championship. The Scholastic Challenge is a contest for Grade 8 students, which is designed as an enrichment activity to stimulate their interest in knowledge, thinking and learning. The contest has been offered across Canada since 1998. The online test consists of 100 questions across six categories: General Knowledge (food, art, sports, music, current events, entertainment, mythology, etc.), Language and Literature, History, Geography, Science and Math. Each year, schools across the EMSB invite many of their top-achieving students to participate in this contest. “While the LaurenHill students have always performed very well, with the majority of participants scoring above the national average, this is the first time that we have had a provincial winner.” said Sherilyn Bell, the school‟s guidance counsellor. For more details please read the press release.
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EMSB IN THE MEDIA The EMSB would like to point readers to the media clippings section of our website where we provide links to newspaper articles about our Board or relevant to the local education system. It is neatly compiled by webmaster for schools Andrea DiTomaso, Here are some of the highlights (just click on the links). Montreal Families: John Caboto Initiates Unique Project West End Times: French for The Future Conference West End Times: EMSB Public Speaking Contest West End Times: Merton School Student A Winner West End Times: Wheelchair Athlete Peticlerc addresses EMSB adults West End Times: EMSB Honours Volunteers East End Suburban: Trudeau addresses LMAC students Flambeau de L‟Ouest: Edward Murphy's Carnival of Animals
EMSB TV GUIDE Please check out the EMSB Audio Video section, otherwise known as EMSB TV and Radio, by clicking here. Recent highlights include short productions by social media specialist Daniel Smajovits. Click on the links: EMSB TV: Vincent Massey and Free the Children EMSB TV: Carlyle School's Intergenerational Project EMSB TV: Hockey enforcer Chris Nilan Visits Marymount EMSB TV: Junior Robotics at Gerald McShane EMSB TV: EMSB Vounteer Appreciation Evening EMSB TV: Big Donation of Children's Books EMSB TV: LaurenHill Vernissage EMSB TV: EMSB Daycare Atrium Beautification CTV Montreal: Emotional Report on Laurier Mac's Relay for Life EMSB TV: Laurier Macdonald Anti-Smoking Ad
IN-SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS Some in-school administrative appointments have been made for the 2011-12 academic year. Tony Pita will return to Royal West Academy in Montreal West as principal, succeeding Mary Reynolds, who is retiring. Mr. Pita was the school‟s vice-principal and spent the last two years as principal of St. John Bosco Elementary in Ville Émard and James Lyng High in St. Henri. Myriane Lusignan will move up from vice-principal to principal at East Hill Elementary School in RDP, succeeding the retiring Maria Di Perna (right). At the High School of Montreal Adult Education Centre in the Plateau, Rosaria Trupia is retiring as viceprincipal. She will be replaced by Rick David, currently holding the same post at James Lyng Adult Education Centre. Martina Schiavone moves from vice-principal at the Shadd Business Centre in NDG to the same role at the Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North. More announcements are forthcoming.
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DAYCARE BEAUTIFICATION The English EMSB Community Services Daycare Division formally inaugurated the Atrium Beautification Project on May 18. The inauguration of the revamped EMSB head office atrium was held during Daycare Week, which ran from May 16 to May 20. EMSB Director General Robert Stocker made an inspiring speech and helped do some planting himself (right). “The focus of the Atrium Beautification Project is to create a naturerich space for all EMSB employees to enjoy,” said Daycare Manager Rosa Fuoco. “We also want to show the environmental consciousness being cultivated in our daycares.” In January, Daycare Services adopted a Green Plan in accordance with the EMSB model which was adopted last June and will be implemented over the course of a five-year board and school plan of action. Daycare Green Initiative Advisor Maddie Guerlain runs a Green Club in six daycares: Dante in St. Léonard, East Hill and Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP, Fraser Academy in St. Laurent, John Caboto in Ahuntsic, and St. Monica in NDG. The majority of these daycares participated in beautifying the atrium with plants and flowers. Read the press release for more details.
EMSB GETS GENEROUS DONATION Elementary schools across the EMSB will be gaining two new friends in storybook characters Gaëlle and Étienne courtesy of a generous donation of over $100,000 in books, puzzles, dolls and accessories by local entrepreneur Edward Hayes. The donation, one of the largest of its kind ever made by an individual to the EMSB, is from the series “Gaëlle: the Mysterious Secret of the Buttercups” and will provide students with over 11,000 hard and soft cover books in English, French and Spanish. Accompanying the reading materials from the same series are: more than 750 puzzles, 3,000 dolls complete with 1,000 pieces of accessory clothing and for students to bring home: 1,000 complete backpacks which come equipped with a cassette tape and book. Please read the press release.
Daniel Blumer, Edward Hayes present some of the donations to Christine Denommée of Pedagogical Services.
MONTREAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL EDUCATORS When a child is admitted to the Montreal Children‟s Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), be it for a short or long term stay, they can count on their educational needs being taken care of thanks to the EMSB The EMSB has a team of four teachers assigned full-time to the MCH. There are also three other teachers from the Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) who are there to provide attention to French-speaking students. “The teachers at the Montreal Children's Hospital really make a difference for our patients who have to be hospitalized for a long period of time,” said Dr. Harvey Guyda, associate executive director of the hospital.
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“They bring in the normal part of life in a world filled with challenging medical issues. They provide academic support to our patients to insure that their school year is not compromised and that they will be ready to go back in their own school when being discharge from the hospital. The teachers (pictured at the left) often go beyond their role by providing emotional support as they become supportive adults who are able to show compassion to the patients.” This program, administered by the EMSB, provides educational services to children admitted to the medical wards and those attending the out patient clinics, namely hemodialysis and oncology. Services are provided for the entire range of medical situations, which are treated at the hospital. The school range covers kindergarten to Grade 11, both in regular and special needs programs. Hospital stays vary due to the transient population among them. Please read the detailed press release.
RELAY FOR LIFE RECORD FOR LMAC Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard, in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, organized a Relay for Life (Cancer Walk) for all types of cancers and raised a record of more than $93,000 for Quebec and Canadian senior high schools (Secondary III to V) This was the second collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society. Laurier Macdonald was the only high school in all of Montreal to host such an event. This muchanticipated community fundraiser was coordinated by Laurier Macdonald students, under the supervision of Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce. See the press release for more details.
LAURENHILL VERNISSAGE Continuing a tradition which began last year, LaurenHill Academy Senior Campus in St. Laurent once again played host to an art and photo vernissage (right) in which over 100 original student pieces were on display. The Life as I See It Photo Contest and Art Vernissage highlighted the student works from throughout the year across various art mediums. Watch a short recap video.
NESBITT GALA One hundred years of educational excellence at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount will be celebrated on Thursday, June 2 as past administrators, teachers, support staff and students are all set to reconnect in a once-in-a-century gala. Taking place at Nesbitt School (6108 8th Avenue) from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m, the event is open to all alumni aged 18 and older. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by a band of Nesbitt alumni and guests can look forward to wine, cheese as well as coffee and a wide selection of desserts. More recently all 422 students teachers and parents took part in an “Earth Day- Nesbitt 100th Anniversary‟ walk.” The entire Nesbitt Community participated in this special activity. We left Nesbitt School and walked to
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Beaubien Park, approximately a kilometre away. Students carried posters demanding that we respect and save our Earth. They sang songs about the beauty of the earth and the role that each one of us can take to save it. In honour of the Centennial anniversary, a special website has been created by Andrea Di Tomaso, the EMSB webmaster for schools.
UNICEF HONOUR Westmount Park Elementary School will be at the forefront of the latest UNICEF Canada initiative as the school was selected to be the first one in Quebec to play host to the Rights Respecting School Program. The program is designed to be a framework for educational improvement which builds upon what schools are already doing to transform the whole school with a consistent, rights-based approach. The Rights Respecting School program reinforces provincial and territorial efforts to create a learning environment in which both children and adults feel respected and act responsibly. According to UNICEF Canada, schools which have adopted Rights Respecting School throughout the country have seen improved learning in the classroom, a decline in bullying and absenteism, increased compassion, improved classroom and school atmosphere and increased global awareness. Rights Respecting School is fully funded and supported by UNICEF. The program will begin to be implemented at Westmount Park in September 2011 and be fully in place by September 2012. Over the course of the year, both students and teachers will have a series of workshops introducing them to the new initiative.
ROTARY CLUB HELPS WESTMOUNT PARK On May 11, the after school student computer refurbishing program at Westmount Park Elementary School completed its first year with a press conference and presentation to sponsor The Rotary Club of Westmount, followed by a pizza party for the students. Since its inception in October 2010 the 10, Grade 5 and 6 students have learned the rudimentaries of refurbishing a used computer and reprogramming it with free Linux systems. By the end of the school year they will have redistributed six refurbished computers into the school population. Westmount Park parent volunteer and technology specialist Alan Kobalansky and resource teacher Pamela Price began the program as a resource for both learning challenged and advanced students, while teaching them how to refurbish obsolete computers with parts from donated waste computers and then reprogram them with free Linux System software. The students spend an hour after school every Wednesday learning and applying computer basics. “The program encourages students to teach each other while Alan and I try to take a back seat,” said Price. Students who are in need of a computer at home are invited to request one in writing, explaining how having a computer at home would help them. As they are completed, the computers are redistributed back. In the fall, the Rotary Club of Westmount funded the purchase of t-shirts for participants in the program to give them a stronger cohesive sense in the inaugural project that will commence again in the new school year. The Rotary Club of Westmount also offers to pick up used computers and monitors from members of the community to distribute to the programs hosted in both Westmount Park and Roslyn elementary inner city schools. At this time, Price is looking for donations of used flat screen monitors.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP CAMP Students from across the EMSB recently returned home from the 13th annual EMSB Student Leadership Camp, which took place at Camp Kinkora in St. Adolphe D'Howard. The camp was organized and run by approximately 27 senior leadership students from across the EMSB. The goal of the camp was to expose students to the many components of student leadership through icebreakers, experiential learning, a keynote address by motivational speaker Sanjay Nath, guided discussions, team building exercises and personal reflections, as well as sharing leadership experiences between the campers. These undertakings are accomplished in a safe and friendly environment where students are encouraged to challenge their comfort levels and grow as leaders.
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In many schools, the students involved in leadership, plan and organize school activities and serve as ambassadors at school. As representatives of the student body, they sit on committees such as Governing Board, EMSAC, marketing committees and informally at times when we wish to appraise the feelings of the student body. These retreats give us an opportunity to nurture a spirit of giving and community as they hone their leadership skills. Approximately 200 students from James Lyng, John Grant, John Paul I, LaurenHill Acadamy, Laurier Macdonald, Lester B. Pearson, Marymount Academy, Royal Vale, Westmount, Rosemount and Vincent Massey Collegiate took part in the event. These students came home, energized and ready to take the invaluable lessons learned to effect positive change within their schools.
GREEN APPLE GRANT Lester B. Pearson High School recently won a Green Apple Grant from Metro grocery store and $1,000 to replace regular power bars with energy smart ones. Energy smart power strips automatically shut down outlets of unused devices to prevent phantom power drain. For more information here is the link. In the picture at the right are Student Council President Cinzia Abatte and Vice-President Antonio D’Opera accepting the grant.
ROYAL WEST GRAD IN PARLIAMENT Laurin Liu, 20, the newly elected NDP Member of Parliament for Rivière es-Mille-Îles, is a graduate of Royal West Academy in Montreal West. Currently in her second year of a joint-honours program in history and cultural studies at McGill University, she was working in a polling station in Thomas Mulcair's Outremont riding on election day when a friend sent her a text message saying she was leading, followed by lots of exclamation marks. "I feel a little shell-shocked but I mostly feel a lot of pride because I know a lot of my peers worked really hard to get the vote out in Quebec," Liu told The Gazette. Fluent in Cantonese, English and French, Liu is a contributor and director at McGill's community radio station. Liu, who doesn't have a driver's licence or a car, doesn't know how she will commute to the riding from her home in the Mile End district. She is hoping to continue her studies part-time.
MARYMOUNT VERNISSAGE Showcasing the work of their talented students has become so routine at Marymount Academy that on May 26 (6:30 to 8:00 p.m.), the public is invited to the school (5100 Côte St. Luc Road) not just to take in their sixth annual Vernissage, but to participate in it as well. In what is truly a first for the school, students from the Secondary III International Baccalaureate Visual Art class have arranged for the attending audience to participate in a mural display under the theme of “Hip Hop Graffiti”. On hand will be a professional artist from EN MASSE who will be directing he graffiti mural painting, open to all guests who have an interest in participating. Additionally, keeping with the theme of the evening, other forms of art will be on display which include performances by a Hip Hop Dance crew as well as by Marymount‟s Improv team. As the evening is still the school‟s annual Vernissage, the wonderful work by the students will also be on display. A silent auction will also be held with all proceeds being reinvested in the art program.
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TRUDEAU AND PACETTI VISIT LMAC Liberal Member of Parliament for Papineau Justin Trudeau was at Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard only three days after the federal election to participate in the Alberta UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) National Student Conference. This was transmitted by video so that students from seven schools in Alberta could also participate. Massimo Pacetti, the Liberal MP for St. Léonard- St. Michel, was also on hand. The conference included student-focused sessions on intercultural education, human rights, global concerns and the role of the United Nations and environmental education. In the case of Trudeau, the education and empowerment of youth are priorities that have dominated his professional and personal life. Shortly after completing a degree at McGill University, he moved to Vancouver to earn a bachelor‟s of education degree from the University of British Columbia. For the next four years, he devoted himself to teaching children of all ages. Returning home to Montreal, Trudeau was actively involved with Katimavik, Canada‟s leading national youth volunteer-service program. He was first elected to Parliament two and a half years ago. For more details on the UNESCO event please read the press release.
Massimo Pacetti and Justin Trudeau with LMAC students. Photo by Rebecca Mezzaluna.
LMAC MFEST Continuing a tradition of media and visual art excellence, students at Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard revealed their latest creations in a groundbreaking event on May 19 entitled MFest 2011: an ultrasensory celebration of media and art. This year‟s celebration of student media ran the gamut of all arts as it featured musical performances, award presentations, short films, book launches, photography, the inauguration of a new gallery of fine arts, and the premiere of Laurier Macdonald‟s first student-produced video game (Prof. Morbid‟s Book of Dread). As teacher Mike Penning notes, for over two decades Laurier Macdonald‟s Art/Media Department has been an innovative leader in education centered on emerging creative technologies. MFest 2011 celebrates this year‟s outstanding student achievements and revealing the exciting new directions undertaken by Laurier Macdonald to meet the needs of students in the 21 st century.
ST. PATRICK’S CASE CONCLUDED Nearly six years after Quebec Superior Court Judge Jean-François Buffoni denied a request for an interlocutory injunction by plaintiffs to keep St. Patrick Elementary School in Plateau open, the case has been officially closed.EMSB agreed to settle the case for $3,750, with neither side accepting any responsibility. “Before any other public funds were spent on this matter we felt that it was in the best interests of the system to conclude this case once and for all,” stated EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini. St. Patrick Elementary School had 79 students in a building which could house 570. On January 17, 2005, following an extensive consultation process, the EMSB Council of Commissioners voted to close St. Patrick, along with three other schools. Two months later respondents for the school‟s governing board instituted legal proceedings. In July 2005 that request was rejected and students were transferred to nearby Bancroft Elementary School. In May 2009, the case was brought back before the Court for the issuance of a permanent injunction, but the two parties met recently to conclude proceedings.
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SCIENCE FAIR NATIONALS The EMSB‟s scientific prowess was on display recently as Marymount Academy‟s Abicumaran Uthamacumaran and Royal West Academy‟s Demetrios Koziris and Iakovos Vathis wowed judges at the Provincial Science Fair in Sherbrooke to earn a trip to compete on the national stage from May 14 to 21 in Toronto. Uthamacumaran entered his project “Seek Cancer‟s End With Ceacam1” while teammates Demetrios Koziris and Iakovos Vathis earned a national berth with their project “Ischemic Preconditioning”. The path to Toronto began at the 29th edition of the Bell Montreal Regional Science and Technology Fair presented by the Educational Alliance for Science and Technology (EAST) in March. While only a select group of students and projects were selected to move onto the provincial and national competitions, in all, 46 students representing LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent; Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Royal Vale High School and Marymount Academy in N.D.G.; Royal West Academy in Montreal West; Rosemount High School and Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount; and Westmount High School captured an award during the 2011 science fair season.
MACKAY MUSICAL The halls of the Mackay Centre School in NDG were abuzz with anticipation for the biggest and most sensational motion picture event of the year. Since December 2010, students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 6 have been working tirelessly to complete classroom movies that made its debut at the first annual Mackay Film Festival on May 19. Mackay Centre School is devoted to students who are deaf, have communication disorders or delays and are physically disabled. The school strives to empower its students by providing opportunities for the children to develop self-reliance, academic success and self-esteem. The film-making project has supported the school‟s mission by allowing students to learn, in an active and independent way, and to develop positive attitudes toward themselves and their school community. Please read the press release for complete details.
ROYAL VALE AT BLUE METROPOLIS The Grade 8 class from Royal Vale School in NDG recently participated in the Blue Metropolis Book Launch. A number of students from the class were included in “Treats from the Terroir,” a book designed for elementary and high school students across Quebec. Young Canadians are invited to this event to get a taste of the work of anglophone Quebec food writers, photographers and food producers through various workshops, both in person and through videoconferencing. Individuals participating have either had their writing or photography published in the book.
Along with Royal Vale, a few other schools were chosen to be part of this project. Individuals who attend are introduced to food writing and photography and get the chance to familiarize themselves with locally produced foods from the terroir. This is also an opportunity for them to appreciate what goes into the production of quality food products by visiting a local producer. In order to put together a book on locally produced food, students were invited to take photographs, transcribe their interviews with the local people, and write about the food they had learned about.
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THE WIZARD OF GARDENVIEW On May 13 and 14, the students of Gardenview Elementary School in St. Laurent presented The Wizard of Oz at Westmount High School, The students were hard at work all year long working with the reknowned musical director, Dimitris Ilias and stage director Karen Pearce. The musical production showcased the acting, dancing and singing abilities of our Kindergarten to Grade 6 students in unison with the heavenly voices of the criticallyacclaimed Gardenview Choir. Students have been involved both on stage and behind the scenes and have been learning the ABCs of staging a musical. Musicals have become a tradition at Gardenview. It has been Home and School‟s mission to provide students with a “musical theatre” experience. During the past four years, the same artistic team helped the students present a highly successful production of The Sound of Music and Grease.
LBPHS POETRY IN MOTION Once again this year, Vallum Society for the Arts teamed up with Lester B. Pearson teacher Michael Sweet to bring Vermont poet and artist Sandra Erickson (pictured at the right with students) to the EMSB. For two days, Erickson visited schools and conducted poetry writing workshops with students from grade 6-11. This year, the schools participating were James Lyng, Westmount High, Lester B. Pearson and Pierre de Coubertin. “I am always thrilled to come to Montreal,” says Erickson “the students are fantastic and produce really great work.” Erickson‟s travel and expenses were covered by the Vallum Society for the Arts in Westmount (publishers of Vallum Magazine). (Poet Sandra Erickson pictured with James Lyng students)
SNOW WHITE AND ST. MONICA For two days only, St. Monica Elementary School (6440 Terrebonne) in N.D.G is going to allow its students to be Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey, Happy, Bashful and Grumpy as the charming story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was performed on May 24 for students and on Friday, May 27 (1:30 p.m.) for parents and special guests. While the bilingual performance has been organized by teachers Nancy Coutu and Linda Saunoris, in addition to an hour of practice daily, the 36 students from Grades 1 and 2 have also had their hands full, playing a role in the construction and painting of the sets, posters and advertising. “This is going to be a great play and we‟re thrilled that the students are being able to learn so much throughout the whole process. They hear stories and music in both English and French and they are really learning their languages in many different ways,” said Coutu. “
SUN YOUTH AT SCHOOLS What began as small anti-graffiti initiatives by the Sun Youth Organization at St. Dorothy Elementary School in St. Michel grew almost overnight into an overflowing wave of activities and in-person academic, physical and emotional support throughout the EMSB‟s East End schools. “We‟re like the Jack of All Trades in the schools,” said Tony De Francesco, a dedicated Sun Youth staff member at Dante Elementary School in St. Léonard. “We try to mediate problems and provide conflict resolution, step into classes when necessary, set up activities and do whatever we can to get involved with the student body on a personal level.” The programs operated by Sun Youth under the umbrella of the EMSB are literally all encompassing. While sports activities such as soccer tournaments and ball hockey games pique the interest of some, other students prefer the one-on-one time with the staff members or even some quiet time at their study halls. Every school has a different need and from their first day on the job, the staff begins to tailor their activities to what will work best at their new stomping grounds. Click here for the complete story!
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LONG SERVICE RECEPTION About 60 people attended the annual Long Service Reception, which took place on Plaza Hotel in St. Laurent. The EMSB honored 21 employees – ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff -- for their 25 years of service with the Board, which began in 1986. EMSB Director General Robert Stocker, Chairman Angela Mancini, along with several commissioners, regional directors, school administrators and the directors from Adult Education and Vocational Services, Student Services, Community Services, Financial Services and the Secretary General‟s office, presented the honoured employees with special EMSB watches as a token of appreciation.
May 12 at the Crowne
The honourees for this year were Jean Alexandre (Leonardo Da Vinci Academy), Micheline Bélanger (Mackay Centre), Leslie Butt (Financial Services), Winston Evans (Shadd Business Centre), Donna Fahey (St. Pius X Adult Centre), John Fuller (Parkdale School), Martine Halle (Gardenview School), Christopher Houlihan (Student Services), Carol Kaymakcioglu (FACE), Brenda Mahon (Marymount Adult Centre), Sandra Marcovici-Sterling (James Lyng Adult Centre), Claire Martel (Willingdon School), Gilbert Meunier (Rosemount Technology Centre), Jacques Monfette (Alternative School Network), Marie-Luce Ouimet (Community Services), Robert Page (Royal West), Mark Richard (James Lyng Adult Centre), Ethel Rich-Saltzman (St. Pius X Adult Centre), Dave Wilkinson (Westmount Park School), JoAnna Wrench (Secretary General-Archives, pictured above with Robert Stocker and Angela Mancini) and Natalie Youakim (Nesbitt School). Click here for the photo album.
ST. JOHN BOSCO ADDS TO FUNDRAISER St. John Bosco Elementary School in Ville Émard supported Breast Cancer Research on May 10 by collecting donations from students and staff who were allowed to wear denim. They also sold “Shave to Save” tickets for a draw and winners were given the privilege of shaving the head of physical education teacher Shelly Sharp and substitute teacher Skylar Adams (left). Both teachers volunteered immediately when the idea was brought forward. Twenty students from Kindergarten to Cycle 3 were able to wield the electric razor. Community members offered more donations, after seeing Ms. Sharp and Mr. Adams with their shaved heads! The students and community as they raised $357.51 for Denim Day and $505 for the “Shave to Save” to make a total of $862.51 for the The CURE Foundation.
EDWARD MURPHY SHOW The kindergarten class at Edward Murphy Elementary School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve were lucky enough to be involved in an Art Smart project and presented a dance show titled the Carnaval des Animaux recently. This program was based on the music of Camille Saint-Saens. Over the last few months the students were able to benefit from working with a professional artist in class and have been given this great opportunity to improve their social and academic skills. Thirteen children from the
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class have been working with choreographer Paul Bertrand to prepare for this event. This project has aided in improving the motor skills of the participants, as well as their self confidence. The teachers at Edward Murphy have noticed a big change in how the students respond to new activities and their ability to think more creatively, not only mentally, but physically, thanks to the integrated dance and yoga sessions.
RADIO CENTRE VILLE The students at Edward Murphy will also be working in collaboration with a radio artist to record a show to be aired on Radio Centre Ville 102.3 FM sometime in June. A recording of the radio capsules will be done at school, on May 26, 27 and June 2 by radio artist Marc Sauvageau. Teacher Marie-Lyne Lebel, a former broadcast journalist, has been working with the artist and the children for this project.
EXPLORATION OF VOC TRAINING Since implementation of the Quebec Education Program, Secondary Cycle Two students have had the opportunity to take a course called Exploration of Vocational Training, better known simply as “Explo.” Students in Explo must explore all the sectors and programs available in the field of vocational training using a variety of means, including actual visits to vocational training centres. On March 29, 2011, for the first time ever, a collaborative venture organized by the EMSB and the LBPSB made it possible for students to visit vocational training centres outside their own school board. Students from James Lyng and Program Mile End visited the PACC Vocational centre in LaSalle. At the same time, students from three LBPSB high schools visited the EMSB‟s Rosemount Technology Centre. It was a great day for the students, who were able to see several training programs and engage in hands-on activities. At the end of their visit, the students had access to a Facebook page created especially to highlight the event. From two locations at opposite ends of the city, students from both groups posted photos and videos and left comments on the PACC Vocational Exploration Wall. Check out the FB page to see photos and videos of James Lyng and Program Mile End students putting practical and creative talents to use making decorative pastry flowers! Students could see in a tangible way that vocational training programs are both interesting and accessible and lead to many career pathways. EMSB and LBPSB organizers of the activity from both Pedagogical and Adult Education and Vocational Services hope that the two school boards can build on this model in the future and expose more students to the many options open to them with vocational training.
HONORÉ-MERCIER CHOIR Seventy six students from the Honore Mercier Elementary School Choir, under the direction of Joanne Wieczorek, entertained an audience of 450 people at the Centre Leonardo da Vinci in St. Leonard recently. They performed inspirational songs from Sister Act 1 and 2. EMSB Director General Robert Stocker, Deputy Director General Roma Medwid, Assistant Director of Human Resources Connie Primiano and Commissioner, Frank Verrillo, were in attendance for this wonderful musical journey. Family, friends and teachers of Honoré Mercier had a fun-filled evening.
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EBS WINS SILVER AT CITIZENSHIP BEE For the 16th consecutive year, a team of students from Elizabeth Ballantyne Elementary School in Montreal West competed and excelled at the annual Montreal Citizenship Bee. The EBS. team, made up of Briget Hamilton, captain Nicolas Dahdah and Ryan Rebelo, from Grades 6, 5 and 4, respectively, were backed up by the runners-up from the EBS in-school Geography Bee - all of whom represented the school honourably. The competition had team captains randomly selecting questions pertaining to history, geography, and civics after which the team had 15 seconds to confer before giving their final response. Students were to answer challenging questions such as „Which hockey player was responsible for inciting riots in Montreal?‟ or being able to recognize geographic land marks such as Lac St. Jean from photos taken from space. Competing against some of the most prestigious schools in Montreal, the ENS team fought hard to win a nail-biting tie-breaker which brought home a silver medal. Sacred Heart School hosted the event .
MICHELANGELO SPORTS LIVE Michelangelo Elementary School in RDP has been following the Stanley Cup playoffs. Students have a little sports broadcast every morning for the duration of the playoffs. Michelangelo Sports Live is giving the opportunity to threestudents to experience what it is to create a daily broadcast. Giacomo Gallucio, Joey Argento and Micheal De Rubertis (left), under the supervision of daycare educator Wendy Campbell, are keeping the school up to date with the highlights of the games. Every morning, Giacomo and Joey write their broadcast and Michael takes care of the technical component. Listening to Michelangelo Sports Live is now part of the daily morning routine at the school. In related news, radio broadcaster, cartoonist and author Kevin Sylvester came to talk to the students at Michelangelo. Mr. Sylvester spoke about his experience as a sports broadcaster for CBC Radio. He also read passages from his mystery novels and gave students a cartooning lesson. Students were impressed by the stories they have heard and some of them were able to share their drawing skills with Mr. Sylvester
ST. GABRIEL VERNISSAGE The pre-k and kindergarten students from St. Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe St. Charles took part in their first vernissage which was held at the Chateau Dufresne. The theme of the pre-k project was what they would take with them if they were on a desert island. The kindergarten class focused on imagining what the bigger picture around a smaller picture was. This was done as part of the Supporting Montreal Schools Artiste en Résidence project. The works of art are being showcased until May 29. Meanwhile St. Gabriel students spent the day at the Complexe Sportif de Université de Montréal (CEPSUM) where they played relay games in the gym, learned to shoot a bow and arrow, and had the chance to climb and swing on tarzan ropes. The highlight of the day was swimming in the Olympic sized pool and jumping off the diving boards.
EDUCATION AN D VOCATIONAL SERVICE
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ADULT EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES BURSARY WINNER During Adult Learners Week, there was a province-wide draw for a $150 bursary of all of the adult learners who had received a Certificate of Recognition. Roughly 1,800 names were submitted provincially, and 34 names were drawn for a $150 bursary. One of the students from the Marymount Adult Education Centre, Mr. Abdelkader Sahouli, won a bursary. The presentation was made at Montreal City Hall . Mr. Abdelkader was accompanied by Principal Cynthia Koomas.
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS HELPS WITH ENGLISH Students in the Common Core Basic Education program (CCBE) at the Marymount Adult Education Centre in Côte Saint-Luc recently embarked upon a creative new project to use multimedia and digital film to help increase English speaking and comprehension. Teachers Hilda Smolash and Melissa Grimaldi invited students to create their own skits using real-life scenarios in a classroom setting. Students did not follow a script, but improvised their roles in common situations, ordering food at a restaurant, dealing with family drama and working with the public as TV journalists and reporters. Everything was recorded using digital and video cameras and edited into short movies. “We wanted to keep it as close to reality as possible” says Hilda Smolash, the creator of the project. “In real-life there are no scripts or lines to follow in these situations.” Student groups then met with their respective teachers privately to discuss their mistakes and competencies in learning English. For more information see the press release.
SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS SHOW TALENT Students with special needs at the Marymount Adult Education Centre in Côte Saint-Luc are showing their talents creating murals, acting and singing. Special needs teacher Gail Bernstein and facilitators Melody Ballesteros and Milena Tognarini, are the room 211 team along with their 22 students, ranging in age from 26 to 61. “With such a wide variety of talents, strengths and interests, we wanted to create a program where everyone could work together on common projects, yet find their own individual place within that project where they would feel confident and empowered,” said Bernstein. “A large space was looming empty in our classroom and the winter was gloomy, so after a class discussion we came up with the idea of creating a mural that would brighten up our moods. An underwater fantasy scene was the consensus. The students used the SMART Board to bring in photographs of
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what lies beneath the sea. They began practicing drawing on paper and then found a space on the mural paper to begin their work of art. Each student had his/her own style and it all just worked. The idea of adding coloured sequins followed and became our trademark. The skills and knowledge acquired were numerous.” See the press release for complete details.
JFKBC STUDENTS HOTEL EVENT The Hotel Reception Students from JFK Business Centre along with their teacher Valerie Valente, participated in the “Annual Table of Hope Fundraiser” held at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel on May 9. The Table of Hope Annual Charity was created in 2008 to raise funds from a culinary benefit supporting the effort to end childhood hunger and poverty in the city of Montreal. JFK BC Students had a phenominal experience in participating and in placing their talents and expertise to work as event planners, organizers, hosts, hostesses, and distibutors of products at this charity event.
FIELDING FOCUS BULLETIN BOARD Editor’s Note: The Communications Department of the EMSB is contacted regularly by organizers of different conferences, facilitators of interesting workshops and developers of innovative fundraising opportunities. We screen these requests and make the information available to schools and centres. From this point on, we will group these in our Tip Corner and give in-school administrators, teachers, other staff, parent groups and even students of making contact directly.
FUNDRAISING IDEA FOR MOMS If you are interested in learning more about the Mummy Card Fundraiser Program, you can access the flyer by clicking on this link.
MCH WEBINARS The Montreal Children‟s Hospital is presenting some excellent lectures you can participate in via the web from the comfort of your own home. For more information please read the flyer.
KID SCOOP AND 2Torial The Kid Scoop & 2Torial are helping your kids make the grade! Two PRIVATE one-hour tutorial sessions at 2Torial Educational Centre Inc for $40 (regularly $80). Check out www.thekidscoop.com Super Scoop Deal: Two PRIVATE one-hour tutorial sessions at 2Torial Educational Centre Inc for $40 (regularly $80). A tutoring centre where your child's future always comes first. 2Torial helps prioritize daily homework and larger assignments as well as plan study strategies for upcoming tests. At 2Torial, trained staff members encourage student independence while actively assisting those students who need additional help completing assignments and studying for tests. All of this is accomplished in an environment geared to make learning stimulating, fun, and easy with professional assistance to ensure success. Scoop Price: $ 40.00 (regularly $80.00)
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Where: 5050 Paré, Suite 280, Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal Link: http://www.thekidscoop.com/deals/?deal_id=22688
CALENDAR May 25, 2011 EMSB Board Meeting 7:30 p.m, May 26-28, 2011 QESBA Spring Conference June 2, 2011 Nesbitt School 100th Anniversary Party June 15, 2011 EMSB Board Meeting 7:30 p.m. June 29, 2011 EMSB Impact Night Saputo Stadium
PLEINS FEUX SUR FIELDING LAURÉAT DU DÉFI SCOLAIRE Pour la première fois depuis 2007, le Défi scolaire du Québec a été remporté par un élève de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal. Alexander Spinali, de l‟Académie LaurenHill de Saint-Laurent s‟est placé en tête d‟élèves d‟à travers le Québec et a remporté le championnat. Le Défi scolaire est un concours qui s‟adresse aux élèves de 8e année et est conçu comme une activité d‟enrichissement visant à stimuler leur intérêt aux connaissances, raisonnement et apprentissage. Le concours est offert à travers le Canada depuis 1998. Le test en ligne consiste en 100 questions portant sur six catégories : Connaissances générales (aliments, art, sports, musique, évènements courants, mythologie, etc.), langue et littérature, histoire, géographie, science et mathématiques. Chaque année, des écoles de la CSEM invitent plusieurs de leurs meilleurs élèves à participer à ce concours. « Bien que les élèves de LaurenHill ont toujours obtenu de très bons résultats et que la majorité des participants ont obtenu des notes supérieures à la moyenne nationale, c‟est la première fois que nous avons un lauréat provincial » déclare Sherilyn Bell, conseillère d‟orientation de l‟école.
LA CSEM REÇOIT UN DON GÉNÉREUX Les écoles primaires de la CSEM feront deux nouveaux amis, les personnages Gaëlle et Étienne, grâce à un généreux don de plus de 100 000 $ en livres, casse-têtes, poupées et accessoires de la part de l‟entrepreneur local Edward Hays. Le don, l‟un des plus importants en son genre fait par une personne à la CSEM, provient des séries « Gaëlle : The Mysterious Secret of the Buttercups » et offrira aux élèves plus de 11 000 livres de poche reliés, en anglais, en français et en espagnol. Le matériel de lecture des mêmes séries offre aussi plus de 750 casse-têtes, 3 000
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poupées avec 1 000 pièces d‟accessoires de vêtements ainsi que 1 000 sacs à dos complets, équipés d‟une cassette et d‟un livre que les enfants pourront apporter à la maison.
LES ÉDUCATEURS DE L’HÔPITAL DE MONTRÉAL POUR ENFANTS Lorsqu‟un enfant est admis à l‟Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants du Centre universitaire de santé McGill, que ce soit pour un court ou un long séjour, il est assuré que ses besoins éducatifs seront comblés grâce à la CSEM. La CSEM a une équipe de quatre enseignants affectés à temps plein à l‟Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants. Il y a aussi trois autres enseignants de la Commission scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) qui sont sur place pour s‟occuper des élèves francophones. « Les enseignants à l‟Hôpital de Montréal pour enfants font vraiment une différence pour nos patients qui doivent être hospitalisés pour une longue période de temps » déclare le Dr Harvey Guyda, directeur exécutif associé de l‟hôpital. « Ils apportent une partie de vie normale dans un monde rempli de problèmes médicaux. Ils offrent un soutien académique à nos patients afin d‟assurer que leur année scolaire ne soit pas compromise et qu‟ils seront prêts à retourner à l‟école en quittant l‟hôpital. Ce programme administré par la CSEM, offre des services éducatifs aux enfants admis à l‟hôpital et à ceux qui fréquentent les cliniques externes, notamment celles de l‟oncologie et de l‟hémodialyse. Les services sont offerts pour toute la gamme des situations médicales qui sont traitées à l‟hôpital et couvrent les élèves de la prématernelle à la 11e année des programmes réguliers et des besoins particuliers.
INITIATIVE DE L’UNICEF L‟école primaire Westmount Park sera à l‟avant-plan de la plus récente initiative de l‟UNICEF Canada alors que l‟école sera la première du Québec à être choisie pour recevoir le programme des « Écoles respectueuses des droits de l‟enfant ». Ce programme est conçu pour être le cadre d‟améliorations de l‟éducation, qui s‟appuie sur les initiatives déjà prises par les écoles afin de transformer la culture scolaire grâce à l‟adoption d‟une approche cohérente fondée sur les droits. Le programme renforce les initiatives provinciales et territoriales visant à créer un environnement d‟apprentissage au sein duquel les enfants et les adultes se sentent respectés et agissent de façon responsable. Selon UNICEF Canada, les écoles qui ont adopté le programme « Écoles respectueuses des droits de l‟enfant » à travers le pays ont constaté une amélioration de l‟apprentissage en classe, une diminution de l‟intimidation et de l‟absentéisme, une plus grande compassion, une ambiance améliorée à l‟école et en classe et une sensibilisation accrue aux enjeux mondiaux. Le programme « Écoles respectueuses des droits de l‟enfant » est entièrement financé et appuyé par UNICEF. Le programme commencera à être mis en œuvre à Westmount Park en septembre 2011 et sera totalement en place en septembre 2012. Au cours de l‟année, les élèves et les enseignant(e)s participeront à une série d‟ateliers qui introduiront cette nouvelle initiative.
LE ROTARY CLUB AIDE WESTMOUNT PARK Le 11 mai, le programme parascolaire de remise en état d‟ordinateurs de l‟école primaire Westmount Park a terminé sa première année par une conférence de presse et une présentation à son commanditaire, le Club Rotary de Westmount, suivie d‟une réception-pizza pour les élèves. Depuis son lancement en octobre 2010, les 10 élèves de 5e et 6e année ont appris les rudiments de la remise en état d‟un ordinateur usagé et la reprogrammation à l‟aide des systèmes gratuits Linux. Vers la fin de l‟année scolaire, ils avaient distribué six ordinateurs, remis en état, aux élèves de l‟école. Le parent bénévole et spécialiste en technologie Alan Kobalansky et l‟enseignante-ressource Pamela Price ont lancé le programme en tant que ressource pour les élèves avancés et ceux avec difficultés d‟apprentissage en leur enseignant comment remettre en état des ordinateurs, en se servant de pièces prises d‟ordinateurs endommagés donnés et en les reprogrammant avec le logiciel gratuit Linux System. Chaque mercredi, les élèves consacrent une heure après les classes à apprendre et à appliquer des bases informatiques. « Le
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programme encourage les élèves à s‟enseigner mutuellement tandis qu‟Alan et moi les regardons travailler » déclare Pamela Price. Les élèves qui ont besoin d‟un ordinateur sont invités à en faire la demande par écrit, expliquant comment un ordinateur à la maison pourrait les aider. À l‟automne, le Club Rotary de Westmount a financé l‟achat de t-shirts pour les participants du programme afin de leur donner un plus fort sens d‟appartenance au projet inaugural qui reprendra à nouveau l‟an prochain. Le Club Rotary de Westmount offre aussi de recueillir les ordinateurs et écrans usagés des membres de la communauté pour les distribuer aux programmes des écoles en milieux défavorisés de Westmount Park et de Roslyn.
LEADERSHIP ÉTUDIANT Des élèves de la CSEM sont récemment retournés du 13 e camp de Leadership étudiant de la CSEM, qui a eu lieu au camp Kinkora de Saint-Adolphe D‟Howard. Le camp a été organisé et animé par près de 27 élèves seniors d‟à travers toute la CSEM. L‟objectif du camp a été d‟exposer les élèves aux nombreux éléments du leadership étudiant par le biais d‟apprentissage expérimental, d‟un discours d‟ouverture par le conférencier spécialiste en motivation Sanjay Nath, de discussions guidées et d‟exercices de création d‟équipes et de réflexions personnelles. Ces activités ont eu lieu dans un environnement sécuritaire et convivial où les élèves ont été encouragés à mettre au défi leurs niveaux de confort et de croître en tant que leaders. Dans un grand nombre d‟écoles, les élèves impliqués au leadership planifient et organisent des activités scolaires et tiennent le rôle d‟ambassadeurs de l‟école. En tant que représentants du corps étudiant, ils siègent à des comités, dont le conseil d‟établissement, EMSAC, des comités de marketing. Ces retraites leur donnent l‟occasion de cultiver un esprit communautaire et de perfectionner leurs aptitudes de leadership. Près de 200 élèves de James Lyng, John Grant, John Paul I, l‟Académie LaurenHill, Laurier Macdonald, l‟Académie Marymount, Royal Vale, Westmount, Rosemont et du Collège Vincent Massey ont participé à cet évènement.
DIPLÔMÉE DE ROYAL WEST AU PARLEMENT Laurin Liu, 20 ans, la nouvelle membre NDP du Parlement pour Rivière des Mille-Îles, est une diplômée de l‟Académie Royal West de Montréal-Ouest et suit actuellement un programme d‟histoire et d‟études culturelles à l‟Université McGill. Elle travaillait à un bureau de scrutin dans la circonscription d‟Outremont de Thomas Mulcair lorsqu‟un ami lui a fait parvenir un message l‟avisant qu‟elle menait dans sa propre circonscription. « J‟ai ressenti un petit choc mais surtout beaucoup de fierté parce que je sais qu‟un grand nombre de mes pairs ont travaillé bien fort pour faire sortir le vote au Québec » a déclaré Liu à la Gazette. Elle parle couramment le cantonais, l‟anglais et le français et elle contribue et dirige la station de radio communautaire de McGill. Liu qui n‟a pas de permis de conduire ou d‟automobile ignore comment elle se rendra à sa circonscription du district Mile End. Elle espère poursuivre ses études à temps partiel.
PRODUCTION MUSICALE À MACKAY Les corridors du Centre Mackay de NDG vibraient d‟anticipation pour le plus important et sensationnel film de l‟année. Depuis décembre 2010, les élèves de la prématernelle à la 6 e année ont travaillé sans relâche pour produire des films pour le premier festival annuel de films de Mackay, qui a eu lieu le 19 mai. L‟école du Centre Mackay dessert des élèves qui sont sourds, ont des troubles de comportement ou des retards, et qui sont physiquement handicapés. L‟école vise à autonomiser ses élèves en leur donnant l‟occasion de développer l‟autonomie, la réussite académique et l‟estime de soi. Le projet de production de films a appuyé la mission de
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l‟école en permettant aux élèves de s‟instruire, de façon active et indépendante, et d‟acquérir des attitudes positives envers eux-mêmes et leur communauté scolaire.
JEUNESSE AU SOLEIL DANS LES ÉCOLES La poursuite de ce qui était de petites initiatives anti-graffiti de Jeunesse au Soleil à l‟école primaire St. Dorothy s‟est transformée, du jour au lendemain, en une série débordante d‟activités et d‟appui personnel, physique et émotif à travers les écoles de l‟est de la ville de la CSEM. « Nous sommes comme l‟homme à tout faire dans les écoles » a déclaré Tony De Francesco, un membre dévoué du personnel de Jeunesse au Soleil à l‟école primaire Dante de Saint-Léonard. «Nous essayons de faire la médiation de problèmes et offrir la résolution de conflits, intervenir en classe en cas de besoin, organiser des activités et faire tout ce que nous pouvons pour nous impliquer au corps étudiant sur une base personnelle. Essentiellement, nous sommes ici pour briser les barrières sociales et faire de chaque école un environnement plus inclusif. » Les programmes animés par Jeunesse au Soleil, sous l‟égide de la CSEM, sont littéralement complets. Tandis que certaines activités sportives, dont les tournois de soccer et le hockey-balle, suscitent l‟intérêt de quelques uns, d‟autres élèves préfèrent le temps passé individuellement avec les membres du personnel ou même quelques moments de calme dans leurs salles d‟études. Chaque école a un besoin différent et, dès son premier jour de travail, le personnel commence à modeler ses activités à ce qui sert le mieux à leurs nouvelles affectations.
EMBELLISSEMENT DE L’ATRIUM La Division des services de garde du Service à la communauté de la Commission scolaire English-Montréal (CSEM) a officiellement inauguré le 18 mai dernier, le projet d‟embellissement de l‟Atrium. L‟inauguration a eu lieu durant la Semaine des services de garde, qui a lieu du 16 au 20 mai. « L‟accent du projet de l‟Atrium a été mis sur la création d‟un espace riche en nature pour le personnel de la CSEM » a déclaré la directrice des services de garde, Rosa Fuoco. « Nous voulions aussi démontrer la sensibilisation environnementale cultivée dans nos services de garde. » En janvier, les services de garde ont adopté un Plan Vert conforme à celui de la CSEM, qui avait été adopté en juin dernier et qui sera mis en œuvre au cours d‟un plan d‟action de cinq ans. La conseillère de l‟initiative verte des services de garde, Maddie Guerlain, dirige un Club vert dans six services de garde : Dante, East Hill, Académie Leonardo Da Vinci, Académie Fraser, John Caboto et St. Monica. La majorité de ces services de garde a participé à l‟embellissement de l‟atrium avec des plantes et des fleurs. Les travaux d‟art des élèves des 29 services de garde de la CSEM seront aussi exposés à l‟Atrium.
EXPLORATION DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE Depuis la mise en œuvre du Programme de formation de l‟école québécoise, les élèves du Cycle Deux du secondaire ont eu l‟occasion de suivre un cours intitulé « Exploration de la formation professionnelle », connu plus simplement sous le nom « Explo ». Les élèves d‟Explo doivent explorer tous les secteurs et programmes disponibles dans le domaine de la formation professionnelle en utilisant une variété de moyens, incluant des visites aux Centres de formation professionnelle. Le 29 mars 2011, pour la première fois, un projet de collaboration organisé par la CSEM et la CSLBP a permis aux élèves de visiter des Centres de formation professionnelle en dehors de leurs propres commissions scolaires. Des élèves de James Lyng et du programme Mile End ont visité le Centre de formation professionnelle PACC de LaSalle. Au même moment, des élèves de trois écoles secondaires de la CSLBP ont visité le Centre de technologie de Rosemont de la CSEM. Ce fut une très belle journée pour les élèves qui ont pu explorer plusieurs programmes de formation professionnelle et participer à des activités pratiques. À la fin de leur visite, les élèves ont eu accès à une page
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Facebook créée spécialement pour souligner l‟évènement. À partir de deux emplacements situés à des coins opposés de la ville, les élèves des deux groupes ont affiché des photos et des vidéos et ont laissé des commentaires sur la Muraille d‟Exploration de carrières du PACC. Les élèves ont pu constater, de façon tangible, que les programmes de formation professionnelle étaient intéressants et accessibles et qu‟ils menaient à un grand nombre de cheminements de carrières. Les organisateurs de l‟activité des Services pédagogiques et du Service de l‟éducation des adultes et de la formation professionnelle de la CSEM et de la CSLBP espèrent que les deux commissions scolaires peuvent élaborer plus en profondeur à l‟avenir et exposer les élèves aux plusieurs options qui leur sont disponibles en formation professionnelle.
CHORALE D’HONORÉ MERCIER Soixante-seize élèves de la chorale de l‟école primaire Honoré Mercier, sous la direction de Joanne Wieczorek, se sont produits récemment devant un auditoire de 450 personnes au Centre Leonardo da Vinci de SaintLéonard. Ils ont interprété des chansons tirées de Sister Act 1 et 2. Le directeur général de la CSEM, Robert Stocker, la directrice générale adjointe Roma Medwid, la directrice adjointe du Service des ressources humaines, Connie Primiano, et le commissaire Frank Verrillo, assistaient à ce beau spectacle musical. Les familles, amis et enseignants d‟Honoré Mercier ont passé une très agréable soirée.
RELAIS POUR LA VIE L‟école secondaire Laurier Macdonald de Saint-Léonard, en collaboration avec la Société canadienne du cancer, a organisé un Relais pour la Vie (marche pour le cancer) pour tous les types de cancer et a levé un montant record de plus de 93 000 $. Ce fut la deuxième collaboration avec la Société canadienne du cancer. Laurier Macdonald a été la seule école secondaire de tout Montréal à être l‟hôtesse d‟un tel évènement. Cette levée de fonds communautaire très attendue a été coordonnée par les élèves de Laurier Macdonald sous la supervision de l‟animateur de vie spirituelle Vince Lacroce.
SERVICE DE L’ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES ET DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE LAURÉAT DE BOURSE Au cours de la Semaine des apprentis adultes, un concours à l‟échelle de la province a offert une bourse de 150 $ à tous les élèves adultes qui avaient reçu un certificat de reconnaissance. Près de 1 800 noms ont été soumis et 34 d‟entres eux étaient éligibles à un tirage d‟une bourse de 150 $. L‟un des élèves du Centre d‟éducation des adultes Marymount, Abdelkader Sahouli, a remporté une bourse. La présentation a eu lieu à l‟Hôtel de Ville de Montréal. Abdelkader était accompagné de la directrice du Centre, Cynthia Koomas.
DES PROJETS MULTIMÉDIAS RENFORCENT L’ANGLAIS Les élèves du Programme de formation de base du Centre d‟éducation des adultes Marymount de Côte-SaintLuc ont récemment lancé un nouveau projet créatif visant à utiliser les multimédias et les films numériques pour aider à une plus grande compréhension de l‟anglais. Les enseignantes Hilda Smolash et Melissa Grimaldi ont invité les élèves à créer leurs propres sketchs en utilisant des scénarios réels dans un environnement de classe. Les élèves n‟ont pas suivi un script mais ont improvisé leurs rôles dans des situations communes, commandant un repas dans un restaurant, traitant des drames familiaux et travaillant avec le public, en tant que journalistes. Tout a été enregistré en utilisant des caméras
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digitales et produits en courts métrages. « Nous avons voulu rester le plus près de la réalité que possible » déclare Hilda Smolash, créatrice du projet. « Dans la vie, il n‟y a pas de scripts ou de dialogues à suivre dans ces situations. » Les groupes d‟élèves ont rencontré leurs enseignant(e)s respectifs en privé pour discuter de leurs erreurs et compétences en apprentissage de l‟anglais. CALENDRIER 24 MAI 2011 Réunion du conseil des commissaires de la CSEM 19
h
26-28 MAI 2011 Congrès du printemps de l‟ACSAQ 2 juin 2011 Fête du centenaire de l‟école Nesbitt
Submissions should be made to Michael J. Cohen preferably by e-mail (
[email protected]) or fax (514-483-7213) by Friday, May 20th at 4 p.m.
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