Editor,

As a retired school counselor at The Middle School of the Kennebunks, I have many memories of helping students deal with trauma, grief and fear after Columbine and numerous subsequent bomb threats at their school. I helped them to deal with their feelings, but I was totally unable to protect them from future harm.

With the recent Parkland, Florida, school shooting, I am once again saddened by the lack of governmental effort to secure our young people’s safety.

The upcoming student walkouts (March 14) in schools across the country, designed to have their voices heard, and their needs and their lives finally protected, is a wonderful thing to see and I am totally in support of the actions of these soon-to-be voters.

Sadly, however, my own previous school system is determined to prevent this from happening.

Speaking with RSU 21 Superintendent Katie Hawes  and reading a letter that she sent out to parents, I learned that she feels this is a “political issue inappropriate” for school involvement and, further, that “RSU 21 is not encouraging, supporting or facilitating this walk out.” She also said that those students who are planning to take part in the 17-minute walkout will be restricted to the gym effectively concealing their efforts from the community.

I discovered an entirely different approach when I spoke with Wells High School Principal Eileen Sheehy. She said that she and her students are working closely to develop a fully coordinated and supported experience for them on March 14. I was heartened to learn this, and I salute them for their efforts.

I hope that all who read this letter will honor and support these efforts to generate change and protect and defend the future of our young people and our country.

Paulette Forssen

Kennebunk