The English Montreal School Board honoured 73 individuals at its first in-person retirees tribute dinner in three years. Held at Le Challenger in St. Laurent, Chair Joe Ortona and Director General Nick Katalifos provided opening remarks.
“Retirement is a new beginning, and that means closing the book on one chapter in order to begin the next,” said Mr. Ortona. “We know the past few years have been extremely challenging. Yet all of our staff rose to the occasion during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.”
Added Mr. Katalifos: “The pandemic showed us how to adapt to society and live in a world where we had to distance ourselves from loved ones and friends in order to protect those most vulnerable. Now it seems we have returned to what we call a normal life, and we again can celebrate together your achievements.”
Former Coronation Elementary School Principal Mike Talevi had the most years of service, 52. Among teachers, Cyril Payne of Rosemount Technology Centre worked for 45 years. In all, the 73 honourees have given 1,650 years of service to education.
“Your hard work and dedication have served as a source of inspiration to your colleagues and helped change the lives of many students,” said Mr. Katalifos.
About the English Montreal School Board
With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.
