Joseph J. Gill, Headmaster Mayfield Junior School of the Holy Child Jesus Pasadena, California Don’t fence off the ocean. This idea certainly seems silly, don’t you think? The title represents the notion that it is far better preparing our kids for life than protecting them from it. The inherent risks and obstacles that come along each day are interwoven with the discoveries and adventures of living. If we choose to eliminate or avoid all the challenges, for whatever reason, we also remove the potential for growth, success and accomplishment. The ocean can be a dangerous place for everyone at times. However, if people are cognizant of their surroundings, prepared to make good decisions, trained in basic skills and connected with those around them it can be one of the most beautiful and enjoyable places on earth. Enjoying this experience, much like hiking in the woods or traveling to far off places, is dependent upon gaining the necessary confidence and skills to benefit from the opportunity. When the time comes for a young person to take on those typical adolescent challenges, we have many options as adults. One option is to build a fence to temporarily protect them and quite possibly deny access to worthwhile and possible meaningful experiences. Another choice is to teach them to swim. Children will continuously face the challenges related to schoolwork, trials of friendships, and issues with managing the Internet appropriately. All of us are invested in helping each child prepare for these situations and conditions that are natural and somewhat predictable, yet ominous as well. It remains our responsibility to prepare the children for what may unfold at the beach before heading to the coast. We need to teach them to swim rather than fence off the ocean.