The Coed Advantage

Posted on January 7, 2015 by admin

So what is the coed advantage? It’s everywhere at LCC, but it was certainly on display this morning at our Middle and Senior School assembly. A group of girls and boys collaborated to lead several presentations on the sensitive topic of feminism and gender issues. It was exactly the kind of activity that underscores the benefits of having girls and boys together in a constructive learning environment.

The assembly reinforced my belief that the best way to expand student horizons is through active engagement. The coed advantage reinforces key principles: promotion of equality, exposure to diverse perspectives, learning excellence for all, and the development of healthy and respectful friendships. Today’s activity was a special example of boys and girls collaborating and learning together with a focus on mutual respect.

The students explored myths about feminism and facts and assertions around gender issues. They did so in a creative and confident manner. That was not a surprise to me, but it was certainly impressive.

As educators we have a special responsibility to model equity and promote open dialogue and equal opportunities in students’ learning. That’s why I believe a coed learning environment is the best place to learn, explore and develop. — Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Community Service-Mackay Center: Learning From Each Other

Posted on December 3, 2014 by admin

On Monday, November 17, I along with six other students and Ms. Leiter, had the privilege of going to Camp Massawippi with several students and teachers from the Mackay Centre for three days. Most, if not all the students who go on the trip from year to year, have cerebral palsy and are in wheel chairs. However, this year along with these students, we were accompanied by deaf teens as well.

After two visits to the Mackay Centre prior to the trip (to get to know the students a little bit better), the seven of us from LCC were anxious to get up to the camp. Since I had already gone on the trip last year, it didn’t take long for me to become comfortable at the camp with the kids. Despite the very snowy weather, we took the kids on long walks and adventures during the day. We also did arts and crafts, played board games, and even got into a pretty intense competition of air hockey. Although you could see on everyone’s faces that we were having a blast doing all of these activities, all of the Mackay students and LCC students would probably say that their favorite times were when we all just sat around, talked, and laughed a lot.

Because there was a group of deaf students who came on the trip this year, several Royal Vale High school students and teachers came up to the camp with us as well. Royal Vale has an integration program for teens that are deaf, which allows them to be in certain regular streamed classes. Because of this, the students that came knew how to communicate with the students who are deaf through sign language.

I can’t even put a number on the amount of highs experienced on this trip, however I can say that one specific moment was definitely learning sign language. We learned simple things like how to sign the alphabet and how to say yes, no, please and thank you. On top of that we learned how to sign words like ”swag”, and even a new sign that had just been created for “Ebola.” – Zoe Young ‘15

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Community Service-Mackay Center: Creating Unforgettable Memories

Posted on December 3, 2014 by admin

Being given the opportunity to participate in a once in a lifetime eye-opening experience has really changed the way I perceive the world. Before this experience, I had never worked with children who suffer from cerebral palsy let alone any major disability. The fact that I was able to witness and learn what these children could do on their own really made me rethink my ability to do things I didn’t think I able to do. In reality I am capable of achieving anything on my own unlike the majority of these children.

Despite the challenges that they face, they were always smiling and happy. It was incredible to see that even though these kids struggle daily with so many different things, they still manage to be constantly happy. It really made me reflect and realize how fortunate I really am for the life I have been given. I now realize that the small things in life shouldn’t be taken for granted like being able to walk, dress and feed myself. It is truly unbelievable how much these kids are able to do on their own even though to an average person it may not seem that impressive.

These students have the ability to communicate and express how they are feeling in ways that help them function and survive. As well, the staff at the Mackay Centre were incredible and treated the children as if they were their own, which is certainly an amazing quality. The students are so fortunate to have a team of people who are always looking out for their best interest, making sure that they are on the right path to success.

Overall, this experience was amazing and I am so glad that I got to hang out with these amazing children for three days at camp where we all created unforgettable memories. – Alexandra Meltzer ‘16

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Je Vois Montreal

Posted on November 28, 2014 by admin

“Une journée. Deux cents projets. Mille personnes. Et vous, que voulez-vous changer à Montréal?”

That was a tweet from someone last Monday morning at Je Vois Montreal – a private citizens’ forum focused on incubating ideas to get our city back on track to truly flourish. I am actually old enough to remember the excitement around the introduction of the Montreal subway system, Expo 67, and welcoming the world to the 1976 summer Olympics. During those years, creativity, possibility, and excitement flourished here in Montreal – and it’s possible again.

However, after the election of our first separatist government in the fall of 1976, followed by the sovereignty referendums of 1980 and1995, Montreal experienced a host of significant political and economic challenges. This included diminished private investment and the flight of people and company head offices to cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. In practice, this has proven to be difficult to overcome. Also, aging infrastructure has presented a host of challenges to our city – and to all of us in our daily lives.

The Je Vois Montreal – I See Montreal initiative was started when Jacques Ménard, president of the BMO Financial Group in Quebec and Chancellor of Concordia University, was inspired by learning how other cities facing similar issues have managed to change in recent years.

Ménard & others commissioned a private consultant report on how cities like Manchester (UK), Melbourne (Australia), Philadelphia (USA), and Pittsburgh (USA) all shared a high level of community involvement that helped those urban centres to shift direction and get back on track after challenging times. Each took different steps to achieve meaningful renewal.

Je Vois MTL was trending on Twitter last Monday. Hundreds of Montreal citizens, politicians, educators, self-pronounced change-makers and newsmakers gathered at Place des Arts for the full day to discuss the future of this city and share ideas for its revitalization.

They wanted to rise above the negative energy of the Charbonneau Commission, economic decline, and the Parti Québecois’ proposed “Charter of Secular Values” which together have combined to keep investment away in recent years. The positive response to this citizen forum initiative has actually been well beyond anyone’s expectations.

Hundreds of ideas from Montrealers flooded in when the challenge was sent out earlier this year. Last week conference delegates discussed 150 of those ideas, each one a plan for concrete action. The ideas cover many areas of city life, including: the environment, transit, job-creation, neighbourhood renewal, and the arts.

For example, some contributors noted that Montreal is a major university city. With about 170-thousand post-secondary students, this represents the largest number of students in any city in Canada. With CEGEP students in the mix, Montreal has the largest proportion of post-secondary students as a percentage of the total population of any city in North America.

Concordia has taken a lead amongst universities with six specific proposals from students & administration: They include:

1) Univers-Cité – A stronger alliance of universities focused on collaboration, research and the nurturing of people, talent and skill.

2) International Student Hospitality Project – Special welcome and cultural integration of international students, and a

3) Unique First Nations education project in Kanawake.

Other initiatives have a special artistic focus such as the proposed “Festival of Murals” on Blvd. St Laurent (like Philly – where over 3000 colourful painted murals adorn walls of buildings in what used to be a tired and worn out inner city).

So as Montrealers, I think our LCC students should have some input into this call for creativity and citizen input. From what I can tell, there has not been any high school level contribution.

This week I challenged our students to come up with concrete ideas and funnel them through our student council. In the next two weeks I would like to see the LCC ideas in writing and submit them to the “Je Vois Montreal” group.

I look forward to seeing how creative and original our students can be. I urge them to be positive and take ownership because the future of Montreal should be important to us all. – Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Student Exchange: Cheese and Hot Chocolate!

Posted on November 5, 2014 by admin

Even though I have been here for a little more than three weeks now, I still cannot believe that you can buy a subway sandwich for $7,000! (2,000 Pesos ≈ 1 USD). It’s always funny walking around the streets and thinking “Honestly, who would buy a burger for $7,000?” and then remembering the exchange rate.

Last weekend, I went to a beautiful town called Villa de Leyva. Villa de Leyva is full of Spanish architecture that dates back to the Spanish invasion. This makes it a very historically interesting place. I learned quite a few things on Colombian history in that city.

Not only did we have the chance to visit the wonderful streets and beautiful little shops that inhabit them, but we also had the opportunity to go see an ostrich farm. Those big ridiculous birds are actually very scary up front.

In the city, on the night of our first day, there was a very nice firework celebrating la Señora del Rosario who is the saint of Villa de Leyva. Also, I had the opportunity to try a very local soup called “ajiaco” that is made from a whole bunch of things: multiple potato varieties, different flowers, corn, and some beef. It’s very good!

Speaking of food, Colombians LOVE cheese. They put cheese in absolutely everything! Over at Villa de Leyva, I learned that they don’t put marshmallows in their hot chocolate. Oh no, that’s too sweet. Instead, they put cheese! I would have never thought of doing that… This may sound crazy, but it is actually pretty good. I might start replacing my marshmallows with cheese now.

I had a wonderful time at Villa de Leyva, and I can’t wait for the Halloween party this weekend and everything else that Colombia has to offer. – Paul Virally ’17, Exchange Student @ Colegia Anglo Colombiano