Published October 25, 2023

Joel Ceausu – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Following the terrorist attacks which occurred in Israel during the weekend of October 7, Quebec’s largest school board is extending condolences to the families who lost loved ones.

“What we saw happening in Israel was horrifying and shocking,” stated the English Montreal School Board Chair Joe Ortona. “On behalf of the EMSB Council of Commissioners, I pray for all the victims and we can only hope that any hostages are found soon and return home safely. Deliberately targeting civilians is a war crime and is never justified.”

The EMSB has lowered flags at all of its buildings to half-mast.

These attacks can trigger a range of emotions, anxiety and, especially for younger students, lots of questions and confusion, said Ortona, adding some students and staff may need extra support “in the days and weeks ahead as they witness terrible images of war and atrocities in the media… The Board’s Student Services Department has provided documentation to each school containing strategies and resources that can be used to discuss this tragedy in classrooms where appropriate and necessary.

“The EMSB has students and staff of all faiths and a zero tolerance for any acts of hatred and racism. We always ensure that our schools are inclusive spaces where everyone, whatever their race, whatever their religion, is welcome and feels safe.”

Just last week the EMSB adopted a resolution calling on the Quebec government to make Holocaust education a mandatory part of the curriculum. For a number of years, EMSB schools have been visiting the Montreal Holocaust Museum to learn more about genocide, activities that will continue next week when students from John F. Kennedy High School spend a morning there.

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