Print

The program Operation Back to School has been suspended until further notice. A big thank you to our speakers for their involvement to encourage school retention of our young people over the years.



Inspire your students to succeed

Operation Back to School is a Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal initiative that offers an annual series of free presentations at Greater Montréal high schools.

The goal of these presentations, led by members of the business community, is to make young people aware of the importance of education and to encourage them to stay in school to build a better future for themselves.

Over the past 24 years, more than 4,300 business women and men have gone back to school to share their experience and passion with close to 165,500 high school students and to encourage them to stay in school.

Every year, business people visit 200 groups and meet with 5,000 young people.

Who is Operation Back to School for?

Operation Back to School is for Greater Montréal high schools, Francophone and Anglophone, public and private. Community organizations in the metropolitan area that work to combat early school leaving are also encouraged to host speakers.

What is the goal of these encounters?

Operation Back to School is designed to encourage school retention. The presentations help young people understand that success requires hard work, perseverance and determination. They also show that obstacles are to be expected and that it is important to forge ahead in pursuing your dreams.

These encounters create closer ties between schools and businesses by providing young people and teachers better information about the job market and business people an understanding of the realities younger generations face.

Stay-in-school scholarships

After participating in Operation Back to School, teachers can nominate a student from their group, who distinguished themselves through regular attendance and determination, to receive a $1500 stay-in-school scholarship.

A selection committee, made up of members of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, will pick the winners from the nominations received.

What Operational Back to School participants have to say…

“I really enjoyed your presentation and hearing about your career; they are incredible sources of motivation and inspiration.”

- Steve Mwamba Tshibasu Stay-in-school scholarship recipient

“Each presentation is a great and unique experience in and of itself. I recall a few students I think my words touched. I sincerely hope I convinced them of the importance of continuing and persevering until they achieve their career objectives.”

- Alejandra Cifuentes Diaz OBS speaker, self-employed worker, pianist, piano teacher, accompanist

“I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years, in often intense working conditions. As a teacher, because of my community and personal involvement, I want to find new ways to support my students in their education.

The OBS program is an opportunity that my students appreciate enormously. On behalf of them, I would like to thank everyone involved in this important initiative. The presentations and scholarships are an ever-present reminder of the importance of continuing efforts and staying in school. In the interest of our young people, I hope this initiative will be around a long time.”

- Glitiana Toska Teacher, École secondaire Marguerite-De Lajemmerais

“I will never equate the mere fact of quitting with the idea that a student isn’t up to the task, because I am proof that you can succeed despite difficulties. I try to motivate young people to persevere by showing them that behind every failure there is a lesson to be learned.”

- Matthieu Syllion OBS speaker, talent management consultant, PME MTL Grand Sud-Ouest

Awarding of the 2019 stay-in-school scholarships

Dyene Kaba

A student at École secondaire Édouard-Montpetit, Dyene Kaba is a diligent, persevering, motivated student who has distinguished herself for her clear interest in school and deep desire to advance.

Johan Reynaldo Montoya

Johan Reynaldo Montoya, who attends École secondaire Édouard-Montpetit, is a student with enormous potential who has demonstrated his ability to identify and adopt the keys to success in school.

Yani Wing Sum Chan

Yani Wing Sum Chan, a student at Centennial High School, is studious, disciplined and destined for long post-secondary studies. Yani is highly involved in school life and extracurricular activities.

Wilenka Destiny Dasmé

Wilenka Destiny Dasmé, a student at École secondaire Calixa-Lavallée, is extremely dedicated. She has a particular thirst for learning. Her humility and ability to use the tools she is taught make her a model of perseverance.

Aboud Abdalnour

Aboud Abdalnour is a dedicated, determined student at École secondaire Marie-Anne who is very sociable. He constantly strives to improve and has a deep desire to serve the community.

Lili-Charlotte Mayer

Lili-Charlotte Mayer, a student at École secondaire Saint-Georges, is good-humoured and kind. She has a great deal of intellectual curiosity and redoubles her efforts when necessary. Her passion for the arts drives her to constantly excel.

Deni Alitzel Bautista Cruz

Deni Alitzel Bautista Cruz, a student at the École secondaire Marguerite-De Lajemmerais, is multitalented. She stands out for her determination and adaptability. Because of her diligence and discipline, she is a model of perseverance for students in the welcoming class.

Joël Mateus

Joël Mateus, a student at École secondaire Marguerite-De Lajemmerais, is conscientious and talented, as well as modest and respectful. Curious, passionate and with a good sense of humour, he wants to work in the business world.

Karla Elizabeth Ordonez Iglesias

Karla Ordonez, a student at École secondaire Calixa-Lavallée, is a serious student with a keen sense of order and organization. She is determined and sets ambitious goals and puts into action advice she is given to succeed. Karla has a promising academic future

See our photos from the past years


Information:

ore@ccmm.ca
Tel. : 514 871-4000, ext. 4095

Operation Back to School 2019-2020 is made possible through the financial support of:

For 23 years, Montréal Relève has been working on the socioeconomic development of the metropolis by increasing access to professional exploration experiences. Through internships, conferences, visits and workshops in preparation for succession, MR annually supervises more than 2,200 adolescents and young adults in their career choices. MR has several projects and programs addressed to different clienteles, including Student Business, its flagship program.

See how you can make a difference:

www.montrealreleve.ca


Gold Ambassadors:

Silver Ambassadors:

Operation Back to School is produced in cooperation with our association partners:

Consent to Cookies

This website uses necessary cookies to ensure its proper functioning and security. Other cookies and optional technologies make it possible to facilitate, improve or personalize your navigation on our website. If you click "Refuse", some portions of our website may not function properly. Learn more about our privacy policy.