PROUD TO BE AT 'THE GRAY'

Editor:

As an educator at Colonel Gray high school, I feel compelled to
respond to Mr. Martin Ronald Arsenault's letter, 'Bad language isn't
the only problem' (The Guardian, March 3, 2007).

To begin with, we here at Colonel Gray are making every effort to curb
profanity with our newly implemented profanity policy; however, a
certain burden of responsibility for proper conduct and manners also
lies within our students' homes. I fail to see the connection between
the recently released movie, The Departed, and the increase in
profanity among our youth. Many movies contain profanity, but that
does not mean our youth go out and mimic the behaviour.

Second, I wish to inform Mr. Arsenault, and other members of the
community-at-large, that each morning and every lunch hour, two
teachers and both of our esteemed youth workers are 'on duty' and
supervising our school grounds and parking lots. We have shortened our
lunch hours in an attempt to impede 'rowdy behaviour, littering, and
misconduct' at our local fast-food restaurants and downtown
establishments.

With respect to us being aware that some of our students are "into
drugs," we are well aware of this fact. However, until our youth
justice system is better equipped with stricter laws and the
flexibility to deal with 'drug users', and better staffed with youth
addiction counsellors, there is little we can do here as educators
other than to educate our students about risky behaviours.

Finally, I wish to inform Mr. Arsenault that the vast majority of our
student population is made up of incredibly respectful, intelligent,
talented and decent young people, and I am so very proud to be a
teacher here at this school.

MARY BETH BRADLEY

Teacher,

Colonel Gray high school