One of Canada’s Outstanding Meet our Rocket Principals new mascot launch see page 2 see page 14 See page 19 Commission scolaire English-Montréal Volume 22 Number 2 SPRING 2019 xpress www.emsb.qc.ca e English Montreal School Board EMSB proudly kicks off Physical Literacy campaign Nolan O’Rourke, right, Secondary IV student from LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent, was awarded a bursary from the Georges St-Pierre Foundation recently via The Foundation for Athletic Excellence of Quebec (FAEQ). St-Pierre, left, a former three-time UFC welterweight champion, presented the cheque personally to Nolan, who came here from Prince Edward Island to pursue his dream of becoming an Olympic wrestler. CERTIFICATES TO SEE A MOVIE AT THEATRES PASSES TO OR Matteo Rendinella from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School demonstrates his impressive skipping technique at the EMSB Physical Literacy press conference. MERCHANDISE The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) officially kicked off its new Physical Literacy is FROM EMSB PHYSICAL LITERACY Everyday Life campaign at a high-profile press conference at Hampstead Elementary School recently. OR Board officials were joined by special guests, including some high-profile sports personalities, A as well as media and a contingent of students from six other EMSB schools, to learn more about GIFT CARD TO physical literacy through numerous activities and presentations on the subject. Hampstead School is one of the elementary institutions which has assumed a leadership role in this area. Please read our special section in this edition of the EMSB Express on pages 6 to 13. see page 4 2 www.emsb.qc.ca EXPRESS | vol. 22 | Nº 2 | Spring 2019 From the Chairman’s Desk Marisa Mineiro Angela Mancini named one of Canada’s Religious Symbols and clear when we held a very Outstanding Principals successful public forum on the In response to the new CAQ issue in February. by Daniel Smajovits government’s plans to proceed with a law prohibiting public History Course While Michelangelo International Elementary School in RDP servants in positions of authority might be tucked away at the eastern edge of Montreal, Principal from wearing religious symbols, The EMSB Council of Marisa Mineiro has been thrust we have been down this road Commissioners recently accepted into the national spotlight as before when we strongly opposed the independent History Experts she was recently named as one the former Parti Québébois gov - Committee report on the revised of Canada’s Outstanding ernment’s proposed Charter of Secondary III and IV compulsory Principals. The announcement Values in the winter of 2014. The History of Québec and Canada was made by the Learning EMSB wishes to convey how, as program. The revised curriculum Partnership. an educational institution which raised a number of issues of Overall, 30 educators across fosters respect among our students, concern to the EMSB. Given these the country were chosen by we can in no way support this type concerns, in June, the EMSB asked The Learning Partnership as of legislation which violates the an independent History Experts Canada’s Outstanding Prin - I would like to take this Quebec Charter of Human Rights Committee to review the content cipals of 2019. This marks the opportunity to update and Freedoms. If enacted, this kind of this program as well as sixth time that an EMSB of legislation will force individuals the Ministry-approved English- educator was amongst those stakeholders on a to choose between government language textbooks. The report has chosen. Ms. Mineiro follows number of matters. employment and a desire to wear been shared with other boards and Lester B. Pearson High Marisa Mineiro religious apparel. It is a personal the Ministère de l’Éducation et de School’s Joseph Vitantonio Enrolment choice to wear such apparel. The l’Enseignement Supérieur. (2018), Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School’s Anna EMSB values the diversity of our Sanalitro (2017), Westmount Park Elementary School’s Marylene For the second year in a row, students and staff, and respects Investment Perron (2016), retired principal Claude Dansereau (2015) and enrolment in the EMSB youth their personal and religious rights, LaurenHill Academy’s Donna Manos (2011) as winners. sector is on the rise. A total of which are guaranteed both by the in FACE “I’m very honoured, but I cannot take all the credit,” said Ms. 19,811 students was recorded as Canadian and Quebec Charters We recently welcomed the Mineiro. “It’s a team effort here at Michelangelo International part of the September 30 count. of Rights. We cannot be party to a $11-million investment announced Elementary School. I did not do this on my own.” That is 250 more than the 2017-18 proposed legislation which, if by MEES in order to prepare a Ms. Mineiro has been an administrator at the EMSB for seven academic year. With more than passed, runs contrary to what we business case and preliminary years, the last three at Michelangelo International Elementary 22,000 students in the adult sector, teach our students insofar as plans vis-à-vis very significant School. Her first foray into administration came under the EMSB remains the largest tolerance and respect of individual renovations at FACE School continued on next page English public school board in rights and religious freedoms are downtown. This heritage build - the province. concerned. This came out loud ing itself is managed by the Commission Scolaire de Montréal governance and management in se fait auprès des élèves de la (CSDM). We have about one quar- the completion of their work. This Commission scolaire English- ter of the student population. We inquiry has caught us completely Montréal…” We want our stake - very much appreciate the partner- by surprise given the fact that the holders to know that it will be ship we have with the CSDM at previous Liberal government had business as usual at our schools FACE. This is an excellent example assigned two auditors to review and centres. We continue to take of collaboration between two school certain EMSB practices. One great pride in the fact that we have Produced by the Communications and boards. We are grateful to the found no irregularities and the one of the highest success rates of Marketing Services Division of the government for its commitment to other deposited her report with any public school board in the English Montreal School Board fund the renovations that this build- former Minister Sébastien Proulx province, and our enrolment is also 6000 Fielding Avenue, Montreal (Quebec) H3X 1T4 ing requires, and we will work in June 2017. The EMSB never on the rise. closely with the CSDM to relocate heard back from the Ministry Phone: (514) 483-7200, ext. 7245 our students during the work. This about the second report. Our Fax: (514) 483-7213 is a great relief for the school natural conclusion over the last E-mail: [email protected] community that has been living in eighteen months is that, again, Web site: www.emsb.qc.ca uncertainty in the past years. Our there were no irregularities. biggest challenge is to find a space CAQ Minister of Education, Editor: Mike J. Cohen large enough to relocate all of the Jean-François Roberge stated Communications & Marketing Specialist, EMSB students while having the least effect himself during his press conference Copy Editor: Kristin McNeill on the vocational arts of the school. recently, that these are merely allegations. Nothing has been Proofreading: Alessandra Nardolillo @EnglishMTL MEES Investigation determined as factual. None - Translation: Manon Bourassa theless, an investigation has been Finally, we issued a statement launched. It was also stated Layout & design: Ponctuation Grafix Inc. www.ponctuation.com in response to the MEES an - that no specific member of nouncement that an investigation governance nor manage ment is Legal Deposit: Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec has been launched. We have targeted by this investigation. National Library of Canada absolutely nothing to hide and, Minister Roberge also ISSN 1488-416X the MEES will have the full stated in his press release cooperation of the EMSB’s that “Un travail remarquable EXPRESS | vol. 22 | Nº 2 | Spring 2019 www.emsb.qc.ca 3 Outstanding Principals – continued from page 2 Ms. Manos at Honoré Mercier “We work as a team. I make the numbers just over 500 members. Elementary School in St. Leonard. decisions when I need to, but I try In addition to an awards ceremony Her full-time teaching career began to include the staff in the process,” in Toronto, Ms. Mineiro will be in 2002 at the former Frederick she added. “We work in colla - enrolled in an executive leader ship Banting Elementary School before boration for the benefit of our training program at the University moving to Michelangelo from school and the students.” of Toronto’s Rotman School of 2004 to 2012. Another factor for Ms. Mineiro Management as well as other As a principal she puts a lot of is developing a strong relationship professional development courses. emphasis in ensuring that the staff with her community at large and her at Michelangelo feel empowered. parent body, both key elements in You can listen to As such, it is a direct credit to this ensuring that she maintains a healthy Suzanne Desautels’ EMSB that her nomination came from and happy school environment. podcast with Marisa at: resource teacher and staff assistant With her selection, Ms. Mineiro [https://bit.ly/2SgQvka ] Marissa Miniero, pictured here with Chair Angela Mancini, Stephanie Fuoco. joins an exclusive club that Regional Director John Pevec, Vice-Chair Joe Ortona and Parent Commissioner Pietro Mercuri. DateBook EMSB Commissioners 2019 WARD 3 WARD 8 (Westmount / Southwest / (St. Léonard) Ville-Marie West) March 24 to 26 May 4 Montreal Regional EMSB Chorale Spring Science and Gala Concert ANGELA MANCINI Technology Fair 7:30 pm | Oscar Peterson Hall Chairman Concordia University (Concordia University), Member, Executive Committee ME PATRICIA LATTANZIO www.sciencetech.ca 7141 Sherbrooke St.