Joyde

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

Last week, Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduc was forced to comment on a comprehensive report from the University of Laval that was very critical of a decade of significant educational reform here in Quebec. Quebec is not alone in attempting changes in educational approaches; these have been implemented across most of the western world in recent years. All nations have attempted to shift away from old-world priorities: memorization, drill & kill (interest), and a “one-size fits all” mentality. Today we stress more relevant 21^st century skills—the nurturing of creativity, collaboration, problem solving, IT integration and resilience—so students can better navigate a rapidly changing world.

Unfortunately, after 10 years the evidence on Quebec student performance has not been impressive. In fact, in mathematics and mother-tongue French, scores have slipped, while Quebec continues to wrestle with one of the highest high school dropout rates in North America—still entrenched at a rather shocking 25%—and even higher in some regions.

Although there are clearly some serious issues in Quebec, we need not see ourselves in the same light at LCC. Here we enrich and aim higher than base standards, and that approach has actually served us very well over the past decade. Our academic results are very solid, and I continue to be impressed by both faculty innovation and student achievement.

So let me present my LCC Top Ten “Joyde” List. What’s Joyde? Well, it’s my own word. Joyde is the intersection of “joy” and “pride”. Despite the negative media portrayal of student performance, I believe there is still plenty of room for joy in learning—and pride still matters a great deal at LCC. I wander our halls a lot and see activities and initiatives from K-12 that reflect genuine Joyde.

As a testimony to the much-loved Top Ten List that is so popular in our culture, in no particular order, here are 10 examples that is alive and well at LCC:

1. Kindergarten

This programme is a serious “cuteathon”. Our class sizes are very small—and by November the flexible and malleable minds of our youngest students allow them to already understand and express themselves in French in a surprisingly competent way.

2. Faculty Growth

For many years behind the scenes our teachers have worked hard at developing and enhancing specific aspects of their teaching. This takes time, effort, thoughtful reflection and collaboration. Most recently this has been further enhanced by the introduction of the IB Diploma and IB training seminars, as well as all-faculty PLC mornings for teacher collaboration. Many impressive achievements have emerged from focused teacher reflection and collaboration.

3. EF – Executive Functioning & Positive Mindset

Several years ago as a result of some Faculty Growth initiatives, a group of Middle School teachers worked to develop a program in EF skill development that we could reinforce throughout Middle School and beyond. It begins with an understanding of “metacognition” —how to learn best—and development of a positive mindset so students can be resilient and overcome obstacles in learning. Now, twice a year an EF Report Card goes home to Middle School students/parents. This is very helpful in making learning more meaningful.

4. Committed & Service-oriented Staff

Non-teaching staff are key to student success at LCC. We try hard to hire for attitude in addition to skills. From our front reception to our nurses, part-time coaches, to maintenance and security staff, these are positive and committed people who make a positive difference in students’ lives every day. Whether clearing the snow, welcoming students when late, helping to coordinate pizza lunches, mopping up bloody noses, and repairing our facilities, these roles are critical for success in our learning community.

5. STEM Engagement & IT Integration

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. It’s an area where North Americans fear we are falling behind compared to challengers in Asia and parts of Europe. LCC Teachers respond with cool science labs, robotics, real-world math initiatives, Grade 9 CSI day, IB science & math. Our teachers are energetic and creative. From the Junior School Science Exploratorium to the Senior Schools classes, labs, and workrooms, our talented science, math & IT teachers do not tolerate anything less than excellence in STEM.

6. Internationalism & Global Perspectives

As a Round Square & IB school, we are firmly committed to opening students’ eyes to the world and helping them embrace “the other”, people culturally different from themselves. Whether it’s specific courses, international exchanges, international students, service projects, Duke of Edinburgh leadership activities, or the connectivity of our digitally-connected classrooms, LCC students have more meaningful opportunities to learn about the world than any school in this city.

7. Co-Curricular integration: Athletics, Arts, Leadership, Service (Non Nobis Solum)

Athletics, plays, bands, leadership and service opportunities are too numerous to mention. But these activities bind students together, help them gain skills, grow and emerge as young adults. These are often the most engaging and memorable experiences of our students’ high school years.

8. Bilinguisme

Ici au Québec c’est esséntial de parler francais. Le Français n’est pas seulement une deuxième langue, mais c’est aussi la connaissance d’une culture. Ça peut assister nos étudiants d’etre plus ouvert à la connaissance de plusieurs cultures.

9. LEAD – Learning Enrichment And Development

Our unique LEAD Team and LEAD programmes are designed to help all students be empowered as learners, and develop the skills and confidence to allow their true potential to emerge. We have learned more about learning and the brain in the past decade than in all prior history. Today we are applying the research and LEAD teachers are proactively changing lives.

10. Volunteerism (Parents, Alumni, Community)

Much of what we do well at LCC is well supported by parent and alumni volunteers who help with special events, staff our Board and Board committees. They also offer generous philanthropic support that has helped to build our outstanding campus and finance bursaries and scholarships that provide for so many unique opportunities.

So I am genuinely sorry Mr. Bolduc has problems on his hands with the broad state of education in Quebec. But here at LCC we take nothing for granted and “joyde”—both joy and pride combined —are alive and well. All things considered, we should be very proud. —Chris Shannon, Headmaster

Grade 6 Students Visit the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Center

Posted on February 10, 2015 by admin

LCC grade 6 students touch upon the causes of the Second World War and the atrocities of the Holocaust. Here is a sampling of reflections from some of our students about their recent visit to the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Center. Students also sketched an artifact that they saw at the museum.

Choose and describe an artifact that interests you and why you chose it.
_____________________________________________________________________________

The artifact was a doll. It was found in the Warsaw Ghetto by Thea Borzuk’s dad in an abandoned apartment. She took it when the family escaped the ghetto and played with it when they lived in hiding. The whole family survived and they moved to Canada in 1950. I chose the artifact because I thought it was interesting how it was found and how the owner escaped the ghetto and lived in hiding until the end of the war. – Sebastian J.

My artifact is a blue and white striped dress that was worn in a concentration camp as it was the uniform that had to be worn. Men wore striped pants and shirts in the same colours, blue and white. I chose this artifact because I found it interesting that someone had actually worn it a long time ago and how so many people must have worn it, as it was all tattered. – Chloé

The artifact I chose is a purple heart shaped booklet with the letter F on the front of it. They used pieces of black bread spread with margarine as glue. It was used as a birthday present for a girl (Fania). Since they were in Auschwitz, it was forbidden to have art materials so Fania’s friend had to steal some materials. This booklet had 20 pages in it and each woman signed it. There were two heart-shaped purple pieces of fabric from a blouse stuck on with bread and the notes. I chose this artifact because I found it really interesting how the heart was made and I think it was very thoughtful and I also found that it was very cool that so many of her friends signed it. I think it was also very brave for the girls to make her a birthday present. – Jordan

The artifact I chose is a voting ballot. It was used in the second round of the Presidential elections in Germany. I chose this artifact because on the ballot someone had voted for Hilter, who soon became chancellor of Germany. Also, I thought it was an intriguing artifact that I wanted to learn more about. – Emma B.

I chose the poster identifying the different types of prisoners in the concentration camps. This poster identifies what type of prisoners were in the Ghettos. Each prisoner had a badge, for example, political prisoners had a red triangle. There was a classification and badge for every type of prisoner. – Bogdan

The person who used my artifact was a female doctor named Ginda Kalujna Rosenblatt. During the war when some soldiers went to see her and another doctor, they told the soldiers that they had fake heart ailments so they couldn’t participate in the war. I chose this artifact because when I saw it made me think what it was and who used it. After some research I figured out that it was a syringe kit and it belonged to Dr. Ginda Kalujna Rosenblatt. It was used in 1920. – Emanuel

The artifact looks like a yellow and red Star of David. It was a badge that told the Nazis that the person who wore it was a political prisoner and a Jew. It was one of the many badges to tell the SS guards why the person had been incarcerated. I chose this artifact because I was very interested in how the Nazis organized themselves to pull off a mass murder with the help of badges. – Grayson

: Chloé – Prisoner Uniform

: Emanuel – Syringe Kit

: Emma – Voting Ballot

: Jordan – Heart of Faria

: Sebastian – Doll

: Grayson – The Star of David identifying Jews

: Bodgan – Badges Poster

Échange en Afrique du Sud – Journal #4: Je suis un Touriste !

Posted on February 7, 2015 by admin

Hier, le 31 janvier, j’ai vécu une longue journée en explorant plusieurs musées de Johannesburg avec Abby Shine et deux de ses amies.

D’abord, nous sommes allés au Musée de l’apartheid dans le sud-ouest de la ville. Après avoir acheté nos billets, nous avons été étiquetés comme soit « blanc » ou « non blanc,» ce qui déciderait quelle porte nous traverserons pour rentrer dans le musée. Étant un
« blanc, » je suis entré par la porte désignée pourles « blancs » et j’y ai vu un collage d’anciennes cartes d’identité des personnes blanches datant de l’époque d’apartheid. À travers une barrière qui nous séparait des « non-blancs, » j’ai vu les cartes d’identité des personnes noires. Ces personnes devraient apporter leurs cartes en tout temps et devraient obéir à un couvre-feu tous les soirs. Parfois, des noirs allaient brûler leurs cartes en rébellion, mais ils étaient arrêtés immédiatement.

À l’intérieur du musée, j’ai appris beaucoup sur Nelson Mandela et ses efforts pour combattre l’apartheid. Le savais-tu qu’une professeure a donné le nom Nelson à Rolihlahla Mandela quand il s’est présenté à son école méthodiste à l’âge de sept
ans ? À la fin de la visite, nous avons eu la chance de placer un bâton coloré dans un genre de sculpture troué, ce qui symbolise qu’on suit dans les pas de Mandela !

Ensuite, nous avons traversé la rue pour visiter Gold Reef City, un parc d’attractions qui a comme theme une mine d’or, étant donné que Joburg a été établi lors d’une ruée vers l’or. Abby et ses amies sont allées sur une montagne russe pendant que je suis resté pour leur photographier. Nous sommes ensuite allés en ligne pour un deuxième manège. Lorsque c’était à notre tour d’embarquer, l’opérateur a laissé entrer trop de personnes puis il nous a demandé de retourner à l’avant de la file. Après que tout le monde a débarqué, il s’est tourné vers le ciel puis a proclamé que le manège était fermé à cause de la pluie. Il ne pleuvait même pas ! Bien sûr, 30 secondes plus tard, il commençait à pleuvoir des cordes. Comme nous étions en shorts et T-shirts, nous avons couru pour nos vies ! Nous nous sommes retrouvés dans un petit village qui ressemblait à un village des années 1880. On a décidé d’ensuite dîner afin de laisser passer la pluie, mais il nous semblait que tout le monde avait cette même idée aussi ! Les restaurants étaient blindés ! Nous étions assez chanceux de nous retrouver dix minutes plus tard en l’avant de la file à Mugg & Bean (genre de Starbucks sud-africain). Par exemple, une heure plus tard, la précipitation ne cessait toujours pas. On a décidé enfin d’appeler une voiture UBER pour nous amener à Soweto pour aller visiter la maison Mandela et le musée Hector Pietersen. Après l’appel, la pluie s’est arrêtée !

À Soweto, nous sommes allés visiter d’abord la maison Mandela, l’ancienne maison du leader. Celle-ci était décorée avec plusieurs objets soit qui lui appartenait ou qui lui décrivait tant comme personne : des prix, des sofas, le lit de ses enfants, des livres, des portraits, des articles de journaux, etc. Elle ressemblait plus à un musée que la maison de quelqu’un, ce qui est dommage, car j’aurais préféré si la maison n’était pas trop modifiée au fil du temps.

Nous avons conclu notre longue journée avec une visite au musée Hector Pietersen qui nous rappelle des émeutes de Soweto de 1976. Les émeutes de Soweto étaient la manifestation des élèves d’école jeunes qui ne voulaient plus prendre toutes leurs classes en Afrikaans, mais plutôt en Anglais, car c’était la langue qui leur servait la plus quand ils iraient travailler. L’armée s’est impliquée et a commencé à tirer sur les enfants et leur a tué. Un de ses enfants était Hector Pietersen qui n’avait que 13 ans. Mbuyisa Makhubo, un garçon de 18 ans, lui a pris dans ces bras et lui a apporté à un médecin qui lui a déclaré mort. Un photographe a capturé ce moment dans une photo iconique, ce qui explique pourquoi Hector est si célèbre. Par exemple, après ce jour, Mbuyisa Makhubo a fui le pays vers Botswana. Il a été vu la dernière fois en Nigerie en 1978. Très mystérieux, n’est-ce pas ? Là, il est cru qu’il soit actuellement dans une prison canadienne, mais des tests de vérification de l’ADN faits par le gouvernement sud-africain ne le confirmaient pas. Le musée, en général, était aussi triste qu’intéressant et donne bien sûr quelque chose à réfléchir.

En fin de compte, j’ai appris tellement sur l’apartheid dans une manière très personnelle que je n’aurais jamais avoir été capable d’en apprendre de chez moi au Canada. – Adam Vandenbussche ’17, Exchange Student at St Stithians College

Student Exchange Australia: M&M Differences

Posted on February 5, 2015 by admin

In the last two weeks, my schedule has been jam-packed with activity in Melbourne. I have explored a lot of the city. I have also realized Australia is a very different country from Canada, and I really enjoy telling my exchange family about the differences. Melbourne is a sporting capital, and I am very lucky my exchange family, the Gikovskis, is eager to show me around town. And bonus! They know where to get the best desserts!

On Saturday, January 24, we went to the Australian Open: one of the four Grand Slams. I had never watched a tennis match before that day; I didn’t even know the rules! I did not understand why people would pay money to sit outside and get baked in the sun to watch people hit a ball back and forth. Nevertheless the Gikovskis were very enthusiastic about bringing me and watching the sport. The first match, which was a men’s legends double, was quite funny to watch. The players joked around and the whole stadium would burst into laughter. After that, it was a women’s singles game, which was an absolute nail-biter! I loved being at the Australian Open, It was such a fun environment. Everyone’s excited, full of energy and very into the sport. It’s just not the same as watching it on TV. It’s also not an environment I would find in Montreal, I don’t think even a Habs game could compare to this.

Another sport Australians hype up is cricket, which is kind of like baseball. I was happy to go to Erica and her brother, Daniel’s game last Friday. I didn’t know much about cricket, except for what I had picked up during a game I played with the Gikovskis on Australia Day. I thought the game was relatively easy. During Erica and Daniel’s game, kids were completely smashing the ball right off the field. It only occurred to me then that the Gikovskis were going easy on me. Anyway, in cricket, the ball is bowled, not pitched. The ball, which is quite heavy, bounces once before the player hits it. It is impossible to strike out. As a matter of fact, as long as the player hits the ball, it’s really hard to get out. Also, the same player bats until they get out, so I felt like the game lasted forever especially since Erica and Daniel only play for a fraction of the time and I didn’t know any of the other kids. The game ended up finishing three hours later (three hours I’ll never get back!) Nevertheless, I still enjoyed watching and Erica’s team win! Australians really love the sport. On Australia Day, I saw many families playing cricket by the beach and in the parks. I think it’s pretty awesome the entire family gets excited about the sport.

Since I have arrived, I have eaten many, many delicious food. The day I was picked up from the airport, we went directly to a bakery called Brunetti’s. There was so much variety it was mouthwatering. Everything looked beautiful. They were very creatively decorated desserts. I wish I could have tried everything.

On January 25, Erica invited many of her friends over so I could meet them before school started. I had told the Gikovskis about my obsession with Frozen, so they came up with the idea of making an Olaf chocolate ripple cake! It turns out, making chocolate ripple cake doesn’t actually require any baking. We bought chocolate ripple biscuits from the super market, and covered them in whipped cream. Then, we shaped the cake into Olaf and decorated it! I’m pretty sure it’s an Australian thing, because in America, we actually bake!

On January 26, which is Australia Day, we went for a picnic and I ate lots and lots of Lamingtons, a signature Australian dessert that consists of sponge cake, layers of chocolate sauce and a coat of shredded coconut. It is delicious!

I have also noticed quite a few fast food restaurants here. Burger King is known as “Hungry Jack’s”. Australian’s also nickname McDonald’s “Mackers”, which I find very strange. Despite living with an entire family of Australians, I have not picked up on the Aussie slang or terms. However, the Gikovskis are starting to use American terminology!

I have had so much fun in the past week experiencing new things! I think there are quite a few Montreal & Melbourne differences! Next up, LCC or Ivanhoe Grammar School? Which one is better? Find out, next time! – Lucia Huang ’17, Exchange Student at Ivanhoe Grammar School, Australia

The Cuban Shuffle

Posted on February 4, 2015 by admin

In a few weeks an LCC delegation of 60 student-musicians and teachers will visit Cuba to perform as a band and experience some of the Latin rhythms that make that island famous. Many LCC families have visited Cuba before, but likely as part of a winter vacation package where the real Cuba does not come clearly into view.

To many people’s surprise, On December 17^th, American President Obama announced that the USA and Cuba would begin to resume diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of an American boycott that cut off all diplomatic and economic relations. This was implemented following the Cuban Communist revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959.

The Castro brothers – Fidel & Raul – have been the only Cuban presidents during more than 50 years of one-party rule, outlasting 10 American presidents. The long-standing US trade embargo is still in place and Cuba has suffered especially since special economic support from the formerly-communist Soviet Union disappeared when that country collapsed and unraveled in the early 1990’s. Today the average Cuban’s monthly salary is still only $20 – virtual slave wages by Canadian standards.

Winding down the American embargo will be difficult after so many years of entrenchment. However, it is the first step in fundamentally changing the relationship between the two countries which geographically, are close neighbours, and which used to be very tightly intertwined.

But memories are long and six-thousand Americans have filed for monetary compensation following loss of assets due to Cuba’s nationalization of all private companies back in the early 1960’s. The Cubans themselves have also filed for monetary compensation from the American government for allegedly strangling economic growth in Cuba over more than two generations. And they want cash to make up for it. So we should be prepared to see more heated discussions before relations are truly smoothed over. In the meantime, the Castro regime remains firmly in power and there is no indication that Cuba’s form of national state-controlled Communism is going to disappear.

Until December, the Obama deal was a well-kept secret, and it is actually seen by some Cuban-Americans and conservative Republican party “hawks” as a betrayal of US principles – that the government should simply never negotiate with a communist regime that disallows private businesses or the fundamental right of free speech.

Cuban-American senator Ted Cruz wrote that the move “may well strengthen the Castros and strengthen a new generation of their oppressors in power unless USA’s Congress steps in to stop it”. His Republican colleague from Florida, Senator Mark Rubio, is also sour on the deal. Considered a possible presidential candidate for the 2016 election, he recently stated that the “policy shift is based on an illusion – the White House has conceded everything and gained little”.

President Obama has described the relationship between the nations as one of “family and foe” that needed a new script. Obama takes the view that more than 50 years of boycott have not really changed much, other than entrenching mutual isolation, so he intends to be proactive. Getting this initial deal was hard enough, requiring a year of secret talks and special assistance from Pope Francis. Intentions are to see restrictions loosened on trade, travel and diplomacy and American Foreign Secretary John Kerry, will try to reestablish an American embassy in Havana. Kerry will also review and hopefully ease Cuba’s status in America as a state-sponsor of terrorism, as it is currently categorized along with countries in the so-called “axis of evil”, like North Korea, Iran, and Syria.

Cuban Americans will be allowed to send more cash home to family. Already at $2 billion a year, that flow of funds is critical to the Cuban economy – and the Cuban emigrés will soon find it easier to visit the island nation just 145 KMs off the Florida coast.

Rapprochement by the USA has been opposed for decades, especially given the fear of upsetting the Cuban-American voting bloc in Florida. However, polls in 2014 showed that 68% are now interested in a softer approach and that grows to a notable 88% for those Cuban-Americans under 30-years old.

Initial responses indicate that the shift should improve US standing in the broader Latin America region. In December in Havana, bells tolled in public squares and people were visibly celebrating. Although there are lots of cool old Chevy’s on Havana’s streets from the 1940’s and 50’s, this move is finally about looking to the future.

So, we need to remember that Cuba is not just a winter escape. Its people may be on the doorstep of significant social and economic change. I wish our LCC musicians well as they prepare for their trip to Cuba. I hope that they will return and provide us with some interesting insights into how the Cubans view the proposed easing of tensions with the United States and what they hope for in the near future. The Cuban shuffle –change is indeed in the air! – Christopher Shannon, Headmaster