Quebec Education Minister Courchesne drops by Merton School

The visit provided Courchesne with the opportunity to see for herself how her department's policies are implemented at the classroom level. "I want to tell you how much I respect your work," she told a gathering of teachers, school board members and local municipal officials.

Among them were Côte St. Luc mayor Anthyony Housefather, councillors Dida Berku and Steven Erdelyi, EMSB chairman Angela Mancini, director-general Anthony Lacroce and EMSB commissioner Syd Wise.

D'Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman, who lives just a few blocks from the school, praised Courchesne for her hard work. "I see her devotion and dedication to education which is second to none," he said. "When she talks about the teachers, she really feels that you are her partners … You're on the ground and you are touching and seeing the students and the parents, and you're sort of her ambassadors carrying out her policies. You should be commended, working day in and day out."

Before leading the group on a tour of the school, the principal, Raizel Candib, said she was thrilled that officials with the City of Côte St. Luc were able to be there. "I know that the city is working with us closely on environmental projects and I'm sure that the connection is going to be even tighter — and maybe you'll let us use your library," she joked at one point. "It is a very important aspect of children's education that they do feel part of the community and that they assume responsibility for participating and being responsible to the community in which they live," she added. "So I hope those connections will grow in a very positive direction."