Multiculturalism Is Not Child’s Play

As the parent of a first-grader attending our neighborhood school in Santa Monica, I read with interest the article about the multicultural picnic (“Child’s Play,” July 3). If the private-school children were enrolled in their local public school, I think the parents would find such contrived arrangements unnecessary. Their children would meet friends from varied backgrounds on a natural, daily basis.

By becoming involved in the public school program, the adults could make a positive contribution to improving the educational opportunities for many more children than just their own.

MARY FOSTER MICHEL

Santa Monica