In response to the article “Elementary Students Ends Columbus Day at Potsdam Central School” which appeared Nov. 27-Dec. 3 issue of North Country This Week: So let me get this straight, a group of progressive 3rd grade teachers and the library assistant at Potsdam Elementary School can push their ideals onto their students by making them read a book degrading Christopher Columbus.

The classes then go to the school board to petition a change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, and the board unanimously approves it.

This country had a tumultuous beginning many aggressions were wrought upon the native population but that is in our past. You can’t change history because you feel sorry now for what happened centuries ago.

This is and always will be the greatest nation on earth and if you don’t like the way it began that’s fine but don’t try to mold the minds of the children in your charge to think differently. You should have offered an alternative perspective and let them decide.

The author of the book “Encountered” is Jane Hyatt Yolen and her claim to fame is fantasy, science fiction and children’s books. That should give a perspective of what is being taught to our children.

You are here to educate not to indoctrinate. If you hate this country that much go teach elsewhere.

I am disappointed in the Potsdam School Board but I realize that Potsdam has always been a liberal town.

Fred Cockayne

Stockholm