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Newscomm for October 27, 2004
In This Edition:
Homeschoolers and the Red Sox - Doing It Our Way
Alaska - Another Parent-Partnered Program
Maryland District To Offer Homeschooling to 'Rejects and Misfits'
Massachusetts - Ashburnham Update
Pennsylvania - Showing Compliance
Texas - Homeschool Athletics Division Created
HSLDA in the News
Jacksonville, Oregon - Homeschoolers Learn Civics
Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Homeschoolers
Why We Homeschool Department - Misplaced Priorities
Final Words
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Homeschoolers and the Red Sox - Doing It Our Way
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headline: Individualism fuels fun at Fenway
Boston Herald, Massachusetts, By Michael Silverman letterstotheeditor@bostonherald.com October 25
http://redsox.bostonherald.com
"In allowing their players to do as they please as long as it does not interfere with their execution and focus come gametime, it's as if the Red Sox organization is home-schooling this group rather than going the traditional education route. As long as they pass their SAT's - or at least learn to spell it - it doesn't matter how they learned the material."
Ann: Red Sox = Individualism = Homeschooling = Success? I can handle that. The article isn't about homeschooling, though, it's about the Red Sox. Good old individualism motivates homeschoolers, and it can do the same for the Red Sox, Silverman seems to suggest. Sure it's a stereotype, and it paints us - along with the Red Sox - as a little different, but at least it points in the right direction. Go Sox, and thanks for having a clue about homeschooling, Silverman.
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Alaska - Another Parent-Partnered Program
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headline: New approach blends home school with classroom instruction
The Frontiersman, Alaska, By Joel Davidson joel.davidson@frontiersman.com October 22
http://www.frontiersman.com
"A new K-12 charter school is proposed for the Valley next year called Twindly-Bridge Charter School.... The idea for the school was designed by longtime home-school educator Anna Roys.... In order to assure that children learn the necessary material to pass state benchmark exams, certified teachers will be responsible to make sure parents cover required content. Certified teachers will approve all textbooks and materials."
Ann: I wish Roys all the best in offering another educational choice. Reporter Davidson and program creator Roys should be careful to describe the program in the most precise terms possible: parents partnering with public school.
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Maryland District To Offer Homeschooling to 'Rejects and Misfits'
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headline: Schools may reject 'misfits'
Crisfield Times, Eastern Shore, Maryland, By Jason Rhodes crisfieldnews@newszap.com October 25
http://www.newszap.com
WESTOVER - "In the wake of increased school violence reported this year, the Somerset County Board of Education last week heard a proposed policy amendment that could allow local education officials to deny enrollment to students expelled from other schools. 'We've gotten rejects and misfits from other school systems transferred into ours,' board member Jack Paul said, alleging that to be the cause of at least one violent act reported in Somerset schools last month."
Ann: Hang on to your hat, here's the homeschooling connection.
"Last week, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen-Lee Brofee said even if the amendment passes, students denied admission into the public schools would be offered other avenues for learning, including home school."
Ann: Other avenues for learning? Homeschooling is a private option in Maryland, so how can the public school district offer homeschooling? Is the plan to push "rejects and misfits" - I'll stifle my outrage at labeling kids so rudely - out of public school and into homeschooling without offering an appropriate public education? Outrageous! And later, would there be a move to regulate the socks off homeschoolers to keep those misfits in line? Or maybe the district is offering these unwanted young people a spot in a virtual school or a charter? Is this policy amendment actually a veiled plan hatched to help schools meet NCLB standards? A way to clear the decks of "misfits" who bring scores down, so that the "fit-ins" will keep the district scores squeaky clean? I hope there's a better reason.
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Massachusetts - Ashburnham Update
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headline: Homeschool Policies in Massachusetts: An Overview
Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts
PO Box 1307, Arlington, MA 02474 info@AHEM.info
http://www.ahem.info
Ann: Last week I noted a news article about a meeting of 100 homeschoolers at an Ashburnham district policy making meeting. This AHEM announcement explains the Ashburnham situation in some detail, including this clarifying statement.
"Scott Somerville of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), who has member families in Ashburnham, put out a call urging homeschoolers from all over the state to attend the meeting 'to help defend homeschool freedoms in Ashburnham-Westminster.' Itās important to remember that 'homeschool freedoms' are not at stake in this situation. School districts can write whatever policies they like as an administrative tool, but if their guidelines exceed those of Charles and Brunelle, then the policy is not legal."
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Pennsylvania - Showing Compliance
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headline: Southern discusses health care, home-schooling
News Item, Pennsylvania, By Eric Scicchitano eric_s@newsitem.com October 20
http://www.zwire.com
"One family has been found not to be in compliance with Pennsylvania laws regarding home-schooling, Director Michael Yeager said, adding the family had been warned twice. President Karl Meyer asked how the district ensures if home-schooling is meeting state standards. Clippinger said the district doesnāt have to ensure state standards. The district must find that the family is providing, at a minimum, a demonstration of consistent learning in adequate time."
Ann: My guess is that judging whether a family is "proving consistent learning in adequate time" is interpreted differently by every individual who tries to do it. So I wonder - could a family deemed out of compliance in one district be deemed in compliance in another?
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Texas - Homeschool Athletics Division Created
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headline: TAPPS will have home school division
Dallas News, Texas, October 19
http://www.dallasnews.com
"TAPPS [Texas Assocation of Private and Parochial Schools] will begin a home school division in the 2006-07 school year. A referendum to remove the provision from the TAPPS constitution that allows home-schooled students to compete for certain member schools was approved by a 160-64 vote."
Read the details of the TAPPS referendum here -
http://www.tapps.net/HSreferendum04.PDF
Ann: Any Texans want to weigh in on the pros and cons of this new policy? My quick impression is that the decision could be a boon to urban and suburban homeschool groups and athletes, but I wonder if it will create a barrier for homeschoolers in rural areas?
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HSLDA in the News
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headline: Prosecutions threaten parents' rights
The Washington Times, DC, By Michael Smith, HSLDA President media@hslda.org October 25
http://washingtontimes.com
"A frequent question asked by those who know the purpose of the Home School Legal Defense Association (established in 1983 to advance and defend the God-given right of parents to teach their children at home), is what type of cases we handle in light of the fact that home-schooling in some form is now legal in every state."
Ann: Smith's article goes on to discuss selected cases, including the Religious Freedom cases in Pennsylvania. No mention is made of HSLDA's hand in the Ashburnham, Massachusetts, situation.
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headline: From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
HSLDA, Purcelville, Virginia, October 18
http://www.hsldapac.org
From the PAC website: "The Homeschool Legal Defense Association Political Action Committee (HSLDA PAC) is the connected PAC of HSLDA. Founded and chaired by Mike Farris, HSLDA PAC is a multi-candidate federal political action committee, formed to allow HSLDA to engage directly in the political arena. Formed in 2003, HSLDA PAC is dedicated to providing support and services to pro-family, pro-homeschooling candidates running for federal office."
In the recent E-lert, HSLDA made this announcement: "HSLDA PAC endorses George W. Bush for reelection as President of the United States. We have several reasons for this endorsement. First and foremost, President Bush is an active friend of homeschoolers and homeschooling."
Ann: Not every homeschooler would agree. Read on.
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Jacksonville, Oregon - Homeschoolers Learn Civics
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headline: To Be Silenced, Or Not to Be: That is the Question
Common Dreams.org by Debi Smith, Ashland, Oregon debi@mind.net October 22
http://www.commondreams.org
"What is happening in this country that my children and I are kept out of a rally for the man who is currently our president? I had no intention whatsoever of causing any disturbances or protesting the event in any way. Weāre a homeschooling family that uses a variety of life experiences and opportunities as our classroom. This was simply just another unique event for my children and I to attend and learn from...."
Ann: The rest of the article describes a disturbing affront to civil liberties at an opposition rally held during the Bush visit, a rally that had been billed as a family-friendly event, and which was attended by many families with young children. Fortunately, no children were hurt. Those affronts were then sanitized, removed from the reports of the event in mainstream media.
Ann: Although this story can't be found in mainstream media, other sources support it. I found a second source, written by a coordinator of the event, Shelley Elkovich, here -
Jacksonville: What Really Happened
http://rogueimc.org
and a third source here -
Police Shoot Pepper Balls at Oregon Demonstrators
http://www.progressive.org
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Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Homeschoolers
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Ann: They cook, they write, they play sports, they talk politics, they play music, they live the simple life, they build robots, and yes, they win scholarships and prizes.
headline: Colorado Teen Chosen For Grand Prize in National Essay Competition
News Release, Washington, D.C. October 18
http://www.neh.gov
"Rachel Shafer, a 16-year-old home-schooled student from Longmont, Colo., was named Grand Prize winner of the second annual Idea of America essay contest for high school juniors, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced today."
Ann: Congratulations, Rachel. This year's juniors who are interested in this contest should watch for website for an the announcement early next year.
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headline: Home (school) cookin'
Kenai Peninsula Clarion, Alaska, By Jenni Dillon, October 20
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com
" But home-school students in the central Kenai Peninsula can cook, and eat, just such extravagant meals, thanks to classes offered by former home-economics teacher Lesly Gordon. Gordon offers a handful of classes for home-schoolers from her Mackey Lake home. She started by providing sewing classes for home-school families, and just last spring added a series of cooking classes for the youth."
Ann: "A Little Taste of Italy?" "Breakfast Club?" A "Cooking Cruise?" Sign me up.
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headline: Home-school spirit
Kalamazoo Gazette, Michigan, lkurtzman@kalamazoogazette.com October 21
COMSTOCK PARK -- "Athletic teams for home-schooled students have been forming across the country since the home-schooling boom began in the 1980s, said Kenny Collins, executive director of the Wichita, Kan.-based National Christian Homeschool Athletic Association.... In Comstock, Marla and Mike Schwartz pulled together the Spartan Athletic Independent League in 2003 to give their son a chance to play."
Ann: Parents after my own heart - creating what works for their own child.
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headline: Home school
The Algona Upper Des Moines, Iowa, By Joanne Roepke Bode, October 21
http://www.zwire.com
"Political science discussions are held around the family dinner table, reading is taught in the living room, and the most memorable science experiment so far was when the local vet gave an ewe an emergency c-section and everybody got to watch.... [F]or the children of Kathy and Craig Giddings it's a typical day in the life of a home schooler."
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headline: Homeschoolers get ready for some homework
Onalaska Community Life, West Salem, Wisconsin, By Randy Erickson October 22
http://www.onalaskalife.com
"Fans of The Homeschoolers, a Holmen-based musical quintet, might want to make an effort to catch the band at one of its two concerts next week....The Homeschoolers have sold about 700 copies of their self-produced debut CD, 'Putting the Cool Back in Homeschool'..."
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headline: Homeschoolers take the road not taken
The Daily Citizen, Searcy, Arkansas, By Pat Hambrick October 22
http://www.thedailycitizen.com
"Ann Adams, who lives in Albion, has homeschooled her three children since kindergarten.... 'It's the lifestyle we wanted for our children. We've chosen a simple life, a farm life, and homeschooling allows our children to be a part of the family all of the time. My husband wanted to be a full-time influence on the children, too.'"
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headline: Cadet Wins College Scholarship
Boca Raton Composite Squadron PAO, Florida, Jackie Zarrilli, vincent_zarrilli@yahoo.com
The Civil Air Patrol is the volunteer auxiliary of the US Air Force. CAP web site: www.cap.gov
"Home School, 13-year-old, Christina Zarrilli won Investing for the Future, Investing in the Future 7th Annual College Scholarship Essay Contest sponsored by Stacy Englander and Lebenthal."
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headline: Disobeying orders in Iraq
The Charlotte Observer, North Carolina, Young Voices fflono@charlotteobserver.com October 25
http://www.charlotte.com
(Young Voices is an e-mail forum for students college-age and younger. To participate, e-mail associate editor Fannie Flono at fflono@charlotteobserver.com for more information.)
Julie Flanagan, 14, writes in response to the posed question. "...I have recently read a lot about this subject and have found out the positives and negatives going for and against this case." Two other homeschooled students, Kimberly Flanagan, 17, and Kelli Lyle, 15, also from Charlotte, were quoted as well.
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headline: Families know how to live large
The Oklahoman, By Chris Jones cjones@oklahoman.com October 25
http://newsok.com/
"Lynne Stewart is a frugal woman. As the mother of 11 children and with a 12th due in November, she has to consider every purchase.... Joy balances sacrifice, Lynne said, and music is a source of enjoyment for the entire family. They all sing together and play various instruments including flute, violin, piano, cello, viola and dulcimer."
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headline: High schoolers show off tech skills
Wichita Business Journal, Kansas, October 25
http://wichita.bizjournals.com
"Wichita Home School won the first place BEST Award.... By winning the competition, Wichita Home School and Ambassadors for Christ Academy qualify for the regional competition Nov. 12-13 at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.... Wichita Home School, which finished second in the Game Award, automatically qualified for the regional competition by winning the BEST Award."
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headline: Kittelson memorial scholarship awarded
The News Review, Roseburg, Oregon October 25
http://www.newsreview.info
"Umpqua Community College student Colleen Smalley of Roseburg received the first annual Ken and Bernie Kittleson Memorial Scholarship recently from the Endowment Committee of Faith Lutheran Church in Roseburg....She was home schooled prior to enrolling at UCC in spring term 2003."
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headline: A Champion's Drive Veers Off Course
After Troubling Year, Prep Golf Star Won't Defend Title
Washington Post, DC, By Alan Goldenbach October 26
http://www.washingtonpost.com
"[Joe] Gross, a three-time All-Met who today could have become the first boys' player in Maryland history to win three individual state championships and was being considered for a golf scholarship, all but quit the sport and is now home-schooled."
Ann: This is not the usual homeschooling story. This young man derailed from the high school championship track after his father fell gravely ill. He wanted to be near his father who has been his only coach, and has been homeschooling in order to do so. Here's wishing this family all the best.
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Why We Homeschool Department - Misplaced Priorities
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headline: Critics See Drug Industry Behind Mental Health Plan
IPS-Inter Press Service International Association, HQ - Rome, Italy, by Ritt Goldstein editor@ipsnews.net October 20
http://www.commondreams.org
STOCKHOLM - "Bush Plans to Screen Whole U.S. Population for Mental Illness', read the headline in the 'British Medical Journal' (BMJ) and the project, with increasingly controversial drug treatment at its core, is underway as you read this....Under 'New Freedom', mental health screening of adult Americans is slated to occur during routine physical exams while that of young people will occur in the school system." Pre-school children will receive periodic 'development screens.'"
Ann: Why should everyone be screened for mental illness?
"...According to Dr John Read -- The Pacific's leading authorities on psychiatric medications, author of 'Models of Madness', and director of clinical psychology at the University of Auckland -- "this is all about expanding the market for drug companies....'"
Ann: Misplaced priorities. Soon after I read this piece, the following link showed up in my inbox.
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headline: A Sign of the Times? All Your Back To School Needs
http://www.hsibaltimore.com
This link is to a photo of a Walgreen's marquee that reads,
"GENERIC PROZAC NOW AVAILABLE WE HAVE ALL YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL NEEDS"
Ann: Maybe Walgreen's staff didn't intend to promote Prozac as a back-to-school need, but after reading the previous story, does the sign scream "misplaced priorities!" to you as it did to me? Maybe, before deciding to pump kids full of drugs, we should make sure their real basic needs are met?
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Final Words
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E-mail addresses of reporters or their editors are now included with their stories when available. Please send feedback to reporters who make you think, who tell a great story, or who have wrong information. A pat on the back or a respectful correction is usually appreciated. As always, keep me in mind as you find and make the news. Please include a link if possible and a sentence or two of your own that summarizes the homeschooling aspect of the story. Thanks to all who contributed to this and past issues.
Ann Lahrson Fisher
News and Commentary Email
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