It is known that like many others, we are creatures of habit. The extra time we have had every Monday for the better half of our secondary school careers, year 7s through 13 have grown used to their activities after school. Tutoring, catching up on homework, getting well deserved rest, these are all things the students of ESF schools use their extra time on Mondays after school for.

Furthermore, by implementing this policy, students would be at a disadvantage as they would be forced to reshuffle their schedules in order to accommodate the new policy of starting school late every Wednesday. As many of you will know, changing your schedule isn't easy. Is it not reasonable for parents and for parents who pay you, and the students who choose to attend this school to have a say? transition in schedule is heavily avoided for convenience, we all know this. However, in the schools choice to implement this decision, they choose to benefit themselves at the cost of the difficulties of their sponsors. 

As students, we have enough stress on our shoulders. The stress of studies, maintenance of a social life and family life, why should there be more unnecessary stress added on? to quote the West Island motto: "Strength through Diversity", is equity and equality not a part of diversity? In order to have a diverse community, is it not fair for each member of the community to have a fair say in decisions that affect them? Is that not the strength in diversity itself? To claim to have a "mission" to "nurture" students (according to the ESF site itself) implies that the organization has its student's best interests at heart. ESF's claim of their "mission" is not accurate to the organizations actions, as making a decision this big amongst students who have spent time and energy to build themselves up to the point where they have schedules implemented in order to better themselves; and knocking it all down will have no benefits to the students. In conclusion, please don't make us start late on Wednesdays, at least let the students keep a schedule that they have been accustomed to.

- amelia