To the Editor:

After the past two years of working with children as a social worker, I am recommending that public schools consider increasing their funding to implement more life skills classes. By incorporating these classes, students will be able to learn different life skills that include, but are not limited to, building credit, balancing a checkbook, learning about creating a budget, researching mortgage rates and insurance, learning how to file taxes, building a retirement and choosing the appropriate career path.

As a former student of our local school system, I am strongly advocating for more programs or classes for learning these life skills. In my senior year, we were able to have a company come in and they demonstrated the game of life. I attended Wareham schools my entire life, and this was one of the most influential activities I have ever done. I am grateful for the opportunity. During this exercise, we were able to determine what we wanted our life to be like, while learning basic life skills. My experience with the Wareham school system was always positive and I always discuss this activity with my colleagues and peers, as I believe everyone should be allowed to participate in this activity.

I urge everyone to vote for more funding for our school systems, to provide appropriate life skills education to our children by getting them more teachers who can teach this information.

Heather Cleveland