My family, along with two others in our neighborhood, will soon experience the difficulties accompanying a shift from Blackman Middle School to the new Poplar Middle School. Our children currently attend Blackman High School and Blackman Middle School, schools known for their quality education and supportive environments. The new Poplar Middle School is located 10 miles farther from our homes than our beloved schools.

Middle school is a pivotal time for our children, marked by the transition from childhood to teenage years. This is a time when stability, friendships, and consistency are crucial. Being uprooted and having to start at a new school will not only increase stress levels but will also disrupt their extracurricular continuity. The schools they attend significantly influence their social relationships, emotional growth, and academic success. The forced transition will  disrupt established friendships and require them to navigate social structures afresh.

Moreover, the logistical concerns are significant. Traveling an additional 10 miles will complicate daily routines, increase transportation time, and create an unnecessary burden on families. Instead of supporting our students, this move could potentially disturb their learning schedule and negatively impact family dynamics due to longer travel times.

We urge the Rutherford County School Board to allow the current middle school students in our area to remain at Blackman Middle School until the end of 2028. Keeping the students in their familiar environment is crucial during this transitional phase of their education. Maintaining this stability will foster educational success and emotional wellbeing for our children. It provides them the opportunity to grow in a familiar setting, maintaining close proximity to their siblings at Blackman High School and reducing the strain on family logistics.

We are calling on the support of our neighbors in Gazebo Park to join us in this cause. Please sign this petition to keep Blackman Middle School students in their current school until 2028, for current Middle School students, preserving the continuous and stable educational environment they deserve. Join us in standing for our children's future and well-being by signing this petition today.