This is Disgusting!!!!!

[Bonnie]

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By Wendy McElroy


October 19, 2004

David Parker (search) of Lexington, Mass., is scheduled to go on trial on Sept. 21 for asking his son's public school to provide parental notification before discussing homosexuality with the 6-year old.

The actual charge is criminal trespassing. But the real issue is whether parents or schools will control the teaching of values to children.

The conflict began on Jan. 17, when Parker's then-5-year-old son brought home a Diversity Bookbag from kindergarten. Included was Robert Skutch's "Who's In a Family?" that depicts families headed by same-sex couples. Parker had wanted to decide for himself the timing and manner in which his son was introduced to the subject of homosexuality.

(The Bookbag is supposed to be a voluntary program but the Parkers knew nothing about it in advance.)

Parker immediately e-mailed the Estabrook school principal, Joni Jay (search). Parker expressed his belief that gay parents did not constitute "a spiritually healthy family"; he did not wish his son to be taught that a gay family is "a morally equal alternative to other family constructs."

Parker acknowledged the equal rights of gays but objected to "the 'out of the closet' and into the kindergarten classroom mentality." In essence, Parker highlighted the difference between tolerance, which acknowledges someone's right to make a choice, and acceptance, which is the personal validation of that choice.

The conflict moved quickly from the Diversity Bookbag (search) to the more general issue of parental notification. The Parkers wanted to know if sexuality was scheduled to be discussed in class so they could remove their son. They also wanted their son removed from any "spontaneous conversations" about sexuality that involved an adult.

By law, Massachusetts requires schools to notify parents when sexuality is scheduled for discussion. Lexington School Committee chairman Thomas B. Griffiths explained, "We don't view telling a child that there is a family out there with two mommies as teaching about homosexuality." In an e-mail, the Estabrook school principal stated, "I have confirmed … that discussion of differing families, including gay-headed families, is not included in the parental notification policy."

At an April 27 meeting at the school, Parker refused to leave without an assurance that he would receive parental notification. Arrested for criminal trespass, he spent the night in jail.

When asked why he insisted on staying, Parker replied, "I wanted to see how far they [school authorities] would go for [my] asking something simple."

The state now wishes to impose probation upon Parker, along with other restrictions — such as banning him from Lexington school properties without prior written permission from the superintendent of schools. This means he is barred from places to vote, as well as school committee and parent-teacher meetings.

Parker is contesting the charge. Why? After his arraignment, he stated, "I'm just trying to be a good dad." During a May 11 appearance on the FOX News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor," Parker expanded on this statement, saying that he wanted his son "to play on the swing set and make mud pies. I don't want him thinking about same-sex unions in kindergarten."

Parker's attorney, Jeffrey Denner, points to a larger issue — "the role of family and what kind of encroachments government can make into children's and people's lives."

Otherwise stated, schools are usurping the parental role of teaching personal values to children. They are not acting as educators but as guardians, "in loco parentis" (in the place of a parent). Some schools clearly consider this function to be their right, even over parental objections. Thus, Estabrook defends its "right" to teach Parker's son to accept same-sex marriages.

Denner hopes to resolve the conflict before trial but he also intends to file a civil suit in federal court against the town of Lexington, the school system and its officials.

Meanwhile, there seems to be a campaign to discredit Parker. The Lexington School Board has reportedly accused Parker of wanting to be arrested to grab "headlines." If true, it is strange that he wasted months on e-mails, faxes and school meetings before making his move. Parker's actions sound more like those of a father with no options left.

The school also claims that Parker's demands would prevent other children from discussing their families or drawing pictures of them.

But this is far from what's been officially requested. According to Neil Tassel, Parker's co-counsel, "the Parkers' proposal was simple: notify them in advance if there is a planned discussion about same-sex issues, and, if an adult becomes involved in a discussion spontaneously begun by a child, then remove their child from the discussion."

School authorities quite reasonably responded that they could not be held responsible for monitoring spontaneous conversations or remarks made in the class. Moreover, they contend that children with gay parents have a right to talk about their families and have their families represented.

At some point in the dialogue, however, reason broke down; police were called. The attacks on Parker have been so intense that Tassel recently found it necessary to write a defense in the local paper denying that his client is a shill for or member of Article 8, a controversial organization opposed to same-sex marriage.

He pointed to Parker's Ph.D. to deflect criticism of his client as an ignorant book burner. To counter the charge that Parker hates gays, Tassel described him as "an exceptionally kind hearted man" whose best friend was gay.

Perhaps Estabrook authorities are trying to divert attention from the real question: Is Parker simply demanding parental notification or not? I think he is.

David Parker cares so deeply that he is willing to go to jail and endure a lengthy court process for the right to be a parent. In a world where a myriad of social problems can be traced back to parental abuse or indifference, it is incredible that Parker is being treated as a criminal and not as the hero he is.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,165253,00.html

Would you do this for your children? Sadly it has come to this now, but I would!!

 

[Mr. P]

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By Wendy McElroy


October 19, 2004


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,165253,00.html

Would you do this for your children? Sadly it has come to this now, but I would!!

I pulled mine from public school after 6th grade.

 

[dilloduck]

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By Wendy McElroy


October 19, 2004


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,165253,00.html

Would you do this for your children? Sadly it has come to this now, but I would!!

Communism used to be a bad thing----- It seems that some schools have changed that. I've already bitched at my son's school for teaching him things that are just plain historical fiction.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

By law, Massachusetts requires schools to notify parents when sexuality is scheduled for discussion. Lexington School Committee chairman Thomas B. Griffiths explained, "We don't view telling a child that there is a family out there with two mommies as teaching about homosexuality."

Lying bastard scumbag.

 

[fuzzykitten99]

the schools in my area are more conservative, because our city/area is conservative majority.

i know that no one here would tolerate this BS.

although i do like the public schools here, i hope to put my son in a private school by the time he is ready for kindergarten.

 

[Johnney]

when Jess and myself have children im hoping we are in a position to home school them. the schools around here are jsut ugly.

 

[tk2005]

its a shame a father has to go that far for rights and the schools won't exept them.
I don't know about that school....run from them

 

[William Joyce]

The "Diversity Bookbag" is America's Little Red Book.

We need a homeschooling revolution. If I were a politician, I'd support major, major tax breaks for homeschoolers.

 

[Bonnie]

its a shame a father has to go that far for rights and the schools won't exept them.
I don't know about that school....run from them

Welcome to the board!!


It's interesting how little rights this father has here over his own children yet the state here is so out of bounds it's absolutely incredible!! People better wake up in this country and pay attention to a story like this lest they find themselves in the same situation.

 

[Nuc]

The schools should get out of the business of behavior (outside of good behavior in the school itself) and into the business of knowledge. Instead of exhausting everybody with these dumb controversies (pledge,homosexuality) they should be teaching these kids how to study. Put the average American kid in a library and they couldn't find what they need if it bit them in the ass. Why not just rid the schools of all controversial social engineering whether it emanates from right or left. End the tug of war and get on with objective facts. No one disputes that 2+2=4 or that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War, but sadly many children don't even know that much because they are being distracted by feel good crap.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

The schools should get out of the business of behavior (outside of good behavior in the school itself) and into the business of knowledge. Instead of exhausting everybody with these dumb controversies (pledge,homosexuality) they should be teaching these kids how to study. Put the average American kid in a library and they couldn't find what they need if it bit them in the ass. Why not just rid the schools of all controversial social engineering whether it emanates from right or left. End the tug of war and get on with objective facts. No one disputes that 2+2=4 or that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War, but sadly many children don't even know that much because they are being distracted by feel good crap.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "social engineering".

The whole purpose of the liberal/socialistic/communistic agenda in the schools is to engineer a new world order. What better way to engineer this than to begin with the children at the youngest age possible?

If school authorities can take away parental rights by arresting parents who protest their agenda, the liberal/socialistic/communistic social engineers have won the war.

 

[Nuc]

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "social engineering".

The whole purpose of the liberal/socialistic/communistic agenda in the schools is to engineer a new world order. What better way to engineer this than to begin with the children at the youngest age possible?

If school authorities can take away parental rights by arresting parents who protest their agenda, the liberal/socialistic/communistic social engineers have won the war.

I don't like it coming from the other side either. For example DARE. I didn't send my son to it because I wanted to teach him the dangers of drugs rather than having the school do it. I figured he would trust information coming from me more. The school called me up and said that although DARE was optional, I was the only parent who didn't send his kid. I told them to mind their own business and teach my boy reading, writing, math and history. They should just stick to objective provable facts.

 

[HorhayAtAMD]

I don't like it coming from the other side either. For example DARE. I didn't send my son to it because I wanted to teach him the dangers of drugs rather than having the school do it. I figured he would trust information coming from me more. The school called me up and said that although DARE was optional, I was the only parent who didn't send his kid. I told them to mind their own business and teach my boy reading, writing, math and history. They should just stick to objective provable facts.

Obviously parents need to have a say in their child's education but when you look at some of the people out there who have children, I'm glad that someone is trying to offer some sort of basic moral guidance. You could say that schools have failed to
a) allow people to opt out and
b) provide good morals guidelines
but I shudder to think about how a very large number of people would grow up with absolutely no moral guidance in their lives. But that could just be the pessimistic me coming out.

 

[Nuc]

Obviously parents need to have a say in their child's education but when you look at some of the people out there who have children, I'm glad that someone is trying to offer some sort of basic moral guidance. You could say that schools have failed to
a) allow people to opt out and
b) provide good morals guidelines
but I shudder to think about how a very large number of people would grow up with absolutely no moral guidance in their lives. But that could just be the pessimistic me coming out.

True that there are a lot of rotten parents out there. Unfortunately the better teachers out there can't really get too involved with their students nowadays with all the fears of impropriety.

 

[William Joyce]

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "social engineering".

The whole purpose of the liberal/socialistic/communistic agenda in the schools is to engineer a new world order. What better way to engineer this than to begin with the children at the youngest age possible?

If school authorities can take away parental rights by arresting parents who protest their agenda, the liberal/socialistic/communistic social engineers have won the war.

Yes, yes, yes. And yes.

 

[Bonnie]

The schools should get out of the business of behavior (outside of good behavior in the school itself) and into the business of knowledge. Instead of exhausting everybody with these dumb controversies (pledge,homosexuality) they should be teaching these kids how to study. Put the average American kid in a library and they couldn't find what they need if it bit them in the ass. Why not just rid the schools of all controversial social engineering whether it emanates from right or left. End the tug of war and get on with objective facts. No one disputes that 2+2=4 or that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War, but sadly many children don't even know that much because they are being distracted by feel good crap.

Absolutely right on!!!

 

[Annie]

True that there are a lot of rotten parents out there. Unfortunately the better teachers out there can't really get too involved with their students nowadays with all the fears of impropriety.

In the past 4 days, I've spent about 40 hours getting my classroom ready. For the students, class starts a week from tomorrow, Monday. In the coming week I'll probably put in 70 more.

I'm in a private school, while we do have DARE, it's in 3rd and 5th grades-that's the only bowing to social engineering.

I am dreading this year, I hope for nought. Perhaps they all have matured beyond my wildest expectations, but considering the parents of these 3 grades, not likely. I've had rough classes, but never 3 at once; usually there is at least one 'good class' in the middle school to look forward to a couple times a day.

While in each class there are more 'good kids and families' than not, it's the problematic children that create chaos for learning. Problems? An incoming 7th grader that cuts herself and anhilates others through notes and intimidation. In the same class, a boy that has already been in multiple contacts with the police. Another that has been removed from the home, twice by DCFS.

In the incoming 6th grade, a boy that screams out periodically for no apparent reason; is oppositional-to the degree that he refuses to leave the classroom when told to. A girl that last year was caught by the police in a park giving blowjobs to several high school boys-her IQ is above 130. Two students who are under psychiatric care, (not one of the ones mentioned above.)

The 8th grade has been the best so far, but still very problematic-they were my homeroom last year and had many problems with the 8th grade teacher-who will now be their homeroom teacher.

So what am I doing? What I can. I moved my desk to the middle/back of the room, to split the class in half and put myself closer to more students. I've put up lots of posters about 'What God wants for us/expects from us as individuals', along with many that emphasize personal responsibility and how attitude effects outcomes. I'm increasing the times the students can come in my room, before and after school for help, quiet time to do homework, or to talk.

I've set up a library table-for books related to topics currently under study. Too many of the parents will not get their kids to the library, so I'll have to check out reems of books, hoping that they don't steal them. It's the only way that they will be exposed to more than the internet/text books. Our school library does not have the books needed for the upper grades.

While the public schools have many more resources, they also have many more children from backgrounds like the above. One of the saving graces is that by Middle School, the really problem kids' parents are beginning to realize they have serious problems-that would lead to LD/BD classes in the public schools. When we have a problem, we can tell the parents they need to get the kid to a shrink or whatever-or take them to the public schools. What one finds in private schools is that the parents will donate mucho bucks, become very involved and cry-a lot. It would be so much better if they would have listened to the 3rd grade teacher.

 

[Nuc]

In the past 4 days, I've spent about 40 hours getting my classroom ready. For the students, class starts a week from tomorrow, Monday. In the coming week I'll probably put in 70 more.

I'm in a private school, while we do have DARE, it's in 3rd and 5th grades-that's the only bowing to social engineering.

I am dreading this year, I hope for nought. Perhaps they all have matured beyond my wildest expectations, but considering the parents of these 3 grades, not likely. I've had rough classes, but never 3 at once; usually there is at least one 'good class' in the middle school to look forward to a couple times a day.

While in each class there are more 'good kids and families' than not, it's the problematic children that create chaos for learning. Problems? An incoming 7th grader that cuts herself and anhilates others through notes and intimidation. In the same class, a boy that has already been in multiple contacts with the police. Another that has been removed from the home, twice by DCFS.

In the incoming 6th grade, a boy that screams out periodically for no apparent reason; is oppositional-to the degree that he refuses to leave the classroom when told to. A girl that last year was caught by the police in a park giving blowjobs to several high school boys-her IQ is above 130. Two students who are under psychiatric care, (not one of the ones mentioned above.)

The 8th grade has been the best so far, but still very problematic-they were my homeroom last year and had many problems with the 8th grade teacher-who will now be their homeroom teacher.

So what am I doing? What I can. I moved my desk to the middle/back of the room, to split the class in half and put myself closer to more students. I've put up lots of posters about 'What God wants for us/expects from us as individuals', along with many that emphasize personal responsibility and how attitude effects outcomes. I'm increasing the times the students can come in my room, before and after school for help, quiet time to do homework, or to talk.

I've set up a library table-for books related to topics currently under study. Too many of the parents will not get their kids to the library, so I'll have to check out reems of books, hoping that they don't steal them. It's the only way that they will be exposed to more than the internet/text books. Our school library does not have the books needed for the upper grades.

While the public schools have many more resources, they also have many more children from backgrounds like the above. One of the saving graces is that by Middle School, the really problem kids' parents are beginning to realize they have serious problems-that would lead to LD/BD classes in the public schools. When we have a problem, we can tell the parents they need to get the kid to a shrink or whatever-or take them to the public schools. What one finds in private schools is that the parents will donate mucho bucks, become very involved and cry-a lot. It would be so much better if they would have listened to the 3rd grade teacher.

If you're teaching in a private school, we can assume that the parents care about the kids enough at least to organize that for them. Yet some of the students are so troubled. A bright fifth grader who gives out blowjobs most likely learned this "skill" at home. The ones you describe are the ones who are not adept at hiding their maladjustment. Other kids, outwardly normal, may have equal problems. Kids are really brilliant at hiding things.

 

[007]

Parental Rights vs. Public Schools
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By Wendy McElroy


October 19, 2004


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,165253,00.html

Would you do this for your children? Sadly it has come to this now, but I would!!

All I can say is "hey, they're in queerachusetts. What the hell does this guy expect?"

My advice would be, if he's truely adament about his position, THEN GET THE HELL OUT OF QUEERACHUSETTS!

 

[007]

The schools should get out of the business of behavior (outside of good behavior in the school itself) and into the business of knowledge. Instead of exhausting everybody with these dumb controversies (pledge,homosexuality) they should be teaching these kids how to study. Put the average American kid in a library and they couldn't find what they need if it bit them in the ass. Why not just rid the schools of all controversial social engineering whether it emanates from right or left. End the tug of war and get on with objective facts. No one disputes that 2+2=4 or that Abraham Lincoln was the president during the Civil War, but sadly many children don't even know that much because they are being distracted by feel good crap.

You almost made me regurgitate my Pepsi out my nose nuc. I couldn't believe it... I agree with you.