Jul. 6, 2008 - Swiss Homeschoolers seeking help
Subject: Swiss homeschoolers seeking help
Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:38:12 -0000
Adliswil, Switzerland
June 21,2008
Please note: This letter is written in the international language of
English for convenience sake.
Dear Home Education Supporter,
While many families throughout the world sing the praises of
family-centered education, at the same time many policy-makers all
over the world are endeavoring, with all the power and resources at
their disposal, to curtail this educational option. Partly, this seems
to be a factor of fear of loss of control, partly ideological
rigidness, and partly ignorance of what actually is involved in
parent-directed private instruction. In Switzerland, in most Cantons,
and now also where we live in the Canton of Zürich, there is a
concerted effort -partly resulting from many E.U pressures for
conformity of Switzerland ? to promulgate these restrictions. They are
also being actively contested and resisted by some home educating
families and a few like-minded supporters. We are writing to you to to
ask you to assist us as outlined below.
First, for your information, I would briefly outline the conflict
here. Several years ago the Canton of Zürich proposed a sweeping
revision of the school system and educational laws, which the people
voted down. After some cosmetic revisions and heavy promotion by the
State, the revisions were presented again. As the education system has
been rapidly deteriorating and the changes promised improvement, the
measure passed. Most of the populace would say there have been no
improvements subsequently. In one small section of many others in the
new law, a provision was inserted that no "private instruction"
(meaning tutoring or parental teaching) would be permitted without the
teaching person having a "finished teacher's education." For all
practical purposes the education department intends to ban home
education (though a few very restricted exceptions are allowed, only
by the grace of a bureaucratic choice). No recognition is taken of
inherent prerogatives of parents, or of separate spheres of authority
for Family and State. This provision would make all the children wards
of the State and parents as mere breeders and feeders (at their own
expense) for the State's raw materials. Naturally, some of us are
resisting this.
The problem is intensified in that the restrictions of the new law go
into effect in mid-August of this year, and thus far all of our
considerable efforts to reason, work out acceptable solutions, and
protest, have fallen on totally deaf ears. We are compelled now to
intensify our position. One way you can help, if you will be so
obliging, is to verbalize support for the concept of alternative
education opportunities, and to help dispel the ignorance surrounding
the concept of home education.
It would be helpful if you could do any of the following:
Write a letter (physical, not electronic) saying you are aware of the
conflict regarding home education in the Canton of Zürich, that you
will be following its progress, that you will inform your
group/subscribers/members of the situation, that you have always
understood Switzerland to be a land of freedom and self-responsible
people and have admired the country for those qualities, and that you
hope to see the situation resolved to protect the natural prerogatives
of parents to educate their children in the demonstrably beneficial
way of home education.
Inform as many people as you can of the situation to do likewise.
Include with your letter any enlightening materials regarding home
education. This might include the following:
(for magazine editors) a sample issue
(for group leaders) a summary of your group's purpose and
accomplishments (especially in legal struggles)
(For teaching materials suppliers) a copy of your catalogue
(For researchers) a pertinent research paper.
For the most beneficial effect, we would ask you to observe the
following :
Keep your letter short
Maintain a positive tone with no threats of punitive action
Try not to introduce religious principals, as we might then be labeled
as sectarians and become further restricted.
Mostly emphasize that you are aware of and are watching the situation
(the Swiss are very conscious of their image)
Send the letter and materials as soon as possible, because this is all
coming to a head now and will be decided (to the point of legal
action, exile, or civil disobedience for some families) in the next
couple of weeks.
Perhaps you could also mention that parent-led education is not a
recent American phenomenon (a negative perception here), but rather a
human universal throughout history and throughout the world.
The letters may be written in English, German or French.
The letters and supporting materials can be mailed to the following
people:
Frau Regierungsrätin Regina Aeppli (She is the head of the education
department for the canton of Zürich and is against home education)
Bildungsdirektion Kanton Zürich
Walchestrasse 21
8090 Zürich
Switzerland
Frau Gabriela Winkler (She is a legislator, who is a supporter of home
education and in need of information)
Birchweg 13
CH-8154 Zürich-Oberglatt
Switzerland
To any who sent supportive letters in our earlier struggles, we very
much thank you, and hope you will stand with us again.
If anyone would like to be reimbursed for posting of packets, please
let us know, but please also send them as soon as possible.
If you do send a letter of support, would you also tell us by e-mail,
so we can be prepared for possible reactions.
The undersigned writing to you are home-educating parents in the
Canton of Zürich. We will be happy to answer any questions. Thank you
for any assistance you can give us.
Yours truly,
Sigmund and Sarah Bachmann
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Jun. 22, 2008 - Hello from AmaniS
I am going to try to get this blog going again.
If you have a blog, you wanted listed on the side just post a comment.
You don't have to have a blog on HSB to be listed.
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Apr. 30, 2007 - updates at my blog about Melissa, etc.
I'm kind of getting the impression that this isn't a very well-visited blog, which I think is a pity...is there another international blog somewhere that is active?
I just wanted to say that Melissa Busekros has been at home for a week now, and she and her family were at the homeschool conference our family also attended this weekend. Anyone interested can read more at my blog...
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Feb. 24, 2007 - More trouble in Germany
Please go read Sheila's blog! I just saw this. 
--Phyllis in Russia
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Nov. 20, 2006 - Homeschooling in Taiwan
This was posted as a comment, but I thought it was so interesting that it deserves a place out here:
I read here sometimes and enjoy reading about homeschooling in other countries. Here in Taiwan, it has been legal since 1999, but each county/city has their own laws. We live in one of the poorest counties, therefore homeschooling isn't a big thing. Actually, I got to discuss the beginning of homeschooling registration with a new family!! that makes 5 families and 6 kids registered so far. We are the only Christian family though, that can be discouraging at times. We have freedom, but alot of annoyances like: writing a weekly lesson plan for a semester, in home evaluations by a school committee (last time we had 13 adults in our house, talk about pressure), a meeting at the board of education to review the evaluation, meetings to register for the next semester and meetings to review the next semesters lesson plans. NOT to mention the fact that our children (though not forced by law) are "required" to take the midterms and finals. Though I pushed hard for 1st thru 3rd grade my son not going to school to take the tests, we'll see how 4th and up goes. But, this is a small price to pay for the freedom to homeschool. We truly are thankful for this privildege.
Deana in Taitung Taiwan
Who else wants to share?
--Phyllis in Russia
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Oct. 24, 2006 - update on recently jailed parents in Germany
Just to let you know that I've posted an update at my blog about the parents who were jailed recently.
Is anyone else here? I'd like to hear about homeschooling in non-U.S. parts of the world other than Germany... (Of course, if there's anyone else out there who IS in Germany, please, please write to me!)
--Sheila in Germany
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Oct. 10, 2006 - Sheila in Germany update
I just added a short update to my blog, but the real reason I'm writing here is to show off that I now know what that little globe and links icon is for! LOL (Thank you to the several people who explained it! I'm so tech-challenged, that it took a combination of all of them for me to finally understand what everyone was talking about!)
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Oct. 7, 2006 - addresses of jailed homeschooling parents
Anyone who would like to write a real-life letter (i.e. paper in an envelope, with stamps!) to encourage some parents who have been jailed for refusing to pay fines for homeschooling, a father was jailed on Thursday (Oct. 5) for 13 days and a mother yesterday (Oct. 6) for 10 days. Their addresses are:
Mr. Waldemar Block
JVA Hamm
Bismarckstr. 5
59065 Hamm
GERMANY
and
Mrs. Olga Block
JVA Heidelberg
Oberer Fauler Pelz 1
69117 Heidelberg
GERMANY
Mrs. Block is the sister-in-law of Mr. Block--the state has so far refrained from jailing both parents at the same time. For more details, check out my blog (www.homeschoolblogger.com/sheilalange/), and I'd love to hear from anyone who does write to them. Thank you!
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Sep. 29, 2006 - Hi from Germany!
First of all, thanks to all those who are publicizing the situation here in Germany, and thank you to all those who are praying! I've appreciated the encouraging comments and e-mails I've received. :-)The most recent things I posted were a short history of the compulsory school attendance laws in Germany, and the fact that I have the address for the homeschooling mother of 12 who was jailed a couple of weeks ago, if anyone would like to write to her (in any language!) to encourage her. Please keep checking my blog for updates and feel free to spread the information I share there and a link to my blog! Thanks!
--Sheila in Germany
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Sep. 20, 2006 - Pray for homeschoolers in Germany!
Shelia wrote more about the situation in Germany. Also, be sure to check the rest of her blog, because she posted a new article, too.
Posted by Phyllis in Russia
P.S. Heres another post about Germany.
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Aug. 16, 2006 - Homeschooling in Poland
This blog post made me really excited. It should be exciting to any homeschooler, so let's be praying for them.
For me, since I dream of seeing homeschooling in Russia someday, it was especially wonderful. One of the weaknesses of the church here, as I see it, is the lack of Christian families. Often even strong Christian parents see no way to influence their children. It almost seems like many of them give up hope, once they've done their duty: raising their children to school age. I've heard them say, "Well, we've made it to six years old. Now all we can do is pray." Homeschooling wouldn't solve the whole problem, and it's not the only answer, but I ache to be able to offer them another option.
I'll be praying for the new homeschoolers in Poland, and I'll ask the Lord to send the movement his way next.
Posted by Phyllis in Russia
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Jun. 23, 2006 - Questions
An internet friend of mine posted a bunch of questions about homeschooling. She's Russian, married to an American, ministering in another country. Does anyone want to help with her questions? Some are general homeschooling, but many of them are specifically about homeschooling in an international situation, so I thought this would be a good place to discuss them. I've copied the questions below. She would be happy to have any input, so don't feel like you have to tackle all of the questions at once. 
--Phyllis in Russia
1. When do you start homeschooling a child (what age)?
2. How do you know that the child is learning enough (and fast enough)?
3. What happens if you dont know the material your child is supposed to be learning? Or how do you explain to the child the subject you didnt get when you were studying (such as math for some, languages for others. For me everything that goes beyond standard high school math is well
beyond me).
4. How does homeschooling effect mother-child relationship (for example, I liked my teachers in school, but there is no way Id want them to be my Mom, I needed someone not connected with all the academics to be there for me)?
5. Does the child (or the Mom) ever get tired of seeing the same person every day for many hours a day and what do you do about that?
6. How do you encourage interaction with peers? Especially in an area where no homeschooling support groups are available.
7. What do you for physical activity and exercise?
8. How do you introduce them to the world around them (as in nonchristian world) and how do the children find contacts outside home and church?
9. When homeschooling, do you have any childfree time (for example for ministry)?
10. How does a husband participate in homeschooling?
I also have a few questions that are related specifically to living overseas and bilingual (trilingual) education:
1. When two languages are spoken in the family, how do you teach them equally?
2. I speak Russian with my children, Jim speaks English and he and I communicate in English. Most homeschooling materials and curriculums are sure to be in English too, how do I make sure to include enough Russian. Do I teach in English, because of the materials, too?
3. How would our children interact with their peers in the other country? How do you encourage that? Most MKs I know personally (especially boys), struggle with relationships outside their culture.
4. How do you teach a third language (the language of the country were in, obviously if were ever in Russia again this wouldnt matter)?
5. How do you identify with the cultural problems and questions concerning school, if you havent done it yourself? How can you help?
6. How do you find resources available only in the US?
7. How about supplementary homeschooling (putting a child in a school in the country where youre at but supplementing with English and Russian and whatever else at home)?
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Jun. 7, 2006 - Happy summer!
It's been a while since anyone posted here. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy summer. I won't have computer access for a while, but I'll be back to writing here in the Fall. See you then!
--Phyllis in Russia
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Apr. 24, 2006 - Fellow Aussie post on ANZAC Day in their home...
Ive just had a really wonderful morning. As all Australians/New Zealanders would know, today is ANZAC day. ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps, and because my three boys are scouts they were asked to participate in the dawn service with the war veterans . Our household was up at 5.15am, I made hot chocolate for everyone, we wrapped the 2yo in blankets, bundled her into the pram and we walked the 15 minutes to the war memorial. [click HERE to view her post].
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Apr. 24, 2006 - ANZAC DAY - down under...
Abigail writes:
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli in 1915, during the First World War. The ANZAC ships came ashore about a whole mile north off course their intended landing point. Instead of finding gentle slopes and beach which originally awaited them, they came to steep cliffs and rough beach (eventually known as Anzac Cove.); an ideal defensive position for Turkish soldiers. Considering the circumstances, and their position, the Anzacs found it impossible to advance, and after about 8 months of stalemate between the two battalions, the allies withdrew and 10,000 dead were left among the Anzacs. They left in the year 1916, at dawn.
The Anzacs are widely knows for their courage and grunt on and off the battle field. They dug endless trenches that were literally kilometres long. Skilled snipers were used to shoot the few who became in range. As much as these two armies were enemies, they also respected one another. On Christmas day there was no fighting at all.
The dawn services traditionally started in Albany, Western Australia in 1923. Dawn services are now held at all War Memorials around both countries at dawn.
ANZAC biscuits were originally made and sent over to the soldiers from the Red Cross, because they can last up to a whole year. The ingredients included never went off (stale) and the biscuits kept for a long time and were quite a fulfilling meal.
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
125g (4oz) butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup (I usually add a lot. Especially if you like a chewy strong biscuit =D )
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon water
Preheat oven to 300F (150C)
Mix oats, flour, sugar and coconut together.
Melt syrup and butter together.
Mix soda with boiling water and add to melted butter and syrup.
Add to dry ingredients.
Place 1 tablespoonfuls of mixture on greased tray (allow room for spreading).
Bake for 20 minutes.
Loosen while warm, cool on trays.
(Makes about 35)
Some useful links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_day
http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/ww1.htm
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/For_the_Fallen (Poem by Laurence Binyon) http://www.worldwar1.com/sfanzac.htm
Abs
[Susan]I'd like to add what a usual ANZAC Day can look like for Aussies.
What Aussies do on this day?
Well, everyone is different but many Australians attend a Dawn Service. The reason for the Dawn Service is that this was the time of the original landing by the ANZACS. After the service, ex-service men and women march through their cities while ceremonies are held throughout the country. It is a time where many Australians reflect on the different meanings and times of war.
You can see more information about the ANZACs and the Dawn Service here:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.htm
Regards,
Susan <><
HomeGrownKids
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Apr. 18, 2006 - An interesting book review
. . . about applying different homeschool methods in overseas situations:
Part 1
Part 2
--Phyllis in Russia
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Apr. 12, 2006 - Russia book review
I decided to add a book review about my country. This one is free online.
Boris in Russia is a nice story about a young peasant boy before the Revolution. He travels around and sees the big cities of central Russia. I especially love this book because it starts out right near where we live, and Ive been to the places that Boris visits. Reading this book gives a very good feel for the area, even if youve never been here, though.
My only complaint is that this version has quite a few typos, but thats not a big deal.
--Phyllis in Russia
P.S. Thank you to whomever got the password fixed here!
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Mar. 8, 2006 - Happy International Women's Day!
I don't know how international of a holiday this really is, but it's a big day here in Russia. I hope all of you are feeling very loved and appreciated by your families. Your work as a wife and mother and everything else that you do is very valuable! Have a wonderful March 8th!
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Feb. 23, 2006 - Australia Needs Your Emails Immediately!
Dear HSLDA members and friends,
Recently, Home School Legal Defense Association was contacted by
Anthony White, the homeschool leader in the State of Victoria in
Australia. Their state is facing a bill that will cause homeschoolers
to be placed under the Department of Education's arbitrary authority.
At this time, out of five states in Australia, Victoria has the best
law. Homeschool parents have the freedom to train their children
without any regulations. Unfortunately, this is about to change.
Our brothers and sisters in Victoria are few and not currently
organized. As a result, these homeschool restrictions cannot be
stopped...unless there is an international outcry from the homeschool
community. We are asking you to help our homeschooling friends "down
under" when they need us most. Take a moment and write an email as
soon as possible.
We will send the email, under your email address, to 131 members of
the Victorian Parliament.
You have made the difference before on behalf of homeschoolers in
foreign lands. Please read our "Background" below to see examples of
other countries where homeschoolers in America have stopped bad laws
and help lift restrictions on fellow homeschoolers.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Please write an email to the members of the Victorian Parliament in
Australia and give them this message in your own words:
Please keep homeschooling free in Victoria and amend the proposed
Education Bill. Homeschooling works and parents and parental freedom
to homeschool without these unnecessary proposed regulations is needed
to protect parental liberty. We urge you to remove the need for home
educators in Section 2.1.1(b) and Section 4.3.9 to register and comply
with the Department of Education administrative regulations. If this
is passed homeschoolers will be subject to arbitrary regulations by
the Department of Education who has a prejudicial interest in
homeschooling.
Also, amend Section 2.1.1(b) so that the attendance requirements are
in line with current legislation of the Community Service Act of 1970.
The current legislation already allows the Victorian government to
prosecute families if they are not doing a good job of delivering
"regular and efficient instruction" as is mandated by the code
requiring homeschoolers to provide "regular and efficient instruction"
is all that is needed to protect the welfare and future of the child.
In fact, the current law in Victoria is similar to laws in the various
states in the United States.
If it's not broken, there is no need to fix it. Homeschoolers in
Victoria have been doing a good job training their children. Let
homeschooling remain free in Victoria.
You can also add a paragraph about the tremendous success academically
and socially you are experiencing with your own homeschool. Personal
anecdotes of success are very effective.
Use our online form to send your email.
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=2863
Your email to Parliament needs to be sent immediately because one of
the key votes is taking place on Monday, February 27. Since Australia
is essentially 14 hours ahead of us, their Monday is our Sunday, so
please send your emails immediately!
BACKGROUND:
Australia needs your help. You can make a difference for the fledgling
homeschool movement in Victoria.
You can view some of our work in other countries by visiting the
international section at http://www.hslda.org/hs/international .
In the past, U.S. homeschoolers have had similar opportunities to help
struggling families in other countries. We have seen some dramatic
results.
South Africa: two homeschool parents were freed from prison and,
eventually, homeschooling was legalized.
Germany: a case against a homeschool family was dropped.
Ireland: home visit legislation was defeated.
Thank you for helping your brothers and sisters in Australia.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Klicka, Esq.
HSLDA Senior Counsel
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Feb. 23, 2006 - introduction from Germany
I suppose I should introduce myself now, although in 11 days we're leaving Germany for six months! My name is Sheila and I'm from the United States (northern California), and came to Germany 14 1/2 years ago to be a nanny for a friend "for a year or two". I married my husband, Jφrn, 11 years ago, and we have four children: Marie is 8 1/2, Jacob is 6 1/2, Lukas is 3 1/2, and Katie is 7 months. (Okay, they're not all EXACTLY "and-a-half", but all pretty close--five months, eight months, and eight months). We also have a son waiting in heaven, born two years ago.
We homeschooled until August last year and hope to homeschool again, but were too emotionally exhausted last summer to face another year of fighting the authorities, and they were removing custody of homeschooled children right and left last summer and putting parents in jail. I was willing to try jail, but my husband wasn't, and neither of us were willing to risk losing custody of the children. So...Marie and Jacob started school in August, and as of this writing, they have four more days of school: tomorrow, and next week Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. (Monday and Tuesday there's no school because of Karneval--an "everybody get drunk and go crazy before Lent starts and there's no more fun in life" party, that I could happily do without.) The Monday after that we head for the U.S., first for two weeks with my family in California, then to Montana for a Discipleship Training School with Youth With a Mission. Then another three weeks of visiting friends before coming back to Germany, where the children will hopefully NOT return to school, either because we know when and where we're going next and are able to get them excused from school attendance on the basis of being only temporarily in Germany, or because the laws will have changed by then, or at least homeschooling will be being tolerated in anticipation of the law changing. This is a realistic hope--check out my post about the U.N. visit at www.homeschoolblogger.com/sheilalange/ . (I know there is some way to just write "blog" and have that link, but I haven't learned that yet...If it's really fast and easy, maybe somebody could tell me, and I'll edit this post?)
Homeschooling style: we definitely fit into that catch-all word "eclectic." Unschoolers tend to think we're school-at-homers, whereas my school-at-homer friends find that hysterically funny and think we're definitely unschoolers. Overall, I like having a general idea of what I'd like to get done in the course of a week, while the children get to decide what they do when, for the most part. We've used Sonlight's Cores for Pre-K through 2, very much enjoying them all, and used Singapore and Miquon math, First Language Lessons, and German handwriting/LA books. Science, music, art, etc. have all been more-or-less completely at the unschooling end of the spectrum and worked beautifully that way. When we get to homeschool again full-time, we plan to continue that way.
Enough for one evening--I really ought to be doing something about sorting, etc., in preparation for leaving!
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