To the editor:

Middle school kids are a colorful group. They bring enthusiasm, energy, questions and chaos. And we are responsible for them all.

Middle school programs give kids the opportunity to excel academically, show their creativity and succeed at almost anything they try. They have the opportunity to travel out of state, sometimes for the first time. There are kids who have trouble with structure but can build an Adirondack chair that they are very proud of. We have special-needs kids who make up their own dodge-ball team and stay in the winner’s bracket of the lunchtime tournament longer than anyone would have thought. And the band program totally rocks. Kids this age need to feel successful at something.

We need to make sure we are sending our kids into the world feeling successful, that they can do anything they set their minds to and to be good, productive citizens. If you take away the color and in turn put them into a beige, technology-based academy, we will be failing the students and families we serve.

Mary Eaton

Secretary

Langley Middle School