The Pearson News FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Avril/April 2014

Transcription

1 Volume XVI No. 9 Director General s Report to Council by R. T. Mills China India I.L.P. Developments I am pleased to report that a recent trip, as grueling as it was, to both China and India, has confirmed the ongoing expansion of our International Language Program. In China, Carol Mastantuono and I meant with our partners in that country and were pleased with the status of our agreements and the ongoing developments in that country. In India, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Canadian High Commission, a step that elevates the profile of our organization with government officials. We were also able to confirm the continued expansion and growth in this market for both part-time and full-time students who will be studying with us in the immediate future. Celebration of Adult Learners Week This year s Adult Learners Week celebration took place at the Board s head office on the first of April, and it gave me great pride to offer my congratulations in person. The students honoured on this occasion are smart, hardworking and courageous. They have demonstrated a determination to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Current Enrolment Projection and Staffing At both school and Head Office levels, tracking of enrolment for the next school year continues on a daily basis. Initial teaching numbers have been assigned to schools and organization of classes is now underway. Given the restrictive budget allocations received from MELS in recent years, this is always a difficult task, demanding flexibility and creativity. Please remember that adjustments will be made in many cases from now until the end of September. We are hopeful that the new government will move quickly to provide our budgetary parameters so that planning can be done effectively as the year progresses. Student End-of-Year Evaluation Although evaluation of student progress is done on a continuous basis, the intensity certainly increases from this point to the end of the year. Students at all levels will undergo standardized tests mandated by MELS, inschool examinations and those See MILLS page A2 The Pearson News FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Avril/April 2014 DU DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL ET DE LA PRÉSIDENTE DU CONSEIL LBPSB Students Compete in Battle of the Books The stage has been set for an Ultimate Battle of the Books. Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School successfully defended its title last week as Battle of the Books (BoB) champions. It was standing-room only last Thursday (April 10) as the four top teams from all 12 Lester B. Pearson High Schools met for an adrenaline-filled evening of give and take as students replied to questions in both regular and lightning rounds from 14 books selected earlier this year by high school and board librarians. Students from Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, St. Thomas High School, Lindsay Place High School and La- Salle Comprehensive Community High School were quick to answer questions posed to them by guest moderators Sue Smith, host of CBC s Home Run, as well as Michael Chechile, LBPSB Director of Educational Services and Julian Taylor, the MELS liaison for school libraries in the English sector. Why We Celebrate Adult Learners Week T h e s e four people may c o m e from different areas and backgrounds but they all have one thing in mon they are adult learners attending adult and vocational centres at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. You have showed such strength in going back to school and changing your lives, LBPSB Director General Robert Mills told 70 students at a special celebration, part of the annual Adult Learners Week in Quebec. We may have opened the door, but it s you that walked in, he Noor Alabdallah fled from Syria, and her grandmother, dressed only in her pyjamas. added. I hope you take great pride in what you have done and in what you are doing. 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 mitment to lifelong learning. LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein Day told students to be proud of their acplishments. The decisions you have made In what was reminiscent of the Reach for the Top television show which pitted students from various schools on general knowledge, the students from the four LBPSB high schools had to quickly name the title and author of the book after being given a clue. For example: In which book does the main character steal a Walkman? Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. In which book does a golf cart and sports car collide? Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mother by Susin Neilsen. In the end, it was a close race as PCHS tallied 83 points, pared to 74 for St. Thomas, 64 for Lindsay Place High School and 59 for LCCHS. But as Chechile pointed out, to go back to school is huge and often very difficult, said Stein Day. You should be very proud of yourselves - we are very proud of you. Students from all walks of life including one student who decided to study at the Pearson Electrotechnology centre after graduating from university spoke about the journeys that led them to continue their education, whether it was in the LBPSB s building and public works program, puting support, administration and puter technology, the food and beverage program, automobile mechanics, interior decorating and display, health services, beauty care, electrotechnology or honing language skills and getting a high school diploma. For Noor Alabdallah, her road to the Sources Adult Career Centre began after she fled from a very strict grandmother in Syria. It was one year ago today that I arrived here, said Albadallah who was born in Canada but then went with her parents to live in the United Arab Emirates and then, after her parents divorced, on to Syria to live with her very strict grandmother. But I had to leave, there was no future for me there, she said. When asked if she was fleeing Syria or her grandmother, she replied: Both Once back in Canada, Alabdallah said she knew she had to work on her language skills and that`s when she enrolled into the LB- PSB s Sources Adult Career Centre. And Alabdallah has done so well, that she has been accepted into the Bio-pharma program at John Abbott College. I m very proud of what I have acplished, she added. For Nicole Gagne, the road was a different one. I was broke, not employed and a single mother, she said. I knew I had to do something for a better life, and enrolling at the Gordon Robertson Beauty Academy is one of the best decisions I ever made, said Gagne who, at 41, was worried that she would feel out of students from all four teams were really winners. There are no winners, no losers everyone here has done an amazing job and we are so proud of each and every one of you he said. Students agreed. Chris Carpenter and Huthaifah Alfallah of LCCHS said they loved the books on the reading list which included Zom-B by Darren Shan, Burning Blue by Paul Griffin, Anya s Ghost by Vera Brosgol and Heist Society by Ally Carter. I love the books and I especially love the petition, said Huthaifah, who read all 14 books. Faith Riddell, a grade 8 student at PCHS, said she joined in the action this place as an older student. But from the beginning, I felt right at home, said Gagne, as she praised the instructors at her school. I am learning from the best. Philip Cunnington and his friend Matthew Cantin didn t even know each other when similar tragedies struck their young lives. Cunnington fell asleep at the wheel in August, 2010, after a long day at work in telemarketing. I was working too many hours and was involved in a head-on collision, causing a plete paralysis of my lower extremities, making me wheelchair-bound, said Cunnington adding that after three years of intensive therapy, he year because I like reading and thought this would be fun. Lindsay Place`s Cooper Slutsken and Nabeel Qureshi, both described the event as fun and awesome. My English teacher got me into reading, said Nabeel. St. Thomas`s Jackie MacKenzie, a grade 7 student at St. Thomas High School said she took part in BoB because she likes reading and I`m not good at choosing books. This has been a lot of fun, she added. And the battle is not yet over for the first time ever, three schools that are part of the Quebec Association of Independent Schools (QAIS) Selwyn House, Trafalgar and Miss Edgar and Miss Cramp`s held their own Bob, and winners of that petition will meet with the LBPSB champions on April 29 for an Ultimate Battle of the Books. The public is wele to attend the event which will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 29 at the LB- PSB head office, 1925 Brookdale Ave. in Dorval. For more information, go to Nicole Gagne was broke and unemployed. no longer needed the wheelchair. Cantin had a similar story two years ago, he was a passenger in a car involved in a serious accident in Saskatchewan, where he had been working as an industrial welder. I broke 34 bones, my back in five places, had internal bleeding and damaged my spinal cord I was told by doctors that I would never walk again, he said, adding that I was determined to prove the doctors wrong. And he did after six months of intensive physiotherapy, he could walk, perhaps with a limp but he walked on his own. Both young men had a passion for mechanics and, by sheer coincident, met at a car repair shop. We got to talking and soon realized we shared a similar past and a passion for cars said Cantin, adding that he had already planned to study mechanics at the West Island career centre. Cunnington decided to do the same. Cantin and Cunnington will be graduating this year and while Cunnington plans to ultimately own a high-performance auto repair shop, preferably in the Southern U.S. where he spent much of Matthew Cantin and Philip Cunnington both survived serious injury. his youth, Cantin wants to stay in Quebec and open a shop that specializes in classic car restoration. Living with a physical handicap can be hard, but you cannot let life s obstacles keep you from achieving your dreams, said Cantin, adding that he and Cunnington are living proof that no matter the circumstances, there is no substitute for hard work and the determination to succeed. For his part, Cunnington said the West Island Career Centre has been a big part of their success. We d like to thank the West Island Career Centre and its staff for being a part of our journey, he said. Veronique Marin, director of the LBPSB s Adult Education and Vocational Training division, said both teachers and support staff at the adult and vocational centres are inspired by the courage and determination of their students. It takes a whole team to make this happen, she said. And it is you, the students, that remind us why we do what we do every day you are our inspiration. FINAL GRATUIT/FREE Chairman s Report to Council by Suanne Stein Day I have had so many opportunities this month to see our students in action and I m overwhelmed by the efforts put in by our school staffs to make learning so engaging and effective for them. The arts and sciences are more than alive they are growing! I had the distinct pleasure of attending Annie at Sherwood Forest, Oliver at Riverdale and Peter Pan at St. Anthony s. The amount of work that went into the details of these productions is obvious. Teachers, daycare staffs and support staff all work together to give children a learning opportunity they are not likely to forget. Equally impressive were the schools that, this month, turned their gyms, hallways and classrooms into art galleries. The creativity of our teachers just blows me away. What they manage to achieve with pencils, crayons and paint, as well as clay, tin foil and glue is incredible. Teachers manage to break down techniques so that even our youngest can produce art. Our children are then SO proud to escort their parents, siblings and grandparents around showing them their creations. So thank you to all the schools that invited me to their art vernissages with a special shout out to Verdun Elementary whose Cat Gala brought art to a whole new level. I look forward to more in May. On the science fronts, I just love watching what our students are doing with none other than Lego! This is not your grandfather s Lego though. The new kits of Lego Robotics are teaching children analytical and programming skills at very young ages. The children, boys and girls, are engaged and excited about their learning and if we can hook them in grades 5 and 6 (or earlier!) maybe we ll keep them challenged through to graduation. And I know that no one has any doubts that these skills will be useful as this generation moves to adulthood. As I told the hundreds of people who attended this weekend s Junior Robocup, the teachers who are supporting robotics are spending far more See STEIN DAY page A2 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 ments? Dan Mullins at dmullins@lbpsb.qc.ca

2 A2Pearson News Avril/April 2014 Mills, from page A1 of the High School Leaving process. The challenge for students and for parents is to achieve a healthy balance of preparation and study time as well as opportunities for relaxation, remembering that this can be a somewhat stressful time fot young people. TOPS Show The annual TOPS show is scheduled for May 2 and 3 and is an event not to be missed. Each year, this student-organized and produced event is a tribute to the outstanding talents of students throughout our school board and this year s edition promises to be the best yet! Administrative Staffing The administrative staffing resolutions that will be presented later this evening reflect a rather plex dynamic that matches the needs of our schools and centres and their respective munities with the needs and petencies of our staff members., Tonight, we will see a number of transfers, promotions and new appointments, all of which are designed to enrich our organization. I extend to each of the appointees my best wishes for continued success and happiness as they undertake their leadership roles for the ing year. To learn more about the Lester B. Pearson School Board s Autism Spectrum Disorders Centre of Excellence, visit: lbpsb.qc.ca/eng/asdn Our annual variety show took place on March 28, This year s show was L.A. meets New York and proved itself to be an impressive display of talent at Lakeside Academy. The show contained edy sketches that revisited the Saturday Night Live classics, dance numbers, singers Musicals and Theatre Around the LBPSB Students h a v e s p e n t much of the winter honing their voices, studying their parts and setting the stage for a variety of musicals and theatre presentations at Lester B. Pearson schools. Here are a few: Oliver! A musical version of the tale of a young lad who runs away from an orphanage only to hook up with a group of youth trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on April 10, 11 and 12 to Riverdale high School, 5060 Sources Blvd. in Pierrefonds. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors and $5 for RHS students with school ID. For more information, call or contact josiearcobelli@gmail. Oscar Wilde s The Importance of Being Earnest A musical edy for serious people featuring the music of Elton John, will take place at 7 p.m. on April 10, 11 and 12 in the Steve Murphy Auditorium at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, 13,800 Pierrefonds Blvd. in Pierrefonds. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $8 for students. For more information, call K. Brown at Evil Dead the Musical The Canadian-made edic take on the horror franchise with characters and demons taking to song and dance that became a hit and moved on to off-broadway, will the presented at Macdonald High School, 17 Maple Road in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, April 24, 25, and 26. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For more information, call Ms. Jones at The Front By author Robert Caisley, this play takes a trip back in time to war-torn London during the Blitz of World War II. The award-winning play will be presented May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Louise Chalmers Theatre at John Rennie High School, 501 Blvd. St. Jean in Pointe Claire. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $6 for students. Tickets, which cost $12 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, can be purchased at the door or can be reserved online at jrhsactorsstudio.. For more information, call James Colley at info@ jrhsactorsstudio.the JHRS Actors Studio website is jrhasactorsstudion. On the Front at John Rennie High School Take a trip back in time to war-torn London with the John Rennie High School Actors Studio Spring production of the award-winning play, Front, by Robert Caisley. Set in London during the Blitz - a period of intense bombing as Adolph Hitler attempted to demoralize the British population and force defeat of the British government - Front looks at the Second World War through the eyes of the women left behind while the men went off to fight. and bands. More than 300 family members, friends and teachers came to see the show, which was a huge success, with everybody having a great evening of entertainment. The Show was once again an opportunity for Lakeside Academy to showcase all of our talents. Well done to all who James Colley, program and play director at the JRHS Actors Studio, said Front - which won the 1996 Kennedy Center/Fourth Freedom Forum Playwriting Award - explores the lives of various characters; some rich, some poor and some who are trying to just get through the war while others daydream of the future. All the characters in this piece are searching for something they have lost because of the war. They are seeking stability, normalcy and love, he said. Caisley s play takes the audience on a ride through one of history s most infamous wars the writing is visceral and engaging and pulls you through a spectrum of emotions. The appearance of German bombers in the skies over London began on Sept. 7, 1940 and lasted until May 11, 1941 when Hitler called off the raids in order to move his bombers east in preparation for Germany s attempted invasion of Russia. During the Blitz, an estimated 40,000 civilians were killed, 46,000 injured and thousands upon thousands of homes and industrial installations were destroyed and damaged. took part especially Mr. Labesse and Ms. Schwartz for their dedication in putting on this show. A big thank you goes out to all the choreographers, dancers, singers, musicians, technical crew and backstage crew for a job well done. Looking forward to next year. Brought to life by 37 actors in the JRHS Actors Program which was founded in 1999 by Louise Chalmers, Front will be presented May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Louise Chalmers Theatre at the high school located at 501 Blvd. St. Jean in Pointe Claire. Tickets, which cost $12 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, can be purchased at the door or can be reserved online at jrhsactorsstudio. For more information, call James Colley at info@jrhsactorsstudio. The JHRS Actors Studio website is h t t p : / / w w w. jrhasactorsstudion. If you re wondering who did the impressive poster for Front, it s none other than Ashlyn Vo who graduated from John Rennie by Bev Leith The show must go on! Despite a double sump pump failure which caused flooding in our school gymnasium the day before the event, the 6th annual Beacon Hill Art Gala was another success! On April 16th, almost 600 attendees were impressed by the variety and quality of the art work by our 322 elementary students. They were also entertained by the student High School in Vo, who is now studying illustration and design at Dawson College, said she was happy to oblige when asked to create another poster for the JRHS Actors Studio presentation. I did three of them when I was a student at John Rennie I really like doing posters, said Vo who also did last year s stunning poster for Peter Pan. Right now, I m into watercolours and pen and ink. Ashlyn Vo designed the poster for The Front. She graduated from John Rennie High School in 2012, and is now studying illustration and design at Dawson College. Stein Day, from page A1 than class time on the projects. Robotics clubs are popping up all over the place and teachers are striving to stay a step ahead of the students. They didn t learn this stuff in school! Sometimes, inevitably, it s the students teaching the teachers and these teachers are OK with that too, because the students are still learning. Thank you to all our school and board staff who are making this all possible. And let me take a moment to thank Mrs. Barbara Freeston, President of Pearson Educational Foundation. It s the Foundation that makes a lot of these projects possible in our schools, raising funds and applying for grants that are going directly to the classrooms. Congratulations to the Pierrefonds Comprehensive Battle of the Books team who came in first at the Lester B. Pearson petition. The students had to read several books this year and then answer questions on them, Reach for the Top Style. The PCHS team will be going to the Ultimate Battle of the Books tomorrow against the winner from the Quebec Association of Independent Schools. St. Anthony s hosted four other elementary schools for a presentation by Free the Children on their We are the Change tour. Many of our schools have been involved with Free the Children for years. Their organization teaches our children that no matter their age or social standing, they can each make a difference. Our schools have been instrumental in building schools in many third world countries, bringing water to those schools, bringing supplies and, in fact, students to the schools helping some of these munities to be self-sustaining. Our children are making a difference in the world. There is so much more happening in May and I am truly looking forward to it. L.A. Meets New York Variety Show at Lakeside Beacon Hill Art Gala a Success Despite Adversity band Style from St-Thomas High School. Projects ranged from colorful button trees, to clay feet, and art pieces inspired by famous artists such as Miro & Mondrian. The staff did an amazing job of decorating individual picture frames which were won by raffle. With the gymnasium unavailable, the art was creatively displayed in the hallways, drama room and library. Thanks to the hard work of the students, staff, and dedicated volunteers, we were able to raise $4600! These funds will be used to purchase new xylophones for the music program and stage props for the drama program. Our art gala has replaced more traditional fundraisers such as chocolate bar sales or magazine drives, and more importantly, demonstrates to the students that their creativity is valuable and appreciated. Together We Learn: Partnering for Student Success Click here to find out more about the LBPSB Strategic Plan for

3 Avril/April 2014 World Autism Awareness Day at Thorndale Elementary School April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and students and staff at Thorndale Elementary in Pierrefonds wanted to do something special to create awareness and help the local autism munity in Quebec. They made their own paper glasses, as part of the Miriam Foundation s See Things My Way campaign, reflecting the importance of empathy and individuality in the treatment, support, care, awareness, advocacy and mobilization of people with autism. Have you ever wondered about which websites are educational and, at the same time, won t turn your children into bored zombies? The best people to ask aren t adults but the students themselves. That s what teacher Carol Renshaw thought and so she asked her grade 5 and 6 students at Terry Fox Elementary to do some research on appropriate websites that bine learning and fun. My students needed to learn how to use the Libreoffice programs effectively, so this was a solution that not only acplished that goal but also increased awareness of w h a t makes a fun as well as appropriate website for kids. The students worked hard, researching and testing various websites and came up with their favourites. Antonietta Rampone, principal at the Pierrefonds Elementary school, was impressed enough to share the list with the school munity via their website. This is a perfect example of Digital Citizenship, she said. As far as Grade 6 student, Elizabeth is concerned, she worked hard on the research so kids can have fun websites to go that can help them improve in school and not go on to site that can teach them inappropriate stuff. Here are the students favourites. We did this in recognition of students with autism who have attended our school, for those who are attending our school and for the students who will be in our school in the future, said teacher Adriana Di Valerio who organized the special Autism Awareness school-wide assembly. The unique talents and acplishments of these students have enriched our learning environment and the Thorndale family, she added. Staff and students were asked to Carlus and Justin coolmath-games. Emma and Melissa softschool. Bilal and Noah reflexmath. Adam and Cassandra kizi. Matteo and Savannah wonderville.ca Frederic and Jaden jumpstart. Kevin, Bailey and Evan interactivesitesforeducation. Jasmine and Sommer bbc.co.uk/ bitesize/ks3 Luca and Lindsay knowlegeadventure. Ryan and Felix agame. Stravroula and Demiyah typingtest. Hannah and William uptoten. Sarah, Ashley, Jordan and Emile safekidgames. make a donation and donate they did. A cheque for $1,152 was presented to the Miriam Foundation - a non-profit organization that provides an array of services to people with intellectual disabilities - at the school assembly.. I am so proud of our students, our staff and our munity, said Patricia Higgins, Principal at Thorndale Elementary. Thorndale truly is a small school with a big heart. Terry Fox Elementary School s Favourite Websites Lucas and Zara multiplication. Thomas and Gina scholastic./kids Kayla, Ryan, Chloe and Francis mathplayground. Brandon and Sabrina mrnussbaum. Minam and Yuri hoodamath./games Sonali and Reanna kids.nationalgeographic. /kids Thomas and Hamza kids.discovery. Victoria and Serena poptropica. Emily and Emma brainpopjr. Cassandra and Trivan primarygames. Johanna and Elizabeth uen.org Madison and Gabriel arcademics. Pearson NewsA3 PCHS Student Wins Fun Run Logo Design Competition Take a good look at the poster for the Pearson Educational Foundation s May 4 Family Fun Run. Notice that globe-shaped running legs logo about half-way down the poster? It was designed especially for the run by Stephanie Netto, a Secondary 1 student at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School. I wanted to keep the design simple, too much information can make it distracting, said Stephanie who plans to take part in Family Fun Run in Dollard des Ormeaux s Centennial Park. Stephanie s entry was one of 50 entries submitted to the foundation in an across-the-board contest. We were happy to receive so many entries it was hard to choose, said Maria De Wolfe, principal at Westpark Elementary School and member of the Fun Run Steering Committee which is posed of Lester B. Pearson School Board principals and consultants. The race is not only fun for the whole family, she added. PEF president Barbara Freeston said participants can choose to enter the 2K or 5K run or walk. And skipping, hopping and even gamboling are also permitted, she joked. Our partner, the Running Room, is handling all the registration and supplying running bibs, she said. Young children will get a thrill of participating in a real run, just like the grown-ups. And Centennial Park is an absolutely gorgeous place to hold the run Spring has finally arrived; what better way to celebrate than with a run for everyone. The cost for each person is $5 all of which all goes to the Pearson Educational Fund - plus a $2.50 registration fee for any group or family of up to eight people. The $2.50 fee covers the on-line transaction costs at the Running Room. The Pearson Educational Foundation provides funding for LB- PSB school initiatives beyond the scope of regular government funding. The foundation also supplies winter clothing for students in need, assists the LBPSB s Hungry Kids programs and furnishes equipment and ingredients for cooking classes in several alternate and lifeskills programs. As well, PEF pays registration for entries to science and robotics tournaments, funds several summer camps for students with academic or affective difficulties providing fun and a legup for the next school year - and manages a number of in-memoriam bursaries for the high schools. All participants in the Family Fun Run must register online by May 1 by going to: events.runnningroom./ site/?raceld= For more information about the Pearson Educational Foundation, go to: Check out what s going on with the International Studies Program Visit us on the web at:

4 A4Pearson News Avril/April 2014 Peaceful Schools International April By Judy Kenworthy-Grant, PSI Regional Coordinator Throughout the year, these PSI articles have addressed the Peaceful Schools International guidelines. The final guideline is: Opportunities For Professional Development For All Staff Focused On Creating A Positive School Climate As the staff of our schools grows and changes, it is crucial that the vision of the school and the means by which it is being achieved be clearly articulated to our new staff members. In addition, all staff members benefit from on-going opportunities for professional development. The diversity and plexity of our students needs academic, social-emotional and physical - require all of our staff to have a wide range of knowledge and skills. LBPSB provides a rich environment of Professional Development at all levels of our organization. PSI activities within this environment have provided workshops at both the Board and the School levels. Board-wide, the Annual Student Peace Summit provides a forum to introduce new materials and topics into the schools. In recent years, we have addressed Relational Bullying, Conflict Resolution, Homophobia, Cyberbullying and Restorative Justice. Workshops have been presented at the Integration Aides PD days addressing Conflict Resolution, Anger Management and Relational Bullying. Workshops have been provided to train staff to lead Peer Mediation Programs and Big Wheels Programs. Many of these same topics have been presented at School-level workshops to teachers, daycare/lunch staff and students. On May 16th, our Safe and Caring Schools Committee is sponsoring a Professional Day Conference Peace It Together. It will be an opportunity to celebrate and share the vision of Peaceful Schools. It will be an opportunity to gain new skills and knowledge for all staff focused on creating a positive school climate. The Magic of I Love to Read Week By Ingrid Farkas, Evergreen Parent E v e r - green Elementary has a longstanding tradition of celebrating the joy of reading in a truly lavish way. Beginning May 2nd, the tradition will continue when the whole school kicks off it s annual I Love to Read week with a special assembly featuring storytelling. The festivities will continue for a week with numerous activities, planned by a mittee of dedicated teachers, headed by Ms. Linda Cregan. The theme this year is Magic and the idea is to highlight the enchantment of reading. Evergreen encourages students to embrace the joy and excitement that reading offers. Through activities such as Read my Shirt Day, Dress as your Favourite Magical Character, Storytelling Contest, Rock & Read and many more, students will have the opportunity to travel through the magical world of reading all week long. Evergreen teachers want their students to discover the wonders of reading. By dedicating a whole week to this celebration, children will be immersed in reading activities in all areas of learning. This year, activities will incorporate technology by giving students the opportunity to read stories over the inter and through internet Google Groups. In addition, singing and dancing will also be a big part of the celebration as the kids dance to Gotta Keep Reading at the closing assembly on May 8th. The purpose of I Love to Read week is to inspire and celebrate a love of reading. Children are already intrinsically motivated and with a little push can easily reach new levels in their magical journey through literacy. A magical theme makes reading fun and diminishes negative feelings sometimes associated with reading. As Ms. Cregan says, The children really do get involved and what better way to encourage reading. The true magic in reading is that it has a very real effect. It can enhance self-esteem, build confidence and open doors to whole new worlds. The written word is a powerful gift and through I Love to Read week Evergreen aims to weave it s spell and charm all of it s young readers into making reading a regular part of their every day lives. Wenger Makes Big Impact at CWA Andrew Wenger may have made a big Impact on students at Children s World Academy last Thursday (April 3) but students at the Ville LaSalle elementary school also made a big impact on him. It s really impressive to see the excitement the children have for school and for soccer, the 23-yearold forward for the Montreal Impact soccer team said at the end of an hour-long visit at which Wenger talked to the enthusiastic young crowd gathered in the gym about important values such as mitment and perseverance. He also handed out awards to six students, showed off some of his soccer skills, and answered questions from students. Four students Laurent-Michel Carrier, Theo Barratt-Lamey, Maria Lombardo and Christopher Juneau - were given the awards for the way they conducted themselves and contributed to the school s Soccer Mania program which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The other two students, Massimo Silvestre and Kobe Clarke, were nominated as Most Valuable Players. Wenger talked to students about his road to the Impact, the obstacles he overcame and encouraged them to embrace the principles of respect, tolerance and cooperation. When asked what his one piece of advice would be, he told the students to dream big and hang onto those dreams. Find something you really enjoy and go for it, he said. Daycare educator Elizabeth Sanniti was given a plaque and Soccer Mania t-shirt in honour of the work she has done with the Soccer Mania Program for grades 5 and 6. When I started this program ten years ago, there were only about Back from left to right:andrew Wenger, Theo Barratt-Lamey, Massimo Silvestre, Laurent-Michel Carrier, Maria Lombardo, Karen Heather (Daycare Coordinator), Liz Sanniti (Daycare Educator) Front from left to right: Chris Juneau, Kobe Clarke 20 kids taking part now we have 150, she said. My goal was that everyone is wele to play, no exceptions. Children s World Academy Principal David Estok noted that the principles of the Soccer Mania program go hand in hand with the principles the school offers in its International Baccalaureate Primary Years program. It is all-inclusive students are encouraged to participate regardless of individual skill level or playing ability, he said noting that among other things, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program encourages such traits and attitudes as cooperation, integrity, mitment, confidence, enthusiasm, respect, tolerance and confidence. Our goal with the Annual Soccer Mania Tournament is to provide a concrete, everyday context where these ideals can be applied, he added. In this way, the Soccer Mania provides a constructive, organized activity that promotes physical fitness as well as the ideals of our IB program. Players from the Impact soccer team will visit Dorval Elementary on May 1 and Christmas Park Elementary on May 8. As well, tickets at special discount prices are available through the Pearson Educational Foundation for the April 12 Impact game against the MLS team Chicago Fire. Three dollars of every ticket sold will go to the foundation which provides funding for LBPSB school initiatives beyond the scope of regular government funding. As well, the foundation supplies winter coats and boots for children in need, assists the LB- PSB s Hungry Kids programs, and supplies equipment for various activities from cooking to robotics and funds summer camp adventures for students with academic or affective difficulties. Tickets can purchased for the April 12 Impact game at the Olympic Stadium by going to the Pearson educational foundation website at: In the News... Note to readers: Due to a technical problem we were unable to pile a plete list of In the News items for the month of April. Here, however, is a partial list of news items in which featured LBPSB students or staff. March 28 Clearpoint goes international. The Chronicle. March 31 Bilingualism battle debating Bill 14, interview with LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein Day. CBC Radio April Front: a Play about women and war. John Rennie High School. Montreal Families. April 1 Holocaust education lacking in schools. The Gazette April 1 CBC Homerun about Provincial Election Platforms concerning Education April 2 LBPSB reverses position on emergency measures. The Suburban April 3 Quebec votes interview with LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein Day. CBC Radio April 3 LBPSB vs. secular charter. CBC Radio Homerun April 8 Quebecers ready to put Charter of Values to rest. Global TV April 8 West Island Gazette re Election Results April 8 Global TV re Election Results April 9 Righting the Ship Horizon thrift-shop. The Chronicle April 9 Musically Yours. The Chronicle April 9 Al s Josh Bourque at Sunshine and Springdale. The Chronicle April 9 Going Out with a Bang The Front at John Rennie. The Chronicle April 10 McGill students for a day- and maybe beyond. McGill Reporter April 11 CJAD Barry Morgan re Schools Forbidding Teachers from Friending Students April 16 Battle of the Books. The Chronicle April 16 Pearson rejoices in Lib s majority win Stein Day hoping to gain more autonomy over the board s surplus under a Liberal government. The Chronicle April 17 French for the Future and LBPSB students. Le Devoir April 17 French for the Future makes bilingualism fun for students. Global TV April 17 French for the Future forum. Radio Canada April 17 Le gout d apprendre de de realiser ses reves. Le Messager de Verdun April 23 Beaconsfield students rock out for good cause. Montreal Gazette, West Island April 23 Eustace to run for LBPSB chair in first contested election. The Suburban April 24 Interview with LBPSB Chairman Suanne Stein Day regarding the new Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduc. City Breakfast TV April 24 City TV Breakfast Television on the new Provincial Cabinet and the new Education Minister. April 28 CJAD Barry Morgan on Shooting Simulations at CSDM. CPIC: Teacher PD Deadline for Applications for Professional Development: April 7th Events taking place after May 8th, 2014, may also be applied for at the subsequent meeting. Below is a list of Commissioners along with their home telephone numbers and school board locals. Home Ward Communities Commissioner Phone # Local 1 Verdun/Nuns Island Douglas Flook LaSalle South Sergio Borja LaSalle Northeast Ruben Fazio LaSalle West/Ville St-Pierre Frank di Bello Lachine Patrick Whitham Dorval Barbara Freeston Dollard-des-Ormeaux East Nan Beaton Roxboro/Pierrefonds East Craig Berger Pointe-Claire East Linton Garner Pointe-Claire West Marc Lalonde Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center Ruth Dangoor Gdalevitch Pierrefonds/Île Bizard Domenico Pavone Dollard-des-Ormeaux Center/West Martin Sherman Dollard-des-Ormeaux W./Kirkland E. Joe Zemanovich Beaconsfield North Don Rae Kirkland West Suanne Stein Day Pierrefonds West Luisa Bulgarelli-Vero Ste-Anne/Baie d Urfé/Beaconsfld S./Senneville Judy Kelley Île Perrot Susan Bartlett-Lewis Les Cèdres/Vaudreuil-Dorion Angela Nolet Hudson/St-Lazare Daniel Olivenstein CPC Secondary Representative Laura Derry CPC Elementary Representative Alexander Perelmiter Executive Committee May 20, :30 p.m. Board Room Council of Commissioners May 26, :30 p.m. Board Room The Strategic Directions Strategic Direction 1: Maximizing Student Success in a Culture for Learning Strategic Direction 2: Fostering and Supporting a Commitment to Professional Growth for All Strategic Direction 3: Enhancing School Collaboration and Community Partnerships Strategic Direction 4: Promoting Wellness in a Safe and Caring Community

5 Avril/April 2014 Lakeside Academy Competes in FIRST Robotics by Jane Preston LA Tech, team 4955, recently peted at the FIRST robotics petition held at Stade Uniprix here in Montreal. The petition pits teams from all over Quebec and North America in a game called Aerial Assist. The aim of the game was to pass a two foot diameter exercise ball between robots on a team of three and try to score in goals at one end of the field. At the same time we were to defend against an opposing team also trying to score. Having started from nothing this year the team has been on a huge learning curve, helped enormously by our tireless mentors. These people from institutions such as McGill University, Dawson College, Bombardier and even the Canadian Space Agency helped us to learn the finer points of robot design and construction. The petition days were highly pressurised events with all sorts of repairs and adjustments having to be made by the team in order to be ready for matches. It was very pleasing not to miss a single game and be able to field an effective robot in each round. The Lakeside Robotics Pit Crew However frustration grew over the course of the first day as, for a variety of reasons, seven matches passed without a win. This was despite the loud support of our team of cheerleaders and a contingent of grade 8 students. The eighth and final game of the day came and with it the highlight of the day. Not only did Ethel the robot, beautifully driven by Seth Nadeau-McMorran, earn her first win but also managed to catch a ball thrown by another robot. This difficult feat was only achieved twice in the whole weekend, and was the difference in claiming that maiden victory. The following day confidence was high and Ethel again proved her mettle winning two out of three games including a winning appearance in the highest scoring game of the whole tournament with the eventual winners. Sadly this late run was not enough to propel us into the final rounds of the petition, but it was great for a rookie team such as ourselves to prove we could build a working robot and pete with teams who have been around much longer and have far deeper pockets. The team can take great pride in having acplished so much in such a short space of time. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped make our journey to the petition possible - it really was the hardest fun we will ever have. For more information on LA Tech please go to our website; frc4955. Pearson NewsA5 St. Anthony Elementary to Host We Create Change Tour O n Wednesd a y, April 23 (1:00 pm -2:00 pm), St. Anthony School will be hosting a very special event the We Create Change Tour. This event, organized by Free the Children, is part of a 10-week road trip across Canada to help encourage Canadian youth to go further in making change. Spencer West (who has no legs and who still climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro on his hands!) is the main speaker. He is joined by special guests and We Day talent, Hannah Alper and the Toronto band Neverest. Other surprise guests will be sure to inspire and excite our students! E a r t h Day was celebrated with flair at Mount Pleasant Elementary in Hudson as students Spencer will be touring school munities to celebrate all of the positive change that Canadian youth are making during the Year of Education. FTC s goal is to build 200 schools this year in needy countries and Spencer is promoting this cause. Our school has been given this honor because of the amazing contributions we have made both globally and locally. It is such a privilege to have been selected to represent Montreal! St. Anthony students from grades 3-6 will be invited to attend as well as students from neighboring schools. Several St. Anthony students will be recognized for their achievements and showcased their upcycling the process of converting waste materials into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value art some will participate on stage. There will be media coverage from TV and newspapers. There is no cost for this event. Students are invited to visit the Me to We booth where FTC t-shirts ($20.00 or more) will be sold as well as the Rafiki (friendship) bracelets ($10.00). Proceeds will go towards the building of the 200 schools. Any purchases are pletely optional. Students who already own a FTC t-shirt should wear it for this event. Cameras are permitted. Change starts with one child, one classroom, one dream, but when we work together, it reaches an entire generation. Earth Day Celebrated at Mount Pleasant works. Schools across the Lester B. Pearson School Board celebrated Earth Day with various activities, artwork, gardening and recycling projects. Ethel the Robot (#4955) The Lester B. Pearson School Board Digital Citizenship Program The Lakeside Robotics Driving Crew T D P Excellence in Vocational Training and Adult Education visit our website at: pearsonskills.