Concern and grief for drowning victim

Re Lessons must be learned from school trage

dies, July 11 Although she acknowledges initially that a terrible, devastating, tragedy occurred, Catherine Little’s risk management approach is insensitive. After the shock, she is immediately ready to analyze. Her management perspective comes across as seeking to limit/avoid liability rather than on ensuring that invaluable experiences and field trips follow safe procedures. Publicly, we mourn the loss of a young man, as does his family. Let us respect their grief and hold the risk analysis for organizational meetings. Donna Magee, Etobicoke I was particularly disheartened by the tragedy of Jeremiah Perry who lost his life while on an outdoor credit course in Algonquin Park. As a secondary school teacher, I can fully appreciate the potential learning of such a program. As a former lifeguard and swimming instructor, I was concerned by the swimming competency test followed by the TDSB. As reported by the Star, the test requires students to be able to swim for 50 metres and tread water for one minute.

Why is the school board not using the standards established by the Canadian Red Cross Society as the minimum requirement? The Red Cross Swim programs teaches swimmers how to stay safe in, on and around the water, how to minimize their risk of injury and safely enjoy aquatic activities. Why not make the minimum requirement for an outdoor program Swim Kids 8 or even 10? Mary Templin, Newmarket