Registration Period Behind the Scenes
by Chloë Ranaldi
It’s registration period in the Lester B. Pearson School Board! We thought you might want a look at what that means to the people involved. Here are four interviews where we gain insight from the perspectives of staff members.
Dorothy Dixon, Administrative Assistant at Allion Elementary School
Chloë Ranaldi: Can you give me a little bit more background about yourself? How long have you been at the school board for?
Dorothy Dixon: I’ve been working for the school board for 21 years, still loving it. It’s changed a lot, but I love the challenge, and I love working with the kids. I started as a mom and worked in the same school as my kids, watched them grow up, watched them graduate, and do great things with their lives. And now I get an opportunity to support our parents and our kids also go through the journey of elementary school.
CR: This is obviously a super busy time of the year. So what is the registration period like for you right now?
DD: Registration period is crazy. The school is still operating in full swing at 100% capacity, and then on top of it, you layer on the registration. We’re receiving a lot of calls from parents inquiring about setting up appointments.All of our registrations are by appointment, and that just helps us structure the day and set aside the time with each family. I’m also really fortunate to work with a great team.
CR: What would you say your favorite part of the registration period is?
DD: I love data entry, which is so weird, and there is a lot of data to enter. I love getting the information in. I’m a really stickler for correct spelling and all the correct information.
Gianluca Muia, Manager, International Programs, Vocational Sector at the Lester B. Pearson School Board
CR: Tell me about yourself and your history with the Lester B Pearson School Board?
Gianluca Muia: I started with the school board close to 13 years ago in the International Department. I was hired as a student supervisor at the John Killingbeck Pavilion, where we had students from the youth sector. I was doing two nights a week, helping students with their homework, and supervising, then it changed to five days a week, and then work as an office agent. In 2017, I switched positions and worked at LCCHS and Beurling Academy for a few years, and then worked in the transportation department at LBPSB. I’ve been in this role as Manager of International Programs, Vocational Sector for just over three years, so it’s kind of full circle because the international department has a special place in my heart.
CR: What is the process like for your team when it comes to the registration period?
GM: We have intakes almost every month, for example Information Technology Support we’re running it 12 times a year, so a lot of our intakes are throughout the year. For programs like Interior Decorating and Visual Display, we run sessions several times a year, making it a busy period for us. However, September and January tend to be our busiest months. The registration period starts months earlier for many International students, since they’re sending their documents, and we’re reviewing them, which takes time, because sometimes they need to wait on different documents.
CR: What is your favourite part of the registration period?
GM: It’s a journey for the students, when they come here, it’s not easy. They’re leaving a lot of their family, their friends and they’re coming here for a better education and it takes a lot of courage to do that. When they arrive, you see the journey that they’re about to go on because they’re coming into a new country and they’re excited. So, I think that’s the greatest joy, is seeing them at the very beginning when they arrive and then again at graduation when they finally completed their program and they’re going to move on to the next chapter of their life. We’ve had two former International Students, who now work in the department, which is great because they know what students go through – so it goes full circle.
Kim Ventura, Administrative Assistant, Riverview Elementary School
CR: Can you tell me a little more about yourself?
Kim Ventura: I’m an Administrative Assistant at Riverview Elementary School in Verdun. I’ve been with the Lester B. Pearson School Board for 10 years. I have two teenagers, who are 18 and 15 years old and before I had them, I used to work at a Credit Bureau, and then I was home for 10 years with my kids. I got this job and I love it. It’s my dream job, I love talking to the kids, their families and the staff here.
CR: What is the registration period like for you?
KV: I love the registration period, that’s my favorite time of the year. It is busy but I love meeting new families, meeting the new students and being able to sell my school and all the awesome staff here.
CR: What would you say is your favorite thing about the registration period?
KV: It’s meeting new families, I like to talk to people one on one and getting to know them. I enjoy getting to know the kids and a little bit of history about them. When the kids come in, they start at Pre-K so they’re 4 years old, even 3 years old sometimes, when they start in September. But, when they leave and graduate they’re around 12 years old. So you actually see them grow up which is amazing, and then we try to picture what they’re gonna do when they’re adults.
Shalini Dowlani, Manager, International Programs, Youth and Adult Sector at the Lester B. Pearson School Board
CR: Tell me about yourself.
Shalini Dowlani: As the Manager of the International Youth Program, my primary goal is to ensure our students feel welcomed and at home, even if “home” is halfway across the world. Having relocated to Montreal from Hong Kong 20 years ago, I have plenty of experience navigating new environments, building relationships, and effectively communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds. My personal experience of adapting to life in a new country has provided me with valuable insights and empathy, which I draw upon to support international students in learning to enjoy and appreciate their time in Montreal. Outside of work, I keep myself busy in various creative pursuits such as painting, designing home improvement projects, exploring new places and cultures, yoga, and spending quality time with friends and family, both in Montreal and around the world.
CR: What is the intake/registration period like?
SD: Our youth intake/registration period is a collaborative effort involving the international team, homestay agency team, and the student’s school team, all playing a crucial role in welcoming the students. The process begins even before the students arrive, with detailed communication and preparatory guides from the international department to ensure they have the correct paperwork for a smooth transition into school. Once the students arrive in Montreal, they meet with our registrars at the international department, where we verify their documents and register them for school. The intake process includes an orientation for international students that covers important topics such as what to expect in school, cultural differences they may encounter, tips on managing culture shock, making the most of their experience, preparing for the winter months, and a calendar of various seasonal activities to introduce them to Montreal and Quebec culture. At the start of school, the school team supports international students by providing a tour of the school, reviewing the code of conduct, assigning a buddy to help them with any questions, and generally assisting them in navigating the school environment. The international department also provides translation help if needed. Throughout the year, we organize several activities to help students acclimate and enjoy their time here. In October, students had the opportunity to visit Old Montreal, enjoy La Grande Roue, and explore the Oasis Immersion exhibit. In December, they attended a Christmas holiday party and participated in various games. In February, they will be going tubing on Mont Royal, and in March, students will visit the Biodome. Overall, our goal is to ensure that students feel welcomed, supported, and well-prepared for their educational journey with us.
CR: What is your favourite part of the registration period.
SD: I enjoy meeting the students and discussing their motivations for studying abroad and their expectations for the experience. Some students are nervous, while others are excited, but the best part is reconnecting with them throughout the school year. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how they have grown in their language skills, adapted to the school environment, and become more at ease. Hearing their perspectives on their study abroad journey is always inspiring.
