As Dalkeith Elementary School Principal John Wright exits his office, accompanied by his pair of Golden Retriever service dogs Kira and, more recently, Jessie, screams reverberate throughout the school hallways. Some students try to approach the dog in an effort to pet them, while others simply gawk from classroom windows.

Mental health amongst our youth was the topic of conversation on Sunday, May 29 during the keynote address of the EMSB’s (EMSB) Virtual Parent Conference. The conference, in its fifth edition, was organized by the EMSB Parents Committee.

In 2020, a Coping Skills Tool Kit was distributed, offering tips on how to deal with the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns of the time. English Montreal School Board (EMSB) students were invited to share their individual coping strategies, ones that had helped them overcome the challenges of the pandemic, with other fellow students across the EMSB.