EMSB appoints new Director General

NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL: Ann Marie Matheson has been appointed the new Director General of the English Montreal School Board, succeeding Robert Stocker who stepped down last month and now serves as a senior advisor.

 

Ann Marie Matheson

Ms. Matheson’s connection to the EMSB dates back to the beginning of her 23 year career in education. As a member of the Student Services Department of the former Montreal Catholic School Board (MCSC), she was directly involved with programs meant to reduce absenteeism and increase student success rates in all high schools, including St. Raphael, St Pius X and Paul VI schools.  For three years, from 2011 to 2014, Ms. Matheson was an EMSB commissioner for Ahuntsic. Additionally, Ms. Matheson served as the International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator at Marymount Academy International in its founding years and was on loan-of-service to the Ministry of Education and had responsibility for the École Montréalaise Program in English schools – 19 of which were in the EMSB.

Most recently Ms. Matheson has worked for the Lester B. Pearson School Board as a principal at LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School. She was also an in-school administrator at  St. Lawrence Academy Junior, Beurling Academy and ECS (Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s School for Girls). Ms. Matherson is the parent of two children who have attended EMSB schools. As well she served on the Region 3 Parents Committee and Central Parents Committee in 2005.

BALANCED BUDGET: On June 30, the EMSB adopted a balanced budget for the 2015-2016 school year, with revenues equal to expenses at close to $300 million.  The EMSB was able to absorb Ministry of Education (MEESR) budgetary cuts of close to $2 million because of a strong and growing Adult and Vocational Services sector,  as well as a one-time injection of funds from the expected sale of surplus properties for $1 million.

IN-SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS: The Council of Commissioners approved a number of in-school administrative appointments for

Demetra Droutsas

2015-2016  New principals will be Elana Zervas (currently at Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount), Dunrae Gardens in TMR; Demetra Droutsas (currently at Rosemount High School), Gardenview Elementary School in St. Laurent; Christina Chilelli (currently on maternity leave and prior to that principal at Hampstead School), Gerald McShane  Elementary School in Montreal North; David Lee (currently vice-principal at Rosemount High School), Hampstead Elementary School;  Marisa Mineiro (currently vice-principal at Honoré-Mercier

Marco Gagliardi

Elemenary School),  Michelangelo International School in RDP; Darlene Kehyayan (currently at Dunrae Gardens), Nesbitt; Silvana Crigna (currently at Shadd Health and Business Centre), Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Park Extension;  Joe Cacchione (currently vice-principal at Galileo Adult Education Centre), Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Marco Gagliardi (currently principal at Sinclair Laird), Rosemount High School; Roma Medwid (currently Deputy Director General), Shadd Health and Business Centre

Mauro Zampini

New vice-principals will be: Angela Vaudry (currently on sabbatical), Honoré-Mercier Elementary School in St. Léonard (Christina Voggas to serve as  replacement); Vito Campbell-Guerrerio, confirmed at Willingdon Elementary School in NDG; Nadine Pomilio, James Lyng High School in St. Henri; Hilda Hacikyaner, John Grant/L.I.N.K.S;  Angelo Gallo and Mauro Zampini, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North; Patrizia Tummillo, Marymount Academy International in NDG; Andrew Mangal,  Rosemount High School;  Steve Manstavich, Royal West Academy in Montreal West; George Koutsoulis, Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount; Lindsay Hercherbruch, Westmount High School (still on mat leave) and  Jennifer  LeHuquet; Denise Maroun, Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton School in NDG; Dina Vourdousis, Galileo Adult Education Centre in Montreal North; JoAnne Désir, High School of Montreal in the Plateau; and Nick Stamiris, St. Laurent Adult  Eduction Centre (on leave and replacement to be named).

Anna Della Rocca

Retiring is Anna Della Rocca, principal of Michelangelo International School in RDP.

REGIONAL DIRECTORS:  Evelyne Alfonsi, who has been named a Regional Director (East) will take a one year sabbatical effective July 1. Assuming her role on an interim basis will be

Anna Villalta, currently Assistant Director in the Pedagogical Services Department. Ms Villalta, brings with her many years of valued experience as a teacher, a school administrator and, since she joined EMSB, as a board-level administrator.   Pela Nickoletopoulos is  the new Regional Director (West).

GARDENVIEW A BIG WINNER: In the Quebec Federation of Home and School Association’s Essay Contest Famous Family Recipes Essay we congratulate the second prize winner Diego Caporuscio on his essay on Family Reunion Lasagna. Diego’s essay will be published in the fall issue of the QFHSA NEWS and on the QFHSA website under Essay Contests/ Famous Family Recipes/ Winning essays 2015. 

In the Quebec Federation of Home and School Association’s Essay Contest Family Treasures Essay Competition the first prize went to Isabella Leo for her story about The Gold Watch and second prize went to Christopher Sedra for his story Shaving Kit.  The winning essays will be featured in the summer issue of the QFHSA News. 

In the 2015 QAHN Heritage Essay Contest,  out of 100 participants from various schools, Gardenview was awarded the top three prizes. The first prize went to Noa Goldberg for her story Bessie Goldberg, the second prize went to Lacey Baillairgé for her story Charles Baillairgé, and the 3^rd Prize went to Pauline Kollias for her story Greek Orthodox Church.

In the National Poetry Contest Nehna Patel won first prize for her poem Mmmm Chocolate and Justin Tran won third prize for his poem If I Had Superpowers.  Emma Dankoff received an honourable mention.  Their work has been published.

PEARSON TEAMS WITH NESBITT: On Wednesday June 17,  Lester B Pearson High School's Student Council teamed up with Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount's Grade 6 classes for a day-long event of workshops and activities. The theme of the day was the transition to high school,
leadership games were prepared to make students more comfortable with the change. The day provided both student groups with a further chance to bond, as we began the year with a camp in October. This opportunity allowed Nesbitt students to ask Lester B Pearson students about high school, who then gave advice, personal experiences and encouraging words throughout the day in hopes to ease their transition and encourage them to be the best they can be in high school.

A Royal West Academy student signs the golden book.

STUDENTS HONOURED AT CITY HALL: A number of EMSB high school students were honoured recently at Montreal City Hall in the "persévérance scolaire" category. Councillor Frantz Benjamin, the chairman of city council, welcomed each student to sign the city's golden book.

GRADE 1 TRANSITION: At Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc, teacher Nathalie Faviere undertook a wonderful project whereby her Grade 1 students welcomed those graduating to the next level from Kindergarten. Here is a link to one student issuing a welcome.