Student petition seeks to let Douglas seniors finish early

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High is not enough of a reason to let its seniors miss the rest of the school year and still graduate, the state says.

There are alternatives, such as Florida Virtual School and other programs for those who are traumatized by being on campus, officials say.

But some students say it is tough to change at this late date.

For senior Josh Levine, returning to campus reminds him of the Feb. 14 shootings that killed 17 and wounded 17.

Levine has only been back to the Parkland school three days since it reopened Feb. 28 and said he left early each time because it was too stressful.

“I don’t feel comfortable [there],” Levine said. “People died there. How would you like to live in a house where people died?”

So he started a petition on change.org asking administrators to allow the school’s seniors to stop classes now and still get their diplomas in June.

A spokeswoman for Florida Education Secretary Pam Stewart said the state wasn’t aware of the request, but has been working with the school district.

The state is already allowing the school’s students to skip assessment testing this year.

“We understand that students may struggle returning to the campus, and the department will continue to support the school district as they help

students earn the diploma they need to pursue their academic and career goals,” spokeswoman Meghan Collins said.

Levine brought his petition, which has garnered 595 online signatures, to the attention of Principal Ty Thompson. The principal responded to Levine that it was not his decision to make, but “I am speaking with the state in regards to graduation requirements; so stay tuned.”

The petition hasn’t received a lot of attention on campus. Senior Alexandria Vieux hadn’t heard of it and didn’t think it would appeal to many seniors.

“I love coming to school, seeing the support,” Vieux said. “We’re going to finish this [school year] strong.”

Senior Zachary Stark did sign the petition, but he has other reasons for thinking it’s the right thing to do.

The building where the shootings occurred is closed, so the school has had to increase the size of some classes and find other spots to hold classes for displaced students. Stark said that’s having an impact on the underclassmen and releasing the seniors could relieve the situation, he said.

“You are putting a lot of younger kids in a really bad position,” Stark said. “Make it better for the freshmen and sophomores, so they don’t have a ruined experience.”

Stark has been back to school every day since it reopened. He appreciates the chance to be with friends, but said it’s hard for students to keep their heads in their studies.

“It’s going to be difficult for anyone to get back in that spot where we were actively learning,” Stark said. “It’s hard when you walk in there to want to stay.”

The heavy police presence and having to see that building also make it hard, said Levine’s mother, Cindy.

“Why should they suffer anymore?” she said. “It’s their last year. It’s supposed to be fun. How can they celebrate anything when they have all that destruction?”