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Families share their reflections about a year with Virtual Learning

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By Kristin McNeill Montreal , June 29,  2021 - For many students this pandemic school year, EMSB Virtual Learning was a resounding success. Some were enrolled because of their own health considerations, others to minimize risks to a vulnerable family member at home. Complete with its own principal, vice principal, teachers and helpers, the virtual school finished the year with 575 registered students .  Each student would have experienced learning from home in different ways, from different standpoints: physical, emotional and mental. Some come out of it with a preference to in-person school; others thrived in the online school setting and wish it could always be an option.  Virtual Learning student Allesia. “[It was a] dream come true,” said one mother. “Her true self came out,” said another. The experience was “amazing,” said another. “We were grateful for the opportunity,” said a dad. In this article, families share their reflections about a year with EMSB Virtual Learning. A year o
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STEAM Project Building Initiative a big hit!

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Montreal, June 18, 2021 - Over the course of the last several months, Jason Bixby and Valerie Honig, the two designated STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics) consultants at the EMSB, have been busy with the rollout of their latest professional development initiative, entitled: “STEAM Team Collaboration & Project Building.”  The purpose of this initiative was to allow time for teachers interested in STEAM to build a Learning and Evaluation Situation (LES) based on the fundamental tenets of STEAM. Saving the bees at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School. STEAM LES’s must be developed through collaboration between two or more teachers of the same grade, but of different disciplines.  They are normally grounded in the solving of a real world problem or challenge, and through the employment of a design process.  If this process is correctly employed, a prototype will be built to help illustrate how the problem can be solved.  Research indicates that correct use
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EMSB schools celebrate Black History Month through wide array of initiatives

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By Kristin McNeill The English Montreal School Board marked Black History Month in February across its network. This was the first time schools with the EMSB  could access a specially created Black History Month Unit to use throughout the official Black History Month in February – and all year long. Designed by the board’s Spiritual and Community Animation Service (SCA), the material was designed as an entry point into a conversation about Black history, where students and teachers could engage in stories and videos about Black Canadians, through the lens of character strengths, and take part in activities that encourage reflection on identity and representation.  “The feedback from the animators who implemented the unit was very positive,” said Danika Swanson, Spiritual and Community Animation Service Consultant. “Teachers and students alike appreciated learning about the purpose, importance, and history behind Black History Month, as well as learning about the challenges and accompli
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Media Advisory: Westmount High School to mark Kamala Harris’ inauguration

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Montreal, January 19, 2021 –  While the big party will be taking place in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, January 20, the students and staff at Westmount High School will be holding a special celebration as one of their own, Kamala Harris, is set to be sworn in as the 49 th Vice President of the United States. To mark the historic day, while respecting all COVID-19 protocols, Westmount High School students will be streaming the inauguration in their classes. Students will also create a commemorative video which they will share with the community. The school is also expecting to receive items from the United States Consulate General in Montreal to mark the occasion.   Kamala Harris and Joe Biden At the age of 12, Kamala temporarily relocated to Montreal while her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, took a job teaching at McGill University and did research at the Jewish General Hospital. While living in Montreal, Kamala attended FACE School for one year before attending Westmount Hig
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Interview with High School of Montreal Adult Education Centre teacher Anna Panunto by a Syrian journalist

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Writer's note:   Anna Panunto is a teacher at the High School of Montreal Adult Education Centre of the EMSB. This  interview  with her will be translated in Arabic and published in the near future in an Arabic press. The purpose of this article is to shed light on newcomers - to help them understand a little bit about the North American mentality here and what to expect in a way, from their learning process. It  will prove to be useful information. In her passionate world filled with  talent and determination, she has brightened her star to illuminate others by teaching and writing. A mentor to many… Her life mission is to make the ordinary, extraordinary. To give meaning to those that are left ignored. To shed light on the misunderstood. To love the unloved… By H’ala Aljaber  - freelance journalist from Syria Introduction She is a woman who holds glory in her hands – in the written and spoken word.   She knows what she wants like the eye of a falcon. The falcon is her spirit anim
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Transfer of Schools, Major School Change, EMSB budget and Willingdon podcasts

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TRANSFER OF SCHOOLS: EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini is deeply disappointed with the decision by Quebec Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge’s  to transfer two school buildings – John Paul I Junior High and General Vanier in St. Léonard – to the Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Ile (CSPI). Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North will not be transferred. As requested by the Minister, a copy of the letter explaining his decision has been transmitted to parents and staff of the three schools. Ms. Mancini has announced that a Town Hall meeting only for parents, administrators and Governing Board members from John Paul I and General Vanier will take place next Tuesday evening, July 2 at Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard. At that meeting a contingency plan will be presented. Please read our full press release and the letter from the Minister. MAJOR SCHOOL CHANGE: The EMSB has formally launched its first Major School Change consultation since 2012 in an effo
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Relaunch of the EMSB Website set for Thursday, November 1

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