Media advisory - 2014 Hooked on School Days: Announcement of program for Montreal

MONTREAL, Feb. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - From February 10 to 14, 2014, Hooked on School Days (HSD) will be taking place in Montreal for the fourth consecutive year. More than 1,500 activities will take place to encourage young people to stay in school. Montreal Hooked on School, an organization with 32 partners from all backgrounds that want to help encourage young people to stay in school and achieve academic success, is pleased to announce the Montreal program for the 2014 HSD.

Monday, February 10: Montreal launch of Hooked on School Days

What:	Montreal launch of Hooked on School Days; Hosted by Alexandra Diaz; Event bringing together more than 200 players working to encourage student retention; Presentation of 2014 Hooked on School Days and speeches by Gilles Petitclerc, president of Montreal Hooked on School, and Andrée Mayer-Périard, executive director of Montreal Hooked on School; With special participation of the "HSD squad": Six young students who have returned to school will talk about their difficult but inspiring journey; These students will embark on an awareness tour of Montreal schools and youth organizations during 2014 HSD; At the launch event, they will be presented with certificates in recognition of their efforts.
When:	Monday February 10, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Where:	Société des arts technologiques (SAT) 1201 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montreal

Tuesday, February 11, Wednesday, February 12, and Thursday, February 13: awareness-raising operation in the metro

What:	Awareness-raising efforts at various metro stations, with the participation of Montreal Hooked on School; The operation will include distribution of ribbons to encourage student retention.
When and where:	Tuesday, February 11, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Berri metro (orange line, direction Montmorency) Wednesday, February 12, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Central Station Thursday, February 13, 7:30 a.m. to noon: Place-des-Arts metro (UQAM exit)

Friday, February 14: Lunch and Learn, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, with an address by Marie Malavoy, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport

What:	RBC Headlines lunch and learn, presented by Montreal Hooked on School; Speaker: Marie Malavoy, Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport; Title of presentation: Take a Student by the Hand (in French only).
When:	Friday, February 14, noon to 2 p.m.
Where:	Hyatt Regency Montréal 1255 Jeanne-Mance, Montreal

In total, hundreds of activities will be taking place all over Montreal during Hooked of School Days. To view the complete schedule, see http://jembarque.ca/en/official-hsd-calendar/

Graduation rate: Montreal is on the right track!

The consequences of dropping out of school are very real. Studies show that the annual financial impact of dropping out in Quebec is $1.9 billion. Those without a high school diploma have a lower annual income than graduates, a higher unemployment rate, as well as a shorter life expectancy. The good news is that the efforts made to encourage students to stay in school are yielding results. In recent years, the graduation rate in Montreal, and throughout Quebec, has risen by about 5%. In 2012, the graduation and qualification rate before age 20 was 72.5% in Montreal.

For a portrait of the situation in Montreal, click here.

About Montreal Hooked on School

Montreal Hooked on School is a group of 32 partners dedicated to working together and to keeping youth and families at the centre of their efforts to increase school retention. Its mission is to mobilize all partners in Montreal and become a focal point for initiatives that have a positive impact on young people, parents, and other parties affected, with the objective of increasing student retention and success, and reconnecting with school. Since 2009, promoting school-focused mobilization among stakeholders in specific territories has become a key area of action for Montreal Hooked on School. In 2012-2013, Montreal Hooked on School supported the implementation of 95 initiatives involving 56,008 young people in 9 targeted areas.

Across Quebec

Hooked on School Days is a high point in the year, as each of Quebec's regions rallies to promote academic success. From February 10 to 14, thousands of activities will be presented across Quebec and more than 400,000 ribbons will be handed out. To find out what is happening in each of the regions and to learn more about the Quebec HSD campaign, see www.perseverancescolaire.com/en,

www.twitter.com/JPS_HSD or www.facebook.com/JourneesPerseveranceScolaire.

To follow Montreal Hooked on School on social media:
http://www.facebook.com/reseaureussitemontreal
http://twitter.com/rrm_

To see the full list of activities to be presented in Montreal:
http://jembarque.ca/en/official-hsd-calendar/

For a portrait of student retention and academic success in Montreal, click here.

 

SOURCE: Montreal Hooked on School

Interview requests:
Émilie Dutil-Bruneau
Office: 514-843-2370
Cell: 514-654-3180
[email protected]

For information about Montreal Hooked on School:
Virginie LeFrançois, communications coordinator
Office : [phone] # 211