To Mr. Don Schneider ("This is what we are teaching our kids," Feb. 17 Gazette):
It is very unfortunate that your walk in the park took your opinions to such a negative space when in reality there was so much to celebrate in the laser tag activity you witnessed that day. During times of COVID, thousands of kids are not able to participate in the physical activities they enjoy or even gather with their friends in order to protect the people in their community and they are struggling with it as much as everyone else.
First, please consider, all educators are working endlessly planning activities for their students to be educated, engage in physical activity all while considering their mental health and following all safety protocols. This is not easy. Second, if you watched the activity from the lens of a teacher, you would have witnessed teamwork, vigorous COVID-safe physical activity, strategy, communication and the best medicine for mental health in their laughter.
Hundreds of youth in our community participate in sports academies and due to COVID protocols, their regular activities that take place in rinks, soccer fields and gyms cannot happen, and yet these kids are still in sports academy where their parents pay for the activities, so know that taxpayers money did not pay for this.
I would like to thank all staff at sports academies, leaders, coaches, educators and families that are creatively trying to find ways to keep our youth physically active and safe during challenging times. Before we judge, let’s celebrate the innovation of our leaders for providing these opportunities for our youth.
Sincerely,
Scott and Jody Savoie
