In desperate need of a new school

Before District 200 voters go to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 5 to vote on a new Hubble Middle School, I would like to present to them a "day in the life" of a typical sixth- grader as told to me by my son.

In the morning, my 11-year old son takes a 35-to-40 minute bus trip or a 25-to-30 minute car trip to attend Hubble, passing two other middle schools and a high school. He enters a huge building meant to house high schoolers. His first class is held in an auditorium where it is a game to count the broken seats. His classmates are warned to sit down gently on the existing seats to avoid injury.

He attends classes in rooms with plaster chips falling off the walls, carpets that are held together with duct tape, and the lingering smell of mold fills the air. Because of the age of the building, computers are scarcely used in the rooms.

Every day, he makes certain to carry a sweatshirt and have a T-shirt underneath. Temperature control is a problem.

At noon, my son hopes the mice that scurry through the halls and lockers have not feasted on his lunch. At the end of the day, all his work has to be in his backpack for there is no time to return if something is forgotten after his 40-to-45 minute journey home.

When the voters of District 200 vote Feb. 5, I hope they remember the typical day of a Hubble sixth-grader. And in that remembrance, they acknowledge the unfairness those students face daily because of the obstacles, inequities and disadvantages. These voters hold the power to level the playing field of ALL District 200 middle school students - our community's future - by voting yes on Feb. 5 to a new Hubble Middle School.

Betsy Dudak

Warrenville