Your article "Reclaiming old Baltimore harbor dumping ground" (May 29) got it right that exciting things are happening in South Baltimore's Masonville Cove. Benjamin Franklin High School, the Curtis Bay/Brooklyn area's high school, is thrilled to have an important role in the clean-up.

In order to create a great school option for students next year and beyond, we are transforming Ben Franklin into an environmental sciences school that includes urban agriculture, horticulture and environmental studies programs.

Through career-oriented partnerships with surrounding businesses, government agencies and community organizations, and an innovative "4 plus 1" schedule that incorporates one full day a week of career preparation and experiences, our students will develop the necessary knowledge and skills for the real world of work and environmental sustainability.

Ben Franklin is also in the process of becoming a state-certified green school. We have an aggressive recycling program, we are renovating our building and re-landscaping our school grounds to be more environmentally friendly, and we are participating in the development of community gardens in our neighborhood.

Understanding the environment and making it sustainable is becoming an increasingly important challenge, and the next generation of young people will have a critical role in leading this work. Benjamin Franklin High School stands ready to make sure they have the skills and experience to keep Baltimore beautiful and green.

Yinglee Tseng, Baltimore

The writer is president of the Benjamin Franklin High School Parent, Teacher and Student Organization.