Returning to school after two long months of vacation gives rise to an overflowing of emotions. Between the endless hugs between two kindergarten friends who are reunited (finally!) and the tears that a father delicately wipes from his daughter’s cheeks, the schoolyards of the province were the scene of a new school year on Tuesday morning.
“Seeing friends again.”
With one voice, sisters Laurie and Elisabeth Gagné, 9 and 6 years old, encapsulate what brings happiness to hundreds of thousands of students who are starting this school year: the pleasure of being together.
The media were invited Tuesday morning to the courtyard of Christ-Roi elementary school in the Ahuntsic district, where a festive atmosphere reigned. Ariane Moffat’s voice echoed over the loudspeakers. “I’m going back to Montreal.”
At the Montreal School Service Center (CSSDM) alone, the largest in Quebec, 115,000 students enter class.
Josée Chrétien held a large poster with the first names of her 18 students.
“This is really my favorite group, the 3e year. At this age, they are more independent, they still embark on the imagination, have the taste for doing activities. And they are not yet in love, often it starts in 4e year, so I don’t have to deal with torque squabbles,” says M.me Christian, who is in his 33rd yeare year of teaching.
A special education teacher, Guy Kuigoua bursts into laughter when asked if he is the only male teacher at this school. “No, no, no! There are others,” he says.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Two friends were happy to meet up on Tuesday
This teacher will have seven students in his group this year. “It’s a small group, but it’s a diverse group with its challenges.” Next to him, one of his students waits patiently, with his Expos t-shirt and cap screwed on his head.
A mother approaches Mr. Kuigoua.
“Which group? Do you know which group, fourth year?” she asks. This is another “challenge” that the CSSDM faces: its students come from 175 different countries.
Nacera Bouzegaou says that “after a while, you no longer count” the years of teaching. Tuesday morning, this 2-year-old teachere year looked warmly and attentively at each of the little ones who came before her. In the background, several parents watched her welcome their children.
“I try to make contact, to make a connection. It’s very important. The poor things, they left [la maison] after two months,” said M.me Bouzegaou, adding that “she still has energy after 32 years of service.”
Florence Lavoie said she was “a little” stressed about going back to 3e year. “I don’t know who’s going to be in my class,” the 8-year-old said.
Her father says he “sympathizes” with the excitement of his daughter and his son, Leonard, who is going into 1D year.
“We know what it is. But I’m happy, it’s part of the learning, this little stress. And these are beautiful days,” says Loïc Lavoie.