A cover of Our Lady Peace's classic song 'Clumsy'

Clumsy (Our Lady Peace cover) ft. Jon Moyal

The bell has rung and school is back in session.  The 2019-2020 academic year will bring about many challenges for EMSB administrators, teachers and the community.

But those challenges will stay out of the classroom as the dedicated teachers and support staff get down to the important business of educating our young people. 

6th Graders Anne Onjuru and Gavin Cupid join me along with EMSB Chair Angela Mancini and Westmount Park Vice Principal Giovanni Iammarrone on the first day of school at a new building.  St. John Bosco has been brought back into service after 7 years to become Westmount Park South and house students whose heritage building is undergoing a 2-year renovation and update.

Gavin and Anne are excited by the new building, seeing old friends, making new ones…and loving the idea of 2 recesses.  Chair Mancini talks about what’s ahead and Mr. Iammarrone is focused on having a successful school year for all students.

EMSB Podcast: Back to a new school for Westmount Park

The EMSB has the highest graduation rates among public schools in the province. But that doesn’t mean high school is an easy time for students. Academic pressures, home pressures, social media, “squads” and more. Students have a lot on their plates and it can be overwhelming.
Adam Aktas knows exactly what that feels like, and then some.
During Perseverance Week, Adam visited his alma mater, Lester B Pearson High School, to talk to students about his devastating life changing experience that could easily have led him down a dangerous path. He was attacked and viciously beaten while walking home one dark winter afternoon. The body healed…but the mind and
heart took him through continued turmoil…to the brink. And he was only 14. Now, 5 years later and a student at Vanier College, Adam goes back to high schools to share his story and to impart that it’s decisions not conditions that will determine their futures.
Meet Adam Aktas along with LBPHS Teacher Paul Karpontinis and Sec 1 students Sheldon Beaudry and Lianna Wallace to hear how Adam’s story impacted them.
#overcominghurdles

EMSB Podcast: Adam Aktas tells us about  his devastating life changing experience

Today, speaking to Jamie Quinn, EMSB Educational Consultant and a Board Librarian Alissa Rosellini, the EMSB website, set up for keeping students engaged in learning during this time, is explained.  How to use it, what you will find and the importance of setting up routine use of these valuable resources.  

It’s all on the EMSB website: your most valuable tool for assisting your children’s education during the pandemic. www.emsb.qc.ca 

Here are some important links for parents and students, for parental feedback and further information:

https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/community/education
EMSB Virtual Library: http://virtuallibrary.emsb.qc.ca/
Email inquiries or questions to:  virtuallibrary@emsb.qc.ca 

To follow the Educational Services Department:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ESDEMSB 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESDEMSB
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ESDEMSBTUBE

EMSB Podcast: In the era of COVID-19, educational resources for parents

In my first podcast,  I briefly outline how  the city of Côte Saint-Luc is handling the COVID-19 crisis.

Côte Saint-Luc And COVID - 19: A Short Update

Volunteers are an integral component of the EMSB family. Dedicating their time to assist students and teachers alike.  

Meet Penny Fenwick: Ms. Penny, as she is affectionately called, has been a sanctuary to students needing help at Willingdon Elementary for 50 years and counting.  

50 YEARS! 

And Willingdon Principal Carmen Nicolas talks about the invaluable service volunteers and especially Ms. Penny provide to the EMSB.

EMSB Podcast: Ms. Penny celebrates 50 years as a volunteer at Willingdon School

Anthony Housefather was elected as Member of Parliament for Mount Royal on October 19, 2015 and re-elected on October 21, 2019. He has been a fountain of information on the COVID-19 pandemic and in this interview he shares some valuable information
In February 2016, he was elected as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. He is presently the Parliamentary Secretary to Federal Minister of Labour Filomena Tassi. Moreover, Anthony has two Law Degrees (B.C.L. and LL.B.) from McGill University and an MBA from Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. Until he was elected an MP, he served as Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs and General Counsel at Dialogic Corporation.

Anthony was first elected to office in 1994. He was initially elected as a municipal councillor in Hampstead, then elected in Côte-Saint-Luc/Hampstead/Montreal West, and served as Mayor of Côte-Saint-Luc between 2005 and 2015.

On a personal level, Anthony participates in numerous activities in his community. He is a member of the drama society and swim team. His performance in swimming earned him seven medals at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, in Israel. He has also been a volunteer for many years within a number of organizations serving the English speaking and Jewish communities.

Anthony Housefather Interview

School closures during the Covid-19 crisis have ripple affects on everyone.  The EMSB Outreach Network has been creative ensuring their at risk students remain engaged, supported and if needed, nourished. Phone calls are made on a regular basis to check in with the students and if necessary one on one sessions for school work have been arranged.

EMSB Guidance Counselor Paola Borzone and EMSB Counselor David Mills chose a one on one approach not just for their students, but for the students’ families as well.

EMSB Podcast: During COVID19, the Outreach Network Gives Back

It’s been a long couple of months for both students and teachers.  Trying to keep students engaged with learning has been a priority for the EMSB through their website and the constantly updated Educational Websites & Resources page.

LaurenHill Academy Grade 11 student, Jonah Kontolemos found a way, not only to remain engaged, but used this time away from school to make a huge contribution to frontline workers…doctors, nurses and healthcare workers…who have to live in life-saving masks while treating those inflicted with Covid-19. 

Using his Christmas present from his parents…a 3D printer…Jonah came up with an “Ear Saver” that removes the uncomfortable pressure from the mask’s ear elastics.

His math teacher Sarah Ditchfield and Jonah Kontolemos join me for the story.

https://www.facebook.com/canadaearsavers

EMSB Podcast: During COVID-19, EMSB student saving one pair of ears at a time

Emmanuella Lambropoulos is the Liberal  Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Saint-Laurent, and was first elected in 2017. A devoted community leader and educator who is dedicated to supporting children and families in our community, she was a French and History teacher at Rosemount High School, and closely supported children with learning disabilities in her six years teaching at LaurenHill Academy.

Born and raised in  Saint-Laurent, Emmanuella gained a deep passion for public service on campaigns for the Hon. Stéphane Dion. She is committed to making Saint-Laurent an even more inclusive community, and she is fluently trilingual, speaking French, English, and Greek.

Emmanuella earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from McGill University in 2013. She served as President of the Hellenic Association while at McGill, and has a long record of volunteer involvement supporting children’s sports and arts activities in our community.

She is now educating her constituents on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Laurent Liberal MP  Emmanuella Lambropoulos

COVID-19 has changed everything for everyone: there are so many questions on how to get our children back to school and how to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

To answer these questions and to give parents the best current advice available, three doctors join the EMSB podcast: Gerald Fried, Professor of Surgery at McGill, MUHC Surgeon and Associate Dean Education Technology & Innovation, Dr. Debbie Schwarcz, ER physician at Lachine Hospital and Family Practitioner at Santé Mont Royal and Dr. Christopher Labos, Cardiologist and Epidemiologist.

Flu shots? Masks? Buses? Testing? Tracing? And what about that second wave?  

The latest information on how best to keep children, families and school as safe as possible and how things may look and change as the school year progresses.

EMSB Podcast: Back to a new school for Westmount Park

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