Press Release

A Comprehensive Preview of Remembrance Day Events at EMSB Schools

EMSB Administrators at armed forces
Montreal - Thursday, November 1, 2018

Schools across the English Montreal School Board will commemorate Remembrance Day over the next two weeks.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Thursday, November 1:

  • Edward Murphy Elementary School (6800 Pierre de Coubertin) in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve will mark Remembrance Day (9 am) by honouring veterans and current Canadian Forces members. The school will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the 757hanniversary of Operation Husky Sand, the 65th of the Korean War and the 20th Anniversary of The Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda. Guests will include current Canadian Forces members and veterans to commemorate the three generations of Canadians who took part in the 20th-century wars. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Friday, November 2:        

  • Mountainview Alternative High School (7450 Cote Saint Luc Road) in Côte Saint Luc will mark Remembrance Day by honouring veterans and current Canadian Forces members (9:30 am). The school will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the 757hanniversary of Operation Husky Sand, the 65th of the Korean War and the 20th Anniversary of The Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda. Guests will include current Canadian Forces members and veterans to commemorate the three generations of Canadians who took part in the 20th-century wars. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Mackay Centre School (6333 rue de Terrebonne) in N.D.G. will mark Remembrance Day with a traditional ceremony (10:45 am). In attendance will be Piper Ron Price and Holocaust Survivor Sydney Zoltak. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Puynung Choy: cchoy@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Merton Elementary School (5554 Robinson) in Cote Saint Luc will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading of In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge (8:30 am). In attendance will be Lynton Hugh Martin, a World War II veteran who served in the British Army. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Linda Luca: lluca@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Monday, November 5:

  • Students from Edward Murphy School in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and from Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount will mark Remembrance Day at the National Field of Honour (703 Donegani Ave) in Pointe Claire (9:45 am). As an in-school project, students are creating poppies that will subsequently be placed on the graves of soldiers. The students are working with determination to complete the project so that they can place one poppy by the headstones of the more than 17,000 Canadian soldiers and allies that have been laid to rest at the National Field of Honour. 

As students place their poppies, they will take time to read the names of those who lay in The Field of Honour, allowing them to develop a deeper connection to the brave men and women who lost their lives defending Canada.  For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.

  • Dunrae Gardens in T.M.R. will mark Remembrance Day a traditional ceremony (1 pm). In attendance will be Piper Cameron Stevens. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Puynung Choy: cchoy@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Royal Vale School (5851 Somerled) in N.D.G. will mark Remembrance Day with a traditional ceremony (9:15 am & 11 am). In attendance will be Captain David Serapins. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Paulo Ruscito: pruscito@emsb.qc.ca
  • St. Gabriel School (600 Dublin) in Pointe St. Charles will mark Remembrance Day with a traditional ceremony (1:15 pm). For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Paulo Ruscito: pruscito@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Willingdon School (5870 Terrebonne) in N.D.G. will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading of In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge (1: 30 pm). In attendance will be retired Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Linda Luca: lluca@emsb.qc.ca.  
  • Hampstead Elementary School will mark Remembrance Day with poem readings as well as a guest veteran who will share more about her time in service and the significant role women have played during various wars. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Jagdeep Trehin at: jtrehin@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Tuesday, November 6:

  • Students from the Vincent Massey Collegiate Remembrance Committee and Mrs. Cline’s Secondary V art class will take part in a special Remembrance Ceremony and community lunch at Ste. Anne's Veterans Hospital (305 boul. des Anciens-Combattants) in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (10 a.m.)

To mark the occasion, students have created gifts for both the hospital and residents, including a 3D art mural measuring (17 x 7 x 5) which is composed of 6 free standing panels. The mural depicts the students' vision of peace and remembrance. Furthermore, students will also present hand made gifts to each veteran, including mini art works and hand knitted scarves. Alexandra Neves MacDonald and a small group of dedicated VMC students are knitting of 40 scarves. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.

  • Sinclair Laird Elementary School in Park Extension. will mark Remembrance Day a traditional ceremony (1 pm). In attendance will be Piper Cox. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Puynung Choy: cchoy@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Elizabeth High School (1741 de Biencourt) along with Options and Venture Schools will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Maria Kelly: mkelly@emsb.qc.ca. 
  • Dante School in St. Leonard (6090 Lachenaie) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge. In attendance will be special guest Captain Andrew Henderson. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Maria Kelly: mkelly@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Outreach School (4850 Coronation) in N.D.G will mark Remembrance Day with a traditional ceremony (1:15 pm). For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Paulo Ruscito: pruscito@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Marymount Academy International (5100 Cote Saint Luc Road) in N.D.G. will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading of In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge (10:15 am). In attendance will be retired Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Linda Luca: lluca@emsb.qc.ca

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Wednesday, November 7:

  • More than 700 students are set to take part in the English Montreal School Board’s largest Remembrance Day celebration to date at the Royal Canadian Hussars (4185 Côte-des-Neiges Road)on November 7 (9:45 am). Students from six EMSB Schools: Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Leonard, Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North, Marymount Academy in N.D.G, Perspectives I and Perspectives II High School in St. Michel, and Rosemount High School will be on hand to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the World War I armistice, the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht. Additionally, students will hear from 98-year-old Holocaust survivor and Canadian Veteran Willie Glazer. In addition to speaking, Mr. Glazer will light six candles honouring the six million Jews who were murdered in World War II.
  • East Hill Elementary School (10350 Perras) in R.D.P. will mark Remembrance Day by honouring veterans and current Canadian Forces Members (9:00 am). The school will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the 757hanniversary of Operation Husky Sand, the 65th of the Korean War and the 20th Anniversary of The Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda. Guests will include current Canadian Forces members and veterans to commemorate the three generations of Canadians who took part in the 20th century wars. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Parkdale Elementary School (1475 Deguire) in St. Laurent will mark Remembrance Day with poems of peace and singing (1:45 pm). In attendance will be Captain Benoit Ladouceour. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Mary Poullas: mpoullas@emsb.qc.ca. 
  • Bancroft Elementary School in the Plateau will be hosting several Remembrance Day assemblies. Captain Adrien Cherrier of the Canadian Armed Forces will speak and Malcolm Cox will play the bagpipes. The tradition of the poppy and the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1 will be emphasized. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Elizabeth Pellicone at: epellicone@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Leonardo Da Vinci Academy in R.D.P. (12025 Andre Dumas) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge. In attendance will be special guest Captain Mike Sforza. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Maria Kelly: mkelly@emsb.qc.ca
  • James Lyng High School (5440 Notre Dame) in Ville Emard will mark Remembrance Day with a traditional ceremony (1:15 pm). For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Paulo Ruscito: pruscito@emsb.qc.ca 

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Thursday, November 8:

  • Vincent Massey Collegiate (5925 – 27th Avenue) in Rosemount will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the 75thanniversary of Operation Husky Sand, the 65th of the Korean War and the 20th Anniversary of The Peacekeeping mission in Rwanda. The trilingual ceremony will be led by students from the school’s Remembrance committee. Both Canadian Italian and Italian Veterans and dignitaries, including Consul Generals from Italy and the United Kingdom will be present. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Rocco Speranza at: rsperanza@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Gardenview Elementary School (700 Brunet) in St. Laurent will mark Remembrance Day with poems of peace and singing (1:45 pm). In attendance will be Major Jeremy Johnstone. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Mary Poullas: mpoullas@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Carlyle School in T.M.R. will mark Remembrance Day a traditional ceremony (1 pm). In attendance will be OS Albert Le. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Puynung Choy: cchoy@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Honore Mercier Elementary School in St. Leonard (8280 Nantes) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony including a message of remembrance, reading In Flanders Fields, poems about peace, a moment of silence, and reciting the veterans` pledge. In attendance will be special guest Major Bernard Bosse. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Maria Kelly: mkelly@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Gerald McShane Elementary School in Montreal North (6111 Maurice Duplessis) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony that will focus on the story of the poppy ladies and their legacy. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Samantha Smith: ssmith@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Coronation Elementary School (4810 Van Horne) in Cote des Neiges will be hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony with special guest retired Sergeant Mike Fitzgerald. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Linda Luca: lluca@emsb.qc.ca
  • At John Paul I High School in Montreal North (8455 Pré Laurin) in St. Leonard, students and staff will be participating in a celebration of Peace and Remembrance (10:30 am). The ceremony will serve as an opportunity for students and staff to pay tribute to and remember in prayer, words, and music those who have died in the fight for freedom and will include special guest speakers, a flag party, a video presentation, lighting of the Peace Candles, minute of silence, Last Post and reveille. The experience will provide the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made, past and present, and on the role we each individually can and must play in creating peace in our world. It is the goal of the celebration to empower each person attending to realize the true gift of peace and freedom. For more information please contact Spiritual and Community Animator: Joseph Monachino at jmonachino@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Westmount High School will commemorate fallen alumni from World War I and World War II in a ceremony for Grade 11 students. Students will honour alumni with the reading of their names as well as prayers of remembrance and a moment of silence at 11 am. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Gladys Batten at: gbatten@emsb.qc.ca.
  • FACE Elementary School downtown will be hosting a Remembrance Day (10:35) with Corporal Cuadra Foy. The tradition of the poppy and the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1 will be emphasized. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Elizabeth Pellicone at: epellicone@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Royal West Academy in Montreal West will mark Remembrance Day with the Bag Pipes played by student Luca Cristofaro. Cadets from Royal West Academy will lead the March of Colors and the Royal West Academy Honor Band will lead services for the National Anthem, last post and Reveille. The ceremony will focus on the fallen from the First World War. Additionally, Private George Lawrence Price, the last Canadian combat death before the Armistice will be honoured with a candle lighting in his memory. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Jagdeep Trehin at: jtrehin@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Elizabeth Ballantyne School will commemorate Remembrance Day with a piped in processional of special wreaths made by each class carried in and laid out by student representatives. Along with other student participation and audio-visuals prepared by teacher Lucy De Petrillo, Grade 6 students will read In Flanders Field and Gladys Batten will share few words about the meaning of Remembrance Day. This will be followed by piper Sophie Delorme trumpeting The Last Post, a moment of silence and The Reveille. It will conclude with closing remarks by principal Mike Brown. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Gladys Batten at: gbatten@emsb.qc.ca.
  • St. Dorothy School in St. Michel marked Remembrance day with a special ceremony that focused on the significance of the poppy. The school also welcomed special guest Captain Waterhouse and students participated via readings of In Flanders Fields and Brave Soldat. The ceremony concluded with The Last Post and a moment of silence.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Monday, November 12:

  • Michelangelo Elementary School (9360 – 5th Street) in R.D.P. will mark Remembrance Day with poems of peace and singing (9:30 am). In attendance will be Major Steve Waterhouse. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Mary Poullas: mpoullas@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Dalkeith Elementary School (7951 Dalkeith) in Anjou will host a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony (11 am) featuring an interactive presentation on peace, an explanation about the significance of the poppy, a reading of "In Flanders Fields" and a biography about its author John McCrae, plus a minute of silence and the singing of "O Canada." The school will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the battle of Vimy Ridge and will have a special tribute in honour or the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. In attendance will be Canadian Forces members Major Adam Robert Baxter and Leftenant (Ret) David Murrow.  For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce: vlacroce@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Nesbitt Elementary School (6108 8th Avenue) in Rosemount will host a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony (10:15 am) featuring an interactive presentation on peace, an explanation about the significance of the poppy, a reading of "In Flanders Fields" and a biography about its author John McCrae, plus a minute of silence and the singing of "O Canada." The school will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the battle of Vimy Ridge and will have a special tribute in honour or the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. In attendance will be Canadian Forces members Major Adam Robert Baxter, Leftenant (Ret) David Murrow and OS Albert Le. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce: vlacroce@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Westmount Park Elementary School will be holding in-class Remembrance Day lessons on who we should remember and what we should be thankful for. Led by Spiritual and Community Animator Gladys Batten, the lessons will utilize visuals and engage the students in activities to help them understand the importance of having a special time of commemoration for our service members. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Gladys Batten at: gbatten@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Lauren Hill Junior Campus in St. Laurent will be hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony (10:00 am). Malcolm Cox will play the bagpipes and students will be performing the Last Post. The 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1 will be emphasized. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Elizabeth Pellicone at: epellicone@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Lauren Hill Senior Campus in St. Laurent will have a special presentation during their lunch hour on with a bagpiper, Malcolm Cox, to call everyone to the auditorium. Students have been invited to write postcards of thanks to veterans that will be displayed in the school and delivered to a veteran hospital in Montreal at a later date. The 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1 will be emphasized. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Elizabeth Pellicone at: epellicone@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Rosemount High School (3737 Beaubien) in Rosemount will host a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony (10:30 am) featuring an interactive presentation on peace, an explanation about the significance of the poppy, a reading of "In Flanders Fields" and a biography about its author John McCrae, plus a minute of silence and the singing of "O Canada." The school will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the battle of Vimy Ridge and will have a special tribute in honour or the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. In attendance will be 98 year-old Holocaust survivor and veteran Willie Glaser as well as veterans: Capt (ret) Stephen Thompson, Slt/2lt Marie-Chantal Lechasseur, Captain Adjutant assistant Jean-Francois Lesperance, and Cpl Jody Capogreco. 

Following the Commemoration, Students were be able to partake in two intimate and interactive sessions with both Holocaust survivors and the Canadian Forces members. Students were able to listen to firsthand accounts of the war through the eyes and stories of Rosemount’s honoured guests. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Vince Lacroce: vlacroce@emsb.qc.ca.

  • Pierre de Coubertin Elementary School in Montreal North (4700 Lavoisier) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony where students will be participating in a dramatic retelling of the story of the Poppy's origin. Moina Belle Michael, Lt. Col. John McCrae, and Madame Anna Guerin will be portrayed by students as Samantha Smith narrate the tale.  For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Samantha Smith: ssmith@emsb.qc.ca
  • Roslyn School in Westmount (4699 Westmount) will mark Remembrance Day with an assembly based upon the theme of inclusion (10:15 am). There will be student presentations on contributions from Black Canadians, Canadian women, and First Nations by Cycles 1 to 3 respectively. Classes will also make wreaths with images and words reflecting these groups to decorate the gymnasium and two wreaths will be carried in and laid out by grade six students during our piped inPiper Sophie Delorme will trumpet the Last Post and Revielle. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Gladys Batten: gbatten@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Tuesday, November 13:

  • At Focus School (4850 Coronation) in N.D.G., students will spend the morning researching one veteran from the Memory Project website. At the end of the day, they will come to a ceremony in the Oasis in which everyone will light a candle for the veteran they learned about during the day - and have an opportunity to light a candle for anyone else they have personally lost. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Samantha Smith: ssmith@emsb.qc.ca.. 
  • John Grant High School in Cote Saint Luc will mark Remembrance Day with the bag pipes played by student Luca Cristofaro and Royal West Academy Honor Band student Caterina De Felice playing the Last Post,and Reveille. Additionally, students will be reading letters written by three fallen soldiers from the First World War. Finally, students will also hear from a guest speaker currently involved with an organization that supplies guitars and music lessons to veterans who struggle with PTSD. He will be performing some of his music, which reflects on his and others’ experiences of service. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Jagdeep Trehin at: jtrehin@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Wednesday, November 14:

  • General Vanier Elementary School in St. Leonard (4555 Buies) will be hosting a traditional Remembrance Day ceremony that will focus on the story of the poppy ladies and their legacy. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Samantha Smith: ssmith@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Thursday, November 15:

  • Program Mile End will mark Remembrance Day with individual visits from a guest veteran who will give a presentation on Canada’s role in the World War I and the Armistice. The veteran will also be sharing info with students about his time in service and the relevance of Remembrance commemoration. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Jagdeep Trehin at: jtrehin@emsb.qc.ca.

The following EMSB schools will be holding Remembrance Day observances on Friday, November 16:

  • Cedarcrest Elementary School (1505 Muir) in St. Laurent will mark Remembrance Day with poems of peace and singing (10 am). In attendance will be Captain Joseph Wakil. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Mary Poullas: mpoullas@emsb.qc.ca.
  • Edinburgh Elementary School in Montreal West will mark Remembrance Day with Royal West Academy student Ronit Gelbart playing the Last Post and Reveille. Students will also honour Private George Lawrence Price, the last Canadian combat death before the Armistice with a candle lighting in his memory. For more information, please contact Spiritual and Community Animator Jagdeep Trehin at: jtrehin@emsb.qc.ca.
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