Dear Editor:
I would like to thank community members and New Westminster teachers who have documented their concerns and ideas on how to improve May Day. The city's 142-year-old tradition needs to be revamped, and it is good thing that this information has come forward.
For 142 years, May Day has been part of every New Westminster student's schooling. May Day is enshrined in School District No. 40 policy.
I recently asked Tweedsmuir school administrators Patty Farris and Lisa Nasato for information regarding the unprecedented decision to plan a field trip for the Tweedsmuir intermediate students on the same day as our May Day celebrations but have yet to receive a response.
It appears that scheduling a Tweedsmuir field trip to coincide with May Day is a breach of district policy and denies students the opportunity to participate in the historic cultural experience that generations of students have shared.
In the future I hope this mistake will not be repeated.
Paul Johansen, New Westminster
