In rebuttal to the article from Saamon Legoski in the Dec. 7 issue, as far as snack foods are concerned you also need to see it from the point of view of the parents.

Having spent many thousands of dollars for my son's braces, he now has to undergo thousands in additional dental work, and much of it is from the junk foods and soda he used to purchase at Simi Valley High School.

I understand junk food is a big money maker; what student would rather eat a healthy diet than sugar and fast food? But our public schools shouldn't be the place to buy it.

So, the Governator is trying to do the right thing by signing this legislation into law.

Now if the parents could get on board, that would be a big help, but the cost of living around here necessitates both parents work just to make ends meet, and unfortunately the children suffer as well.

We all agree our government should do a better job of funding and assisting our schools and teachers, but as yet their actions leave much to be desired. But selling junk food isn't the way.

I make it a practice to ask my son's friends who our elected representatives are and they usually don't know, but they can sure tell you who won "American Idol" and what's happening this week with Britney. Think about that. Ben Hall Simi Valley

Editor's note: The following letters were submitted by seniors from Santa Susana High School as part of an assignment from their government teacher, Matt Long. Students were asked to write letters about an issue they care about and have their voices heard in their local newspaper.