To the editor:

In response to Sean Smith’s letter on the school district’s field trip to a Kansas University women’s game being a waste of time, I’d like to use some of his own arguments to point out the other side of the coin:

1. State testing is right around the corner. I work full time in two different elementary schools in the district. I see every day how hard the kids (and staff) work to better test scores. The nonstop testing schedule is the perfect reason to give the kids a break from the classroom. With the field trip budget cut to the bone, who wouldn’t take advantage of the generous opportunity KU afforded the district?

2. You already take your kids to numerous KU events. Many kids in this town do not have that opportunity for a variety of reasons. The sense of community that is felt by going to a game and rooting for the Jayhawks is invaluable to some kids. I would also add to this that in a town that is consumed with our men’s team — and rightly so — this game helps to empower our girls showcasing the women athletes competing with a house full of cheering fans.

3. Curtailing academic time for this sporting event. Teachers take every opportunity to teach their students. Just because they are not in a classroom doesn’t mean that learning did not take place. I think we do have our priorities straight, producing well-rounded, socially adept, happy individuals that can connect and respond to all kinds of positive things.