Students of an alternative, transitional school in St. John’s are speaking out against a move by the NLESD and Department of Education to have an area of their school become offices.
In a letter penned to the School Board and the department, four members of Horizon Academy, formerly known as District School, voiced their opposition to a move for part of the school to become offices for education officials.
Horizon’s Academy provides transitional programs for junior high to high school-aged students who are unable to learn in the zoned school environment, including students who are transferring from a treatment facility or alternate program.
The school started in a basement in 2014 but has since been able to grow to a full-sized, one-floor building.
Nicole Stamplecoski, one of the four authors of the letter, says with these offices in place, the students would be in a more confined area, which poses some issues for Horizon’s unique school community.
She says some students have things such as probation that prevents them from being near other students.
She also says that the students would lose their relaxation room, which provides many with a safe space for many to deal with anxiety and calm down before situations escalate.
She predicts that by losing that space, the number of incidents would increase.
They’re asking the NLESD and the Department of Education to rethink their decision.