Posted on 04/16/2002 3:27:13 PM PDT by RWBaral
VISIT TO AN AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOL FROM HELL-OBERVATIONS OF A MAD DAD!
My teenager & I recently made a visit to a local public high school, McCann Technical School, North Adams, MAss., (413)-664-9424, www.mccanntech.org. This is what we found, and why my child will not be sent to a public school in America today up in old New England.
A poster I noted in the guidance dep't, "Evolution may take millions of years, but..." The theory of evoution is scientifically impossible. The very increadible order of every part of the physical world testifies to the clear presence of intelligent design. Where are the "missing links?" Nowhere, because they don't exist. Thus, a Creator. Thus, Absolute Rights & Wrongs. Thus, "We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights..." But not at public school in America today...
A simple 8x10 notice in the school guidance office, "Confidential health services for minors age 13 and older," at a local State of Mass. Dep't of Health clinic at Berkshire Medical Centre, PIttsfield, Mass. THe Nurse @ (413)-447-2654 advised that Mass. State law requires that minors age 13 and up at such clinics be able to obtain reproductive health counseling, testing and services for pregnancy, HIV, Sexually Transmitted DIseases (STD's) and referrals for abortions - WITHOUT parental consent or even notification. For further treatment of STD's, AIDS and abortion counseling, children are referred to "Tapestry Healthcare."
Other parents at CHurch who send their children to this public school advised me of how "student peer counselors" refer fellow school children seeking help for birth control, counseling and resources re anything from sexual promiscuity to sexual orientation, HIV, STD and pregnancy screening, or abortion, to guidance counselors and the school Nurse, who then refer these minor children (again age 13 and up), WITHOUT parental consent or advisement, to these clinics. Figuring this must be against the law, "they can't do this," I assured myself. As I discovered to my shock, "Pal, think again!"
Calling Tapestry Healthcare @ (413)-443-2844, a Nurse advised me that minors, again age 13 and up, can receive gynecological exams, birth controls, treatment for STD's, AIDS and referrals for abortions WITHOUT parental consent or even advisement here, as well. This particular clinic was Federally funded via "Title X (Ten)," which requires by Fed law that children as young as 13 receive "confidential" reproductive health services, forbidding contact of parents for consent or even advisement, unless the minor child directs the clinic to do so.
The Tapestry Nurse reported having a long list of local available abortion providers on a sliding fee scale (No income? NO fee.), one being - surprise! - Planned Parenthood (For a real shock, check out Planned Parenthood's "sexpert" website, "Teen Wire"!). In Mass. State, parental consent for an abortion for a minor is required. In Vermont State however, parental consent, much less even notification, is NOT required for a minor to get an abortion. One local Vermont State Senator told me such stealth reproductive health care services for minor children is necessary because, "kids can't always talk to their parents about these things." ANother local Vermont State Senator told me he's working on a bill to require parental consent for minors to get abortions in Vermont, but he "can't even get it out of committee!"
The school's website, www.mccanntech.org, was a treat. THe path: Library, Top 10 Internet Sites. This lead to outside teen websites, including "Teen Hoopla," which I followed to Say What?, Subcultures, "Goth-an inside look for outsiders-grotesque, desolate, vampires, interest in death, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Dead Can Dance, Self Cutting, Appeal of Grfaveyards, Blood Drinking, Death Fixation and Depression." "World Wide Punk, Punk Music Reviews-Tradegy, Naked n' Happy, Nunnery Nutty, Bend Break Spill, Scrotum Grinder, Sonic Abomination, Brick Bomb, Bouncing Souls, Chemical Generation, Death and Fame, GIve Blood." "Hip Hop Style-Urban Decay likes to shock and disgust, Make UP for Men?, Candy Man, Testosterone and Dog, What's Next? Three-and-a-half-inch bamboo fingernails."
Sitting in the guidance dep't office with the counselor and my teen, I picked up a copy of the school's student newspapre, "The McCann Buzz." Reading directly from the papre, the counselor assuring me not to worry, as "the paper is edited by a faculty advisor," I noted the following:
"Peer Leaders: If a student has a problem and wishes not to go to an adult for help, they can go to a peer leader...last year the peer leaders did a diversity project (oh?) and...for this year is the Social Norms Marketing, which educates people about health related problems and how to deal with them (like thought crimes, homosexuality, sexual promoscuity and safe sex, perhaps?)...So if you have any problems and you don't want to see an adult about it come and see a peer leader." As parents at Church who send their children to this particular public school advised me, "Mom & Dad? Forget it!" These teens have it all figured out, with the help of a few key school adult "facilitators" and the local "confidential" clandestine clinic "sexperts" for children as young as 13!
Then, a poem, "Why did they push him? He wasn't in the way. Just because he found his life-in being gay...I should try and stop this discrimination. Not knowing what I should do. Should I help him and be made fun of too?" Was this teen author indoctrinated into this latest social crusade, anti-"homophobia," with the help of this local public school? Need I bother answering that question? OK, so I'll try...
Living just inside Vermont State-the first State in the Nation to conjure up "civil unions" for homosexuals, I figured this to be a relevant question. I went to the internet site of the State of Vermont Dep't of Education, under Health Education Resource Centres, to State "approved Sexual Health teaching aids for public school teacher use." Here's a sample of so called "professional" teaching aids for public school use, "The Naked Book-celebrates the joy of being naked to young children (Elementary audiences)." "Condoms in the Schools-the condom debate on whether condoms should be distributed in the schools." "Heather Has Two Mommies-storybook with easy text and language...a young girl's experience growing up in a loving family with two lesbian parents (Elementary audiences)." "Sex Stuff for KIds 7 to 17-practical information & ideas for kids, parents and teachers." Here I must break due to my rising blood pressure!
Further, "Hard to Teach Topics in Sexuality Ed-SIECUS-abstinence (for atleast a page or two), safer sex, condoms, sexual orientation, diversity, pregnancy options, sexual behaviour and sex in society." "Teaching Safer Sex-providing lessons that actively involve students in learning how they can protect themselves." "Both My Mom's Names Are Judy-training workshop by the LGPA (Lesbian Gay Parents Assoc.) for parents, teachers...interested in addressing the issues of homophobia in elementary schools." "It's Elementary-Talking About Gay Issues In School-how discrimination hurts people...misinformation with which children are faced about lesbian & gay men."
There's more, "Sexual Orientation-interviews with gay, lesbian and bisexual teens...social isolation, discrimination...coming out." "Trevor-story of a 13 year old boy, his emerging sexuality and his realization that he is gay (at 13?)." "Too Close For Comfort-explores AIDS homophobia and discrimination."
No doubt, all these State government approved pro-homosexual teaching aids present the known US Fed data & objective, scientific medical & nursing info about the high rates among homosexuals of HIV, AIDS, STD's, rectal problems, suicide, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, promiscuity, and relationship instability? That these problems are not due to so called "homophobia," but are due to the unnatural nature of the affliction of homosexuality itslef? No doubt, too, these "tools" are honest about the high success rates of convsersion therapy to free people from homosexual lifestyles and the lack of any so called "gay genes?" Or about the known high failure rates of so called safe sex with male latex condoms re HIV, STD's & pregnancy? Or of the proceedures of, and serious complications of abortion and simple facts about fetal suffering during same? Or of the disasterous socio-economic consequences of being a single, unwed mother? Or that abstinence until marriage, then same between one man & woman is the within a loving, uninfected, monogomous bond-hopefully for life-is the only 100% effective guarantee against all of these problems? What do you think the chances of this is with Vermont & Mass. State governments? Have you become a millionaire yet by playing the lottery?
Returning to the meeting with the guidance counselor with my teen, we continue from the school newspaper, "Features, Music Review, Evolve by endo-anarchy and chaos spewing from your stereo, will kick the living crap out of you!, start banging your head and throwing the horns in the air!, feels like a kick in the teeth with steel-toed boots, think it would be suicide to jump into a mosh pit (what?) during a live Endo show, Evolve will scare the crap out of any pop or rap fan, metal head's stereo, sound wave of destruction and mayham."
Next to this, a full page article, with a picture of "Ozz"-a man or a woman, I don't know which-and the following enlightened review by a young girl of the CLass of 2004, "Concert Revieww, OZZFEST 2001-Marilyn Manson, BLack Sabbath, Black Label SOciety, Disturbed, Drowning Pool, Sinner, Slipnot, New Abortion, The Heretic Anthem, Wait and Bleeds, Bodies." The young author boasted, "I got caught in a mosh pit(?) with a guy who got a bloody nose from play fighting" (how wonderful!). To conclude, "Toxic, Pure Rubbish, death and bomb threats (what?), protests from religious organizations (that's good?), Smells Like Children."
Looking up at the guidance counselor, I commented, "I would hate to see the unedited version!" The counselor assured me that I am "in the minority" re my world views, knowing we happen to be Christians because our child goes to a local private Christian school. (Yes, I know I'm an "extremist"-I believe in The Bible, The US & States' Constitutions & the dreams of America's Founding Fathers!) Thus, I am,I was informed, out of touch because I hold certain outmoded "religious views" (Like the Ten Commandments and The Golden Rule, perhaps?). I was made to feel that I was the unreasonable one, because no other parents have expressed any concerns about such matters... (Oh, really?)
Outmoded world views? Like parental concern for such outrageous trash being pushed on school children? Even in the heart of Yankee Land, I THINK NOT!! World view? How about school children just not being exposed to damaging, dangerous and potentially lethal materials when at, and courtesy of, the local public high school?
I hadn't even gotten to the sex education curriculum issues (some of which I noted above), at which point my fatherly instincts were not so secretly going ballistic. I was advised I could "opt out" my child from sex ed "health" topics, if I wished. Opt out my kid from sex ed health? How about "opting out" my child from the public schools-period! I left, lamenting that my tax dollars are paying for such things, but reminded clearly why I do not sent my child to a public school.
Thinking about sending or keeping your child @ a local public school in America? If you love your kid, think again!
Signed, an "In The Majority" Father, RWBaral, A Mad Dad! Bennington County, Vermont r4baral@aol.com
Most kids I know are in school 30-40 hours per week. Your arithmetic is worse than mine! I just hope no DUers see this thread.
Most kids I know are in school 30-40 hours per week. Your arithmetic is worse than mine! I just hope no DUers see this thread.
Please, don't be too hard on this poster. After all, the person is just a teacher in an inner city public school. We can't expect that their math will be correct.
Your comment misses the point of my statement entirely ... you obfuscate darling ... whether the kids are in school 30/40 hours (the kids I teach are in 30 hours) ... the question remains ... WHAT ARE THEY DOING THE BALANCE OF OTHER THE TIME? Are they being TAUGHT BY YOU? How much clearer can I make this?
You do the math then ... or make a valid point! LOL
In Massachussetts, you might well be in the minority. However, you may find solace in knowing that -- according to Thomas Sowell, in his take-no-prisoners book, Inside American Education: The Decline, the Deception, the Dogmas -- educrats tell EVERY complaining parent, "Well you're the only one who complained," even when you're the thousandth.
Although Sowell's book came out eight or nine years ago, it's still the most comprehensive expose I know of, of both the schools AND higher ed.
Stick to your own values. The things that you know in your heart are right. You'll be surprised how many others think like you do, but are afraid to voice an opinion. Since you are already posting on FR ... you are off to a good start. Be strong. Be consistent and pick your fights, whether they are with peers or instructors.
WHY WON'T SOMEONE SAY THESE WORDS
ARE THEY REALLY SO ABSURD?
MUST THEY ALWAYS GO UNHEARD?
IF SOMEONE NEEDED THE LIGHT
BE THERE TO HELP THEM FIGHT
IF THEY FELL, I'D SET THEM RIGHT
Sound familiar? Sing it loud MUTHA!
I was just ribbing you, about your mistake. But since you forced the issue, I'll just have to teach the teacher. This is how you should have written the sentences:
Your kid's in school only 30-40 hours per week. Where is he the other 138 hours?
Or:
Your kid's in school only six to eight hours per day. Where is he the other 16-18 hours?
I understood your point, but you distracted attention away from it.
So home school, private school ... do what you have to do. But where there is NO parent involvement, whether it is in the city or the 'burbs . Chaos will reign. Kids will be raising themselves ... just like in the 'hood.
Try again, leaving out the nonsense this time.
I'm aware of that; it's my job.
I lived in that world, worked with abused and neglected foster kids from it, and taught college kids from it.
I'm not worried about STD's, pregnacy, abortion, the Goth look, suicide, murder, or drug use. She knows the Scriptures better than I do and has never been alone with a boy. She will wait for God's man to be sent to her before marraige and ALL of this is HER choice, not mine! I trust her completely to do the right thing. I'm just around for advice and suport if she needs it. Children are a product of their environment. If they are raised in a sewer, they will stink,....... period!
For the sake of your children, get them out of public school!
When a rich man tells you how to make money, do you listen?.... Well, I'm rich!
So Mom & Dad try to comply with this only to have it undermined when the kid goes back to school.
What a confusing set of contradictory rules the liberals have demanded parents comply with.
Yes - teach them well. And do it well outside of the public schools!
Ummm .. what kind of CHRISTIAN were you again?
PLEASE tell me you are joking, right? Listening to you talk is sort of the conversational equivalent of an out of body experience.
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