CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — High school seniors are having a tough time. Learning from home can be hard and it's been even harder for students at John F. Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga.
“It has been tough. I’ve cried a couple of nights I’m not gonna lie. You spend 14 years in school dreaming about a prom and graduation,” said Sabrina Welker, a senior.
On top of that, it's almost AP testing time. It's open book, but Welker doesn't have any of her notes to study. They're in her locker at school.
“Nobody told us to take anything home because they didn’t think this was gonna happen,” said Welker. She says she's scared of doing poorly on the exam, which could cost her in the long run. She's hoping to use her AP score as college credit.
Some students have textbooks, notes and even food still in their lockers. Mackennah Struwe is going through the same thing. She's been back to the school to pickup work.
“I was like, can I get my stuff from my locker and they said no, we’re not allowed to go," said Struwe.
Her mother took to Facebook to share her concern and emailed the Cheektowaga-Slaon Union Free School District Superintendent. Welker's mother called the high school and middle school and got no answer. Frustration continued to build until Wednesday afternoon.
“We received a robo call from the school saying that they have been preparing to set up a plan so students can get their belongings," said Jamie Klodzinski, Welker's mother.
According to the Superintendent Andrea Galenski, says students can get the things they need as soon as this week. Some students were able to get their books, but when the school was deep cleaned, she kept the building closed to comply with New York State guidelines.
"I’m finally glad that we were able to get everything we need for our exams,” said Welker.
Galenski says health and safety is a top priority. She says she recognizes the frustration and they had been working on a safe way to get everyone their materials. Parents can email the principal and coordinate a safe way to get their books from their lockers.
“I appreciate all the effort they’ve been doing to keep everything safe, but also, I would really like to get my school work, my books, to give me the full capacity to be successful,” said Welker.
