Under the 30 year direction of the EMSB Chorale Executive & Artistic Director and Conductor, Patricia Abbott, the Children’s Chorus has evolved into 108 primary and secondary student voices creating a pitch perfect sound that, quite frankly, gives you goosebumps…the EMSB Chorale. Suzanne Desautels chats with Director Abbott and 2 choir members: Sec 4 student Amalia Taylor and Westmount High’s Sec 5 student Patrick Knowlton about their concerts, their love of music and how other EMSB students between Grade 4 and Sec 5 can get involved.

The Terry Fox Run is an annual event in Montreal area schools. One of the most prolific fundraisers is a Grade 6 student at Edinburgh Elementary in Montreal West.

This year marked Avah Pennefather’s 11 th “run”. Her first was in her stroller pushed by her mother, Lauren. Avah is 11 years old and has spent her life raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation, up to $11,000…so far. Her passion and dedication is inspiring and heartwarming and she’s only 11 years old! Her support has been her family, her school and her community. Principal Mauro Zampini is proud of all Edinburgh students for their support of the Terry Fox Foundation. But why is young Avah so fascinated by Terry Fox? She explains in our podcast when she is proudly wearing a T-shirt actually worn by Terry during his

Marathon of Hope (still has dirt on the back!) and given to her personally by Terry’s brother Darrell.

The end of high school is on the horizon. So what’s next? There are several paths open to graduating high school students, but how do you find out what is the best fit for you? And what are those paths?

The EMSB Annual Career Fair answers many of those questions for anyone over the age of 16. EMSB High Schools tour the Career Fair to get some ideas. Kiosks from CEGEPs, University, Vocational schools…covering anything from car mechanics, construction to hair dressing…as well as the Armed Forces, the Fire and Police Departments are in attendance.

Mario Argiropoulos, Chair of the 2019 Career Fair and EMSB Asst. Director of Adult Education & Vocational Services Dept., Irene Kakoulakis, Academic Advisor for Dawson College share what various post-secondary choices are available. Lauren Hill Academy Grade 11 students Marco DeVito and Ilana Martin share their perspectives on what the Career Fair offers them. They found some surprises!

Suzanne Desautels is at John F Kennedy High School talking about Open Houses! Find out what the school does to prepare, what parents should be looking for, and we’ll talk to some students about their open house experience!

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.

A new school year is fraught with nerves and excitement for returning students. Catching up with classmates, meeting new teachers and regaining their footing for another academic year.

For the first timers, kindergarteners, it’s a time of immense change, uncertainty and a big building with lots of new faces. Often parents are experiencing anxiety as their youngsters take this first giant step. Anxiety over separation, performance and the fact their little ones are on their own.

Rest assured, the EMSB has the experience and dedicated professionals to help parents and students transition to the start of academic life.

We get invaluable advice from Candice Madden, the Kindergarten Transition Agent for the EMSB and Kindergarten Teacher, Tina (Ms. Tina) Truffa of Westmount Park Elementary South.

For further information, a video for parents and tips discussed in the podcast, follow this link: https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/articles/supporting-your-child-transition-to-kindergarten

It’s the day Willingdon Grades 4 and 5 have been waiting for. Their first visit as a class to their new home at the Willingdon Senior Campus.

Lot’s of excitement and anticipation filled the halls of Willingdon Elementary as students prepared to make the trek through NDG.

What do they think? What will they find?

As the Senior Campus will undergo updating over the summer break, students are asked to use their imagination and submit suggestions as to how their new school building will and should look. The adventure begins…

Westmount Park Elementary has been around for 105 years. A classic exterior that is in need of an updated interior. So what do you do with 700 students when a renovation from top to bottom needs to take place…and will take 2 years to complete? It’s a challenge that has been solved by the temporary move to two different schools.

How does this work and how do teachers and students feel about it? I spoke to Westmount Park teachers Stephanie Napolitano and Marie Alexiou, Vice Principal Giovanni Iammarrone as well as 3rd grade student Alex Desmettre and 5th grader Gary Croxen to get the details and their perspectives. For Alex and Gary, it’s all about their friends…but they have plans!

The Willingdon expansion is a huge change not only for students and parents, but teachers as well. It’s an adjustment and a challenge especially for those who will travel from the Junior campus (original NDG Willingdon Elementary) to the Senior campus (Somerled & Coronation) to teach.

So what do they think about the expansion? How will their students benefit?

Speaking with Willingdon’s Phys Ed Teacher, Lara Belinsky (Ms. B) and Science Specialist, Kathleen Usher (Doctor Kat), who will be teaching at both campuses, the Willingdon community can rest assured the teachers have this covered! The positive effects the expansion will have for all students is assured by their knowledge, their planning, years of experience and the heartfelt care they share for their students. And their sense of humour is the icing on the cake!

In the Fourth of our series on the Willingdon Elementary Expansion (Jr & Sr Campuses) I speak with Grade 6 students who will not be attending the new campus, but still played an integral part in the planning of the Sr. campus layout.

Willingdon 2019 Graduates Opal Phillips and Dario Tordini join me to explain what they told administrators would help the learning environment for future students. Very interesting perspectives…It’s about space, breathing time, caring for fellow classmates and…space.