Submitted by Emma R., Aug 30, 2007 15:57

I am a big supporter of Mike Gravel, and I agree with him on almost everything, surprisingly enough. I like the article, and I like his honest, thought-out ideas. I just have a question for Mr. Gravel, if he checks back here...Why do you believe in mandatory extracurriculars? I understand wanting to keep kids active, especially with our collective declining health, but if we can improve physical education then won't that be covered? I understand encouraging kids to socialize, but they are already forced to do so in the break periods during school, and often during class. Growing up, public school was just a joke, and near the end I was just trying to pass, I didn't care about what they were teaching because most of the time they weren't! Most of your ideas address this, but mandatory extracurricular activities, I believe, would only expand on the nonsense. I only wish there were some way to model our public schools' faculties after colleges'. Make it about learning and not babysitting.

I hope to hear from you, Mr. Gravel,

-Emma R.

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