The Pearson News - Lester B. Pearson School Board

The Pearson News
FINAL
Avril/April 2015
GRATUIT/FREE
DU DIRECTEUR
FROM THE
Volume XVII No. 8
Director
General’s
Report to
Council
by R. T. Mills
Budget Developments
I am quite certain that everyone
is well aware of the fact that we
are facing an extremely heavy reduction in overall budget and are
working diligently to ensure that
the impact on classrooms is as
minimal as possible. I will continue to bring to Council further
information as soon as it becomes
available.
Teacher Staffing
Based on forecast and enrolment
data, preliminary teacher allocations have been made to schools,
numbers which will continue to
be adjusted as the year progresses
and enrolment projections are
achieved. As I indicated earlier,
we continue to make every effort
to provide the maximum possible
teaching resources given the budgetary compressions that have
been announced by the MELS.
Administrative Staffing
The administrative staffing Resolution that will be dealt with later on the Agenda reflects long and
serious evaluation and discussion
of the needs of our schools and
centers matched with the abilities
and leadership skills of the nominees. I extend congratulations
and best wishes to those assuming new roles and feel assured
that our system will continue to
be well-served.
Student End-of-Year Evaluation
As I state each year at this
time, evaluation of student progress is done on a continual basis
throughout the year. However,
the intensity is certain to increase
from now until the end of the year.
Students at virtually all levels will
participate in standardized tests
that are mandated by MELS, inschool examinations and those
related to the High School Leaving process. The challenge for
students and parents is to achieve
a healthy balance of preparation
and study time as well as opportunities for relaxation. Please remember that this is a very stressful time for students.
Summer School and
Enrichment
Summer School sessions will be
held at LCCHS and St. Thomas
High School from July 6 to 24th.
These have proven very helpful
in upgrading achievement for
students who will be re-writing
MELS examinations. Detailed
information is available on the
Board’s website. The Enrichment
component, hosted at Clearpoint
Elementary School, is rapidly
filling up. This program, called
Junior Voyageurs, offers an enchanting variety of interest courses. Further information can be
found at http://juniorvoyageurs.
lbpsb.qc.ca/
See MILLS page A2
GÉNÉRAL ET DE LA PRÉSIDENTE
DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN
DU CONSEIL
OF THE BOARD
St. Thomas High School Wins Final Battle of the Books... Chair’s Report
by Alycia Ambroziak
The Final Battle
is over –
now get
set for the Ultimate Battle.
Just like the Canadiens have been
going into overtime during the battle against the Ottawa Senators, the
Lester B. Pearson School Board’s
2015 Final Battle of the Books
ended its regular run in a 102-to102 tie between Macdonald and St.
Thomas High Schools.
And in an exciting and tensionfilled overtime finish in front of a
crowd of parents and friends – at
which CBC Homerun host Sue
Smith was the special guest moderator - the St. Thomas team took
away the title of winners of the Final Battle of the Books.
But now comes the Ultimate
Battle. On Thursday (April 23),
the team from St. Thomas will go
up against the winning Final Battle
teams from the Trafalgar School
for Girls of the Quebec Association
of Independent Schools and – for
the first time, the English Montreal
School Board which will send in a
team from Lauren Hill Academy.
CJAD’s Trudie Mason and author Monique Polak - whose book,
Straight Punch, is one of the 14
books read for this year’s competition - will be special guest moderators at the April 23 Ultimate Battle
of the Books which takes place at
the school board.
Battle of the Books is a competition at which teams from different
high schools compete against each
other to see who knows their books
best. Students reply to questions in
both regular and lightning rounds
from 14 books selected earlier in
the school year.
This year’s Final Battle saw teams
from four high schools - St. Thomas, Macdonald, Westwood Jr. and
last year’s winners in the Final and
Ultimate Final, Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School – vying to
take the title.
Caroline Pye, St. Thomas librarian and team coach, said the team’s
victory was the result of a lot of
practice sessions. “Our hard work
paid off,” she said.
William Pugsley, a grade 9 student on the St. Thomas team, said
he joined the team at the urging of
his friends. “It’s been very interesting,” he said as his fellow teammates – Angela Engson, Fatma ElGeneidy, Kiara Lancing, Madeline
Mugridge and Emilia Silvestre –
chatted excitedly about the game.
Angela Engson, a grade 9 student
on the St. Thomas team, said the
April 16 event was her second try
in the Final Battle of the Books.
“We’re all nervous at first, but
once it starts, we all get into it,” she
said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The Ulimate Battle of the Books
takes place at 7 p.m. on April 23
at the LBPSB, 1925 Brookdale in
Dorval.
...And
Then Goes
on to Win Ultimate
Battle of the Books...
by Alycia Ambroziak
tied with 20 points each and St.
Apparently being nervous can this year’s competition – Angus
I
f
there’s
o n e
thing
to take away from the Ultimate
Battle of the
Books,
it’s
never give up.
Midway
through the
competition
which pitted
teams
from
three schools
–
Trafalgar
School for Girls of the Quebec Association of Independent
Schools, Lauren Hill Academy
from the English Montreal School
Board and St. Thomas High
School from the Lester B. Pearson
School Board – it wasn’t looking
good for St. Thomas.
Trafalgar and Lauren Hill were
Thomas trailed with 14 points.
Battle of the Books is a competition organized by librarians from
the LBPSB at which teams from
different high schools compete
against each
other to see
who knows
their
books
best.
Students reply to
questions in
both regular
and lightning
rounds from
14 books selected earlier in the
school year.
“We’re very nervous,” said
Emilia Silvestre of the St. Thomas
team, as team members from the
three schools took a break, had a
snack and milled with the crowd
of family and friends who were
there to watch the event.
help.
By the end of the regular battle
followed by a tension-filled lightning round, Trafalgar toted up 70
points, Lauren Hill had 65 – and
St. Thomas came through with
79 points.
“This is wonderful,” Silvestre
said of her
team’s
win.
“We hope to
be back next
year – this time
as defending
champions!”
C J A D ’ s
Trudie Mason
and
author
Monique Polak – whose
book, Straight
Punch,
is
one of the 14
books read for
Byers of Babar Books and Sandra Bebbington of the Quebec
education Ministry were special
guest moderators at the April 23
event.
Following the competition, LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein day
congratulated all three teams and
urged the students – and all
students – to
continue reading.
“You’re not
just
reading,
you’re absorbing
books,”
she said. “I
hope you keep
on
learning
through reading
– keep on reading,
learning
and exploring.”
...While St. Edmund Elementary Wins “Qui Lira, Vaincra”
by Alycia Ambroziak
order to determine a winner.
In the end, the team from St. EdT h e
mund
Elementary in Beaconsfield
competition was took the top title.
“The teams were really well preso fierce
that the pared; all the team members reLester B. Pearson School Board’s ally knew their material,” LBPSB
first-ever
pedagogiQui lira,
cal convaincra
sultant,
Junior – a
HeathercompetiA n n e
tion proDenton,
moting
said
of
reading in
the
April
French –
8
comhad to go
petition
through
w h i c h
two bonus
involved
rounds in
three elementary schools – St.
Edmund, Terry Fox and Allion representing
the three regions in the
school board.
“We are already looking forward
to next year’s
edition,” she
said adding
that
many
parents, as
well as members of the school
board, came out to support the
students.
The competition, which involved Cycle 3 students was simi-
lar to the Battle of the Books, with
a few adjustments tailored to the
elementary French
second-language clientele.
“We
…
felt
there
was a need
to highlight
French in
a fun, positive way, all
while showcasing how enthusiastic our students and teachers become when they have an opportunity to show what they can do,”
Mrs Denton said.
French for the Future Draws High School Crowd
Students from six high schools
in the Lester B. Pearson School
Board (LBPSB) high schools took
part in the April 23 French for
the Future event held at the Atwater Forum Cineplex.
Winners of the LBPSB’s SLAM
contest performed at the highenergy event aimed at promoting
bilingualism among Canadian
youth.
In all, French for the Future
brought together about 500 students from 13 Montreal high
schools, representing four school
boards.
The theme of this year’s event
was Respect, Culture and Integration into Quebecois society.
The schools represented by the
LBPSB were Lakeside Academy in
Lachine, John Rennie High School
in Pointe Claire, Riverdale High
School in Pierrefonds, St. Thomas
and Lindsay Place High Schools in
Pointe Claire and LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School
in the LaSalle borough.
Montreal producer and breakdancer, Pierre-Michel Jean-Louis,
was master of ceremony at the
event and Quebecois rapper and
street artist, MONK.E performed
as did students at the open mike.
Students learned about the hockey history associated with the
Forum, which was home to the
Montreal Canadiens from 1926
to 1996 and Angelike Falbo, one
of the top four contestants in La
Voix. Other activities included an
interactive quiz on Canadian and
Quebec culture and improv performances.
To learn more about the Lester B. Pearson School Board’s
Autism Spectrum Disorders Centre of Excellence, visit:
http://www.lbpsb.qc.ca/eng/asdn/index.asp
to Council
by Suanne Stein Day
I know it doesn’t seem so weather-wise, but spring has certainly
sprung in the Lester B. Pearson
Schools. It’s such an honor for
me and my colleagues on council
to share in the wonderful opportunities open to our students.
The month kicked off with the
most spectacular Black & White
Circus at St. Anthony’s. The
creativity displayed at this Michael Jackson themed event was
amazing and the students left us
speechless. Their acrobats, unicycles and stilt walkers, dancing
and singing showed everyone
present what teamwork and fun
can do. Congratulations to the
dedicated staff who must have
worked months with the students
to make this happen.
Qui Lira, Vaincra gave our elementary students an opportunity
to show off what they do best –
get a bilingual education. This
event was the French equivalent
of Battle of the Books and the students from Allion, St. Edmund
and Terry Fox schools were incredibly impressive as they demonstrated their complete understanding of the many books they
read by competing in oral quizzes
about many details in the books.
Congratulations to the St. Edmund team for taking the first
Qui Lira, Vaincra title.
Speaking of Battle of the Books,
our high school students competed in the internal competition
and St. Thomas students then
went on to represent LBPSB in the
Ultimate Battle against Trafalgar
School and Lauren Hill Academy.
Last Thursday’s competition, revolving around the 14 books the
students read was, again, most
impressive and we are very proud
of the St. Thomas team for taking
the title!
Last week, I was truly honored
to again be present at a citizenship
ceremony held in our schools.
This year, ceremonies took place
at Riverdale High School, Riverview Elementary and Greendale
Elementary and another will be
held this week at Wilder Penfield.
We thank Judge Veronica Johnson, former LBPSB administrator,
for allowing our students to share
this experience with our newest
Canadians. It takes learning out
of the textbooks and into the real
world for them, instills pride in
Canada and provides a chance
to welcome more people into the
Canadian family.
Allion Elementary experienced
something very different. In response to information from Free
the Children, 4 girls decided to
stay silent for 6 hours in order
to raise funds to purchase goats
for families in small villages
in Kenya. The goats allow the
families some independence and
some opportunities to raise some
money through the sale of excess
milk. By the time I left Allion that
afternoon, the school had raised
enough money to buy 26 goats!
See STEIN DAY page A2
A2Pearson News
Mills, from page A1
MSC Developments
The initial meeting held at LaSalle Community Comprehensive
High School on April 16 was well
attended by representatives from
many of our school communities
who posed a wide variety of questions that proved to elaborate on
the process. We are awaiting
anxiously input from all consultative groups and individuals and
will post these on the website as
received.
TOPS Show
Once again, this annual event
showcased the remarkable talents
of Lester B. Pearson students in
a packed house series of musical
and dance routines that held the
audiences spellbound throughout. Congratulations are extended to all participants for their
talents and abilities and for their
dedication to rehearsal and practice. I must also extend my deep
thanks to all involved in production and to Lakeside Academy for
again hosting the event.
PEF “Fun Run”
Please remember the PEF “Fun
Run” taking place at Dollard’s
Centennial Park on Sunday, May
3, 2015. This is a major fundraising event for the Foundation,
enabling it to provide generous
support to school projects. Enrolment must be completed on
the PEF website by Thursday,
April 30th.
International Studies Program
This initiative continues its
growth and expansion with an
expected 150 students being
registered in our high schools for
the 2015-2016 school year. The
Continuing Education component of the program remains ever-expanding as do the Summer
School and K-4 classes. At the
end of June, students from LPHS
will travel to China to visit with
students of their partner school.
Excellence
in Vocational
Training
and
Adult
Education
This could be your
opportunity to:
• Master a vocational
program
• Complete a high school
diploma
• Obtain pre-requisite
courses for
CEGEP or vocational
education
• Improve your language
skills
• Upgrade your
employability skills to
become more competitive
in today’s workforce
• Receive free counseling,
support, and referral
services
visit our website at:
www.
pearsonskills.
com
Avril/April 2015
Sparks Fly at Vocational Training Roadshow
by Alycia Ambroziak
There’s
nothing
like a rollicking roadshow to generate a
young person’s interest – and the
Lester B. Pearson School Board’s
#Spark Vocational Training
roadshow for students was designed to do just that.
“This is a high-energy,
45-minute performance that
mixes acting, singing, dancing
and multimedia into an exciting
brew of motivation, information
and entertainment,” said Ashley
Foot, Transitions Consultant for
adult education and vocational
training at the LBPSB.
“The goal of #spark is to engage our students in a conversation about their futures in an
honest, yet lighthearted way,”
he added. “#spark is also a celebration of trades and the power of that choice as an alternate
pathway to success.”
The LBPSB offers courses in
such fields as Building and Public Works, Computing Support,
Administration and Computer
Technology, Food and Beverage
Program, Automobile Mechanics, Interior Decorating and Display, Residential and Commercial
Drafting, Health Services, Beauty
Care and Electrotechnology.
LBPSB students spoke about
their hopes and dream for the future.
The travelling roadshow featured music by award-winning
hip-hop artist Treh LaMontre , was
directed by Roger Carr and starred
actress Marie-Pierre de Brienne,
LaMonte, Eleni Metrekapolis, a
Dawson Theatre graduate and
Mickey Elliot, known for his
YouTube posts and one-liners.
Spark visited St. Thomas
High School, Beurling Academy, Riverdale High School and
Beaconsfield High School,.
For more information, contact Ashley Foot, Transitions
Consultant for adult education
and vocational training at the
LBPSB, at [email protected] or
go to
http://www.Facebook.com/
SparkMyFuture and/or http://
www.PearsonSkills.com and/
or http://www.PearsonTransitions.ca
Adult Learners’ Week Celebrated at LBPSB
by Alycia Ambroziak
Vocational training
and adult education
students may come
from different backgrounds and
have different reasons for going
back to school, but one thing they
all do have in common is a will to
succeed.
“It was my dream, my passion
to learn esthetics,” Rajnish Batra,
a student at the Lester B. Pearson
School Board’s Gordon Robertson
Beauty Academy, said Wednesday
(May 15) at a special event in celebration of Adult Learners’ Week.
Speaking to the assembly of
about 70 adult education and vocational training students and special
guests, including Francis Scarpaleggia, MP for the Lac-Saint-Louis
riding and Jennifer Ferguson, the
political aide to Jacques-Cartier
MNA Geoff Kelley, Batra said that
losing her assembly job in an electronics factory was the best thing
that could have happened to her.
“I had been telling my husband
that I wanted to quit my job and go
to school to learn esthetics but he
always said no because we needed
the money,” said Batra, a mother
of three. “When I lost my job last
year, my husband said no again,
but this time, I told him no, I want
to go to school - and I did.”
Now more than half-way
through her course, Batra said her
husband is happy with her career
choice as are her daughters, two
of whom are in Cegep – one plans
to be a lawyer, the other an accountant – and a third who is in
high school.
Students from all seven LBPSB
Adult and Vocational centres –
the Gordon Robertson Beauty
Academy, the Pearson Adult and
Career Centre (Vocational), the
Pearson Adult and Career Centre
(Adult Education), the Pearson
Electrotechnology Centre, Place
Cartier Adult Centre, the Sources Adult and Career Centre and
the West Island Career Centre –
took part in the ceremony, each
receiving a certificate recognizing
his or her commitment to lifelong
learning.
LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein
Day told the assembled students
how impressed she is with their
commitment.
“I know it’s not easy to come
back to school…but you choose
to be here and you choose to honour us by graduating, letting the
entire community know the value
of education,” Stein Day said.
Belinda Hubert, a culinary student and single mother of two
said she was “going from one
lousy job to the next” when she
decided to go back to school.
“I had told my younger daughter that she could be anything in
life that she wanted to be when
she turned around and asked me
what I wanted to be,” Hubert said
while thanking her teachers for
their help, support and understanding.
“Even though I started a career
later in life, there is no ‘best before’ date for us learners.”
Robert T. Mills, Director General of the LBPSB, said that in 43
years in the field of education, he
never tires hearing about the stories adult and vocational students
have to tell.
“I am consistently absolutely
astonished by what you accomplish and get goose bumps by the
stories you tell,” he said adding
that students can only accomplish what they do with the support of great teachers and great
programs. “We need …to make
sure that these programs continue with the assistance of federal,
provincial and local support.”
Students from all walks of life
and from here and around the
world – including China, Brazil
and Grenada - spoke about the
journeys that led them to continue their education.
Esther Mark who came from
Grenada with $145 in her pocket
- “I was the adventurous sort” –
said she is happy to be in school
and in her mid-40’s.
“I decided to go back to school
in 2013 and there have been
many challenges to face, illness
and family problems,” she said.
“My story is not so different from
many others but I am passionate
and kind, a truth seeker - and I
love knowledge.”
Veronique Marin, director of
the LBPSB’s Continuing Education department , congratulated
teachers and students for their
work.
“We recognize your passion
and resilience in doing something
for yourself and your families,”
she told the students.
Nicolas Morris, who is half-way
though his course in auto mechanics said that he was bored in
high school and didn’t have the
best grades but one day, LBPSB
Continuing Education representatives came to his school – and
that’s when he learned about the
Auto Mechanics program.
“… and I knew that’s where I
wanted so spend my days after
high school,” said Morris, who
was accompanied at the event by
his very proud mother, Delphin.
“I now wake up always amazed
that I want to go to school in the
morning.”
Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy Celebrates in Style
by Alycia Ambroziak
Week.
“Each day, we salute our
The Gordon Robertstudents and today they were
son Beauty Academy greeted with one-of-a-kind
had a special treat for cupcakes, each decorated with
students Wednesday (April 15) a symbol of the trade they are
in celebration of Adult Learners’ studying,” said Academy Direc-
tor Micheline Lincoln, noting
that each cupcake was decorated with a tool of the trade, such
as scissors, a comb, a blow dryer, a make-up palette, lipstick
or brush.
“Our vocational students all
have different reasons for coming to GRBA, but no matter
what their reason, they are to be
commended for choosing this
path and doing whatever they
need to do to get to graduate,”
Lincoln added.
Stein Day, from
page A1
Congratulations to Allion and
thank you for making the world a
little bit better. You DID make a
difference for many people.
One of the things I look forward to each year is the annual
TOPS show. This year students
from all 13 high schools shared a
stage, made new friends, learned
about what goes into a professional level production and performed beautifully. With performances of songs from the roaring
twenties to the present day, our
students demonstrated incredible
talent. It was a great show. I can’t
begin to thank all the people who
supported this show – you know
who you are and we are ever so
grateful. We’ve announced the
dates for TOPS 2016, so please
mark April 15th and 16th on
your calendars!
Our Major School Change consultation has gotten off to an excellent start and I wanted to thank
our community for your encouraging questions and comments.
We’ve already heard about some
amazing ideas. We look forward
to receiving your briefs, and remember: we are here for you if
you need additional information.
Last but certainly not least, it is
with very mixed emotions that I
announce to you all that Robert
T. Mills, Director General of our
school board for the last 9 years,
will, after 42 years in education,
be leaving us as he starts his retirement. He began his distinguished professional career as
a teacher, then as a department
head and administrator with the
Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal. We were fortunate
that he landed with Lester B.
Pearson School in 1998 when the
linguistic boards were formed.
Bob represented us well
throughout Quebec, Canada and
indeed North America. He was
the only Canadian to be named
to the American Association of
School Administrators Executive
Committee and won the Superintendant of the Year from the Canadian Association, as well as the
Xerox Excellence in Educational
Leadership Award.
On a personal note, running a
school board well cannot be done
without a partnership between
the Council of Commissioners
and the Senior Administration.
Bob’s commitment and encouragement to that partnership has
resulted in open, easy communication and a cooperative environment committed to the success of
our students.
Bob, you’ve made my transition
to the Chair and this past four
years so much easier. It was truly
a learning experience for me that
I couldn’t imagine without your
generous support. I personally
thank you for all you’ve contributed to this school board and I
wish you happiness, adventure
and nothing but wonderful experiences in your retirement. Your
contributions to Lester B. Pearson
will remain forever.
Do you have an article to
submit to
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]
Pearson NewsA3
Avril/April 2015
CWA Hosts Eight Schools GOAL at a Glance Career Awareness Initiatives
life Biology and Environment, Bird fair students were all engaged rooms in action at the Montréal
POP and EN Students Explore
at Green Summit
Wildlife, Engineering and Video while speaking to business part- Courthouse. Nanthicha Laniel
Careers
by Alycia Ambroziak
T h e y
planted
seedlings
in the rain, learned about basic
bicycle maintenance and helping endangered species as well as
composting – and even got a visit
from members of the Earth Rangers, along with an owl and peregrine falcon, both of which flew
across the gymnasium and right
over their heads.
It was Earth Day at Children’s
World Academy – which held
its first Green Summit – and students from that school as well
as eight other Lester B. Pearson
School Board elementary schools
and two high schools took part in
the celebration.
“This is a fun, educational,
and environmentally responsible event for the kids who are
participating,” said David Estok,
principal at Children’s World in
the LaSalle borough. “Everything
about the summit was designed
to reflect an environmentally responsible way of thinking, from
re-usable plates and the locally
sourced organic food at lunchtime, to the fair trade organic cotton t-shirts the kids were wearing
for the event.”
“The emphasis was on learning
new ideas and taking action to
protect the environment, and was
a great success in both respects.”
Marissa Nicol, a grade 7 student at John Rennie High School
and member of the Eco Warriors
team at the April 22 event, said
even very young students can
be more environmentally aware.
Other student teams included Super Solar Cells, Climate Change
Captains and Recycling Wizards.
“We help save the environment
by recycling, composting and
using refillable water bottles,”
she said as she stood amid some
of her fellow Eco Warrior team
members from schools across the
board, including Allion Elementary in LaSalle, Maple Grove Elementary in Lachine, Orchard
Elementary in LaSalle and St.
Lawrence Academy in LaSalle.
Liam Mackay, a grade four student at Children’s World, was
very proud about the display on
composting he and his fellow students had created.
“I knew about composting before this but I didn’t really know
how it worked,” he said as Matthew Roy, a grade four student at
Riverview Elementary showed off
his school’s display about strange
trees from around the world.
Angela Maffei, a grade 3 student at Allion Elementary, said
she and her family plant a garden
at their LaSalle home every year.
Students from different schools
braved the rain and planted seedlings of kale, lettuce, spinach and
onions, with help from Rebecca
Duff from Urban Seedling, one
of the four groups that visited the
school to help students become
more aware of eco-friendly things
that everyone can do.
Duff helped students plant the
garden and spoke about communal organic gardening. Representatives from Compost Montreal spoke about the benefits of
composting and showed students
what a compost pile looks like under a microscope. A representative from the Morgan Arboretum
talked about helping endangered
species and Antoine Maher from
Velo Quebec taught students the
basic spring maintenance that every bike should undergo.
Westwood High School Se- Game Designing, Graphic Design
and
Police
nior students of the
Technology.
Personal OrientaThe job shadtion Project (POP)
owing employand Entrepreneurers
covered
ship (EN) classes
careers in Law,
have been learning
Marketing,
about different caHow to Run a
reers
throughout
Business, Chef
the school year.
and Medicine.
Students
refined
The career
their interests and
fair and the
requested to exjob shadowing
plore select careers
initiatives were
in more depth. Stuthe result of the
dents in the POP
classes attended a POP students trying out the POP teachers,
Ms.
Havard
career fair, while in- tools of the trade
and Mr. Duterested students in
the EN class job shadowed em- binsky, and the EN teacher, Mr.
Luthi, working with the guidance
ployers.
The career fair presenters cov- counsellor and the school board’s
ered careers in Health and Medi- Pearson Partnership Program. All
cine, Nursing, Recreation, Wild- the planning paid off. The career
POP students learning about careers in Recreation
visited a univerners
who
could answer
sity science lab and
now has a vision
their
questions and tell
for her academic
path. Kaylie Phillips
them about
cooked alongside
careers they
were intera chef in a Hudson
restaurant. Students
ested in. The
students who
at the Health and
Medicine career fair
job shadowed
returned to
table tried out medical tools of trade on
their classes
classmates.
and shared
their experiA big shout out
to our community
ences
with
their
class- EN student, Quincy Ross
partners who made
with
your
employer
at
these
initiatives
mates.
memorable for our
Individual Virtual Resources. Quincy
students. Your imstories are too contributed ideas for a new
company
logo
and
left
with
a
many to menpact is felt today
tion. Here are promise of help for marketing and in the future
when our youth
a few high- a student school website.
lights. Alexis Stevens and Nathan make decisions about their career
Lambert watched different court- journeys.
POP students discovering how their career interests fit in the
fields of Wildlife and Environment
Loud Silence at Allion Elementary Justice Club
by Alycia Ambroziak
When
you’re a
young
student in grade 6, it’s often hard
enough to stay quiet for six minutes, let alone six hours.
But that’s exactly what four students from the Allion elementary
school Justice Club did in order
to raise money to purchase goats
for families in the developing
world.
“We discovered today that we
are stronger than our words and
that our silence was really louder
than our words,” said Sandi Milian Guerrero who, along with
Sneha Day, Alexis Richens-Santana and Audrey Zoso, stayed silent
for six hours on Thursday, April
16, during the whole school day.
Mary-Anne Fyckes, Spiritual
Care, Guidance and Community
Involvement Animator at the LaSalle school, said what the students did was truly inspirational.
“Through their silence, they
hope to inspire others to share
what they have in order to help
families in the developing world
grow,” said Fyckes adding that
the school community came out
with inspiring words, music and
dance at the end of the school day
to witness the students breaking
silence.
The students raised money for
the purchase of goats – $50 buys
one goat – through the Free the
Children organization.
So far, the campaign, which
ends April 30, has raised enough
money to purchase 26 goats.
LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein
Day said the girls’ actions were
not only symbolic but also served
a practical purpose.
“I am so proud of these young
ladies,” she said. “The silence
spoke volumes about who they
are, what is important to them
and who they plan to grow up to
be.
“Their silence shouted out to
the whole community that they
wanted to and can change the
world – and they did change the
world for at least 26 families in a
developing country.”
LBPSB Regional director David
Meloche said the girls’ silence
spoke volumes.
“Like the members of the Allion
Justice Club, we all need to look
outside our own environment to
realize there are many inequalities
in the world,” he said. “It is our
duty to take action in building a
better world for others, a world
where we all have the opportunity
to live a happy and fulfilling life.”
Grade 3 to 9 Students Compete in Robo Jr. At John Rennie
Applying their knowledge in research and design as well as building, students from grades 3 to 9 from across the Lester B.
Pearson School Board came together (April 24 and 25) at John Rennie High School to show their skills and share knowledge at
the 13th edition of Robo Jr.
A4Pearson News
Light A Dream Shines Bright I Had To Laugh
by Alycia Ambroziak
cational opportunities to young
Handmade adults with developmental dec a n d l e s , lays.
“We are honored that LAD was
scents, soaps
chosen
to participate in the Expo
and
balms
made by the – finally, an opportunity which
students and will bring together the many talalumni of the Lester B. Pearson ents of individuals with special
School Board’s cooperative Edu- needs,” said Diana Zuleeg-Crawcation program for young adults ford, the manager at the Light a
at Light a Dream (LAD) will be Dream store, located at 475 Duamong works by more than 20 mont in Dorval.
“This event will not only alartisans shown May 8 at the Creatability Expo at Rekinexion in low us to show off our handmade candle products but also to
TMR.
Light a Dream began in 1999 launch our new line of soaps, lip
as a candle-making business de- balms and other bath produces
signed to give training and vo- which in part was made possible
through a grant from the Pearson
Educational Foundation.”
The Light a Dream store is open
weekdays from 9:30 a.m to 4:30
p.m. You can also call to make an
appointment should you need to
go to Light a Dream during offhours.
The Creatability Expo takes
place May 8 from 3 to 9 p.m. at
Rekinexion, located at 38 Rockland in Town of Mount Royal
(just behind the Rockland medical clinic).
For more information, contact
Diana Zuleeg Crawford at [email protected] or 514-6369966.
Avril/April 2015
This was put together by Ms.
Colyer of Thorndale for the
100th Day of school. The list,
put together by grade 1 and 2
students, is a laugh, a smile, a
chuckle and at times pure wisdom. Some of the most interesting worries include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
My parents becoming slaves
Messing up on American idol
Forgetting your wallet (grade 1?)
Waking up to zombies
Getting constipated
Forgetting the dot after numbers
The lies I have told.
If you have a funny teaching story to share,
just send it to:
[email protected]
Pearson Foundation April Newsletter
Thank you to the Trottier Family Foundation for their very
generous donation this month.
For the fifth straight year, Trottier funds have enabled PEF to
support increasingly sophisticated hands-on science programs
throughout the board, projects
that could not otherwise be established.
From Introduction to Science
for Kindergarten to Atmospheric
Monitoring Units for High School
Seniors, our schools are rocking
science!
Two great events are taking
place in early May, with FUN and
FRESH AIR for the entire family,
and providing PEF with funds to
keep on assisting LBPSB students:
On Sunday May 3rd join us
for a 2K or 5K Fun Run or Walk
at Centennial Park in Dollarddes-Ormeaux. Catch PEF on
the Breakfast Show on City-TV
on May 1st as they promote the
event.
And on Saturday May 9th, Lester B. Pearson School Board will
cheer the Montreal Impact to vic-
tory over the Portland Timbers at
Saputo Stadium.
See you there!
And don’t forget to Save the
Date: October 1st at Atlantide
Golf Club for the PEF Classic
2015:
This fundraiser determines
how much we’ll have for Grants
to Schools and Classrooms next
academic year,
Keep up with all the PEF news
quickly and easily on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/PearsonEducationalFoundation
Find out what’s
happening at the
St. Anthony’s Library Gets an Upgrade
Our librarian
(library
technician) at
St. Anthony School, Suzanne
Halton-Thom, has been very
busy reorganizing and upgrading the collection of books in the
library while construction crews
are coming and going. A new
library/computer centre is being
created over the next few months.
Principal, Joanne Malowany, has
been doing a lot of research and
is spearheading this project. The
students at this school are fortunate to have such a supportive
principal who wants to maximize
the multitude of benefits that a
great library carries in the school.
The new centre will be connected to the computer lab to become
a new and exciting space. In addition to a collection of wonderful books it will feature upgraded
computers, iPads, Chromebooks,
creative games, comfy seating
and Kobo Readers.
What will it be called? That is
the question. It will be a learning centre, maker-space, research
and information centre and reading nook all rolled in one! Any
suggestions?
A new Smartboard has been
installed. The wall between the
two rooms was removed last
week. New flooring, new paint
colours for the walls and some
new furnishings are in the works.
Suzanne Thom is very excited
about this project and is busy
planning different activities for
the students when they will have
their weekly visits next fall.
In the meantime, the books and
computers are being moved right
to left and back again as the work
crews come and go. An involved
team of amazing volunteers are
on hand to help out, as well as
Maintenance Supervisor, Richard
Bourbeau, who keeps everyone
laughing through it all. The current set up is temporary, but in
the interim, the students have had
very little time away from library.
Things are happening and changing every week. Stay tuned!
Pearson
Educational
Foundation
Visit the PEF
website at:
pef.lbpsb.qc.ca
Below is a list of Commissioners along with their school board locals.
422-3000
Ward Communities Commissioner
Local
Chairman
All
Suanne Stein Day
30101
1
Lasalle/Verdun
Mary Ann Davis
30121
2
Lasalle/Lachine
Frank Di Bello
30122
3
Lachine/Dorval
Joshua Arless
30123
4
Pointe-Claire
Noel Burke
30102
Beacon Hill school organized in for cycle 1) were organized for the Quebec”. A total of $453.30 was
5
Pierrefonds-Roxboro
Nan Beaton
30125
the last week of February its tradi- students by our Physical educator donated on behalf of Beacon Hill.
6
Dollard-des-Ormeaux
Craig Berger
30126
Other activities were also held
tional winter carnival. The purpose Mr. Derek Lagimodière. While stu7
Kirkland/Dollard
Laura Derry
30127
of this event is to help the students dents were out and about, the Kin- during the week, such as: spell- 8
Beaconsfield
Martin Sherman
30128
discover the joy of winter.
dergarteners ruled the school on ing contest between grades 5 and 9 Pointe-Claire/Beaconsfield/Baie d’Urfé/Ste. Anne Eric Bender
30129
Ice Wall building, snowshoe- that day as they went tobogganing 6 students, super bingo day, an- 10
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue/Île-Perrot
Domenic Pavone
30130
ing, triathlon (snowshoe, skating, in the school yard.
nual grade 6 vs. teachers dodge X country skiing), tobogganing
The King and Queen of the car- ball game, poetry café, and movie 11
Off-Island North
Daniel Olivenstein
30131
and the annual one day outdoor nival were chosen from a draw. In day. The theme of the last day be- 12
Off Island South
Wayne Clifford
30132
event at various outdoor locations order to participate in the draw, fore the March break was Hawaiian Parent
Sharad Bhargava
30161
around Montreal (Mont Rigaud students gave a minimal donation. beach day.
Parent
Sandra Buckingham
30162
for cycle 3, Mont Avila for cycle 2 Proceeds for the “Royal” draw went
What a fantastic week of celebra
Parent
Frank Clarke
30162
tionLester
and fun for
and “Base de Plein Air Les Cèdres” to “Le Club Des Petit Déjeuner du The
B. all!
Pearson School Board
Parent
Michael Nalecz
30163
Student
Sierra Nadeau
The Lester B. Pearson School Board
Student
Kathy Nodzynski
The Lester B. Pearson School Board
Digital Citizenship
Executive Committee
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 p.m.
Board Room
Program
Council of Commissioners
Monday, May 25
7:30 p.m. Board Room
Looking Back: Carnival Week at Beacon Hill
Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship Program
Program
Pearson NewsA5
Avril/April 2015
April Fool’s at Dorval Elementary Westwood High School Students Publish
by Alycia Ambroziak
“Then I saw the staff in their CanEven Erik Olsthoo- adiens’ jerseys, and before I knew
rn, principal at Dorval it, the students and even parents
Elementary, admits he had them on.”
Olsthoorn said that he knows
should have seen it coming.
of
at least one other Leafs fan at
After all, how can you expect
students, parents and staff at the the school who proudly wore his
school to let April Fool’s Day pass Leafs jersey yesterday.
“So I didn’t feel alone,” Olsthoowithout pranking the principal
who is an avowed Toronto Maple rn said adding that while his best
friend is also a Leafs fan, his wife
Leafs fan.
“It started with my … office and son are huge fans of the Mondecorated in Montreal Canadiens treal Canadiens.
“They were cracking up,” he said
paraphernalia,” said Olsthoorn.
noting that a staff member at the
school provided him with a Montreal Canadiens’ team shirt and
hat, which he did happily wear.
“After all, it’s all in good fun,”
he said adding that now that the
Leafs are out of the playoffs, he
will cheer for the Habs.
As for the organizers of the
April Fool’s Day prank, all Debbie
Cleary, administrative assistant at
the school, and Phys. Ed. Teacher
Cheryl King had to say was :”GO
HABS GO! … Mr. O”
In the News...
March 30 – LBPSB faces tough decisions (major School change). CBC
March 30- Major changes ahead for LBPSB. CJAD
March 31 - LBPSB launching major school consultation. CBC
March 31 – Difficult decisions ahead at LBPSB. Global TV
March 31 – The LBPSB council is embarking on a major review to address a budget shortfall. CBC
March 31 – Pearson teachers protest lagging contract talks. Gazette, West Island.
March 31 – Faced with major funding cuts, Pearson board considering major school changes. Gazette, West
Island.
March 31 - Difficult decisions ahead at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. CBC
April 1 –Changes to the Lester B. Pearson School Board –interview with LBPSB chair Suanne Stein Day.
Breakfast Television.
April 1 – Project aims to help suburban homeless – Place Cartier is mentioned. Gazette, West Island.
April 1 – Pearson looking for options to deal with budget cuts. Gazette, West Island.
April 1 –April Fool’s Day joke on principal at Dorval Elementary - a Leaf’s fan. CBC’s Homerun radio show
April 1 – It’s frightening, school board chairman says of Liberal budget. The Chronicle.
April 1 – LBPSB’s Fun Run on the horizon. The Chronicle.
April 1 – Opportunity for community to shape future of schools. Column by Brenda O’Farrell Gazette, West
Island.
April 1 – Slashed budget, plummeting enrolment leaves LBPSB reeling. The Suburban
April 2 – Pearson school Board prepares to tighten its belt. Press reader
April 3 – English school boards bracing for worst cuts in single school year. The Montreal Gazette
April 3 – Drug Awareness events gets grade 6 students (Clearpoint and Dorval Elementary) thinking about
their choices. Your Local Journal
April 4 – LBPSB launches major school change process. Premier Edition.
April 4 – Letter to the editor in The Montreal Gazette from Jim Wilson: LBPSB should prioritize tackling
student enrolment.
April 5 – LBPSB Chair Suanne Stein Day on Focus Montreal with Jamie Orchard. Global TV taped April 2
April 8 - John Rennie students make a difference – and national news - in Peru. Global TV
April 8 – Pearson Board settles dispute with contractor (re. Birchwood Elementary in St. Lazare). Gazette,West
Island.
April 8 - Pearson board to study air quality in its schools. Gazette, West Island.
April 8 – Interview with LBPSB Assistant-Director General Carol Heffernan on studying air quality in schools.
CJAD
April 8 – Changes on horizon for the LBPSB. The Chronicle
April 8 – LBPSB teachers hold demonstration against cuts to education. The Suburban
April 8 – Riverdale plays host to Bermudian basketball team. The Suburban.
April 13 - Jane and Isabel Szollosy, among a dozen students from across Quebec who received the GovernorGeneral’s Caring Canadians Awards. Jane, a student at Dorset Elementary, and Isabel, who attends
Beaconsfield High school, are the founders of the Sparkes of Hope organization which helps young
Haitians in the Dominican Republic attend school. Global TV
April 14 – A preview of the TOPS show which takes place April 17 & 18. Global TV
April 14 – Interview with LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein day re. the government’s proposal to scrap elected
school boards. CJAD
April 15 – School boards denounce proposal to end elections. The Gazette
April 16 – Montreal Impact to help Pearson Educational Foundation. The Chronicle
April 16 – Caring kids receive Governor-General’s Caring Canadians Award. The Suburban
April 16 – Special needs students benefit from pilot project. Premier Edition
April 20 - Westwood Sr. students’ book, Bakuru and the School on the Hill, with an intro by LieutenantGeneral Roméo Dallaire. Global TV morning show.
April 20 – Letters: School boards address what MELS doesn’t. Ann Shea. The Montreal Gazette.
April 20 – Call to eliminate school board elections frustrates chair of Pearson Board. The Montreal Gazette.
April 20 – Here’s how West Island schools can take the high road. Column by Victor Schukov. Gazette, West
Island.
April 21 – Hudson students launch book to benefit town in Burundi. Online Gazette, West Island
April 22 – Block parents make a comeback (mentions St. John Fisher Jr.). Gazette, West Island
April 22 – School board election debate heats up. Gazette, West Island.
April 22 - School board chairman ready to fight to maintain voters’ rights. L’Etoile
April 22 – Girls’ empowerment workshop – paying it forward. Donations sought for Westwood self-worth
event. L’Etoile
April 22 – Anglo boards take double hit – The Suburban, West End edition
April 22- Pavone: writing on the wall for English Schools. The Suburban, West Island edition.
April 22 – New careers forged through determination – Lester B. Pearson School Board hands out certificates
of recognition. Gazette, West Island.
April 22 – Hudson students’ book project benefits Burundi. Gazette, West Island.
April 22 – Earth Day at Children’s World Academy. Global TV
April 22 – Earth day at Children’s World Academy. CBC TV
Book for Bridge to Burundi Project
A
group of
students
at Westwood High School who
are part of the Bridge to Burundi Project can now proudly call
themselves authors and illustrators of a book called Bakuru and
the School on the Hill.
The book – with an introduction
by Lieutenant-General Roméo
Dallaire (ret’d) - is based on the
Hudson high school’s Westwood
Bridge to Burundi project, a student-run initiative now in its seventh year which started off with
the aim of building, staffing and
supplying a school in Burundi,
Central Africa.
“This book has been such an
exciting and rewarding project what an opportunity for the students and the Westwood Bridge
to Burundi Project. ,” said Nancy
Koluzs, a resource teacher and
a director of the Westwood
Bridge to Burundi project
which began when students
learned about the life of one
of their French teachers, JeanClaude Manarakiza who was
born in Burundi and lost both
his parents in separate outbreaks of genocide.
So far, WBTB has built more
than 10 classrooms for students in grades one to six and
have also assisted villagers in
developing a community coop as well as providing the village
with a flour mill, sewing machine,
livestock, clean running water, solar panels and a medical centre. As
well, the project is aimed at further helping develop agriculture,
farming techniques and health facilities in Rwoga, a community of
5,000 people.
How the book came about is
quite serendipitous.
Two years ago Koluzs’s husband, Peter Nield, also a teacher
at the Hudson high school, saw a
children’s book, called Emma and
the African Wishing Bead, written by a local author, Valerie Red-
mond and decided to buy it for his
wife.
“ I…put it in my wife’s stocking
at Christmas,” said Nield, adding that he bought it because his
wife is one of the directors of the
WBTB project and he felt the book
had a great message.
In September, Koluzs received
a note from Redmond – who had
heard of the WBTB project - along
with a request for a meeting.
“Valerie and I instantly connected – we both equally feel passionate about creating positive change
in this world, |” said Koluzs. “As an
educator, I believe it is my responsibility to motivate and inspire my
students to wanting to make a difference in the world.
“I often ask them: “If we, as a
global community, don’t, who
will?”
The two decided to try to have
Westwood students write a book
about the WBTB project.
Students took to the project immediately
A group of 30 Westwood students produced the manuscript
for the book that follows a young
girl in Burundi through a day of
learning about the school. Westwood art students did the illustrations and some alumni have
helped with the editing.
Bakuru and the School on the
Hill has been printed thanks to
a gift from Halo Publishing. All
proceeds will go to the Westwood
Bridge to Burundi project.
In his introduction to the book,
Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire - a retired Senator and General who worked tirelessly to try to
stop the genocide that took place
in Rwanda when he served as
force commander of a United Nations peacekeeping force in 1993
and 1994 - congratulates the
students on the book and on the
Bridge to Burundi Project.
“Westwood High School’s
Bridge to Burundi Project is an
example to all those who wonder how they can help heal the
wounds of conflict…,” Dallaire
said in his introduction. “Like a
school, an education must be built
brick by brick, by a willing team
with a wide range of talents.
“When you educate people, you
change destinies and nations and
you may just find your own lives
changed,” added Dallaire “I congratulate you on having realized this, and on the long-term
nature of your commitment.”
Bakuru and the School on the
Hill can be purchased for $20
at www.HaloPublishing.com
or directly from Westwood by
contacting [email protected]. Funds raised will
go toward the Bridge to Burundi Project.
The official book launch and
reading to both congratulate
the WBTB students and to celebrate that their vision of changing the world, one classroom at
a time continues to thrive. The
launch and reading of “Bakuru
and the School on the Hill” is on:
May 5th, 2015 from 6:30-8:30 at
Westwood Senior High School in
Hudson. While you can purchase
a book online, please bring $20
with you to the book launch and
purchase one and have it signed
by the authors.Bakuru and the
School on the Hill on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.ca/BakuruSchool-Westwood-Burundi-Project/dp/1612443567/ref=sr_1_1?ie
=UTF8&qid=1429797558&sr=81&keywords=bakuru
Riverdale Competes in Montreal
Media Hockey Marathon 2015
by Alycia Ambroziak
sion in the first game and won a
thriller by a 4 to 3 score.
T h e
In their second game, the RiverSportdale team was up against a highplex 4
ly-skilled team which included
Glaces Pierrefonds arena was exNHLer Jocelyn Lemieux and a
filled with excitement Saturday number of former pro and semi(April 11) as 63 teams, including pro players. Riverdale lost 9 to 3.
one from Riverdale High School,
took part in the Montreal Media
Hockey Marathon 2015.
All proceeds from the day-long
event went to the Otis Grant &
Friends Foundation, a non-profit
organization dedicated to raising
funds to supply food and clothes
to people in need.
Besides teams made up of media players, former NHLers such
as Georges Laraque, Eric Desjardins and Claude Lapointe
brought their own teams as well.
Riverdale played Global Televi-
“It was a great day of hockey
with all proceeds going towards
the Otis Grant & family Foundation,” said Keith Mills, Planning
Room Technician at Riverdale
who, along with Michael Gabe
and Marc Traversy, were among
Riverdale staff with the team.
A6Pearson News
Avril/April 2015
Greendale & Riverview Host Christmas Park Elementary Performs Mulan Jr.
honoring decisions that follow grades 3 to 6 and about 10 teach- as a boy in order to spare her faby Alycia Ambroziak
Citizenship Ceremony
traditions that have been handed ers were involved in the action- ther from having to serve in the
by Alycia Ambroziak
Giovani
de Olivera
and Tais
da Silva moved to Canada from
Brazil four years ago. On April
23, the couple was part of a group
of 35 people from 14 countries
who became Canadian Citizens at
a special ceremony that took place
at Greendale Elementary school in
Pierrefonds.
“We felt our opportunities
would be better here in Canada,”
Tais, who is expecting their second child, said as she clutched a
Canadian flag following the Citizenship Ceremony that took place
in the school gymnasium in front
of family, friends and upper level
students, including the school
band which played O Canada.
“We are very proud to now be
able to say we are Canadian,” she
added.
Students at Greendale as well
learned first-hand about the rights
and responsibilities, and the thrill,
of becoming a Canadian citizen.
A similar ceremony took place at
Riverview Elementary in Verdun
– where a citizenship ceremony
took place on March 26th.
“It was an honour to… host the
event and we look forward to similar educational opportunities in
the future,” Riverview Elementary
Principal Debi Dixon said following the March 26 event which saw
35 permanent residents, including children, sworn-in as Canadian citizens by Citizenship Judge
Veronica Johnson, former assistant-director at the LBPSB’s Place
Cartier and former vice-principal
of Beurling Academy. “Grades
5 and 6 students had the unique
learning opportunity to witness
and take part in this exciting educational event,” said Dixon noting
that grade 5 student Dylan Boran
and grade 6 student Mikayla Eaglesham served as Masters of Ceremony.
Special guest speakers who also
assisted in handing out certificates
to the new citizens that day were
LBPSB Regional director David
Meloche, LBPSB Commissioner
Mary Ann Davis, and Sterling
Downey, a Riverview graduate
who now serves as councillor for
the borough of Verdun.
On April 16, Judge Johnson
visited Greendale Elementary to
talk to Cycle 3 students about the
meaning of citizenship, what’s involved in becoming a Canadian
citizen and what are the rights and
responsibilities of being Canadi-
an. The visit preceded the April
23 swearing-in ceremony at the
school.
“We welcome these new Canadians… they made very courageous
and life-changing decisions,”
said Stephen Brayne, principal at
Greendale Elementary said adding
later that having a citizenship ceremony at his school was of great
value.“It’s great that our students
witnessed this citizenship ceremony.”
Greendale students Mia Cummings and Celena Korban were
Masters of Ceremony at the event.
“We’re both very nervous and very
proud to have been chosen,” said
Celena Korban. Mia Cummings
said she was happy and excited
for the people who were becoming Canadians. “We were born
here and take our citizenship for
granted,” she said. “These people
chose to come here.”
Indeed, Arlette and Marcel Koffi
came from the Ivory Coast seven
years ago to make a new life in
Canada. “We came for a better
life, security and stability,” said
Marcel, an engineer who is earning his Master’s degree at the Ecole
Polytechnique.
Safaa Kouranfal and Moussaid
Abdeljailil, along with their sixyear-old son, Moussait, came to
Canada from Morocco three and a
half years ago. “We came to make
our lives better,” said Kouranfal.
Lester B. Pearson School Board
Chairman Suanne Stein Day was
among the guest speakers at the
April 23 event, which included
LBPSB Commissioner Laura Derry, Pierrefonds borough Mayor
Dimitrios Beis – who immigrated
to Canada from Greece in 1972
and who attended Greendale Elementary as a child – and Nina
Amrov who represented Pierrefonds-Dollard MP Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe.
“Being Canadian is an honour,
a privilege and a pleasure,” Stein
Day told the group. “Welcome to
the family we call Canadians.”
Before they were given their Canadian Citizen Certificates, Judge
Johnson reminded the group
about the importance of the event.
“It’s a special day and I urge you to
remember that this is an important
step to achieving your dreams,”
she said. “Canada can help you
achieve your dreams but you must
do your part – make some plans,
set goals and work hard to achieve
them.”
“You are about to become the
newest members of the Canadian
family.”
Students and staff at
Christmas Park Elementary School in Beaconsfield were pleased to present
the musical adaptation of Disney’s
Mulan Jr. on April 22 and 23.
“Disney’s Mulan Jr. is all about
down from generations to generations and by choosing to challenge
traditions yet to be written,” said
Christmas Park music teacher and
play director, Maria Martinez.
In all, almost 40 students from
packed presentation which travels back to ancient China in a
stage adaptation of the hit Disney
animated film in which the main
character, Mulan, defies the village
matchmaker and disguises herself
army. It is it up to Mulan and her
playful sidekick, Mushu, to save
the emperor. The play features
such songs as Reflection, Honor to
Us All and I’ll Make a Man Out of
You as well as new songs.
Riverdale Students’ Actors’ Studio at JRHS:
Act Like A Man
Tune to Get Air Time
Tune
in
to
94.7 Hits FM on Thursday, April
23 at 9:30 p.m. to hear the song
“Ticking Time Bomb” which was
recorded by six Riverdale High
School students. Congratulations
Emily Pasquarelli, Meranda Ca-
ballero, Melissa Wilson, Onika
Rowe-Daniel, Emily Taylor and
Megan Amofa!
You can request the song by
visiting http://947hits.com.
Here’s a link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=bjGUiiSp_RU
Show time is 7:30 p.m.
Act Like A Man is a comedy set
It was
during a time when women were
an excitnot permitted to act. But this does
ing dress
not stop Princess Cordelia’s chamrehearsal Tuesday (April 14) at bermaid, Juliet; by hiding behind a
the Louise Chalmers Theatre moustache and changing her name
where members of the John Ren- to Romeo, Juliet earns the privilege
nie Actors’ Studio will present of playing the lead role in ShakeAct Like a Man, a comedy written speare’s Hamlet. Things get comand directed by Nicolas Doyon. plicated, especially when Princess
The play is a first for the Actors’ Cordelia falls in love with Romeo.
Studio, using a Black Box Theatre
Tickets can be purchased at the
concept.
door or can also be reserved onAct Like a Man will be present- line at http://www.jrhsactorsstued to the public on April 16 and dio.com and picked up the night
17 at the theatre, located at 501 of the play. Adults $12, Students
St. Jean Blvd. in Pointe Claire.
and Seniors $6.
by Alycia Ambroziak
LPHS Students Raise Money
for West Island SPCA
Lindsay
Place’s
students,
Shannon Bumbulis, Liam Paul
and Nick Keogh took the challenge to raise money for the
SPCA. The students made posters to advertise their cause and
baked and sold cupcakes. They
drove to the shelter in Vaudreuil,
visited the animals and proudly
donated $232.00.
Excellence in Vocational Training
and Adult Education
visit our website at:
www.pearsonskills.com
The Impact of the Pearson Foundation
by Alycia Ambroziak
T h e
Impact
M L S
game against the Portland Timbers at Saputo Stadium on May
9 is a special one for the Lester
B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB)
and the Pearson Educational
Foundation (PEF).
That day, a portion of the tickets sales made through PEF will
benefit students and schools of
the LBPSB.
Tickets purchased through the
PEF are offered at a discount
price of $12. Regular pricing is
$29 a ticket. The Impact will donate $2.00 per ticket back to PEF.
Two LBPSB students will be
awarded the Impact’s Tony Licursi bursaries at the game.
“It’s a great opportunity to have
fun with friends and family at an
exciting game and enjoy cheering
loudly for our Montreal Impact
team – all while helping LBPSB
students through PEF,” said Barbara Freeston, president of PEF.
“This fantastic saving is available to anyone who buys through
PEF, not only students and staff
and their families, but everyone
in the community.”
With increasing budget cuts
looming overhead, many class- wise have obtained.
The deadline to purchase Impact
room teachers look to the PEF to
fund projects not covered under tickets through PEF is April 24.
the Quebec Ministry of Education.
To purchase tickets or for more
Grants take care of science fair
registrations, robotics kits, cultural projects, environmental projects and more – all of which truly
engage students in their learning.
In addition, PEF also takes care
of many of the LBPSB’s needier
students, providing them with
snowsuits, scarves and mittens.
In January, PEF announced it
was giving out more than $40,000
in grants to schools for such things
as science equipment for kindergarten students, advanced robotics, arts, music supplies and more.
This winter, PEF also funded a
variety of programs for students
with special needs from Cycle 1
Elementary to Adult, including
aerobics and yoga in partnership
with the West Island YMCA, expansion of the Light-a-Dream
program from candle-making to
include soap-making, and expansion of a cooking program at the
Allancroft campus of the Place
Cartier Adult Centre,. As well,
PEF funded the evolution of the
skid recycling program at LaSalle
CFER to rebuilding and reselling
the skids through the purchase of
a fork-lift they could not other-
information, go to http://pef.lbpsb.qc.ca or call Sue Grand at
514-422-3000, local 37000 or
email her at [email protected]