It's For The Kids!

School Bond and Levy Feb.  2015

The notice in the mail reads, HERE"S THE TRUTH.  Funny, but it feels a little like and "Easy-open package," you know, the kind you have to wrestle with for at least ten minutes and then you still cannot open it, even if you resort to using teeth.  There may be a lot of truthful information here, but then, is it really full disclosure?  You have to wonder...... Is it the TRUTH, or just what the sender wants you to know?

The directive is to  "VOTE YES TWICE" The words on the yellow paper work to convince the reader that "Mead kids need" your vote of  YES.  It's an emotional plea, isn't it?  (It always is!)  "Help the children, please continue funding public schools." 

We are told that the state only provides 77% of the District budget.  The levy funds the remaining 23 %.  Could the math really be that simple? 


Hardly.  It's interesting too that in this simple equation there is no mention of how much Federal fund in at use in our local  public schools.  with  no mention of any federal funding in this mailing,one might recall how, last year,  the Spokesman Review reported that in Washington there had been a decision made that took a chunk of federal funding, (about 40 million dollars,) out of the control of Spokane school officials.  Bummer for them. Needless to say, schools didn't like the loss of funding control... and many didn't like the notion of parents choosing their child's school,or using outside rescources for learning... but your kids... are your buisness and their education is your choice.... and  it's your job, to fund the schools.  You can bet they like having your money in the form of taxes... "for the kids."

While the schools do get and use federal funds, they make it sound like all the funding they use comes from two sources; the state money allocated to the district's budget and your generous bond and levy funding.  And while schools do accept and sometimes solicit, donations from parents and philanthropists, there is no mention of any private donations or grants or even business "donations"to a tax deductible charity...known as the local public school.  There is no mention of any federal funding either..


We are told that the bond is needed to upgrade "all" facilities and implement them with new security enhancements, build new schools, and purchase land for future school sites.  It's not for the economy, it's not for the peace of mind for staff and parents, nope. It's not for school administrators, teacher salaries or job security for staff and planners who work in the system to make it the best it can be, those have to think about the future of public education in general. It's not so that the parents can go to work, make a living and pay bills know the kids are being taken care of in a good and competent school......  No, the "truth" is, it's "for the kids"

We are also encouraged to renew a levy, to maintain "superior learning programs, "and this is also "for the kids," but what these programs are or might be is left to our imagination.  We are not told specifically what programs these are, just given superlative adjectives.  It sure seems odd too, that the state funding would not be being used to provide these anonymous "learning programs" used in schools for kids.  We are also informed that levies support athletics and activities, but we have no idea of what thee activities might be...

All we are told as voters who have received this yellow paper in the mail is that the schools can use the money and "Vote yes, twice... It's "for the kids."

 

 To learn more about how money is spent in your school district, (so you can perhaps better decide how best to vote,) go to the OSPI website, here.  Use the pull down menu to select you particular district of interest, then click on "search" for links to the published reports.

Other articles that might be of interest include:

The Mead Schools Levy Bond Information page

Yes for Spokane Schools Page

 Spokesman Review article - Schools loose control over federal money 

Journal of Business article- Spokane School Bond Measures could top 480 million

KXKY article on Bond and Levy 2015

Spokane Valley Article about Lotteries and School funding

Some articles related to things that your dollars buy for schools:

A Stadium 

 https://www.facebook.com/KXLY4News/posts/148449061965852

 http://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/albi-stadium-could-change-hands/

http://m.spokesman.com/stories/2013/jul/12/city-school-district-trade-property/

Buildings and Land.  

http://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/central-valley-district-buys-former-yokes-building/

http://spokanevalleytech.org/2012/04/09/district-to-purchase-building-for-skill-center-branch-campus/ 

http://www.khq.com/story/21203333/spokane-public-schools-withdraw-from-building-purches

http://www.spokanejournal.com/local-news/spokane-public-schools-floats-2049-million-project-list/

New Classroom Materials

http://www.krem.com/videos/news/2014/10/04/15151638/

Homeschool Conference in Spokane 2015

HOMESCHOOL CONFERENCE IN SPOKANE!

Reviving the Heart
21st Annual CFHE Homeschool Conference
Millwood Community Presbyterian Church
Spokane, WA
March 13 & 14, 2015

TODD WILSON is a dad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions across the country and as a guest on Focus on the Family.   You can read more about Todd Wilson at his website,  www.familymanweb.com

For more information about the conference, workshops, vendors and vending or to register early and plan to attend  or bring your family, go to The Christin Family Home Educators website: http://www.cfhe.net/

"Dangerous?"

According to the Herald, there's been some legal changes changes for homeschooling families in Pennsylvania, and homeschoolers in Washington State should "read all about it," especially if you are a homeschooling who has never felt the pinch of going against the flow of what is commonly called, called "public education."  This article does an excellent job of pointing out the value and validity of the educational choice called independent homeschooling, or as our law refer to it, home based education.  It reminds us of  the precious freedoms we in Washington already enjoy to homeschool while Pennsylvanians, jump through a lot of hoops to do it and are still having to take legal stands to make it happen. Pennsylvania homeschool parents, with the recent passing of House Bill 1013, are experiencing freedom.  

No longer do they have to undergo the public school superintendent’s review of their child's individual portfolio at the end of each school year.  Also, they can now issue their children a homeschool diploma instead of being required to obtain a diploma from a "certified" diploma issuing organization, which can be costly.  It's great news... right?  Yes it is! But, you have to understand....  not everyone likes parents having this freedom. 

Officials from the Albert Gallatin Area School District,are quoted as saying, “It’s very difficult to say that the diploma has the same value, or merit, when issued by a parent, when the criteria aren’t clear,” ( this was the assistant superintendent for the district.)  There is also a quote of Gary Serock, "homeschooling coordinator" and "attendance director for the Albert Gallatin Area School District." He's not in favor of the change.  He says,, "It’s “dangerous” to allow a parent to give his child a diploma."

Dangerous?  

  Synonymsto "dangerous" are words like, "hazardous," "menacing," "threatening," "treacherous."  The word means "involving possibly harm or death."  Dangerous to whom or what?



Everyone knows that good parents have their child's best interest and success in life at heart.  They will make sure their kids are learning what they need to succeed.The onlyy thing in danger is his job as "attendance director" or "homeschool  coordinator" at the school.  Even in WA we have laws governing homeschooling that must be complied with and these arein place because of the collaboration of lawmakers, parents and school personnel... for the benefit of the children's education.... not to protect someone's governmental job.

Dr. William Edmonds, Dean of Admissions at California University of Pennsylvania, is also quoted in the article in support of the things that homeschooling families have done.  He says that home-schooled students have performed very well at the school  In fact, the article reports that "twenty-six home-schooled students entered Cal U of PA in the fall of 2013, and 21 entered the university in the fall of 2014. In reviewing their coursework, grades, standardized test scores, and their overall high school experience, Edmonds said the students performed very well before college and are also performing well at the university. 

Dr. Edmonds also said that homeschooled students go through the same review process to enter school as every other student..  The school reviews transcripts, GPA and SAT score as well as things the individual studies of the students in subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Art.  He is quoted as saying,“I remember one home-schooled student in particular who entered Cal U with a 4.0, and a SAT score of 1410,” He added, “She also graduated from Cal U with a 4.0. We’re pleased. We welcome home-schooled students and we wish them best.”

 Besides the fact the the article demonstrates more "proof"  that homeschooling works well in the educating of some of America's children, there are a couple of other specific things that this article sheds light on for us in Spokane.  One, is that when concerned citizens write or call their legislators it does make a difference.  It reminds us to never hesitate to write your legislators in support of home based education.

We also see that Pennsylvania homeschool families have formed their own support groups. They meet occasionally to do fun things with a group of kids.  /This is another reminder, to be active in the homeschooling community by being a part of local homeschool cooperatives and support groups too, or start your own!  Always help support our state homeschool groups like WHO, (the Washington Homeschool Organization,) homeschool lobbyists, like  CHNOW (Christian Homeschoolers Network of Washington,) and our national homeschool organization, HSLDA, (the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.)  And remember, that there is a clear distinction of between home based education (homeschooling) and publically funded "school-at-home" programs offered through the district offices.  Don't take parental rights,  homeschooling freedoms or responsibilities for granted.

Many a homeschooler has given their child a quality education without being under the direct oversight of the local public school. It has been being done even long before there were even public schools.  Even in the public eduction system, the parent's support of the child and their involvement in their child's education is what often makes or breaks sucessful schooling.  The best public schools employ public servants who work for the benefit of children, educating them to be the best they can be as they grow, but some people simply view public school is a means of promoting their own agendas of careers or philosophy. even simply a means of securing themselves a rather lucrative kind of job.  Neither parenting, nor homeschooling, is something that you'll find people doing for the money.

Lastly, the article serves as a good reminder to be vigilant to do our best at what we do as homeschoolers, to encourage one another and even pool our resources together too; for there are those who disapprove of parents overseeing the education of their own children and would like to stop them from doing what they dare to do.  There are some who also dislike the concept of private schools.  This is because there are those who think they know better, (always,) than you do for your own kids and some of them will even label you awful things, like "dangerous" if you make the decision to use your freedom to choose something besides public education to school your kids.

Read the article referred to here in the Herald-Standard, Jan 12, 2015
(Be sure to watch the video news report too!)

A quote, from Thomas Jefferson, one of the founders of our US of A:

"I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery"   

See: montecello.org

Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem"  

 It has also been translated as, "I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude.")

Seven Lies About Homeschoolers

A little truthful humor courtesy of the Taylor Family.

Ask Your Kids..... "What Did You Learn At School Today?"

Well, boys and girls.... ladies and gentlemen.... 
                                                                                                        (or maybe "cookies"? )

What did your kids learn in school today?

Asking kids,  "What Did You Learn At School Today?" is the proverbial question that parents ask their kids at the end of the school day, and with good reason.  It's not a meaningless question.  It's good to know hat kids are learning, because if they are not learning, there's a problem.  These days you might make a special effort to ask them what they are learning, especially when it comes to things like "sex ed" class. 

It's often been controversial when it comes to sex ed being taught in public school, hasn't it?. In fact, it's so controversial that you would think that by now, in the sxhool year of year 2014-2015, some sort of curriculum had been laid out that works for everyone, but that's not the case. It seems that when it comes to this subject, most anything goes.  What kids learn depends on the district, the parents... and no doubt, who is overseeing or teaching the class.  The controversy seems to arie most, when those teaching the class have an agenda.

It.wasn't the biological science or learning how humans reproduce or methods of contraception being taught in Acalanes High School,  California, when Planned Parenthood came into the school to teach sex ed, and for this reason.  ABC News in November 2014, reported that parents of students in the East Bay School District were complaining.  Parents who had given consent for their students to attend a class insisted that they had not been completely informed about what, exactly, was being taught to students, and some of them were outraged.  Students were taught, says FOX NEws, that people are not born boys and girls, but that they choose their gender. 

This story of how one gets their gender was illustrated to the students using the Genderbread model,  a gender neutral gingerbread cookie looking character.  Besides the genderbread cookie and the  wonderment of deciding your own gender, these same students, some as yung as 13, were given  tips on materials to have on hand and a checklist to go through to see if they were ready for sexual responsibilities, like pregnancy or STDs.  They were also given a paper with directives on how to get "clear consent" (for sex) from a potential sex partner. That in itself was a lot to consider, but parents were really set on edge when they learned it was self-proclaimed "pleasure activists" teaching the classes to the youth.

This last week the Pacific Justice Institute, (PJI)  wrote about what was being taught behind those school walls... and by whom.  They also were contacted by a lawyer for the school who defended the information taught as "age appropriate."   The school district,  perhaps forced by the will of the parents who were not pleased with what was taking place in the class, had to address the issue they have been trying to ignore.   The superintendent, while continuing the "controversial program" did tell parents that those same individuals would not be returning to teach.  Remarkably, the schools admitted that they do not and did not routinely conduct background checks on these instructors.

uperintendent John Nickerson confirmed to parents that neither of those individuals would take part in the sex ed program that began January 5. - See more at: http://www.pacificjustice.org/press-releases/parents-alarmed-by-pleasure-activist-in-high-school-classroom#sthash.jreVdZDw.dpuf

uperintendent John Nickerson confirmed to parents that neither of those individuals would take part in the sex ed program that began January 5. - See more at: http://www.pacificjustice.org/press-releases/parents-alarmed-by-pleasure-activist-in-high-school-classroom#sthash.jreVdZDw.dpuf

If you have not already, (above link) you can read the PJI article about it, here.  

If you live in Spokane, remember, it's not just happening in California.  Chicago, for example, has this kind of public controversy over similar issues.  Chances are, Spokane s not immune.  It's likely that other schools will be inclined to follow suite or are already doing the same.  There's also suggestion being made to teach this kind of material to younger and younger children, in school.  You can rest assured, Planned Parenthood (and the Genderbread  friends,) want to teach your kids. They have conviently made the Genderbread Person, cute, funny, familiar and appealing to kids.. 

"Genderbread"  may or may not be the next fractured fairytale coming to a school near you, but don't be surprised when you kids are no longer though of in schools as "boys" or "girls." People with this agenda have come up with new ideas for referring to differences, terms much more ingenious than that!  In fact, teachers in Nebraska are being asked to stop calling children "boys" and "girls," (so as not to confuse them too early about their preferred gender.)  There, they suggest calling the chidren in a classroom, "purple penguins!"  (No joke.) But in a pinch, one could say, "boy, girl both or neither" instead of  "boys and girls." 

If you are homeschooling, you pretty much know what your kids are learning in school, but to keep the mental gears i your young ones turning, especially those older ones, you just might want to ask them anyway!  

If your kids are in public school.. keep asking them, "What did you learn in school today?" Your kids, are, after all, your kids, and you, as parent have every right to participate in their education and every right to know.

Video:   Peter Seeger, 1964, singing, What Did You LEarn In School Today?

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “It has become clear that Acalanes officials have breached parental trust at every turn. They have brought individuals into the classroom who should not be anywhere near a school campus, and they continue to defend an indefensible program. In light of these most recent revelations, we are renewing our call to the District to suspend its relationship with Planned Parenthood and make sweeping changes to comply with the letter and spirit of state law. We are also calling on responsible journalists to join us in asking tough questions and holding the District accountable for these serious lapses in judgment.” - See more at: http://www.pacificjustice.org/press-releases/parents-alarmed-by-pleasure-activist-in-high-school-classroom#sthash.jreVdZDw.dpuf

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “It has become clear that Acalanes officials have breached parental trust at every turn. They have brought individuals into the classroom who should not be anywhere near a school campus, and they continue to defend an indefensible program. In light of these most recent revelations, we are renewing our call to the District to suspend its relationship with Planned Parenthood and make sweeping changes to comply with the letter and spirit of state law. We are also calling on responsible journalists to join us in asking tough questions and holding the District accountable for these serious lapses in judgment.” - See more at: http://www.pacificjustice.org/press-releases/parents-alarmed-by-pleasure-activist-in-high-school-classroom#sthash.jreVdZDw.dpuf

Do You Like Legos?

Let There Be Legos!  (At the local public libraries)

"Mix fun and learning by spending a Saturday creating engineering feats at the library! SCLD is hosting a series of day-long Lego Build Days, one at each library throughout 2014 and 2015. The library will provide thousands (current count is roughly
47,000270+ pounds which is about 150,000 pieces!) of Lego pieces for kids and families to build.

Drop in for an hour or all day! Doors open at 10am and we’ll finish up building by 5pm so that we have plenty of time to put the display together. Enjoy some snacks and build to your heart’s content. Your awesome creations will be on display at that library for the duration of the month. Then, they will be dismantled, sorted, and shipped off to the next library for their Lego Build Day! Feel free to follow the Legos to as many building days as you like!"

See: http://www.scld.org/let-legos/

Other interesting LEGO related learning websites:

http://www.learningliftoff.com/20-fun-activities-learning-legos/#.VLhpbC7LpIY


http://www.edudemic.com/legos-education/ 


'http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2013/12/using-lego-build-math-concepts


http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/20/free-lego-printables-and-70-plus-lego-learning-activities/


And

taDa..... LEGO MAN!
http://www.instructables.com/id/LEGO-Man-Costume/

A Sense of Belonging

By AquaBluePhotography

A Homeschoolers Best Rescource

So many times parents think that they could not homeschool because they cannot afford books and materials to do so.  They browse the internet and get overwhelmed by the plethora of homeschooling resources; they feel  intimidated and sometimes deterred by the cost, especially when they consider that public school and the state run school-at-home programs are presumed to be "free."  If that is you, be careful not to let the financial outlook blur your vision for home educating your own children!  In the planning for your homeschool year, there is one homeschool resource that you may have overlooked, and it's not only invaluable, but small enough to carry with you everywhere you go.  It's the Library card!  And would you believe, just ike the public school, it's free to you, thanks to the money people like you pay in taxes. 

Yes, it is free!  With your card you also get in-library (free) wi-fi connection, free computer use with accessibility to a printer, and you can make serveral copies for free!  You can use this both as a teacher finding resources or as a researching student.  There is computer software you can use and some common office software you can borrow.  There are books and books and more books, as well as educational and entertainment videos, computer games and music. In fact, the local library in Spokane boasts a collection of popular materials of approximately one-half million items, and best of all it's FREE!

Libraries have information on all kind of subjects of interest to you and your little learners.  They have a great educational support system and they advertise that it even includes" on-line tutoring"    and various digital opportunities that you can access via computer at home too.  The Library card is one thing that no family doing life and learning together (in or out of regular school) should be without.

 Kids can ask, (even call the librarian) and ask for help in finding information or answers to their important questions.  Parents and kids can request titles to be bought for library use.  Families can pick up a themed book bag..... and learn something new!  One other thing you might want to know is that your local library offers the use of their  meeting rooms (low cost and sometimes FREE) for public use, giving you a workspace to meet up with other families who homeschool.  The library also hosts various activities you and or your children can take part in,.  They offer STAR classes to make you more comfortable teaching your kids and all sorts of adult workshops as well as classes for teens 
There is even  story-time for preschool aged children and group activities of interest to  older kids, which all just might have a place in your homeschool and be of benefit to you so that you can spend less money on materials for your homeschool.