In a letter in your May 20 issue, the students of Mrs. Zwerlein’s fifth grade class "strongly disagreed" (with) "grownups and teachers" (who) "question whether slushies and sugar snacks should be served to kids." This letter is addressed to those students.

Dear Kids: Good for you. You keep right on questioning grownups until you become one and have all the answers like we grownups do. In your letter, you make three pretty good points: 1: Research. It’s the best way to prove anything you want to prove. Don’t let any grown-up challenge your sample size or techniques. Your research is as valid as most of the polls we grownups watch on television. 2: Economy. You point out that slushies and sugar snacks don’t cost as much as lunch in the cafeteria. I admire your strategy. I never met a parent who wants his kid to throw money around. 3. Energy. A very good point. The human body converts sugar to energy. Even grownups know that. Even doctors know that.

I might add just one point: 4. Moderation. Too much of a good thing is nearly always a bad idea. How about a slushie on Tuesday and Thursday and lunch in the cafeteria the other days. Or cut a slushie in half and share it with a friend. Share the cost, too. (How big is a slushie? In fact, what is a slushine? Would I like one for breakfast?)

Send a copy of your letter to the company that makes the slushie or sugar snack you like. You’ll find the name and address on the wrapper. It’ll make their day. They’ll hang your letter up in the board room. They may even hire you as consultants. You could start your own slushie factory.

I enjoyed your letter, kids. You must be great kids. Thank Mrs. Zwerlein for me. She must be a great teacher. Stay healthy. Really. Never smoke, Really, Really. Don’t put on too much weight.

Bob Pasch

Babylon Village