What a sad day when school officials cancel all planned field trips because of one tragic accident. It has impacted everyone — family, friends, school mates, etc. — but why add to the anxiety level of students/parents by going that route?

Is the lesson taught here by the superintendent that students should now be afraid to go anywhere that incidents can happen and, therefore, avoid such areas as lakes, oceans, amusement parks, etc., or that teachers are not to be trusted to protect them?

Fear is a mighty enemy and should not be instilled in anyone. Schools should be a source of learning, not fear.

Using this tragic accident as a wake-up call and instructing the kids of everyone’s responsibility in making sure that safety is always a priority would have been better than punishing all kids because of it.

Jacqueline Smith, Lewiston