EMSB schools mark Remembrance Day throughout early November

Montreal, November 11, 2022 – Leading up to November 11, schools across the English Montreal School Board commemorated Remembrance Day through unique in-class activities, events and field trips.  Additionally, unique to the EMSB for the entirety of this school year is a Holocaust Education and Sensitization project which is being made possible as a result of a generous Nova grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. This project will allow the teaching of Holocaust education beyond the general curriculum and it will be weaved into Remembrance Day lessons as well. 

Tuesday, November 1 

Eric Dion with students.

At Nesbitt Elementary School  in Rosemount  Retired Leut. Corpl. Eric Dion  worked  in the classrooms with students to create personalized Remembrance Day wreaths for the veterans at Sainte-Anne’s Hospital. The wreaths will be personally delivered by Dion to the veterans on November 11.  Dion is a veteran having served 25 years in the Canadian Forces, namely as Lieutenant-Colonel in Afghanistan in 2010. Eric completed six international deployments and eight domestic operations. He holds an MBA from HEC and a PhD in public strategic management from l’ENAP. Eric teaches as a senior specialised instructor at Canadian Forces College and as a contract professor at ENAP. His research focuses on the strategic management nexus in national security and global defence. He is an associate member at the Multidimensional Conflict Observatory of the Raoul Dandurand Chair in Strategic Studies at UQÀM. He published his first book entitled Synergy in 2017. Eric is also the CEO of an executive consulting firm. A great outdoor enthusiast, Eric is a proud father. See this beautiful report on CBC TV.

A student completes her work.

Wednesday, November 2

Kindergarten to Grade 3 students at Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West participated in a Poppy Workshop organized by Spiritual and Community Animator, Jagdeep Trehin.  Classes had an opportunity to meet members of the Royal Montreal Regiment Foundation Museum and in an interactive workshop learned about the history of the poppy, made a poppy (craft), explored and tried on some historical uniforms. On Wednesday November 9th, Grade 4-6 students will have an opportunity to come meet members of the Royal Montreal Regiment Foundation Museum for interactive guided tours of an exhibit for Remembrance titled, “They Cared Exhibit – The Origins of Military Nursing.” In addition, Grade 6 classes, accompanied by Ms. Trehin, will attend a special ceremony and moment of reflection at the Montreal West War Monument with our local community. Guest Dr. Drummond, community member and founder of Montreal West Roots & Remembrance Project, will greet students and speak about the history of Montreal West Veterans and the importance of reflection and commemoration on this day. A short ceremony at the monument for Remembrance with our local community members and guests. Older adults and members of the local Montreal West community will join our students in this intergenerational ceremony. Following the ceremony students participate in a Roots & Remembrance journey with Dr. Drummond in an interactive guided tour of veteran homes in our school neighborhood.   See this report on CityNews Montreal.

See this CTV Report from Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North and Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP.

Students at a ceremony.

Thursday, November 3 

At Edward Murphy  Elementary School (6800 Pierre de Coubertin) in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, a Canadian Forces veteran spoke to students. 

Monday, November 7

Students at Laurier Macdonald High School (7355 Viau) in St. Leonard had the opportunity to visit an interactive multimedia exhibit and reflect on Remembrance Day. The museum will be present throughout the week.

Students at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School (6855 Cartier) in Rosemount had speaker MCpl Shawn Rinkenbach in attendance,  along with Piper Ronald Rice.

At Dante Elementar, the entire ho school celebrated Remembrance Day with a PowerPoint providing the history of the first world war. In Flanders Field Poem was read and the Grade 3 class performing a song about a Hebrew song about peace titled Shalom Chervim. To help make the event special we had Major Perchun who shared with the students about the significance of the day. Concluding the ceremony with two minutes of silence and a special performance by a bagpiper. 

A student gets special treatment from a soldier.

Tuesday, November 8

 

More than 500 students took part in “The Voices of Courage,” the largest Remembrance Day interactive museum to date at the Royal Canadian Hussars (4185 Côte-des-Neiges Road).

Students from five EMSB Schools: Vincent Massey Collegiate, Perspectives I and Perspectives II High School in St. Michel, Nesbitt Elementary School and Rosemount High School were on hand to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the 84th Anniversary of Kristallnacht. Following a formal welcoming and symbolic moment of silence, students had an opportunity to sit in a Canadian Jet Simulator, witness a traditional musical performance of Ghillie Callum or "Scottish sword dance" from the Canadian Black Watch, the operations and training of personnel when operating armoured vehicles with the Royal Canadian Hussars,  a World War II Canon display from the 3 Bam Artillery, equipment, tent setup, and ceremonial guard attire exhibition from the Canadian Grenadier Guards, Naval Boat and diving equipment exhibition from the Royal Canadian Navy, and antribute to Afghanistan from the Je me Souviens organization. Je Me Souviens (JMS) is a Canadian Company created in collaboration with the Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) Foundation and le Royal 22ieme Regiment (R22eR). 

The program was developed by Spiritual Community Animator Vince Lacroce, Major Hovig Maghakian from the Black Watch, Captain Jacques-Charbel Soueid from The Royal Canadian Hussars, Chief Warrant Officer Cameron Stevens, Master Warrant Officer John Petrou, and Sergeant Eric Washburn from the Canadian Grenadier Guards, Captain Frédérique Rousseau from Royal Canadian Air Force, Master Corporal Eric Wilkinson from the 34 Signal Regiment, M1/PO1 Marc-Andre Brunelle from Royal Canadian Navy, Adjuc (ret) Gilles Aubé from 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Program Manager Marina Symth from Je me Souviens, Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm William Day and Major Jonathan Audet (activity commander of second field regiment), former Honorary Colonel Steven Gregory from the 2nd Field Regiment, RCA.

Remembrance Day at Michelangelo.

Michelangelo International Elementary School (9360 5th Street) in RDP will have a commemoration with Cpl Karim Obari as the speaker. 

At Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP there were two ceremonies for the whole school to pay tribute to those serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Poems of peace were read, and candles were lit to honor the fallen. The grade 6 class performed the John Lennon song Imagine. The guest speaker was Captain Reid, who shared the importance of wearing a poppy to remember. They concluded with two minutes of silence as they  listened to the Final Post being played.

Wednesday, November 9

Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West: They Cared Exhibit – The Origins of Military Nursing (Grades 4-6). Students had an opportunity to come meet members of the Royal Montreal Regiment Foundation Museum for interactive guided tours of an exhibit for Remembrance. 

Students from Edinburgh and Royal West Academy participated in the Montreal West Community Remembrance Event: a special ceremony and moment of reflection at the Montreal West War Monument with the local community.

At Elizabeth Alternative  High School in Ville Émard 10 am, (1731 de Biencourt), students heard from three female soldiers about their experience in the Canadian Forces. 

At Honore Mercier Elementar, the entire hole school celebrated Remembrance Day. Spiritual and Community Animator shared her personal story about her grandfather who fought in WW2. Poems of peace were read. With guest speakers Lieutenant Valentine and Master Corporal Sullivan. Both shared why they chose to be a soldier. Followed by moment of silence and closing the ceremony with special performance by a bagpiper. 

Thursday, November 10  

On November 9, as part of Veterans’ Week and Remembrance programming, Secondary  V students at Royal West (189 Easton)  were invited by Spiritual and Community Animator (SCA) Jagdeep Trehin to an intimate ceremony, talk and moment of reflection at the Montreal West War Monument at Memorial Park, just steps from the school.  Guest Dr. Drummond, community member and founder of Montreal West Roots & Remembrance Project, met students and spoke about this project to commemorate the young men and women of Montreal West who lived amongst our local community, and their sacrifice and service for our country.  Guest Cdr R. Taylor, an RWA Alumni, now a Regional Captain / Naval Reserve HQ—Eastern Region/ Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Armed Forces   greeted students and shared his experiences in the Montreal West community as an RWA student. Older adults and members of the local Montreal West community joined our students in this intergenerational ceremony.  The purpose of this presentation is to provide students with a deeper glimpse into the lives of members of the local school community and the roles they played in a greater conflict. The goal of this ceremony is also to provide students with an opportunity to commemorate, reflect and remember while connecting with our local community and the Montreal West neighborhood. There was also a special exhibit in the foyer on November 10 and 11. Students and staff were invited to come meet members of the Royal Montreal Regiment Foundation (Je Me Souviens) for interactive guided tours of the Dieppe Exhibit during lunch. In addition, on November 11 at the 11th hour Royal West Academy students  joined Ms. Trehin in a solemn Remembrance and Reflection presentation to honor our Veterans, Members of the Canadian Armed Forces, our hope for global peace and a moment of silence.  This reflection journey  included poems by students, a story of reflection by Mr. Dan Dupuis, Ms. Jag Trehin (SCA) and Mr. Dwayne Linton, followed by the last post and moment of reflection.

Also at At Royal West Academy, students had the opportunity to meet members of the Royal Montreal Regiment Foundation for interactive guided tours of an exhibit on Dieppe.

At Vincent Massey Collegiate ((5925 27th Ave), leading up to Veterans Week, Spiritual Animator Verionica D’Agata organized two Kahoot trivia challenges held during homeroom period on the topic of Remembrance Day and the meaning of the poppy. On November 10, two school Remembrance Day assemblies will be held, featuring Piper Ronald Rice and guest speaker Major (Ret) Christian Beaudin, who will speak about his experiences, and reiterate the importance of Remembrance Day. A moment of silence will be held to honor all the fallen soldiers. Students will share poems and reflections about being peacemakers in our everyday lives.

School officials and students mark Remembrance Day.

Students at Westmount High School  once again continued their annual project of honouring the 144  WHS alumni who died in either World War I or World War II. A big thank you to history teacher Chantal Clabrough for spearheading this great initiative and to the City of Westmount for their ongoing support. As the oldest public high school in Quebec (1873), Westmount High School’s rich history is an important part of the heritage of the cities of Westmount and Montreal as well as the province of Quebec. Westmount students fought in both World War I and World War II. Some perished in the wars, making the ultimate sacrifice for Canada and our community. They are honoured and memorialized by the school on our war memorial plaques located in the foyer of the building. Students from Chantal Clabrough’s Secondary IV history classes created digital profiles of former Westmount High School students who gave their lives in WWII. Through archival research (online) and with the material in the school vaults including yearbooks and service photographs, students have been able to create digital profiles memorializing the lives and contributions of our fallen WHS students. This is an ongoing project with the goal of students completing all profiles of the names on the plaque.  See this report on CTV.

Pierre de Coubertin Elementary hosted a formal Remembrance Day Commemoration. The program was be overseen by Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce and the school's Student Council.  Students from Grades 4, 5, and 6 had an opportunity to meet and speak with Chief Warrant Officer Cameron Stevens,  Master Warrant Officer John Petrou and Sergeant Eric Washburn. The school was also b working with the “Je Me Souviens” organization who brought close to 10 portable museum panels and equipment highlighting the peacekeeping missions of the Canadian Forces. Je Me Souviens (JMS) is an education program created in collaboration with the Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR) Foundation and le Royal 22ieme Regiment (R22eR).

At Gerald McShane in Montreal North, the whole school celebrated Remembrance Day and paid tribute to those who served in times of war. Spiritual and Community Animator shared her personal story about her grandfather who fought in WW2. Poems of peace were read. With guest speaker Lieutenant Valentine who shared why it is important for young people to remember those who fought for our freedoms. Special performance of the song In Flanders Field by the grade 6 class and lead by Ms. Alongi.  Followed by two minutes of silence. The ceremony came to a close with special performance by a bagpiper. 

Friday, November 11

At Royal West Academy (189 Easton) in Montreal West, students participated in a solemn Remembrance and Reflection presentation to honor our Veterans, Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and our hope for global peace. This reflection journey  included poems by students, a story of reflection by Mr. Dan Dupuis, Ms. Jag Trehin (SCA) and Mr. Dwayne Linton, followed by the last post and moment of reflection.

At Dunrae Gardens Elementary School, 9:15 AM, (235 Dunrae) in T.M.R., students participated in a traditional Remembrance Day followed by a Sage ceremony. On hand were Retired Lieutenant Colonel Bouthilier from Artillery Regiment, Violinist Ms. Roy, Retired Fire Chief Tom Dearhouse and Officer Genevieve from the Montreal Police Department. The overarching theme of the assembly was  how the war affected Canadians at home. Additionally, students  learned about the First Nations people who used their languages: Mohawk, Cree and Navajo for military coding.

At Dalkeith Elementaryin Anjou,  Grades 3 to 6 students joined in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Spiritual and Community Animator shared her personal story about her grandfather who fought in WW2. In Flanders Field was read. With guest speakers Captain Jack Lee who shared why he chose to be a soldier and shared with the audience about some of his important missions for the Canadian Armed Forces. We held our two minutes of silence and closed the ceremony with the whole school singing the song “Imagine” by John Lennon. 

Special Project

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the “The Heart of a Soldier” project. The program was created by Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce and this year students from Rosemount High School, Pierre de Coubertin Elementary  and Nesbitt Elementary will be asked to create a painting, sculpture, write an essay, poem or song in honour of Remembrance Day. The project will be done during students’ personal time at home and must reflect the importance of all those who wore a uniform for Canada. The administration and staff members will be asked to judge the submissions. The winning creations will be displayed at this year’s Remembrance Day Commemoration at school and winners will be invited to take a picture with the Canadian Forces guest speakers after the assembly. 

All of the creations will be displayed at school and later given to various Canadian Forces regiments on the island of Montreal. Nesbitt Elementary will also have each of its classes contribute to a wreath with poppies representing all 330 students at its school. That beautiful creation along with the grand prize-winning creations will be brought to Ste. Anne’s Veterans’ Hospital in the West Island by Former Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Dion. Eric Dion, CD, MBA, PhD is a veteran having served 25 years in the Canadian Forces, namely as Lieutenant-Colonel in Afghanistan in 2010. Eric completed six international deployments and eight domestic operations. He holds an MBA from HEC and a PhD in public strategic management from l’ENAP. Eric teaches as a senior specialised instructor at Canadian Forces College and as a contract professor at ENAP. His research focuses on the strategic management nexus in national security and global defence. He is an associate member at the Multidimensional Conflict Observatory of the Raoul Dandurand Chair in Strategic Studies at UQÀM. He published his first book entitled Synergy in 2017. Eric is also the CEO of an executive consulting firm, an outdoor enthusiast, and a proud father.

John Caboto Academy, Michelangelo International, and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary each have their own Remembrance Day assemblies organized by Ms. D’Agata. In attendance and playing at the ceremonies is Piper Ronald Rice. A moment of silence will be held to honor all fallen soldiers. Several student helpers will read poems and reflections - all with the important message of being peacemakers in their everyday lives.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.

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Contact:

Michael J. Cohen

Manager, Marketing and Communications

English Montreal School Board