The Editor,
Is getting an expansion a good or bad thing?
I am a Grade 7 student from Henry Anderson elementary. I personally think getting a 10 classroom expansion to our recent four new classes is a wonderful idea, but there are many reasons why it would also be too crowded.
For example, the playground would be far too small for 800 or more students and many kids may be pushed around and get hurt.
Also, we would have an issue in our hallways. Since last year a new rule has been made that requires students to exit through the outside door after school. Otherwise, it would be too crowded.
Another section of our school that will be very crowded is the parking lot. Drivers struggle to find parking to pick up their children after school.
Our field is just the right size for our present population of 522 students and staff and having 300 more would be too crowded. Since our new expansion would be replacing a huge part of our field, there would not be enough fresh air.
During the construction, many classes may not be able to concentrate with all the loud noises right outside their class.
Since we'll be having more regular classes than we have now, our schedule for specialty rooms would not work out well because each class will not get enough time in these rooms. The only way to work this out would be to add another gym and computer lab so two classes can be in session at the same time.
K. Tong, Grade 7
Richmond
The Editor,
I am a Grade 7 French immersion student attending Henry Anderson elementary and recently we have learned that our school will be getting a new addition to the addition that we just got.
Unfortunately I am strongly against it.
Now we have 522 boys and girls at our school and with the new addition there will be about 800 or more students.
One concern is that with the new expansion we will be getting, the school will be very crowded in some areas like the hallways or the playground and some kids might fall and get hurt.
Another concern is that with more classes, we will have less time for PE, library and the portables. Will they need to take away our privileges?
And also in the morning and at the end of the day the parking lot is always full and it takes a long time to enter the parking lot. I think that with all the new students it will be even more crowded, so will they expand that too?
A. Azzam, Grade 7
Richmond
