Montreal, May 31, 2024 – On Friday, May 31, students at Options Alternative High School   in Ville Émard concluded the academic year by metaphorically flipping violence out of Montreal by completing their challenge of flipping two tractor tires the distance between their school and the mid-way point of the Champlain Bridge.  Social worker Julien Bérube and Options' Jason Gannon with students. Annually, Project Development Officer Jason Gannon looks for unique ways to inspire his students. This year, he acquired two huge tractor tires weighing 550 lbs each and from May 1  to 31,  nearly 40 students, each in pairs, committed to flip the tires a total of 5,000 times. “This idea was borne out of two students in conflict. The expected response would have been traditional disciplinary action, but the staff, led by head teacher James Bray, decided to try something new,” said Mr. Gannon. “The students chose a teacher advocate and came together in a restorative circle. This action, is an e

Photos and Video by EMSB Marketing Student Intern Rachel Campbell Montreal, June 4, 2024 - English Montreal School Board Special Education Consultant Sarah Lynch, Coordinator for the Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged, reports that he Special Olympics’ Olympiad  held at the McGill Fieldhouse on May 31 was a big success. This collaboration between Educational Services and the Centre of Excellence for the Physically, Intellectually and Multi-Challenged grew from last year’s participation of 80 student athletes to 159 students this year from 12 different schools, under the supervision and support of more than 25 professionals and consultants and over 40 teachers and support staff.  The event was well attended by EMSB management, professionals and consultants from the Lester B, Pearson School Board and the EMSB, student coaches, principals and parents. The  Ministry representative for the anglophone community was in attendance as well as the Direct

Montreal, May 30, 2024- During the 2023/2024 school year, various schools across the EMSB took part in programming offered by the Gifted and Exceptional Learners team of five facilitators headed by consultant Dr. Camelia Birlean.   • Caribou international online math contest, aimed mostly at Grades 3 to 6. • Battle of the Books reading competition (Grades 4 to 6). • Global Issues Problem Solving (Grades 5 and 6). • Public speaking and debating (Grades 5 and 6). New this year were: • “SkillFire” creative thinking program from Destination Imagination (Kindergarten to Grade 3). • Let’s Talk Science Competition, a national STEM-based curriculum (Grades 6 to 8). These programs are traditionally offered to students who require further cognitive stimulation than what is usually offered through regular class instruction. Participants are given the opportunity to improve teamwork, public speaking and math skills, critical and creative thinking, effective researching and broadening

Some 65 elementary students took part in a challenging debate program at the English Montreal School Board during the 2023-2024 academic year. From Gardenview, Willingdon, Roslyn, Pierre de Coubertin and Dunrae Gardens, a select number of Grade 4 to 6 students were chosen by their teachers to leave regular class in order to participate in the EMSB Junior Public Speaking and Debating program.  Aishwarya Honnavalli, Sarah Lubbe and Maia Mintzberg, facilitators from the Gifted & Exceptional Learners team of the Student Services department, divided among the schools to implement once-a-week hourly sessions on public speaking and debating. Participants delved into the topic of tourism and sustainability. Dr. Camelia Birlean, who heads the board-wide enrichment program, designed the debating course in collaboration with Kiana Saint Macary, a PhD student in law from McGill University, who coaches in debate summer camps at McGill and was once president of the McGill Debating Union. It was

Montreal, May 20, 2024  On Tuesday, May 21 (11 am) crooner David Marino, 25, will return to his former elementary school, Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in RDP (12025 André Dumas) to perform for and speak to the students.  David Marino David, who continued on to study at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount, made his mark in 2017  as a contestant and finalist on the French-language reality show La Voix.  A multilingual crooner, he began singing and performing at only six years of age, and was instantly inspired by legends such as Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Charles Aznavour, among others. As an advocate for mental health causes, he has organized multiple big band concerts, raising over $50,000 for mental health services at the Jewish General Hospital. He also studied acting professionally in New York City, and is a proud graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.  Last winter David performed in his own concert at Place des Arts and he is now criss-

Montreal, May 14, 2024 – The English Montreal School Board takes strong exception to comments made by Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, which unjustifiably take aim at English school boards. Mr. Roberge’s comments last week are particularly stunning since, when he was Minister of Education in the previous CAQ mandate, his administration issued a directive for the EMSB to reduce the number of hours devoted to French instruction in  immersion program schools. “Whether Mr. Roberge is ignorant of the facts, or disingenuous, such statements are unbecoming and undignified of an elected official, much less a minister,” said EMSB Chair Joe Ortona. “Has his position   changed? Was he not even aware  of what letter he signed?”  Mr. Roberge claimed that CEGEPs are struggling to apply Bill 96, Quebec’s language law. He went on to say that English school boards need to work harder to improve the quality of French of their elementary and high school graduates before they move u

Maria Frank (right) congratulates the three winners. May 10, 2024- On the occasion of English Montreal School Board Teacher Recognition Day May 7, three  teachers were presented with special awards at Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North. The EMSB launched this ceremony more than a decade ago to coincide with National Teachers Day in the United States and recognize this profession towards the end of the academic year. There were many nominations from parents for the awards.  Maria Frank from Bâton Rouge Grillhouse and Bar, known for its famous ribs and exceptional steaks at locations across the country, presented $100 gift cards to Paul Karpontinis, a social studies  teacher at Lester B. Pearson High School; Karine Gomes Silva, a physical education teacher at Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North; and  Georgette Amar, a   Common Core Basic Education (CCBE) teacher at Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North . The winners also received gift packages from

Montreal,  April 30,  2024 -    On the occasion of National Volunteer Week,  which was marked April 21 to 27 at schools and centres, the English Montreal School Board held a special  reception and ceremony to honour three Volunteers of Distinction, as well as the presentation of the first  Lifetime Achievement  Award. Held at the St. Pius X Career Centre in Ahuntsic on April 30, the honourees, their families, EMSB commissioners and management and Parents Committee executive members were treated to a delicious buffet dinner catered by the culinary students  followed by an awards ceremony, which was live streamed and can be seen at Aalia Adam, news anchor  for  Global Montreal, served as the emcee. The Volunteers of Distinction were   Samantha Patel from Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc and Vanessa Chimienti and Mariasabrina Mangione from John Caboto Academy in Ahuntsic. EMSB Chair Joe Ortona was delighted to present the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Bernard Praw. Mr