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EMSB Asks Québec Superior Court for Stay of Provisions of Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language requiring use of French in Internal Communications in the English education network

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Montreal, November 7, 2023 - The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) announced today that it is seeking a stay of provisions of Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language requiring the use of French in the majority of the EMSB’s internal written communications, as well as internal documents, and written communications between English school boards, among others. “We are taking action now,” explained Joe Ortona, Chair of the EMSB, “because in recent correspondence with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), the situations in which the EMSB is permitted to use English only in internal communications have been interpreted very narrowly . While we offer rich programming in French in our schools and are committed to ensuring our students have strong French language capabilities so that they can live and work in our province, it is important to emphasize that we are an English school board and a key institution of the English-speaking community. “We are launching our
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Shadd Health and Business Centre Students to Raise Funds In Dragon Boat Race

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Montreal, August 25,  2023 -    A team from the Shadd Health and Business Centre in NDG will be part of the  BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race on Saturday,  Sept. 9 (8 am to 2 pm)  at Promenade Pere Marquette (2105 boulevard St. Joseph) in Lachine. Other activities throughout the day will include  Zumba, Yoga and Family events   This event is crucial to help raise awareness and much needed funds for Cedars CanSupport, which has, and continues to provide, free psychological, emotional, practical and financial support to cancer patients and their families, one person at a time, for the past 30 years. The Cedars Cancer Foundation was founded in 1966 by a group of individuals in the Lebanese community, who overcame personal loss and dedicated themselves to fighting cancer and to alleviating its effects on patients of all origins and their families. From left to right: John Millar, Domenico Aversa,  Lina Jaugelis-Zatkovic from the Cedars Cancer Foundation  and Joe Cacchione. SHADD
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Lifting the Weight of Oppression: High school students to make their point on women’s rights

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Montreal, June 7, 2023   -  Students from eight high schools, including host Options Alternative in Ville Emard (1741 de Biencourt), will collaborate on a unique project this Thursday (June 8) at 1 pm called “Lifting the Weight of Oppression.” Inspired by the fight  of women for equal rights in Iran, students wanted to demonstrate their support and honour the strength of the protestors by undertaking an incredible physical challenge.  On Thursday, 40 students will collectively lift 250,000 pounds in 40 minutes. This feat will be accomplished by using 15 balls of various weights that will all be lifted in unison, one lift every 10 seconds. “This will create an incredible wave of energy and the momentum will continue to build as the weights all crash to the ground together over and over again,” said Jason Gannon, the project coordinator. “This will be an incredible physical undertaking motivated by our love for people half a world away.” In planning this event, students also wanted fundr
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The Serour Brothers to share their remarkable story at Gardenview

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Montreal, June 5,  2023 – On the eve of their appearance at the Ottawa Natural Bodybuilding Championship later this month, the  Serour brothers  will visit their former elementary school, Gardenview (700 Brunet)  in St. Laurent on Tuesday, June 13 (9:10 am)  to talk about the importance of keeping in good physical condition and staying in school. The Serour Brothers. Liam 22, Jordan, 20 and Adam, 18 are excited to be headed to the nation’s capital   and   fulfill a lifelong dream of theirs   to   be stepping on to the bodybuilding stage together. They each had a unique introduction to fitness and bodybuilding,   but have pushed through any and all obstacles as brothers.  Their dad, immigration specialist and politician Richard Serour, is better known to some radio listeners via his alter-ego Ricky Cyr from a number of years ago on CJAD. Mom Gabrielle Azran Serour is an attorney and as her husband notes: “She prepares most of their meals. It’s like feeding three hungry lions; but it
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Crooner and Leonardo Da Vinci Academy alum David Marino set to Lite Up The Night at school fundraiser

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By Jordan Stoopler Montreal, May 23, 2023 – David Marino’s ties to Leonardo Da Vinci Academy (LDVA) in RDP  run deep. Not only is the 24-year-old jazz crooner a proud alum of the Riviere-des-Prairies school, his mother Angela Vitulano has taught there for over two decades. “It’s a great school and I had the best time at LDVA,” said Marino. “It’s always held a special place in my heart. The school is very important to me and my family.” David Marino Marino will be returning to sing at the school on June 2 as part of a school fundraiser, billed as Leonardo Da Vinci Academy Lites Up the Night for the Neuro. The event, which will include musical performances, special tributes, a walk/run from the school to a nearby park and closing dance party, is in support of the McGill University Health Centre’s Montreal Neurological Institute.  “LDVA has been supporting the Neuro since 2016,” said school principal Nadia Sammarco. “It started with very small-scale fundraisers, such as dress-down days a
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EMSB recognizes employees for 25 years of service

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For the first time in four years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the  English Montreal School Board resumed its traditional Long Service reception to honour  employees with 25 years of service at Le Crystal in St. Laurent.   A total of 136 employees, ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff, were recognized for a quarter century of service.  This year EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos, honored those employees with a letter of congratulations and Monarch watches.  “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff, " he said. You can see our photo album here . This year's  honourees were: Angela Spagnolo (fourth from the right) with commissioners and EMSB officials. From the central head office : Angela Spagnolo and Rick David from AEVS; Markela Zyglakis from the Office of the Director General; Annik Malenfant from Educational Services; Ca
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Secondary I to V students shine in annual EMSB Public Speaking competition

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Montreal, April 21, 2023 - The English Montreal School Board held its annual  Public Speaking competition  at Royal Vale School in NDG on April 19 and 20 and this was an opportunity  for students from Secondary I to V to shine. This competition has been held annually since 1930 and Anne Beamish, the EMSB’s English Language Arts consultant, announced what she described as an exciting change to next year’s competition. The board will align with the people who produced TED Talks as part of the TEDEd program. Here is a list of the top three finishers at each level and their topics Secondary I 🥇: Beatrice Reynolds - “Stand Up” - Royal West Academy 🥈: Şahika Hatt Sustam - "Stranded in the Bay of Fundy" - Vincent Massey Collegiate 🥉: Reem Basher Almtani - “My Choice, My Decision” - Royal Vale High School Secondary II 🥇: Giorgia Daley - "The Girl Who Ate Alone" - Vincent Massey Collegiate 🥈: Mila Cote - "My Childhood" - Marymount Academy 🥉: Carlos Nicolas Ol
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