My children’s school is more than a place of academic instruction — it is a community where lasting relationships form, stability develops, and confidence grows.

Harman School has provided my children with a supportive environment that nurtures their academic achievement, emotional well-being, and social development. Removing them from Harman would disrupt this progress and create unnecessary dangerous obstacles, and unrealistic expectations. For these reasons, it is in their best interest to reverse the vote to close Harman School, their home school.

My children have built strong academic foundations at Harman School. They are familiar with the curriculum, expectations, classroom routines, their amazing teachers, and their teaching styles. This continuity is essential for maintaining their academic progress. Research consistently shows that school transitions can interrupt learning and negatively impact performance, especially when children are thriving where they are. And my children and more than thriving at Harman School.

The teachers at Harman School understand My children’s learning needs, strengths, and areas where they require extra support. This familiarity allows their educators to provide targeted instruction and individualized support — something that would be impossible to replicate in a new school environment, woth new teachers, new routines, and long and exhausting bus ride, over two hours a day. By staying at Harman School, my children can continue to grow academically without the setbacks that often accompany school changes. With that being said, my child Katie, who absolutely adores her teachers, thinks she doesn’t need to learn the material being taught because you want to take her out of Harman. I can’t stress how the decision to close Harman School has affected her mentally.

Beyond academics, my children have developed meaningful everlasting relationships with peers, teachers, and staff. These relationships contribute significantly to their sense of security and belonging.

A stable school environment such as Harman, is vitally important because children rely on predictable routines and familiar faces to feel emotionally supported. Changing schools would disrupt the precious friendships and social connections that have taken years to build. Such disruptions can increase anxiety, lower self-confidence, and make it harder for children to adjust both socially and academically. Maintaining consistency in their school environment helps protect their emotional health and fosters a positive attitude toward learning.

Our family is deeply connected to the school community through events, communication with teachers, and collaboration in school activities. This partnership between parents and educators is essential to student achievement. Keeping my children in Harman School allows this partnership to continue without disruption.

Additionally, maintaining a consistent school arrangement contributes to overall family stability. Routine matters for children, and abrupt changes can create stress for the entire household. It is impossible for me to meet the bus times for two different routes for my four children attending Harman. Not only do I take of my children. But I also care for my elderly grandmother, such as taking her to doctor’s appointments, cooking and general household duties. My mother had recently become ill and will need to receive extra care.

The question that still remains is of course unanswered. That question is as follows. What are emergency procedures will be put in place for the children when the mountains get shut down, and the children cannot get home. Because it will happen. The community has stressed this for over a year now.

Another question is: Where did the newfound funding come from to keep Elkins local grade schools open? Since the local grade schools in Elkins are remaining open, and only Harman and North Schools are closed? Where does Superintendent Dilly’s new big beautiful school fit in now if the don’t close local schools also?

Harman School is where my children feel secure, supported, and motivated to learn. Their academic progress, emotional well-being, social development, and access to vital programs all rely on the consistency this school provides. For these reasons, it is in their best interest to remain in their home school, where they can continue to thrive in an environment that is familiar, stable, and supportive.

Jessica Rae Pennington

Whitmer