Que. parents use YouTube to save school

Parents from Nesbitt School, in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood are using the Internet in the fight to keep their children's school open.

'It's not just a school, it's an institution, it's a landmark.' Sam Ben Ahmed, parent

Theycreated a YouTube video and launchedan online petition tosave the school.

Thecentury-old institutionis one of several the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is considering closing, although a final decision won't be made before January 2012.

The board will voteWednesday night tocreatea list of schools that will be consideredfor closure.

Some institutions will need to shut down because of declining enrolment, according to EMSB spokesperson Mike Cohen.

Cohen specifies that no schools will be shuttered before an extensive public consultation process.

Hundreds sign the petition

It's not clear whetherNesbitt School will be considered or not, but parents are nonetheless preparing for a lengthy fight.

"It's not just a school, it's an institution, it's a landmark," said parent Sam Ben Ahmed.

"This building is 100 years old, and it's a wonderful milieu for children to learn."

Ahmed said if Nesbitt is closed, he will likely transfer his children to Montreal's French-language school board.

As of Tuesday afternoon, nearly 700 people have signed the petition.