Pieces of plaster that fell last week on the site of the Saint-Ambroise school led to the complete closure of the De Normanville pavilion. In addition, the Montreal School Services Center (CSSDM) confirmed the presence of asbestos.
More than 150 parents attended the virtual information session on Tuesday night organized by the school and the CSSDM. While they welcome the rapid action of those responsible who, within 24 hours, closed the pavilion and found a transitional school (the Sans-Frontières school), the atmosphere is marked by concerns.
I was not assured. Lead in water, ventilation, then plaster, I have no words
said an angry father, referring to the problems accumulating in Montreal schools.
Philippe Gélinas, father of a child with ASD, shares this concern.
I’m not sure about the state of the establishment, the state on schools in Montreal, that doesn’t make sense!
he told Radio-Canada after the session.
The assistant director of the Material Resources Department of the CSSDM, Annie Bourgeois, confirmed to parents Tuesday night that there are health risks if plaster containing asbestos is crushed.
Determined by Ms. Bourgeois this work which is made in the state of asbestos
performed by specialized workers and supervised by an occupational hygienist. Check the air quality before giving the green light to return to the area.
The extent of the work at the Sainte-Ambroise school, however, may be a result of the extent of the damage, according to the CSSDM. The extraordinary heat and humidity of September weakened the plaster ceiling some places
this school is supposed to be.
The school and the CSSDM worked hard for a short time. This is an emergency transfer, we know that. But how can we accumulate that deficit in the maintenance of our buildings? Why do we realize this now? We are concerned for the safety of children
which was shown in the evening Pierre-Luc Beaudoin, president of the governing board of Saint-Ambroise school.
Parents of a child with ASD strongly express their concerns about all the upcoming changes, including the need for their daughter to suddenly take school transport, for example.
Philippe Gélinas emphasizes that for students with ASD these changes can appear like a mountain.
For them it is the unknown: where is the bus stop? Who will take the bus? Can I wait for him?
he suggested.
The Sans-Frontières school is located about three kilometers from the Saint-Ambroise school. If bus routes are not yet determined, CSSDM also ensures that school transportation is offered to all students free of charge. While waiting for classes to resume in the temporary building, childcare is being offered at the Saint-Arsène school this week.
During the evening, many parents expressed doubts about the timetable presented by CSSDM. At the moment, its specialists do not know whether the entire ceiling needs to be rebuilt or only parts.
Will it really be done in four to eight weeks? I doubt it
indicated Heather Powers, the mother of a sixth grade student, who also believes that the school and CSSDM could be more transparent about their findings from the beginning.
In total, six more schools were affected last week by the collapse of pieces of plaster: Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption school, Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf school, La Petite school -Patrie, Saint -Jean-de- la-Lande school, Saint-Barthélemy school and Le Plateau school.
In other schools affected by crumbling plaster, the problems are confined to one location, which allows us to intervene locally and continue activities.
indicated earlier in the day CSSDM spokesman Alain Perron.
Most public buildings built in Quebec before 1985 contain asbestos. However, this carcinogenic material is problematic when it is crushed and causes dust.
