DRAGONLINK Spring 2014 DRAGONLINK ANNUAL GIVING
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3100 THE BOULEVARD, MONTREAL, QUEBEC H3Y 1R9 3685 THE BOULEVARD, WESTMOUNT, QUEBEC H3Y 1S9 Spring 2014 ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL OF MONTREAL ÉCOLE ST-GEORGES DE MONTRÉAL WE THANK AND CELEBRATE JAMES OFFICER FOR HIS 21 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS ST. GEORGE’S HEAD OF SCHOOL Director of the High School. I happened chairs, each with their own strengths, to join St. George’s at a halcyon moment styles and personalities, yet all of whom when illustrious and iconic teachers such held fi rm to our school’s mission and as Sylvia Stuchberry, Maureen Wallace, values. Noreen Tansey-Lee, John Plant, Bruce Blake, Marie Hade and Viviane Cameron And so I leave you with the following (all of whom have since retired) were at the thoughts: 21 years later, we are still a great top of their game. I also had the pleasure school because of our faculty, staff and of working with many revered high administration; we are still a great school school teachers and Department Heads because of the exceptional students we who have also since retired, including continue to attract and because of their Monique Rozenfarb, Carolyn Manzer, families who continue to enthusiastically Paule Tremblay, Jacques DesRochers, support our school; and we are still a great Michel Binette and Serge Rousseau. school thanks to our Board members who continue to uphold our raison d’être and In addition, I was embraced by a most keep us true to our purpose and mission. LOOKING BACK enthusiastic Board. In particular, I fondly I have been privileged to have been part As I enter into my last few months at remember my fi rst Board Chair, Ken of St. George’s during one quarter of its St. George’s, I fi nd myself refl ecting Salomon ’64, who met with me frequently 84 year existence and so it is only fi tting with ever-greater frequency upon my during my fi rst few, nervous months and that I have chosen to leave in a special way 21 years at our exceptional school. provided me with his unique counsel and perspective as both an alumnus and by walking off the stage with my daughter, My thoughts always seem to begin a current parent. You can imagine how Eugénie, as she and her classmates graduate with the remarkable members of the special it is for me that Ken has continued this spring. To quote Orson Wells: “If faculty, staff and administration who his unwavering support of both the you want a happy ending, that depends, were there to greet and welcome me school and me throughout these years, of course, on when you stop your story.” in 1993, as I assumed the helm as and that he was once again a member of Although I have enjoyed every moment at the Principal. I was most fortunate the Head Search Committee, this time to St. George’s, it does now feel that it is to be supported (and by that I mean choose my successor. time for me to stop the story. I know that trained) by my then Assistant Monique I will leave the school in good hands to Papillon, Business Manager Pam During my 21 years here, I have whoever succeeds me, for it is not for Leonard and Advancement Director met and been inspired by over 2,000 the grace of any one individual that this Lola Mendelson. These three impressive, exceptional students, many of whom exceptional school continues to thrive, knowledgeable and dedicated women have made an impressive mark on the but rather due to the collective efforts were instrumental in my transition from world, and most of whom speak fondly of many. And so I now choose to move heading a public school to becoming an of their days at St. George’s. I have on. Rest assured, the school will continue independent school Principal. had the privilege of meeting and to fl ourish and prosper, even as the next befriending their families and remain chapter begins. My education continued with the awed to this day with our parents’ level of incredible support of Beatrice Lewis, the engagement, their willingness to volunteer James A. Offi cer passionate Director of the Elementary and their fi nancial generosity. I have School, and the legendary Gilbert Plaw, worked alongside eight different board Head of School 1993-2014 PLEASE SEE THE BACK COVER FOR AN INVITATION TO “A FAREWELL GALA HOLLYWOOD-STYLE” STARRING JAMES OFFICER ON MAY 21st DRAGONLINK MILESTONE YEARS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THIS ISSUE: 2013-2014 • Message from Head of School ........... 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Board of Directors ............................... 2 Eleanore Ballentine • Milestones ............................................... 2 Member-at-Large • Annual Giving 2013 .............................. 3 Madeleine Bonnard Member-at-Large • Parent Grad Gift .................................... 6 Lynn Butler-Kisber • Valedictorian Address .......................... 7 Outside Educator • Graduation Class of 2013 ................... 9 Brian Foote • St. George’s 2013 Scholars .................. 9 HS Faculty Representative • Alumni Representative Message ........ 10 David Gameroff Member-at-Large • Alumni Reunions ........................... 11-13 Kim Holden • Alumni Updates .............................. 14-23 Member-at-Large • In Memoriam ......................................... 23 Pamela Itzcovitch Secretary, Chair of Governance and Marketing Committees • Upcoming School Events ................... 24 George Kfouri Chair, Buildings and Grounds Patricia Klein ’88 ST. GEORGE’S Alumni Representative FACULTY & STAFF Tamara Elias Liebmann MILESTONE YEARS Chair, Education Committee (COMPLETED AS OF JUNE 2013) Risa Lukofsky ’82 Chair, Advancement Committee WITH 10 YEARS OF SERVICE • Germain Belouin (Buildings & Grounds) Carlos Obando Member-at-Large • Mary Opalinsky (HS Social Sciences) • Emily Watts (HS Science) Michael O’Connor ES Faculty Representative • Sean O’Neill (HS Media & Robotics) James A. Offi cer Head of School WITH 15 YEARS OF SERVICE • Pierrette Dupont (HS French) Leslie Pokrass Ornstein • Aaron Stamboulieh (Information Technology) Marketing Committee Representative Louise Anne Poirier WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE President • James Offi cer (Head of School) Lorne Steinberg • Bill Nevin (HS Mathematics) Treasurer and Chair, Finance Committee • Louise Girouard (Finance Department) Cheryl Weigensberg-Wood • Saundra Tobman (HS Resource Centre) PAC (Parent Activity Committee) Representative 2 DRAGONLINK Spring 2014 DRAGONLINK ANNUAL GIVING ADVANCEMENT ANNUAL GIVING 2013 COMMITTEE EMBERS Every year, St. George’s School relies on parents (both current and past), faculty, M staff and alumni to support its Annual Giving Campaign. Annual Giving is a critical source of funding for projects and initiatives that enable us to continue providing Risa Lukofsky ’82 an environment in which our students can excel. The ability to upgrade our physical (Chair) spaces, enhance our curriculum, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in new, Don Belec exciting and forward-thinking ways, and to offer fi nancial assistance when required, (Campaigns Manager) all contribute to providing a unique experience at St. George’s. David Gameroff The following two important areas of need were identifi ed as Patricia Klein ’88 requiring your support in the 2012-2013 academic year: Patricia Lavoie (Coordinator, Advancement) Artist’s James A. Offi cer Rendering (Head of School) of Proposed Field Louise Anne Poirier (Board President) Lorne Steinberg (Treasurer) Dorothy Yule (Director, Finance) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Outdoor Soccer Field (Installation 2014) ADVISORY Raised over $95,000 ROLES Prototyping Machine Rapid Nathalie Bossé (Assistant Head, Curriculum & CLE) Transformationunderway! Elizabeth Gomery ’93 (Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation) George Kfouri (Building & Grounds Chair) Colleen Wicha (Tribute Gala Committee Chair) HIGH SCHOOL Science & Art Department Enhancements Raised over $28,000 Spring 2014 DRAGONLINK 3 DRAGONLINK ANNUAL GIVING 2013 CAMPAIGN ANNUAL GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALLING $9,628 WERE MADE IN SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING DESIGNATED GIVING FUNDS: GILBERT PLAW/AGNES MATTHEWS FUNDS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Gilbert Plaw Fund was established on the occasion of his retirement in 2000 to recognize his commitment to providing a unique educational opportunity to as many students as possible. Agnes Matthews was the school’s second Head and for the 28 years between 1935 and 1963, her vision, dedication and foresight created the blueprint for curriculum and student life at St. George’s. These funds benefi t mission-appropriate students whose families may not have the fi nancial means to provide them with a St. George’s education. BEATRICE LEWIS FUND FOR ENRICHMENT Beatrice Lewis was the Elementary School Director for close to 20 years. Retired since 2007, she is still fondly remembered by students, parents and teachers alike. This fund, in honour of her long-time dedication and service to the School, is for enrichment programs at St. George’s. SERGE ROUSSEAU FUND FOR FRENCH ENRICHMENT During his 32 years at St. George’s, Serge Rousseau championed language instruction and made the French culture an integral part of the St. George’s curriculum. He has been described as a great pedagogue and a true innovator, one who constantly looked for ways to improve the French program at St. George’s. Ces fonds nous permettent de continuer à développer et à explorer de nouvelles opportunités linguistiques et culturelles. TAMMY LEVY FUND FOR TEACHER TRAINING This fund was created in the memory of Tammy Levy (1963-2003) who was the Coordinator of Student Support Services between 1997-2003. Tammy’s methodology was founded on humour, compassion, patience, intuition, insight and a mother’s love. Donations toward this fund serve to support our Professional Development program. JOHN DORE FUND FOR ATHLETICS In John Dore’s career at St. George’s, he guided and mentored students both on and off the court. The John Dore Fund for Athletics is used to enhance and develop athletic initiatives at St. George’s. JACLYN LINETSKY FUND FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS This fund was established in memory of St. George’s Grad, Jaclyn Linetsky ’03, who died tragically in a car accident at the tender age of 17. Her name on our Performing Arts Program ensures that Jaclyn’s force and character will always be remembered and that she will continue to be an inspiration for generations of St.