Remi Poliquin
Counsel
A Busy but Wonderful Month
by Cindy Finn, Director General
June always zips by in a bit of a blur. Energy levels are high as everyone works hard with last-minute assignments, projects and planning and before you know it, the school year is over! There are many end-of-year outings, concerts, tutorials and exams for students and a lot of marking and planning for staff. It is a busy but wonderful month across the system, for this is when we see the results of what has been worked on day by day for the last ten months. Students realize accomplishments, teachers evaluate consolidated progress, and parents join in a myriad of celebrations such as art exhibits, concerts, and graduations.
Attending graduation events is always a hallmark of the end of an academic year. This year I, along with my administration colleagues, was fortunate to celebrate with a number of our elementary, secondary, adult and vocational centres as we honoured our graduating students. Each transition, whether moving from elementary to secondary or going from high school to CEGEP or continuing education, is a significant milestone worthy of joyful celebration.
On June 21st, I participated in the Gem*Star Circle of Excellence Graduation Ceremony, a program organized by Playmas Montreal in support of high achieving Black youth who are leaders in their communities. This year, 15 grade 11 students from various high schools across the island of Montreal took part in the program. It was an honour to be asked to speak at this event, and a great point of pride was that 6 of the 15 students in the Gem*Star program this year were from Lester B. Pearson high schools. Congratulations to the following students on being recognized as a 2026 Gem*Star: Jaylah Davis, Kenya Dennis, and Malakhi Swaray all from LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School, Avalon Moore and Zara Mullings from John Rennie High School and Shauntéa Saint-Fleur from St. Thomas High School. I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of Vice Chair Allison Saunders who served as a mentor to one of the Gem*Star students this year. We are very proud of the relationship we have built with Playmas Montreal over the last few years, we and we look forward to seeing who will be selected for the 2026-2027 Gem*Star cohort!
Congratulations are extended to all graduates of the class of 2026. We are so proud of your accomplishments, and we wish you all the best for the future. May your experiences with us as a student of the Lester B. Pearson School Board serve as an important steppingstone to continued success.
There is also another group from within our school board who are taking their leave. Not as graduates per se, but as retirees. We officially honoured our 2025-2026 retirees last month, but I will once again thank these staff members who contributed so much throughout their careers with us. I am sure these last few days of school or work were emotional ones for those who are winding down and retiring officially as of June 30th. We appreciate your dedication to public education. No matter your role in our community – as teacher, support staff, caretaker, non-teaching professional, administrator – know that you have had a positive impact on countless students and our school board as a whole.
It is on this note that I will end my June report; expressing appreciation and gratitude to all who comprise the Lester B. Pearson school board community. The 2025-2026 school year was not an easy one. It began with a precarious budget situation, transportation challenges and ended with proposed legislation that threatens the future of adult education and vocational training in Quebec. However, those are but the bookends of this year; in between those challenges, we can point to many moments of growth, glory, and achievement.
We pursue the mission of excellence for all, and we celebrate the many pathways to success – through academics, athletics, the arts, life skills, and personal growth. These small victories and accomplishments stack upon one another, and collectively, we can be proud of all that we have achieved together.
Thank you to all for your contributions to another successful school year. I must highlight the work of two colleagues, the Assistant Directors General. Although I write on behalf of the administration every month, there is much that goes on behind the scenes, and the work of the senior leadership team is always a collective effort.
Thank you Stephanie Stever for your exceptional work supporting our Financial Services Department, our Transportation team, and our Equipment Services Department. There were many financial, transportation, logistical and material resources challenges thrown our way this year, but you handled them with positivity and grace.
Thank you to Veronique Marin for supporting our Regional Directors, Continuing Education, International Programs, as well as the Student Services and Educational Services Departments. Your leadership helped to ensure that everything remained on track with our schools and centres, and that we provided the best learning experiences possible for our students.
I would also like to highlight the work done by our Legal and Archives Department, Human Resources, the Innovation and Technology Department and the Communications and Community Development Department, the teams with whom I work very closely.
It is an honour and a privilege to serve as the Director General of the Lester B. Pearson School, due in large measure to the dedication of those working in these departments in support of our staff and administration in the schools and centres. Education is truly a team sport, and I am grateful for my colleagues who work hard to keep team spirit and cohesion as the foundations of our work.
Finally, I offer words of appreciation to our Council of Commissioners, Governing Boards, Parents’ Committee, Special Needs Advisory Committee, and Central Students’ Committee. Your countless hours of service contributes to our strength and reputation as a board that goes the extra mile for students and staff.
May the summer break be a happy and healthy one for all. Enjoy some deserved downtime, profit from the change in pace that the summer season affords, and make time for some special activities with family and friends that bring you pure joy. See you most of you again in August!
