October 2011

 

Message from Chief Administrative Officer

The Buzz at JPPS-Bialik is Good!

One of the first weeks of school JPPS-Bialik parent Marnie Mitnick Cohen JPPS ‘78 overheard a serious conversation amongst a group of boys in the back seat of her car at pick-up, each of whom could be described as “mature beyond their years” – One said: “I think Principal Scott knows what he is doing!” His classmates readily agreed! Out-of-the-mouths of babes!

JPPS Parent Lisa Wein is hearing that positive changes at Bialik are already noticeable, and her kids are a few years away from entering Bialik. For those who missed other parent, as well as student, testimonials, as published in The Suburban, be sure to scroll down to read them in JPPS-Bialik Communication Highlights, click here to scroll down. There is certainly a recurring theme, and one filled with hope for Bialik to be all that it can and has been. Even Bialik teachers are talking, including Lorna Smith and Viviane Amgar, who reported on the feeling among the teachers that was immediately evident following their first all staff meeting with Principal Ken Scott.

The buzz is indeed good at Bialik, but that’s not all. Tangible steps have been taken to ensure that we deliver, as promised. Parents will be pleased to know that Principal Scott has implemented the protocol for teacher absences, where lesson plans are already in place, ready and waiting for those unavoidable occasions. So far tracking of the rate of absenteeism has been shown it to be way down from this time last year. He is fast gaining the respect of all the Bialik staff and faculty for being fair and for resolving issues as they arise without delay.

Significant progress has also been made insofar as our relationship with the teachers’ union. Ken Scott and I have met already several times and reached a common ground on outstanding issues with union representatives, one that will have a positive impact to the benefit of students and teachers as well.

On that front, I myself witnessed firsthand, with Ken Scott, the Secondary V Shabbaton and was impressed with the receptiveness our students showed to engaging in new student leadership opportunities including a new student government model. And, the positive feedback we are receiving about Bialik’s Open House is also a testament to our students, especially our core group of Student-Ambassadors, who played a leading role in showcasing their school. Read more about these initiatives in Ken Scott’s message.

As promised, regular bulletins updating parents on our progress with the implementation of Bialik’s School Improvement Plan have begun. Naturally, this is where most of my attention has been focused since my appointment as Chief Administrative Officer. Please click here to read Bulletin #1 (cliquez ici pour la version française) that was posted on FirstClass on September 26th. During the coming months I am very much looking forward to getting to know more about the excellent programs and services offered at JPPS and supporting them where I can.

The willingness to bring about positive change by all stakeholders has been impressive.  I cannot thank the administration, faculty and staff enough, as well as my colleagues, Ken Scott and Adina Matas, JPPS Principal and Educational Director, on the Leadership Council, for their efforts to ensure that both JPPS and Bialik are a model for Jewish day school education, not just in Montreal but throughout North America.

Kevin Lukian
Chief Administrative Officer

Message from the Principal and Director of Education of JPPS

Dear Parents,

This year’s school opening was filled with enthusiasm and excitement. The staff and students have been incredibly welcoming to all of our new students and staff members. Our second annual JPPS-Bialik Family BBQ was a huge success and a great time was had by all who attended. 

This year, we will continue to build an academic program that is both rigorous and motivating, offered in a safe and positive learning environment. As we are a community that also speaks of shared values and expectations, we will be encouraging our students to make good choices. Respect for self and others, taking responsibility for one’s actions and having a positive outlook are some of the character attributes that we will endorse. We will actively seek ways to support character education in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.

The core values of the civilized world all stem from the Torah. One very good example of this is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). In the spirit of the High Holiday season, our students are passionate about fulfilling their role in the larger society. This stems from the fundamental concepts of Tzedaka and Tikkun Olam – Jewish ways of making the world a better place.

Our Grade 6 students and teachers made us proud by volunteering at this year’s CJA Super Sunday. They were privileged to experience the satisfaction of working together to support the community.

We are dedicated to enhancing our students’ Jewish commitment by helping them grow, improve and change to become better people.

Illana Assouline, Grade 6 French teacher said “It was an outstanding experience. The students were very involved and took pride in what they were doing.”

This year’s Curriculum Night was excellent. It was well attended and extremely informative. The feedback from parents was positive and very enthusiastic.

With your continued active support, combined with our best professional efforts, we can ensure academic growth and success for your child this year. Our commitment is to keep you well-informed about our school and about your child.

Adina Matas
Principal and Director of Education, JPPS

Message from the JPPS Home and School Association

On behalf of the entire JPPS Home and School executive, we wish you all a Shana Tova! Although this is our first newsletter submission of the year, we do have quite a lot to report. The school year started off very well with our annual book sale. This year, thanks to parent volunteers, we were able to have all of the books packaged by student order and then delivered to each student in their classroom. Our hot lunch program is also running very smoothly. Parents had the option of purchasing hot lunches for their children three days per week, and the children really seem to be enjoying all of the meals. Registration for the second lunch session (January to June) will commence shortly.

We have also begun the challah program, where parents are able to purchase challot which are sent home with their child on Shabbat and/or the holidays. The class photos were also organized, and have already taken place. The information for the class friendship lists has been compiled, and we are happy to announce that the friendship lists have been posted on FirstClass. We are in the midst of our first fundraiser of the year; we are selling Entertainment booklets. They include coupons from many merchants in our area, along with an access code that entitles the purchaser to download hundreds of other coupons. The cost of this booklet is only $20. A second fundraiser being worked on is a cookbook. We have compiled many recipes and are in the process of putting together the book!

It should also be noted that students are really enjoying the playground structure and balons poires (mini punching bags) which were both purchased by the Home and School Association in previous years. In celebration of the holiday of Succoth, Home and School purchased honey cake and grape juice, and arranged to have it served to the students in the sukkah by parent volunteers.

We look forward to an incredible year ahead! Now, more than ever, we would love for new parents to get involved and join us. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Marnie Cohen JPPS '78       Alyssa Glazer
mmitnick@sympatico.ca      alyssaglazer@videotron.ca
Co-presidents, JPPS Home and School

JPPS-BIALIK SPORTS

JPPS Sports

THE PUGS ARE BACK !!!!

JPPS-Bialik welcomes everyone back for what hopes to be another exciting season in PUGS basketball history. The teams have been busy preparing for the upcoming season. The tryouts took place just prior to the holidays and the selections have been made.

Fresh off of their league-winning performance, our young boys’ team looks to defend its title in the YM-YWHA league. Coach Isaac King hopes to have the team ready and willing to go the extra mile to bring home consecutive title wins.

As for the girls, Coach Peter Walcott says that the team is looking good. The girls are practicing hard and are excited about the challenge of winning the title.

The schedule of games has been posted on the school’s website so we are encouraging parents to come out and support their team. We look forward to hearing good things. Good luck to both teams.

As for our non-team activities, our B.E.A.P. program is back in full swing with exciting and active challenges for many of our students. Parents had an opportunity to register their children during Open House.

Bialik Sports

Welcome everyone to another exciting and jam-packed year in sports. While the prospects look promising, a lot of work will be needed for us to reach our potential. Good luck to all teams!

The Fall season is already wrapping up!  It’s hard to believe. With the Jewish holidays upon us, there has not been a lot of time, but we did find a way to have three teams in the GMAA Fall season. Click here to see the basketball game schedule. 

Our Bantam Girls Soccer team entered the Private School Soccer League. A win in their first outing was followed by a few close loses, and this has made the season a very enjoyable one for the Bulldogs. They will be participating in the upcoming playoffs starting in the third week of October.

Our Juvenile Girls Soccer team has had a tough outing this season, unable to put together a consistent performance. However, a strong effort on the field and a positive attitude has helped to make the short season a learning experience and something to build on for the future.

Our Juvenile Boys Touch Football team has enjoyed a short but highly competitive season. With only one win in their last three games, the boys continue to work hard. Each of their losses has come within one or two points, and sometimes just one key play away from the victory! The team is gearing up for their playoff run with a real chance to do something spectacular. Go Bulldogs Go!!!

Looking to the Winter…

So that time is here where the leaves change color and fall, where the birds pack their suitcases and head off to a warmer climate, and when the Bialik winter season starts up again.

Eight basketball teams, a wrestling squad, a swimming team, and a Peewee hockey team are all on the schedule for this coming year. Bialik Student-Athletes continues to take their commitments seriously, as many of them have been training and playing during the summer months in preparation for the 2011-2012 season.

The JISA basketball tournament has helped to tip off the start of the basketball season. As basketball remains Bialik’s core sport, with our student-athletes even participating at the highest community levels, the future has never looked brighter. Our Midget girls team, finalists in last year’s Bantam division, look to make a serious impact on the GMAA this year.

Message from the Coordinator:

“IT IS CLEAR…. Bialik Student-Athletes are serious about their sports.” Commitments both in and out of school, coupled with never-ending academic responsibilities, continue to challenge and push them to new heights.

“Good luck to all of you. Work hard everyday to be the best that you can be. And if you fall… get up, dust yourself off and get back in the race.”

Go Bulldogs!!!

Emerson Thomas
Coordinator of Student Life and Athletics

NEWS FROM BIALIK'S ECO CLUB

The Bialik Eco Club has made a meaningful start this year by adopting a polar bear from the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). The symbolic adoption was done on behalf of Bialik High School, and the proceeds will go to the preservation of the species. The polar bear and adoption certificate will now reside in the school's Hall of Honor, reminding students of the school's effort to positively impact the environment. This adoption was completed in order to raise school awareness and will be followed by many other initiatives, such as water conservation and the continuation of recycling and composting. The upcoming installment of a new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly water fountain is a huge milestone in the school's environmental goals. In addition, this water fountain marks progress in the club’s goal to rid the school of non-reusable water bottles. The Eco Club is trying to stress the importance of recycling and composting in order for students to responsibly dispose of their waste using the school’s existing facilities.

If you are interested in purchasing your very own polar bear adoption kit, or any of the other available animals, please see the following website: https://wwfstore.donorportal.ca/c-11-wildlife-adoptions.aspx

Jessica Sniatowsky, Chloe Miller, Kelly Perlman, Michelle Shiveck
Eco Club Committee Heads 

Open House at Bialik Blew Me Away!

The buzz is good. Those of us who attended Bialik's Open House on October 5th experienced Bialik in a very authentic way thanks to student ambassadors touring us proudly through its facilities. Nothing was scripted. We were able to meet the new principal, Ken Scott, as well as virtually every member of the faculty and staff strategically stationed so that we were able to see the new music studio, science labs, SMARTBoards in action.

That being said, what really hit me, as an alum of the school, was how different it is compared to our time at Bialik. The students sound smart, and are engaged. There is accountability for both the students and teachers, something foreign to us "in the day"! Bialik feels good, looks good, and is as strong, if not stronger, than the competition - other non-Jewish private schools. Trust me, I attended their open houses too!

Marc Kimmel
A Bialik parent and proud member of the Class of 1986!

Comment progresser facilement en français

Bonjour à tous,

Je vous souhaite une belle et heureuse année, pleine de bonheur et de santé.
C’est une grande joie cette année encore, en tant que coordinateur de français, d’écrire quelques mots dans la Newsletter.
Cette année, c’est différent, car je connais un peu mieux l’école et surtout les besoins de nos élèves en français.
Après avoir enseigné, l’an dernier, dans la voie francophone et anglophone, je suis plus à même de proposer des idées et donner des conseils aux élèves et aux parents d’élèves pour progresser en dehors des heures d’enseignement.

En plus du très bon travail produit en classe par nos enseignants, voici quelques suggestions, pour vous : parents et éducateurs.

Durant toute l’école secondaire, les élèves doivent développer trois compétences du programme de formation de l’école québécoise : Communiquer (Interagir), lire des textes variés ; écrire des textes variés.

Commençons par la première : Interagir
Tout d’abord, après avoir entendu et parlé en français durant six ans à l’école primaire, nos élèves le comprennent bien.

Ils s’expriment aussi avec une certaine aisance, mais parfois, avec des erreurs de langage ou l’emploi d’anglicismes, en clair, ils traduisent parfois mot à mot une phrase ; ce qui n’est pas toujours compréhensible.

En arrivant au secondaire, dans la voie anglophone, vos enfants n’ont plus autant d’heures de cours en français qu’à l’école primaire. Ils ont besoin d’un bain culturel francophone dans lequel ils peuvent s’immerger régulièrement. Je propose alors de chercher dans votre entourage un vrai francophone avec qui votre enfant pourra communiquer. Il peut s’agir de courriels (un correspondant sur Internet), de dialogues téléphoniques (appeler régulièrement un ami, membre de la famille….). Enfin, votre enfant peut demander à l’école de faire son service communautaire en français.

Et si je ne connais aucun(e) francophone ????

Vous pouvez aller sur le site de TV5 (chaîne TV, francophone internationale) et de Radio Canada sur Internet, le site se nomme Tou.tv pour écouter de courtes émissions très variées de quelques minutes, et réécouter certains passages pour se familiariser l’oreille aux sonorités de la langue. Enfin, comme je l’avais signalé l’an dernier, votre adolescent-e peut regarder des films en français, sous titré en français ou en anglais. Cette méthode permet d’être dans un bain culturel avec le luxe des fonctions du lecteur DVD.

De plus, ces sites regorgent de programmes pédagogiques pour le développement de la langue française et les documents y sont renouvelés régulièrement.

Concernant la deuxième compétence : Lire
Comme je viens de le préciser, hors d’un milieu francophone, il est difficile d’améliorer la qualité de son vocabulaire. Les élèves utilisent souvent les mêmes expressions. La lecture régulière et la recherche de mots dans le dictionnaire sont certainement les meilleurs moyens pour connaître et utiliser de nouveaux mots.

Votre adolescent-e a l’embarras du choix à l’école pour se procurer une variété de journaux, revues, bandes dessinées, romans, qu’il-elle découvrira auprès de Madame Lustigman à la bibliothèque. Pour les plus grands, le quotidien La Presse et des magazines généralistes sont proposés et renouvelés régulièrement. Je conseille aussi la lecture des périodiques francophones tels les journaux gratuits : 24 heures ; Métro, pour ouvrir nos élèves, en français, aux grands évènements sociaux, économiques, environnementaux qui servent de supports aux thèmes des examens ministériels et développe leur culture générale.

Enfin, la troisième compétence et non la moindre : Écrire
Quelques outils pour bien commencer

À la maison, votre adolescent-e doit avoir accès à un bon dictionnaire de langue comme le Robert 1; et en classe aussi où il/elle s’en sert régulièrement.

À l’ère de l’informatique, et pour les plus grands, je leur conseille d’installer (légalement) un dictionnaire de synonymes/antonymes pour varier le vocabulaire, et un dictionnaire d’étymologie, très utile pour connaître l’origine des mots, afin de mieux les comprendre et de mieux les orthogrphier.

Rappel :l’ordinateur n’est pas autorisé lors des examens, seul le dictionnaire papier est permis.

Lorsque les élèves doivent préparer un travail écrit sur l’ordinateur à la maison, je leur recommande d’installer le correcteur orthographique « Antidote » qui est le plus performant ; plutôt que ceux préinstallés sur les machines dont la qualité de correction en français n’est pas assez performante et qui, parfois, proposent des erreurs ….

Pour s’entraîner et répondre à tous les défis de la grammaire-conjugaison, un site gratuit françaisfacile.com que je recommande, ainsi que verb2verbe.com . En plus d’une très grande variété d’exercices dont la correction est immédiate, le site propose aussi des leçons et exercices de français, en anglais !

Dernières nouvelles

Enfin, cette année, deux professeurs de français proposent des ateliers gratuits aux étudiants : Mme Simard offre, chaque semaine, un cours de vocabulaire de base pour les élèves nouvellement arrivés au Québec, et Mme Binette présente un cours de poésie, ouvert à tous, une fois par cycle, à l’heure du repas. Madame Binette vous invite aussi à voir un film en français. Chaque jour 4 et 6 à 11h au local 100. Apportez votre repas!

Pour conclure, j’espère que tous ces conseils permettront de soutenir le travail en français de nos étudiants. Néanmoins, si vous avez besoin d’un conseil concernant l’enseignement du français, je vous invite, comme chaque élève, à entrer en contact avec moi sur FirstClass ou au numéro suivant : (514) 481-2736, au poste 253.

Merci et bonne année parmi nous.

M. Rubier
Coordinateur de français

Class of 2015 Mezuzot

The “Mezuzah Legacy Program” is now in its second year of existence at Bialik High School.

Through parents’ charitable donations, a mezuzah is put up, in honour of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah boys and girls of the Sec. I class. It is with great pleasure that we announce that this year, due to the generosity of the parents of the 2015 graduating class, two mezuzot will be affixed: one in honour of the Bat Mitzvah girls and one in honour of the Bar Mitzvah boys. There will be a ceremony, taking place on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, in front of rooms 201 and 203 on the second floor.
Yasher Koach to all!

Judith Mestel
Parent of Sarah-Rose Mestel ‘15

Larger Than Life

Parent Linda Balass and parent of alumni Sandra Mashaal are involved in an incredible organization called Larger Than Life, which raises funds to help children who are suffering from cancer, and are bravely going through the difficult treatments they need. This organization, based in Israel, does not differentiate based on race, religion, or culture, but takes care of ALL children who need their help. The funds raised by Larger Than Life have gone to pay for trips for these children and their families to go to Disney World, or have assisted in the payment of their medical treatments, and most recently, is raising funds for a new, state-of-the-art school that will be accessible to children while in the hospital being treated for their disease. For more information on this wonderful organization, please go to www.largerthanlifeusa.org.

As well, please click here for information on their upcoming fundraiser. 

Many thanks!

Thank you to the 2010-2011 JPPS Grad Committee for all of their help. It is because of all of you that last year’s Grade 6 Graduation was so amazing! As well, many thanks to Adina Matas for her support throughout. Lastly, kudos to Marcie Fergenbaum and Lisa Slawner ‘85 for their contribution to the yearbook! We could not have done it without everyone’s combined help!

Julie Brownstein-Saros ‘86 and Robin Farber Steinberg
Co-chairs
2010-2011 JPPS Grad Committee

The Annual Giving Campaign

As part of an incentive to increase annual giving, a pair of Air Canada tickets to anywhere in North America was won by JPPS parents Andrea Greenberg ’89 and Mitch Kadanoff.  The package also included two nights hotel accommodation, from Aeroplan, which was gratefully secured by JPPS parent Mindy Goldberg.  “As proud parents of two kids at JPPS, its goes without saying that support for our school needs to start from within,” says Andrea Greenberg Kadanoff.   A heartfelt thank you goes out to Lisa Slawner '85 and Larry Zoltak '76, Co-chairs, 2010-2011 Annual Giving Campaign.

The Annual Giving Campaign seeks donations for both JPPS-Bialik’s operations and its endowments, including bursaries and awards. Donations directed to our schools’ operations serve to directly enhance existing programs and facilities for students beyond that provided through the operating budget funded by tuition and government grants. This ensures that JPPS-Bialik remains inclusive and accessible to as diverse a student population as possible in spite of rising costs, ensuring that no student is obliged to leave due to financial hardship.

Kenny Loggins ORT Gala for the benefit of JPPS-Bialik

Seats are selling fast - Purchase now through JPPS-Bialik!

Thanks to Jonathan Goodman ’84 and ORT Montreal, Kenny Loggins is coming to Place des Arts on Monday, November 28, 2011. Starting at only $50 per ticket, this is an opportunity you will not want to miss! The proceeds from the event will ensure that all Jewish families can afford to attend Montreal’s Jewish day schools, however, as part of the initiative, when you purchase directly through our office, all associated monies will be directed to JPPS-Bialik because of Jonathan’s generous sponsorship of the event.

Tickets are first come, first served, so reserve your tickets now through JPPS-Bialik. Consider the sponsorship and advertising opportunities described in the Gala flyer, both of which offer incredible visibility for you or your company (as an insert will go into the Montreal Gazette distributed to 60,000 homes in the western half of Montreal).

Bialik parent Marc Kimmel ’86 and JPPS-Bialik parent Michael Savelson are co-chairing JPPS-Bialik’s participation in this initiative, we already have one of our reunion classes talking about going to the concert en masse, and then going out for drinks afterwards to continue their celebration. Talk about a win-win situation!

Please click here to read all about it on our website.

For more information, please contact Leslie Perez, Advancement Officer at JPPS-Bialik by email or at 514-731-2944, ext. 230.

Ticket Choices:
$50 Balcony (no reception, no receipt)
$100 Balcony (no reception, no receipt)
$175 Patron
$275 Benefactor

Many thanks for your ongoing support!

Advancement Office

Bialik’s Marcy Stein, winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence

(Côte St. Luc, QC) October 11, 2011— JPPS-Bialik is proud to announce that Marcy Stein, Bialik’s renowned teacher of Math, English and Drama, is a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, announced October 5th the 84 recipients from across Canada. “Great teachers inspire great minds to be their best,” said Minister Van Loan. “Today, we celebrate outstanding educators who are igniting the curiosity of their students and making Canada a better place, one child at a time.”

The Prime Minister’s Awards website reads: “The sound of applause resonates down the hall. School is fun in Marcy Stein’s classroom. The teacher dons costumes; the students create and perform “rants”, they blog, use wikis and practice safe social networking. The possibilities are endless, the examples are real and the results are nothing short of
excellent. Throughout her thirty-year teaching career, Ms. Stein hasn’t changed her thinking, but her strategies reflect her ability to find innovative ways of implementing new technologies in her classroom.”

A member of the faculty for more than 30 years, Marcy Stein was singled out with a Quebec Certificate of Achievement for her use of innovative strategies in the classroom. Her enthusiasm and energy for innovation
and change are an inspiration to students and to colleagues.  Mrs. Stein has earned the designation of “Smart Exemplary Educator” by Smart Technologies. In math, students regularly participate in web-based math games with peers in countries all over the world. Students in Mrs. Stein’s enriched math classes participate every year in the Canadian National Mathematics League with great success. From 2001 through 2008 and most recently in 2011 the team placed first in Quebec.

Mrs. Stein was a leading participant in the My Hero Project where her students contributed testimonials about heroes in their lives. Mrs. Stein’s English students work on digital storytelling and blogs as well as on occasion writing projects with students in Japan. In a school with a very diverse learner population, she is careful to include lesson elements that are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic and to offer opportunities for enrichment or remediation as needed.

One of her students wrote: "Her math class is a blast! Mrs. Stein gets everyone involved in the class and makes us very excited about math…. Not only did we understand what we were doing, we understood why. Mrs. Stein uses the SMART Board and takes advantage of technology. She also has a great sense of humor!"

Marcy Stein is the second Bialik teacher to win this prestigious award. Peggy Hoffman, senior English teacher, won in 2003. Bialik is proud of its many exemplary award-winning teachers and looks forward to ensuring they are each recognized for their dedication and commitment to our students’ success. Please click here to read Irwin Cotler's, MP for Mount Royal, letter congratulating Marcy Stein.

JPPS CURRICULUM NIGHT

On Thursday September 14th, parents gathered for the annual review of the proposed curriculum for the current academic year. Teachers met with parents in their child’s classroom to explain the exciting challenges and objectives for 2011-2012, and to give parents a brief snapshot of what goes on in the class. As always, the teachers went into fine detail on lesson plans and expectations, and took time (many sessions ran quite late!) to answer parents’ questions and concerns. We are so proud of our teachers, and we are so confident that our children are in such capable hands each and every day!

Bialik Glee Team Supports Just for Kids Foundation!

The Just For Kids Glee High School Showdown 2011 takes place on Sunday, November 13 at the Eric Maclean S.J. Centre for the Performing Arts at Loyola High School. Each team will create and perform an original song/dance routine during a two hour competition, and as well, each team is responsible for raising a minimum of $1,000 for Just For Kids.

Check out the following link
http://www.facebook.com/JFKGleeHighSchoolShowdon

Come support your Bialik Glee Team!!

http://jfk.akaraisin.com/pledge/Team/Home.aspx?seid=4471&tid=38290&mid=10

The "Just for Kids" Foundation (JFK) raises funds to purchase new, high-priority equipment for The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH). This equipment becomes a vital part of The MCH's everyday operations, and goes to work immediately to diagnose and treat its young and vulnerable patients. This new equipment is state-of-the-art and provides less invasive and often lifesaving-procedures.

JFK is comprised of approximately 200 volunteers across four chapters throughout the island of Montreal, each one hosting an exciting fundraising event within the community each year.

Pictured top left to right: Lévana Znaty, Jordana Singer, Brandon Schwartz, Nicole Sochaczevski, Jaclyn Shiff, Alizée Znaty, Sarah Shtern, Diane Dupuis-Kallos and Samantha Druzin (Glee Team Co-ordinators), Rachel Korman, Samantha Leibgott and Michaela Elhadad) Thanks for your support!

The Bialik Glee Team

JPPS Chanukah Celebration

Hold the date for the fabulous JPPS Chanukah Party, filled with song, dance and menorah lighting!

Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at JPPS.

Don’t miss this fun event!

 

My Day at the Radio Station

I had an amazing time at the radio station. I got to meet many new people, and I enjoyed working closely with them. This adventure started the moment I walked into the station. On the outside it doesn’t seem like much, but on the inside it was mesmerising. Granite floors, granite walls, maybe even a granite ceiling. But I didn’t look up there. After our elevator ride, which was equally as fancy, we waited in the waiting room and I met a man who was on the radio that morning. After that, it was my turn to be recorded. And I can’t describe how much fun that was, but I’ll try. I got to go in a room with a glass wall so they could see me; I also got to put on those headphones that famous people use to sing with, and that type of funny-looking microphone hanging over my head.

It was sooo cool!!! It took me about 15-20 times to finally get the ad perfect. Whoever said being on the radio is easy, it’s not! When the recording was done, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it was me! But it was. Later I got to meet some people who worked at the radio station. They were really nice. And that was pretty much my day at the radio station. (In photo above : Rebecca Turner with Andrea Colins, Mid-day host on Virgin Radio.)

• Bialik's Open House radio commercial
• JPPS Open House radio commercial

Rebecca Turner ‘16

Garfield Donates Books to the JPPS Library!

Garfield was spending a few days in Montreal, and decided to visit JPPS Librarian Ingrid Gurman in the JPPS Library on Sept 7, 2011. Of course, Garfield did not come empty-handed – he came with English and French Garfield books, autographed by Garfield creator Jim Davis, to donate to the JPPS library! The Kindergarten students joined Ingrid during Garfield’s visit, where they had a short Question and Answer session with him. In case you were wondering: yes, Garfield likes to play hockey; yes, he likes pizza and lasagna; no, he has not had his bar mitzvah yet; and yes, he plans to go to Bialik for high school!!

On his way out, Garfield popped into the office to meet Adina, our Principal. It was a nice visit, and the books will be enjoyed for many years to come.

JPPS Library Staff

 

‘Word Nerd’ author Susin Nielsen at Bialik

Bialik Secondary I students welcomed YA author and TV screenwriter (Degrassi Junior High) Susin Nielsen on September 15, 2011 for an event which we shared with Secondary I students from Hebrew Academy, who were accompanied by their librarian, Norma Newman. Susin Nielsen is an award-winning author with Canadian Screenwriter and Gemini Awards to her credit, along with nominations for the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Book Award, the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award and the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, among others. She is the author of numerous children’s and YA books, including ‘Word Nerd’ and ‘Dear George Cloony, Please Marry My Mom’ (2010). Susin spoke to the students about her career as an author, using comical scenes from her life as a backdrop, and read to them from ‘Word Nerd’. She also demonstrated the differences between writing for television and writing novels, using student volunteers to act out a scene from one of her scripts. The students were excited by Susin’s engaging presentation, and her books are flying off the Bialik library shelves! You can learn more about Susin Nielsen, on her blog, or watch a portion of her presentation on my Bialik Reads! Blog, which can be found on the library website at:

http://www.jppsbialik.ca/en/bialik/library/bialik-reads

Marsha Lustigman
Bialik Librarian

Grade Six Students Visit Bialik!

Dear Parents,

Bialik High School is known for its confident, knowledgeable and well-educated graduates. The school offers a safe, caring and challenging environment where our JPPS students flourish both personally and academically. They make lifelong friendships and cultivate networking skills that will continue to serve them in the future.

The Jewish foundation that students receive at Bialik enables them to find their own place and identity in today’s fast-changing and challenging world.

Bialik is a place where Jewish students not only learn together, but also absorb the experience of Jewish life through shabbatonim, minyanim, and holiday assemblies. Students are constantly aware that they are in a Jewish environment which is both compassionate and welcoming.

On Tuesday, our Grade 6 students had the opportunity to visit Bialik. The response from the accompanying teachers and the students was overwhelmingly positive.

The teachers said that the tour was a nice introduction to High School life, and they were very proud to see how their former students have grown and matured. Last year’s graduates did a great job hosting our students, who were very enthusiastic about everything they experienced.

We were pleasantly inundated with positive feedback from the students. The following are samples of what the students are saying:

• “The visit was fun and interesting”
• “Next year I want to go to Bialik”
• “The new science room is so cool”
• “Everyone is so friendly”
• “The visit was amazing”
• “It looked better than in the movies and I can’t wait to go there”
• “It was awesome and the sports look amazing”
• “I walked in and knew it was the school for me”
• “There are so many trophies!”
• “The new gym and science lab are awesome”
• “My trip to Bialik was amazing and I loved that former JPPS students were showing us around”
• “I liked the science project we did”
• “I had a great time and hopefully I’ll be at Bialik in Grade 7 next year”
• “I am for sure going to Bialik so I am happy that I learned so much about it”
• “I liked the concept of all the committees”
• “I’m really looking forward to going there in Grade 7 and the rest of High School”
• “The guides in the blue group were very nice and if you asked a question they knew the answers”

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the administration, staff and students of Bialik High School for the exciting and informative day and for being such welcoming hosts.

Yours Truly,

Adina Matas
Principal and Director of Education, JPPS

Goodman Cancer Research Lectures

Alita Leibovitch, parent of Jennifer ’08, Amanda ’09 and Eric ’13 has helped organize the Goodman Cancer Research Centre Public Forum. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Sortie au Marché Jean-Talon

Le jeudi 6 octobre la maternelle K3 a fait une belle visite au Marché Jean-Talon accompagnée de quelques parents. Le soleil était au rendez-vous et les enfants ont pu admirer et goûter plusieurs produits de la ferme : fruits et légumes et autres délices du Terroir

C’était une superbe matinée et tous ont bien apprécié !

Natalie Custeau

JPPS Shofar Factory

During the month of Elul, a rabbi came to the school and explained to the class the tradition of blowing the shofar during the months of Elul and Tishrei, the last and the first months of the year. The children were very excited to learn how the shofar was made, and to try and make a shofar all by themselves! They also understood that it takes some practice to actually be able to blow the shofar.
Ilana Chitayat
JPPS Grade One Teacher

It’s official! Bialik’s Sukkah has been plaqued!

On October 17th, in spite of some inclement weather – okay, even hail – Bialik’s sukkah was formally inaugurated with a plaque appropriately installed on the outside and recognizing the important contributions of the JPPS-Bialik parent and alumni donors: architect Georges Elbaz, Steven Miller, John Mendelson JPPS ’77, Richard Stern ‘87, and Ron Mashaal, as well as the students from the Class of 2011 who made it all possible.

While our graduates were too busy at CEGEP to attend (which is good!), many of our donors were present, as were Board members. Ken Scott acknowledged the very passionate group of Secondary V students – at the time – who participated in the building of the sukkah, and Rabbi Dov Whitman did the honours in describing its significance to our school.

Thank you to all who helped make Bialik’s sukkah a reality: a beacon, a tangible sign of our pride in our Jewish identity.

The installed plaque reads: This sukkah was built by members of the Class of 2011, and thanks to the generosity of parents George Elbaz Architect, John Mendelson

JPPS ’77, Steven Miller, Richard Stern ’87 and Ron Mashaal Sukkot, 2010.”

Elizabeth Kennell
Director of Advancement

Message from the president of Bialik Parent Council

Wow, what a great start to the year.  Principal Ken Scott and his team have the place buzzing!  The students are happy and motivated, and the school is really transforming.

We were fortunate to get of to a good start with the second year of our new “Parent Outreach Program."  In order to reach out and lend support, all new parents were called by an experienced parent. Under the leadership of Shari Segal Gordon, the program was an overwhelming success, and lots of good feedback was received. Where we were informed of certain issues, the proper people then communicated with the parent.

Open House was fantastic; our new team of Student Ambassadors and parent representatives was well received.  Thanks to all who volunteered.

I am glad to report that Marnie Zigman Stern and Len Davidson are the parent representatives for the new Code of Conduct Committee, set up by Mr. Scott.  This was done so that our children can acknowledge the presence of rules, but that these rules can be changed, assuming the right process is followed and the reasons behind the proposed change is beneficial for them.

We are hoping to hold a general meeting sometime in November.  If you are interested in getting involved in any aspect of the school, or if you have a great idea you would like to share, the Parent Council would love to hear from you.

Remember: "Professionals built the titanic; Noah's Ark was built by
volunteers."

Larry Zoltak
President, Bialik Parent Council

Donors

The following individuals and organizations have made donations to
JPPS-Bialik from June 8 to October 17, 2011. These donors will also be
included in a year-end listing according to their level of giving in the
JPPS-Bialik annual report. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to
everyone who has helped facilitate JPPS-Bialik's role in nurturing
Jewish identity and culture while continually pursuing cutting-edge
competitiveness marked by academic rigor and excellence.

• Audrey Abessera
• Ronald and Jennifer Acel
• Active Tech Electronics
• Kenneth and Brenda Adessky
• Barry and Heidi Adler
• Pina Angelozzi
• Anonymous
• Prosper and Veronique Assayag
• Carrie and Brahm Backler '91
• Charles and Linda Balass
• Beaumont Storage
• Hillel and Mitzi Becker
• Brigitte Benlolo
• Reva Bercovitch
• Hanka Bienstock
• Martin and Deborah Bier
• Francis and Matthew Bronstein '91
• Jeffrey and Stacie Burt
• Cabrelli Handbags
• Caldwell Provisions
• Gail Fayerman Campbell JPPS '72 and Michael Campbell
• Nissen Chackowicz and Dr. Deborah Cohen
• Neil and Joanna Cherry
• Robert and Ruth Choueke
• Clara and Hyman Goldenberg Memorial Scholarship
• Arnold Cohen '82 and Marnie Mitnick Cohen JPPS '78
• Daniel Cohen and Bonnie Roiter '85
• Carole and Elie Cohen
• Sandra and Gilles Cohen
• Jon Cohen '85
• Larry and Edna Cohen
• Robert and Giovanna Cooperman
• Ian and Connie Copnick
• Susan Greenwald and Neil Creme
• Claire Dalfen
• Leonard and Nira Davidson
• Decarie Motors Inc.
• Ruth Dorenfeld '84
• The Kallos Family
• Randy and Stuart Eiley '83
• Lorne and Joyce Eisenstat
• Sharon and Judah Eliahoo
• Michael Eliesen and Liane Rashkovan Eliesen '80
• The Kaspi Elituv Family
• Barbara and Joel Engel
• Allan Enkin and Marie Francis
• Sheila Esar
• Estate of Bella Zukerman
• Henry and Marina Etingin
• Joseph and Brigitte Even-Hen
• Marcie and Mark Fergenbaum
• Gary Finkelstein
• Michael Finkelstein '77
• Anna Firszt
• Elana and Hadar Friedman '85
• Abraham Fuks
• Michael and Rachel Gabbay
• Allan Goldenberg
• Arnold Gluz and Eileen Haimovitz
• Carey Gold
• Lorne and Jacqueline Gold
• Wendy and Robert Gold '84
• Maurice Goldberger and Annie Torenhejm
• Allan Goldenberg
• Marcia Goldstein
• Queenie Goldstein
• Mark Golfman '81
• Ben Gonshor
• Shari and Bram Gordon
• Ethan Gordon '10
• Ian and Natalie Gordon
• Neil and Aida Gordon
• Alexandre and Natalie Gorelik
• Mrs. Anna-Sue Greenberg Wiltzer '83
• Natalie and Jeffrey Grostern '83
• Leslie and Sharon Groszman
• Groupe Kloda Focus - Superior Sound
• Reva Grover
• Steve '84 and Debbie Gurman
• City of Hampstead
• Jack and Pascale Hasen
• Stephen Hecht
• Nina Heft '81
• Cindy ’86 and Mark Heller
• Mark Hornstein
• International Factors Ltd.
• Robert Itzkovitz
• Java U Catering
• Stacey Brotman '86 and Andrew Katz
• Kaztex Canada Inc.
• Hirut Kebede
• Bernice Kerzner
• Marc and Lisa Knobovitch
• Nadav and Patricia Krasner
• Joyce and Harvey Kreisman JPPS '57
• Lorne and Bonnie Kronish
• Herb and Libby Labell
• Edith Lando Charitable Foundation
• Jane and Dr. Jonathan Lang
• Judi and Michael Langburt
• Aviv and Cynthia Laor
• Lazar Lapidus
• Eric and Grace Lawee
• Eric and Karen Laxer
• Mark and Jo-Ann Lazare
• David Lazarus JPPS '67 and Heidi Miller
• The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre
• Deborah Leblanc
• Elliot and Hannah Levine
• Mr. and Mrs. Ian Levitan
• Hayley and Paul Levy
• Harvey and Yvonne Lithwick
• Angela Litman
• Lou Goldberg Jewellers Inc
• Catherine and Gregory Luger
• Marsha and Michael Lustigman
• Rona and Jamie Malus '81
• Lydia Mamane
• Nadine Vogel and Neil Mardinger
• Joseph and Pearl Maritzer
• Marla and Michael Mashaal
• Katherine and Michael Meltzer '78
• Stephen and Michaela Meltzer
• Lawrence Mendelsohn and Ethel Finkel
• Miriam Bercovitch '82 and John Mendelson JPPS '77
• Kelly Menshick
• Judith Mestel
• Ken and Leah Miller
• Sheldon and Florence Miller
• Dr. Randi Morris
• Mike Nahoum
• Brahm Naimer JPPS '78
• George and Phyllis Nashen
• Alexandr and Angela Niselshtein
• Norbert & Gusta Roth Foundation
• Martin and Cheryl Novack
• David and Sonia Oberman
• Jerry and Rebecca Pekeles
• Qualitifruits
• Joyce Rabih
• Mel and Cheryl Rappaport
• Ernest and Freda JPPS '49 Rashkovan
• Ronald and Ruth Reuben
• Darrin and Natalie Rosenthal
• Michael Rosenthal
• Michael and Lianne Routtenberg
• Michael and Frederica Savelson
• Alan and Marian Schauber
• Aviva Tencer Schnayer JPPS '71
• Dr. Brynah Schneider JPPS '68
• Cindy Schneider and Shane Landsman
• Lawrence Schneider JPPS '65
• Robin Alexander '86 and Andrew Schwartz
• Daniel and Zainab Schwartz
• Leonard Shapiro
• Ron Shapiro
• David and Susan Shashoua
• Beth Prosterman '83 and Fred Shiff
• Alana Soiferman and Stuart Shiveck '84
• Joseph and Isabel Shuster
• Marcia Shuster
• Gary Silverman
• Lorna and Hy Smith
• The Sochaczevski Family
• Ilia and Tatiana Soukhodolski
• Spector and Co.
• Robert Spector
• Mandy and Andrew Steinberg '86
• Rosemary and Brian Steinberg
• Barbara Stern
• Marnie and Richard Stern '87
• Stokes
• Harold and Kathryn Stotland
• Mona Segal JPPS '79 and Brian Strasser
• Jeffrey and Sharron Sugarman
• Sydney Shapiro Memorial Fund
• Avrom Gomberg and Barbara Szeicz
• Dr. Joseph Szwimer and Cheryl Szwimer
• Sara and Irwin Tauben
• TCBY Yogourt
• Joan Thomas
• Elyse and Michael Toulch
• Laurence Turner
• Union Electric
• Warren and Gayle Werbitt
• Steven White
• Fred Wiener
• Steve Winkelman and Heather Batchelor
• Andrew and Ora Winkler
• Merle Wolofsky
• Oded and Ifat Yaakobi
• Brian and Jacquie Young
• Janet and Lawrence Zoltak '76