The ongoing efforts to protect FACE School continue unabated
The clock's ticking, but the relentless resistance of parents, students, and countless others, clamoring to save FACE school — abandoned by Quebec authorities, isn't letting up. Fueled by hope, they persist in their quest to persuade the government to reconsider its highly criticized decision.
In mere weeks, a petition launched on the National Assembly's website, spearheaded by Liberal MNA Jennifer Maccarone, garnered over 11,000 signatures by Wednesday. The manifesto appeals for the government to reconsider its choice to permanently relocate FACE school and sell its historic building to private interests, instead collaborating with affected citizens to develop a revised plan that maintains FACE's unique educational ethos.
"We can't live in a world where we build streets and bridges, but close schools. Life has obviously turned upside-down," remarks Diego Medina Creimer, one of the petition's instigators, whose children attend the school.
On April 4, it was disclosed that Quebec opted to scrap the renovation project for the bilingual primary and secondary school with an artistic focus, situated near McGill University. The cost of the project had spiraled over the years and was now estimated at $375 million, a staggering sum to renovate a school accommodating around 1,300 students, according to Quebec authorities.
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This decision has sparked multiple protests in front of the school in recent weeks, followed by a choir of students expressing their despair in front of Montreal City Hall, and the launch of this petition, to be debated on May 21 at the National Assembly. A multitude of students, parents, and former teachers of FACE stand poised to attend the Salon bleu, anticipating the dialogue between elected representatives, hoping the petition will sway them.
"Numerical limitations limit us at that National Assembly," notes Julie Belanger, a former FACE student involved in this crusade.
It is planned that this downtown Montreal building will be maintained in a secure state through annual maintenance work estimated at $5 million until all its students are transferred to two primary and secondary schools by 2032. This division, as many parents and teachers fear, will severely impact FACE's artistic focus, as these new schools won't feature auditoriums or rehearsal rooms comparable to those in the original building.
"That's where they'll perform their concerts, that's what's going to happen," laments retired FACE teacher France Arcand, who is apprehensive about the potential repercussions for the affected students. "The future is daunting."
Artist Patsy Van Roost, affectionately known as the urban fairy, had the opportunity over the past two months to gauge the importance of the school in the hearts of its students and staff. She concluded her residency on Wednesday, during which she led artistic projects alongside a teacher and students in grades 4 and 6.
The grade 4 students created 71 posters showcasing cherished moments from their time at the school, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. "The memories have been etched into the school, and the teacher made a map for those who want to embark on a memory hunt," the artist reminisced with a smile.
The grade 6 students "stitched a memory" that they can wear on their clothing as they transition from primary to secondary school. Van Roost also spearheaded a community project involving all members of the school, who could visit her to request a phrase embroidered on a fabric strip recounting an anecdote from their time at the school. Initially designed for the students' temporary relocation, the initiative evolved into a more heartfelt commemoration following the announcement that the relocation would be permanent.
"My heart aches," the artist lamented, expressing her melancholy at the announced departure of the students from the building where so many memories have been forged.
The school's students have extended an invitation to Minister of Education Bernard Drainville to attend a brief concert they will perform in the heritage building on May 8, hoping to alter his stance.
Reached by our website, the office of Minister of Education Bernard Drainville did not confirm his attendance at the brief concert. However, it stated that it is in communication with parents of children attending École FACE. Despite this, renovating the building is not an option due to financial reasons, it reiterated, while assuring that the affected students will continue to receive the same arts-focused education in two fully renovated schools in the coming years. "We are preserving FACE's core curriculum."
Once relinquished, the 1914-built building may be sold, likely to private interests. Heritage Montreal harbors doubts that a buyer will be interested in the heritage building, which would necessitate adhering to numerous rules pertaining to its rich history. It may thus join the long list of vacant buildings in the metropolis within the next seven years.
Furthermore, Dinu Bumbaru, director of policies at the organization, wonders if Quebec bothered to request cheaper proposals from architects and professionals before opting to scrap the project.
In contrast, Deputy Jennifer Maccarone opines that the departure of FACE would constitute a total failure for the Quebec government, as it would lead to no schools in downtown Montreal. Meanwhile, former student Philibert Gasse hopes that this mobilization will "awaken Mr. Drainville," but he seems pessimistic. "In my opinion, he has too much pride to reconsider his stance."
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- The petition appealing for the government to reconsider the decision to close FACE school, which was launched by Liberal MNA Jennifer Maccarone, has gathered over 11,000 signatures as of Wednesday.
- This decision regarding FACE school has resulted in numerous protests, multiple performances of despair by students in front of Montreal City Hall, and the petition, which is to be debated on May 21 at the National Assembly.
- seek to initiate exploration projects without awaiting the conclusions of international discussions.
- The City of Montreal and the Quebec government are concerned about the potential health implications of toxic emissions from a company in eastern Montreal that emits BPC into the air.
