Not just fun and games

While I am putting the target “let he who is without sin cast the first stone” on my back, I must express my dismay at The Last Word article “Partners in Slime” (April 4). As a Catholic school educator whose own school is also opting for rewards of “building community” by having adults participate in foolishness, I don’t have to wonder why disrespect is a major issue in today’s classrooms. Yes, the monetary cost of the silly rewards is minimal, but how do we rationalize volunteering at Feed My Starving Children one day and then later dumping food, or slime, on our leaders? I question how the Catholic learning environment is different than any other school choice. Why are we surprised when St. Thomas students find decapitated statues or stale bread with the words “Body of Christ” written on it (“After Mary statue vandalized, some St. Thomas students criticize administration response,” April 4)? Surely it’s all in good fun.

Tina Triplett
St. Timothy, Maple Lake

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