The Chomedey News - Laval News

STL a class act with backto-school
program
CAROLINE GARDNER
Laval’s transit authority made going back to
school a little bit easier for new students at
Laval Catholic, Sacred Heart and Western
Laval high schools this year: on August 26,
the Société de Transport de Laval provided
a free trial run of their bus routes for busloads
of new grade seven students and their
parents. “It makes sense for us to offer this
service,” STL spokesperson Marc Laforge
said. “School busses and city busses are not
the same experience. This allows us a
chance to get students and parents acquainted
with our routes, all while promoting the
use of public transport as a whole.” The
STL provides transportation for all of the
English Sir Wilfrid Laurier secondary
schools, as well as a portion of the
Commission Scolaire de Laval. “Most of
the students will travel on dedicated school
transport routes, although sometimes they
can use regular city bus routes if numbers
are not sufficient,” he explained.
Adrienne Dantzigian’s son Michael will
shortly be starting his first year at Sacred
Heart school. Like other parents of seventh
grade students, she received notice of the
trial run “initiation” to the STL busses in
mid-August. “It was a wonderful experience
for my son and husband,” the
Chomedey mother enthused. Not only was
the bus exactly on time, but
the driver took the it time to explain where
the kids could find their bus at the end of the
day, Dantzigian said, nothing that “this reassured
my son a great deal, as well as the parents.
My son’s a lot more confident now –
he told me “Mom, this is going to be a
breeze.” In contrast, she had a rather different
experience growing up in Chomedey. “I
took public transportation to Chomedey
High, which now houses Western Laval. We
were on public transport, but this kind of
program was never offered to my parents. I
had to learn everything by myself.”
Dantzigian says having the experience
beforehand is so much better than worrying
about what it might be like on the first day.
“Now, the only stress Michael has left is
getting acquainted with a bigger school - the
kids, classrooms and teachers. This has really
alleviated a lot of pressure.” Perhaps
other public services in Laval should borrow
a page from the STL’s user friendly
program.
Parents and students were dropped off at
home shortly after the trip, presumably to
go back to getting ready for the first day of
school on September 2.
Caroline Gardner’s email address is
caroline@chomedeynews.ca
The Orchestre symphonique de Laval
Opens 2003-2004 Season With World-Renowned Pianist
Alain Lefèvre and LLee PPiiaannoo pprrooddiiggiieeuuxx
On Wednesday, September 17 at 8:00 P.M.,
come join us for the opening concert of the
Orchestre symphonique de Laval’s 2003-
2004 season. This excellent symphony, still
a relatively unknown cultural gem, is conducted
by Maestro Jean-François Rivest
and will open its new season with worldrenowned
pianist Alain Lefèvre in a concert
celebrating the wondrous instrument that is
the piano.
The program will include the first public
interpretation of Lettre d’or III, by composer
Hugues Leclair, from Québec, and will
feature Rachmaninov’s romantic Piano
Concerto no 2 as well as Beethoven’s celebrated
Symphony no 5... you know, the one
that starts with those famous awe-inspiring
four notes...
And if you are between 15 to 30 years of
age, you might even get to hear this concert
for free ! Hoping to start right away in
preparing tomorrow’s classical music audi-
No place to call
our own...
Minoune is back at
the SPCA, having been
placed with a foster
home while gestating.
All her kittens have
found homes, which just
leaves the affectionate
mom waiting for a good
family to take her in.
“She’s a very calm,
sweet cat,” according to staff, and would be a
great match for kids.
• Any type animal food
• Cages, all sizes
• Plastic bags
• Newspaper
• Covers, blankets, rags
• Cleaning products
• Paper towels, toilet
paper
ences, the Orchestre symphonique de Laval
has created “Musique pour les jeunes” with
the financial support of Fonds Jeunesse
Québec. This project promotes appreciation
of classical music among young people
between 15 and 30 years of age by offering
a certain number of free tickets to four of
the current season’s concerts, including the
opening concert. Since the number of free
places is limited, reservations must be made
quickly by calling the number below.
But whether you are 15, 35 or 65 years old,
the Orchestre symphonique de Laval and
Alain Lefèvre will no doubt delight you
with their wondrous piano music. Don’t
miss this opening concert on Wednesday,
September 17 at 8:00 P.M., at Laval’s Salle
André-Mathieu, 475 de l’Avenir Boulevard.
Information and reservations:
Orchestre symphonique de Laval,
(450) 978-3666.
If you’re interested in adopting
one of these dogs, call the
Laval SPCA at (450) 663-3266!
2 year old Saidie is
another sweet cat in search
of a good family. “She’s
tough; she’s been here since
January but she’s still in
amazing shape,” SPCA staff
said, noting that she’s got a
great temperament and is
very tolerant of being
groomed. Saidie’s also been
neutered.
• Rodent cage lining or
food
• Brushes, leashes, or any
other accessories
Courtesy of The Chomedey
News
The SPCA needs your help! Always accepting donations of:
Also, the SPCA is still
accepting volunteers to
help install its new dog run
fence - call (450) 663-3266
for details.
I show my cards…
it’s a must!
Students age 12-17 are eligible for reduced fares,
and full-time students age 18-21, for intermediate fare.
To take advantage of these benefits, the Société de
transport de Laval reminds you that students
absolutely must show the driver their access card.
Otherwise, they may be required to pay full fare. If you
are entitled to reduced or intermediate fare, don’t
hesitate to contact us to find out how to obtain your
Carte d’accès.
Information: (450) 688-6520 www.stl.laval.qc.ca
www.chomedeynews.ca • THE CHOMEDEY NEWS • September 6, 2003 • 7