Director General’sReport to Council

by Michael Chechile

School OpeningThe schools of the Lester B. Pear-

son School Board opened their doors on the 2015-2016 school year on September 1st, and what a day it was! In a smooth and happy fashion, across the territo-ry, tens of thousands of students were excited, greeting friends, teachers, and going to their class-es for the first time. The newest L.B.P.S.B. students, this year’s kindergarten cohort, waved goodbye to moms and dads and said hello to kindergarten teach-ers. In my experience this part-ing is often more emotional for the parents than the students. I remember clearly as my wife and I followed the school bus that first day! Many also began their first year of high school, a transition that involves giving up “Big Kid” status and becoming the young-est in a new school. The students quickly realize they have nothing to be nervous about as our wel-coming staff put them at ease, and old friendships are rekindled as new ones are formed.

I was honoured to spend the morning of the students’ first day at Wilder Penfield. It was heartwarming to be with so many smiling students; their energy is truly contagious, and they are what everything we do is about. The caring, compassion and en-ergy of our amazing teachers, ad-ministrators and educators across the board is a testimonial of the true dedication of their commit-ment to every student.

I had the pleasure of visiting several other schools in the past weeks. I visited Clearpoint El-ementary and saw their Balloon Parade. This tradition welcomes the kindergarten students and their families as the whole school cheers them on. At Dorval El-ementary, I enjoyed listening to grade 4 students sing “Make New Friends”:

Make new friendsand keep the old

one is silverand the other is gold.

Circle’s roundit has no end

that’s how longI want to be your friend.

At St. Anthony I visited the STEAM Room and saw cocoons from which butterflies will emerge. Thank you to Madame Gendron’s Grade One class for keeping me updated on the prog-ress of the monarch butterflies. I very much enjoyed my visit to the International Pre-Kindergarten at the Marcus Tabachnick Pavil-ion, where three- and four-year-old children benefit not just to French and English, but to a third language as well. At Greendale, I listened to a music class pre-

Chairman’s Report

to Council

by Suanne Stein Day

Tonight I must start off my re-port by sending our deepest con-dolences to the family of Jared Benzekri, an 8 year old student of Westpark Elementary who passed away after a valiant struggle. Our prayers are with his two brothers, Noah and Ethan, and his parents.

I spent the weekend with Craig Berger, Wayne Clifford and Mike Nalecz at the Quebec Lib-eral Party’s Forum des Idees sur l’education. The weekend in-cluded some wonderful speak-ers talking about student success, education in the 21st century, culture in education, education francophonie and governance. Featured and honored through-out the weekend was Paul Gerin-Lajoie, Quebec’s first Minister of Education. The 95-year old Ger-in-Lajoie expressed many words of wisdom and closed the Satur-day session with a passionate plea to maintain school board elec-tions by universal suffrage, to not throw the baby out with the bath water and advised the govern-ment to twin school board elec-tions with municipal elections as he didn’t want to go to the polls every year. M. Gerin-Lajoie’s sentiments complimented those of Michael Fullan, international consultant credited with turning around the UK education system and the Ontario education sys-tem, who in closing, advised the Premier to not change structures as it does little to improve success. I am very pleased that the Premier has voiced a change in position

See CHECHILE page A2

See STEIN-DAY page A2

The Pearson NewsFROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Septembre/September 2015 GRATUIT/FREEVolume XVIII No. 2

FINALDU DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL ET DE LA PRÉSIDENTE DU CONSEIL

You’ve undoubtedly heard some talk over the past few years about the successes that the Les-ter B. Pearson School Board has had integrate technology into the classroom. Well, you’re not alone, and increasingly people from outside the board are taking notice.

Researcher and author Kel-ly Gallagher-Mackay is among those who are interested. Cur-rently working on a book for the publisher Random House tenta-tively entitled Pushing the Lim-its: Schools Making the Future Now, Gallagher-Mackay’s work includes widely-read research and writing on issues in public-sector education. She and her co-author were interested in the Board’s handling of the Digital Citizenship Program.

To conduct some research, Ms.

Gallagher-Mackay went to Ever-green Elementary, a school that has embraced advancements in technology by equipping every classroom with a Smartboard, and by initiating the iPad One-on-One program. To further en-rich its offering, Evergreen also has a mobile iPad unit as well as iPods to be used in learning centres at all grade levels including Kindergarten.

There, the author interviewed Direc-tor General Michael Chechile, during whose tenure in his previous position of Director of Educational Services oversaw the implemen-tation of the Digital Citizenship Program, along with Evergreen principal

Margaret Grant and Susan Con-nery, itinerant teacher for digital citizenship and educational tech-nology in the Educational Servic-es Department.

She asked Mr. Chechile what got him started on the path to build-ing a digital citizenship program at the board, what he perceived

as the risks and ben-efits, and many other questions, including whether this initia-tive led to any ‘wow’ moments for him. The answer? Many.

Gallagher-Mackay was curious about whether Ms. Grant sees the digital citi-zenship program making a difference in her school, how

she manages teachers having dif-

ferent backgrounds and interest levels in tech at her school, and whether there is a particular ap-proach to professional develop-ment around tech at the school.

Ms. Connery answered similar questions, asking for stories about outstanding work, in which stu-dents or teachers are able to do things they never would have been able to do before, and her take on using Google apps for education.

It should prove to be a very interesting read, and one which will be of interest to many Pear-son board employees.

Until its publication, should you wish to know more about the Digital Citizenship Program, or DCP, as it is known, please feel free to visit the Educational Ser-vices Department’s DCP Page at http://dcp.lbpsb.qc.ca/

It is with great pleasure that we put the spotlight on one particu-lar star student in this first month back at Beacon Hill. Ethan Mer-curi, a grade two student made the news recently for his philan-thropic efforts of raising money for the Montreal Children’s Hos-pital.

It all started out with an idea: after seeing his hockey idol, PK Subban, donate 10 million dol-lars to the Children’s Hos-pital, he decided to write a letter to him stating he will also donate $20 from his piggy bank. The tweet was sent to Mr. Subban,

the hospital and the Montreal Ca-nadians. “To P.K. Subban. My name is Ethan Mercuri. I heard that you gave $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. And I want to do the same thing but less money, I want to give $20 from my piggy bank. If you want, you

can come to my school at Beacon Hill Elementary. Hope you win the Stanley Cup. Your fan Ethan,” he wrote.Within days, Ethan had in-spired many friends to make donation, been interviewed by CBC News, CTV

and his story was shared in vari-ous French and English papers and sports outlets. Needless to

say, the most exciting message came straight from Ethan’s idol:After Ethan’s letter went viral, other children, young and old, decided to donate from their pig-gy banks too. It has been such an exciting experience to see Ethan’s charitable $20 grow into so much

more. You can also see P.K. talk about this on the Habs website at thie following address:http://goha.bs/1VaZ7yiBeacon Hill is very proud of Ethan and the students he has inspired as well! Of course everyone wants to know if Mr. Subban plans to make an appearance at Beacon Hill, as per Ethan’s request. We’ll keep you posted!

Off to a Stellar Start at Beacon Hill

This is just awesome! This is what it’s all about! Props Ethan! way 2 step up! ;)”

- P.K. Subban Tweet

Author Kelly Gallagher-Mackay

Author Kelly Gallagher-Mackay Researches New Book on Technology and Education With Pearson Board, Visits Evergreen

Below is a list of Commissioners along with their school board locals.

(514) 422-3000 Ward Communities Commissioner Local

Chairman All Suanne Stein Day 30101 1 Lasalle/Verdun Mary Ann Davis 30121 2 Lasalle/Lachine Frank Di Bello 30122 3 Lachine/Dorval Joshua Arless 30123 4 Pointe-Claire Noel Burke 30102 5 Pierrefonds-Roxboro Nan Beaton 30125 6 Dollard-des-Ormeaux Craig Berger 30126 7 Kirkland/Dollard Laura Derry 30127 8 Beaconsfield Martin Sherman 30128 9 Pointe-Claire/Beaconsfield/Baie d’Urfé/Ste. Anne Eric Bender 30129 10 Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue/Île-Perrot Domenic Pavone 30130 11 Off-Island North Daniel Olivenstein 30131 12 Off Island South Wayne Clifford 30132 Parent Sharad Bhargava 30161 Parent Sandra Buckingham 30162 Parent Frank Clarke 30162 Parent Michael Nalecz 30163 Student Vacant Student Vacant

Executive Committee Monday, October 20 5:30 p.m. Board Room Council of Commissioners Monday, October 26 7:30 p.m. Board Room

visit our website at: www.pearsonskills.com

This could be your opportunity to:

• Master a vocational program

• Complete a high school diploma

• Obtain pre-requisite courses for CEGEP or vocational education

• Improve your language skills

• Upgrade your employability skills to become more competitive

in today’s workforce

• Receive free counseling, support, and referral services

Excellence in

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Adult Education

A2Pearson News Septembre/September 2015

Chechile, from page A1

Do you have an article to submit to

Please send your articles and pictures to your Principal who will forward them to us. Questions or comments? Email Dan Mullins at dmullins@lbpsb.qc.ca

the Pearson News?

Stein Day, from page A1on school board structures over the weekend after Mr. Fullan and M. Gerin-Lajoie spoke. He went on to say that our English educa-tion network is an example that should be followed and respect-ed. Our network looks forward to working with him.

The school year has been off to a fruitful start. Our students are settled in their classes and, in the schools I visited, they are already engaged in some exciting proj-ects. I know that our community is concerned about teacher nego-tiations and potential strike days. As I stated last month, I have a lot of faith in the professionalism of our teachers and I know that they have the best interests of your children at heart.

I’d like to thank all the teachers, support staff, caretaking staff, ad-ministrators, Diane Pellerin and her transportation team and the Head Office administration team who went out to support schools in order to make the first days of schools as smooth as possible. It indeed does take a village to raise a child.

form ‘Michael Finnegan.’ I had the chance to speak to students at Thorndale, watched students run in the gym at Beacon Hill and walked into many classrooms where technology was integrated in the learning at Evergreen. I remain convinced that we are a network of very special, unique schools, each with its own char-acter and culture, but united in being great educational institu-tions and hubs of community. I look forward to visiting more as the year progresses.

France GoyetteOn September 4 we remem-

bered the remarkable France Goyette with a beautiful me-morial. I had the great pleasure of working with and knowing France for many years. As a prin-cipal, I benefitted from her wealth of detailed knowledge, support and commitment; as a person I benefitted from her kindness, her generosity, her humour, her hon-esty, her positive outlook, her wit and beautiful bright smile. She will be missed.

Table de ConcertationOn September 17, we had the

opportunity to meet the DGs and Assistant DGs from the five school boards on the Island. I am looking forward to discussing and sharing ideas at the table de concertation.

Education FairOn September 20th, I was able

to visit the Montreal Families Education Fair, at which Lester B. Pearson had a booth. I was very impressed by the high level of interest, and the commitment, professionalism and knowledge of the staff on hand. A very well-deserved thank-you to those of you who worked at the fair.

Enrollment As is the case every year, on

September 30th, the official stu-dent count will be taken for fund-ing and reported to the ministry. It is important that our students are present at school on Wednes-day, September 30th, 2015.

Upcoming EventsWe look forward to hosting

the Google for Education Mon-treal Leadership Symposium on October 21 at Lester B. Pearson School Board. The event brings leaders in education together to explore transformational change and showcase technology as a tool to help increase student en-gagement and prepare students for the careers of the future.

Teacher Negotiating ChallengesOur teachers continue to face

some negotiating challenges for a new collective agreement with the provincial government and are forced to consider making very hard choices. I continue to believe in our dedicated teach-ers and have faith in their pro-fessionalism, and their ability to provide a safe learning environ-ment for every student. Should a strike day take place, parents will receive notice seven days be-fore so they can plan accordingly. Thank-you, teachers, for every-thing you do.

It is just a few days from PEF’s biggest fundraiser of the year: the 2015 PEF Golf Day at the beautiful Atlantide Golf Club on Ile Perrot. There is still time to join us for a bright and brisk day on the course; there will be wine tasting and hot coffee to keep us warm, and…doesn’t the ball carry further in cool weather??

But if work is calling, come for the 5pm Cocktail-Dînatoire and raffle.

$75.00 (receive a $50 tax-re-ceipt)

Lester B. Pearson Day at the Alouettes will be one to remem-ber!

Ticket sales have been phe-nomenal. See you at the Tail-Gate Party!

The PEF Grants Commit-tee will review all the exciting projects proposed by teachers through our board, from Kin-dergarten to Adult Ed, at the beginning of October, with the

results communicated to the schools in the first week of No-vember.

Interested in getting to know more about PEF?

A donation of $10.00 or more in any fiscal year makes you a member for that year.

Receive all our events in-formation and newsletters by email, and you are most wel-come to attend and vote at the AGM on October 28,2015 at 1925 Brookdale, Dorval.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF COMMISSION-ERS OF THE LESTER B. PEAR-SON SCHOOL BOARD!

Your unprecedented support of the work of the Foundation through the payroll deduction plan will go a long long way to ensuring that the Rona Cupak Winter Wear Fund will be able to fill every single request for snowsuits and boots that we re-ceive from school this fall!

Pearson Education Foundation Newsletter: September

This workshop is being offered by the Lester B. Pearson School Board in partnership with Concordia University, Department of Applied Human Sciences, Graduate Program in Human Systems Intervention.

Register Early, Space is Limited

Registration Fee: $25 (lunch provided)

Sign up online by June 12 and you’ll be entered

into our Early Bird draw.

www.lbpsb.qc.ca

For more information, email workshopinfo@lbpsb.qc.ca or call (514) 422-3000 & ask for ‘Workshop Info’.

This workshop is open to all

members of the LBPSB Community

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2015 OR Sunday, October 18, 2015

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Place: Pearson Electrotechnology Centre

5000 René Huguet, Lachine

Registration

Information

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even the perception of perfection, the resulting busyness limits our capacity for joy and creativity. By embracing our imperfections and by letting ourselves be seen, we can escape the busyness trap,

create stronger relationships and live more wholeheartedly.

Find out what’s happening at the

Pearson Educational Foundation

Visit the PEF website at:

pef.lbpsb.qc.ca

Find out what’s happening at the

Pearson Educational Foundation

Visit the PEF website at:

pef.lbpsb.qc.ca

Check out what’s going on with the International Studies ProgramVisit us on the web at: http://www.lbpsb.qc.ca/eng/intlstudies/indexV2.asp

INFORMATION: SUSAN GRAND | PEF@LBPSB.QC.CA | (514) 422-3000 EXT 37000

$2 OF EVERY TICKET SOLDGOES TO SUPPORT THE PEARSON EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1:00 P.M.A T M C G I L L

JOIN THE LESTER B. PEARSON COMMUNITY !ACT FA ST, TICKETS ARE LIMITED!

$14TICKET PRICE:

VS

Pearson NewsA3Septembre/September 2015

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2 0 1 5CLASSIC

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Jeudi le 1er octobre 2015Thursday, October 1, 2015

Club de golf atlantideIle perrot, quebec

INFORMATION: SUSAN GRAND | PEF@LBPSB.QC.CA | (514) 422-3000 EXT 37000

$2 OF EVERY TICKET SOLDGOES TO SUPPORT THE PEARSON EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1:00 P.M.A T M C G I L L

JOIN THE LESTER B. PEARSON COMMUNITY !ACT FA ST, TICKETS ARE LIMITED!

$14TICKET PRICE:

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A4Pearson News Septembre/September 2015

2015

Lakeside Academy

Beaconsfield High School

John Rennie High School

Beurling Academy

L.C.C.H.SLaSalle Community Comprehensive High School

Lindsay Place High School

Principal: Michelle Harper

250 Beaurepaire DrBeaconsfield, H9W 5G7Tel: 514-697-7220http://beaconsfield.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Cristina Prata

501 boul. St-JeanPointe-Claire, H9R 3J5Tel : 514-697-3210http://johnrennie.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Alix Adrien

6100 boul. ChamplainVerdun, H4H 1A5Tel: 514-766-2357http://beurling.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Kathleen O’Reilly

5050 SherbrookeLachine, H8T 1H8Tel: 514-637-2505http://lakesideacademy.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Dona Bianchi

111 Broadview AvePointe-Claire, H9R 3Z3Tel : 514-694-2760http://lindsayplace.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Jennifer Kurta

240 9ième AvenueLaSalle, H8P 2N9Tel: 514-595-2050http://lcchs.lbpsb.qc.ca

SCHOOL INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE ENRICHEDPROGRAMS

ThursdayOctober 22

6:45pm - 9:30pm

ThursdayOctober 15

7:00pm - 9:00pm

ThursdayOctober 1

6:30pm - 9:00pm

WednesdayOctober 7

6:45pm - 8:45pm

ThursdayOctober 1

5:30pm - 8:30pm

ThursdayOctober 15

7:00pm - 9:00pm

= International Baccalaureate

LPHS UANTUM

Principal: Jad Deegan

17 Maple AveSte-Anne-de-Bellevue, H9X 2E5Tel: 514-457-3770http://macdonald.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Marie-Josée Coîteux

2800 du BordelaisSt-Lazare, J7T 3E3Tel: 514-798-4500http://westwood.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Sheila Honeyborne

69 Cote St-CharlesHudson, J0P 1H0Tel: 514-798-4900http://westwood.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Colleen Galley

13800 boul. PierrefondsPierrefonds, H9A 1A7Tel : 514-626-9610http://pchs.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: Roger Rampersad

5060 boul. des SourcesPierrefonds, H8Y 3E4Tel: 514-684-9920http://riverdale.lbpsb.qc.ca

Principal: David Abracen

120 AmbassadorPointe-Claire, H9R 1S8Tel: 514-694-3770http://stthomas.lbpsb.qc.ca

Macdonald High School

SCHOOL INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE

Riverdale High School

P.C.H.SPierrefonds Comprehensive High School

St. Thomas High School

Westwood Jr. High School

Westwood Sr. High School

WednesdayOctober 21

6:45pm - 9:00pm

SaturdayOctober 17

10:00am - 1:00pm9:30 am – 10:00 am

(IB session)

WednesdayOctober 14

7:00pm - 9:00pm

ThursdayOctober 22

6:30pm - 9:00pm

ThursdayOctober 22

7:00pm - 9:00pm

ThursdayFebruary 4

6:30pm - 9:00pm

2015

= International Baccalaureate

Candidate School

ENRICHEDPROGRAMS