What’s in a Number? Pre-U Results…That’s What!

Posted on May 5, 2011 by admin

The results are in! Well, most of them, and the members of the Pre-U Class of 2011 have a lot to be proud of.

With so much of the Pre-U year focused on applying to university, awaiting the inevitable admission decision is an unnerving time for our students. The last month has been a whirlwind of highs and lows, with the crush of a refusal and the exhilaration of a university acceptance sometimes being experienced within minutes of each other.

But once the emotions settle down, it’s time to for that major, life-changing, decision – where am I going to be next year?

Not everyone has finalized their university decision yet, but when our 25 students cross the stage on May 19th at their graduation ceremony, this is what I know:
• 52% of the students will be attending university in the United States
• 38% of the US-bound students were accepted at universities that have admission rates under 15%
• 75% of our students who applied early to US universities were accepted
• 100% of the students who applied to UK universities were accepted
• 87% of the class has been offered admission scholarships
• 50% of one of the most prestigious scholarships at a top Canadian university were offered to our students (4/8)
• 100% of the Pre-U students will join the Class of 2015 at a university somewhere in the world beginning September 2011

The Pre-U Class of 2011 may be small in number, but they are mighty in many ways. And although, I’m not one to quantify the Pre-U experience—after all, Pre-U is about so much more than just getting into university— the numbers do speak for themselves and are a great reflection of the overall success of our Pre-U students this year.—Kim Tulloch, Director of University Advising

Organ Donations

Posted on May 4, 2011 by admin

I saw both courage and hope speak passionately before a large audience the other day. One of our graduating students, who was the lucky recipient of a liver transplant in 2009, addressed our assembly of Middle and Senior School students. She explained how fortunate she was to receive a new organ after a difficult 10-month wait. Her surgeon, Dr. Lallier from Hôpital St. Justine, also gave a broad overview of the topic of transplants in Quebec. He reminded us that there are never enough organs available to people in need. In fact the gap is quite striking – only about one in ten patients are able to receive an organ in a timely fashion and, unfortunately, dozens die in Quebec every year while waiting for a final lease on life.

There’s a simple solution to the organ supply problem. More of us should sign an organ donation sticker and place it on the back of our Medicare card. It authorizes medical officials to use our organs at the time of our death. It is a unique way to give life and provide a lasting legacy.
I was inspired by today’s presentation and will definitely be a donor some day. Maybe you should too.

For more information, visit www.quebec-transplant.qc.ca

Non Nobis Solum

—Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Corvée du Mont-Royal

Posted on May 4, 2011 by admin

Afin de souligner l’année internationale des forêts, les élèves du Middle School ont décidé de participer à la 20e édition de la corvée du Mont-Royal. À 8h30, tout le monde était au rendez-vous et, pendant toute la matinée, les élèves ont planté, planté, planté…
Photos

Planter des arbres au Mont-Royal était très amusant, on a travaillé pour le service communautaire et on a passé une bonne journée. Je voudrais faire ce type d’activité encore une fois. Cela a ouvert mes yeux sur le monde et sur les changements que je peux faire pour aider l’environnement.
—Arielle Shiri ’14

Mon expérience au Mont-Royal a été une tonne de plaisir. Quand nous sommes arrivés, un groupe de personnes a parlé de l’importance de planter des arbres. Ensuite, en groupes, nous avons eu du matériel et des t-shirts. Nous avons ensuite creusé des trous et planté de jeunes arbres qui deviendront grands. J’ai eu beaucoup de plaisir et j’aimerais le refaire.
—Samantha Adessky ’14

Planter des arbres au Mont-Royal était une expérience que je n’oublierai jamais. Maintenant chaque fois que j’irai là-bas, je pourrais dire à mes amis « Voyez-vous cet arbre ici? C’est moi qui l’ai planté ». Rien que ça est assez pour dire que c’était une bonne expérience.
—Matthew Kaspy ’14

Planter des arbres pour la fondation “les amis de la montagne” était une expérience que je ne vais pas oublier. Une pelle dans une main et un sceau dans l’autre, nous avons planté toute la matinée.
—Montana Black ’14

L’expérience au Mont-Royal était très amusante! Premièrement, j’ai fait beaucoup d’exercices en montant et en descendant la montagne! Je n’avais jamais planté d’arbres de ma vie. Je suis très heureuse d’avoir pu faire une différence dans la communauté et de la rendre plus belle! J’espère qu’il y aura beaucoup d’autres activités comme ça à l’avenir.
—Kaitlin Markus ’14

C’était un matin chaud, le soleil brillait, une journée parfaite pour planter des arbres. Quand nous sommes arrivés, la guide nous a montré comment faire. Après, nous nous sommes mis au travail. À la fin, nous étions fiers de notre travail.
—David Rosenberg ’14

Pour moi, planter des arbres était une nouvelle chose et je ne pouvais pas être plus heureuse avec ma première expérience. Tout était très bien organisé et que les instructions étaient très claires. Notre guide a été très gentille et elle m’a énormément aidée. Elle m’a donné le goût de planter d’autres arbres.
—Stephanie Shannon ’14

J’ai vraiment apprécié planter des arbres. C’était la première fois et ce fut une bonne expérience. C’était une bonne journée pour cette activité. Je suis impatiente de retourner au Mont-Royal pour voir les beaux arbres que nous, en tant que groupe, avons plantés ensemble.
—Jaclyn Lavy ’14

Cette expérience m’a fait du bien. C’était ma deuxième visite à la montagne pour travailler au service communautaire et c’était aussi satisfaisant que la première fois. Je sentais que je faisais vraiment quelque chose de bien et qui faisait une différence. Cela m’a permis d’apprécier la nature et l’environnement. Planter juste un arbre était beaucoup de travail mais j’en ai planté 4 avec l’aide de ma partenaire, Julianna. Je le referai encore si j’avais la chance. —Stephany Hwang ’14

À lire:
Corvée du Mont-Royal 2011

À regarder (film et photos):
Des forêts et des hommes par Goodplanet.org

Ethics Dilemma – Politics and Leadership

Posted on April 29, 2011 by admin

I want my political leaders to do a lot of things for me. I want them to manage the economy; to deliver good educational programs; to provide health care, pensions, good highways, museums, parks, etc. But, often not considered—I want the politicians to be leaders of “character.” We can argue about how effectively one political party supports health care or highways, and we can differ in opinions about who is a good politician or not. Unfortunately, however, it’s pretty clear that most politicians don’t provide us with behaviour representing good character. This is especially true during an election campaign.

I think that as educators and parents we have a problem. Politics do not emphasize civility. Civility is behaving politely, calmly and reasonably even during heated debates. Civility means that we do not engage in personal attacks or harassment. Civility means we should treat each other with consideration and respect.

Yet our politicians speak in very disrespectful ways to, and about, their opponents. They stretch the truth and pretend ignorance when their misrepresentations are pointed out. They would have us believe that their opponents could ruin the country. They support “attack” ads. They continually represent bad character.

We teach our children/students to speak civilly to one another. We teach them to problem solve when relationships come into conflict. We have honour codes in schools emphasizing respect and consideration towards others. At home we don’t allow our children to speak disrespectfully to us as parents. We teach students about tolerance of opposing points of view. We work very hard in schools to shape a civil environment. We want our homes to be civil as well.

How are we to explain to our children/students that our leaders do not have to adhere to the same expectations that are required of us as children, students, co-workers, spouses, employees, etc? Do we say: “that’s politics?” Do we tell our children that this is not the way one should behave? One student pointed out to me that if students behaved the way that politicians behave they’d be sent to the office for a discussion about appropriate behaviour and if that behaviour persisted they might face disciplinary actions.

If the lack of civility in politics bothers me and if I want good characters to lead our country, whom do I vote for? I will exercise my right to participate in this democracy, but this ethical dilemma is challenging.—John Gordon, School Counsellor

Toward a Sustainable World

Posted on April 28, 2011 by admin

It’s Environment/Earth Week at LCC. Although we have taken a lot of steps in recent years to be a more sustainable school, we can always do more. We have diminished our impact on our environment by changing a lot of our buildings’ systems and infrastructure: we installed high efficiency furnaces and new generation fluorescent lighting, upgraded ventilation systems, limited water waste, planted trees and added an urban tree garden. In addition, student learning now has a more pronounced focus on sustainability.

Last fall our Board of Governors published a Sustainability Commitment. Our student Green Team promotes sustainable practices at school and in our homes, and faculty and staff sit on a sustainability committee. This is all in an effort to raise awareness and find ways to make LCC a greener school.
As a large and complex organization, LCC seems to be on solid footing when it comes to diminishing its impact on our precious environment. Perhaps the biggest challenge to changing wasteful and harmful habits is not institutional, but personal. David Suzuki publishes a Top Ten list of ways to make a positive impact on our shared environment. However, expecting people to make ten changes is probably too many. So how about just three? Anyone can do these:

1. Walk, bike or take public transit more often.
2. Manage your trash better and recycle more efficiently.
3. Eat more locally grown foods.

If enough people made just these three changes, our environment would surely benefit.

As they say, ”Rome wasn’t built in a day” and “climbing any mountain begins with a single step.” So however minor, decide what you can really handle. Commit to making some positive changes and before you know it, you will likely want to do more. –Chris Shannon, Headmaster