Mar 18, 2013 - ... School Board have also created an online peti- .... Black History Month at Lester B. Pearson Schools.
The Pearson News FROM THE
Volume XV, No. 7
Director General’s Report to Council
by R. T. Mills
Registration Period Registration has been taking place in our schools and at Head Office for the past two weeks and, at this point, appears to be generating the number of students expected for the 2013-2014 school year. Once processing has been completed, we will have student numbers on which planning will be based. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate publically all school staff members for their “Open House” events and to acknowledge with thanks the extra efforts of our secretarial support staff and our Registration Office during this very busy time. Management Committee Professional Development On February 4, all members of our Management Team met in a full day workshop dealing with communication skills. Led by Barry McLoughlin of McLoughlin Media, an internationally recognized expert in the field, all were asked to role play specific situations relevant to their assignments. The participants’ response to the day was universally and enthusiastically positive. Staff Appreciation Week Never does a day go by without an indication of just how accomplished, dedicated and committed our staff members are to our mission! These qualities are apparent in the staff who work our classrooms, offices, hallways, playing fields, Music rooms, theaters, libraries, computer and robotics laboratories, cafeterias, gymnasia….all are focussed on delivering to our community what is best. Although there is a special week reserved to express appreciation to them, I wish to salute them now, loudly and clearly. I encourage everyone to pause for a moment in the next day or so to reflect on the achievements of the Lester B. Pearson School Board staff and on their daily contribution to our families and community. They are the best! In the words of Mother Teresa, “Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless”. CSC Winter Formal On the evening of February 2, our Central Students’ Committee proved once again just how capable they are of organizing and carrying out a wonderful event. The evening was well attended and beautifully presented. Congratulations once again! CEGEP Registration Deadline I know that this process has been underway for some time but wish to remind all that the CEGEP Application Deadline for the first round of applications is March 1. March Break Our annual Spring Break takes place this year from March 4 to 8 and hopefully will provide a re-energizing time for students and staff. I wish you all a wonderful time and look forward to your return.
DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN
OF THE BOARD
February 2013
Black History Month at Lester B. Pearson Schools... by Alycia Ambroziak
A citizenship ceremony, presentations by the Black Theatre Workshop and Overture with the Arts, songs, recitations, monologues and recitations are only some of the events taking place at throughout the Lester B. Pearson School Board in celebration of Black History Month. The citizenship ceremony – with presiding judge Veronica Johnson, former teacher and assistant director of the LBPSB’s Place Cartier Adult Centre – will take place at Riverdale High School and Community Learning Centre (CLC) in Pierrefonds at 1 p.m. on Feb. 28. “We believe it’s important that we recognize and celebrate the various cultures represented here at Riverdale, not only during Black History Month, but throughout the year,” said Riverdale’s vice principal, Debi Dixon. “In our mission statement we define ourselves as being a multicultural school dedicated to promoting global, intercultural understanding and respect,” she said. “This is partly because our student body is made up of a wonderful array of cultures and we pride ourselves on being a school where students feel welcomed and can find a sense of belonging. “At Riverdale, there’s a place for everyone.” Several Riverdale students will take part in the citizenship ceremo-
ny - which is taking place in conjunction with the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) - through songs and MC’ing. The Riverdale High School Band will play the National Anthem. As well, Riverdale High School and CLC will host two Songs of Freedom events on Feb. 28, in partnership with its CLC partner, Overture with the Arts. Riverdale students will go on an
Riverdale students, while a free evening performance - co-hosted by one of Virgin Radio’s on-air personalities - will be open to the public, that is everyone over 12-yearsold. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., show time is 6 p.m. Following the evening show, a buffet dinner will be provided by Caribbean Tasty Treats. Admittance to the dinner is by donation only. Reservations to the dinner are a must before Feb.
A member of the Black Theatre Workshop during a presentation at Westpark Elementary in Dollard des Ormeaux. educational historical voyage from slavery to the present day. Students will be performing Caribbean Dance, Songs and Spoken Word monologues alongside professional performer, Jonathan Emile, a 2011 Grammy-nominated Hip-Hop artist and Jamaican/Canadian who works with the Overture with the Arts group. The matinee performance is for
23. Call 514-889-8678 or by send an e-mail to
[email protected]. Audrey Ottier, LBPSB administrative officer and Coordinator of the Riverview and Riverdale CLC’s, said the Feb. 28 shows bring together the student population and the community. “We take great pride in our students who researched and worked
diligently to educate and entertain their peers and community and celebrate our collective cultural heritage,” she said “Their own pride in themselves and their community shines through and lights up the stage.” Some of the celebrations of Black History and Culture taking place at other LBPSB schools include: * A Black Theatre Workshop presentation of the play When Elephant was King at Thorndale Elementary in Pierrefonds as well as at Verdun Elementary. * Two assemblies at Lakeside Academy in Lachine with student presentations as well as a presentation by Overture with the Arts. * African drumming workshops will take place at Wilder Penfield Elementary in Pierrefonds. * A Black Theatre Company presentation takes place at Westwood High School, senior campus, in St. Lazare. * A Black History presentation, with singing, dancing and recitations at Greendale Elementary in Pierrefonds. * A Youth Stars Foundation presentation will take place at Springdale Elementary in Dollard des Ormeaux. *A multi-media presentation discussing music as a tool for communication and social justice will take place at Beurling Academy in Verdun on Feb. 18. As well, some of Beurling’s students will perform dance and spoken word as part of the show. At Orchard Elementary in Ville See BLACK HISTORY page A2
On February 11, Juno awardwinning jazz vocalist Ranee Lee visited PACC Adult. Ms. Lee visited the school as part of Black History Month Celebrations. She spoke to students about her life and her struggles as a woman,
(Left to right) Alisha Tathgur (teacher), Kara Connelly (teacher), Ranee Lee, Melissa Wallach (Special Ed. Technician), Ashley Foot, (Transitions Consultant)
mother, and performer. Students were riveted by Ms. Lee. She was warm, engaging and inspiring. Ms. Lee has made Montreal her home for over 35 years. She enjoys a successful career as one of Canada’s most popular jazz vocalists; in addition, she’s an awardwinning actress, a songwriter, and a proud author of children’s books. She has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival. She’s also a highly regarded educator. She has taught at the University of Laval faculty in Quebec City for eight years, and The Schulich School of Music of McGill University faculty for over twenty years. In 2004 and 2008 she was received the International Association of Jazz Educators award for outstanding service to jazz education. In 2006, Ms. Lee was awarded the Order of Canada. PACC will welcome Commissioner Linton Garner to the school on February 27. Other ex-
FREE
Chairman’s Report to Council
by Suanne Stein Day
Our response to Bill 14 was submitted on time to the Committee on Culture and Education. Many thanks to Doug Flook, Linton Garner and Rosemary Murphy on their contributions, and to Bob Mills and his team backing us up with up to date information on the excellent state of the board. We have received a lot of positive feedback on our brief and continue to be approached by the community on the topic. Our Central Parents’ Committee also went to a lot of trouble to submit a brief and for that I thank them. They have also created an online petition on the National Assembly website (https://www. assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votreopinion/petition/Petition-3559/ index.html) that, as of this afternoon, already has over 2700 signatures. Central Quebec School Board have also created an online petition, specifically objecting to the citing Black History Month activi- removal of the temporary exties include lunch time Jeopardy emption to children of the miligames and a dance competition. tary, to be able to attend English Schools. Their petition can be seen at https://www.assnat.qc.ca/ en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-3565/index.html We all await word of whether we will be invited to present at the hearings in March. Also new in politics, the Director General has received official word that School Board elections will be held on November 2, 2014. At this point, LBPSB has been allotted 10 elected commissioners, plus the chair, for the new council. We will continue to have Parent Commissioners – perhaps more, and LBPSB will continue to have our Student Commissioners. There may also be non-voting community representatives on council under the new model. Council will decide this evening if we ask for Ms. Lee with student any derogations to the number Reuben Johnson of commissioners allotted. Most important to our community is to ensure that you are on the English community voters list. I especially encourage our young adults who have recently graduated. You were probably put on the French voters’ list. Parents, if your last child has left the English system, you may have been switched to the French voters’ list. This was supposed to not happen anymore, but you should check and ensure that you are voting for the board you wish to be voting for. There is a Voter Transfer Form on our website in the left column near the bottom. As soon as we have more information on how to verify the voter lists, we will pass that on. Lindsay Place High School put on a Celebration of their Quantum project. This project put an iPad in the hands of Grade 7 students for the year. Students See STEIN DAY page A2
...PACC Adult’s Black History Celebrations... by Sonia Ruivo, Assistant Centre Director, PACC Adult Education
FINAL
...and Orchard Elementary’s Event in Photos
A2Pearson News
February 2013
LBPSB Signs Agreement With Three Schools in China and the Hebei Provincial Education Department by Alycia Ambroziak
Representatives from three schools in China and the Hebei Provincial Education Department were in Dorval last week to sign a sister school agreement with the Lester B. Pearson School Board; an agreement that will not only see Chinese students studying for a year in local high schools but will also allow LBPSB students, in both elementary and high schools, to learn Mandarin. They represented the first of 23 schools in Hebei province to do so. “We are so delighted to host the school principals and representatives from Hebei Provincial Education Department,” LBPSB chairman Suanne Stein Day said at the January 24 signing and reception held at the school board’s Dorval headquarters. “Their visit, and the signing of these three agreements for sister school relationships, is a reflection of the trust that our Chinese colleagues have in our ability to teach their students in a warm, effective, creative environment.”
Stein Day noted that the agreement will benefit both students from China and Canada. “The value added to our classrooms by having the Chinese students and staff participate is immeasurable,” she added. “This is a win/win situation that we hope will continue for many years to come.” Robert T. Mills, LBPSB Director General, noted that this latest agreement reinforces already-established ties with China. “This new agreement has permitted us to continue to develop relationships with the delegates from China as well as with Consul Zhai Jianjun, of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Montreal,” he said. A separate partnership with Tianma School in China is now in its 5th year and two Greendale teachers will be travelling there in March to assist in teacher training. As well, in June of this year, ten students from Lindsay Place High will go to China for two weeks, part of an exchange program with Luoyang School. Last week’s signing stems from an agreement forged last year
between the LBPSB and the Hebei Provincial Education department. The agreement has four major components: * The establishment of an LBPSB Education Centre in Hebei Province which will organize teacher training programs for Chinese teachers as well as assume the responsibility for selecting Chinese students to participate in our secondary and vocational programs. * The operation of two new Canada classes beginning in September of this year in which Chinese students will spend one year in their homeland preparing for study in Canada. The following year, they will come to Canada to study in an LBPSB high school alongside our local students. * The LBPSB, with help from the Hebei Provincial Education Department, will establish a Chinese language component – called Confucius classes – in elementary and high schools. The first three schools are Lindsay Place High in Pointe Claire, St. Charles Elementary in Pier-
Black History, from Stein Day, from page A1 page A1
and teachers couldn’t have been more excited to show off their “elearning”. They love having their math workbooks on the iPad – less weight in their backpacks and lots of apps to help them with all sorts of projects. While everyone realizes that the iPads are merely a tool and that their teachers are still guiding their learning, it’s really nice to see to see the students taking ownership of their learning. And the grade 6 students who visited are excited about the possibilities of learning at Lindsay Place! CFER (centre de formation en entreprise et récuperation) Riverdale has over the last few months been undergoing a very rigorous and complex qualification process to get ready for the new Quebec Law on EOLE - end-of-life-electronics standards allowing them to be a recommended processor and recycler for electronic equipment under the new provincial recycling stewardship program. An RQP, Recycling Qualification Program ensures that all end-oflife-electronics are treated in an environmentally sound manner and that the health and safety of the students and staff as well as the environment is respected and safeguarded. CFER Riverdale met the accreditation standards as a private industry, they were assessed as any company would in the private sector, no breaks were given because we are a school. They are now rated as the only non-profit Network amongst 3 other industry multinationals in Quebec who can call themselves a recycler of electronic products. A huge accomplishments for our CFER. Congratulations to all participants. I’d like to thank all the principals and teachers who have been you for the inspiration.” spend an afternoon! inviting me to share in their reHanna Engel Ted Wall has a wealth of expe- cent school celebrations. The Pierrefonds Comprehensive rience and knowledge to share. It Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, High School was great to learn how to build and the celebration of Black HisDr. Ted Wall presented an en- effective teams in our school tory Months that I have attended gaging Mentoring Matters’ Semi- communities. in the past few weeks have been nar on team building on FebruJennifer Hayden so uplifting in this gloomy, end ary 1, 2013 to LBPSB Mentoring Mentoring Coordinator of winter, season. Thank you for Coordinators board-wide. He Verdun Elementary School including me in your individual provided participants with an communities. We thoroughly enjoyed the overview of how to improve the many gold nuggets Ted Wall ofquality of the teams we belong to Follow me on Twitter in our schools. We were able, in fered us. There was much so @suannesteinday small group discussions, to ana- much to chew on, think about lyze the value of building teams and plan for. It was a good thing in a school setting and to see that we had many representatives what impact we might have on form Dorset so that we could those teams. Dr. Wall’s heart- keep in mind that perhaps we felt presentation, based on years need to take baby steps. of experience in diverse settings We felt though that we could with educators from around the easily present these gold nuggets world, was inspiring. Seminar to our staff and incorporate someTo learn more about the participants appreciated having thing into a mentoring activity. Lester B. Pearson time to reflect on our responsi- We used Dr. Wall’s guiding prinSchool Board’s bility to contribute to the smooth ciples in one of our meetings on Autism Spectrum Disorders running of our schools. February 8, 2013, just one week Mary Cullinan Centre of Excellence, visit: after the seminar! Mentoring Coordinator Christiane Laframboise Dorval Elementary School www.lbpsb.qc.ca/eng/asdn Mentoring Coordinator What a productive way to Dorset Elementary School
refonds and Terry Fox Elementary in Pierrefonds. * In all, the LBPSB will choose five secondary schools and five elementary schools to create educational partnerships with 23 Hebei schools which will enable students, teachers professionals and administrators exchanges and visits on both sides. Carol Mastantuono, Director of the LBPSB’s International Department, noted that while here for the signing, administrators from the Hebei Provincial Education Department toured the first three schools that were chosen under the sister school agreement as well as West Island Career Centre, which offers vocational instruction. “This is the first phase where three schools of each side had the chance to meet and begin to shape their new sister school agreement,” she said. “The LBPSB International Department looks forward to working with the Hebei Provincial Education Department on this exciting partnership.”
LaSalle, the theme is Hands Across the World as students learn about the influence of African stories, inventions, art, food and music. Students will also learn how to develop an understanding of their own history and how to communicate it to others. A mural on the gym wall, with the theme What is Meaningful to Me, is being painted by grades 3 to 6 students. A gospel choir will visit the school on Feb. 21. On Feb. 26, there is a special school assembly for students and on Feb. 28, workshops with poet and trumpeter Jason Selman. Westpark Elementary in Dollard des Ormeaux has already enjoyed a presentation from the Black Theatre Workshop and a grade 6 cultural exchange project in March with Orchard Elementary in Ville LaSalle is in the works. “The purpose of the visit is for our students to learn about Black History month and for Orchard students to learn about the Holocaust,” said Westpark Principal Maria De Wolfe. “I am very happy to be part of this exchange that will bridge two very different worlds.” Riverdale High School is also preparing for anti-racism week with a Unity Wall and an assembly and show on March 21. Students from Leave Out Violence (LOVE) will perform a skit with an antiracism theme and help coordinate activities. Other activities that week include a presentation by a spoken word artist as well as a contest for students who created their own anti-racism messages in the fields of performance, writing and visual arts. The students’ works could then be incorporated into a digital book as a written statement and artistic legacy to Riverdale’s commitment to eliminating racism.
Dr. A. E. Ted Wall Visits LBPSB – Mentoring Matters by Betty MacKinnon
cation, Dr A. E. Ted Wall. Dr Wall’s message centered on the importance of building effective teams. In the interactive, how-to session, Dr Wall’s presentation
On Friday afternoon, February 1,2013, seventy mentoring coordinators from across the school board congregated in the Board Room at 1925 Brookdale Avenue to participate in a seminar entitled “Building Collaborative Teams: A Capacity-Building Approach.” The keynote speaker for the afternoon was highly acclaimed educator and former McGill University Dean of Edu-
modeled and discussed the use of personal, partner and smallgroup activities that included videos, short acronym-based presentations, questionnaires and a variety of discussion techniques with the overall goal of building collaborative teams. Dr Wall took the group on a personal learning journey by looking initially at Basic Teams, then at Good Teams and, lastly, at Smart Teams, the
optimal goal. Digital and print materials were provided to facilitate subsequent use by mentoring coordinators and colleagues in school settings. Workshop participants were challenged to look at moving towards creating Smart Teams as they carry out their work as mentoring coordinators in their schools. Benjamin Zander, director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, in “The Art of Possibility” encourages his readers not to think outside the box but to jump out of the box. Dr Wall encouraged his audience in the Board Room at 1925 Brookdale , Dorval, QC on Friday, February 1st to do just that. In the words of workshop participants: “Dr Wall is a man of knowledge and experience. Most of all, he is a great story teller. I could have listened to his real-life stories for hours.” Manon Viau Birchwood Elementary School “Mr Wall shared experiences made me reflect on what I can do better, how I can do better and that I need to do better. Thank
Strategic Directions in the Pearson News
As you read through the Pearson News, you’ll notice that some of the articles have the numbers one through four next to them. These numbers are associated with the LBPSB’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan and its four main directions. Each month, you’ll see these numbers next to the articles found in the pages of the Pearson News and it will give you an idea of what the board’s schools and centres are doing in line with the Strategic Plan.
Strategic Direction 1 Maximizing Student Success in a Culture for Learning Strategic Direction 2 Fostering and Supporting a Commitment to Professional Growth for All Strategic Direction 3 Enhancing School Collaboration and Community Partnerships Strategic Direction 4 Promoting Wellness in a Safe and Caring Community
Pearson NewsA3
February 2013
Student Success, Certification at Riverdale CFER Red-Handed at BHS by Alycia Ambroziak
Students who complete the three-year CFER program receive a Ministry of Education certificate attesting that they have worked in a recycling facility. At that point, some students decide to enter the workforce while others choose to further their education by either going to adult education to achieve a grade 10 or 11 certificate or going to vocational school. Of the 21 CFER programs across
Students attending the Riverdale High School CFER program have a lot to be proud of; not only have they stuck to their studies, they have gained experience in a real revenue-generating recycling business. And now they have achieved accreditation by the Quebec government as green recyclers. “ A f t e r months of arduous work and preparation, the CFER Riverdale has successfully completed the evaluation for the Recycling Qualification Program,” said Antoinette Scarano, work-place- Chris Gelinas, a student in the Riverdale High ment Coordi- School CFER program, hard at work dismannator in the tling IT equipment. Riverdale CFER, a workEducational Services de- placement program, has just received Quebec partment of government accreditation as a green recycler. the Lester B. the province, the Riverdale CFER Pearson School Board. “We are very proud of our staff program, which was established and students,” she said of River- in 2007, is the only one offered at dale’s CFER (Centre de Formation an English school. The Quebec government Recyen Entreprise et Récuperation, a work-placement program aimed cling Qualification Program (RQP) at students who, for many rea- certification is important because sons, were not succeeding in the it defines the minimum requirements for end-of-life-electronics traditional education stream.
(EOLE) processors and recyclers to be considered for use under the provincial electronics recycling stewardship program. An RQP certification ensures that EOLE products are managed in an environmentally sound manner that safeguards worker health and safety as well as the environment from the point of primary processing to final disposition. Scarano noted that CFER Riverdale met the accreditation standards as a private industry. “They were assessed as any company would be in the private sector – no breaks were given because we are a school,” she said. “We are now rated as part of our CFER Network as the only nonprofit network among three other industry multinationals in Quebec who can call themselves a recycler of electronic products.” Students at Riverdale’s CFER Program divide their time between classes and dismantling IT products such as computers, monitors and even cash registers, which are shipped in regularly from such stores as Bureau en Gros and the SAQ. Instead of having these by-products placed in landfills, they are sold as recycled materials – and that generates modest revenues for CFER Riverdale which is a non-profit organization. Those revenues are used to help the local community. For example, CFER students regularly visit local elementary schools, seniors’ residences and municipalities with a message of community and eco-responsibility. “The environmental lessons being learned are real and valuable to the students and important to our environment,” said Mark Hanna, president of the Board for
AEP Graduation Ceremony at LBPSB by Alycia Ambroziak “ M y kids are so proud of me.” – that’s what Tina Grant said Wednesday (Feb. 6) as she and 20 other Lester B. Person School Board employees received Attestation d’etudes professionneles (AEP) certificates for inschool daycare educators. Grant was in the first group of Lester B. Pearson School Board employees to receive an AEP – a certificate which all in-school daycare educators will be required to have by 2014. The AEP is designed to provide training for some jobs which previously required no specific training, such as the before and after school daycare programs. Robert T. Mills, director general at the LBPSB, addressed the group
which had gathered at the school board’s Dorval headquarters for their graduation ceremony. “What you have learned will benefit you and it will benefit our students,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation.” In Grant’s case, the Pierrefonds resident works as a lunch-time supervisor at St. Charles Elementary but looks forward to becoming an in-school educator. Her new certification allows her to become a daycare educator for students aged 4 to 12 years. “I will apply to work as a before or after school educator,” said Grant adding that her daughters – one is a student at Concordia, the other is a student at the LBPSB’s Pearson School of Culinary Arts – were very supportive during her studies. “The roles were reversed – I’d
come home and they’d remind me to do my homework,” Grant said with a laugh. The program, which began in November, 2011, requires 390 hours of training and can be completed on a full or part-time basis. Competencies included the safety and well-being of children, activities focusing on social, emotional and moral development as well as psychomotor and cognitive development as well as activities related to meals and snacks. Teacher Rena Walters said her first group of LBPSB students were a determined group. “They continued with their jobs at our schools while taking this year-long course – they were real groundbreakers,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to the next session of classes which begins later this month.
Left to right: Gloria Keenan, Lester B. Pearson School Board director of adult education and vocational training, Johanne Levac, manager of daycare services at the LBPSB; AEP graduate Tina Grant, LBPSB Commissioners Don Rae and Rosemary Murphy.
CFER Riverdale. Students say Riverdale CFER has been critical in changing their lives. “When I first came to Riverdale CFER I was a mess - I would lie and steal and I was insecure and believed there was nothing I could accomplish,” said one student who did not want his name published. “I thought I was an idiot because I could not handle regular high school,” he said. “CFER helped me be the person I am now because I am self-confident - I have learned a lot about life and the different paths there are in achieving my goals.” “I am very proud to be in CFER,” added the student who plans to finish high school and then work for a trucking company while taking a business course. His ultimate goal is to start his own trucking company.” Other students also had a lot of praise for the Riverdale CFER program. “Before this program I was not going anywhere - I failed every grade from 7 to 9,”said one student. “I was an outcast for a while … but then came to CFER where there are many benefits such as giving you training in what you want to do later in life.” Another student said Riverdale CFER has helped him in many ways. “Riverdale CFER is one of the best schools I’ve ever been to,” said the student. “I used to get upset and hit things and get suspended… but last summer, I got a job in the school because my behaviour was excellent . “The summer job made me feel very honoured,” he added. “Riverdale CFER is amazing.”
Excellence in Vocational Training and Adult Education Visit our website: www.pearsonskills.com
by Alycia Ambroziak
A 20-meter long cloth banner, gallons of red paint and rollers – that’s what students and staff at Beaconsfield High School used during the Paint Your Hand to Take a Stand campaign to protest the practice of using children
United Nations on Red Hand Day. In 2002, then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan pledged that the entire UN system would work with the Red Hand Day campaign to stamp out such abuse. The goal is for every country in the world to ratify the optional protocol by the end of this year – a goal that will likely not be
History Teacher Sandra Reynard (in red) with her Secondary 4 Ethics students who organized the Paint Your Hand to Take a Stand event at Beaconsfield High School. as soldiers in at least 14 countries reached considering the number of countries, including Myanmar around the world. The campaign took place at the and the Democratic Republic of Congo, that still use child solschool from Feb. 4 to 7. The banner was on display un- diers. But that should not stop people til Feb. 12 – the date that Red Hand Day is celebrated world- from trying, according to BHS wide - when the mayors from Social Sciences teacher Sandra Beaconsfield and Baie d’Urfé Reynard, who led the school in came to the school to sign letters participating in its first Red Hand written by students to embassies Day Campaign. “I am committed to exposing whose countries have not yet ratified the United Nation’s optional our students to the global impact protocol which prohibits the use of collective action ,” she said. “If the evil of a few can affect the of children in armed conflict. An estimated 300,000 children many, then the humanitarian ef– some of whom are forcibly re- forts by our 1,200 students can cruited - are engaged in armed affect the world.” And for student Mia Stankovic, conflicts world-wide, according to the Unicef website; Unicef is the Paint Your Hand to Take a one of a number of international Stand campaign at the school is a organizations that actively cam- step in righting an injustice. “If we bring awareness to this paign against the use of children global injustice, we the few, can as soldiers . Some child soldiers are as help the many who suffer,” she said. “For the sake of those who young as 10-years-old. Copies of the letters from stu- have lost their childhood as a redents at Beaconsfield High, along sult of this issue, it can no longer with banner, will be sent to the be ignored.”
Do you have an article to submit for
the Pearson News?
Please send your articles and pictures to your Principal who will forward them to us. Questions or comments? Email Dan Mullins at
[email protected] Below is a list of Commissioners along with their home telephone numbers and school board locals. Home 422-3000 Ward Communities Commissioner Phone # Local 1 Verdun/Nuns’ Island Douglas Flook 514-293-2417 4001 2 LaSalle South Sergio Borja 514-366-1611 4002 3 LaSalle Northeast Ruben Fazio 514-365-1638 4003 4 LaSalle West/Ville St-Pierre Frank di Bello 514-951-5834 4004 5 Lachine Patrick Whitham 514-800-9240 4005 6 Dorval Barbara Freeston 514-636-9315 4006 7 Dollard-des-Ormeaux East Rosemary Murphy 514-620-8012 4007 8 Roxboro/Pierrefonds East Craig Berger 514-421-6570 4008 9 Pointe-Claire East Linton Garner 514-696-7892 4009 10 Pointe-Claire West Marc Lalonde 514-426-7124 4010 11 Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center Ruth Dangoor Gdalevitch 514-906-7320 4011 12 Pierrefonds/Île Bizard Susan Williams 514-620-4745 4012 13 Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center/West Martin Sherman 514-684-2742 4013 14 Dollard-des-Ormeaux W./Kirkland E. Joe Zemanovich 514-624-2376 4014 15 Beaconsfield North Don Rae 514-697-9878 4015 16 Kirkland West Suanne Stein Day 514-887-8876 2322 17 Pierrefonds West Luisa Bulgarelli-Vero 514-694-0475 4017 18 Ste-Anne/Baie d’Urfé/Beaconsfld S./Senneville Judy Kelley 514-697-7619 4018 19 Île Perrot Susan Bartlett-Lewis 514-453-6650 4019 20 Les Cèdres/Vaudreuil-Dorion Angela Nolet 514-453-5462 2299 21 Hudson/St-Lazare Daniel Olivenstein 450-458-1413 4021 CPC Secondary Representative Nan Beaton 514-713-3892 4026 CPC Elementary Representative Domenico Pavone 514-566-8869 4027 Executive Committee Council of Commissioners
March 14, 2013 5:30 p.m. March 18, 2013 7:30 p.m.
Board Room Board Room
A4Pearson News
February 2013
LBPSB Employee and Piper Andrew Walsh Rio Tinto Alcan Raises $7,000 for Edgewater Receives Diamond Jubilee Award by Alycia Ambroziak
the Feb. 17 ceremony which took place at McGill University. “I was so proud to see the company that he was keeping,” Walsh Sr. said adding that among the recipients were noted doctors, researchers and authors. Indeed, Walsh is one of 60,000 Canadians who will have been awarded the honour over the past year in recognition for their contributions to Canada. The Diamond Jubilee Medal program,
marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, will close on Feb. 28 of this year. Walsh said he really didn’t know much about the bagpipes when he joined the Cadet Corps of the Black Watch. “But then I was exposed to the music of the pipe band,” he said adding that he had already made his way to Quartermaster of the Cadet Corps when he began tak-
By day, Andrew Walsh is a data processing technician for the adult vocational sector of the Lester B. Pearson School Board – but on evenings and weekends, the 28-year-old spends much of his time volunteering with the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment of Canada and his community church. And it was for that volunteer work that Walsh was recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at a special ceremony presided over by Quebec Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne. “I knew I had been nominated by both my church and regiment but I wasn’t actually expecting to get the award,” said Walsh who plays the bagpipes with the Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment. “It was a very nice surprise.” Walsh’s father, Allan, who works as a Technical Support Manager at the school board, said Quebec Lieutenant Governor Pierre Duchesne and Andrew he was impressed with the cali- Walsh at the Feb. 17 ceremony awarding of the Queen Elizabeth ber of Jubilee Medal recipients at II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
ing bagpipe lessons. It took about six months of lessons and a lot of playing to become Pipe Sergeant of the Cadet Corps. Then, at age 16, he volunteered with the Black Watch Regimental Band, where he has been ever since. Walsh, who gives free bagpipe lessons to many young cadets, noted that as a volunteer with the Black Watch, he must go through the same rigorous training as enlisted soldiers. “The difference between volunteers and enlisted soldiers is that we’re not called upon for active duty and we don’t get paid,” he said. “But we do go through the same physical training.” Walsh also does a lot of volunteer work, including playing the bagpipes, at the Resurrection of Our Lord parish in Lachine, where he is the caretaker. “Like a lot of pipers, I have a civilian tartan when I play outside the regiment,” Walsh said noting that a lot of the volunteer work he does at the church involves banquets and fundraisers as well repair work. “I’m very happy to do it,” he added.
The Lester B. Pearson School Board ’s first-ever Junior Leadership Day saw grades 5 and 6 students from 20 schools across the board taking part in workshops aimed at teaching them skills that will last a lifetime. “Students had a full day of workshop sessions ranging from digital citizenship to how to get involved in high school life,” said Nathia Messina, principal at St. Edmund Elementary in Beaconsfield where
the Feb. 8 event took place. Students from five LBPSB high schools were on hand to help make the day a success. Students from Pierrefonds Comprehensive high school ran four different break-out sessions, created a video of the event and also helped behind the scenes to organize the day. As well, leadership students from John Rennie, Riverdale, Beaconsfield and Macdonald High Schools animated their own break-out sessions. Messina said the idea for holding a leadership day at the elementary school level came from fellow principal Michael Rabinovitch of Beechwood Elementary in Pierrefonds.
“Michael’s vision was to start introducing positive leadership at the elementary level and focus on developing skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership and how these skills are impacted by the technologies our students now use in their daily interactions,” said Messina. “We thought it was a great idea and decided to go ahead with a pilot project this year,” she said, adding that the next Junior Leadership Day will be held at Beechwood next year. Rabinovitch said the event is a team affair that was inspired by the Canadian Student Leadership Conference which is geared to senior high school students.
Mount Pleasant Valentines for Lakeshore Hospital Patients Mount Pleasant Elementary School students Jack Simpson, Nathalie Horvath-Abbott and Lukas Heward with some of the Valentine cards they made. Their cards, along with others made by students at the Hudson school, will be given to patients at the Lakeshore General Hospital on Feb. 14. For the past 15 years, Mount Pleasant Elementary students have provided the Women’s Auxiliary at the Lakeshore Hospital with 250 cards and crafts for Valentine’s Day. The cards and crafts are placed on all the dinner trays for patients to enjoy.
raising project in the Saguenay region after two of Lavoie’s children died of lactic acidosis. It was renamed the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie when the annual cycling event was extended throughout the province in order to encourage elementary school children to adopt healthy life habits. Rivard said the money given to Edgewater Elementary will be used to purchase physical-education equipment.
Chinese New Year at Mount Pleasant
Red envelopes, a slide presentation, and stories about China – and it all culminated in the construction of a large handmade paper dragon that was paraded Tuesday (Feb. 19) by kindergarten students through the “We thought that many of these halls of Mount Pleasant Elementary kinds of workshop skills could be adapted towards elementary-age students,” he said adding that organizers at first thought that this year’s project would be on a small scale, involving maybe four or five schools, but the response was overwhelming, with 20 schools wanting to take part. “The goal is to bring all of our elementary leaders together and to give them the chance to meet and share their leadership experiences,” said Rabinovitch. “We hope the leadership skills they learn here will continue on to high school and ground them as they grow into our positive leaders of tomorrow.” by Sonia Ruivo, Assistant Centre Director, PACC Adult Education
Junior Leadership Day Pilot Project Proves Popular By Michael Rabinovitch & Nathia Messina
Members of the Rio Tinto Alcan cycling team – who raised more than $7,000 for Edgewater School in Pincourt as a part of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie – recently presented the cheque to Principal Liz Rivard (far right) and phys. Ed teacher Tina Taschereau (middle). The Défi Pierre Lavoie began in 1999 as a one-man fund-
in Hudson, much to the delight of students and staff. Kindergarten teachers Johanne Lacelle-Lavallée and Pascale Jauffroy, along with Spiritual Animator Jason Cordery, continued an annual tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year with their students. Chinese New Year officially ends on February 25th, the next full moon.
PACC Adult: Hooked on Schools
of war competition with teachers and staff. They were also treated to some goodies: hot chocolate, Valentine Day candies and Jamaican patties. There was a Family Feud game, which students really enPACC Adult students joyed. Samantha Bourdeau, PACC had a fun-filled week celebrating 2007 valedictorian, spoke to stuschool perseverance. Students dents about her school experiencwere given the green and white es. Samantha is headed to univerribbons which commemorate sity in the fall. Students were also school perseverance. The gym treated to a special presentation by was the centre of the action. Stu- McGill University student teachdents enjoyed lunchtime yoga, ers who presented some innovatsalsa dancing, soccer, and a tug ing teaching methods.
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February 2013
Evergreen Asks: What Can You Learn From a Robot? Barbara Coloroso’s Workshop By Ingrid Farkas January was a very exittii month in Grade 6 at Evciting ergreen. Through an innovative programme offered by the Lester B Pearson school board, students were given the opportunity to design, build and program their very own robots. After attending a workshop in the Fall, Grade 6 French teachers Nicole Bastet and Marie-Eve Frenette thought it would be a brilliant idea to introduce their students to the technology of computer controlled robots in a truly hands on way. They submitted a request to reserve one of a limited number of robotics kits
and anxiously awaited their turn. Their patience was rewarded in January when Sophie Lussier, a Math and Science consultant for the school board, brought the kits to Evergreen and gave an introduction to robotics to help kick-off the month-long unit. To begin, students were given the task of creating their own robot that they could control via software on a laptop. They had to use mathematical, artistic, building, written and programming skills. A challenging task – no doubt - but working in groups of three ensured success through collaboration. Each student was able to contribute based on their individual strengths. Once the robots were operational, the next
challenge was to program them to navigate an obstacle course. The final task was for students to create their own challenges... some groups had their robots circling the library! Both teachers were thrilled with the results and quickly saw that this cross-curricular activity appealed to all students. “Everybody was really engaged.” said Mme. Bastet. It was apparent that the kids were quite tech-savvy and required very little direction from their teachers. Students worked independently and were given the chance to think outside the box. They could move around the classroom freely and express their ideas in a truly creative
manner. It was an ideal way for students to develop their already growing appreciation and understanding of technology in today’s world. The project was such a success that it prompted Evergreen to apply for a grant in order to obtain their own robotics kit. Mme. Bastet was happy to report that they received the grant and as of next year will have their own kit to use in all grades. The world we live in is rapidly advancing and it is important for our students to keep pace with developments in technology. Evergreen takes great pride in initiatives such as these which aid in fostering this modern need.
Students Design Stained Glass Windows at Birchwood
T h e windows in the library at Birchwood Elementary are clear glass right now. But within a few weeks, they will be transformed into a blaze of colour as five large panels of stained glass designed and painted by students will be put into place. Called A World of Coloured Glass – Our Life at Birchwood, the panels are all themed to show student life at the St. Lazare school, which students and staff moved into in December, 2011. Each 3 by 8-foot panel has been drawn and designed by students who have been working since early January with art teacher Erin Wainwright and a group of volunteer parents as well as with artist Nicole Tremblay – and the draw-
ings and colours are as vibrant as the students and their teacher. “Every Birchwood student from Grade 1 to 6 has worked on this project,” said Principal Coleen Turner, who came up with the idea for the stained glass windows when she first saw the space in the mezzanine area of the school. “The windows were just a wide open space crying out for colour.” And colour they will have. At first glance, it’s the vibrant colours of the panels that are striking but a closer look shows the creativity of the student drawings. One panel depicts the beginning of the school day, with students arriving at the school and a bright yellow school bus; another panel has a musical/arts theme with instruments, dancers and singers - and a globe to show how music and the
arts bring people together. Another panel shows a teacher at a smart board, a skeleton, computers and, at the bottom, the cafeteria – all things crucial in a student’s day. The library panel, which will be placed in the centre of the library windows, shows students and the librarian and of course, a lot of books. And the final panel deals with sports, all kinds of sports, from a hockey goalie, to badminton to every kind of sports ball ever made. For Grade 6 student Chloe Viel, the project has brought out more than just a stained glass panel. “It ‘s cool to share the work and cooperate, - no one person did it all,” she said of the stained glass panels, which also include lower panels of children reading. “We all shared to make this big project
come together.” Some of the other students working alongside her were just as enthusiastic. “This was interesting and creative – and it was fun to work on such a big project instead of painting on small paper,” said Ian Hamilton as he and fellow students Daniel Gal, Ryan Kim and Amy Daoust applied some finishing touches to the panels. In fact, Turner noted that the stained glass won’t be the first big project taken on by students at the school; a year ago in February and March, all students, including kindergartners, created a colourful mural depicting the four seasons at the school, with the help of artist Marcio Melo. “Birchwood belongs to us all,” she said.
Draws a Crowd
by Chrystal Henderson, Beurling Academy O n February 11, 2013 on an icy, rainy night approximately 500 parents came together at the Sheraton Laval to see Barbara Coloroso work her magic. Other boards located off the island watched the workshop online. Earlier in the day she had a workshop for teachers at the same location. This was the first workshop for parents hosted by the Leadership Committee for English Education in Quebec (LEECQ). The workshop was entitled Parenting with Wit and Wisdom. Barbara began by telling us we need to teach our children to think. She then went on to tell us we have not been doing that. We tell them to think for themselves and then we do all the thinking for them. Did you remember your gym clothes? Did you remember your report? If you do all the thinking for your children now someone else will do the thinking for them later. We have to be careful that we don’t raise children that are hating, hoarding, and harming. These behaviours hoarding and harming cause hurt, but they are not necessarily acts of cruelty or evil in and of themselves, they can rip apart the fabric of human relationships. Harm—the betrayal of trust. When a trust is betrayed, the ties that bind us together are tattered and severed. Hoarding is about me, mine, and more— to the detriment of us, ours, and enough. Hate is not the opposite of deep caring; it is the absence of deep caring. It can appear in different forms—as contempt, bigotry, degradation, exclusion, revenge, or bullying. Barbara told us there are three types of parents; Brick Wall, Jellyfish or Backbone. The jellyfish parent will see that the child has left the gym clothes at the house and rush over and beat the bus to the school before the child even knows they have forgotten them. The backbone parent will tell them “I know you can handle it” and allow them to fix the situation. The brick wall parent is an authoritarian. The the structure of the family is rigid the parent has all control and power, the punishment is humiliation. Barbara mentioned that we scream at children as if you have reverse. The action cannot be undone so now you have to fix it. She told us about an incident with her daughter. Barbara had made a cake for her mother’s birthday. The cake and icing took two hours to prepare. Her daughter picked up the cake to show it to her friend. The cake
went one way and the platter went the other. The new reality is the cake is on the floor. You have to live with the new reality and accept it and solve the problem. There were a few ways the problem could be solved. Go to the party without a cake, stop and the store and buy the cake. The best solution was to allow the daughter to fix the problem herself. There was a ton on icing on the cake. They picked the cake up off the floor, removed the icing and did the icing over. The problem was fixed. Barbara told us we need to stop giving mini-lectures. An example was when a child leaves the house without the proper clothing. When they come back and say they are cold we go into a lecture. I told you, you needed to wear warmer clothes, now you’re going to be sick. Conflict is inevitable, violence is not. Teach children to take a time out. When they are calm they will be able to handle the situation. Taking a time out is an adult method and they will be able to use that skill when they are older. When you have had your own time out and you realize you made a mistake about a decision go back and tell them. A time out is having the opportunity to calm down and plan how to fix it. There is a difference between discipline and punishment. Punishment is adult oriented, imposes power and arouses anger and resentment. Discipline in not judgemental, arbitrary, confusion or coercive. When we discipline children we show them what they have done, give them ownership and let them solve the problem. If possible they should help the person they hurt. We leave them with their dignity intact. We have to use the Three R’s- restitution, resolution and reconciliation we have to practice RSVP- for consequences. Consequences need to be reasonable, simple, valuable and practical. Barbara told us there are six critical life messages: I believe in you, I trust you, I know you can handle it, You are listened to, You are cared for, and You are very important to me. Everyone needs help sometimes. When she left the car on with her keys in the car and the door locked she called her husband. He said he would be right over. This is not the time to tell the person “I know you can handle it.” Sometimes you need to run over and help To be a better parent or person you need to take a ½ hour per day in quiet contemplation. It will give you energy for the day that you need to develop a backbone. Thank you to the LEECQ. This was the first workshop for parents hosted by the LEECQ. We hope it will be the first of many. We are so happy you thought of us.
A6Pearson News
The Visual Arts at PCHS
What are the Sec.3 and 4 Visual Art students at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High up to? A trip to the Montreal Museum of fine Arts is always a mind expanding experience. In December the Sec. 4 P.C.H.S. Visual Art students visited the Impressionist Exhibition and participated in a corresponding workshop. The Docents complimented our students on their impeccable attentiveness and thoughtful questions. This group of students are now creating their own Im-
pressionist artworks showing a real understanding of this important art movement. In February, the Sec.3 students will visit the Peru Exhibition, which will be the jumping off point to their adventure through Aboriginal art. By the end of these units, these students will have researched the topic, applied their knowledge on their own artwork, evaluated it and finally reflected on the whole experience. Two Impressionist style images created by our students. What are the Sec.2 students up to? Black history Month takes place in February. Sec. 2 students were
introduced to the worldwide Visual Art contributions of the Black Community, both historically and of today. After researching, the students formed groups of common interests. They are now in the midst of creating storyboards which explain their chosen pieces and creating art work which is based on their favorites. They researched, are applying the learned knowledge, will evaluate and then reflect on their experiences. Class presentations of their work are planned for the first week of February. See images on page below. Pyzankas, those lovely decorated eggs, are the March cultural project for Sec.2
February 2013
Connecting Students Across the Globe by Mme Pressoir, Grade 3 Teacher, Beechwood Elementary
Wanda Bedard, founder of the 60 million girls Foundation, left for Sierra Leone on February 7th, 2013. She, along with three other members of the foundation, visited the Koinadugu region where the foundation is supporting a two-year project with its partner, CAUSE Canada. They had the opportunity to visit a few of the 15 schools and meet many of the students and teachers. They were able to witness, firsthand, how this particular project can transform the lives of individual girls and their entire communities. Wanda brought books and soccer balls for the children, as well as letters from Beechwood Elementary! The grade three students, with Ms. Kayleigh’s help, wrote letters to the students of Sierra Leone describing what our winter is like. The students of Sierra Leone were thrilled to receive letters from Canada! And, as the temperature in Sierra Leone is about 30°C in February, the children’s description of our winter was quite a contrast to theirs!
FAMILY LITERACY DAY at Riverdale High School and CLC 15 Minutes of Fun! Fifteen Minutes of Fun was the theme of Family Literacy Day at Riverdale High School and Community Learning Centre (CLC) in Pierrefonds on Feb. 2 – an event which drew in more than 150 parents and children. Families at the event, sponsored
See what’s going on at the Centre of Excellence here: http://cemh.lbpsb.qc.ca/index.htm
by Literacy Unlimited, were invited to visit activity stations – manned by volunteers, including students from Riverdale High School - where they did puzzles, crafts and games. Each participant received a “Passport to 15 Minutes of Fun” and collected stamps to be traded in for gently used books, donated by Born To Read. Literacy Unlimited, a partner in the Riverdale CLC, joined with two
other CLC partners, Brookwood Basketball and Born to Read, to make the Family Literacy Day event a success. Parents also received a handout reminding them that engaging in fun literacy activities as a family is beneficial to children and also helps keep parents’ skills sharp. For more suggestions on how to encourage family literacy go to www.FamilyLiteracyDay.ca
