Ohio homeschool law is up for review!!  PLEASE read the notice below and PLEASE go to the website given!!!  This is SO IMPORTANT!!!  We face the possibility of losing the law we have enjoyed since 1989!!!   KW<><

July 17, 2008

Ohio--Urgent--Your Help is Needed to Stop
Revisions of the Homeschool Regulations!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

If Ohio homeschoolers do not act, they may face stricter homeschool
regulations.  

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Ohio Department of
Education (ODE) has initiated a formal review process of the home
education rules in the Ohio Administrative Code Section 3301-34.  It
is imperative that every Ohio resident who is concerned about
homeschooling freedom register his or her opinion regarding proposed
changes.  The comment period is now open and will last only until
August 8.

Ohio law dictates that the ODE review regulations every 5 years to
determine what changes, if any, should be made.  O.A.C. 3301-34 was
enacted in 1989, and until now, the ODE has not found any revisions to
be necessary during the 5-year review.  Even though the regulations
have worked very well for the past 19 years, the ODE has decided that
this time, changes are warranted.

The most important message Ohio residents can convey to the ODE is
that the regulations do not need to change.  If enough people support
the current regulations, we may be able to stop the revision process
before it begins.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5316 and register your
comments about the ODE's intent to change O.A.C. 3301-34.  The
deadline to comment is August 8.

2. Forward this message to others.  Anyone who is a "stakeholder" may
register comments.  This means that if you homeschool in Ohio, have
previously homeschooled in Ohio, are considering homeschooling in
Ohio, or have a family member or friend who is homeschooling in Ohio,
you may comment to the ODE.  

3. It is important to comment in your own words--please do not simply
copy and paste someone else's message.  If your message is not
original, it is possible that it will not be counted as an individual
response.

Ohio homeschool leaders are also closely monitoring this situation.  
For more information on the review process, please visit
http://ohiohsalert.org/ .

Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.
HSLDA Staff Attorney

Favorable Development in the California Homeschooling Case

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Thank you for your continued prayers for the California homeschooling case, In re Rachel L. Last night, Mr. L’s attorney in the juvenile court reported to Home School Legal Defense Association that the juvenile court judge terminated jurisdiction over the two youngest L children in a hearing held on July 10, 2008. Mr. L is represented by Gary Kreep, who is the director of the California-based United States Justice Foundation, which has long been a close ally of HSLDA and homeschoolers in California.

Two years ago, the children’s court-appointed lawyers had asked that the two children be ordered to attend a school outside the home. That request became the basis for the court’s February ruling that homeschooling is illegal in California. The appellate court later vacated its own decision and set the case for rehearing. Oral argument on the rehearing was held on June 23, 2008 and a decision could be handed down at any time.

Mr. L’s appellate attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be making the appellate court aware of this new development immediately. They will move to dismiss the petition pending in the court of appeal on the ground that the petition is now moot. In other words, the children are no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Therefore, any decision by the appellate court based on the two-year-old petition could not be enforced against the L children.

“This is a significant favorable development toward preserving homeschooling freedom in California,” said Mike Farris, Chairman and Founder of HSLDA.

Keep praying!

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

I recieved this in an e-mail and I thought it was pretty cool.  You may enjoy it and even want to use it for your homeschool.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The Washington Monument. This is impressive!!
This is pretty cool and an interesting history lesson.

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument . With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time.   On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.     Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.   Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.   So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!" Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant; a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.   A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about ‘separation of church and state’? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on…How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message: On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God! When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."   I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America. Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on! "Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."   Laus Deo!   When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)   It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid.

See the dangerous things that happen when a country signs the "UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child"?  England and Canada have been prime examples of the out-landishness that putting the govenment in control of "all things children" will do - both to society and, most importantly, to the family. 

I don't understand why the simple option of personal preference isn't taken into consideration here.  So now, in England, are we to assume that children can't prefer one candy over another, one flavor over another, Italian food instead of Chinese?  I suppose so.  

So, just in case you didn't know, the things that make your children unique and wonderful also - according to the 'state' - make them racists. 

Will they then start putting pets to sleep because they prefer certain people over others?  Have you ever seen a dog raised in the home white people that barked at people of other ethnicities walking down the street?  Is that dog racist or does it simply enjoy its own family and the safety of its own home?  Once when we went to Holmes County and were about to take an Amish buggy ride, the gentleman driving our buggy had the only white buggy horse used by an Amish family.  He said that when they go "to meeting" on Sundays that he had to tie up his buggy "out of biting distance" because the other bay colored (dark brown body w/black mane, forlock & tail) horses didn't like him and woud bite him!  Were those horses racists?

What these government "experts" don't want to understand is that everyone, even an animal, has a personal preference.  Our taste buds enjoy different things.  God made us unique!  Uniqueness is something utterly lost when the government gets involved...you MUST like every type of food!...you MUST go to a school confined to one building...only with children of the same age...only taught by government fed teachers who only teach what they were taught...the WAY they were taught to teach it!  Whew! 

Freedom is far less exhausting!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Here's a real treat for all of us amateur star-gazers!  Homeschool blogger, "Jay from Cleveland", has a neat presentation up on his OTHER blog, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/classicalastronomy/555979, of the July sky in animation.  Be sure to click on the link above, watch the presentation and THEN go out tonight and see how many you can find!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

My dear friend Steph, aka Sisterchicksteph AND the new Miami County homeschool coordinator, has a great contest for you!!  Go to her blog TODAY and enter to win a copy of The Homeschool Planner!!  Click on:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Sisterchicksteph/553743/ to enter.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Just wanted to thank everyone who stopped by THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE magazine's booth to say "hi" and tell me how much you LOVE the magazine!  What a great encouragement you are!

Thanks, also, to all of you who came to my workshops.  I hope you will took away many things that you can use in your homeschools.  If any of you have any questions about anything I spoke on or need clarification about something, just let me know.

Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

Take something to calm yourself down before you read this one...

KW<><

Critic Claims: “Homeschoolers
are only good for cleaning toilets”
by Gary DeMar

The title for this report is taken from a response to one of American Vision’s daily articles. The respondent is an atheist who claims he can refute any argument raised in defense of the Christian faith. I have irritated him so much by answering his poorly researched responses he sends to me that his true character is spilling out in a public way. His personal emails to me are worse than what I have reproduced here. If you want to know what the world would be like with atheists in control, here’s a little taste:

It’s good that Christians homeschool. We need citizens to clean our toilets and mow our lawns. Perhaps some homeschooled Christians will be able to fill these types of jobs. The rest will be unemployable retards like their parents.

Here’s what I want homeschoolers to do: First, reply to this article and leave a comment describing what kind of work you are doing since you completed homeschooling. Second, send this article and its link to every homeschooler and homeschool organization you know and encourage them to leave a comment at the end of this article describing what they are doing since being homeschooled. Third, I don’t want to exclude those who have graduated from a private or church-related Christian school. You can get in on this was well by adding your comments.

The public school graduation rate is around 65 percent, and in large cities it’s lower as this April 1, 2008 report demonstrates. “New York City has one of the nation’s sorriest graduation rates, with less than half of city high-schoolers earning a diploma on time. . . . Even using the most optimistic calculation of the city’s graduation rate—including kids who earn GEDs and excluding special education students from the formula—only 60% of students graduated in 2006” Test scores continue to fall even though education budgets keep growing. It seems that all we hear from government educators is the need for more money. John Stossel’s 2006 “20/20” report (also see here and here) “Stupid In America: How We Are Cheating Our Kids” is a real eye-opener, especially when he asks South Carolina school official Dolores Wright, “How much money would be right?” Wright answers, “Oooh. Millions. And it would really make it right. . . . The more, the better.”

Is it any wonder that the judicial numbskulls in California and the new fascists in Germany are trying to wipe out homeschooling? They fear its superior product and how it makes public (government) education look so bad, especially when the cost of educating a student is factored in. While homeschooling has a great academic track record (also see here and here), enough so that some of the best colleges in the nation recruit homeschoolers, one of its greatest social benefits is its demonstration of true liberty. Liberals love to talk about freedom of choice as long as that freedom does not include the freedom to educate their own children. It would have been OK to kill the child while he was still in his mother’s womb, but once he’s born, he belongs to the State and its educational hacks.

Please forward to friends and family!

© 2008 American Vision • http://www.AmericanVision.org • 1-800-628-9460

From the HSLDA E-lert Service...

================================

June 20, 2008

Ohio--Home Education Rules Up for

Review by Ohio Department of Education

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

HSLDA recently learned that the Ohio Department of Education (ODE)

intends to review the home education rules in the Ohio Administrative

Code Section 3301-34.  It appears that these rules are up for the

regular five-year legislative review process.

The ODE plans to send an email notice to stakeholders and post a

notice on the home education webpage.  The ODE is indicating that it

will post an invitation to comment by the second week in July,

requesting that comments, feedback, and suggestions be submitted by

the end of July.

HSLDA's position is that there is no need for any changes at this

time.  We are asking Ohio homeschoolers to be prepared to send

comments to the ODE expressing their opinions regarding the rules and

the need for changes.

As we have learned this year in a number of states where there have

been legislative battles over homeschool regulations, homeschoolers

can be very successful when they work together to influence

policymakers.  We appreciate your membership and your work to preserve

homeschool freedoms.  We will continue to monitor this process and

keep you informed.

We hope you have a pleasant summer, and as you prepare to submit your

notification paperwork to your superintendents, we stand ready to

assist our members with any issues that may arise.

Thank you for your support and all you do to preserve homeschooling

freedom in the Buckeye State.

Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.

HSLDA Staff Attorney

You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.

It's a big family by today’s standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.

There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.

You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.

Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children’s safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.

Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.

Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?

Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state’s bureaucrats on these “trouble makers.” Their implicit rejection of America’s most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. “Individualism”) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.

Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own
"self-fulfillment."

Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?

Is it any wonder we hate her so?

Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw County and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com. 

Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 6/8/2008, section 0 , page 0

Hey Everybody!!

If you are planning on going to the CHEO homeschool convention, June 26-28, MAKE SURE to stop by THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE's booth and say "hi" to some fellow OHIO homeschoolers!!

Working at the booth will be...

FRIDAY:  Carol Hacker (McCHEO), Balinda Cakste (McCHEO) and myself!

SATURDAY:  Balinda Cakste (McCHEO), Pam Evans (PEACH), and myself!

AN EXTRA BONUS FOR US...I'm sure many of you are familiar with the VERY popular homeschool blogger and writer, "Spunky" aka Karen Braun.  Karen, and a guest, will ALSO be helping us at the booth ALL WEEKEND!!  WOOHOO!!!  Can you tell I'm excited?    

ALSO...in case you're interested...I will be speaking Friday at 4:30p.m. and Saturday at 1:30p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Blessings, Kim  Wolf<><     

Ah, yes.  The “homeschool verse.”  Nearly every homeschooler has heard, quoted or written this verse.  Walk into most homeschool homes and you are likely to find it somewhere…on a cross stitch or a plaque on the wall, down to a bookmark in a well-worn Bible.

But why is this verse so special to so many homeschool families?  Because it reminds parents that God has specifically given us the responsibility of impressing His teachings and His commands upon the hearts of our children – HIS children.  Not a stranger in the building down the street, not even their Sunday School teacher or our pastors.

There’s something special, something lovely and spiritual about the bond between parents and their children.  God has instilled this relationship of love between us because he expects parents and children to spend huge chunks of the day with each other.  This was the way it was from the beginning.  What better way to spend the day than with those who you love?  Who better to learn from than someone who loves you like no other and wants the very best for you?

As the number of homeschoolers grow it is more and more apparent that parents are coming to this realization as well.  Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”  (Luke 6:40)  Mike Farris, of HSLDA, put it this way, “Your children will become the disciples of the person with whom they spend the majority of their time and from whom they receive instruction.  If they spend the majority of their time with their peers, they will become disciples of their peers.  We call it peer pressure.  Should we be surprised when a substantial number of children from solid, believing, Christian homes reject their parents’ faith and embrace the life styles and philosophy of the people by whom they have been discipled?”  [emphasis mine – KW<><]

I see this happening so often.  The justification I hear for Christians sending their children off to a public school is that they want their children to be witnesses for Christ.  Fine.  So do I.  But I can find no place in Scripture when God tells someone to send their children out to evangelize.  That task is left to mature Christians.

Yes, I know about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  But they were captives in a foreign land.  They had no choice.  BUT…by God’s grace they had come from a godly home and obviously had been prepared by being “homeschooled” in the Scriptures before their captivity.  They were forced by that foreign government to learn the ways of that culture, but their childhood training gave them the godly foundation to stand upon as young men.  Because of their faithfulness to God, God was faithful to them and caused the hearts of many to be turned to Himself…including the king!

Oh that our children will stand strong for the Lord when they are making their own way in our fallen world because we were faithful to His call.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and forever!  Amen.”

How do you measure “GROWTH” in the life of your homeschooled children?

In your mind, is the success of your sacrifice to homeschool, love, nurture and prune your children for the sake of Christ measured by academics?  How high their SAT/ACT scores are?  What Ivy League college they are accepted by?  Is homeschooling strictly academic in your home?  Or is the growth of your children measured in a different way?

How about by the growth of the out-pouring of GRACE to the needy, to those who may not have many friends, to forgiving a sibling for “barrowing” something without permission AGAIN.  How about their understanding that we are saved by grace and not by “being good,” and taking that Good News to a lost and dying world so that they might be changed into a new creation and welcomed into life eternal.  I Cor. 15:12 – “But by the GRACE of God I am what I am, and His GRACE to me was not without effect…” 

How about by the growth of their RELATIONSHIP with Christ.  Does the love and maturity that comes from spending time with that Dear Friend show in their countenance?  Does it show in how they treat their siblings, in how they obey their parents?  If our children are growing in their relationship with the Lord, we will see that shine through in moments that we least expect.  It won’t always be the big things…look for those precious little reminders that give assurance…opening the door for an elderly couple, bending down to pick up something someone dropped without being asked, willingness to read the Bible or ask questions so that they may understand all the more.  3 John 1:4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”  

How about growth in an OVERWHELING ASSURANCE that they were created with a purpose by a loving God Who is directing their paths.  There may come the day when they will wonder out loud, “Why am I in this family?”  Hopefully, their understanding that the Lord directs all things, even our decision to homeschool, will allow them to appreciate the choices we have made for them.  As they grow and learn they will be able to see how they have been allowed to flourish in their homeschool environment and how their education and life-style compares to no one else’s…and that will be an overwhelming assurance that God knew what He was doing when He allowed us to be a family.  Jer, 29-11 – “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

How about growth as they take pleasure in WORSHIP.  I don’t know about you, but to me, worship is the way I “hug” the Lord!  We need to help our children understand that.  One wonderful fact to share with them is that this has been going on since time began!  Songs of praise and worship help us to cultivate and express our love-relationship with the Lord.  Talk to them about how God inhabits the praises of his people, that even the rocks and creation cries out to God in worship, or how David could calmed Saul just by singing praises to the Lord.  David was such a worshipper!  Do they know that the book of Psalms is a hymnbook?  Worship isn’t always expressed in song…worship is also expressed in our tithes and offerings, our willingness to do all for God’s glory.  Psalm 100:2 – “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”

How about TIME.  Do our children grow in the Lord by taking TIME to BE WITH Him?  Do WE?  Relationships do not grow unless time is spent together.  The same with ourselves and the Lord.  We grow in our relationship with Him by spending time reading our Bibles, time in prayer, time in worship, time in the fellowship of the saints!  The Lord has been so good in all He has done for us, how can we NOT want to spend time with Him?  Hosea 10:12 – “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is TIME to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”

How about growth through HELPING.  Cultivate a willingness to HELP others…this will improve relationships within our homes as well as cause them to grow a good reputation within our church and community.  A wonderful, creative lady in our support group started a service club and they have done everything from bake and deliver cookies to election workers, to decorate a local library for holidays, to write encouraging letters to our servicemen and women, to sew teddy bears for abused children.  One of the girls who delivered cookies to the poll workers was recognized by one of the recipients and was told how much those delicious cookies are appreciated and looked forward to every year!  A little bit goes a long way!  Those girls have learned so much about helping in the Name of Christ.  Ecc. 4:9-10 – “Two are better then one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can HELP him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to HELP him up!”

Just as a little plant needs the ingredients of sun, water and soil for growth, our children need the ingredients that we have been endowed by the Lord to provide for them…

Grace

Relationship with Christ

Overwhelming Assurance

Worship

Time

Help

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Tia, on the Publisher's "Home Where They Belong" blog, has a really good, very thought-provoking post today at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TOSPUBLISHER/545416.  It concerns what I have titled this entry and the questionable non-work habits, interests and 2nd jobs that some public school "teachers" are engaged in and if it influences what and/or how they teach public schooled children.  Can one REALLY seperate one's own beliefs from whatever your job is?  I don't happen to think so.  So, whether you read Tia's post or not, I wanted to share with you the comment I made - below.  I'll bet you've had MANY of the same sort of experiences - I would like to hear them.

NEVER let anyone tell you that you will ruin your children's chances of being "socialized" because you homeschool!!  NEVER!!  YOUR children - and your children's future employers and spouses and their children - will appreciate you for what you are doing now!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, it seems that I see this imagination that the two can be separated manifesting most in the 20-somethings and teens who were public/government schooled. I've had many examples, oddly enough, fairly recently. There just seems to be a real immaturity of thought and unwillingness to be tolerant in a generation who, ironically, has been taught the dogma of "the new tolerance" in school...

1) While in a checkout line, a young bag boy was going on and on about a lady w/a crying toddler in the next line. "Why do people bring their stupid kids to the store w/them, anyway? J**z, just take the kid home!..." When the check out lady, who was embarrassed by his stupidity, wouldn't say anything to him and he was going on and on, I had had enough. I quietly leaned in so as not to embarrass him anymore than he was embarrassing himself and told him that he was showing his own immaturity and if he wanted to continue working w/the public he needed to stop. I also told him that since he was bagging in a line full of mohers who have all been in the same position as the poor mom he was chastizing, that any one of us would be glad to report him to his manager. Remarkably, that didn't EVEN stop his rude ranting. After I was checked out I found the store manager. Know what he told me? "I know, I hear about it all the time. But if I fire him, he'll just go across the street to WalMart and get a job there. Then I'll hire someone new who will be exactly lke him...THEY'RE ALL THE SAME!" If I hadn't been so shocked by his answer I would have given him a list of homeschooled teens who could work for him!

2) Just last week I was at a local CVS to pick up a Rx. Just as I reached the register to be checked out I saw the new, utterly pornographic cover of Sports Illustrated. As the young checkout girl was ringing up my purchase I politely said, "Would you mind if I turned this SI around? It's pretty revealing and their are women and children in this store." Then when I turned it around, the back was nearly as bad as the front. I asked her if she had one of those plasitc shields to put over it that SI and Cosmo sometimes has w/their name on the front, so that the nasty covers won't be seen. The lady in line behind me commented that that would be a great idea because it was actually pretty pornographic...REALLY pushing the limit. The YOUNG checkout girl practically yelled at us insisting that "everything that needs to be covered IS covered! I don't see anything wrong w/it!" The other lady and myself were somewhat stunned by her remark and the severity of her response, so we just sort of looked at each other and let it go. Here's the clincher that revealed even more how immature she was and how, as you have said, she could not separate her beliefs from her work...just as I was about to exit the store she yelled across the store to me, "I'm 22 years old, HUN, and I don't see anything wrong w/it!" To which I probably shouldn't have, but I replied, "Well, I'm 49, HUN, and I do!" And walked out. After I got home I called CVS and told the manager about this exchange - including what I shamefully fired back as I excited. THIS manager, however, was far more shocked w/what her employee had said to 2 customers. I told her I didn't want the girl fired or anything, but she really needs to know how to relate to customers.

There are so many other examples I can think of, but they were the most recent. Without fail, those who I have had these experiences with have been fairly young and glowing examples of the morals that are taught in the public schools - liberal curriculum, liberal teachers and ignorant peers are a lethal combination to our society.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Ohio Students Get Proof of Their Education by Receiving Diplomas With It Misspelled

Friday , June 06, 2008

WESTLAKE, Ohio  — 

A Cleveland-area principal says he is embarrassed his students got proof of their "educaiton" on their high school diploma.

Westlake