December may be a short month, but it is certainly a busy month. Schools and centres were organizing and hosting many events in addition to the academic learning that is going on. I was fortunate to take part in some of these activities, and I would like to take a few minutes to share some of the highlights from the past few weeks.

On December 2nd, Pierrefonds Community High School hosted the Invitational Robotics Challenge. This event, now an annual activity, brings together Lester B. Pearson students who participate in a one-day robotics competition. This year, approximately 130 students from 10 Lester B. Pearson schools, accompanied by their teachers and parent volunteers, used their knowledge of science, technology, and engineering to build robots on the spot capable of executing certain challenges. This year’s challenges revolved around designing and creating a device that could dispose of radioactive rubbish. The first event required students to build a robot that could successfully transport recycled soda cans filled with substances of varying weights up an incline. The second and final challenge of the day saw students design a robot that could find a way to lift the radioactive soda can waste and dispose of it in a bucket. It was very impressive to see the students taking charge of their learning, collaborating on design ideas, and using their creativity and knowledge to accomplish the tasks. The winning team was made up of students from Westwood Sr. and LaSalle Community High School, and I congratulate not only the challenge champions but all students who participated.

Later that same week, most of our elementary schools participated in an event that showcased students’ math prowess. After several weeks of practice and training, teams of grade 5 and 6 students from 24 Lester B. Pearson elementary schools participated in this year’s edition of the Math Olympics. Held over two nights, the first at Lakeside Academy on Dec. 3rd and then at PCHS on Dec. 5th, students competed in various math challenges, both individually and in teams. Our mathletes made these events exciting to watch, and the audiences on both nights were full of parents, teachers, and administrators who cheered on all of our schools. Congratulations to Allion Elementary and Children’s Word Academy for winning gold on Dec. 3rd and to Wilder Penfield Elementary for bringing home the gold on Dec. 5th. Congratulations to our Math consultants in Educational Services for organizing two nights of friendly and exciting competition. A very big thank you is also extended to our teachers who put in hours of practice time getting their students ready for this year’s Olympiad and for fostering a love of mathematics!

Another flurry of activity this month has to do with the approaching holiday season. It is truly impressive to see that that spirit of giving and kindness is alive and well across the Lester B. Pearson territory. Many of our schools and centres have been very busy hosting bake sales, holding food drives, doing fundraisers and undertaking clothing collections with all donations going to local shelters, food banks, and other organizations that assist those in need. There are so many people facing economic hardship, food uncertainty, and homelessness; these are not easy times. Sharing is indeed caring, and through these activities our students are learning the importance of taking care of others and giving back to their community. Again, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the teachers, professionals, administrators, and support staff who organize these important activities that foster compassion and build character. I also thank our students, parents and guardians for supporting these worthwhile causes.

In another moment of gratitude for our strong community ties, I wish to publicly thank the City of Pointe-Claire for their kindness and generosity. Recently, I was contacted by their Recreation and Leisure Department who wished to donate a resource to all of our elementary schools, not only those located in Pointe-Claire. Knowing that our schools are very active with various ecological and green projects, we were delighted to distribute copies of Leonard’s Composting Adventures and Léonard et le compostage to all of our elementary schools. Thank you to our partners at the Ville de Pointe-Claire for helping us teach our young students about environmental initiatives such as composting.

In just a few days, we will head off on a well-deserved break. Winter will officially arrive, schools and centres will close, and our students, staff and families will have some time to enjoy the holiday season. If you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, the happiest of the season’s greetings are offered to you. May this time be filled with peace, joy and love, not just for the ones closest to us, but for all of humankind. A new year will soon be on our doorstep, and may 2025 be filled with possibility, positivity and prosperity for all.