Editor:
It was great to see the story about Biddeford High School students engaged in their Community Service Day. (BHS students roll up their sleeves for Community Service Day, Biddeford Gazette, May 1, 2026)
__________
I think it is important to instill a sense of community and volunteerism in students at a young age.
However, students should have a little more PRIDE (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Engagement) all year round.
I live close to the high school and often walk my dogs down Maplewood Avenue. There is litter everywhere, but as I near the street and school, it is disheartening to see the amount of litter starkly increase.
While I’m assuming that this litter comes from students, I think it’s a safe assumption to make. Plastic cups from Taco Bell, snack wrappers, takeout containers, and the like are strewn without regard for the environment and the neighbors who abut the school.
These discarded materials don’t naturally break down and often cause harm to wildlife, and create an unsightly mess left for others to clean up.
Meanwhile, there are trash receptacles right by the door.
It’s been a long time, but I think I learned the importance of not littering in elementary school.
Maybe the high school students need a refresher.
Emma Bouthillette | Biddeford
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