Dunrae Gardens expands

In the presence of Irwin Cotler, federal Liberal Member of Parliament, Constant Digirolamo, riding representative of outgoing Member of the National Assembly Philippe Couillard, Pierre Arcand, who is running for election in Mount Royal and Town of Mount Royal Mayor Vera Danyluk, the event was highlighted in the school’s gymnasium. Staff members, representatives from the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and from the municipality and some students were also present.

"I am happy for you,” said Ron Paterson, school commissioner for the area that includes Mount Royal. Associated with Dunrae Gardens for nearly 25 years, he spoke about how, a few years ago, they had to modify the cloakrooms in the basement and separate vacant rooms to make additional classes to meet the growing demands. "Certain teachers were angry at me for being confined to the basement," he remembered jokingly.

The building, which was constructed in 1929 and expanded in 1951, has 23 classrooms and two others that were converted into science and music rooms. The principal of the school, which accommodates more than 400 pupils, Françoise Barlier thanked Couillard who pleaded the case for the school to the Ministry of Education. She also applauded those who were previously in her position.

Linda Perez, Governing Board Chair of Dunrae Gardens, stressed the work of parents and others close to the school who lobbied the government. She also invited students to draw from the lessons of this experience. "We should never give up our dreams, even when there are obstacles and difficulties,” she said.

Carlyle, another English elementary school in the Town of Mount Royal, was recently threatened with closing. The drop in the birthrate and the adoption of Bill 104 which changed the Charter of the French Language, particularly affected Anglophone schools in Quebec. Before 2002, children who attended a non-subsidized English language private school could then study in an Anglophone public school. Dunrae Gardens has not suffered from these issues because it offers a French immersion program which attracts a growing number of students each year.

(Translated by Michael Beigleman)