A recommendation by the Near North District School Board to possibly close Widdifield and keep West Ferris and Chippewa open has become a hot topic throughout the hallways of the school on the north end of the city.
Dan Goldgruber, a grade 12 student, believes all the options to choose which high school you can go to would be gone with a Widdifield closure.
“This is an art school so that’s a big reason why a lot of people go here,” said Goldgruber.
“While other people are more focused on sports or academics, and then you won’t have that option anymore and everyone just goes to the same school. But here, you know when you come here there's going to be a lot of people who like arts, you’re going to meet a lot of people who have the same interests. If it’s just one big population you won’t have that close relationship with anyone.”
Colin Chalkley is worried about the school, which celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, will lose its identity in the community.
“Some older people will come up to you and ask ‘what school do you go to?’ and you tell them Widdifield and they go ‘oh I was a Wildcat too!’ and all of a sudden that’s going to be gone,” said Chalkley.
While most of the older students at the school won’t be impacted by a potential closure, the grade nine students could be.
“Widdifield shouldn’t close because we have more room, said one male grade 9 student.
“It’s slightly bigger, and half of the lockers aren’t in use. Also, students should have a say. Why aren’t we voting? Power to the people.”
One grade nine female student feels a connection already with this school.
“I want to send my kids here,” she said.
No time frame was given as to when a potential closure of Widdifield, but more details should be released at the next Near North District School Board meeting which will take place on September 26th.
With files from Hannah Knight
