New School Brings New Changes

Shelby Cusick

Do you ever wake up for school and beg to sleep just a little bit longer? Your dream might just come true next school year. For those of you who do not know, Mascoutah is opening a new elementary school during the 2015-2016 school year due to the recent concern of overpopulating at the old elementary school. Along with the new school will come new changes. Recently voted upon name, The Wingate School, rises some innovations along with the new year such as pushing the school start time back. Some students believe that having a later start time could be very beneficial. “I have done reports showing just how much starting later helps students academically and mentally,” junior Jenna Brown said. However, some worry rises to the fact that after school activities and sports might be pushed back. With school ending later, students’ three hour practices will result in later nights for these athletes. “If that is the case, then teachers need to chill with the homework,” Jenna said. Students feel as though they have too much on their plates with sports, academics, clubs, jobs, and having a social life. For those of you who live in town, buses might not be an option for you anymore. In order to help cut the budget, there is a chance that students living within 1½ mile radius will have to find other alternatives to and from school. By eliminating these bus runs, the district would save almost $300,000 which includes an almost $70,000 State penalty for busing the students within this radius. Discussion about families who live within that radius paying for transportation is still underway. As school boundaries change, students who attend MES and live in the Orchards, Plum Hill, Brookhill, Greenmount Manor, and Wingate housing will be transferred to Wingate along with a few teachers. Former MES principal Randy Blakely was recently approved to be the new principal at Wingate at the last district meeting. Blakely is expected to help ease the transition for many students and teachers. WES seems to be a positive addition to the district and relieves much stress along with crowding at the old elementary school. Adjustments to the district because of the new school seem generate a lot of positive feedback as well as some negative to a large amount of Mascoutah citizens. It is times like this that we have to know that the district is doing their best to accommodate everyone and that there is a positive to every decision.

(Photo of Wingate Elementary)