On February 9 2026, Wootton High School experienced the unimaginable. A school shooting. This event rocked our community. One student shot another student as retaliation for a previous incident. Since that day, our Principal has drastically changed our free time in school. Advisory used to be a Flex Time where students could make up quizzes, get extra help from teachers, or catch up with friends (whether it was social or working on a group project) within the building. Now, students are sitting in homeroom classes unable to do their group assignments and catch up. In all fairness, students can get a pass from their homeroom teacher to see a different teacher for help, but that teacher is now also responsible for a homeroom class at the same time. This has been a major strain on teachers and students who desperately need that Flex Time and attention. 

Lunch is an even bigger problem. Students are confined to the open areas of the first floor of the school building and are no longer allowed to get fresh air on campus. It is loud, crowded, and extremely stressful for students. They have no opportunity to take a breather or clear their heads. It’s actually creating a less safe environment as students are crammed together inside. Students are more traumatized from these changes (a month out and counting) than the actual incident.

Please sign this petition to show your support and help convince our principal, Dr. Joseph Bostic, that our students deserve to go back to “normal” as best they can. It is impossible to move forward when they are being forced to stay stuck in crisis mode. They are not asking for anything crazy. Just the regular boring routine of on-campus lunch and advisory like we’ve had for the last 55 years. A little freedom and fresh air. That’s all. Individual letters and meetings have been unsuccessful in making any impact. Let’s show Dr. Bostic that it’s time to move forward. 

Thank you so much for your support! Our students are counting on your help!