Decision to Allow Books Is Praised

The Redondo Beach school board is to be commended for unanimously rejecting efforts to ban a series of grade-school readers at its meeting on Feb. 6.

As a parent and a former elementary school teacher, I am aware of the process involved in choosing books for our children. I am also aware of the difficulties experienced today when we try to instill a love and excitement of reading in people of all ages. I would urge the parents who formed the Coalition of Concerned Parents to read to their children. If there are areas of conflict in any reading material, they have a perfect opportunity then to help their children as they form opinions and explore other points of view. What better way to increase exposure to an understanding and tolerance of the myriad of ideas available to us as we grow and mature? If we raise our children with only one, narrow view of life, what chance does the world have? How much better to trust them to choose their own beliefs as a result of having been excited and stimulated by the choices we are privileged to have available to us.

Parents have the right to request alternative reading texts and, of course, to enroll their children in schools that reflect their views. I hope those who fear open communication of ideas and creativity will do just that. I will always want our public schools to reflect as much diversity as possible.

I, too, will remember the decision of the Redondo Beach school trustees when election time rolls around.

FLORENCE MOORE

Redondo Beach