Kells Academy
2016 Spring Newsletter
KELLS EXPANSION PLANS - Our Awesome New Building
Prospective Plans - De Maisonneuve and Cavendish
Walkley view
Plans submitted to the City of Montreal.
Kells Future International Residence
Kells' residence, will offer great convenience of being on-campus for elementary students and minutes away for our seniors. Living at the International Residence will connect students with a community where they can make lasting friendships, experience the city, and develop a range of academic and life skills. Our residence will not be just a convenient place to live, but an important part of the overall Kells experience. This will be your home away from home, and we plan to offer support systems and services that aren’t easily found in other types of student residences. Social and educational events include cooking classes, study groups, residence games & sports challenges, group trips to local events and more.
ROBOTICS
Redesigning Knowledge
Kells Technology Specialist, Alireza Kamali taught the first (but definitely not the last) Robotics class. Alireza’s overall objective was to inspire students to think big. He says, “If students have a little bit of technology knowledge they can do big things, so if they learn more and have a greater knowledge, they can do greater things!”
With this in mind, students underwent a thorough interview process designed to ensure Robotics was the right fit for the students. Some of the topics included in the course were: Basic Logic of Programming, Lego Programming Language, Car Mechanics, Gear Structure, Creating Smart Cars, and Designing A Remote Control for a Custom-Built Robot.
Alireza shares, “Students were very excited and hard-working. They were thirsty for new objectives, challenges, and projects. They started to realize whether they are more interested in the mechanical aspect of the course or the programming part of it, and I adjusted the groups so they were able to do what they liked most. The students were fast learners and as soon as they understood the concept, they taught each other.”
For example, Alireza shares that there are some cars designed to automatically brake when they get too close to an object. This concept was taught in the Robotics class and students witnessed how simple this actually is. When you have the knowledge, you have tools to act. “Perhaps one day, they too can invent something.”
Alireza looks forward to the next Flex Robotics Course. He envisions students working as a team and building one big robot.
The students, as well as Alireza, found the experience to be highly stimulating! What’s to come? Alireza hopes to take the students to Robotics Competitions!
KELLS GOES GREEN
Planting 101
Last fall, our director, Ms. Woods had the opportunity to hear a talk by Steven Ritz, a teacher in the South Bronx who spoke about how he and his students designed and implemented gardens and green spaces in their neighbourhood. She came back inspired and convinced that Kells, with the collaboration of the NDG community, could do the same thing on a slightly smaller scale. Fast forward to March and the first seeds have already been planted in Mr. Jankowski’s junior Science Class. Students are enthusiastic about learning how to grow and cultivate various plant species, and in doing so, they are making the first contribution to the beautification and “greening” of their school. With the arrival of warmer weather, the next step is to move outside and plant a garden! Our plan is to transform the slope at the corner of De Maisonneuve and Park Row West, right across from the school into a community vegetable garden. Proceedings with the City of Montreal have already begun and once we have the green light we will form a committee to plan the details of the planting and cultivation of this space. Our hope is that students and staff at Kells will work alongside our neighbours in order to maintain a community vegetable garden that will undoubtedly benefit our local community; our goal is to grow enough fresh produce to be able to donate to the NDG Food Depot!
Lettuce - Before
Bean sprouts
Pepper, parsley and cucumber seeds
Lettuce - After
Mr. Jankowski
Radish, peas and lettuce
FLEX
Flex is a program offered at Kells in order to give students the opportunity to choose from a variety of courses based on interest, talent or curiosity. Each term, Flex Options change, allowing students to explore new possibilities.
Teachers design these Flex classes. Some previous courses were cinematology, crocheting, Italian, Arabic, art relaxation, popular songwriting, cooking etc. Also, we invite external instructors who teach a variety of other specialized courses such as Dance, yoga, martial arts, Jiu Jitsu, and magic, to name a few.
Cooking
Crocheting
Crocheting is a popular Flex class. In this class, Ms. Ungureanu provides students the opportunity to discover hidden talents. Students find that they can be creative and make beautiful and practical items. Hats, scarves, purses, bottle holders, and blankets are just a few of the wonderful creations made in Crocheting Flex!
Flex Art
Flex Art- Ms. Rubenovitch's program allows students the opportunity to enjoy the process of artistic creation, rather than focusing on end results. Benefits include improving overall well-being and helping to relieve stress and anxiety.
SPORTS
SOCCER -The Sport of Choice at Kells
At Kells Academy, we take pride in our athletics. Soccer is the sport of choice here; With the many international students at Kells, where soccer is popular in their countries, these students bring along a knowledge of the sport, and as a result, a unique culture has developed in the school.
Soccer is offered as a Flex Class, open to all students who want to play it recreationally, thus inviting students from all grades and skill levels to get involved in this sport. There are a great number of students who participate in this flex course.
In addition, students who are more competitive and want to play at a higher level, try out for the school soccer teams, which compete in the GMAA league. Here, we especially work on specific skills during practice such as ball control, shooting, passing, and play making. Our team players work hard and are always improving their skills. So far, the indoor girls and boys soccer teams are in good standings to making the playoffs!
Cassandra Fischer, Kells Teacher
NEW FITNESS ROOM AT KELLS
Encouraging good health for all!
Last spring, a group of grade 9 students asked if it would be possible to start a weight training club during lunch or after school. Thanks to this request, we were inspired to open a Fitness Room at Kells, encouraging good health for all.
We decided we would create a room at Kells dedicated to fitness training that would be available year-round to students and teachers alike. With the addition of several cardio machines, a punching bag, a multi-functional machine, free weights and much more, the weight room is quickly becoming an important part of the Kells Athletics program and serves several purposes:
• Access to this room provides more physical activity time to students who wish to lead a healthy lifestyle, but aren't necessarily interested in competitive sports.
• Fitness and weight training is being integrated into the Kells Physical Education curriculum for smaller classes at the senior level.
• Access to this room means improved training for our growing athletics program. Athletes can become stronger, faster and better able to compete with other schools.
• The facilities can be used for students who need to release tension or anxiety, helping them to become more focused and centered in and out of class time.
A healthy body means a healthy mind so we encourage all students to come give the weight room a try!
Jamie Bolduc, Kells’ Physical Education Teacher
ARTCEPTIONAL
Pop Art
WORKING WITH VANIER COLLEGE
ESL Support
Kells is proud of our large international student body. With students coming from all over the world, students are introduced to different cultures and philosophies of life making the Kells experience truly a unique one.
Furthermore, our international students are able to experience a Quebec-Canadian experience. As a means to help them integrate and quickly develop or strengthen their English skills, Kells is working collaboratively with Vanier College and preparing students for college.
Students attend sessions during flex and work on improving different skills: writing, reading and comprehension, listening and understanding, and conversational skills.
The more the students’ learning is geared toward their specific needs, the more fun their experience becomes!
OTTAWA TRIP
Grade Nines Visit the Capital
On a rainy November day, the grade nine students, Ms. Sikias, Ms. Blain and Ms. Rubenovitch filed into a big yellow bus for the Annual French department’s overnight trip to Ottawa. The first stop was the MINT museum, always an interesting place to visit, where students got to learn about collector coins and saw first handedly how such coins are made. It was interesting to see all the international currency made at our own MINT museum as well as the unique Olympic medals they have created.
After a quick lunch, we headed back to the bus for a guided tour of Ottawa. The tour guide was very informative and taught us all about the different districts of Ottawa; he even showed us where our newly elected Prime Minister, Hon. Justin Trudeau, is living. As our cool winter days were quickly approaching, I think everyone was delighted to have this tour inside the comfort and warmth of the bus!
Our next stop was Ottawa’s oldest prison for the Ghost and Gallows tour (a prison that has now been turned into a Hostel). The grey and rainy weather made for perfect ambiance as we were guided through this eerie and ancient establishment. We were told about the many spooky and inexplicable occurrences that happened in this old building as we made our way through the old prison cells. I think we all agreed that although it was no longer a prison and was currently being used as a hostel, we were all very content to be staying at the Travel Lodge instead.
Finally, we were off to the Lonestar Café where the students enjoyed a feast of fajitas. After dinner, we returned to the hotel and the students took advantage of the indoor water park and enjoyed some down time before bed.
Our last stop the next day, before making our way back home, was The Canadian Museum of History. Here the students had an opportunity to explore the many exhibitions on ancient civilizations and watched an IMAX production entitled Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure. The movie told the amazing story of an explorer who set off to discover Antarctica and did everything in his power and beyond to survive the cold and to lead his team back to safety. With his courageous expedition fresh in our minds, we were finally ready to head back to our own land of Montreal!
Ms. Kimberly Blain, Kells French Teacher
COSTA RICA
Learning Spanish in Costa Rica!
At the end of February, a group of 21 students from grades 10 & 11, along with Mr. Jankowski and Ms. Blain, travelled to beautiful Costa Rica. “Costa Rica is one of the greatest nature reserves in the world and perfect for an educational trip!” says Mr. Jankowski.
In order to encourage students to have a true cultural experience, Kells provided after school Spanish classes to Costa Rica students and supervising teachers. The classes began in January and ended right before the scheduled trip. In this way, students had the opportunity to use their new language skills and have a more enriching experience in Costa Rica.
Students took advantage of this opportunity and enjoyed the classes very much, shares Mr. Jankowski. He mentions Alex Mahutte who made tremendous progress with the language, and also proclaims, “Ms. Blain loved the Spanish classes!”
Some attractions in Costa Rica include the Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Waterfall, and La Fortuna Waterfall. Students also enjoyed a cooking class and had a local school visit; this was definitely a wonderful opportunity to converse in Spanish and connect with the citizens!
RAISING DIGITAL CITIZENS
An Evening With Dr. Alissa Sklar
On the evening of Tuesday, November 17th, 2015, Dr. Alissa Sklar joined us at Kells Academy in order to share her expertise on Digital Citizenship. Parents, students, teachers, and members of the Kells community attended the event to learn more about this emerging issue.
The possibilities for technological knowledge has become endless! Naturally, as technology is now a fundamental learning tool in schools, students have access to a wide variety of information online. While this is valuable, it is still imperative to address online safety, online responsibility and to raise digital citizens. Through an interactive approach, Dr. Sklar asked the Kells community some thought-provoking questions and encouraged open dialogue with both parents and children.
Here are some highlights of the conversations that ensued:
Social media also creates social pressures! Dr.Sklar’s remarks, “The more we feel connected online, the more disconnected we normally are in our lives offline.” There is the concept of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which causes people - especially teenages - to feel the pressure of constantly making themselves look good online, as well as feeling as if one needs to be continuously “connected” by posting selfies on social media.
Posting Responsibilities! After demonstrating the many reasons to post safely and responsibly, Dr. Sklar shares, “An easy rule of thumb for students before posting, ask yourself: would I show my mom?”
Privacy? Online? Definitely! Dr.Sklar discussed how to create and adapt guidelines for safe internet use with parents. She emphasized the importance for modelling responsible digital citizenship for young adults as they get older. After all, “freedom is a privilege to be earned through constant responsible behaviour,” as Dr.Skylar noted.
This was an empowering evening for parents and students alike, as Dr. Sklar demonstrated the importance of “keeping an open, ongoing conversation” when approaching digital citizenship.
To conclude, Alireza Kamali, Kells’ Technology Specialist, shared the rules and restrictions implemented at Kells to further ensure online safety with parents and students. If students choose to act irresponsibly, there are many ways that Kells can restrict, block or manage certain applications and access levels. Following the same philosophy as Dr. Sklar, online freedom is re-granted as students become more and more responsible online.
“Alissa Sklar, Ph.D. runs risk (within) reason, a Montreal consultancy project focused on kids, technology and risky behaviours. Dr. Sklar has a Ph.D. in communications and cultural studies, taught in the Communication Studies Department at Concordia University and worked in the field of adolescent risk prevention at McGill University. In addition to her academic and consulting work, Dr. Sklar is a mom of three, and a multiple award winning feature writer, with a particular interest in parenting, youth and digital technology issues.”
For more information on Dr. Sklar, please visit: www.risk-within-reason.com
IT TAKES GUTZ!
Bartimaeus' Personal Development Programs for Juniors
A very special program took place in December with the grade 7 & 8 girls, GUTZ. Bartimaeus acknowledges that “It takes GUTZ to be successful in the world today. ” This program is designed to help students find out who they really are and to love what they find.
Over a four day period, the girls got to know each other better, learned to accept others, embraced new things and challenged themselves. The animators, Melinda Atkinson and myself, Dana Barrington, created a safe and understanding environment. Students understood that whatever was said or done was to stay within in the confines of the group. Some of the girls felt at ease opening up to the group immediately, but others took longer to feel comfortable sharing who they are in front of everyone.
A series of activities were facilitated over the four days, which included:
· Change – to get to know one another.
· Who are you? – it encouraged the girls to realize things about themselves which they had never thought of previously.
· Supportive table – the girls discovered that most of their negative thoughts were unrealistic ideas that they repeat to themselves on a daily basis, regardless of the validity.
· Vision board – Such a fun activity sharing things they felt represented their true nature.
· Accomplishments – The girls responded very well to this activity – they were exhilarated and happy to be celebrated.
Throughout the activities, not only did we get to see the students have so much fun, but we got to see them evolve. Everyone treated each other with respect and took the activities seriously. The girls felt this was a very positive experience and overall, a very rewarding experience for all of us!
P.A.S.S.
While the girls experienced the GUTZ Program, the boys were participating in another social learning program, “Preparing for Adolescence and Social Success” (P.A.S.S.). Another program offered by Bartimaeus. The boys were led through a number of activities, games, and also role plays, to learn about themselves. As they explored topics such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving, they discovered “How to work together and work with our differences” (Kells Student, Austin Unruh).
Dana Barrington, Animator
ALUMNI NEWS
Interview with Alumni - Alice Lemay
Alice Lemay, Class of 2012
How is life after Kells?
Life is good, it’s busy and hectic but it’s also rewarding.
What are you doing now?
Right now, I am at Concordia University majoring in Psychology and doing group electives in management and marketing. I am doing quite well. I have decided to take a lower course load so that I could balance my academic life, with my extra-curricular life, my social life, and on rare occasions sleep!
What are some of your accomplishments?
At Kells I was privileged enough to win the Lieutenant Governor General award. At Marianopolis I graduated on the Dean’s List. As far as accomplishments go, as the Vice President of Social Affairs for the Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association (CUPA), I really enjoy planning events for students. They take a lot of work, planning, organization, and communication and so every time an event is successful that’s an accomplishment in and of itself for me.
Can you share your experience at Kells?
Kells was a great experience for me. I was able to grow and thrive in the atmosphere they provided. I had, in my opinion, a pretty good relationship and rapport with my professors. As for the students, I still have friends that I hang with and see on a regularly basis from Kells, so don’t worry, CEGEP and University won’t keep good, lasting friendships apart!
I’ll always think back to the Kells’ Quebec City trip, it was one of the best school trips I had ever been on. The entire grade really bonded over those 2 days and we simply had a blast!
How did Kells help you prepare for your future?
Kells definitely shaped my learning preferences, my interactions with professors, and my participation within school activities. Since they offer small, intimate classroom settings there’s a different relationship that develops between students and teachers, that most other students don’t necessarily get to experience. With that being said, when I decided on a CEGEP I wanted to get the same thing out of my interactions with my professors, which I was able to find at Marianopolis. Classes were small and there was a rapport you could have with your professors, allowing for an environment where learning could take place by asking questions, or having classroom discussions.
Back at Kells, I was involved in almost every group or activity imaginable. Whether it was being on the soccer team, writing up advice columns in the newspaper, or being involved in student politics. Now in university I am currently the Vice President of Social Affairs for the Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association (CUPA). Throughout the year, I plan events for students to attend, such as Frosh, a university-wide orientation for students in the Arts and Science program, trivia nights for psychology students, networking events where students had a conference on how to get into grad school and got a chance to talk to grad students and make connections with them, as well as many other events.
Any words of wisdom for students at Kells?
I think something we should all keep in mind is to be open to learning and to new experiences, and that what works for others doesn’t necessarily work for you, and that’s okay. When I was in high school, I thought I had everything figured out. I knew what I wanted and nothing was going to deter me from that. I later found out in university, that maybe what I had wanted back then isn’t necessarily what I want now. Ia m still trying to figure it out now, but every day I get to go to class, learn something new, and get one step closer to figuring out what it is that I want. High school is important to the extent that it molded my preferences as far as learning goes, it shaped the interactions I had with people, and my need to be involved in school, other than just academics. But life after is just as important so take the time to start figuring out what you want now, even if it doesn’t necessarily pan out. Join a club, get involved, push the boundaries and test the limits – step out of your comfort zone, because as cliché as it sounds, you never know what you like if you don’t try.
2016 Spring Concert
Thursday, May 5, 2016, 07:00 PM
Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC, Canada
Filming for Concert - Has begun!
We are Connected!
Email: kadmin@kells.ca
Website: www.kells.ca
Location: 6865 De Maisonneuve Blvd W, Montreal, QC, Canada
Phone: 514-485-8565
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellsAcademy
Twitter: @kellsacademy