May / mai - Lester B. Pearson School Board

May 2010
FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Volume XII, No. 10
PEARSON NEWS
NEW FEATURE: IF YOU CLICK ON AN
ARTICLE’S TITLE IN THE INDEX, YOU WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BE REDIRCTED TO THE PAGE
2
WHERE THE ARTICLE IS LOCATED.
IN THIS ISSUE:
INTERNATIONAL PRE-K WOWS AUDIENCE WITH SPRING CONCERT
th
costumes to represent the songs they
On May 19 , the International
were singing, making those watching
Pre-K for 3 & 4 year olds
very proud.
entertained a gym full of parents,
family members, school board
administrators and commissioners.
The 25 students sang songs in an
impressive five different languages:
English, French, Spanish, Italian and
Mandarin. The students not only
sang but performed dances and wore
WINNER OF THE TEAM 990 SPORTS RADIO STAR CONTEST
A big
congratulation to
Peter
Gillich, a
Secondary
three
student at Lindsay Place
High School. Peter is
the winner of the first
annual Team 990 Sports
Radio Star contest. He
was one of five finalists
who did training at the
radio station and learned
how to write a radio
script, file a story and
report live on air. The
contest was open to
students in LBPSB and
English Montreal School
Board high schools.
•
Peter has won:
• A live broadcast at
his school of the
Team 990’s popular •
mid-day show where
Peter will be
co-hosting the show.
• The opportunity to do
a live sportscast,
cover a practice or
possibly a game of
one of
Montreal’s
professional sports
franchises.
Courses at the
Montreal Radio-TV
School
A tour of the CTV
Montreal studios
with sportscaster
Randy Tieman
Students in grades five
and six from both
schools played soccer in
the round-robin tournament. The teams were
mixed with students
from each school and
conversations in both
English and French
could be heard
throughout the morn-
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC MONDAY
3
SPACE DAY—A GREAT SUCCESS
4
TEACHER TO STUDY AT INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY
4
INVITATION TO A WORKSHOP
5
A WORD FROM YOUR COMMISSIONERS
5
GREENDALE’S MICHEAL JACKSON TRIBUTE
5
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
6
PATSY GABRIELLI - ST. PAUL VOLUNTEER
6
ORCHARD CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS
7
A CIRCUS SHOW
7
DANS LA RUE VISITS BEURLING ACADEMY
7
PACC ADULT STUDENTS HIT HIGH NOTE AT BLUE MET
8
DANIELA’S CORNER
8
SAM ROBERTS - ROCK STAR
8
CYCLE ONE CROSS COUNTRY RUN
9
ST. CHARLES RAISES FUNDS FOR SCHOOL IN SUDAN
9
THORNDALE STUDIES THE HOLOCAUST
9
ST. LAWRENCE ART EXPO
10 REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
11 REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD CONTINUED
12 GREENDALE MUSICFEST
12 WILDER AT THE NEURO
13 DAYCARES HONOURED
13 QUEBEC ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTEST WINNERS
14 FOREST HILL SR.’S MUSICAL
14 GORDON PATTERSON AWARD WINNER
15 LAKESIDE TRACK AND FIELD
15 ST. PAUL’S ART GALA
ST. EDMUND’S LINGUISTIC EXCHANGE
St. Edmund Elementary
and St. Remi
Elementary (Marguerite
Bourgeoys School
Board) took part in a
linguistic exchange on
May 7th. The schools
participated in friendly
“World Cup” soccer
fest at City Lane Park
in Beaconsfield.
3
DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT
15 MISSING CHILDREN’S NETWORK VISITS GREENDALE
ing. Snacks were served
to the students, courtesy
of both school boards and
parents were there to
cheer the on children.
16 ST. EDMUND’S CIRCLE OF HUGS
16 A STORY WORTH SHARING
16 LAKESIDE VISITS VERDUN ELEMENTARY
17 ONE STOP SHOP COMMUNITY CHEST WINS AGAIN
17 MUSIC MONDAY AT RIVERVIEW
17 BEURLING’S ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL LUNCH
18 ARTICLE BY PIERRE AUCLAIR
19 NOTES FROM COUNCIL OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
20 A WORD FROM CPC
20 COMMISSIONERS’ PHONE NUMBERS
20 DATES TO NOTE
Page 2
PEARSON NEWS
DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT
NCERT
Earlier this month,
as a member of
NCERT (The
National Center for
Education Research
and Technology), I
had the opportunity to attend the
Spring conference. This is an
organization that brings together
school district superintendents from
across North America and a group of
distinguished, education-related
corporate members who participate
actively and collaboratively.
Membership is by invitation and is
limited to 85 superintendents and 10
corporate leaders. The focus is on
contemporary issues that are in the
forefront of current consideration.
It is always a wonderful validation of
our own direction when colleagues
confirm and acknowledge our
initiatives. The entire experience
substantiates the true value of
sharing understanding and
knowledge.
SNAC Parent Information
Evening: May 4th
On May 4th , Maureen Hunt of our
Student Services Department gave a
well-attended, excellent presentation
on behalf of the Special Needs
Advisory Committee on advocating
for your child. This is part of a
series of presentations that is proving
ever-more popular with parents and
staff members.
Graduations
This is the season of Graduation
Exercises in our schools and centres
as well as Graduation Ball
celebrations. These events are
exciting and magical but can also be
fraught with danger. Thus, I
encourage all parents to speak with
their graduates and to do all possible
to ensure that the young people are
safe at all times.
Summer School
I recommend that all students and
parents visit the Board website
(www.lbpsb.qc.ca) to investigate the
Summer School programs that are
offered. These include an on-line
offering by LEARN.
Summer Literacy Camp
Once again this summer, our
Educational Services Department is
offering a two-week Summer Literacy
Camp. The campuses will be at StLawrence Academy Senior and
Christmas Park Elementary Schools.
Students will receive instruction in
reading and writing skills in the
morning and will participate in
cooperative fun-filled activities in the
afternoon. Students will bring their
own snacks and lunches. The cost of
the camp is $100.00 for the two
weeks and provides a wonderful
opportunity to increase literacy skills.
QESBA / AAESQ Conference
The annual conference of the Quebec
English School Boards Association
and the Association of Administrators
of English Schools of Quebec took
place in Mont-Tremblant from May
13th to 15th. A wide variety of
relevant topics was presented and
discussed in workshop format, among
them: differentiated instruction;
Community Learning Centres; the
elementary-to-secondary
transition; gender differences and
instruction; the GOAL program;
Internet safety; Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
Summer Capital Projects
Summer is always a very busy time
for our Equipment Services
Department that is responsible for
maintaining our network of
buildings. Many projects are
scheduled for the summer period in
order to avoid disruption while
students and staff are present.
Among these are roofing projects
to be carried out at thirteen
schools, window and door
replacement at eight buildings and
myriad activities to replace fire
alarm systems, heating
improvements and, in two
buildings, major renovations. All
schools and centres are subject to
major cleaning during the summer
recess as well.
A Safe and Happy Summer
Although this will not be my last
Report to the Council of
Commissioners for this school
year, it does mark the last edition
of the Pearson News for the year.
Thus, I wish to extend to all in our
community my very best wishes
for a wonderful summer vacation,
filled with great weather,
relaxation and family time. Please
make sure that all your activities
are safe so that we can welcome
you back in late August!
R.T. Mills - Director General
Page 3
Volume XII, No. 10
PEARSON NEWS
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC MONDAY
Fifteen schools within the
Lester B. Pearson School
Board took part in Music
Monday 2010, on May 3rd.
Music Monday is an event
that was launched in 2005
by the Coalition for Music
Education in Canada. It
takes place the first
Monday in May every year.
It is an event that brings
together thousands of
students and its mission is to
have different
communities from around
the world celebrate the gift
of music on the same day,
at the same time.
Almost 2,100 schools
registered for the event,
with some schools from as
far away as Indonesia
participating in what
started out as a national
endeavour and has now
become international.
Schools participating sang
Music Monday’s theme
song, ‘Sing, Sing’
simultaneously. For more
information about Music
Monday, visit:
www.musicmonday.ca.
SPACE DAY—A GREAT SUCCESS!
Once again this year, the LBPSB’s
Pearson Interactive Community
Partnership program partnered with
Laurentide Aviation and the St. Lazare
Flying Club to
celebrate the John
Scholefield
Science and
Technology Day
(Space Day), an
event celebrated
internationally.
Retired
astronaut, Dr.
Dave Williams
(and graduate of
Beaconsfield
High School)
greeted students via Skype on the
second day of the event, which took
place on May 26th and 27th at the St.
Lazare Airport and Flying Club.
Over 2,000 elementary and high school
students, teachers and
administrators attended the event, which
is the biggest of its kind in North
America. As a part of the LBPSB’s
on-going initiative to enhance the
science and technology programs, over
30 community partners came together to
share their expertise with children in
the areas of aviation, aerospace,
science and technology.
More than 50 volunteer exhibitors
provided
students
with the
challenges
of careers in
an engaging
manner,
where
students
learn real
world
applications of
math and
science, real world situational
awareness, effective communications and teamwork. Exhibitors not
only allowed students to explore
career options, but taught them how
what they learn in the classroom is
actually applied in the real world and
workplace.
Space Day was created by
Lockheed Martin with US Senator
and Astronaut John Glenn in 1997,
as a world-wide education initiative
to expose students to careers in
Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics, using aerospace as the
theme or motivator. The goal of this
event is to promote math,
science, technology and engineering
education by nurturing young
peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of
the universe and inspiring them to
understand how Canada is a leader in
technology and how technology is used
in our everyday lives.
Page 4
PEARSON NEWS
ALEXANDRA KINDRAT TO STUDY AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE UNIVERSITY
Space University on a full scholarship.
Participants from around the world,
totaling approximately 100 individuals,
will work with astronauts and other
space professionals in addition to
studying all disciplines related to space
programs and enterprises: space
science, space engineering, systems
engineering, space policy and law,
business and management and space
Alexandra Kindrat, a Senior
and society. Individuals were selected
Mathematics teacher and scientist at based on their interest and implication
St. Thomas High School, was recently in space related activities, professional
selected to represent Canada and
and personal accomplishments and
study at the International Space
academic merit.
University in Strasbourg, France
Ms. Kindrat has always had an interest
during the summer of 2010. Ten
in space and aviation. Having
individuals from Canada were
completed her Private Pilot’s License
selected to attend the International
at the age of 17, she continued her edu-
INVITATION TO A WORKSHOP
For the fourth consecutive year,
Concordia University and the Lester B.
Pearson School Board have collaborated
to organize a workshop for members of
the School Board community. The
workshop, based on experiential learning,
was designed by and will be facilitated by
a group of twenty graduate students from
the university’s program in Human
Systems Intervention. This year’s
workshop entitled, “Dilemma of
Dilemmas, Identifying and Managing
Polarities”, will provide participants a
deepened understanding of polarities in
order to build solid, productive
relationships. Participants will also
develop a practical plan to incorporate
concepts from the workshop in both their
professional and personal lives.
Those registered by June 11th, 2010 will
be entered in our early bird draw to win a
digital camera.
For more information:
Email: workshopinfo@lbpsb.qc.ca
Phone: 514-422-3000 and ask for
Workshop Info
cation in Life Sciences, completing
her Master’s degree in Neurology
and Neurosurgery and is currently
pursuing a Doctorate degree in
Mathematics Education in Montreal.
She also serves as the Vice-Chair of
the Montreal branch of the NinetyNines International Organization of
Women Pilots. In her classroom, she
has incorporated the Tomatosphere
project, a program that allows
students to participate in space
explorations through studying the
effects of no-gravity on the growth
of tomatoes. Undoubtedly, Ms.
Kindrat will continue to implement
what she learns at the International
Space University in her classroom
for years to come.
Volume XII, No. 10
Page 5
PEARSON NEWS
A WORD FROM YOUR COMMISSIONERS
SUSAN BARTLETT- field trips, school and class
LEWIS – Ward 19 - activities; still to be held. Of
•
graduating and progressing
on to elementary school, high
Île Perrot
course, exams are approaching,
school, CEGEP or
Email:
so good luck to all of you in your
university;
sbartlett@lbpsb.qc.ca preparations.
• moving out into the work
This will all culminate in the
force; or
Another school year graduation ceremonies that are
• retiring after a successful
draws to a close in a the end result of years of hard
career.
month’s time. It is a time of great work and success. Best wishes to I want to take this opportunity to
activity and celebrations in the
all of you moving on to the next wish everyone a safe and
schools. Recently, there have
step, be it:
wonderful summer.
been some wonderful concerts
• going up to the next grade
and plays. These are being
level;
followed by many athletic meets,
THIS IS IT—GREENDALE’S MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE DANCE SHOW
the entire student population gathered
eagerly and waited together in the
schoolyard. Seconds later, one of
Michael Jackson’s many hits was
played over the intercom for the whole
neighbourhood to hear. As the song
played, the students followed their
dance teacher, Ms. Hudson, as she led a
short warm-up routine.
Thursday, April 29th was a very exciting During the afternoon, a school-wide
day for the staff and students at
assembly took place. It was then that
Greendale Elementary School. It was
the students and staff would pay tribute
the day Greendale children felt could
to THE KING OF POP and celebrate
not come fast enough. It all started
his amazing accomplishments as a
minutes before the morning school bell. singer, dancer, entertainer and
Dressed in their best Michael Jackson
humanitarian. Ms. Hudson commenced
clothing, accessories, fedora hats, white the assembly by having all of the
socks and a glove on their right hand,
children raise their glove-covered hands
BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Twenty-nine of our Elementary
schools participated in the Annual
Basketball Tournament that was
held on Friday April 23rd .
Evergreen, Greendale, St. John
Fisher Senior, St. Lawrence
Academy Senior and Wilder
Penfield hosted students from
various schools. The event was a
great success. Many thanks to
everyone who participated and
also to the organizing
committee who helped make it
a success.
Peter Gilson - PEH Consultant
in the air. This was such an intense and
powerful moment for everyone. Next,
was the viewing of a short video clip,
honouring Michael Jackson’s greatest
hits and ever so challenging dance
moves. The assembly went on to
continue with another Michael Jackson
warm-up and several different Michael
Jackson dance choreography
performances that all of the children (K
-Gr.6) were taught during their dance
classes over the last three months. To
conclude the event was a surprise for
the students. Some members of
Greendale’s teaching staff performed a
dance routine to another one of
Michael Jackson’s greatest hits.
Together, staff and students celebrated
the life of a true legend!
Page 6
PEARSON NEWS
PATSY GABRIELLI - SAINT PAUL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
This year, Saint Paul chose Patsy
Gabrielli as the parent to represent our
school at the CPC Parent Volunteer
Recognition event. We feel Patsy
embodies the exceptional dedication to
service and caring that typifies our
school volunteers.
Patsy has had three children attend our
school over the past thirteen years.
During that time she has accompanied
them on almost every field trip as well
as assisted in the library and at such
special events as winter carnivals, field
days, open houses, graduations and
family barbecues. She is also currently
a member of our Governing Board.
There is, however, a circumstance that
makes Patsy’s years of service
especially remarkable. Her eldest
child, Katie, was diagnosed with
severe intractable epilepsy during her
Kindergarten year and has endured
many surgeries. In gratitude to the
Montreal Children’s Hospital for their
compassionate and excellent care,
Patsy, Katie and her family initiated
The Nickels for Neurology Fund.
Through annual coin collections and
sales of TCBY, they have to date
raised $10,000 for the hospital from
Saint Paul School alone. In addition,
Patsy solicited corporations, and with
letters and public speaking campaigns
raised an amazing $90,000 for this
wonderful cause! We bid her goodbye
with both best wishes and deep grati-
tude for her dedication and years of
devoted service to the Saint Paul
community.
Linda Choinière - Spiritual
Animator
Let’s honour the schools’ volunteers in the new ‘Volunteers
of the Month’ section.
Every month, one or two articles will be published on Page 6 in the
Pearson News about the outstanding volunteers in your schools.
Please send your articles along with a photo to Daniela Scoppa –
dscoppa@lbpsb.qc.ca.
ORCHARD ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERS!
On Thursday, May 20th a group of hardworking grade 4 students prepared and
served tea to 18 school volunteers-most of
them Home & Schoolers. The students had
worked hard preparing a tea with
sandwiches and desserts as well as setting
up, decorating and wrapping small gifts.
The girls greeted each guest at the front
door and escorted them to the ‘tea room’
where they were presented with a flower. They set the
tables beautifully with real tea cups.
This was an especially poignant year for our school as two
long time volunteers, who have made an enormous
difference, first at Cecil Newman and, for the last four
years at Orchard, will be watching their youngest children
graduate from our school. Donna Spark and Donna Cobb
have worked tirelessly for many years enriching the lives
of Orchard Elementary School students. They have put
their heads together to make sure our students have fun
activities, and they have energetically and
enthusiastically participated in probably
hundreds of fundraisers, pouring thousands
of cups of juice and hot chocolate as well
as helping out at every field day, carnival
and pizza day event for the last seven or
more years. The hard work of ‘Two
Donnas’ has brought in desperately
needed funding for graduation activities,
field trips and other special events. Kudos to Donna Cobb
and Donna Spark – Orchard Elementary loves you!
At Orchard, we are very dependent on our Home & School
not just as fundraisers but as active volunteers in the school.
We know without the funds raised and the hours donated
our school wouldn’t be the wonderful place it is. For that
reason we wanted this to be a very special volunteer
celebration. We also want our volunteers to remember that
just because your child has left us doesn’t mean you have
too!
Page 7
Volume XII, No. 10
A CIRCUS SHOW
The Circus is coming at Wilder
Penfield! The project began in
February. Cycle one students had the
privilege of working with different
artists. A
magician
revealed
some of his
secrets, a
juggler
initiated
them to the
art of juggling and, with the help of a clown,
they discovered their inner clowns. They also
visited the Verdun Circus School where they
explored different aspects of circus
performance.
In April, the children participated in our
circus workshops. With the help of the Cycle
One teachers, they learned their specific roles. Afterwards, they returned
to class where they learned the songs
and started rehearsals for their respective show. They are excited and anxious to present the circus in front of
other students, their parents and their
friends.
Thank you to the many volunteer
parents who helped us find all the
materials needed for a successful
show. Thank you also to all who
came to help us with make-up and backstage
support.
Thank you to all the students who worked
very hard. Congratulations for the wonderful
show and teamwork!
Cycle One Teachers - Mme Sophie, Mme
Myriam, Mme Lyse, Mme Hélène, Mme Louise
PEARSON NEWS
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 Daniela Scoppa at
dscoppa@lbpsb.qc.ca.
DANS LA RUE VISITS BEURLING ACADEMY
In May, Sue Medleg, from
Dans La Rue, visited Beurling
Academy. Sue engaged the
Secondary 1 students with a
presentation about Dans La
Rue. Her PowerPoint
presentation included some
background information about
the organization and Sue also
pointed out the struggles that
many street youth face daily.
On behalf of Dans La Rue, Sue
thanked the students for
collecting 255 pairs of new
socks from their Winter “Socks
for Pops” Drive.
Tamara Beach - Cycle 1 ERC
Teacher
PAAC ADULT STUDENTS HIT A HIGH NOTE AT BLUE MET
As part of the 12th Blue Metropolis
International Literary Festival, English
Cycle 1 students at PACC Adult Centre
have written and recorded three original
songs.
Blue Metropolis’ Writing for a Song is an
innovative educational programme
designed to teach a repertoire of important
language skills and strategies to high
school and Adult Education students
across Canada in English, French mother
tongue and French as a second language.
Contemporary Canadian songwriters
introduced their work to students and
helped them to study and create their own
song lyrics.
Kaldor, (http://
www.conniekaldor.com/ ) the students
composed three songs, which reflected
their diversity and commitment to
learning.
‘Writing for a Song’ has provided the
students with the opportunity to tap into
the creativity they never knew they had.
For a copy of the CD, please contact
Shiela Sachdeva at PACC Adult Centre.
Although they were asked to write lyrics
Shiela Sachdeva – Educational
for one song, Karen Colwell’s students
went above and beyond everyone’s
Consultant
expectations. With the guidance of
Canadian singer/songwriter, Connie
Page 8
PEARSON NEWS
DANIELA’S CORNER
As you may have
noticed on page
six, Saint Paul
Elementary
submitted an
article to the
Pearson News
about their
Volunteer of the Year.
Volunteers in schools are
vital to the school community, often donating a ton of
their time and efforts to many
different activities and causes
taking place within the
LBPSB’s schools. I would
like to dedicate a space on
page six of the Pearson News
each month to honour
volunteers in schools. I
encourage you to send me
an article about a volunteer or volunteers in your
school. With all those
who choose to spend their
time helping in schools,
this section will never be
empty.
With the 2009-2010
school year rapidly
drawing to a close, this
will be the final edition of
the Pearson News until
next August. The August
issue will be a “Back to
School” issue and it is
here that schools will
highlight activities
planned to welcome
students back, open
houses for the 2010-2011
school year and tips on
getting students ready for
a brand new school year.
Send me your articles and
if you have any tips you’d
like to contribute on the
best way to prepare a
student for the new school
year, please send them to
me.
I want to take this
opportunity to wish you
all a safe and restful
SAM ROBERTS - ROCK STAR
Sam Roberts, guitar in hand,
visited a Grade 4/5 class of
Riverview students on May
10th. The engaging, interactive
hour began with students
playing djembes and singing
Wavin' Flag with Sam also
joining in on vocals and
guitar.
Sam spoke to the students
about his love of music, the
positive influence that music
has and the importance of
working hard to achieve your
dreams. A lively dialogue
followed with students and
Sam sharing names of their
favorite rock bands. Sam and
the young musicians agreed
that The Beatles hold a
special place in their hearts an impromptu singing of
Yellow Submarine ensued.
Students held the Juno Award
that Sam received, and
autographs were signed for
all.
Sam gave a Sam Roberts
Band poster to students as a
memento of his visit:
"To all my friends
at Riverview - stay
passionate about
music !"
Kathleen WalsheTurcotteMusic Specialist
Riverview Elementary
School
CYCLE ONE CROSS COUNTRY RUN
On Wednesday May 19th,
fifteen of our elementary
schools participated in the
annual Cycle One Cross
Country Run at Terra Cotta
Park in Pointe-Claire. This run
specifically targets our K,1 and
2 students. It takes a great deal
of time and effort to make this a
successful event. From the
feedback I received, it is clear
that the children really
enjoyed themselves. Many
thanks to everyone who
participated and also to the
organizing committee who
helped make it a success.
Peter Gilson - PEH
Consultant
summer. Take time with
your family and friends,
rest and enjoy the beautiful
sunshine each day because
as we all know, the summer
months seem to fly by. I
look forward to collaborating with you on the Pearson
News next year and as
always, do not hesitate to
contact me with any
questions or comments
pertaining to communications at the school board.
A happy summer to you
all!
Daniela Scoppa –
Communications Officer
dscoppa@lbpsb.qc.ca
Volume XII, No. 10
Page 9
SAINT CHARLES RAISES FUNDS FOR SCHOOL IN SOUTH SUDAN
PEARSON NEWS
was decided that donations would be collected to
support Captain Robert Taylor’s mission to build a
school in South Sudan (S4SS). Everything went well
and the spectators really enjoyed the show. The
students performed well and they were able to help a
really good cause at the same time.
In the end, $500 was raised, so thank you to everyone
for your donations.
Special thanks to the committee for putting it all
together: Mrs. Ariano, Ms. Barroca, Mrs Garritano,
Mme Lise, Mrs. McKergow and Mrs. J. Miller with help
from M. Yves, Mrs. Pille and Mrs. Long.
Last but certainly not least, thanks to our outstanding
daycare educators and students led by Ms. Laura
Bennett for transforming our stage into an elegant
setting perfect for the Saint Charles talent.
An initiative taken on by the staff to hold a Saint Charles
Talent Show became a show with a cause. On March 31st,
Saint Charles held its Talent Show which showcased the
students’ talent and family and friends were not disappointed.
The Talent Show featured more than 30 acts. Students all the
way from grade one to grade six sang, danced, told jokes,
played music, just to name a few of the acts put on by the
students. The Talent Show took on a special meaning when it Mme Coiteux - Principal, Saint Charles School
THORNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDIES THE HOLOCAUST
The grade
five
students at
Thorndale
Elementary School
have
studied
The
Holocaust along with related topics such
as bullying and human rights. In grade
four, they read Hana's Suitcase by Karen
Levine and this year they read Hiding
Edith by Kathy Kacer. Along with these
novels they have studied about people
like Nelson Mandela, Ghandi and Martin
Luther King who advocated non-violent
activities towards change and making a
better world.
On May 5th the students welcomed Mrs.
Irene Romer ,a Holocaust survivor, who
told us her story. Here are some excerpts
from their “Thank You” letters to her.
" From hearing your story we learned
that friendship is very powerful; just like
your friend took care of you and helped
you hide who you were. It was nice of
your friend to risk her life for you.
We also learned an important lesson
about treating everybody equally. We
learned that treating people badly is
unacceptable because even though we
SAINT LAWRENCE ACADEMY JR. AND SR. ART EXPO
Saint Lawrence Academy Jr. and
Sr. hosted an incredible art
exposition on May 13th, where
over 600 pieces of art were on
display. The students studied
different periods of art and
different artists and then created
their artwork based on what they
learnt. There was Pop Art,
replicas of the Mona Lisa,
pottery, sculptures, painted chairs
and art representing the 2010
Olympics to name just a few of
the pieces on display. The art
was auctioned off to those who
attended the expo and over
$1,200 was raised for the school.
may be different, everyone is really the
same. We all are human beings and
deserve equal respect." Brittnie,
Elizabeth, Santhyia & Ms. Samantha.
" I find it very brave of you to talk about
this terrifying topic...I learned that
people were only liberated physically,
not mentally and that the thoughts of the
war were still in their mind." Yousuf
Badawi
" You've encouraged me to open up and
help someone if they're being bullied or
picked on." Deanna
Evelyn Braun-Howard - Thorndale
School
Page 10
PEARSON NEWS
REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
NEW SCHOOL UPDATE
The Board continues its close
collaboration with the
Municipality of St-Lazare.
Both organizations’ administrative teams have met and
exchanged information several
times during the last month. As
Chair, I have met with the
Mayor and following that meeting I sent a letter,
a copy of which follows. We are very hopeful
that the land issue will be settled before the end
of June and that we will be able to start the
construction by this fall. Our target date remains
as an opening for the start of the school year
2011/2012.
19 mai 2010
Monsieur Pierre Kary
Maire
Ville de Saint-Lazare
1960, chemin Sainte-Angélique
Saint-Lazare (Québec) J7T 3A3
Monsieur le Maire,
Ce fut un plaisir de vous rencontrer aujourd’hui
pour discuter de la nouvelle école, et des
questions qui préoccupent les citoyens de SaintLazare. Je tiens à vous assurer que nous sommes
très sensibles aux questions qu’ils ont soulevées.
Nous croyons que les avantages à long terme de
la présence d’une école primaire dans une communauté surpassent de beaucoup les inconvénients à court terme que la période de la construction peut causer.
Une école primaire attire une communauté jeune
et dynamique pendant de nombreuses années.
L’infrastructure que nous avons accepté
d’installer s’avèrera une réelle valeur ajoutée
non seulement pour l’école mais pour toute la
collectivité.
Vous avez clairement exprimé votre souci au
sujet des critères de transport qui pourraient
avoir comme conséquence que des enfants de
Saint-Lazare soient transportés à l'ouest de votre
municipalité tandis que les enfants de l’est
viendraient occuper les écoles présentes sur le
territoire de Saint-Lazare. Vous nous avez
demandé de vous convaincre que le besoin en
places-élèves concerne bien Saint-Lazare et que
la nouvelle école répondra directement aux
besoins des enfants de Saint-Lazare.
Saint-Lazare a l’une des populations les plus
jeunes du Québec et il semble naturel pour nous
d’installer la nouvelle école à Saint-Lazare, ou
tout près, pour desservir les enfants de SaintLazare. La lettre du ministère de l’Éducation
autorisant la construction de la nouvelle école
indique clairement que le Ministère s’attend à ce
que l’école desserve les élèves de la région.
Nous pouvons comprendre que la question de
savoir quels enfants fréquenteront la nouvelle
école préoccupe plusieurs personnes. Il est
important de noter que les critères
d’inscription entrent en jeu seulement lorsque
la capacité d’accueil de l’école est atteinte.
Bien que nous prévoyions une croissance
constante de la population de la région, nous
prévoyons également que l’école n’atteindra
pas sa pleine capacité d’accueil durant
plusieurs années. En d’autres mots, tous les
enfants qui demeurent dans le quartier de la
nouvelle école de Saint-Lazare et qui désirent
la fréquenter pourront le faire (à moins de
changements imprévus), au moins pour cette
période de temps.
À notre commission scolaire, les critères
d’inscription font qu’un enfant qui s’inscrit
dans une école pourra terminer son cours
primaire dans la même école, sauf s’il y a des
changements touchant toute la commission
scolaire en raison d’un remaniement majeur
des écoles.
La deuxième priorité d’inscription cible les
frères et sœurs des enfants déjà inscrits dans
une école. En d’autres mots, les enfants de
Saint-Lazare qui s’inscrivent à la nouvelle
école, pendant les premières années, ainsi que
leurs frères et sœurs pour les années
suivantes, seront priorisés par les critères
d’inscription (à moins de changements
imprévus).
La troisième priorité d’inscription cible les
enfants qui habitent à la distance de marche
déterminée de l’école (1600) et à l’intérieur
des zones de fréquentation de l’école. Comme
l’école est située à Saint-Lazare, ce sera un
avantage pour tous les résidants de SaintLazare vivant dans ce quartier.
Une fois de plus, sans vouloir présumer des
résultats de notre consultation en cours sur le
zonage, je voudrais vous faire remarquer que
selon notre pratique passée en ce qui concerne
la fréquentation dans le secteur ouest de notre
commission scolaire, les élèves sont transférés
de l’ouest vers l’est. Si nous obtenons encore
ce résultat lors de la présente consultation,
ceci voudrait dire que tous les enfants de Saint
-Lazare feraient partie de la zone de fréquentation de la nouvelle école.
Bref, à moins de changements imprévus,
pendant les premières années avant que
l’école atteigne sa pleine capacité, la porte de
la nouvelle école sera grande ouverte aux
enfants de Saint-Lazare. De plus, ils pourront
terminer leur cours primaire dans la même
école et leur frères et sœurs seront priorisés.
Ensuite, les enfants demeurant à une distance
de 1.6 km d’une école sont favorisés en
troisième lieu. La CSLPB croit que ces
critères répondent bien à vos préoccupations.
Etant donné l'incertitude pendant les
changements en cours, pour rassurer la
municipalité de Saint-Lazare, nous avons
adopté une résolution qui donne le droit à
deux représentants de la municipalité de SaintLazare de siéger au comité consultatif sur le
zonage et les critères d'inscription pour la
nouvelle école, se joignant à des représentants
des écoles Forest Hill, Evergreen, MountPleasant, et Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau pour
soumettre des recommandations à la
commission scolaire. Le comité Commission
scolaire et Communauté doit néanmoins
respecter la Loi sur l'instruction publique. La
décision d’inclure la municipalité au sein du
comité sur le zonage et les critères d'inscription
démontre notre engagement envers la
municipalité de Saint-Lazare et nous espérons
que vous êtes maintenant assuré que les enfants
de votre municipalité seront biens servis par la
nouvelle école dans le territoire de SaintLazare.
En ce qui concerne les questions environnementales, vous n’êtes pas sans savoir que l’école
primaire Forest Hill Senior est déjà connue
pour être une des écoles publique la plus
éconergétique au Québec. Nous avons
l’intention d’utiliser le même modèle
d’architecture et d’ingénierie, mais avec une
technologie de cinq ans plus moderne. La
nouvelle école devrait être l’édifice public le
mieux coté du Québec en termes de considérations environnementales, une caractéristique
avantageuse à mettre en évidence tant pour la
municipalité que pour la commission scolaire.
Monsieur Kary, je sais que ce fut une période
difficile et je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude pour
les efforts que vous, votre Conseil, et
l’administration de la ville avez exercés. Notre
équipe est d’avis que les représentants de SaintLazare ont été coopératifs et obligeants pendant
tout le processus. Il est évident que nous
recherchons les mêmes résultats – la meilleure
infrastructure et les meilleurs services possibles
pour ceux que nous servons. J’ai confiance
qu’avec la construction de cette nouvelle école
primaire, nous atteindrons cet objectif.
Si vous avez besoin d’autres renseignements,
n’hésitez pas à communiquer avec moi.
Veuillez agréer, Monsieur le Maire,
l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Le président du Conseil,
Marcus Tabachnick
ACCESS TO ENGLISH SCHOOLS
On May 11th a press conference was held at
Nesbitt School in Rosemont. The goal of the
press conference was to demonstrate to all
Quebec that the English community is part of
Quebec, that we expect to be treated with
respect, and that we are concerned about our
future. In front of a large gathering of Anglo
community leaders and a throng of English and
French media, speakers from the LBPSB,
EMSB, Riverside School Board, Sir Wilfrid
Laurier School Board, the Association of
Independent Schools, the Quebec English
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 11)
Page 11
Volume XII, No. 10
REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CONT’D.
School Boards Association, the Parents
Committees of the four sponsoring Boards, and
former Commissioner of Official Languages
Victor Goldbloom, each talked about our place
in Quebec society. Radio, television, and newspapers carried the story across the province for
several days. The event was reported as being
unprecedented in its ability to gather so many
leaders from so wide a cross section of our
community, in one place at one time to express
their concerns. Some of the guests in attendance
were: Robert Libman (former MNA and Mayor
of Cote St-Luc); William Steinberg (Mayor of
Hampstead); Noel Burke (former Assistant
Deputy Minister of Education); Quebec
Federation of Home & Schools Associations;
Quebec Community Groups Network; Eva
Ludwig (Quebec delegate of the Office of the
Commissioner of Official Languages); and so
many others. There is no doubt that this has
become much more than just an issue about
schools – it is about respect and our place in
Quebec society. Thanks to Daniela Scoppa
(LBP Communications Officer) and Mike
Cohen (EMSB Communications Specialist)
along with a host of others who made the event
a success. A special word of thanks must go to
Nesbitt School, the Principal, and staff who
allowed us and so many others the use of the
Gym in the middle of a school day.
During the week of May 24th a letter,
co-signed by Angela Mancini, Chair of the
English Montreal School Board, and me, was
sent to Premier Jean Charest renewing our
request for a meeting to discuss the potential
legislation and the long-term effects on the
English school system and on the English
community.
COMPLAINT EXAMINATION
PROCEDURE
The consultation period for the creation of a
new By-law covering the recently legislated
Complaint Examination Procedure has ended.
We received 16 briefs with suggestions for
changes or clarifications. The Governance &
Ethics Committee met to review the input and,
based on the input, made a number of
suggestions for inclusion in the By-law and
procedure. The new By-law details the process
to follow should a student or her/his parent have
a complaint. The process is not meant to
circumvent the current practices and
procedures. We still expect that most
differences will be able to be resolved at the
local level. The protection that this new
procedure offers is that in the case that there is
no other possible solution an independent third
party will be available to review receivable
complaints and make recommendations to the
Council for a resolution.
STUDENT OMBUDSMAN
The Board advertised in both French and
English newspapers for applicants for the
position of Student Ombudsman, as per the
provisions of Bill 88, now included in the
Education Act. A decision had been made that
the LBP would engage an individual on a
contractual, hourly rate basis for the initial three
-year period mandated by law. There will be an
evaluation of the Board process, the
individual, and the effectiveness of the Board's
policy at the end of the second year. The
Governance & Ethics Committee met to review
the applications and selected a number of
individuals for interviews. The interviews will
be carried out during the month of June and if
the committee is satisfied, a recommendation
will be brought to the Central Parents’
Committee for consultation and then to the
Council of Commissioners at the end-of-June
meeting. If the process is not complete within
that timeframe the process will carry over until
September. Once a person has been selected, all
contact information will be available on the
Board's website. In subsequent years the
information will also be available in the student
agenda handed out to each student at the
beginning of each school year. It is important to
note that the Student Ombudsman only has the
authority to make recommendations to the
Council. Those recommendations are not
binding and it will still be up to the Council of
Commissioners to make the final determination
as to the resolution of a complaint.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
Our Board has made numerous requests to the
MELS for additional Vocational Training
courses. We are particularly interested in
programs that can be offered in both the Eastern
and western sectors of the Board's territory.
After several years, the MELS has finally
agreed to grant the LBPSB authorization to
provide the Plumbing & Heating option. The
problem is that the authorization is only
provisional. Such an authorization is for only
one group of 22 students and there is no funding
associated with it. The program will cost some
$4-million to set up. This fact is well known by
the MELS. Currently there is a multi-year
waiting list for the few English program spaces
now offered as an adjunct to the Frenchlanguage program at Commission scolaire de
Montreal. This is unacceptable. The Board is
now calling on the government to make the
authorization permanent, extend the
authorization to include a minimum of two
groups per session, and provide the necessary
funding required for setting up the program.
PILONGATE
A war of words coupled with adults acting like
children usually accomplishes nothing. Such is
the case in the “great letter exchange” between
Mayor Guy Pilon of Vaudreuil-Dorion and me.
In all my years as a school board
Commissioner, Board Chairman, and provincial
and national President I have never written or
PEARSON NEWS
sent a letter like the one I sent in response to the
unfounded and hurtful letter I received from
Mayor Pilon. In fact, I agonized over whether
or not to respond to such nonsense. However,
the fact that the gentleman decided to make his
diatribe so public left me little choice. The fact
that he sent his letter to the media, the Minister
of Education, the area MNA’s and all members
of the LBPSB Council before I received the
letter that was addressed to me, speaks volumes
about the manner in which this Mayor operates.
I felt compelled to respond, but I am not at all
pleased with myself for doing so. I think our
students deserve more from their leaders. I
believe that our organization deserves more. To
them I apologize. For me, this issue is over – no
further comments, no more letters, no more
answers to media.
This should be a happy, upbeat, positive, file
with which to deal. The construction of a new
school, especially in the Anglophone
community, is something to celebrate. Instead it
has turned nasty. Now, after 20+ months of
disappointments and with the end of the search
phase in sight, we are facing a NIMBY
movement in the proposed location in StLazare. The community in that part of our
territory needs a new school. The students and
staff deserve a proper and not overcrowded
school. We have to start construction as soon as
possible. It is now up to the St-Lazare Council
to decide.
HAPPY SUMMER
As this is the last Council of Commissioners
rd
meeting report before school ends on June 23 ,
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of our
students, teachers, staff, parents, partners, and
colleagues a safe and happy summer. The
Council will meet on June 28th to receive for
adoption the 2010/2011 budget. The Executive
Committee will meet early in July to monitor
progress and approve payments for the summer
construction and renovation projects. After that
the Council takes a break for the summer
season until about mid-August. We look
forward to seeing you all back after a
well-deserved rest.
WEBCAST VIEWERSHIP RECOUNT
A follow-up review of the number of viewers
logged-in to LBP Council meeting webcasts
had revealed that the December 21st Major
School Change meeting did not draw 11,500 on
-line viewers, but instead the accurate number
of live, on-line, viewers was more than 22,000!
In addition, the Administrative staffing
meeting of April drew more than 3,300 on-line
viewers. We hope to be able to provide all
statistics for the 2009/2010 school year in
September.
Marcus Tabachnick - Chairman of the Board
Page 12
PEARSON NEWS
GREENDALE MUSICFEST
On Tuesday, May 18th, our Grade Six
Grad Band led by Mrs. Joan Wight
played in a mini Musicfest here at
Greendale Elementary School. The
students in our band played songs that
are familiar to us all, “O When the
Saints, Hot Cross Buns” and ended their
concert time with “Let’s Go Band”, a
favorite!
We had this Musicfest with a guest choir
from an elementary school, École Marc
Favreau in NDG. Their Principal, M.
Mathieu, accompanied his students on
the guitar and we truly enjoyed their
beautiful voices. They are students from
Grades three to six who have just
finished taking part in a Rassemblement
put on by the CSDM schools in
Montreal.
We have been invited to take part in this
music festival in February of 2011. We
are very excited as this will be the first
time a school from the LBPSB will
attend.
Dona Bianchi - Principal,
Greendale Elementary
WILDER PENFIELD AT THE NEURO!
In February 2009, the Neurological Institute and
Hospital invited Gr. 5 and Gr.6 students on the
Island of Montreal to participate in a contest to
celebrate its 75th anniversary. The time capsule
which had been inserted in the building’s
cornerstone in 1934 was opened and its content
revealed. The contest challenged the children to
suggest items to be placed in the 2010 time
capsule. The Neuro’s Anniversary Committee
was especially happy to have Wilder Penfield
Elementary School take part as we are named
after their founder.
Wilder students rose to the challenge and created
a magazine about the brain called “Bring on the
Brain’’ which contained articles by students
explaining the nervous and sensory systems,
brain diseases and disorders, neuroscience and
left and right brain functions. They also made a
list of items which they believed should be
included in the time capsule. Their suggestions
were inspired by Dr. Penfield’s research, images
and history of Montreal, examples of today’s
technology and culture, and current information
on the brain.
One hundred twenty-three students from Wilder
Penfield School went to the Time Capsule
Ceremony on May 7th along with several other
schools. The current Director of the Neuro, Dr.
David Colman, spoke about the power of our
brains and where wondering can take us. The
Minister of Education, Mme Michelle
Courchesne, shared her thoughts and hopes for
the children present.
Student representatives from
each school placed items in the
time capsule: an iPod containing
music, videos and images, a
plastic bag (with the hope that
they’ll be extinct in 75 years), a
Penfield #4 (a piece of medical
equipment designed and used
by Dr. Penfield), two current
newspapers, a stress ball, our
“Bring on the Brain” magazine, as well as
several other contributions.
We gave Amanda Fritz, who co-ordinated
this event for the Neuro, a selection of
photographs of Dr. Penfield visiting our
school in 1975. These were gratefully
acknowledged and will be placed in their
archives.
An honour guard transferred the time capsule
outside where it was sealed and placed in the
Neuro’s cornerstone. We watched the
proceedings on a live-feed in the auditorium.
The children were given a snack and listened
as several scientists, researchers and doctors
shared their knowledge and answered many
questions posed by the students. Everyone
was touched by the experience. Many
remarked about their excitement at seeing the
filling of the time capsule, the beauty and
history of the building, the knowledge and
information gained from the presentations
and the promise of being invited back to the
Neuro in 2085!
Judy Harper - Cycle Three teacher
YOU CAN SIGN UP
TO HAVE THE
PEARSON NEWS
DELIVERED
DIRECTLY TO
YOUR INBOX
EVERY MONTH.
VISIT THE
‘PEARSON NEWS’
SECTION ON THE
BOARD’S WEBSITE:
WWW.LBPSB.QC.CA
Page 13
Volume XII, No. 10
PEARSON NEWS
DAYCARES HONOURED
board room’s ceiling for everyone
On May 18th, the LBPSB’s daycare
present to admire. A fantastic time
employees were honoured with a
celebration to thank them for their con- was had by all who attended.
stant hard work. The celebration took
place in the board room at the school
board’s head office. Each school’s
daycare created a piece of artwork for
the event. This year’s beautiful
artwork featured different umbrellas
decorated by the students in each
daycare. The umbrellas hung from the
TWELFTH EDITION OF THE QUEBEC ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTEST
The Quebec
Entrepreneurship
Contest organization’s
mission is to develop
Québec entrepreneurial
culture through the
start-up and recognition of new businesses
and entrepreneurial
projects in the schools and the community at
large. Entrepreneurship projects are done in
schools or as extracurricular projects, by
students, and must be completed over the
course of the school year. These projects
enabled students to develop autonomy, a
sense of responsibility, creativity, leadership,
solidarity, self-confidence, personal fulfillment, initiative, a sense of organization,
perseverance, resourcefulness, tenacity,
determination, team spirit, motivation and an
appreciation of cooperative values.
By participating in the Quebec
Entrepreneurship Contest, projects are also
eligible to receive a grant of up to $750
under the MELS Introduction to
Entrepreneurship Measure. Through this
program, LBPSB schools received over
$150,000 last year. The results of the grants
for the 2009-2010 school year will be
announced in October 2010.
Again this year the Quebec Entrepreneurship
Contest was a big success at Lester B.
Pearson School Board with a total of 285
projects submitted.
Elementary Cycle 1:
25 projects
Elementary Cycle 2:
27 projects
Elementary Cycle 3:
47 projects
High School Gr. 7-8:
33 projects
High School Gr. 9-11:
139 projects
High School Special Education: 13 projects
Adult Education: 1 project
An integral part of the Quebec Entrepreneur-
ship Program is the contest whereby all projects are judged by local entrepreneurs where
they are evaluated to win at the local level.
This year, a panel of judges from the Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi organization selected
23 projects to be winners in their respective
categories at the School Board Level.
These projects were sent to be evaluated at
their respective regions. It is with great pride
that teachers and students from nine projects
(written in blue below) received an award at
the Montreal Regional Award Ceremony
held at the Botanical Gardens on May 5th,
2010.
Montreal
Elementary Cycle 1:
• Project Afghanistan – Saint Lawrence
Academy Junior, Mary-Anne Fyckes
• Des Livres-Audio – Saint John Fisher
Jr., Martine Déziel
Elementary Cycle 2:
• Young Stylists- Verdun Elementary,
Mary-Anne Fyckes
•
Halloween Solutions – Meadowbrook,
Susan Piffer
Elementary Cycle 3:
• Me to We Brick by Brick – Saint
Anthony, Maria de Souza, Marilyn Carroll
• Let’s Make our School Bully Free –
Children’s World Academy, Anna Giammario
• Computer Literacy for Seniors – Dorval
Elementary, Mary-Anne Fyckes
• Laundry Services for Hire – Verdun
Elementary, Mary-Anne Fyckes
Secondary Schools – Grade 7-8
• It’s Fair – Magasin du Monde, Saint
Thomas High School, Anne Novak
• Lunch for a Bunch without a Punch,
Beaconsfield High School, Rosemary Hill
• Book Fair Express – Beaconsfield High
School, Rosemary Hill
Secondary Schools – Grade 9-11
• Minions in Training (MIT) –
Riverdale High School, Brent Callahan
• Lakeside Blood Donor Clinic –
Lakeside Academy, Victoria Pinnell
• Hands Help Haiti – Riverdale High
School, Tanya Avrith
• Seniors Outreach Program –
Beaconsfield High School, Nancy Dubuc
• United Nations Simulation – St.
Thomas High School, Joanna Schreyer
Secondary Schools – Special Education
• Soup in a Jar – Lakeside Academy,
Sherri McCallum
Vocational Training and Adult Education
• One-Stop Shop Community Chest –
Pearson Adult and Career Centre,
Robin Leggo, Émilie Dubé
Monteregie
Elementary Cycle 3:
• Student Olympics – Pierre Elliott
Trudeau, Diane St-Onge, Jason
Cordery
Secondary Schools – Grade 9-11
• Think Globally Act Locally Camp,
Westwood High School Senior, Peter
Nield
• T-Shirts for Haiti, Westwood High
School Senior, Peter Nield
• Westwood Bridge to Burundi,
Westwood High School Senior, Peter
Nield
Secondary Schools – Special Education
• Munch Time Movie Club,
Westwood High School Senior,
Shelly Walters
Congratulations to all participants and we
are looking forward to next year’s edition.
Nancy Battet & Julie Royal
Page 14
PEARSON NEWS
FOREST HILL SENIOR’S MUSICAL
On May 3rd, the 124 grade students of grade 4 performed
a wonderful musical called “On the Radio”! They sang,
danced, and acted superbly, much to the thrill of their 500
adoring fans! Kudos to all those involved.
GORDON PATTERSON AWARD WINNER
Dear Members
of the QFHSA,
The Sherwood
Forest Home &
School
Association
would like to
nominate Mrs.
Diane Martello
for the Gordon
Patterson Award.
We believe Mrs.
Diane Martello
should be considered for the Gordon
Patterson Award as she represents what this
award and Home & School is all about. Mrs.
Martello believes in working together to
achieve greatness. She has been a valued
member of the Sherwood Forest Home &
School Association as well as our teacher
representative for several years. She attends
all our meetings and is enthusiastically
involved in all our endeavours. She is our
link to the teachers and staff and is always
very excited to be included in our events.
Mrs. Martello is the Sherwood Forest Music
Specialist and teaches a love of music to all
of our students. Mrs. Martello will be
retiring this year and we at Sherwood Forest
will miss her greatly. A true Creative Arts
Specialist is rare these days and her
commitment to teaching the arts to children
is tremendous. We wish her all the best but
realise that her retirement will leave big
shoes to fill and a big space in our school
community. With so much emphasis these
days on sporting events and competition, it
is amazing how Mrs. Martello can find
creativity in all the children. It is due to her
patience and extremely hard work that the
merge of two schools has been so
successful.
Mrs. Martello always seems to know the
talents of our parent population and seeks
out the help of parents who have an interest
in, or a talent, for the arts.
One of her biggest contributions to the
Sherwood Forest community are the yearly
musical productions, which are performed
by the grade six graduating classes.
Sherwood Forest is a merge of two school
communities, and since the merge, we have
had three to four graduating classes every year.
This never deterred Mrs. Martello as she
proceeds to continue the tradition, and stages
three to four full casts of children every year. She
is sometimes directing two or three different
plays a year. Every child is given a speaking role,
which sometimes involves changing scripts and
roles in order for every child to participate. With
these numbers, parents become very important,
and Mrs. Martello has a job for everyone. The
children are responsible for their production but
our eager director always seems to be able to use
parent volunteers and still have the children feel
ownership in their production. The involvement
of the grade six students provides a chance to
learn responsibility, confidence and teamwork.
The other grades also learn a great deal from the
productions. They learn how to support others
and art appreciation. This year she will use the
grade five classes as a back-up choir for each
cast. It is a great way for the school to benefit
from live musical theater without the monetary
cost. The entire school gets involved by learning
the songs and the classic stories, which Mrs.
Martello chooses for the musicals. Volunteers are
needed for set decoration, rehearsal supervision,
back stage and costume supervision, just to name
a few jobs. The night of the play, over two
hundred parents, grandparents, and children get
set for an entertaining evening. The audience is
encouraged to participate and appreciate all the
hard work that has built up to this evening.
Mrs. Martello is always willing to try new ideas
and implement them with the children as well as
encourage other staff members. By introducing
the students to a former student of hers, Lisa
Walsh, a musically gifted girl with Williams
Syndrome, she has taught our children
acceptance of others and the confidence to
always try. Lisa Walsh volunteers her time to
come perform concerts for the school, all under
the direction of Mrs. Martello.
For the past two years, Mrs. Martello has
introduced a partnership between our children
and the Nova Day Center for seniors. The seniors
have visited our school, exchanged mail with
students and have received visits from their pen
pals. This was a wonderful experience for the
students, staff and seniors, as well as for the
parent volunteers who were asked to provide
goodies for these visits. Mrs. Martello has also
taken the Sherwood Forest Choir (another one of
her many endeavours) and many parent volunteers to sing in senior residences. The students
and parents always come away from these
"field trips" with huge smiles and warm stories
to tell.
Another project that Mrs. Martello has piloted
is the “It’s Hip To Hear” project. With this
project the children are made aware of the
importance of their ears and how to take
special care of their hearing and the dangers of
high volume. With the help of volunteer health
professionals, Mrs. Martello has given yet
another gift to our children.
This year Mrs. Martello was one of the key
factors in the organization of our Olympic
Week festivities. It was through her influence
that our opening and closing ceremonies
involved choir and dance. Thus, once again,
incorporating the arts into another aspect of
the curriculum. She arranged to have volunteer
dancers perform from a local dance school and
her school choir sang for the school.
As co-presidents of the Sherwood Forest
Home & School Association we feel that
Diane Martello knows the importance of
parents and school community and we are
proud to have her as a part of our community.
We will miss her. She sits on our governing
board, is our Home & School teacher
representative and also is the acting principal
when our principal, Mrs. Fillatre is not in the
building. It is through Mrs. Martello’s active
involvement that Sherwood Forest is a warm
and welcoming place for the whole
community. She has a way of finding and
calling upon the special talents in our
community and in the end making Sherwood
Forest Elementary School the best place
possible.
We thank you for considering for Mrs. Diane
Martello for the prestigious Gordon Patterson
Award for 2010. With her huge involvement
and commitment with the Home & School
Association over all these years we feel that it
would surely be an honour well-deserved.
Sincerely,
Donna Callard & Anne Macdonald
Co-presidents, Sherwood Forest Home &
School Association
Page 15
Volume XII, No. 10
LAKESIDE TRACK AND FIELD
Lakeside Academy did amazingly
well at the GMAA track and field
championships on the 12th and 13th of
May 2010. Kareem Alleyne sprinted
to a gold medal in the juvenile boys
200 meters and a bronze medal in the
100 meters. The most surprising
thing at these meets happened at the
end of the day, when the Lakeside
Academy juvenile boys won gold in
the 4x1 relay. The team was made up
of Kareem Alleyne, Andel Gordon,
Aaron Butler and Kadeem Fergus.
The previous day Jenaya Berridge
PEARSON NEWS
won gold in the javelin in
the bantam girls’ category.
Overall, it was an amazing
day for Lakeside Academy.
Lakeside Academy’s team
spirit and determination was
demonstrated during this
year’s track and field
championships.
Many thanks go to the two
coaches, Greig Campbell
and Tanya Litschauer.
SAINT PAUL’S ‘ENCHANTED GARDEN’ ART GALA
The Saint Paul Art Gala Committee hosted a
wonderfully original Enchanted Garden Art
Gala Fundraiser in May. Our gym was
magically transformed as billowing white
sheets were draped from ceiling to floor,
with artwork and large bouquets of flowers
providing vivid splashes of colour. All of
our students showed their diverse talents
with displays ranging from colourful
flowers to drawings of intricate freedom
quilts from the Underground Railway. The
huge turnout from our community was also
treated to a terrific musical trio playing jazz
throughout the evening.
A highlight was our Urban Art Project.
Sterling Downey, is a self-described
“graffiti writer who gives back to the
community through art.” He uses this
medium both to channel the creative spirit
of young people as well as to teach them
about responsible ways of taking
ownership of their space. This is the first
time he has worked with elementary
students, and under his expert direction
our students set alight our exterior walls
with bright blue and yellow graffiti
depictions of our school logo of a beehive adorned with the words respect and
integrity an a multi-panel ‘Bee Creative’
design.
Fundraising came from unique
professional works of art exhibited by
several parents and Principal Coleen
Turner. In addition, tickets were sold for
a draw of an array of beautiful garden
stones created by our staff. Pictured in a
quiet corner of my garden is one created
by Sharon Anto, Daycare Coordinator,
that I was lucky enough to win, a happy
souvenir indeed of this enchanted
evening!
Linda Choinière - Spiritual Animator
MISSING CHILDREN’S NETWORK VISITS GREENDALE
On May 26th and 27th, The Missing
Children's Network came to our school
to teach the students about personal
safety. Key points that were stressed are
the following:
- To always ask for permission
- To listen to their body and trust their
instinct
- To say NO in any situation in which
they feel uncomfortable, confused or
afraid
- To always use a buddy system when
playing outside or going anywhere.
- To identify safe individuals, as well as
places where they can seek help if
needed.
- To safely navigate the internet using
the appropriate tools and resources.
The children enjoyed the workshops
and learned to be careful about
strangers.
Dona Bianchi - Principal of
Greendale
PEARSON NEWS
Page 16
SAINT EDMUND ELEMENTARY’S CIRCLE OF HUGS
St. Edmund Elementary, this
year’s recipient of the Pat Lewis
Humanitarian Award from the
Quebec Federation of Home
and School Associations, has
been raising money for the
Circle of Hugs for the past 3
years. A “circle” represents
$216 ($18 x 12 months).
Fundraising events include
Dress-down Friday, music
concerts, and TCBY
sales. Each year, the principal
and a few student
representatives travel to the
Montreal Children’s Hospital to
present their cheque for this
worthy cause. This year,
students have raised $1,296
which equals 6 Circles. To
date, they have
raised over
$2,800 and have
already begun
collecting money
for next year’s
National Day of
Giving.
A STORY WORTH SHARING
Thomas Rhymes, Principal of
Riverdale High School
submitted this story to the
Pearson News. It’s a story of
good-will and as Mr. Rhymes
puts it, the story falls under
the category “Man saves cat
from tree.” Enjoy.
When Canada Post dropped
off the mail on April 27th,
there was a package from
Germany included, which
was addressed to me. I
have a friend there, but it
was not his name on the
return address. I didn't
recognize the address or
name at all. When I
opened the package, there
was a list of my students
who had participated on
our Europe tour (which
took place from March 26th
to April 11th) along with a
note from a representative
from a bus company
saying that one of our
students left his iPod on
the bus when he travelled
from Munich to
Rome. The iPod was
enclosed in the envelope
as well. The iPod
belongs to the mother of
student, Terell McLeod.
She had lent the iPod to
Terell for his trip to
Europe. The iPod has
been returned to
Terell who has written to
the bus company, Seitz
Reisen in Ruhmannsfelden,
Germany, to express his
thanks to them for
returning the iPod.
LAKESIDE ACADEMY VISITS VERDUN ELEMENTARY
On the afternoon of Wednesday
May 5th, four secondary five
students from Lakeside Academy
visited Verdun Elementary’s
Social Justice Club. These grade
5 and 6 students have been
learning about social issues in
their world, such as racism,
poverty, sweatshop labour and
fair trade. With their teacher,
Jennifer Hayden-Benn, they have
initiated various activities to
raise awareness among peers
about these issues, and to suggest
creative solutions that can be
implemented by elementary-age
children.
When describing these activities
to her sister, Jessica, it became
obvious that these issues are also
important for high school
students. Jessica Hayden is an
art specialist at Lakeside
Academy, and has developed
amazing art projects around
issues of social justice with her
secondary 5 students. Together,
they planned an afternoon for
some of Lakeside’s artists to
visit the Verdun Elementary
Social Justice Club.
The afternoon was a huge
success, with Lakeside students
showing and describing their
social justice art projects. It was
an inspiration to watch
elementary school children
engaged in such real and
complex issues with their high
school counterparts. After the
presentations and discussion,
students from both schools
created a huge painting depicting
different social issues that were
discussed. Together, students
painted a cityscape where they
displayed photographs depicting
such issues as teenage
pregnancy, drug and alcohol
abuse, homelessness and
poverty. The creative
collaboration was a great
educational experience for all
involved!
Page 17
Volume XII, No. 10
ONE STOP SHOP COMMUNITY CHEST WINS AGAIN
PEARSON NEWS
Congratulations to PACC
Adult’s One Stop Shop
Community Chest on
winning first prize at the
regional level of the 12th
edition of the Concours
québecois en entrepreneuriat.
The One Stop Shop
Community Chest was
created by members of Ma
place au soleil students:
young single mothers
supporting each other while
studying. These industrious
students decided to open a
thrift store for the PACC
population to help with the
Shelly-Ann Green, Émilie Dubé
financial burden that some
(Ma place au soleil Facilitator)
adult learners have. On May
5th, the entrepreneurs received
honours among competing
school boards. We wish them
success as they compete
nationally in the vocational
training and adult education
category.
Photo:
Left to right: Nadia Diamond,
Gloria Keenan (LBPSB
Director of Adult Education
and Vocational Training),
Kemma Lionel, Saida Djama,
MUSIC MONDAY AT RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY
Riverview Community Learning Centre.
Riverview students connected online
with students in schools in Alberta,Ontario,Quebec, New York, New
Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Kansas.
Requests to join in the event came from
as far as Bermuda and Indonesia!
The video conference enabled students to
simultaneously perform Sing, Sing the
Music Monday 2010 theme song. The
Riverview Elementary School filled
the skies with music on Music Monday Coalition for Music Education in Canada
organizes the yearly Music Monday
2010 in collaboration with other
event which takes place on the first
schools through the magic of VCN
(Video Conferencing Network) in the Monday in May to showcase our
BEURLING ACADEMY’S FOURTH ANNUAL MULTICULTURAL LUNCH
On Monday, May 17th, all
three of my Secondary I
Ethics and Religious
Culture Classes organized
the fourth annual
Multicultural Lunch. Each
student contributed an
appetizer, main course or
dessert which represented
his/her cultural
background. Students
were given the
opportunity to sample a
variety of dishes in the
company of their
classmates. Parents,
grandparents & relatives
were invited to attend.
This event was the
culmination of a unit on
World Religions and
Religious Culture. It is
my hope that this type of
projects will help to
promote the development
of attitudes such as
acceptance, respect and
openness for students of
all Religious and Cultural
backgrounds. Some of
the aims of the new
Ethics and Religious
Culture Program are for
students to reflect upon
their own culture, to be
open to cultural diversity
and to acknowledge each
person’s identity.
Tamara Beach - Cycle 1
ERC Teacher
students promoting the importance of
music in our schools and in our lives.
Music Monday 2010 had over 750,000
participants from over 2000 schools.
Craig Bullett, Video Conferencing
Technology Coordinator of LEARN
Quebec was present to connect the
participating schools.
Page 18
PEARSON NEWS
ARTICLE BY PEDAGOGICAL CONSULTANT PIERRE AUCLAIR
Volume XII, No. 10
Page 19
UNOFFICIAL NOTES—MAY 31st, 2010 MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF COMMISSIONERS
Committee Structure Review
Council adopted, in principle, the
recommendations contained in the report
entitled Internal Management Committee
Report on Committee Structure. The final
report will be brought for adoption no later
than the June 28th meeting.
Calendar Amendment – Adult and Voc
Ed 2010-2011
Council approved that the Adult and
Vocational Training Calendar for the 20102011 school year be amended to include the
following change:
- The Teachers’ Convention scheduled on
November 19th, 2010 be moved to
November 26th, 2010.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation “Tapis
Rouge” Event
Commissioners Barbara Freeston, Suanne
Stein-Day, Domenic Pavone and Susan
Bartlett-Lewis were named by Council to
attend the Fondation Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Tapis Rouge event to be held on June 9th,
2010.
Riverdale High School Doors, Windows,
Auditorium Roof Repair and Relocation
of Cycle One High School project
Council awarded the contract for the Doors,
Windows, Repair of Auditorium Roof and
Relocation of Cycle One High School
Project at Riverdale High School to the
lowest tendered bid, Construction Michel
Laurence Ltée for the amount of $878,000
(plus taxes).
Student Transportation Organization
Plan
Council approved the document entitled
2010-2011 Student Transportation
Organization Plan as the Board’s course of
action for the 2010-2011 school year.
Transportation Contract - Transco
Council approved that 10 of the 63 school
bus routes previously contracted with
Transco (1988) Inc. be transferred to 10
other carriers under contract. This was
done in full compliance with the Education
Act, as Transco (1988) Inc. is unable to
secure a collective agreement with their
drivers by the contractual deadline.
Council approved that the Administration
be further mandated to proceed with the
tender process as early as June 1st, 2010 for
the remaining Autobus Transco (1988) Inc.
routes.
Governing Board Composition
Council approved the following number of
representatives for the governing boards of
the schools and centres of the Lester B.
Pearson School Board, which will take
effect for the 2010-2011 school year and
will remain in effect until such time as the
governing board of a school or centre
requests a change.
Please visit News from Council section at
www.lbpsb.qc.ca to view the number of
representatives for each school and centre.
By-Law 1 (2010) – Day/Time/Place of
Council Meetings
Council adopted the following dates for the
regular meetings of the Council of
Commissioners for 2010-2011:
2010
2011
Monday, August 30
Monday, January 31
Monday, September
27
Monday, February 21
(Exception)
Monday, October 25
Monday, March 28
Monday, November
29
Tuesday, April 26
(Exception)
Monday, December
20 (Exception)
Monday, May 30
Monday, June 27
The meetings will begin at 7:30pm and will
be held in the Board Room at 1925
Brookdale Avenue, Dorval.
By-Law 1E (2010) – Day/Time/Place of
Executive Committee Meetings
Council adopted the following dates for the
regular meetings of the Executive
Committee for 2010-2011:
2010
2011
Monday, July 5
(Exception)
Monday, January 24
Monday, August 23
Tuesday, February 15
(Exception)
Monday, September
20
Monday, March 21
Monday, October 18
Monday, April 11
(Exception)
Monday, November
22
Tuesday, May 24
(Exception)
Monday, December
13 (Exception)
Monday, June 20
The meetings will begin at 5:30pm and will
be held in the Board Room at 1925
Brookdale Avenue, Dorval.
School Tax
Council approved that the LBPSB call upon
the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de
l’Île-de-Montréal to adopt a budget for 20102011 that ensures the LBPSB receives its full
share of the proceeds from the
collection of school tax.
Contract for Multifunction Photocopiers
Council awarded the contract for the supply
PEARSON NEWS
and servicing of thirty-seven low and
mid-volume multifunction photocopiers with
contract expiration dates between June 1st, 2010
and May 31st, 2011 to the lowest tendered bid,
XEROX Canada Ltée, for a maximum amount of
$680,994 (plus taxes), with the possibility of an
additional year of contract for multifunction
photocopiers.
Partnership Agreement with MELS
Council authorized the Chairman and Director
General to sign with the Minister of Education,
Leisure and Sports, for and on behalf of the
LBPSB, a partnership agreement that
substantially reflects the draft strategic plan to be
presented to the Council of Commissioners at
their regular meeting to be held June 28, 2010.
Senneville Land
Council accepted the offer received by way of call
for tender from Lucien Bohbot, acting for a
company to be formed to purchase lot number
1977164 cadastre du Québec.
Spring Garden Lease
Council approved a 10-year lease between the
LBPSB and Les Entreprises Éducatives de
Montréal Inc. for part of the building situated at
175 Sonata in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
Plumbing and Heating Program - Vocational
Council approved that the LBPSB insist that the
MELS upgrade authorization for the Plumbing
and Heating Program to permanent program
status and that this authorization be extended to
allow the LBPSB to offer the Plumbing and
Heating Program to at least two groups of
students.
Installation and Repair of Security Systems Vocational
Council approved that the LBPSB insist that the
MELS grant authorization in permanent program
status for the Installation and Repair of Security
Systems program to be offered at PEC.
Sommellerie Professionelle - Vocational
Council approved that the LBPSB insist that the
MELS grant authorization in permanent program
status for the Sommellerie Professionelle to be
offered at the PACC, Pearson School of Culinary
Arts.
Authorization for 2010-2011 Budget Deficit
Council approved that a request be submitted to
the MELS to authorize the LBPSB to adopt a
budget allowing for expense accruals to exceed
income accruals.
Gordon Robertson at BHS – Expansion of
Vocational Educational Centre
Council awarded the contract for the major
renovations of the Gordon Robertson Vocational
Education Centre (the renovation of washrooms,
the replacement of windows, doors and part of the
roof at BHS/Gordon Robertson) to the lowest
tendered bid, Candev Construction Inc. for the
amount of $1,676,000 (plus taxes).
PEARSON NEWS
Page 20
On behalf of the Central Parents’ Committee, we would like to express our thanks
and sincere gratitude to all the parents who participated as a Sector Parent
representative this year. As a team, we were able to reach out and communicate
with the parents of all our schools and centres, providing information,
presentations on topics important to student success and support to Governing
Boards. We wish you all a wonderful summer and hope to see you back next
year.
Nan Beaton
Chair
Central Parents’ Committee
Laura Derry
Vice-Chair
Central Parents’ Committee
COMMISSIONERS’ PHONE NUMBERS
Below is a list of Commissioners along with their home telephone numbers and school board locals.
Ward
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
CPC
CPC
Communities
Verdun/Nuns’ Island
LaSalle South
LaSalle Northeast
LaSalle West/Ville St-Pierre
Lachine
Dorval
Dollard-des-Ormeaux East
Roxboro/Pierrefonds East
Pointe-Claire East
Pointe-Claire West
Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center
Pierrefonds/Île Bizard
Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center/West
Dollard-des-Ormeaux W./Kirkland E.
Beaconsfield North
Kirkland West
Pierrefonds West
Ste-Anne/Baie d’Urfé/Beaconsfld S./Senneville
Île Perrot
Les Cèdres/Vaudreuil-Dorion
Hudson/St-Lazare
Secondary Representative
Elementary Representative
Commissioner
Douglas Flook
Sergio Borja
Ruben Fazio
Frank di Bello
Patrick Whitham
Barbara Freeston
Rosemary Murphy
Craig Berger
Allan Levine
John Killingbeck
Marcus Tabachnick
Susan Williams
Martin Sherman
Joe Zemanovich
Don Rae
Suanne Stein Day
Luisa Bulgarelli-Vero
Judy Kelley
Susan Bartlett-Lewis
Angela Nolet
Daniel Olivenstein
Conny Held
Domenic Pavone
Home
Phone #
514-293-2417
514-368-1001
514-365-1638
514-951-5834
514-637-5209
514-636-9315
514-620-8012
514-421-6570
514-683-6671
514-695-3787
514-684-6429
514-620-4745
514-684-2742
514-624-2376
514-697-9878
514-630-9824
514-694-0475
514-697-7619
514-453-6650
514-453-5462
450-458-1413
514-909-6306
514-566-8869
422-3000
Local
4001
4002
4003
4004
4005
4006
4007
4008
4009
4010
2322
4012
4013
4014
4015
4016
4017
4018
4019
2229
4021
4026
4027
DATES TO NOTE
PUBLIC MEETINGS – JUNE 2010
The following meetings will take place at 1925 Brookdale, Dorval (unless otherwise indicated)
Central Parents’ Committee
June 17th, 2010
7:15 p.m.
Board Room
Executive Committee
June 21st, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Board Room
Council of Commissioners
June 28th, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Board Room
***Webcast begins at 7:30 p.m. on www.lbpsb.qc.ca