In response Eric Chauvin (Letters, Herald, Dec. 13): His concerns about children riding the trolley are misleading to our community. Chauvin’s lack of proper information and accusations of the group “joyriding” make it sound like these students were enjoying a non-structured school day around town. In actuality, the 40 elementary school kids he referred to (one of which was my child) are currently in a social studies unit studying Durango history and were on an approved field trip en route to the Animas Museum. They were fortunate enough to be able to use two great local resources as an extension of the classroom to keep learning applicable and fun. Furthermore, despite his comment about the students “joyriding,” this group was meeting numerous and required state standards such as:
Identifying community and regional historical artifacts and learning about their function and significance;
Explaining the past through oral or written firsthand accounts of history;
Comparing and contrasting past and present situations, people and events in neighborhoods, communities and the nation;
Comparing how communities and neighborhoods are alike and different;
Describing the history, interaction and contribution of the various people and cultures that have lived in or migrated to neighborhoods and communities.
On another note, adults with the group were not negligent in looking out for the safety and well-being of the children or the individual respect for other passengers. All students, teachers and chaperones were paying customers on the trolley using public transportation, just like any other resident. Why is it that Chauvin thinks this right doesn’t pertain to all populations? Additionally, every student was sitting in a seat on the trolley and no one in that group asked him to share his seat.
Next time, if Chauvin feels inclined to complain or argue about something, he should share correct and thorough information to the public instead of trying to blame others for his dissatisfaction.
Joanna Tucker
Durango
