The future of English schools

Re: “English school board after more students” (Gazette, Jan. 17)

The EMSB is putting all its eggs in one basket by focusing so much on the quality of their French programs.

The fact remains that the French public schools will always be able to provide a better base in the French language than French Immersion schools, since both the language and culture of the school is French. There are several public elementary schools in our city that offer alternative programs where hundreds of families are vying for a few precious spots. It is the parent-driven, project-based programs that they offer that attract parents and not the quality of the French programs.

My husband and I are among those who have chosen to educate our children in French schools despite access to English schools. We would be willing to sacrifice their exposure to French culture if there was a forward-thinking, alternative EMSB school in our vicinity.

Royal West Academy is an EMSB high school offers more than the standard curriculum and it is able to draw students who might have otherwise chosen the CSDM or private schools. Why not offer something different at the elementary level? The EMSB should focus its attention on providing progressive programs rather than promoting quality French programs where they will never quite measure up.

Natalie Lavers

Montreal

No question, the English Montreal School Board has pulled out all the stops in this campaign to convince parents that the EMSB schools can “deliver on bilingualism.” But the article brings to mind the old commercial showing the three grandmothers looking over a large hamburger bun, where one asks: “Where’s the beef ?”

The board launched a new French website, invited local politicians and featured the “hit of the show,” Paul Gérin-Lajoie, Quebec’s first education minister in 1964.

At that time, there was no Internet, there were no linguistic school boards and no Parti Québécois. Premier Pauline Marois created linguistic boards, in 1998, and most anglophone parents can choose to send their children to either English or French schools. Many sources say English kids are attending French schools by the thousands.

That’s why this francization of successful English schools, by English boards, is worrisome.

Consider the Lester B. Pearson School Board, which puts out an official map showing all of its schools. Schools are identified as B - Bilingual, I - Immersion or F+ - Français-Plus. There is not one school with an “E” — not one.

Where’s the English? Chris Eustace

Pierrefonds

Remembering Jyoti Singh Pandey

Let us always remem- ber Jyoti Singh Pandey. Let her death not be in vain.

Let the fate of the criminals who raped and murdered her show all men in India and around the world that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not go unpunished.

Let those people in power who state that women who get raped are somehow asking for it realize that such statements continue to propagate these devastating and heartbreaking behaviours. Let us remember that no girl or woman asks to be raped or to be killed.

Let the criminals receive the maximum punishment under the law. Let them understand that rape and murder are not only wrong in the eyes of the law, but morally wrong, and wrong in the eyes of our Creator.

Let them realize that a beautiful 23-year-old woman named Jyoti Singh Pandey is dead because of their criminal acts. Let the world remember that Jyoti was brutally raped, and suffered unimaginable indignities, cruelty, pain and death at the hands of rapists and murderers.

Let us make the crimes against Jyoti the marker for change. Let the people of India and all nations allow women and men to be equal human beings, to be treated with respect and dignity.

Let us always remember every other nameless victim of such brutal crimes by remembering Jyoti Singh Pandey.

Domenica Ciampini Pulcini

Montreal West

City’s crosswalks are dangerous

Pedestrian crosswalks seem to be merely a suggestion in Montreal, and trying to use them is as dangerous as jaywalking.

Again Thursday morning, the 164 bus (at 9:15 a.m.) ran through the Keller St. crosswalk at the pedestrian access for the AMT as I attempted to crossg.

The police could set up a crosswalk trap that would generate many tickets and much revenue and, of course, keep pedestrians safe. Cindy Meyers Saint-Laurent

Fine dining should leave a good taste

Re: “How much is too much for a meal?” (Critic’s Notebook, Jan. 12)

Bravo, Lesley Chesterman, for addressing the elephant in the dining room.

As a pseudo-foodie (whenever budget allows), I, too, have often been left with a feeling, after an indulgent dining out event, of “Was this really worth $?”

I have no problem with the concept that quality will cost you. It does seem to me, though, that some restaurants have the attitude that quality should REALLY cost you!

They charge inflated prices, not because they must but, because they can.

This, of course, is their prerogative.

But, in my experience at least, the dollars-to-quality ratio has often left me wanting and wondering. I have had fantastic meals, for surprisingly little money, and also okay meals for way too much cash. The disparity here is sometimes staggering, and as a result I have struck some places from my list of favourites.

I do not expect that every meal an upscale restaurant serves be flawless and exceptional — every kitchen has an off night.

But a highly touted and respected dining room should minimize that possibility and leave you with a memory, not a “meh”-mory.

Especially upon presentation of “l’addition.”

Mike Gamache

Pierrefonds