Spiritual and Community Animators invite all students to say thank you – from a distance

As our community continues to practice social distancing in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, Spiritual and Community Animators at the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) are asking students to show their appreciation for those risking their health and safety for the greater good. 

While our children should not physically shake the hands of our first responders, health care workers or even grocery store employees, we are nonetheless all incredibly appreciative of their actions during this unprecedented time. As such, the EMSB is asking students to create giant thank you notes and display them in windows, on doors, from balconies, on lawns, or on sidewalks via chalk. 

Once students have created their thank you display, please send your picture(s) to communications@emsb.qc.ca and the EMSB will create an album with all the thank yous from across Montreal, which we will share online.

“Imagine giant thank yous to our health care workers, garbage collectors, grocery store employees, delivery persons, and others spread across our city,” said Danika Swanson, Spiritual and Community Animation Services Consultant. “Hopefully, these acts of gratitude will give a boost of love and support to those on the front lines.  Remember: we're all in this together.”

EMSB Director General Ann Marie Matheson also wished to express gratitude to school principals and daycare staff who are providing essential daycare services in eight locations to front line workers in the health care, public security and other public and sanitation sectors. “We appreciate their essential services in support of others,” she said. “I also wish to thank our school board staff and caretakers who continue to keep our essential services running.”