I’m a senior at West Craven High School in Vanceboro, NC, and every morning, my peers and I walk into school with fear. Recently, our whole community has been on edge because Dominic Connelly — a man accused of Murder, First Degree Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft, Attempted Murder, and Felony Assult— has been on the run and was seen on 11/4, just minutes from VFL, WCMS, and WCHS. Yet, we’re expected to sit through class like everything’s fine.

As if that’s not enough, West Craven Middle School went into lockdown on 11/5 after reports that a student brought a gun to school. Police arrived with guns drawn, searching through middle schoolers’ bookbags while terrified kids cried. Parents weren’t notified. Some didn’t even find out until later, and others showed up to drop off their kids only to find the school locked with no explanation. Instead of being transparent, the school board has downplayed everything — insisting “all is well” and that it was a “miscommunication” while police scanners and firsthand students tell a totally different story.

We deserve better. Students shouldn’t have to choose between their education and their safety. If we don’t feel safe walking into school — whether it’s because an armed suspect is nearby or because weapons have shown up on campus — we should be allowed to stay home and do our work by participating in online learning without being marked absent or punished.

We’ve already proven since COVID/natural disasters that online learning works when needed. It’s not hard to set up. What’s hard is pretending we’re okay when we’re not.

Please sign this petition to demand that Craven County Schools give students the CHOICE to learn safely at home or school (whichever the student feels more comfortable) until Dominic Connelly is caught so we can learn without fear, without penalty, and with honesty from those in charge. Our safety should never be treated like an inconvenience.