Feb 7, 2015 2 min read

The times they are a changin’… or am I just getting old? Both? Can’t be.

I read with concern and some humor the Tuesday story that the students at Washington High School are risking life and limb to save 210 feet of wear and tear on their shoes to safely get from school to the Subway parking lot across Jefferson Avenue.

Really?

Roberta DiLorenzo, the superintendent of the Washington School District, “repeatedly reminds students they are responsible for their own safety. We are educating them.”

I also got an education, from M. J. Luft, principal for many years at the First Ward School on West Maiden Street in Washington. Either I was a quick learner or Luft was a more effective teacher. We walked from the end of Dewey Avenue to First Ward, and home for lunch, and we also walked to Washington High School from Dewey Avenue. I did it for 10 years safely.

One time, I crossed at the red light on the corner of Main and Maiden, instead of using our crosswalk in front of the school, and I was called into Luft’s office. Very few words were spoken, but the education was immediate, memorable and effective. Luft, and all the teachers at First Ward educated us, but we rarely were “repeatedly” educated. I guess we were quick learners.

Dana Stainbrook

Washington