Posted on 12/20/2004 6:36:56 PM PST by Ellesu
You've heard the stories over the last few weeks in the public schools - can't play Silent Night because of religious overtones in the traditional carol, can't bring candy canes to school because the J shaped candy implies Jesus, can't display pictures or scenes of the nativity but it's perfectly permissible to proclaim Kwanzaa, can't say "Christmas Party" or "Christmas Break" because of the Christ in Christmas, thus substituting Christmas for "winter" or "holiday", can't even say "Merry Christmas". And then on top of it all, the patently absurd case of a Plano, Texas school of telling kids not to bring any items with the colors red or green on it.
Where does it end, folks? With you! How so? Get your children out of the public schools once and for all. Put your children in a private, religious or charter school or if you can, homeschool them. Make this an early Christmas gift for you and yourself next fall.
The sanitization of all religious inferences in the public school system - in the classroom, in the lunchroom, in the school gym, in after school activities - is beyond chaotic and has been so much so over the last decade that short of a top to bottom house cleaning, the system is beyond repair. Children and their parents are tired of having their values impugned by superintendents, principals, teachers and other school officials in the name of the so-called "separation of church and state", a phrase found nowhere in the Constitution but ballyhooed by the likes of the ACLU, Americans United and People for the (Anti) American Way.
Despite the above, there are two reasons some parents are hesitant to remove their children from the public school system. The first is one that Christians whose children are currently in the public schools claim their religious influence will be removed when their kids are. Being a Christian myself and making no apologies for it (in your face, ACLU), I fully understand the reasoning. But how far do you go with it? The sabotage on Christmas is not in its infancy stages. It's been occurring for years, though it has reached a crescendo this year.
Coupled with the contempt Christmas is being given, the homosexual agenda as endorsed by the ACLU and its minions - Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs), Days of Silence, No Name Calling Days and so on is spreading like wildfire in some parts of the country, heavily so in coastal states like California, Massachusetts and New York. Even in the Bible Belt, the ACLU thru a judicial activist court forced Boyd County in conservative Kentucky to adopt a GSA in 2003 and subsequently forced them to show videos on so-called tolerance and sexual orientation. Despite the widespread anger in Boyd County among ministers, parents, school officials and even many teens against the homosexual agenda, the ACLU thru its judicial activism is forcing teachings on items contrary to the bulk of families' religious upbringings and in reality, items that have nothing to do with the 3 Rs.
In California and some other states, if a pregnant teen wants to get an abortion and attends a public school, the high school counselor can schedule and take her to a Planned Parenthood clinic and the parents have no say so in the matter and may never even find out what took place.
Add to all the above the fact that certain schools have increasingly prevented children from saying prayers over their lunches and school snack times and removed Bibles and religious materials read on free time and what other conclusion can you come up with? It's not rocket science to see that Christians and others of strong religious persuasions are having secularism and perversion thrust down on them to the point that religious influence is being steadily muted. It's not like it was 20 and 30 years ago. Move the kids out of the public school system and do not delay. Some Christian groups will disagree with me here and I respect their feelings but I think it's fairly discernable to see which influence is the prevailing one and sadly, it's not the Christian and religious one.
The second reason many parents hesitate to remove the children from the public schools is more of an obstacle and that is the financial resources needed to pay the Christian or private school. This one is understood but can be overcome in different ways. First, find a good religious, private or charter school within a reasonable driving distance and visit at your earliest opportunity. If you live in an urban or suburban community, this shouldn't be too difficult, though it may take a little research. When you find such a facility, talk to the administration of your concerns. They may be able to set you up on a payment plan that is comfortable for you and your family. Some schools are more than willing to accomodate you, knowing that you have your child's best interests in mind and they will likely feel the same way.
If a school cannot financially accomodate, talk to your church leaders and see if there is some way the church can set aside benevolent money for parents who want their children to have an alternative to the public schools. Those with good financial resources may be able to do so.
If that still fails, scrutinize your family's budget and put your child's education as a necessity rather than a luxury only the rich can afford. Prioritize it before anything else except your mortgage, if at all possible. Bottom line, if there is any way you can do it, get your children out of the public school and have your neighbors and church family follow suit. A religious or private education can be high but like anything else, the prices will come down if more people take advantage of it. Walmart didn't get the way it is today overnight but it did get there. More children in religious and private institutions will drive down the costs the same way Walmart did by supply and demand. True, it may force such schools to expand their facilities and build new but that's a good problem which in due time will still pay dividends as more and more people abandon the public education system. It's past time to do so. Of course, if you can homeschool, do so.
If at all possible, avoid the vouchers where they're available. I am all for every way to get children out of the public education system but relying on vouchers still means an indirect connect with the government. I realize for some in cities like Milwaukee with good voucher programs this may help your children immensely and I would not strictly oppose such. However, if there is a way to avoid them, do so.
Here is an option for some. It may or may not work but see if does for you. About 4 years ago, my mother was counseling a woman who had three young children and had no money to put her children in a religious school and didn't want them to be in the public school system. She was put in touch with a Lutheran minister whose church also had a school. The minister told this woman that the school would pay the entire tuition for children if she became a member of his church. Now this may not work for everyone but it is an option that may be suitable for some. Lutheran schools have an outstanding reputation for caring about kids and while the denomination does not suit me personally, the Christian values taught in their churches and schools are noteworthy and I personally would put my son in one in a heartbeat.
For the record, the government has no business being in the education system as that is not a Constitutional function that our Founding Fathers set up. A mass exodus of public education for a private or religious education sends the message to President Bush and Congress that the public school system is a failure and the "No Child Left Behind" means little when a left wing agenda void of values is pervading public schools across America. If the parents of all Christian and Jewish children currently in public schools across America would find a new home for their children in the fall of 2005, the public school system will collapse.
James Esseks, litigation director for the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, recently told the Louisville Courier Journal with regards to the Boyd County situation above "Parents don't get to say I don't want you to teach evolution or this, that or whatever else. If parents don't like it they can homeschool, they can go to a private school, they can go to a religious school." Let's follow Mr. Esseks' suggestion and thumb in parents' eyes and do just that. Parents, give yourselves a Christmas gift for 2005 now by making this the last year your children are in the public school system. It will be the best Christmas gift you ever give and the fruits of its rewards will be endless.
Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas to all.
poing
Touchy public schooling mom to another ping
Hmmm...
My kids go to Public Schools and have Christmas trees in the classroom, library and cafeteria. They sing Carols and are allowed to pray in class for an unfortunate classmate who has leukemia. Plus, they had a winter clothing drive for the less fortunate children in the district (we are not in a wealthy area) wherein they donated all used coats, boots and out-grown winter wear. Oh! and those pesky food-drives.
My 2nd grader announced last week that his class had listen to Handel's "Messiah." This is a great deal more churching than they got in Parochial school where they were only herded to Mass on Friday and made to feel guilty all of the time about everything.
Obligatory Walmart bashing in this thread as well! It's nearly a trifecta already.
I put all 4 of my kids thru private (Christian) schools. Best thing I ever did and I did it as a single dad.
Good for you. I respect everyone's choices in educating their children and hope you do as well.
If parents wake up now they maybe able to do something about it, but alas, they will only wake one day to find their kids have been indoctrinated into the liberal mainstream and it will be to late.
To those who have taken this step, my compliments. May your children learn and grow with the right values. For those who are thinking about it, take a leap of faith that you won't regret. For those who you feel its not needed, look back, 30 years from now and you will be telling yourself, why didn't I listen.
President Bush's no child left behind is great in theory, but with todays agenda in the public school system the children are being left behind and being left behind to the PC world. No values, no morals. your children spend more time at school they do at home. they also spend more time listening to other kids they associate with. Who has the greater influence?
I have 2 children that went through the PSS (public school system) and I have 5 being home schooled now and 2 more will start later. If I knew then what I know know, my 1st 2 would have been home schooled.
For those who disagree with this: Read my tag line
You must live in a very red state, but keep your eyes open, the ACLU is coming to a red state near you.
If I lived in another locale, I'd not have had any problem public schooling my kids. You're right, it's all about choice.
Not here. Dr. Tom Coburn is my Senator-elect.
Why are you so touchy about this topic? Good heavens.. if your child's school is that great than you are lucky! You know as well as anyone that there are very few people in this country that are as lucky as you- or whose children attend a school such as you describe.
I'm danged tired of all these touchy people........
My daughter had a Christmas party at her PUBLIC school on Friday and the kids all exchanged Christmas presents and Christmas vacation starts Wednesday afternoon.
OK - there is my rant - now I'll read the rest of the article.
Oh good grief - and here I thought I could go to sleep early tonight.........
School was cancelled today because of snow - so I'm sure you understand my day!!!
You, you TOUCHY broad! How DARE you suggest that your tax dollars are well-spent in your district!? What!? You helped make those gingerbreadmen? You heretic! You helped herd the kids to the sing-a-long? You Heathen!
Betsy: I am not making fun of you, honestly. You cannot believe the whipping gabz and I have taken from the home-school/private school crowd. Tolerance? NOT!
Oh no! Not a snow day!! We are forescasted for an ice-storm tomorrow. I am looking at more than 12 days of bored kids
Youngest daughter is a chief bean counter for a large office supply company (1 year out of college, dual degree, math/bussines). Youngest son makes a six figure income in his own commercial painting bussines. Oldest daughter (marketing major) knocking down $85K working as a manager for a medical service company and my oldest son is the most talented starving artist I've ever seen. Both my sons are non degree'd. I completed the eight grade and got a GED in the Army, but have always earned a far greater than average income. Enough for private schools and college for the kids.
OMG - I've got tears running down my face, I'm laughing so hard!!!!!!!!
I like our public school. If I didn't I would consider the alternatives.
We have Christmas trees, Christmas carols and Santa at our public school, too.
LOL
Um....no.
I am as lucky as annieokie. I am blessed to live in an area where the school system is very conservative, most of the admin are of the Christian faith and, the kids are able to incorporate faith and patriotism in their academics.
Yup, a snow day.
We actually had a lovely time - I let her loose in the kitchen decorating cookies and making candy.
You'll get your Christmas present before New Year's - but the child came first today!!!!
Cooking and sewing did not happen today - so I will add those to the list of what is to be done tomorrow.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
Someone else who realizes that all public schools are not the liberal cesspools so many on FR wish others to believe.
My bro has a GED, as well. Public school served him well, that and that stint in the Army 25 years ago. Yeah, you can't succeed without fancy education. (Not)
I applaude all you did for your children, and I know it required sacrifice on your part: but it is total bullcrap that one is DOOMED if you don't either homeschool of private school your kids. My brother and I are shining examples of that.
I am not playing any whose is bigger here, but my 8 YO can do Algebra without knowing he is doing it. School is BS no matter where you send them if you cannot explain it at the house.
Ya done good! I am from a family of migrant workers and the first to actually go to college and have a child after the age of 23.
"Grampa was a Carpenter.........."
It's not as bad as the nay-sayers love to say. I hate the(not very Christmasy) my way or the highway crowd.
{{{{{{G}}}}}}}
*You'll get your Christmas present before New Year's - but the child came first today!!!! *
Oh, Ack!! I'll stand on my laurels with your canned goodies. Man! I was too lame about cards and gifts this year.
Count me in, too. I have three in the public schools (former homeschooled or privately schooled students.) People sometimes don't like it when I point out that *no* school option is going to be perfect for everyone. They also sometimes don't like to be reminded that not all private schools are utopian sanctuaries from the nasty secular world - many private schools are *more* liberal than their public-school counterparts.
For example-a group of parents wanted the school board to implement a grading system for what they considered to be " 100 competencies", where a student would receive a grade on their ability to be tolerant of other people, yes- including homosexuals. This was in an upscale conservative school district in PA- ranked in the state as one of the best and thought to be conservative and Christian.
The school board set it up to be overseen by a group of teachers,and as far as I know it is a program in place today.
There were also numerous Pink triangle safe zones in the elementary school.
There are great kids who attend public schools, and some good teachers and some good administrators. My advice is know the ins and outs of your district. There is stuff going on there that you may not be aware of. If that is not true in your case.. Good. But most parents do not know. Another thing I warn parents about is cooperative education. It is a very popular model and most school districts have some degree of this teaching style in their classrooms.
There are many pros and cons (I see mostly cons for my chidlren) and much discussion over the Internet on the merits of such an education model.
So you like the public schools great enjoy; just don't steal my money to pay for them.
I missed this reply of yours earlier, and I apologize for my oversight.
I understand why annyokie is "touchy" about this subject, and she has well explained her position, which is identical to mine, and I don't live in Oklahoma.
There are lousy school districts around, we moved out of Delaware to make sure our daughter wasn't subjected to one. But there are far more good districts around if people who care are willing to look, and work to keep them that way.
Those not willing to keep even a good district going really have nothing much to say about them, do they?
I'm just as lucky.
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" was one of the songs sung at kindergarten graduation in June. Christmas vacation starts Wednesday afternoon.
Merry Christmas, you cheap brat. You sound like my my mom who wants me to work to pay for her meds.
Do you want the Native American kids who live on my Rez to go without school while you send your elitist snots gp to the Academy of X, you snot?
I also support my local district with fund raisers, donations or materials, and other volunteer work.
That's because you as a parent cared about your children's education. Ever notice that even so-called failing schools still produce good students if their parents took an active interest?
BTW, good nite, good discoarsing with you.
As I've mentioned in other threads, I'd be curious to know the relationship between the public schools in your area and the value of your home. If you want to see some really interesting economics, then let the public schools in your district fail.
Cards??? LOL!!!!! I've got no idea what they are this year. The past 2 weeks have totally disappeared on me.
You've already gifted us for this Christmas.........we'll talk about birthday's and anniversaries after the first of the year..........ROFL!!!!!
Well that is an experiment which is being played out in my new area. They redistrict the schools all of the time. The houses pretty much retain their value based upon which neighborhood they are in- and as a result of all of the mess redistricting creates.. there are tons of homeschoolers here.
DBR, we are all moms and we all love our kids. I cannot tell you how hurtful it has been to Gabz and me to have to put up with the "you suck" comments because we do not homeschool and are (and I mean this in a nice way) victims of Parochial school and do not choose to inflict it (and I do mean inflict) on our kids. I did for a few years and I have more years to work off in Purgqtory.
We both, Gabz and me, moved to good school districts for the sake of the children. My youngest had a teacher in his school named Teacher of the Year for the STATE of Oklahoma. Note: They do not call them "educators" here. They are teachers.
Then I'm wrong and apologize. Apparently quality of public schools doesn't impact house values very much.
My 2nd grader announced last week that his class had listen to Handel's "Messiah." This is a great deal more churching than they got in Parochial school where they were only herded to Mass on Friday and made to feel guilty all of the time about everything.
Your public school appears to be an exception that has gotten by under the radar and has not been heavily targeted up to now. I would not count on this situation continuing indefinitely.
Also, although some parochial schools seem to only be going through the motions, you will not need to look very far to find a Christian school that takes "churching" very seriously, (and not just by playing on guilt)!
Very nice to see a thread on FR that for ONCE is not bashing parents who send their children to public schools!
I know I'm in a good school district.
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