Verdun School News

As you’ve been shopping the last few weeks for those back-to-school specials, we hope you’ve kept money aside for the payment of school fees for workbooks and other subject-related supplies. Parents not paying these fees mean that some money will have to be taken elsewhere from the school budget thus possibly depriving students of some programs. A reminder to all parents that schools of the LBPSB are increasingly looking at ways to collect school fees, such as, holding back school pictures, withholding lunchroom supervision, and other methods that might be made available to administrators, such as, the Board using collection agencies.

It was a fairly large turnout this year at the Annual Meet the Teacher/General Assembly evening last week. Parents had the chance to talk about the curriculum for the year and some of the expectations of all parties concerned. The evening began, though with parents electing a new Governing Board at the AGM.

There were 8 parents nominated for 5 openings this year with some familiar names re-elected. Returning are: Paul Lafontaine, Marion Moss, and Brian Johnston. Newcomers this year are: Maggie McDonnell and Lynda Davie. They join Nathalie Miron who is in her final year of a two-year term. Brian Johnston and Maggie McDonnell will be the Sector and alternate reps for the school. We wish all parties well in their guiding the school along with staff and administration, and encourage those who didn’t quite get in this time to help out in the school or become a member of the Home and School.

The annual evenings continue this week with Beurling Academy holding their meeting and greeting of the teaching faculty this Thursday, and to elect a new Governing Board, this important body which has become an integral part of any school in Quebec.

The evening starts at 7 and we highly encourage all parents to be part of the election process, and with a discouraging turnout last year, one has to wonder about the interest of the local governance of their child’s school, although, this problem is not unique to BA.

Verdun Elementary has changed their date from the previously announced date of Sept. 20th. At press time, we haven’t received a new date, but parents are advised to look out for notices from their children in the coming days.

It’s going to be a special evening for some special students in a little over 10 days or so as BA holds their first September grad ceremonies on the 27th. It will also be a special evening for the many parents, relatives and invited guests to this once-in-a-lifetime event, as diplomas and various awards of merit for the various subjects and fields of endeavor will be handed out, and, of course, the ever popular words of wisdom from the valedictorian.

I am delighted this year to be part of this special evening and a special thinks, in advance to the administration, and, of course we’ll fill you in on this emotional evening on an upcoming issue.

Home and School reminds us one again, that school uniforms and accessories are on sale lunchtime on Wednesdays, except on mini-days. We are also reminded that the Thrift Shop is back. You can donate any gently used uniform items (washed and ready to wear) to the Home and School Room or to the main office during school hours in a bag clearly marked “Home and School”. Someone out there will surely appreciate your generosity. To the Dawson College Community, we shall never forget!