In Favor of Keeping the Frank J. Wood Bridge

Although I do not live in Brunswick or Topsham, I often travel to both towns and past over the Frank J. Wood Bridge.

I share the concern about losing the historic structure.

The discussion has been revolving around repair or replace. There may be a repair strategy that gives the bridge a longer life span than quoted.

If the bridge is repaired and the weight restriction of 25 tons is maintained it would seem that the life of the bridge after repair would be extended.

The heavy traffic has two alternate routes to Topsham. Brunswick and the Topsham Village do not need the heavy vehicle traffic.

The state of Vermont does an excellent job of preserving it’s historic bridges, wooden covered bridges and steel bridges similar to the structural design of the Frank J. Wood bridge.

They think it is important, there must be a reason.

Richard C. Golek,
Durham

Play a Better Choice than Proficiency-Based Learning

In his letter supporting proficiency based learning (The Times Record, March 27), Peter Gore states that proficiency-based learning will prepare students with the soft skills employers want. Should we be giving our taxpayer money to out of state organizations and consultants to implement an unproven education model to teach children soft skills? There is a better, well-proven way to ensure children have the soft skills necessary to become successful in life and work: Play.

Today’s youth spend less time in undirected play for many reasons. They’re introduced to technology at a very young age. Parents have less free time to spend with their kids. Neighborhoods are less safe to play in. Kindergarten is the new 1st grade. To prepare children for the academic rigors of kindergarten school districts are given financial incentives to add preschool programming. Schools have limited recess and PE time, music and arts, hoping to increase test scores, graduation rates, and make kids “career and college ready.”

A January 2007 report by The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. When play is allowed to be child driven, children practice decision making skills, move at their own pace, discover their own areas of interest, and ultimately engage fully in the passions they wish to pursue.”

The report also extols the importance of caregivers joining in child-driven play. As VP of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, Peter Gore should encourage businesses to revamp policies to create a better work-life balance for all employees so they can enjoy more family time.

Parents should require school districts to provide longer recess times and more funding for music and arts. Preschool programs should incorporate more child-driven playtime. Communities should do all they can to make neighborhoods safe to play in. Caregivers should spend more time playing alongside their children. Soft skills are learned through child-driven play, not proficiency based learning.

Jennifer Richardson,
Bowdoin