A Taste of Quebec

Dima Kalander, Grade 11 student

October 2, 2017 was a milestone day for the Middle/Senior School students at CDS because it launched the School’s first ever Breakout Week! Breakout Week is the chance for students in Grades 7-12 to learn outside the classroom environment. For me, I chose to embark on a food tour in Montreal.
Since our journey to Quebec was quite long, we had to be at the School by 6:30 am! It all paid off when we reached our first destination, Verger Lacroix & Cider. Our first activity at the Orchard was apple picking and we got to take home a big bag of McIntosh and Cortland apples. Once we were done we headed into their kitchen where we made maple apple butter, which in my opinion, tasted like heaven. Later we headed to downtown Montreal for dinner and had some free time to explore the city.

On our second day we went to a sugar shack and learned all about how maple syrup is made. We also had a feast, and we learned how to play the spoons with a French folk singer. My favorite part was meeting the owner of the place just because he looked exactly like Santa! We then headed into the city and took a tour of Old Montreal. I went on the French tour and the best part was seeing the Notre Dame Basilica; I fell in love with the interior. Another exciting part of the day was when all of the teachers and I were on our way to the bus, we passed by a small road that had interactive projectors. Every time you walked on the road the image would change only on where you stepped – it was totally unexpected!

The next day we went back into town bright and early to start our five-hour culinary cycling tour. I was very nervous, but once we got started I loved it because the route was super safe and planned perfectly. Since it was a food tour, we stopped many times to eat some amazing food. My favorite thing was trying a Montreal bagel, but we also ate delicious gnocchi in Little Italy, cycled around Mount Royal and parts of McGill University, and ended the afternoon with a maple dessert in Old Montreal. After we finished the ride we had some free time to shop, and while on the bus saw former Prime Minister Jean Chretien. We were happy to see him, but I must admit the teachers seemed even more excited! We ended the day enjoying some Neapolitan pizza for dinner. That was really fun because everyone picked their own toppings and it was delicious.

On our last day, before heading home we stopped by La Ferme Quinn (or Quinn Farm) just outside of Montreal. We learned all about the different stages of composting and drank fresh apple juice that was pressed the day before; it was very refreshing! We also went popcorn picking and learned about how different types of corn are grown. I overheard one student describe it like a Kinder surprise, because you never knew what color corn you are going to get. I must say that was a very accurate description!

Going into the first ever Breakout Week, I was not sure what to expect. But now, looking back on the trip, it was not only a very fun experience and a great excuse to eat lots of food, but a perfect chance to practice our French and make new friends. What an innovative way for all of the CDS students to learn outside of the classroom!
 
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Land Acknowledgment

CDS wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. For thousands of years, these have been the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We also recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee peoples who also shared this land.  CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for these lands and waters for future generations.

School Information

13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5 
(905) 833-1220 

communications@cds.on.ca
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Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.