Aug. 6, 2006
Public Schools are Hunting Grounds...and Little Prey Are Everywhere

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Aug. 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Hello hypocrite!

How about the thousands of Christians who beat their kids with hands, rods, electric wires, branches.. and use God as an excuse? What about people like you, who support the Pearls and their ministry of abuse?

You're going to hell. First for all the lies you print here and in your magazine, second for supporting the torture of innocent children.

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Aug. 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by a4givensinner

I'm grateful that my children aren't at risk of a child molestor for a teacher! It's so heartbreaking to read about kids that are abused in public schools, and it seems to be happening more and more.

When I was in 5th grade, my teacher had a really bad temper. She frequently cursed and yelled at us. The 6th graders would confirm at recess they had heard her, even to the point they knew which curse words she had used between recesses. One day, a boy asked a question during history class because what she was teaching didn't make any sense. (to any of us). She got so mad at him for "challenging" her that she slapped him (hard) across the face. No parents complained, the school didn't discipline her, nothing happened to her. The boy got "talked to" about "mouthing off" in class. It took another two years of her cursing, yelling and being violent until a parent finally stood up and forced the school's hand by threatening a lawsuit.

I don't homeschool because I'm scared of public school employees, but knowing who my kids are with and knowing they are protected from the abusers who slip through into the clasroom sure is icing on the cake!

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Aug. 6, 2006 - Amen and O my gosh...

Posted by cricket313

I agree with keeping children at home. I told a friend not long ago that I can't believe I'm one of "those people" that believes anyone should at least try homeschooling. I'm not as vocal about it b/c I just don't like confrontation, but when it comes up I'm tell how I feel.

In reference to the "annonymous" comment I'm sorry, sister, that someone would say such a thing. As Christians we are told in Proverbs 12:18, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Also, James 3:6-8 "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and its itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." (That's probably fresh on the brain b/c my husband preached on it last night.)

Proverbs 12:20 "There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace."

If you can't say something nice don't say it at all!!

Michelle

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Aug. 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

Hi Anony, glad you're back. You know you're always welcome here; we have discussed that a few times. You keep saying you're not coming back...but I thank the Lord that you do. It means that you are curious, and are drawn (I hope) to Christ, the One who made you, the One who wrote the word of God, which I've hidden in my heart. The words that I live by, Anony. It's not the Pearls I seek after - it's my great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, the One who died for my sins. He died for yours, too, Anony, if you are His. It's not too late. Come back again.

In love,

- gena (hopefully some day your sister in Christ)

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Aug. 7, 2006 - Where is Old Schoolhouse on the shelves at B&N?

Posted by sdzsmith

Hi -

Just a quick question for you. I work part-time at Barnes & Noble and have been spreading the word that Old Schoolhouse is available through our store. A few weeks ago, I checked the data base to see if our shipment had been received yet, but it had not. A week later, I checked and Old Schoolhouse was nowhere to be found in the system (no title matches) and we still have not received any.

Just wondering if the B&N was still carrying the magazine (managers rely on what the company distributes and had no answers). Are you aware that the magazine seems to have been erased from the system (as far as I know the data base is the same company-wide. I can see everything available whether or not our store keeps it on the shelf, so according to the data base it's "not available" to us).

Thought I'd ask...

Blessings
Diane

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Aug. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

Diane - Since TOS started, three different major distributors have asked for our business - they wanted to be the exclusive, main distributors for major newsstands. For three years, one of them did just that - and you saw TOS in major stores everywhere. Recently, two of those companies strongly went into competion with each other for our business. But in the end, we closed up contracts with any and all suitors. For us, it's a matter of stewardship. We give the rundown in the current Summer issue (hitting doorsteps now) as to why. The waste that is involved in the major newsstands is astronomical, and it was no longer any benefit to our company. We felt badly, too, that so many magazines (the ones not purchased from issue to issue) were thrown away after the covers were ripped off (this is standard with magazines in any major distribution program). So much waste, not enough return. That basically was what it came down to, so we determined to try other venues. Soon, you'll see them in smaller chains - ones that work with us direct and either give the leftovers away (so that others can benefir from them) or return them to us. Meanwhile, anyone can subscribe if they want the magazine coming regularly and consistently. :-)

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Aug. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Paula

So I suppose homeschoolers never go to public parks, dance classes, the local Y, co-ops, gymnastics etc..... Molestors have preyed on kids at these places, too. Predators are everywhere watching your children. Just because you homeschool does not guarantee anything.

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Aug. 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

Paula, thanks for coming today; you're always welcome here. Let me ask you something. Consider the odds, for just a moment. Who is more likely to be abducted, a child on a playground (aka "hunting grounds" for predators) not being watched by the two chatty play yard attendants who are also keeping an eye on 30 to 90 other children.... or a homeschooled child at a park with his MOTHER (who has built radar/sonar instinctives for her babies)? Yes, of course we homeschool mommies still have to watch our kids. The very act of stepping outside the home comes saddled with risks of varying degrees. No one here is advocating a sand burying of the head. But do the math. Be honest with yourself when considering the odds, Paula. Parents are where they children belong all day, not institutions on which predators always keep a watchful eye. Mama can do it better, Paula. Keep them home where they belong.

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Aug. 7, 2006 - Keeping mine home!

Posted by cryskey

First, I'm glad that the anonymous poster keeps coming back. I agree with Gena, they are obviously curious. S/he says Christian like it's a dirty word or an insult! ;-) The discipline of my children is done in love, I do not beat them. There is a huge difference between a swat on the bottom and a beating. And it's not like people who are not Christian don't spank their children.

Second, Paula is right about child predators being everywhere. They are so bold that they will take them from our homes while we sleep at night. They are lurking everywhere. But, my children do not leave my sight when we leave this house. If I take them to the play ground, birthday party or anywhere they are right next to me. I even opted out of joining a play group because the moms were too busy chatting and their children were all over the place.

But Gena is also right. Who better to guard her young than the mother? If we are out in public I take extra caution of anyone that pays attention to my children. I actually had a woman on a motorized cart at the mall ask if she could give my son (only about 6 mos. at the time) a ride. And she was angry when I said no. While a care giver may take their job to watch over the children in their care very seriously, it's not the same as their own parents. I would give my life to protect my children, I don't think that an underpaid day-care worker or teacher would do the same.

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Aug. 8, 2006 - A Former Public School Teacher's Perspective

Posted by juliejo428

I taught in 3 different elementary public schools over the course of 7 years, and now I have homeschooled my own children for 4 years. I always loved the teaching aspect of my job - I just love it so much more with my own children! However, one thing I absolutely hated to do was recess duty. Usually, there were 2 adults trying to watch over 100 children. I tried to do my very best to stop bullying and keep a watchful eye out for suspicious people; however, when the ratio is 1:50, the odds just are not nearly as great as 1:2, which is how many children I'm watching when I take my own children to the park.

I have many scary recess stories, but I'll just share a few of them. One time, I was told to carefully watch one of my students during recess because it was his birthday, and his non-custodial dad had threatened to abduct him on his birthday. (Needless to say, I switched recess duties and stayed indoors with the student instead.) Obviously this situation was a concern for all of the students on the playground.

Another time, there was a man that was holed up in a house across the street threatening suicide (and this was a VERY nice neighborhood, with a VERY nice school, mind you). We still had recess that day too. We had to because with that many children out for recess, we might end up cancelling recess so often that the poor little dears would never see the light of day. However, you can see that dangerous situations do arise quite commonly.

When homeschoolers go to public parks, dance classes, the local Y, co-ops, gymnastics, etc., (as Paula mentioned), I would hope and pray they are keeping a very careful watch on their children. I'd be willing to bet that they do. Parents who choose to homeschool generally do so because they recognize their God-given responsibility to care for their children, rather than to pass that responsibility on to another person or school.

Even as homeschool parents, we cannot let our guard down and assume we are protected by a "bubble of safety" because we are homeschooling. For instance, going to friends' houses, staying overnight places, even going to the bathroom in public restrooms, are just a few of the situations we need to be extra cautious about as well.

One last comment for Gena - I want to applaud your Christian response to the angry e-mail you received. This IS homeschoolblogger, so I would assume all people reading these posts would have an inherent interest in homeschooling. This is not the case for the "hello hypocrite" blogger. When you respond in a kind way to angry posts, you show the best part of being a Christian. May God continue to bless you, Gena, with the gift of love, compassion, and patience! And to the "hello hypocrite" blogger, I pray for the anger in you to subside so you can consider with a "cool-head" what you type in posts, and subsequently become the kind of person who is proud to sign your name to what you post.

Julie Grosz

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Oct. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

What about providing your child with enough intellect to approach and deal with the real world? It is ridiculous to implant all of this fear into the minds of your children. It is a pity there are so many ignorant, close-minded people out there. Don't criticize the entire world. Open your eyes, don't hide behind your Bible, God is out there in the world- you don't need to live in fear!

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