There's a "lighter, fresher" but "not festive" air in the corridors of the Jacopo Sannazaro secondary school in Naples. This is how the school children are experiencing the 'new situation' the day after the measure that suspended Laura Colantonio from her role as principal. The principal was suspended by order of the Regional School Office, with the intention of "restoring serenity" to a high school that, since the first bell of the school year, has been "tormented" by the issue of extramural activities planned to deal with the excess student population. In fact, to make up for the lack of classrooms (48 compared to 53 classes), the now former principal had also planned for this year, according to the Three-Year Educational Offer Plan (PTOF), out-of-school activities which, this year, also 'transformed' into trips to the seaside at a lido in Varcaturo, in the province of Naples, and walks in the Villa Floridiana park. Now we're waiting for a new leadership to lead Sannazaro, but the students are confident that "it can't get any worse than it has been so far." "Our first request to the regent, who we hope will arrive very soon," said Ciro Di Gennaro of the Parents' Coordination, "is for 'pacification.' Now is the time to give children the peace of mind to study effectively. Each of the parties involved—we parents, the teachers, and the kids who are the protagonists—must take responsibility for finding a solution." Today, students and parents—who celebrated last night in the square with sparkling wine upon hearing the news of the regional school director, Luisa Franzese,'s decision—had an initial informal meeting. During the meeting, suggestions were made that student representatives will present to the other students at the next school assembly: maintaining a five-day timetable instead of six, and rotating classes once a week, not necessarily on Saturdays; a double entrance with staggered hours, keeping Saturdays free for everyone; and the search for additional outdoor or indoor spaces with rapid renovations. "We're satisfied not because of those who left," explained Ciro Di Gennaro, "but because the right to education has been restored. They demonstrated remarkable maturity for kids their age: they never raised their voices or demanded that we not enter the school. Now they are stronger." The students, through school representatives, made it known that the principal's suspension "is proof that when a united group of people works together, results come." Especially because the students claim to have had, right from the start, "an attitude that was never over the top". Thus, from their point of view, "the right to education" was restored, as was the "opportunity to learn and be taught while in class, without wasting time." And it is, in any case, a "victory" resulting from "battles that have been going on for years" because, they explain, "Colantonio has never made any decision by listening to our voices, our requests." "We have shown ourselves to be united and firm in pursuing our demands in this matter," they added, "and we have been rewarded." In short, not having "made a mess just to avoid school," but having demonstrated with facts that they wanted to go to school, "paid off."
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