A book today, success tomorrow

From April 23 to May 16, Laurentians and basically anybody interested in doing a good deed are invited to clean up their book shelf in order to improve Parkdale’s library. Any English or French elementary-level books that are in great condition are accepted. You can drop them off at four different spots (see details below). If you don’t have any books to give away, you can always send a cheque to Parkdale School. The money will be used to improve the look of the library.

The official campaign launch took place inside the small Laurentian school’s library on April 21. Saint-Laurent-Cartierville MP and leader of the official opposition Stéphane Dion was present as well as borough councillor Patricia Bittar, representatives of the English Montreal School Board, CSSS Saint-Laurent employees, Parkdale’s teachers and the school principal Jacklin Webb. “The project started with a brainstorming session with our multidisciplinary committee where we asked the question: what can we do for our children for them to be successful?”, said Mrs. Webb. “Reading was our answer, but in order to do so, we need more books, better books.” This is how the book ride idea was born. “I’m so happy that this is now off the ground and running,” she added.

A teacher at Parkdale, Stacey Monk, followed by saying her school was located in an underprivileged sector, but that didn’t prevent her and the rest of the teachers from pursuing one common goal: giving the children the necessary basis for them to succeed. “We want to open them to a world of culture and I think that a better selection of books could help them.”

Mr. Dion mentioned he was really pleased to see all those people working together for one common cause. “This project is exactly what I want to see in my riding; connecting social realities of St. Laurent with the community and local businesses.” The leader of the Liberal party then gave two books to the Parkdale students: a visual dictionary in five different languages and a children’s dictionary.

But Mr. Dion’s work was not done yet; the school paper’s journalists had a few tough questions for the federal MP. One of them was what’s his favorite book? His answer: Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville.

(Photo: Martin Alarie)