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EMSB shows a commitment to Indigenous students with new hires

By: EMSB Communications

The English Montreal School Board has engaged two new education professionals, Raymond Johnson-Brown and Kurt Kerschl, to serve as project development officers to provide Indigenous Students Support.

Raymond Johnson-Brown joins the EMSB  Student Services Department  with over 13 years of experience, bringing a rich blend of lived experience and professional expertise to their role. A Two-Spirit, Afro-Mi'kmaq individual and the first generation of survivors of Nova Scotia’s Home for Colored Children, Raymond’s journey through systemic challenges has profoundly shaped their commitment to fostering healing, resilience, and systemic change for marginalized communities.

Raymond’s work has spanned diverse initiatives, including partnerships with Community Food Centres Canada, Foundry BC, and the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, where they have led programs centered on Indigenous wellness, peer support, and community engagement. Their leadership in developing programs to amplify marginalized voices, build cultural safety, and foster collaborative change will be invaluable to our Board as we work to create inclusive and supportive spaces for Indigenous students. In their new role, Raymond will create engagement strategies, design training programs, and promote cultural humility to support Indigenous students’ success. With their extensive background as an advocate, educator, and community leader, Raymond is well-positioned to advance our commitment to equity, inclusion, and holistic student support.

 Kurt Kerschl has enjoyed  a 20 plus year career in education that has taken him all over the world. A child of immigrants from different continents, and a student of religion, anthropology, and history, he has channeled his own diversity and multiculturalism into engaged teaching and administrative roles in India, Egypt, Vietnam, Malaysia, and elsewhere. But it was particularly his years living and working with Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee (in northern Quebec) that shifted his trajectory squarely toward indigenous issues in education. He takes very seriously the responsibility of non-indigenous Canadians in the ongoing path toward reconciliation. And he hopes that his work in the Indigenous Support role on cultural safety and professional development, indigenous student and family support, and curricular evolution will be a useful contribution to that reconciliation puzzle.

Focusing on the many layers of support for Indigenous students and families, they will work collaboratively with multiple educational teams to ensure a baseline of cultural safety is realized for Indigenous peoples. One starting point is developing a robust cultural safety ladder tailored to EMSB, progressing from cultural awareness to cultural safety. This tool will allow educational professionals to assess where they stand and engage with self-guided resources such as webinars, books, movies, and podcasts to build their capacity. Additionally, they will work with schools to develop reconciliation action committees, ensuring this work extends beyond Orange Shirt Day and infuses school spaces with meaningful, ongoing initiatives. Through this multi-level and collaborative approach, Kurt and Raymond aim to ensure that the work of reconciliation and cultural inclusion is integrated into the fabric of the EMSB's educational environment, creating meaningful and lasting change.

For any kind of support or questions related to Indigenous students and families, please contact Raymond and Kurt directly at supportforindigenous@emsb.qc.ca.

Read more at EMSB website

EMSB schools adopt reservation system for Kindergarten Registration

By: EMSB Communications

The English Montreal School Board has announced that Kindergarten Registration Week for the 2025-2026 academic year will take place from Monday, February 3 to Friday, February 7.  If one child from a family is already enrolled in a particular school, a sibling registration period will take place a week earlier.

Parents are asked to register at the EMSB elementary school nearest their residence offering the French program of their choice. For more information please call (514) 483-7200, extension EMSB (3672) or log on to the Board’s website at www.emsb.qc.ca.

Special Online Reservation Project
Four years ago the EMSB adopted a new format whereby parents could book a registration appointment online at some schools.  As of Monday, January 27 at 7 am, reservations will open at 23 elementary schools – a big jump from the five that launched the original pilot project.  One only needs to go to   www.emsb.qc.ca/reserve. Over the years some these schools have had long lineups, in certain cases starting days before registration occurred. Parents will be called to validate their information, told if they have a spot and given an appointment time. As per the EMSB enrollment policy, priority will be given to children residing within the school’s distinct boundary. Royal Vale and FACE are exceptions, since they do not have boundaries or bus transportation.

EMSB Online Resources & Educational Websites

Visit the EMSB's educational resources section for educational and mental health support links for families. Links and activities for elementary and high school students are available.

Click here to visit the EMSB Education website

The provincial Government also has a new educational website called Open School where you can find more educational activities for your children.

Click here to visit MEES Open School