As a current student teacher and class member of the Currins 505 course at Starms in question, I feel as though I must respond to the recent editorials. I, along with many of my classmates, have repeatedly expressed concern about the location of our Wednesday night class.

These concerns have absolutely nothing to do with race, the quality of the school, or the children who attend it. Each Wednesday night, approximately 60 females and four or five male students travel to and from Starms (located off of 25th and North), many alone in the dark.

I can personally say, even with the pepper spray that I carry in my purse, that I do not feel safe or comfortable with this location. Crime can take place anywhere, but it is naive to ignore the fact that there are some areas where criminal activity is more likely to occur.

Last Tuesday, March 13, there were four people shot, resulting in two fatalities, just five blocks from Starms, less than one hour after our class would have been in session.

As the Currins 512 class has stated, our class is taught by the principal of Starms, and she is a wonderful contributor and asset to our education program. What I do not understand is why, with so many open rooms available on campus, we cannot hold the class with the same instructors at UWM.

Last weeks op-ed response from the Currins 512 class states that there are after school programs taking place during the time of our class, and therefore, they may contribute to our learning. To use one of their quotes, they have their facts wrong.

Our class has never once interacted with students or other staff members, or even toured the building itself. My tuition dollars go to the university, not to Starms, and it does not make sense to hold our class anywhere but there.

A current concerned Currins 505 student

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